Drinking Healthy

Now I know I keep going on about health foods but I just heard about this awesome machine that is supposedly better than the Vitamix. If you don't know what a Vitamix is, it's this industrial blender, that doesn't pretty much everything. It makes ice creams, soups, smoothies, the possibilities are endless. But now there is a machine, called the TermoMix. It is more expensive however its not a machine that just liquefies. It does so much more. I definitely recommend this for healthy eating. just look up videos on YouTube. It even makes bread dough. So lets say

Tiana Organic Fair Trade Coconut Baking Flour, with some filtered water, free range eggs and some Tiana Organic Crystallised Coconut Nectar, would make an awesome cake or bread. You put all the ingredients in the Thermomix and the dough will be ready in seconds.

It's been a while

I'm sorry I haven't' blogged lately but all the works in the house are still being done and we didn't have internet, or even hot water for quite a while. So What has happened in the last few weeks, you ask? Well, We have become a lot more closer to the neighbours. We have made a few more friends from my husbands work place which was nice, but they do seem slightly snooty. I tend to feel slightly self conscious about how I look around them. I feel like I need to wear the most up-to-date fashion with the most expensive jewellery.
Like i'm not spending enough already on the house, but I have to buy new clothes too? I don't think so.

Husbands at the gym

Bill and Gary have been going to the gym together and its nice to see them bonding. especially with the age difference. They each go with a can of Tiana organic coconut water and then work out and then they come back to ours or we go to their's and have a lovely healthy meal. While the boys are at the gym, I love hanging out with Anne.It's almost like having a sister. We learn so much from each other, especially with her being a nutritionist, you can't help but learn from her. What she teaches, benefits all. Anne, really has got me into using Tiana brand products. Its amazing the difference we see in ourselves.

My Daughters Friends Birthday Party

Remember, I told you about the birthday party that my child got invited to? I decided to make some snack to take to the party. It a great way to get in good with all the mums. I made some healthy chocolate brownies that I read of another blog. I'll put the recipe down below. Every one loved them and as I explained the health benefits, more and more parents wanted to talk to me. They were so sweet. And It rubbed of on the kids as well. They made many new friends. This party was a blessing. But I couldn't help think about how the workers are doing at home. They are trustworthy people, but at the end of the day, you never know what they could do wrong. 

Recipe 

Here are the ingredients to make these Healthy Cocoa Brownies: 

1/3 cup          TIANA Organic Virgin Coconut Oil or butter, melted
½ cup            Linwoods Milled Flaxseed Cocoa & Berries
6                     Eggs
1 cup              Sugar
½ teaspoon  Salt
½ teaspoon   Vanilla
½ cup sifted  TIANA Organic Coconut Flour
1 cup              Nuts, chopped (optional)

There's nothing here you can't buy from good ol' Holland and Barrett!

And now for the method:

-In a saucepan at low heat, blend together butter and cocoa powder. 
-Remove from heat and let cool. In a bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. 
-Stir in cocoa mixture. 
-Whisk coconut flour into batter until there are no lumps. 
-Fold in nuts. 
-Pour batter into a greased 11x7x2 or 8x8x2 inch pan. Bake at 175˚C (350˚F) for 30-35 minutes.

Enjoy

Dinner With The Neighbours

THE NEIGHBOURS INVITED US FOR DINNER. This was a great opportunity to spend more time with them, and finally Bill will get to meet them. Yes, there is an age difference, they are newly married, almost 10 years younger than Bill and I, but we managed to bond so well and this is due to us having a lot in common when it comes to fitness and health. You see Anne is a nutritionist and her husband Gary is an accountant but a huge fitness enthusiast. We exchange and discuss tips and recipes. They told me about the health food store Holland and Barrett. And I was telling them about the farmers markets that we have in the States. I can't believe they had never heard of Kale before, it is such a nutrition green. Very good for the body.
Anyway, after that, we played a fun game of Monopoly and had a good laugh. They were very nice people and I'm glad I went round to introduce myself earlier in the week.
Bill and Gary will also be going to the gym together from now on. Great right?

Having Teenage Kids

Having teenage kids can be challenging, but I have to say, there is a geographical difference. On one hand you have to go along with the school system, and I know the American School System really well, but the British School System is different. My kids are finding school easy over here. But then you have the after school curriculum and the popularity contests, my kids seem to be finding it hard to fit in and I had no clue on how to advise them. There are only so many times when you can tell your kids to focus on their school work, because I have heard how bullying in school can affect kids lives. I'm not saying that they get bullied, but I don't want them to be out casts either. They're good kids and not the type to rebel or sneak out. But at the same time, is that what would make them cool?

The Neighbours

Today, I went to visit the neighbours. I baked them coconut muffins out of the goodness of my heart and my apologies for the noise. I wasn't sure what they were like, nice, evil?  What kind of lifestyle do they live? what are their diets like? So I made gluten free, low carbohydrate, high fibre muffins. I know the British love their muffins... or is that a stereotype?

So I went there and introduced myself to them and they are a lovely young couple. Very much into fitness and healthy diets just like my family and I. Good thing I made the cupcakes like I did. We ended up having a lot in common and had a very good laugh. I've made some friends but they aren't exactly in my age group but they were so kind as to take me into their home and get to know me. They were very nice. I can't wait for Bill to meet them.