Happy Mother's Day - gf rose shortbread cookies

Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful mothers today. To celebrate the occasion, I have posted a recipe for gorgeous rose-scented shortbread cookies, inspired by a gift I bought my mum (you can see the pink tin in the background). This recipe makes gluten-free cookies that are healthier than the traditional shortbread recipes.

Tanning slim tricks - my favourite tanning products

There is no question that a tanned body is a slimmer body and with the thousands of fantastic tanning products out there, it is easier than ever for anyone to have the perfect golden tan. I more than any know the perils and triumphs of fake tanning, and over the years I have discovered what works best for me and my skin type. I am very fair and luckily don't have too many freckles but I do wear a lot of sunscreen and stay out of the sun to maintain my clear skin. What is good about many tanning products is that they come in varying degrees of strength, so I may get a stronger product because my skin is very light but if you already have brown/olive skin, you probably will only need to enhance your glow. The products I talk about in this post are my traditional favourites and some new finds. Let me know what you think are the best products out there or if you agree with mine.

Most of the St. Tropez range is amazing and I think they are probably the superior fake tanning products. This new range (on the left) from the brand is a natural fake tan made with vegetan. It gives the most amazing gradual colour, smells fantastic and is very easy to apply, very similar to a light moisturiser, which also makes it very nourishing for the skin.

Another fantastic product is this St Tropez bronzing lotion (pictured on the right). This is a good product to use if you need some instant colour. It does look super dark when you squeeze out some lotion, but it will quickly blend into your skin. I often apply two layers if I need a deeper tan. This product is also good to use for beginner tanners (or tired tanners) because you can see the product going onto your skin and can blend any streaks straight away. I have this in the bathroom at all times.






Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is such a great product and I have been using it for years. It is extremely versatile, comes in a range of colours and is easy to use. I usually buy the tan glow colour and use it on my legs, arms and chest. I sometimes even mix a little into my foundation to make sure my neck and face are blended with my chest. To make sure the colour goes on evenly, I mix the spray with a small amount of moisturiser so I can coat my skin with the colour. If spraying directly onto your skin, make sure you cover the area in old towels or newspaper because this is like liquid make up. It's basically like airbrushing the perfect tan colour all over - I love it!





There's a lot of different spray tanning cans on the market, but many even I find difficult to use to achieve an even colour. I think it's easiest to use one that has instant colour, that way you can see where you have sprayed, and where you haven't with no nasty surprises the next day. I actually think most of the supermarket brands of spray tanners like L'oreal Sublime Bronze are the easier to use as opposed to buying the Model Co. tanning sprays or St.Tropez, which I find both hard to use. This L'oreal one sprays on evenly, you can easily spray upside down and I rub it into my skin afterwards to make sure it's all blended. These are a great way to tan your back if you don't have an assistant on hand :)











I think my favourite bronzing powder would have to be the Model Co. Glow Bronzer Powder. It has the best colour when applied to cheek contours, nose and collarbone. It also lasts on your skin for a good few hours and you get a lot of product in the compact with a generous sized mirror for on-to-go applications.

Skinny gluten-free raspberry cake

I needed a treat this week but wanted something super healthy and sugar-free so I whipped up this cake as my solution! It has a really moist texture because of the Greek yoghurt I used and the raspberries are a delicious fruity burst.

How to deal with a break up - tips from Miss Millionaire Matchmaker

Patti Stanger shares her top five ways to cope through a break up and move forward unscathed. Recently single herself, Patti is a millionaire matchmaker and knows a thing or two when it comes to dating, and breaking up. 

1. Take a dating hiatus: The best thing you can do is to take a dating break. It can be anywhere from 30 to 90 days, depending on how long you were with the guy. I did meditation, and my teacher did hypnosis to clear the energy from past relationships and any residue I was harboring.
2. Embrace Exercise: The endorphins kick in when you work out. Once I started exercising, I started feeling skinnier—and skinnier means sexier. It's not about losing weight; it's about feeling good.
3. There's is plenty of fish in the.... : yes, we've heard this a thousand times but it's true. Whether you're 18 or 80, there's always another man around the corner.
4. Put down the phone: The first thing you shouldn't do post-breakup is to call you ex-boyfriend and ask, 'Why did you break up with me?' Because obviously he didn't want you, and that's just going to make you feel bad. Even if he said, 'You don't listen,' or whatever the excuse, it's never going to make you feel good. Never ever. So don't ask.
5. Find your own comfort: Watch TV, read magazines, eat chocolate or buy yourself some gorgeous new clothes, shoes or jewelry. Whatever makes you feel good. It's all about you. 

Skinny Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

A quick and easy recipe for a very moist banana cake, topped with creamy rich icing.

Healthy coconut and apricot oat cookies

I've made these cookies with spelt flour and very little sugar, just a little Natvia sweetener and a drizzle of golden syrup. The cookie flavour is inspired by the Anzac cookie, which smells of toasted butter and coconut. These are a healthier version of the traditional biscuit but very easy to bake, making the perfect treat for afternoon tea.

Healthy coconut and apricot oat cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of white spelt flour, sifted
• 1/2 cup of desiccated coconut
• 1 cup of unprocessed oats
• 70 grams of organic butter
• 2 tablespoons of macadamia butter
• 4 tablespoons of Natvia
• 1 tablespoon of golden syrup (and extra for drizzling)
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1 tablespoon of boiling water
• 8 dried apricots, chopped into small pieces

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and cover a large oven tray with baking paper. 
2. In a large bowl, mix with flour, coconut, oats and apricot pieces together.
3. In a microwave proof jug, microwave the butter, Natvia, 1 tablespoon of golden syrup and macadamia butter together until melted (I used 60 seconds of medium wattage).
4. Dissolve the baking soda in 1 tablespoon of boiling water and pour straight into butter mixture; this should start fizzing.
5. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the melted ingredients. Stir to combine.
6. Roll a tablespoon of the mixture into a ball and flatten on the oven tray, leaving a little space between each cookie.
7. Bake in a moderate oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Take out of the oven and drizzle with a little golden syrup. Let rest for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Is sugar the devil in a Sunday hat? Why sugar could be called poison

I have written this post based on the very interesting book 'Sweet Poison', written by David Gillespie. David basically preaches sugar is the devil, 'sugar coated' with enticing looks and pretty promises of 'fat-free' virtues. I don't think it's any revelation that sugar can make you fat, it's basically extra energy that your body has to burn without any of the vitamins needed for your body to run efficiently or with any effect of satiety. You could eat the same calories in a full healthy dinner by eating a small packet of jelly beans. Sugar can be a dieters nightmare, making calorie cutting difficult and your job at the gym more demanding.

In his book, David explains in well-researched detail that the human body is largely ill-equipped to deal with the highly processed sugar and refined flour diet of modern day society. As someone who doesn't eat gluten or dairy, I tend to agree your body works more efficiently when you eat natural and organic foods. David was inspired to research and write his book based on his own weight loss journey, during which he lost 40 kilos from elminiating sugar from his diet. Similarly to me, David now finds it hard to eat anything very sugary if he decides to treat himself because it tastes, well so sweet! I do agree that once you weane yourself off sugar, you won't go back to having much in your diet, and you will definately lose weight from this move alone.

I agree that cutting sugar from your diet will help greatly in weight loss, but I don't support his theory of eating whatever you like, as long as it is free of sugar. After cutting sugar from his diet, David does find it easier to stick to only eating when he is hungry, and stopping eating when he is satisfied. I think this is more the key to maintaing a healthy weight. Cutting sugar from his diet has also helped with improving his energy levels and sleeping patterns, which I would imagine have also improved with his weight loss.

While his book is fascinating, I wouldn't buy it unless you are really interested in the full comprehensive examination of the biology behind weight and food. David suggests eating about 10 grams of sugar a day, since it would be impossible to avoid it alltogether; this equates to a couple of pieces of fruit. Of course I think we all need our treat moments (clearly) and as always, if you practice balance in your diet, you can maintain a healthy weight.