The only problem with making so much almond butter is that I’ve now got to find ways to use it. So since I seem to have a bit of a sweet tooth this weekend I decided to make some almond and coconut butter cups.
These cups are basically a healthy (paleo and gluten free too) version of Reese’s Butter Cups.
They are extremely rich so it’s a great way of having a sweet snack without binging! 57g Almond butter 5 teaspoons honey (I used 3 teaspoons of honey and 2 of sweet freedom) 3 tablespoons coconut oil 90g pure creamed coconut* (you can use coconut butter if you’ve got it – but it’s the same thing) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 tablespoons cocoa powder 12 mini cupcake papers Continue reading “Almond and Coconut Butter Cups – Gluten Free”
One thing I try to do is surround myself with positive people. I don’t mean the type of people who are so happy that they border on fake and have no authenticity but people who are positive, exciting, inspirational and solutions people.
You know the type – the ones you can call to discuss a problem and by the end of the conversation you’ve come up a million ideas to set the world on fire. Figuratively speaking.
I’m telling you this because I downloaded the wonderful e-book from In Spaces Between. The first page “surround yourself with passionate people” hooked me in immediately. It reminded me of the Oprah quote above – to only surround yourself with people who are going to take you higher. Continue reading “The power of positivity…”
So I’ve been looking in to paleo and gluten free food stuff and found a great flourless brownie recipe {which I shall post in the next few days} but to make it you had to have almond butter. Well, almond butter isn’t that common in Wales {unless I’m missing it anywhere?} so I’ve made my own.
What you need {this makes a jar so if you’re only using it for one recipe don’t do so much}
280g of Almonds (about 2 cups)
Unless you buy roast almonds you’re going to need to roast them first. Pop them on a tray and roast at around 350 (gask mark 4) for about 10/15 mins.
I am already regretting starting this series of posts. As I look out of my window and see the pouring rain my urge to wander is getting stronger.
This week I’m covering Aruba; a beautiful island just off the Venezuela coast.
I’ve been to Aruba twice in September which seems to be a great time to go. Not just because of the weather – which is fantastic all year round (it has a practically constant temperatures of 82 degrees) but because it’s slightly quieter since the college kids (who love to party in Aruba) are back at school.
Aruba forms part of the Lesser Antilles. It’s approximately 19 miles long by 9 miles wide so it’s quite a small island but don’t let that put you off. It’s so diverse and caters for a variety of tastes – whether you’re a party animal or enjoy a quiet beach holiday. Continue reading “Aruba in September – One Happy Island”
A year ago we rescued a dog from Croft Kennels in Bridgend. His name was Scooby and he wasn’t treated very well in his previous home. He come to us with a LOT of problems, some he still suffers with, some we’ve managed to change. He didn’t like being near us, was very aloof and didn’t make a single sound (no barking, no whinging not even any panting).
NOW a year on he’s the cheekiest little dog you’ll ever meet. He’s loving, clever and VERY noisy.
This video was posted on facebook this evening and it reminds me so much of why we got Scooby. So many people had turned him away because of the way he looked and we just knew we had to take a chance on him.
It only takes someone with a bit of love and attention to really make a difference to a life – whether that be dog or human.
I’ve been having a bit of a travel mad week this week. I finally booked my flights for my summer holiday which means it’s official that I’m actually going! I’m heading out to Madrid and then on to Palma before a relaxing week with friends in Alcudia. I won’t be spending too much time in Madrid or Palma – just whistle stops but I’m looking forward to packing in as much as humanly possible in those 48 hours!
< A picture from my visit to Aruba. How I long to go back.
Did I tell you that I’ve changed my facebook page? no? Well, I have and now you can like me at facebook.com/rachphillipsdotcom < go on – do it.
As you know I’m passionate about living a better life and playing with passion. I’m also a total glossy magazine addict. Sometimes the two go hand in hand and other times my more sensible side takes over and realises that by buying these magazines I’m actually just feeding myself information about what capitalists say is my “ideal life”. This article by Gail Dines is interesting – Comsopolitan and the false promise of an “awesome life”.
Whilst we’re talking about living a better life. The Washington post published this article online offering 12 ways to live a better life.
Fancy reading about 10 ways you can live your life beyond Mediocrity? Then check out the blog post of Miki Strong. Inspired after reading Denise Duffield Thomas book “Lucky Bitch” Miki wrote the post about deciding to constantly upgrade your life.
Now I’ve told you that my holidays are fast approaching so it’s time for me to start thinking about cutting out the carbs and hitting the gym – hard. I’m not a huge fan of eggs, I mean I like them when they’re in cake – who doesn’t – but on their own I have a little bit of a mental block. The only part I like is the yolk which saddens me to read this – eating egg yolk is as bad as smoking. Not cool LA Times, not cool!
I was reading Red Magazine this morning where they had a piece on waiting until September to take your summer holiday. I ALWAYS holiday in September or October. It’s cheaper, it’s quieter and you still have unbelievable weather. I thought I’d share with you some of my past trips in September over a series of posts. If you’ve not already booked your summer break then this could give you some inspiration – if not, there’s always next year.
Santa Teresa Di Gallura Sardinia…I went last September (2011) in a private apartment which I booked though holidayrentals.co.uk. The apartment cost just £250 for 14 nights which is a bargain since we had beautiful balcony with sea views and a direct view of Bonifacio in Corsica.
Santa Teresa Di Gallura is a pretty touristy town. It’s where the Italians like to go and spend their summer holidays – so think Barry Island or Blackpool but in the sunshine. Lots of souvenir shops and stalls selling “i <3 Sardinia” t-shits etc. But don’t let that put you off visiting here. It’s a really lovely place, for every tourist shack there’s a traditional pizzeria or excellent pavement cafe where you can sit and watch the world go by with the most exquisite ice-cream you’ll ever taste.
Average prices…
Prices can be a little steep here. My first visit to Sardinia was the year before because I managed to get return flights for just £2 – so I stupidly expected it to be a “cheap” holiday – I was so wrong. The first night I was presented with a €24 bill for ordering just 4 beers. A lesson which was duly noted for my return visit.
One passion of mine is the art of living well for less. I write this as I’ve just seen a tweet about how awful that super scrimpers show is on channel 4. I couldn’t agree more. I watched one where they suggested splitting a cream tea for one just so you wouldn’t miss out.
Now. I don’t know about you but that’s not living well. Yeah, it’s living for less – but not well. If I go out for a cream tea I want my own and a glass of champagne to boot, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want it for less.
To me, living well for less is the following:
Getting the very best for the best price possible.
Savvy spending.
Enjoying life whilst keeping on eye on the bank balance.
Being healthy not buying something frozen just because it’s £1.
Quitting the waste problem we have.
Being mindful with spending.
Well…you get the picture.
I’d really like to do a few posts on living well for less…what do you think? What areas would you like to read posts from travel? Entertainment? Beauty? Dining out etc?
Sad news hit this week that Helen Gurley Brown died. If you’re not sure who she was and you’re female then get yourself to google STAT!
“Nearly every glamorous, wealthy, successful career woman you might envy now started out as some kind of schlep.”
One thing that Helen Gurley Brown believed in was that women can have it all. By having it all she wasn’t talking about being super woman and being able to juggle a top ceo position and 3 kids under 5. Instead she means you can have a great sex life, money, a job you love, a family, a social life etc She was THE ultimate modern woman.
“Beauty can’t amuse you, but brainwork—reading, writing, thinking—can.”
There are so many lessons we can learn from Brown. Her ethos of having a life you love and not caring what anyone else thinks is something which I aspire to achieve.
A year ago I visited The Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich. I’ve written about this hotel for a magazine and did a brief post on my previous blog but I thought I’d share it with you too. It’s quite picture heavy – you have been warned!
The one thing that struck me about The Salthouse Harbour Hotel was the superb customer service. I’ve been to some beautiful hotels in my time but this one really had the highest level of customer service I’ve ever seen. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left staff were attentive, pleasant and helpful. When you’re going for a weekend away the staff can really make or break the stay.
The Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich, Suffolk is a rejuvenated warehouse that has been converted into a striking contemporary space containing interesting art, stylish furniture and quirky curios. It brings an eclectic blend of urban and country, vintage chic and cutting edge design to the Ipswich quayside.
{a lovely touch – a welcome note from the salthouse harbour hotel team}
We were upgraded to a penthouse room with beautiful views across the harbour. Even in the rain the views were amazing. The layout of the room was fantastic, with two chairs and a table situated right by the balcony which was perfect for relaxing with a bottle of wine at the end of a busy day.
The bed was easily one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in. Pillows were plumped to perfection and there was enough room to spread out and get in a good nights sleep!
The bathroom was probably what impressed me the most. Extremely high spec, it had a frosted glass panel in the wall between the bathroom and the bedroom and a bath that was so deep it could’ve easily been mistaken for a swimming pool!! Continue reading “Weekend Wander: The Salthouse Harbour Hotel – Ipswich”
< A picture from my visit to Aruba. How I long to go back. 
