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Our first full week of being Frengellicafied - and it's been pretty good! The weather has picked up a lot but I suppose it'll be a while before things return to some kind of normal with regards to going out and about. That hasn't stopped The Mister and I from going out for a kayak around the pond where the only creatures he has to socially distance from are the beavers and the odd deer! Hope everyone is staying safe and in good health x So what's on Frengellica this week? If the only thing you've got to complain about after the few months of extreme hand-washing is dry hands, then you're lucky! But that said - no one really wants the kind of hands you can grate cheese on. So check out our Beauty Larder post on the milk and honey hand treatment. I've had dry skin pretty much my whole life and during periods when my skin is very dry, I use milk on my skin instead of water. It's very moisturizing and hydrating, and I really notice the difference. After about two days, my skin comes back to life again. So I'll be resorting to this treatment for my currently extremely arid hands! I love chocolate desserts (who doesn't!) so check out our post for a rather unusual chocolate dessert Hot Chocolate Lava Puddle in our feature Wake Me Up Before Your Cacao... Definitely one for the chocoholics! Aside from baking banana bread (2020 will always be remembered as the year there was an abundance of banana bread and a lack of bog roll. And nobody can explain either of those!) And another thing we did while we were all told to stay home was get our craft on. I've been a crafter from way back when and in the past I've dabbled in soap making, floristry, jewellery-making, wedding favours, papercrafts, gift baskets, beadwork... and as you can imagine all kinds of crafty nik-naks are scattered all around my house. But since last September, I've got into crochet in a big way. I picked it up almost immediately and now I'm... hooked! So crochet has most definitely been my thing while we've been isolating. And I'm very pleased to say that I've moved on from scarves and headbands and now progressed to crocheted tops. Keep this up and I may never have to actually buy clothes again. At least that's what I tell The Mister! So if you're a crafting pro, then you're sure to get 10 Things You'll Understand If You're a Craft Addict. June 1st marks World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day (WNAAD) an internationally recognized event that raises awareness of narcissistic abuse as well as providing education and resources for survivors. At Frengellica, we're thrilled that there is an event that highlights this growing issue and brings it to people's attention because there's still a lot of people out there who have no idea what narcissistic abuse is. Those of you who watch Coronation Street will have seen what Geoff has been putting his wife Yasmeen through, and EastEnders' fans will have seen what charmer Gray is really like behind closed doors, in scenes that are highly uncomfortable to watch. As many people watch soap operas, it's great that the writers are developing these storylines and bringing these issues to people's attention. But if it's uncomfortable to watch a soap character have to endure this abuse, can you imagine what it's like for real-life victims? There will be a two day online summit, The Survivor's Empowerment Summit starting on 1st June where speakers - mental health practitioners and leading experts on this subject - will be giving advice and sharing insights. Check out our post on how to get involved. #ifmywoundswerevisible Photos: Pixabay or Angel Noire as stated Word cloud: Angel Noire

A deliciously fruity cocktail, delicately fragranced with rose, and just the right amount of fizz! Try our Pomegranate Roseberry Sparkler. POMEGRANATE ROSEBERRY SPARKLER Prep time: 5 mins Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500ml pomegranate juice 50gm raspberries, pureed and strained 1tbsp. rosewater 200ml sparkling wine Seeds from one pomegranate, muddled Pink or red rose petals to garnish THIS IS HOW WE DO IT! 1. Add the pomegranate juice to the muddled pomegranate seeds and stir well. 2. Add the rosewater. 3. Divide the raspberry puree between the four glasses. 4. Half fill the glass with the pomegranate juice. 1. Mix the pomegranate juice, rosewater, pomegranate seeds, and raspberry puree in a jug. 2. Half-fill four glasses with the pomegranate mixture. 3. Top up with the sparkling wine. 4. Garnish with rose petals. 5. Enjoy! Main Image: Pixabay Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word cloud: Angel Noire

Oh wow! The first Frengellica blog post and I am soooo excited! There were times I honestly thought we'd never get here... like a journey on the District Line tube service! But here we are at last and hopefully we've been worth the wait! WELCOME FRENGELLISTAS!!! As some of you may know, this site started off life as a blog called Chez Mrs. D. but over time it started to feel old and tired - more old and tired than a storyline from a long running British soap opera (take your pick!) So this site took a tip from the queen of reinvention, Madonna, and er, reinvented itself! We liked a lot of things about Chez Mrs. D. but we wanted to hold on to what we had and go somewhere new. And we'd like to think we've achieved that with Frengellica. Everyone who knows me, knows that my life has been one heck of a roller-coaster ride. There were highs and lows; twists and turns; being pulled forwards and then dragged backwards; turned upside down; suspended in mid-air - and even faced the danger of derailment! Just off the top of my head I've: Had major skin issues that effected my confidence and social life - and overcame them. Encountered more than my fair share of seriously toxic folk and learned how to deal with them. Suffered with insomnia on and off for years Dealt with lack of confidence and self-esteem issues Learned to cope with anxiety Changed career more than a few times (this was very much a positive for me!) Met Mr. Right after having to endure a few Mr. Right T**ts! Had a very unstable relationship... with money! Learnt to adjust to life as an ex-pat And that's just for starters! So then I thought well why not put all those thrilling, frustrating, exciting, excruciating, sobering, crying-in-the-corner, laugh-out-loud experiences to good use and see if anyone else could benefit from them too. So in a fun and lighthearted way (as opposed to all preachy-preachy; lecturing, and judgmental) we're spreading a positive message about better, happier, healthier living and enhancing your life in every way possible. We hope we can encourage, motivate, inspire you all and have a bloody good laugh along the way! So what's in Frengellica this week? QUIPS OF AN ANGEL The first ever Quips of an Angel, a new weekly feature that sees me rabbit on about one thing or another, because when it comes to rabbiting on, Watership Down ain't got nothing on me! POMEGRANATE ROSEBERRY SPARKLER One summer, Marks and Sparks brought out a pomegranate and rose juice drink, and I swear for the whole season, that's all I drank. Delish doesn't even come close to describing it. So the very first Drinks At Mine feature is for a pomegranate and rose drink - my own little creation that takes me back to that that Summer - with the addition of raspberries... and alcohol! GYM AND SLIMLINE BY EMMA BURSTALL How many of you out there claim to love reading but then say that you're too busy to even pick up a book, let alone read it? Well hopefully our Read For Your Supper book posts will have you with your nose in a book in no time - before heading into the kitchen! Check out the first of our Read For Your Supper posts where we take a look at Emma Burstall's cleverly titled Gym and Slimline. I don't normally go for books which have a sporty theme - not being so sporty myself - but you'll soon see that sport is on the periphery of this novel. But I do enjoying reading books with an evident friendship theme which emanates from close-knit circles and that's exactly what you'll find in Gym and Slimline. The recipe that accompanies this post is one that I created - for what I consider to be the perfect, healthy breakfast smoothie. I'm really not much of a breakfast person but I could have that every morning and never get bored of it. PINKIES AT THE READY: AFTERNOON TEA ETIQUETTE There are some fabulous things that have come out of Britain: Football, heavy metal, tikka masala (it absolutely came from Britain)... and me! And afternoon tea is another thing we've given the world that us Brits can be very proud of. As much as I'm a cappuccino and cake kind of girl, I do love a good tea party - especially if it's done properly. How you host a tea party is obviously your bi'ness but if you want to know a little more about how to host one the proper way, check out this post. 15 WAYS TO... GET MORE OF YOUR FIVE A DAY To kick off our 15 Ways... series, we take a look at how easy to is to get five portions of fruit and veg into your daily diet. We all have good intentions when it comes to being healthy. But being busy, always on the go, and OK, a bit lazy sometimes, means we find ourselves slipping into bad habits. This post shows you how you can effortlessly incorporate some of the good stuff into your diet. FINANCIAL DETOXING Everyone knows how good a detox is for your physical health. If only we gave as much thought to our financial health. I admit that in the past, I was the worst when it came to looking after my finances. I never scrutinized my pay slip the way my colleagues did; never checked my balance as often as Mr. D does, and I didn't set shopping budgets. Very bad! Worse still, I've had companies and banks charging me more than they should have, and it really pisses me off when I think of the amount of money I've lost. So I decided I needed to get more cash savvy. With the current economic climate we're in at the moment, made worse by the outbreak of Covid-19, we've all got to be very careful. I've experienced hard times before and it's something I really don't want to have to go through again. And I'm not the only one. Many other people have too, including Beth*, who has been through the mill financially but proves that things can get better. This post helps you to make a start in getting things back on track with some simple measures. A lot of sleepless nights, caffeine, name changes, caffeine, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, blood, sweat, and tears (OK, the blood was a slight exaggeration!) went into creating this site that is all about... better living! So we hope that all the effort has been worth it and that you really enjoy the site that is... Frengellica! A few of the same features from Chez Mrs. D. are still here plus a lot of new ones too. But best of all there is also a forum where all us Frengellistas can congregate, share stories, advice and Frenge-ship! Years ago I used to go on a forum where the camaraderie among the users was phenomenal and there was a real sense of community - something that we all need now. And I hope that the Frengellica forum gives you all a sense of belonging, friendship and community. I hope all you Frengellistas and your families are staying safe, staying healthy, and staying as stress-free as possible as the world tries to figure out how we're going to navigate our way out of this pandemic - the worst one seen in modern times. Let's hope things will change for the better soon xxx Images: Pixabay unless otherwise stated Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word cloud: Angel Noire

Money comes and money goes... but for some of us, money seems to be going out a lot faster than it's coming in! For many of us, news of the latest economic crisis is nothing new. In fact we've even come to expect it! We wonder if it will ever get better. More people over thirty-five in the UK are living with their parents or doing houseshares than ever before; many people are finding it hard to get on the property ladder; jobs are in short supply, and we can all safely say that the cost of living is going up at an alarming rate. And it's a horrible thought but with the state pension age steadily going up, it appears that now more than ever we need to take serious care of our finances. And with the spread of the recent pandemic which has seen many businesses suffer, and thousands out of work, many more people are sadly experiencing financial hardship. Some of us have even discovered that that rainy day fund hasn't been as much of a back-up plan as we thought because we had been saving up for a rainy day. Not a tsunami! Some of us are naturals when it comes to taking care of our money and have been since we were given our very first piggy bank. We know how to save; how much we need saved; when to spend; where to get great deals; how to budget; the differences between various banks and bank accounts; what to invest in... these people really need to start giving lessons! But then there are the rest of us. Oh dear! There is however, great news on the horizon. First of all we can all apply that 'never too late' mantra to ourselves. Even if we've been totally rubbish with money in the past, it's not too late to learn - especially from our past (or even current) mistakes: understand where we went wrong, know how to do things differently and try not to repeat those mistakes. And the even better news is that the beginner's course in looking after your money doesn't require you to have the skills of a financial expert. With a few simple tweaks, you can really make a difference in your spending habits, and as you watch your savings grow every month, this will spur you on to take your money-saving habits to the next level. That's not to say that things will change overnight. Good habits take a while to develop, especially if you've been used to doing things a certain way for a long time now. But it can get better. Here's a story from Beth* in which she describes the hard lessons she learned regarding money. Beth thought she was fully in control of her spending and saving habits until things started to go wrong... CASE STUDY: BETH'S STORY When I graduated from university fifteen years ago I was very fortunate to have found a job almost immediately in retail management. I was with the company for five years and worked my way up to area manager. During that time, I learned to manage my money. I lived within my means and didn't go on mad spending sprees - which could so easily have happened! I set up three bank accounts: one for outgoings and two for savings. I thought I was being very sensible and grown up. I was still living at home so all I was paying for were my phone bills and the internet.  All in all, I was quite pleased with myself. But then things went wrong. The company I worked for were going through a very bad period and staff cuts had to be made. I ended up losing my job. I wasn't overly worried at that point as I believed that I'd be able to find another job as quickly as I had found that one. I was wrong. Lots of people were out of work and there weren't enough jobs available. I was out of work for six months before I was able to find work as a receptionist at a hotel. I was obviously grateful to have found a job but it paid a lot less than what I had been earning before so it meant that I still had to dip into my savings which were, by now, not as healthy as they once were. I was also furious to discover that the accounts that I'd set up weren't as brilliant as I'd been led to believe and I earned hardly anything in terms of interest (yes my advice did come from the bank!) Which goes to show that you should always read the small print and make sure you fully understand it; keep up to date so you know if any changes are being made, and don't be afraid to ask questions until you get a definite answer. Compared to a lot of people, I was definitely one of the lucky ones: I had no children and I still lived at home, so those were two less things for me to worry about. It took a good few years to get myself back on my feet financially. I was then able to move out of home - though I wasn't able to move into a place of my own immediately. I had to do a house share, which wasn't as bad as house shares go and the rent was pretty low, so once again, I was quite fortunate. There's a part of me that bitterly regrets not getting my foot on the property ladder when I had the chance to do so - when it was far more easier to get a mortgage than it is now. I suppose living at home with my parents, being a homeowner was not really something I gave much thought to. Plus I was too busy having a good time rather than seriously thinking about the future. I always thought I'd have time to do so when I was ready, not knowing what lay ahead. But that said, I know that losing my job when I did would have meant that I had the added burden of a mortgage and difficulty making the repayments. Perhaps I would have found a way around that - help from my parents maybe. We'll never know now but the sensible side of me knows that the time was wrong to be a property owner so it's probably just as well. I'm also sorry that I didn't take care of my finances better. There were things I could have done: shopped around to get better deals; asked people for advice; saved more etc. I'm thankful that I'm now able to start renting a flat which I will move into soon. Of course I do wish that I was able to own my own home but... maybe one day... Thankfully Beth's story wasn't disastrous, and there's a lot to be learned from her experience. Unfortunately there are people who have ended up in far worse situations. Unless your name is Mystic Meg, it's very difficult to predict what is around the corner. And as we've recently discovered, there are some circumstances which are totally, completely and utterly beyond our control. But there are ways in which we can lessen the impact. So a financial detox - not to mention a little common sense - is a must. It's not going to sort your finances out overnight but it's a start and with perseverance you should find yourself in a more stable financial position. GUIDE TO FINANCIAL DETOXING 1. DECIDE WHAT'S IMPORTANT: You won't be able to get back the money you've lost, spent or frittered away. But it's not too late to make changes in order to manage and improve your financial health. Make a list of all your outgoings - all the things you spend your hard earned cash on! Looking at the list, think of the things you: need (e.g.- phone, rent, utilities, travel) can go without completely (e.g.- grabbing a coffee on your way to work; buying things you know you won't use!) can cut down on (e.g. - eating out, sales shopping etc.) 2. TAKE ACTION: Think about at least three simple things that you can do now that will help you to save money. These might include: Reading online magazines and newspapers rather than buying them everyday (yes, some people do still buy them!) Drinking coffee at home before you get to work. Cancelling old direct debits. Making a weekly food planner to reduce food wastage. Only shopping for clothes during sales... or avoiding the sales if you're likely to buy things you don't need and won't use. Borrowing books from your local library rather than buying them. Taking a different route to avoid stores, coffee shops etc. 3. SORT OUT PAPERWORK: Find the past 12 months of bank statements, credit card statements, pay slips etc. Organize them: if you have paper copies, put them in order with the most recent on top. Save online copies to your desktop. 4. CHECK OUTGOINGS: Write down - preferably on an Excel spreadsheet  - your monthly outgoings. Divide it into key categories: rent/mortgage bills food travel motor vehicles household items health clothing leisure etc. Don't forget yearly costs such as TV licence, MOT, holiday expenses etc. 5. SNEAKY CASH TACTICS: Bank statements don't tell you everything about your outgoings. Think about all the things that you might pay for in cash: travel fare; fast food; cigarettes; alcohol; coffee; chocolates etc. Add these outgoings onto your spreadsheet. 6. ANALYSE OUTGOINGS: Pay attention to your outgoings in terms of energy, phone, car insurance etc. - can you get better deals elsewhere? Once your phone contract has expired, don't immediately upgrade. Instead opt for a 'SIM only' deal. You can absolutely get some great deals - you won't even miss having a phone contract, and some of you may even breathe a sigh of relief as you're released from the shackles of a phone contract. So you won't get the latest flashy handset but you could make massive savings. 7. THE RAINY DAY FUND Speak to someone at the bank about setting up a savings account that can be linked to your current account. When you make savings, either on your weekly shopping or travel etc. it can be put into your savings account. Some of us may think we're doing pretty well with our savings, but according to experts we should ideally have three to six months income stashed away 'just in case' - so get saving people! 8. SET A REALISTIC WEEKLY/MONTHLY BUDGET Once you have a better idea of your incomings and outgoings, you'll be able to set a realistic weekly/monthly budget and keep a closer eye on your money. 9. PAY WITH CASH OK, OK... we're hear shouts of "Who on earth pays with cash these days!" There's a lot of talk about us moving towards a cashless society, and most people opt to pay with plastic for just about everything, no matter how small the purchase. But many who choose to pay with their flexible friend - whether it's a debit or credit card - often say that they forget that they're actually paying for things. They just feel like they're handing over a bit of plastic! It's only when they check statements, the shock of how much they've actually spent hits them. Hard! Try to get into the habit of paying for cash wherever possible. We're not a cashless society yet so why not? Because you're handing over actual money, it makes you more conscious of what you're spending, and may even encourage you to budget throughout the day. And if you're someone who doesn't like carrying much cash - and you can't be expected to pay for your fortnight to the Bahamas in fives and tens - then keep a written note of your spending throughout the day which you check regularly to ensure no nasty surprises later on. 10. GET A JAR FOR YOUR LOOSE CHANGE! Admittedly you're not going to become a multi-millionaire by filling a jam jar with coins you find lying around the house but you will be amazed by what it all adds up to. Some have said they've found enough to treat themselves to something almost every month whether that's a meal in a restaurant or a new pair of shoes. Or a decent top up for their savings account. So start searching down the back of the sofa now! Images: Pixabay Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word Cloud: Angel Noire * Of course that's not her real name!

The road to healthy living is paved with good intentions: getting more sleep; exercising regularly; drinking more water, and consuming the all-important five portions of fruit and veg every day. There are some lucky people who have no problems getting their five-a-day. And despite the fact that most of us love fruits and veggies and have no aversion to them, we also love chocolate, cakes, pastries and anything sugary and stodgy. And more often than not, that's what we tend to opt for - especially when we need to dash. It seems such a mission to remember to eat healthily with our fast-track lifestyles where we're always on the go. So we convince ourselves many a time that the jam tart we're scoffing is actually quite healthy because it contains jam which is made from, er, fruit; that coffee and chocolate are good for you because they are made from beans; chips are made from potatoes which is a vegetable so all good in the hood there, and sugar comes from a plant - need we say more! But seriously,  who are we trying to kid? SO WHAT COUNTS AS A PORTION OF FRUIT OR VEG? There seems to be a great deal of confusion as to what constitutes a single serving of fruit or vegetables but it's widely believed to be around 80g. The following are examples of single servings: 1 150ml glass of pure fruit juice 1 thick slice of pineapple or melon 3 heaped tablespoons of pulses or beans 1 apple, pear, orange, banana or other similar sized fruit 2 plums or kiwi fruit 1⁄2 a grapefruit 3 heaped tablespoons of vegetables 1/2 an avocado 3 heaped tablespoons of fruit salad 1 heaped tablespoon of raisins or sultanas 3 heaped tablespoons of stewed fruit 3 dried apricots 1 cupful of grapes, cherries or berries 1 small bowl of salad With the exception of potatoes, which are very starchy and aren’t included in the recommended five a day, all other fruit and vegetables count, whether they're fresh, frozen, dried, tinned, or pure juices. But it's worth remembering that no matter how much pure, freshly-squeezed juice you drink, it still only counts as one portion owing to certain nutrients being depleted in the juicing process. And because they don’t contain the same vitamins and minerals as other fruit and veg, kidney beans; chick peas; lentils, and other pulses also only count as one portion, no matter how much you eat. Therefore in order to get a wide variety of nutrients, it’s advisable to munch on five different types of fruit and veg each day. IS FIVE ENOUGH? It's also worth noting that when people talk about getting their five-a-day, that's just the minimum amount that we should be consuming every day. Washing fruits and vegetables can reduce the nutritional content (but it has to be done!) And it can be reduced even further during the cooking process. And that's before we take into account that there's the possibility that a lot of the fruit and veg we consume may not so nutrient-rich due to environmental factors. So we ideally should be aiming for at least seven servings but goodness - it's sometimes hard enough just getting the five so we'll concentrate on that for now! It's actually not that hard to eat the recommended daily amount of fruit and veg. It's just that we all live such busy lives these days and we've fallen into a pattern of bad eating habits. For instance, an ideal healthy-eating day could see you start with chopped mango and pineapple with yogurt for breakfast; an oaty, apricot flapjack with a handful of dried fruit and nuts a for mid-morning snack; prawn salad for lunch; a snack of fruit salad for later on in the afternoon; and salmon with spinach, asparagus, broccoli and potatoes for dinner. What could be simpler? There are many ways in which you could effortlessly get the recommended five-a-day without overthinking it so it doesn't seem such a drag. Many of the ideas below are not at all unrealistic ways of getting more fruit and veg into your diet. It's unlikely that you'll be able to change your eating habits overnight, and lifestyle changes always seem a bit daunting but you'll gradually be able to work your way up to incorporating more fruit and veg into your diet - and once you know how easy it is, you'll be unstoppable! 1. USE REAL FRUIT INSTEAD OF ARTIFICIAL SYRUPS IN DRINKS It's always disappointing when you call into a coffee shop, order a fruity iced drink, smoothie or milkshake - and find them pouring sickly-sweet, synthetic-tasting syrup into the glass instead of blending real fruit. Well you can't control what your local coffee shop uses, but you can make delicious cold drinks at home using real fruit. It may take a little more effort than opening a bottle but it's so worth it! 2. GET SPIRALIZING! Spiralizing has caught on in a big way where vegetables such as carrots, squash, beets and courgettes are cut into thin, spaghetti-like strands using a spiralizer before being blanched (if necessary) and added to salads or eaten in place of pasta with pesto or tomato-based sauces. 3. CAULIFLOWER 'RICE' ISN'T JUST FOR THOSE DOING ATKINS! For some of us, the first time we heard about cauliflower 'rice', it was something that Atkins dieters were making as a substitute to rice, where they would pulse cauliflower florets to resemble rice grains. It might sound quite bland but with seasoning, herbs, spices, a little chopped onion or crushed garlic, and a lot of imagination it can be very tasty. And of course now it's possible to make pizza 'dough' bases out of the humble cauliflower, or even use mashed cauliflower as a topping for shepherd's pie instead of potato. Oh and fried cauliflower 'rice' is so delicious and not nearly as heavy as real rice. 4. SNACK ON DRIED FRUIT AND FROZEN BERRIES INSTEAD OF SWEETS Most of us love sweet, sugary treats but dried and frozen fruit can be deliciously sweet and it's a healthier way to get your fix of something sweet. 5. ICE ICE BABY Blend yogurt, and honey with your favourite fruit, pop into ice-lolly moulds and you'll have a delicious, frozen sweet treat that takes next to no time to prepare. 6. GO BANANAS! Bananas are so versatile and contain a lot of potassium which is great when you need an energy boost. There's so much you can do with them. You can have them on toast; in porridge; blended into a milkshake or smoothies for breakfast; coat them in chocolate and freeze them as an alternative to ice-lollies; mash them into pancake, muffin or cake batter; bake or barbecue them and serve them with ice-cream... the list goes on! 7. DREAM TOPPING Purée some berries with honey and pour over ice-cream as a healthy alternative to sugar-laden ice-cream toppings. 8. JUICY! There aren't many people who don't own a juicer - but there are a lot of juicer owners who don't use them. This is a real shame because pure, freshly squeezed juice is so much healthier for you and tastes much better than what comes out of a carton. And of course with a vast array of fruit and veggies available, you can have fun trying to come up with unique flavour combinations. To prevent your barely-used juicer from just sitting on top of your kitchen cabinet, gathering dust in it's box, if you're a lazy gal or guy - as some of us are - when looking for a juicer, make sure you got for one that: Is easy to store Doesn't have too many different parts that need to be washed Gets the most nutrients out of the fruit/veg Doesn't require too much food prep 9. SWAP POTATO CHIPS FOR APPLE CRISPS Slice an apple (or pear) very thinly; place on a baking sheet; place in the oven at a low temperature, and bake until crispy, turning over occasionally. 10. BLEND VEG INTO SHOP BOUGHT FOOD There are times when we don't have time to make things from scratch - no matter how much we want to. But you can always add veggies to shop-bought stews or blend vegetables into shop-bought soups; add mushrooms to frozen pizza, or sautéed onion, garlic and mushrooms to shop-bought pasta sauces. 11. MAKE VEGGIE DESSERTS! It started with carrot cake but now there seems to be a trend for adding vegetables such as beetroot, sweetcorn, pumpkin and courgette to baked goodies and desserts - and it seems to be going down a storm. It's great because you can enjoy the sweet treats you love so much AND get the necessary nutrients. So you get the both of best worlds! But please note, when we talk about desserts made using vegetables, we're referring to the healthier homemade versions made with a higher vegetable content and a lot less fat and sugar. 12. CHIPS AND DIPS Dips and salsas taste so much better than the shop-bought stuff and they're so quick and simple to make. When you're having your mates over, or want to snack on something in front of the telly, try making delicious guacamoles and spicy salsas to serve with tortilla chips. Not only do they taste great but you'll feel so much healthier. 13. FEEL THE PULSE IN A CAN! These are a great cupboard stand-by and a good source of fibre. A serving (three tablespoons) of canned beans or lentils can be added to soups, stews, salads etc. And let's face it - how much effort goes into opening a can? 14. LIVEN UP THAT SALAD Gone are the days of boring lettuce, cucumber and tomato salads. Today we have a fantastic array of fruits and vegetables available - not to mention awesome dressings - which will change the way you look at salads forever and let's face it - it's not exactly a struggle to prepare a salad! A favourite here at PepperMint Teal is a prawn noodle salad with mango and avocado, and a chilli, lime and coriander dressing. Can never get tired of that! 15. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN'T DO WITH AN AVOCADO??? Back in the day, who would have thought that one day avocado on toast would be a thing?Years ago there was only one way in which people used to eat avocados and that was halved with a little salt, pepper and lemon juice. The humble avocado has since come a long way, and like the banana, it's quite versatile, and is making an appearance in breakfast dishes and even sweet recipes. Salads don't seem the same without them, and you can add avocados to dips, salsas, dressings, pasta dishes, pizza toppings, smoothies, shakes, desserts and it can also be used as a substitute for butter or cream in cakes and mousses. There was even a contestant on Come Dine With Me baking them - who knew? There - it's as simple as that! The above is a guide to eating more fruit and veg on a regular basis. Did you struggle to get in your five a day and overcome unhealthy eating habits? What's your fave way of getting at least part of your five a day? Images from Pixabay Word cloud by Angel Noire

Gym And Slimline was the debut novel by author and journalist Emma Burstall published in 2008 by Preface Publishing. If your idea of hell is sweating over a piece of gym equipment that someone else has previously sweated over, then don't worry! The sporty theme of this novel is pushed to the background as the main themes of Gym and Slimline appear to be romantic relationships and girly friendships. Think Sex and the City but with gym gear rather than cocktails! Those of you who love reading novels with a very evident theme of friendship centered around a close-knit group of friends will love Gym and Slimline because that's exactly what you'll find here. PLOTLINE When a new gym called Gym and Slimline opens up in South-West London, four women decide to join in a bid to get into shape and make new friends. Four years later, they are now good friends and still active gym members. But it's not just their waistlines they are struggling to maintain - and it's not long before a host of secrets and lies come bubbling to the surface... AND IT GOES LIKE THIS! The health and fitness element is actually secondary to the trials and tribulations experienced by the female characters in the novel: the lady with the hard-to-pronounce name, Persephone is distraught to realise that her marriage is on the rocks, leading to a not-so-harmless flirtation and a secret addiction; former ballerina Carmen is desperate to become a mum especially as she's pushing forty - but is her commitment-phobe boyfriend really father material? Stunning Patrice is eager to add to her family but hasn't been intimate with her controlling husband, Jonty, for years. The only lucky one is career woman Suzanne who manages to juggle motherhood with a high-powered job and she's managed to bag a sexy, young husband - but is her wonderful life all it seems..? WHAT WE THOUGHT... This book was enjoyable from beginning to end and you'll feel sorry once you've finished reading it (so read slower!) There were moments where you'll laugh out loud; feel anxious for the characters, and feel the tugging of heartstrings. As well as friendships, relationships, and health and fitness, there was also a theme of forgiveness that runs throughout the novel.  A very dramatic and life-changing episode occurs in the middle of the novel which puts a huge strain on the women's friendships: it divides two of the women drastically and pulls the other two in different directions. If you're good at reading between the lines, then you'll already have an inkling at the shock twist that occurs which creates the tension among the group. But even when the secret is revealed and the people involved are exposed, it still hits you like a roller-coaster. It was an original idea and very cleverly written. Going back to the friendship theme, the strength of the women's friendship that was illustrated in the novel is heartwarming - in fact you almost feel as if they're your friends and feel quite protective of them. You'll hate the way Carmen's ex, Simon, tries to worm his way back into her life when it suits him, or how Jonty controls Patrice's every move. Personally, we think she should have dumped him just for being called Jonty! But worst of all was Persephone's - or Percy as she is known as by her friends - predicament. A sweet, dependable lady who's always trying to help other people, she cannot solve her own issues and you really feel for Percy when she becomes deeply entangled in her addiction. There will be times you want to scream at her to stop , so word of warning... don't read Gym and Slimline while using public transport! A fantastic read - which would definitely make a good TV series. THE RECIPE GOES A LITTLE SOMETHING LIKE THIS! FRUITY BREAKFAST OAT SMOOTHIE To tie in with the gym-theme of Gym and Slimline, we thought we'd come up with a healthy smoothie that you can sip while you're reading; have for breakfast... or enjoy post-workout! You can use whatever fruit you like, and use your favourite plant-based milk and yogurt instead of the dairy versions if you wish. You can always add more/less yogurt/milk depending on how thick you like your smoothie to be. It also works well as the base for a smoothie bowl. Although not essential, you could soak the oats and chia seeds in some milk and leave overnight until you're ready to use it the next morning, if you prefer a less coarse texture. Ingredients 1 cup of oatmeal 2 cups milk 1 cup yogurt 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds 1 small banana 1-2 cups of fruit of your choice Maple syrup/honey to taste (optional) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon This is how we do it! 1. Throw all ingredients into a blender. 2. Blend until smooth. 3. Serve immediately. Enjoy - the book and the smoothie! Word cloud by Angel Noire

These days most of us tend to be cappuccino and cake kind of people, but seriously - who doesn't love a good tea party? Especially if it's done properly. This rather elegant pastime is considered to be a quintessentially British pursuit; so much so that in the States, an afternoon tea party is considered to be a regular occurrence for all British people. Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news guys, but most of us from the 'old country' don't even own a piece of fine bone China, never mind use it every day. Most of us can't even remember the last time we used a saucer! On the rare occasions us cappuccino drinkers do drink tea, it's usually from a take-away cup - just like our cappuccinos! But a classic afternoon tea party can be a fabulous occasional treat and is very popular for birthdays, bridal showers, anniversaries... and some married couples opt for a tea party instead of a full on traditional three course wedding breakfast. Tea parties are great for when you feel like being super elegant and refined and want to go overboard with the dress coats, tea dresses, hats, gloves, monocles, pearls... Told you it's not an every day thing! Tea parties can vary in terms of theme, style and food served. Although they are usually considered to be quite formal occasions, they don't always have to be. They're just great fun; ultra relaxing, and a chance to socialize with a cup of tea and a huge slice of cake! However if you choose to go down the formal route, there are certain customs you might want to take heed of. So here's the low-down on tea party etiquette. TEA PARTY ETIQUETTE IF YOU'RE THE HOSTESS: 1. Depending on the occasion and how formal you want to be, you may want to send out proper written invitations rather than to simply text/phone/email them. Just be sure to send out those party invites in plenty of time! 2. Once your guests have arrived and you've greeted them, show them to the table and invite them to sit down. Whether you give them assigned seating or allow them to chose their own seats is up to you. 3. As the hostess, it's your job to serve each of the courses and pour the tea. Make sure the conversation is flowing as much as the tea is, and that your guests have enough to eat and drink. 4. It's fine to arrange for someone else to do the serving if you wish so that you can concentrate on just having a good time with your guests. 5. If you are not able to get outside help and you have a fairly large number of guests, you can nominate a couple of friends to help serve - especially if you know that they will be happy to do so! 6. You might think you are being helpful to your guests by bringing ready-sliced scones to the table but these are always served whole. IF YOU'RE THE GUEST: 1. It's always nice to bring a small gift for the host or hostess. 2. Take your place at the table and wait to be served. 3. Keep your purse or handbag on your lap or behind your chair but not on the table. 4. When the party's over, always send a handwritten note of thanks to your host - preferably within a week. FOR EVERYONE: 1. Place napkins on your lap. If you need to leave the table, leave the napkin on your chair and not on the table. 2. No reaching across the table for anything. If you'd like something, ask someone to pass it to you. 3. It's perfectly acceptable to eat with your fingers - no one eats sandwiches with a knife and fork - but anything that has the potential to be messy should be eaten using the appropriate cutlery. 4. Remember that thick cream is for scones - not for tea! 5. Take small bites of the sandwiches no matter how tiny they are. Don't cram a whole one into your mouth. Now is not the time for party pieces! 6. When eating scones or muffins, break off a bite-size piece, then put a small amount of butter and/or jam on it. If clotted cream is being served, a small amount can be dabbed on after the jam. 7. Don't dip the sugar tong or sugar spoon into your tea if you are taking sugar. 8. Stir the tea with your teaspoon and then place the teaspoon on the saucer behind the cup. 9. If your tea is too hot, simply leave it on the table to cool. Don't blow on it to cool the tea down - and especially not to the point where you're creating a tsunami in a teacup! 10. Slurping is not acceptable... 11. ...And neither is dunking biscuits! 12. Whatever our American friends might say, it really isn't necessary to stick your little finger/pinky out when drinking tea from a teacup. Who does that??? But if that's what you wish to do, then fine! This is of course a rough guide and 'rules' are pretty much up to you.. The most important rules which goes without saying is that everyone should be happy, comfy, well-fed and having fun! Enjoy!!! Images: Pixabay Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word Cloud: Angel Noire