Healthy Breakfast Idea: Smoothie Bowls!

Those of you who follow me on Instagram are probably aware about my obsession with acai and smoothie bowls... but can you really blame me? Not only are they a delicious and refreshing way to start your day but they are also incredibly nutritious, healthy and are bound to give you all the energy you'll need! Did I mention it's ridiculously quick too?

The great thing about this is you can make this however you like by altering the sweetness, adding your favourite berries, choosing any toppings you please. Below therefore are merely guidelines that you can follow but I recommend playing with the ingredients until you find that match that tingles your tastebuds...

What you'll need:
1 cup of frozen berries or Acai
1-2 bananas for sweetness
4tbsp milk  (Perhaps coconut or almond) or Yogurt 
1tsp Honey or Maple Syrup  (Optional)
Any toppings you desire... (Nuts, Chia seeds, Berries, Desiccated Coconut) 

1. Throw in all your ingredients into a blender. You want to make sure that the consistency is thick enough so that when you're topping your bowl your fruit doesn't sink to the bottom, therefore, make sure it is not soup like! To alter the consistency add more frozen berries or more yogurt/milk.

2. Pour your smoothie into a bowl and decorate however you please. I love to add chia seeds (an excellent source of protein and Omega 3) because of the way they plump up and walnuts for that crunch (yum)

3. Voila! You have yourself a healthy breakfast full of vitamins, antioxidants, healthy fats and fibre, you could even add greens such as spinach, kale or celery and for more healthy fat perhaps even avocado. 

Enjoy!

Perfect Soft & Fluffy American Pancake Recipe

As we all know Pancake Day is rapidly approaching so I decided to share with you all my absolute favourite recipe which guarantees perfect, soft, thick and fluffy pancakes every time!

It is super quick and easy to whip up and is a perfect Sunday treat, I urge you all to try it and tell me what you think.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 4 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract (optional)
• 2 1/4 Cup Buttermilk
• 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 2 Eggs

Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Add the buttermilk, oil, and eggs.
3. Mix just until you see that there are no longer lumps of wet and dry but make sure the mixture isn't completely smooth, it is important to not over mix!
4. Dollop about two heaped tablespoons of the mixture per a pancake on a pan that's on medium heat.
5. Cook until little bubbles start to appear and the bottom is golden brown about 2 minutes or so, then flip and cook the other side until just browned (this will take slightly less time).
6. Now top with whatever you like, Nutella, fruit, honey, maple syrup the combinations are infinite and the choice is yours!

Enjoy!

Mila Kay x

The Perfect Gingerbread Recipe

Nothing screams Christmas more than a fresh batch of homemade gingerbread. Today, me and my little sister spent the afternoon making these easy but incredibly delicious goodies. I've tried countless recipes in the past but I think i've finally mastered the perfect recipe, which results in a chewy, soft but crispy texture. I hope you try it out and let me know what you think!

Ingredients: 
350g of Plain Flour
1tsp of bicarbonate of soda
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2-1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
125g butter
150g light soft brown sugar
1 free-range egg
2 tbsp of honey
2tbsp golden syrup

Instructions (Just 5 easy steps):
1. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves and pour into a medium-sized bowl. Grate and add the butter then combine (with your hands) until the mix looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.
2. Lightly beat the egg honey and golden syrup together, add to the bowl and combine until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in clingfim and leave to chill in the fridge for a minimum of 15 minutes (you can also do this the day before and leave overnight).
3.Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
4. Roll the dough out to a 0.5cm thickness on a lightly floured surface (try and use as little flour as possible as this toughens the dough). Using any cutters you like, cut out the gingerbread shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them.R
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. When cooled decorate with the writing icing and cake decorations.

- Mila Kay x