Review: Genius pains au chocolat

One of the things I miss most since going completely wheat free is pastry! Yes, yes, I know that pastries are full of fat but it's good to have a sweet treat every now and again. I've tried a lot of gluten free foods and Genius are certainly my go to brand for a gluten free staples when there's just no time to bake anything. I rely on Genius bread to feed my sandwich habit but now I can pretend that I am indulging in some pastry like I used to.

These pains au chocolats are to die for! The pastry is buttery and flaky, just like a pastry should be and if you warm them up in the grill they are the perfect weekend breakfast with a home made smoothie, I'll post the recipe for the blueberry smoothie later today.

What's your favourite sweet treat or Genius product?

New Addition!

You'll all know that I'm a HUGE fan of animals, be they whales (I've adopted two), llamas, screaming goats, rabbits or kittens, I LOVE THEM ALL. You all know my little rabbit Cupcake (If you don't she often makes an appearance on social media) this is her when I first brought her home:

Since I got her, I've been collecting a small zoo. I now have a fish called Willam and now I have a new addition to the family, a KITTEN! They are all so adorable, especially when Thor the kitty follows Cupcake around the flat or just chilling on the sofa.

Thor is now 11 weeks old and a total terror! But she is now the star of a schuh YouTube video with her big sister Boo, I know I'm biased but aren't they adorable?

If you want to watch Nadia's handiwork over and over and over, hop over to the schuh YouTube.

Recipe: Coffee Smoothie

Smoothies are so great but if you're as addicted to coffee as I am you'll be conflicted about what to drink first, coffee or smoothie, coffee or smoothie, coffee or smoothie...? ARGH! 

I was flicking through my cookbooks the other day (one of my favourite hobbies) and came across a coffee smoothie from Nigella Express, I've changed it slightly but it's got the same vibe!

Here's all you need:

• 1 x banana
• 1 cup of hazelnut milk
• 1 teaspoon of maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon of instant coffee
• 1 teaspoon of cacao nibs

Chuck it all in your blender and blend until smooth.

It's great immediately with a straw but is also perfect in a jar for work the next morning if you have to leave the house at crazy o'clock like I do.

Hair: The Frida

Have you ever been obsessed by somewhere you've never been? I have, quite a few times actually.... my current obsession though is Mexico (remember my Mexican Meatball Soup recipe? See it here), the whole place makes me want to cry with joy and it probably stems from the long standing obsession with Frida Kahlo. The Frida obsession seems to be quite widespread at the moment, what with the film Frida in 2002, doesn't Salma Hayek look so much like her?

I've gotten to the point where this Mexican stuff is leaking into my everyday without me even trying. I'm calling my current go to hair style "The Frida" for obvious reasons.

Two plaits, pinned over my head and a flower to top it off. It's so simple for those days when my hair is flat at the top and frizzy at the ends (a constant issue for a compulsive back comber).

I'm trying really REALLY hard not to buy these socks to compliment "The Frida" Modcloth, you're making it so difficult! 

Happy Easter

I've got to admit, shooting imagery for work at Easter is fun because it usually means I can make loads paper bunnies (like last year, see it here) but this year it meant CHOCOLATE! 

Go forth and stuff yourself with chocolate!

Recipe: Baked Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a total dream to eat at any time of the day, be it a sweet treat in the afternoon or an early morning shot of vitamin C. It can however get a little boring... But I stumbled across the idea of baking it and I've never looked back! 

 You'll only need half a grapefruit per portion, you can totally cling film the other half and save it for the next day. Here's what you'll need:

• half a grapefruit
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 2 tablespoons of soya yoghurt

All you need to do is spread the honey on your grapefruit half, stick it on a baking tray and put it in a preheated oven at 175C until it goes all gooey and golden. Then simply serve it with the yoghurt. AMAZINGLY tasty. 

A few of my favourite things...

I love March, mostly because it's the start of spring so daffodils come out to play and I get to celebrate my birthday! My birthday always reminds me how lucky I am to have such wonderful people around me even though I am so far from home. So here are a few of my favourite things... about this March.

Having a princess party for my 28th just so I could dress up as my alter ego, Snow White:

My new (donated from my grandparents) mirror mirror on the wall:

Homemade cards: 

Paper straws:

Bunting:

My own pin up lady:

ILLUSTRATED DRAG QUEENS!!!

Wheat free cakes:

Unexpected gifts from new friends:

And best of all, daffs!

What;s your favourite month? Are you hopeful that spring is still on it's way? I'm not so sure anymore!!