All Posts in "Food"

Battling the Winter Blues? Let These Homely Hobbies Help

With all the of the festivities well and truly wrapped up for another year, you might be feeling the after effects of the season. There’s a reason why winter is the cruellest time of year and if you’re looking at the next few cold months with a lump in your throat, you might not be alone. What, though, if there were another way to approach the winter season? While winter might cut you off from the outdoors, there are plenty of ways that you can make the most of the next few months by changing up your schedule somewhat. These indoor hobbies can easily replace your summertime activity, allowing you to make the most of your free time without venturing too far out into the cold.

Cook Up A Storm

Want to improve your cooking skills? There has never been a better time than now in which to commit yourself to the project. Turning up the heat might be all but impossible during the summer months so now that things have well and truly cooled down, why not try experimenting with that recipe book that you had on hold? Even if you’re not adept in the kitchen, you can dedicate the coming days and weeks to perfecting your cooking style, experimenting with all kinds of dishes and flavors. Invest in a really good cookbook before you go and get started with the most classic of dishes out there.

Balance It All Out

Saying that you’re going to do something is a whole lot different to actually going through with it. While getting into yoga might have been high up on your to-do list for some time now, you might have been putting it off and putting it off, leaving the activity on the back burner. Now is the time in which to take action. Yoga is an incredible way to get in tune with your body and improve your strength and flexibility. Even if you already work out, you could be overlooking essential areas of your fitness in your exercise plan. Yoga will help you to destress, focus on specific muscle groups and tone yourself up. Better yet, the activity can be performed in the comfort of your own home, meaning that you don’t even have to go anywhere!

Brush Up Your Languages

Speaking a foreign language is something that so many of us want to do and yet, we seem to fail to find the time in which to actually go ahead with. The long winter evenings are yours for the taking. If travel is going to be a part of your year ahead, getting ahead of the curve and focusing on your language of choice can be a really great path to take. You can try attending evening classes, watching Youtube videos or downloading a language app on your phone. Just an hour or so every evening can make all the difference to your skills, giving you the foundation you need in order to go further.

Get Writing

Having a creative way in which to express yourself can work wonders for your wellbeing. If you’re interested in the world of writing, now might be the perfect time in which to put pen to paper – so to speak – and draft yourself up a blog. Your writing doesn’t have to reach a lot of people; it’s all about expanding your own creativity and trying something new. If you’re looking to get into creative writing and feel that you would like to pick up a skill of two, you can try looking into courses such as Skillshare in order to get going. Writing a little bit each day can help a great amount, giving you the foundation that you need in order to go further with your hobby.

Perfect Your Penmanship

Over the last couple of years, the popularity of calligraphy has really peaked. What was once an antiquated way of adding a little flourish to a piece of writing has now become something altogether different, giving you the chance to express yourself in any way that you should so please. Modern calligraphy can help you to make your own cards, table places or wall prints, expanding your creative possibilities a huge amount. If you’re not sure where to start, you can try searching for online classes or teaching yourself with a good old fashioned book and pen. Interactive apps also make it even easier than ever to express yourself, helping you to perfect your art either digitally or on paper.

Hannah Lamarque by — January 4, 2017 in Lifestyle 0
The Healthy Ways To Make The Most Out Of Your Mornings

The early bird catches the worm but when you’re a night owl and all you want to do is sleep in the morning, what hope is there left for you? Switching up your routine might take a bit of getting used to but once you do, you can enjoy all sorts of spoils that you never even knew existed. These healthy habits will help to effectively boost your productivity, feelings of wellness and energy, all before you’ve even left the house. While it might be the dead of winter, you can still go about making a better change in your everyday routine, feeling all the better for it in the long run!

Drink A Glass Of Water

Fed up of that groggy feeling in the morning? You can change that with a glass of water. When you wake up, your body can veer into dehydration, making it harder for you to focus, feel alert and get going with your day. Drinking water has huge benefits to your overall health, helping to get your metabolism going into gear and hydrating every part of your body after a long night’s sleep. Try to drink a big glass of water down right after waking up every morning. You can even set a bottle by your bed so you know that you won’t forget.

Eat A Healthy Breakfast

There’s a good reason why we’re told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even if you think you don’t have the time to dedicate to a proper breakfast, there are still ways in which you can get something healthy into your body on the fly. Eating the right kinds of foods first thing in the morning has been found to improve your memory, lower your body mass index and boost your calcium and fiber intake throughout the day. Better yet, feeling full in the morning will make it easier to overlook any unhealthy snacks that might be making the rounds in the office. Try whipping yourself up a breakfast bowl or overnight granola the evening before. All you need to do is get out your bowl and eat up.

Put Down Your Phone

If the first thing that you do in the morning is pick up your phone and browse aimlessly through your social media feeds, this one is for you. Giving yourself time to be present in the moment can help to cut down on feelings of stress, setting you up in the right mindframe for the day ahead. Unless you have something really pressing in the office, don’t check your emails until you get to work. You will make the most out of your morning and feel all the better for it.

Create A Little Time For Yourself

The step that you’re most likely to overlook in the morning, this is the one that’s going to make the biggest difference to your everyday routine. Setting aside 15 to 30 minutes for yourself every morning is a healthy way to indulge in something you like to do, destress or take the time to prepare for the day. While it might be tempting to use this time at another point in the day, making it your top priority in the morning means that you’re much less likely to overlook the step. Try getting up 15 minutes earlier and just relaxing into the morning. You don’t know how much better you will feel for it.

Establish A Skincare Routine

Taking care of your skin should be a health priority, particularly in the colder months. In order to give your complexion that everyday glow, it’s worth taking the time out to establish a skincare routine that is going to hydrate and nourish your skin. Your routine doesn’t have to take up a great deal of time but by creating a 4 or 5 step system, you can go into the day feeling and looking your best.

Move Your Body

While exercise might be the last thing on your mind in the morning, moving your body sufficiently can work wonders on your energy levels. Morning workouts are known to reduce your stress levels, up your endorphins and give your metabolism a push in the right direction. Depending on what you like to do to stay fit, you can either opt for a high intensity workout or ease into the day with a little yoga. Get your body moving and see how great you feel for the rest of the day.

Hannah Lamarque by — December 7, 2016 in Health 0
Fall Foodie Recipes That Won’t Leave You Feeling Heavy

With fall well and truly here, it’s time to hunker down and get cosy. Cooking up a storm is a great way of staying warm and getting into the spirit of the season and when it comes to fall, soup is your best port of call. If your thought of comfort food is heavy and fat laden, however, you’re about to be in for a big surprise. These hearty fall soups will put a little warmth into your bones without weighing you down in the process. Turning to your kitchen this season is the perfect way to celebrate the changing weather and bringing together your nearest and dearest. Looking for an excuse to get cooking? Let these hearty soup recipes be your calling!

Beef and Cannellini Bean Soup

Rich, hot and oh-so tasty, this beef and cannellini bean soup will warm you up even when it’s getting cold outside. The beauty of this recipe means that you can leave it in your slow cooker in the morning and it will be ready by the time you get home from work. Try whipping up a bigger batch and leaving it in your freezer; you’re going to want to dip back into this broth time and time again.

Fresh Vine Tomato Soup

If you’ve been feeling a little under the weather, there’s nothing quite like a fresh tomato soup to have you on your feet again. This recipe takes all of the goodness out the fresh fruit, giving up a hefty serving of your daily nutrients in the process. With a minimal ingredients list, the soup is incredibly easy to knock together, even if you’re short on time. All you need to do is prepare the vegetables and the rest practically cooks itself.

Tuscan Tomato Tortellini Soup

Want to relive a few last memories of summer time? This soup will transport you all the way to Italy. Taking influence from the country’s ingredients list, the broth is packed full of only the freshest, most delicious ingredients. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, try adding in a little more fresh pasta. You’ll have an entire meal in your bowl without even having to make the effort.

White Bean Chicken Soup

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of chicken soup when you’re feeling less than great. If you want to go one further with the whole thing, however, you have to try whipping up this white bean chicken soup recipe. Taking the classic dish and kicking it up a gear, the recipe is packed full of all sorts of good stuff. Make a batch of the stuff, invite over all of your friends and get to eating.

Mason Jar Ramen

Soup is a great lunch time dish and by putting the whole thing in a mason jar, you can take the dish with you wherever you might be going. This homemade ramen is the perfect dish to take with you on the cold, rainy days that fall will bring your way. Just pile your ingredients high, close the lid and eat with you on the go.

Beef Barley Soup

Cosy, comforting and filling, this beef and barley soup is the ultimate for cold fall days. Slow cooking the beef for a long period of time, the soup is rich in flavor and as tender as they come. Keep a pot of this on your stove throughout the kitchen and let the soup just bubble away, dipping into it when hunger calls.

Vegan Sweet Potato Chowder

While this soup might have all the trappings of a traditional chowder, it is featherlight, filling you up without leaving you feeling weighed down. If you’re not a fan of the curry powder, try cutting out a little of the spice and adding in a fragrant flavor instead. You’re the master of your own soup, so don’t be afraid to go a little off piste with your seasonings.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

‘Tis the season to pile up on vegetables! Fall is a great time to stock up on seasonal veggies and thanks to their diversity, many of them can be turned into killer soups. This roasted pepper offering brings out the natural sweetness in the vegetables, slowly cooking the food to intensify the flavor. While you can top the soup off with a little cream, it works just as well on its own, letting you enjoy the taste of the vegetables.

Hannah Lamarque by — October 12, 2016 in Food 0
Staycation: How To See More When You’re Staying At Home

Vacations are a great way to see the world, get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons. What happens, then, when you’re staying at home? With everyone jetting off at all times of the year, it can begin to feel like you’re getting left behind. It turns out, however, that adventure could be waiting for you. Your hometown is bursting with opportunity and even if you’re staying at home for your holidays this year, you can still have a great time. It’s all about adjusting your perspective. Once you take off your resident hat, you can see your town through the eyes of a tourist. There is a whole world out there to be discovered and it starts with where you live!

Throw Your Routine Away

Your vacation time is your chance to kick back, relax and forget about who you are for a little bit. If you’re going to make the most of traveling where you live, you need to throw your normal routine to the wind and explore your local area in a different way. Forget about the places that you normally go to and look to a different part of town. To make your task a little easier, you can try renting an Airbnb or hotel room in a different part of town. Treat yourself to the things you normally would if you were on holiday. Get up late, take a long bath and make yourself a special breakfast. Give yourself a cultural task to do for the day and try that bakery on the other side of town. The aim is to explore further, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.

Turn Off Your Emails

Just because you’re still at home, it doesn’t mean that you should make yourself available to work emails at every moment. While staying at home might make you feel like you have to keep checking in with work, you should try and take a break from your usual schedule in order to kick back. Turn off your email alerts and put your out of office on your phone. Give any pressing information to your colleagues and tell them to phone you only in the case of an emergency. This is your time to relax, so you should make the most out of it.

Eat Out, Often

It is so often the food that makes our holidays memorable. If you’re used to eating in when you’re at home, try treating yourself to a few great meals out when you’re on your staycation. Make a list of all the places you’ve been meaning to try and make a few reservations. Try choosing somewhere a little more expensive than normal, or stopping in for a coffee and a pastry on your way home. Making each meal an event of sorts is a great way to really kick back and feel like you’re having the vacation of your dreams.

Make A Local Bucket List

We all have a number of places in our local towns that we’ve been meaning to try but simply have never got around to. Your staycation is the perfect opportunity in order to get more done. Before your holiday comes into effect, try making a list of all the places that you’ve been meaning to try. Experiencing your hometown through the eyes of a tourist can help to up your appreciation of where you live. Add as much as you like to the list and get exploring!

Keep Your Camera With You

A staycation isn’t really a staycation unless you capture a few of your memories along the way. Reaching for your camera when you’re on holiday might be second nature but when you’re in your hometown, you might struggle to find an opportunity to take a snap or two. To create a memorable experience, try taking a camera with you wherever you go. The chances are that if you do, you will begin to look at places in greater detail and spot areas that you had never seen before. Taking the time to document small details will help to boost each experience and help you to capture the essence of your staycation!

Treat Yourself

One of the joys about going on holiday is the opportunity to splurge a little now and then. While you don’t need to drop huge amounts in order to have fun, you can allow yourself a little extra spending here and there in order to make the most out of your time off. Try going for a nice meal, treating yourself to a new clothing item or seeing every museum in the local area. You’ve already saved a huge deal on flights and hotels, so don’t be afraid to go the extra mile for yourself.

Hannah Lamarque by — September 27, 2016 in Travel 0
Post Summer Picnic: All The Essentials For An End Of Season Gathering

Summer might be drawing to a close but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the last few rays of sunshine. Holding a seasonal picnic is a great way to make the most of the late summer warmth and celebrate a season well spent. If you’re hosting a picnic, you need to arm yourself with all of the essentials and by considering these things above all else, you’re guaranteed an event that will go off with a bang. Here’s to the summer!

Location

First things first, you need to think about the kind of place that would be suitable for your picnic. WIth fall on the cards, you might want to consider a space that has both indoor and outdoor options just in case a sudden downpour heads your way. If prime picnic real estate isn’t in your local area, there’s no reason why you can’t host your own gathering. If you have a garden, consider setting up your own space for your friends and family, bringing the park life to your home. If green spaces aren’t abundant, you can even bring the party indoors. Just set down a few rugs, get out your picnic basket and let the rest work its magic!

Picnic Basket

If you really want to do a picnic the right way, you need to think about the kind of basket you have to hand. Serving up the right kind of snacks and treats requires a good sized basket, one that is big enough to take home leftovers should you have them. While you can go out and buy your own picnic basket, you can also try adapting what you already have in order to meet your needs. An insulated freezer bag or heavy duty tote bag can do just as good a job as a wicker basket, provided you line it with a little absorbent material. You can even take along your backpack to make things a little easier on your back!

Picnic Blanket

No matter where you’re having your picnic, you’re going to need to bring along a picnic blanket. A ubiquitous picnic tool, the blanket is essential for any type of location, even if it’s a warm day. When it comes to adaptability, Turkish towels are some of the best. Lightweight and easily transported, they can be folded away and and used again with practically zero forethought. You might even want to use the material to protect any cutlery or plates you’re taking with you, ensuring they don’t get damaged along the way!

Snacking Spread

Picnic accessories dealt with, it’s time to take a closer look at what really matters. If you’re hosting a picnic, you might want to ask everyone to take along a small dish of their own to ensure you have enough food. When you’re preparing your dish, you can try turning to a shareable spread in order to appease all of your guests. Bringing food like cheeses, olives, crackers and chutneys can be a really great idea, making it easier for you and your guests to mix and match your menus. You don’t have to get a lot; a few different items can be all it takes to make your picnic a success!

Shatterproof Glasses

While you might have the perfect set of mason jars you want to bring along for your picnic, there’s good reason to leave the good stuff at home. Taking place in the great outdoors, picnics often bring with them a little rough and tumble that can lead to breakages. In order to avoid any disappointment, try picking up a few shatterproof glasses and sets of plastic cutlery before you go. That way, you can easily clean up and avoid any accidents.

Games and Music

What is a picnic without entertainment? While devising a whole new set of games can give your picnic an individual twist, you can still have a great deal of fun with a bunch of old classics. Lawn games, cards and checkers always go down well, and are usually known by everyone. Want something to set off your picnic? Try taking along a set of speakers and making your favorite summer playlist; you’re guaranteed a good time!

Hannah Lamarque by — September 7, 2016 in Lifestyle 0
Celebrating The Sun: 5 Ways To Pull Off A Summer Gathering

Summer is finally here and with it comes yet another excuse to throw a party. Celebrating the sun is part and parcel of a really successful summer season and when it comes to pulling off your own gathering, it pays to put in the legwork. Having a few friends over for a few light bites is a great way of kicking back, coming together and unwinding in the late afternoon sun and if you ramp up your routine just a little bit, you can have a party to remember. The simplicity of a summer gathering requires just enough planning and forethought, with a little spontaneity thrown in for good measure. Want to make the most out of your next soirée? It’s time to take things down a notch.

Sharing Is Caring

If you want to make the most out of your party and enjoy it just as much as your guests, it’s a great idea to get everyone to muck in together. Asking your friends to take along either one dish or a few drinks can help to spread the load and arm you with a whole lot of variety. To keep things as simple as possible, it’s worth looking to dishes like salads, cold soups and dips; think cool, transportable and easily shareable. When it comes to cutlery and plates, opting for paper or wooden varieties can help to cut down on the mess and ensure that there are no awkward breakages along the way. The trick is to go for a “thrown together” vibe; that way, you can get going with the party even sooner than you had thought!

Take The Inside, Out

Looking on Pinterest is a great way of getting inspiration for your next summer party but if you want more of a laid back, relaxed atmosphere, don’t be afraid to make use of what you already have. Investing in a new set of outdoor chairs to match your theme might seem like a good idea but if you’re only going to use the set once, it can be a waste of time and money. When seating your guests, don’t be afraid to take existing furniture outside and making use of things like quilts, stools and cushions. You want people to be comfortable but ultimately, your party should be easy for you to put together.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Want to be the effortlessly relaxed host? It’s all about getting things ready before your guests arrive. Choosing options that can either be prepared and stored beforehand or need time in which to marinate can help to give you a leg up so that when your guests do arrive, all you need to do is take the food out and throw it on the barbecue. Choosing marinated meats and vegetables is also a great way of getting even more flavor out of your dishes and whipping up a culinary storm. By the time your guests arrive, everything will have already been prepared!

Create The Perfect Mood

Keeping things going when the sun goes down is one of the trickiest hurdles you can deal with, particularly if the activities are all based in the garden. To keep your guests from the dark, try filling your garden with a few tea lights, strings of bulbs and tree lanterns. The low lighting can be just the thing to create the right kind of atmosphere and will throw out enough illumination to help your guests see what they’re doing.

Keep The Mood Light

Having friends over can be enough fun in and of itself but sometimes, you might want to provide a little extra something to keep people in the party spirit. Providing entertainment of some sort, be it music or an outside game, is a great way of enhancing your party and bringing people together. Keeping the music going throughout the gathering can help to keep things feeling relaxed and using your outdoor space to get people involved in a quick game will keep things feeling light. When it comes to picking a game, simple is always best. Choosing something that takes hours to explain will just leave people feeling bored and frustrated; the key is to have fun whatever you’re doing.

Hannah Lamarque by — June 28, 2016 in Lifestyle 0
Star Studded Eating Tips For A Healthier You

Over the years, our favorite starlets have gathered up some of the most effective healthy eating and lifestyle tips on the market. Privy to the foodie secrets of the world’s top nutritionists, fitness coaches and health gurus, celebrities have some of the best insight into what’s best for their bodies and now, they’re sharing them with the rest of the world. Despite having some of the finest chefs and food experts at their disposal, these healthy celebs prefer the more down to earth things in life and overwhelmingly, their eating choices are ones that can be taken up in any kind of lifestyle. The trick is to know where your food is coming from; once you’re in control, you can really start to focus on the right things for your health.

Let’s get cooking!

Visit The Farmer’s Market – Shailene Woodley

Everyone knows that fresh is best and no one is advocating the strengths of the farmer’s market more so than Shailene Woodley. The actress claims to head to the local produce market wherever she is, scouting out the best food in any location. The key, she says, is the freshness of the produce. Having been grown and nurtured in the local environment, the food in these kinds of markets is in the best possible shape you will find. Better yet, these kinds of events tend to be less expensive, more diverse and are a great way of understanding more about the local foodie culture.

Keep It Green – Miranda Lambert

Getting your fill of the right kinds of colors is a sure fire ways to enjoy a better, more balanced quality of health. When it comes to rainbow foods, however, there is no better color for you than green. Singer Miranda Lambert certainly knows this fact and wherever so goes, she advocates the green eating movement above all else. Eating greens in any capacity is a great way to fill up on your vitamins, pack your body full of nutrients and feel more energized. Try to eat a few portions of green, leafy vegetables throughout the day; you might just end up feeling all the better for it!

Indulge In The Right Foods – Heidi Klum

Following a balanced diet doesn’t mean that you can’t treat yourself from time to time; it just pays to think about how you’re going to do it beforehand. Stars like Heidi Klum allow themselves the odd indulgence and if you’re going to veer off track a little, make sure that it’s worth it. If you’re going to be eating the richer, creamier foods that might normally be kept for another day, make sure you pick your moments. Indulging from time to time can make it easier to stay healthy and balanced throughout the week; it’s all about getting the quantities right.

Forget Faddy Diets – Shakira

With every new month, a new eating fad seems to rear its head and according to the reports, each one gets better and more effective as time goes on. Fad diets might seem like a good idea in the short term but they are rarely sustainable over longer periods of time. If you really want to do your health some good, try taking a leaf out of Shakira’s book. The singer doesn’t bother with dieting, choosing instead to follow and healthy and balanced diet. Eating foods that are rich in fiber and protein and low in processed ingredients is a great way to boost your health, sustain a healthy weight and feel better about yourself.

Stop Obsessing About It – Maria Menounos

In the world in which we live, it’s easy to become obsessed over body image and weight but essentially, you should feel comfortable enough to live according to what makes you happy. While eating right and exercising sufficiently are both essential to a healthy lifestyle, you shouldn’t take your regime so far that it begins to consume your life. Just ask Maria Menounos. The star advocates living healthily, rather than focusing on all of the tiny details. As long as you’re healthy and happy, you should try not to focus on the way you look.

Eating right and moving enough are both sure fire ways of staying in shape but sometimes, you need to focus on the bigger picture, too. If you’re happy in your body and have a good level of fitness, you should focus on doing what makes you feel good above all else. Eating for your health can improve your well being a huge amount, so make sure you take care of yourself like a star.

Hannah Lamarque by — June 21, 2016 in Food 1
Los Angeles: Eating Like A Local In The City Of Angels

Los Angeles. City of angels and starlets, the town is packed to bursting with must-see spots and if you’re visiting for the first time, the chances are that you will want a really authentic experience. Getting to know a city through its food is one of the best ways to understand its values, its locals and in the case of L.A., catch a glimpse of your favorite movie star in the process. With so many influences hitting the city, though, knowing where to begin can be just as big of an issue as knowing what to wear when you’re there.

These city spots might not cover all of the bases out there in Los Angeles but they are sure to give you something to write home about. Are you ready to dine like a local and begin your journey into the heart of Los Angeles? It’s time to get eating.

Honor Bar

Small, intimate and oh-so delicious, Honor Bar is one of the most popular spots in the city and tables there can fill up fast. While waiting in line to eat might seem like a drag, you will realize just what all the fuss is about once you take a bite into one of the place’s famous sandwiches. If you know what’s good for you, you will try Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich, a dish that has already earned itself a reputation across the city. There’s more to the place than just bread and meat and with each sandwich being served up with a side of sushi and fries, you might just make this place your regular spot.

Little Sister

Looking for that perfect weekend hangout joint? Little Sister is here for you. Serving up Vietnamese food with a creative twist, the restaurant is about so much more than spicy, fragrant dishes. With each plate taking influence from both traditional and modern cooking styles, you’re guaranteed something with a whole lot of flavor and bite. If you find the place too busy to get a table don’t worry; there are now 2 locations across the city, giving you more opportunity to get your foodie fill.

Pine and Crane

When it comes to great tasting Asian food, Los Angeles sure knows what it’s doing. Decked out in an interior that is sure to live up to your minimalist Pinterest dreams, Pine and Crane is a great resting spot amidst the traffic-laden streets of the city. The food there, of course, is what it’s all about. Serving up a range of traditional, entirely authentic Taiwanese-Chinese food, Pine and Crane should be a staple spot on the map of any Asian food loving tourist. Choose a selection of small plates, wash them down with some fresh tea and you’re good to go.

Alcove Cafe & Bakery

If you’re in Los Angeles over any weekend, then you’re going to want to do brunch. When it comes to proper feasting, the locals really know what they’re doing so you’re guaranteed a plate of good food practically anywhere that you go. If you want something really exceptional, however, you need to set your sights on the Alcove Cafe & Bakery. Serving up a range of classic brunch dishes, the cafe is the perfect place in which to while away a lazy Sunday morning and catch up on your weekend reading. There’s so many good things on the menu, you might just want to come back more than once!

The Luggage Room

Los Angeles is the city of a thousand flavors and no matter what you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed something that is going to taste amazing. If you’re really in the market for a thin crust pizza, then nowhere other than The Luggage Room will do. Crispy, packed with flavor and served up using only the finest of local ingredients, the pizzas at the restaurant might be among some of the very best that you’ve ever tasted. If you’re looking for a bit of a party, you can try to sample any of the cocktails on the menu; the night is yours for the taking.

Eating in L.A. is one of the best ways to get acquainted with its culture and explore the local scene on your own. With any number of incredible eating spots on the city streets, making the most out of your time there is as simple as pie and before long, you might be returning to taste it all over again!

Hannah Lamarque by — June 14, 2016 in Food 3
The Foodie’s Guide To Paris

Paris. The city of lights. Home to some of the most famous culture in the world. The French capital is one of the top tourist hotspots around the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Brimming with art, packed to the rafters with monuments, the city is a real gem in the European crown and visiting there at least once in your life should be high up on your travel agenda. When it comes to cuisine, the French have had a hold on the industry for decades but in recent years, Paris has begun to change its tune. What was once a hub of traditional French dining has taken a more contemporary turn and now, you’re just as likely to stumble across a modern fusion dish as you are a French classic. But where should you be eating in the city? That is the question on everyone’s lips and luckily for you, we’re here to answer it.

Holybelly

Brunching in Paris is practically an institution and if you aren’t settling down for your weekly meal each Sunday, you can’t truly call yourself a local. While there are a ton of incredible eating spots around the city, few do the job quite as well as Holybelly. Located just off the city’s trendy Canal St. Martin, the cafe is a real foodie favorite and serves up some of the best food and coffee across the entire city. While the roster of daily specials is always worth a try, Holybelly comes out on top with its serving of eggs and sides. Get there early, though; the cafe is a local favorite and tables fill up fast.

Clamato

Where French dining was once a heavy, butter laden affair, it has transformed itself and now, you would be more likely to find locals chowing down on a selection of small plates than anything else. While there are a horde of great, meaty joints, Clamato does something a little different, taking the small plates concept to the seafood market. Serving up a selection of unusual and exquisitely finished plates, the restaurant certainly knows what it’s doing and once you taste one plate, you might never want to eat traditional seafood again.

Frenchie To Go

While securing a place at the much celebrated Frenchie might be a little difficult, you can get a taste of Gregory Marchand’s foodie empire by pulling up a pew at concept fast food joint Frenchie To Go. Serving up a selection of quick and tasty meals, the restaurant is most famous for its pulled pork burger and fries, which tend to sell out as quickly as they come. Other offerings still hit the spot, however, and you can wash it down with a hot cup of coffee.

Candelaria

Thought that you had tasted every kind of Mexican food there is? Just wait until you try Candelaria. A cocktail bar and restaurant in one, this popular food spot serves up a mix of traditional Mexican food like you might have never seen, all washed down with a frozen margarita. The dinner menu might be small, but it’s seriously good and after one taste, you might be hooked for life.  

Au Passage

Fast food takes on a whole new meaning in Au Passage, one of the city’s most popular small plates restaurants. Nestled just a stone’s throw from vibrant République square, the restaurant rubs shoulders with some of the best cocktail spots in the city and is the perfect place in which to commence a night out. Make sure you make your order before it runs out; the kitchen is renowned for changing the menu by the minute, so if you see a waitress rushing towards the large menu blackboard, make your request before it’s too late.

Gravity

While not strictly a restaurant, cocktail bar Gravity serves up a great selection of foodie bites to be washed down with its original creations. Having opened its doors last September, the bar has quickly proved to be a popular amongst locals and now, finding a table might be something of a struggle. The food menu is packed with the kinds of small plates making the rounds across the city right now and, accompanied by the bar’s many cocktails, they certainly go down a treat.

Hannah Lamarque by — May 2, 2016 in Food 0
The Best Overnight Breakfasts For A Productive Morning

Starting your day in the right way is a sure fire way to get more done, be productive and keep a positive mindset. While an active lifestyle and stress-free morning can all help to contribute to a better working day, few things are quite as important as a healthy and wholesome breakfast. Getting the right kinds of nutrients inside of you before you begin your day can help to significantly boost your working power and creative potential but if you’re already leading a busy lifestyle, dedicating the right kind of time to your breakfast can be something of a struggle.

Luckily, however, there is another way and it might just save you a whole load of extra time in the morning. Prepared the evening before, these healthy breakfast recipes require the night to kick things into gear and by the time you wake up, they will be ready to be eaten. Want to start the day the best way possible? These overnight breakfast recipes are all that you need.

Fruity Breakfast Bites

Prepared the night before, these bitesize oaty treats are the perfect way to get going in the morning and fuel your body for a long working day ahead. Packed full of fresh banana, rolled oats and dried berries, the breakfast dish packs a serious flavorsome punch and won’t leave you reaching for the snack bag come 11am. You can try whipping up a large batch and storing these in a seal tight container for the rest of the week; that way, you can focus on what really matters in the morning!

Zucchini Muffins

While traditional breakfast muffins might not be the most healthy way to start your day, these zucchini cakes are a little different from the rest. Combining whole wheat flour, oats, zucchini and maple syrup, the recipe is completely sugar free for a more relaxed, focused morning. While you can make a larger quantity of these to see you through the week, the muffins also make excellent mid morning snacks, helping to tide you over until lunch without filling up on sugar.

Muffin Tin Frittatas

Are you on the hunt for something a little more savory? These muffin tin frittatas might just hit the spot. Baked in the oven, this recipe cuts down on all that extra oil you might typically use, helping you to keep a clear and healthy conscience. While the recipe might call for higher quantities than you might expect, the frittatas can easily be frozen and defrosted at a later date. You can be breakfast ready, every day of the week!

Overnight Almond Muesli

Packed full of nutritional healing powers, oats are one of the best foods that you can start to support a healthy and balanced diet and with a ton of easy, overnight recipes out there, getting your fill has never been more easy. These overnight oats come jam packed with bananas, almonds and raspberries and better yet, take just 5 minutes to prepare in the evening. What could be more simple?

Tropical Chia Pudding

With all the trappings of a creamy, rich dessert, you might be hard pressed to believe that this breakfast dish is actually healthy at all. The key is the chia seeds. Blended with creamy greek yogurt overnight, the seeds absorb all of the creamy goodness, practically tripling in size. Topped off with berries, coconut and mango, this breakfast is a great way to pack in a healthy serving of fruit and help to keep your hunger pangs at bay until lunch.

Overnight Strawberry Quinoa

Want to get a protein punch before lunch time? You need to try this overnight quinoa dish. Blending the fruity flavors of strawberry and coconut, the recipe is seriously tasty and, thanks to the fruit in the bowl, there is not a serving of sugar in sight. All you need to do is whip up a batch, leave it to rest and enjoy it in the morning.

Tasty, healthy and fuss free, these overnight breakfast recipes are seriously worth getting excited about and once you try one, you might just be hooked. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and getting your fix in the morning can make all the difference to your productivity. Want to be the very best you you can be? Make your breakfast count!

Hannah Lamarque by — April 26, 2016 in Food 0

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