laurasaur

So surprising how some things just taste so good together. Cheese and chutney, marmite and chips, tomato sauce and everything.. haha.. Feijoas and Bananas are another awesome combo. And real vanilla bean.. although you can substitute 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract if you want. Nice way to celebrate the first day of a new job… I feel like a proper grown up. Onto my second real job.. it’s all good.

10-20 feijoas, halved and scooped
1-2 ripe bananas sliced small
seeds of 1 vanilla bean
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of butter

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup oats
50g butter at room temperature

Mix fruit and vanilla seeds in an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle brown sugar over and dot butter on top.

Mix all dry ingredients in a deep bowl. Cut the butter into rough pieces and rub it into the dry ingredients with the tips of your figures until well mixed in.

Crumble this mixture over the fruit in an even layer. Bake for about 20 minutes at 180C until you can see the caramel mixture bubbling just under the crumble. Let cool slightly before serving.

You probably can’t tell from all of the other posts on my site that I am actually a gym junkie. I love working out/lifting and eating clean, and one has to when on evenings and weekends etc there are piles of caramel brownies and other such evil food lying around at home. Eating clean during the day is my idea of moderation and helps me keep my weight in check.

Anyway to help me in my goal of high protein meals I like to have protein bars lying around in case the urge for chocolate strikes. I was so excited when I drove to work this morning (first day of a new job) and saw that a few doors down from my new workplace was Real Nutrition! I have ordered from them before because they have my favourite protein bars (Doctor’s Carbrite) at the cheapest price I have found in New Zealand.

I was even more excited when I jumped on their website and saw they sell a mixed box. So in my afternoon break I wandered down the road and walked in. What an awesome experience, why can’t every shopping experience be like this one was! They were helpful, friendly, understanding and just amazingly helpful. I picked out my own 12 bars of mixed flavours and a 2 month supply of their multivitamins. I sound like I work for them but really I was just so thankful for a nice shopping experience that seems to be the exception these days.

If you are looking for Protein bars or supplements, or I am pretty sure they even do nutritonal consultations, check them out www.realnutrition.co.nz

I kind of ran out of time to decorate these guys but I was going for flavour over looks in this case anyway.

Base cupcake: Almond cupcakes
Filling: Caramel (1 tin of condensed milk, 2 tbsp golden syrup, 30g butter – heat until thick then cool)
Icing: Basic Buttercream
Topping: Crispy M&M’s speckled eggs and coconut.

I’m trying to start a tradition.. pancake Saturdays. So far I have found the best time to do it is when we have people staying.. cooking pancakes for other people is easy and fun and most of all satisfying. I’m attempting to try a different recipe every weekend until I am satisfied.. but I am tempted to stop at these…

Look how perfect they are.. mmmmm. Even without the single egg pan I am lemming at the moment P

Sour cream pancakes

1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Combine eggs, sour cream, water, and vanilla in medium bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until moistened.

Preheat frying pan or skillet over medium heat; grease lightly. Pour about 1-2 tablespoons onto hot pan for each pancake. Cook until tops of pancakes are bubbly; turn and cook until browned the way you like.

Feijoa Juice:
Shell loads of Feijoas.. see first pic. Mix with a handful of ice and blend until smooth. Drink straight away.

Bye bye to my work and my workmates.. it has been cool working with everyone from BCM.. I certainly have learnt a few things that I will take with me .. hehe… I will miss you all.