Three Books, Three Purposes

In the recent months I've been doing a lot of varied reading. So, I decided to compile a post about the three books I haven't been able to put down... apart from to write this post.


The Bedside Read

After reading The Catcher In The Rye six times, I still go back to it when I'm not yet ready for something new. It's an honest book, with a few subtleties in its descriptions.

Holden Caulfield, the book's protagonist, quickly became an icon of teenage rebellion when the book was first published in 1951. He's an endearing character and portrays both maturity and immaturity throughout. 

Later, in 1981 it was both the most censored and second most taught book in public schools in the US - now if that doesn't intrigue you I don't know what will.

My copy is battered - I even bent the spine, something I largely consider a cardinal sin! - and has underlinings and scribblings on nearly every page.

The Cookbook

This cookbook is a fairly new addition to the stack (of at least 50), it was actually my Mum that picked this up. Looks like she has pretty sharp taste.

It's a hefty book, however it's incredibly articulate! Towards the front of the book is a guide to ingredients; fruit, veg, herbs, spices etc. Leon gives details of when each is in season and where they're typically grown, this is ideal if you're in to shopping for foods when they're at their best.

The back of the book is where the recipes are. A few that caught my eye are: .....

And if all that content wasn't enough it's beautifully designed. Scribbles and casual photos give it a real homely feel. It's a book that's blown the Nigella, Gordon and Jamie's out of the water. You pay for the content and the content sure is good!

The Coffee Table Book

This book might possibly be my favourite of the three. 

It's a beautiful collection of fascinating letters, postcards, telegrams, faxes and memos. Letters from the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald nearly had me in tears, and that's not to mention the ones fans wrote to Elvis!

I'm glad this book isn't available on a kindle or iPad as it just wouldn't be the same. An exquisite book to read with a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's your thing) on a quiet afternoon

If all that wasn't enough for you, Shaun Usher, the editor, has also set up Lists of Note!

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Beauty: Coconut Oil

After investing in a huge tub of coconut oil - mainly to use in healthier cooking - I found myself struggling to get through it.

I did a little research on the product itself to see where it was safe to use. Lucky for you, I've compacted some of its best uses (most tried and tested by me).

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Hair:

1. Mask/Conditioner - Coconut oil works great as a hair mask! Apply to dry or damp hair, focusing mostly on the middle to ends of your locks. Then leave for around half an hour, collected in a shower cap. It's important that you don't leave it on for much longer than an hour as it can have a reversing effect, leaving your hair smelling not so sweet and a little greasy.

2. Taming Frizz - Everyone's hair can get a little frizzy sometimes and coconut oil is a great way to hide this. Take a very small amount and apply where needed. You can also use it to tame those annoying split ends.

3. Heat Protector - Before drying your hair take a small amount of the oil in your hands and tease it in to the middle to ends of your hair. Avoid your scalp/roots as it's easy for it to collect in one spot.

Body:

1. Moisturiser - Like most oils coconut is great for your skin and will work really well as a moisturiser. Simply rub it on your arms, legs, neck, etc after a shower. Your skin will be left with a dewy glow and softer than ever.

2. Skin Treatment - If you suffer from eczema or stretch marks then it's worth giving coconut oil a try. Gently soothe it in to the affected area twice daily. It will take a little while to work but the results are incredible and you won't have to use any creams packed with chemicals.

3. Shaving Cream - I'm not a fan of buying shaving cream, it's pricey and often left my skin sore. After trying coconut oil I was hooked. It's soothing to the skin and provides a close shave, meaning you stay smooth for longer.

Face:

1. Cleanser/Make Up Remover - Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage in to your face. It will aid in removing your make up. When used to remove mascara it leaves you with stronger, healthier lashes, after using it for four weeks I noticed my eyelashes falling out less. For the best results, move your first three fingers in circular motions of your eyelids for a few minutes then gently wipe away with a cotton pad - this technique will also work for the rest of your face.

2. Eye Cream - To use around your eyes, administer a pea sized amount to your eyelid (up to your eyebrow) and underneath your bottom lashes (stop just before your cheekbone). This use of coconut oil can aid dark circles and puffiness.

3. Face Scrub - In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with a little salt and use as an exfoliator - you could also add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil if you're blemish prone.
Substitute the salt for sugar if you prefer a softer scrub. As sugar is generally smaller it will be less abrasive.

4. Lip Balm - Coconut oil work wonders on chapped, dry or sensitive lips. Use it as you would any regular lip balm. Scoop a little in to a small tub so you can keep it with you on the go.

Quick Tips:

• A little goes a very long way!
• Coconut oil melts at body temperature, so rubbing the oil between your fingers will be enough.

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Recipe: Healthy Granola

Breakfast is easily my favourite meal of the day. Anything breakfast related excites me, including this wonderful quote from Hunter S. Thomspon. Although, this recipe doesn't involve four bloody Mary's.

During the colder months I tend to stick to warming bowls porridge (with lashings of cinnamon, which happens to be a great immune system booster). For spring and summer, I like to mix it up a little. Granola and Greek yoghurt is my combination of choice 80% of the time. Recently, when scanning the shelves of supermarkets, health food stores etc I've found the granola options on offer to be full of refined sugar, chemicals and ingredients I can't actually pronounce, leaving them lacking in vitamins, minerals and protein - essential to keep you going.

This encouraged me to make my own honest granola. No honey, syrup or sugar binding the oats together, just ripe bananas, apricots and dates. 

It's versatile and contains a natural sweetness. Brimming with fruit and protein, setting you up to be super productive (or relaxed), what better way to start your day?

Yield: 10 servings (at 50g each)

Time to prepare: Up to an hour and half

Lasts: a very long time! (best kept in an air tight container)

Equipment: blender, chopping board, mixing bowl, scissors, baking tray, greaseproof paper, spoon

Ingredients:

Basic Mix:

2 slightly over ripe bananas

8 dates (medjool dates are perfect)

7 dried apricots

300g oats (gluten free if you prefer) + 50g extra for toasting

50ml water or milk (of your choice)
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Toppings:

70g raisins

40g chopped almonds or sliced if preferred

**Note: These are all optional and highly depend on your own taste! Other great toppings include: any seeds, spices, nuts, dried or fresh (best added at time of eating) fruit.

Method:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 180ºC and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Weigh out 300g of oats. Then, cut (scissors work well for this) the dates, apricots, and bananas in to small chunks - best kept in separate bowls.

2. Add half the dates and one of the bananas to the blender, leave to blend on medium power for 2-3 minutes - don't be surprised if the dates are tricky to completely break down, a few chunks taste great in the finished result.

3. Next, you want create the component that will bind the oats together.

Throw half the apricots and a few chunks of the second banana in to the mix. Maintain medium power on the blender. Slowly add 50ml of water/milk to the blender as the mix continues to blend. Follow with the remaining banana, dates, apricots and cinnamon - this should be done slowly if your blender isn't very powerful.

Leave to blend until smooth, adding more liquid if needed (this helps to break down the structure of the fruit).

I know it looks gross - stay with me!

4. In a clean mixing bowl, spoon half of the liquid mixture (It will most likely be quite thick) and half of the oats. Combine the two entities together until the oats are full coated. Repeat this action with the rest of the fruit mixture and oats.

5. Evenly spread the uncooked granola mix on to the lined baking tray. Break up the mixture with a spoon, leaving a few chunks. Sprinkle the extra 50g of oats on to the baking tray and place in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes or until golden in colour. Check your granola every 10 minutes, turning/moving the chunks around so all cooks evenly.  

If you prefer your granola a little soft then 20-25 minutes in the oven should be just enough. 

Remember to take in to account that it will continue to cook and firm up until fully cool.

6. Leave the cooked granola on the tray to cool for 15/20 mins - if the cooked granola is left in the container before completely cooled it will turn soggy and not so scrummy. 

Pour the finished granola and your chosen toppings into an airtight container and gently shake so each spoonful gets a decent serving of all the yummies.

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Recipe: Holy Guacamole

I'm a big fan of fresh food! Anything raw and ready to munch is ideal for me. 

After fancying some avocado in my lunch one day, I picked up some guacamole from the supermarket. More than ready for some good food I sat down and gave the guacamole a go. Only to find it was pretty much baby food with a whole lot of garlic - not my style!

And that's what lead to my own simple and easy recipe for guacamole!

Yield: 2-3 servings

Time to Prepare: 10 minutes

Lasts: 4-5 days

Equipment: bowl, chopping board, knife, whisk, spoon

Ingredients:

1 large avocado

3 Tomkin/cherry/plum tomatoes

The juice of half a lime

Salt and pepper

1 chilli or chilli flakes (optional)

Method:

1. Pulverise the tomatoes with a knife and place in the bowl. Then, cut your avocado in half and remove the stone - don't throw this away!*

2. Scoop out the avocado and add it to the bowl. Next, squeeze the juice of half a lime into the bowl and season with salt and pepper (to taste).

3. If you prefer a cooler guacamole, skip this step.

Deseed and finely chop your chilli then add to the other ingredients - alternatively add a sprinkle of chilli flakes.

4. Using the whisk, mix up the ingredient in the bowl - remembering to release a little frustration by smashing up the avocado - the consistency of your guacamole is up to you, i prefer mine with a few chunks so mixing only took around two minutes.

*If you're not going to use the guacamole straight away placing the stone on top of the mixture will prevent it browning. After doing this, cover with cling film and place in the fridge.

There you go! A quick and healthy recipe for guacamole perfect for any time of the day.

I serve mine with a mixed salad and gluten free, organic, rice cakes.

How do you like yours? Are there any other recipes you'd like me to post?

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What A Headache

It's my day off that has lead to this spontaneous post. Right now, I am faced with an excruciating headache - I probably couldn't call it a migraine - and the choice between taking medicine and not taking medicine.

For myself, I don't entertain the idea of medicine. I find it difficult to place something unnatural into my body to 'fix' a (sometimes) natural occurrence (in this case, a simple headache).

I've been prescribed my fair share of medicine in the past. Many I care not to mention.

At a younger age, I am aware I have ingested medicine and it did resolved whatever health issue I had. However, the past few years I've been offered various medicines to either aid or cure my 'problems' (I place that word in quotation marks because I often find problems are to do with perspective and opinions). In short, I did try the offered medicine and although many family and friends said they saw a difference, however I didn't feel one. I've learnt to acknowledge how I feel during the time I take medicine and how I look/appear when taking it - two very different things to be aware of.

Granted I accept there are many illnesses and diseases that do depend heavily on medicine, and that's fine! I am also aware that each person is completely free to obtain their own opinions about said topic without being wrongly judged.

In conclusion, I won't being taking medicine for this headache. A walk and plenty of water always sorts me out, and leaves me feeling a lot better than any chemicals do.

(Image Source)

I'd be interested to hear your own opinions and experiences with medicine. Leave a comment below!

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