The Secret Lives of Bloggers

Hey!!! My post for today came to me as I was out running. Now, I don’t know how it is where you live but around here, there’s a secret code amongst runners that I like to call, “The Runners’ Nod”. You know how it is. You’re out running, at one with your iPod and then some sweaty middle aged man powers past you and nods his head. You nod back, acknowledging that you are both part of a secret society. It’s a sign of respect as you both  continue pound the pavements……

……..Obviously, runners wear their trainers with pride, showing those around them which “club” they belong to……but bloggers…..well, I guess we’re a little more “underground”. Bloggers are less obvious. Perhaps you’ll find them browsing in the local health store, having a quiet coffee in Starbucks as they type their latest post……or maybe they’re hidden away in their houses…..just waiting for the next new food trend to strike :-)

Bloggers are all about oats. Say the letters OIAJ out loud and immediately a blogger will think of this…..

Mmmmmmmmmm!!! Overnight.Oats.In.A.Jar. Just do it! :-)

Bloggers are nutty for nut butters too. OIAJ+PB = heaven in a jar.

Only bloggers know that this is vegan and one of the best chocolatey delights around. Yes….we really do make the best breakfasts. From OIAJ, to the yoghurt mess…..

…….to the notorious green monster!

And not forgetting the irresistible breakfast parfait….mmmm!

All bursting with nutritious ingredients that carry us further down the path of wellness.

We’re the first to know about what tastes good and trends spread like wild fire around the blogworld! Like these little monsters, who’ve made people all around the globe head straight to the iHerb online store!

Puffins!!

And yes…..I was one of those people….they are yummy!! Or maybe you’re a raw or vegan blogger who needs a protein top up? Ta-dah!!! I bet you have this in your cupboard?! It’s nutritional stats are amazing….but you knew that already didn’t you? :-) Personally, I’m loving Spirutein protein powders at the mo :-)

Food bloggers tend to eat a whole lotta green stuff! And I’m definitely included in that :-)

There are salad beasts galore floating around on the web. Like Tara’s scrummy combination…..And Laura’s tasty mixture!Are you a blogger who has to eat on the run? I bet you’ve got one of these in your purse…..

Oh right…..you’re from the U.S….Lara and Luna bars it is then! :-)

We run, we do yoga…….and then we come home and whip up something healthy in the kitchen! Some of us even like to experiment with the weird and wonderful…………..

You may see a blogger across from you in a restaurant, taking pictures of their eats using a mobile phone. They may even take time over getting the correct light and angle so that it looks juuuuust. Right.

No matter what our own photos turn out like, we can all appreciate a good shot…

Angela’s photography is beautiful :-)

See….you are a member of a special club. A wonderful, caring, group of truly fabulous people. We give each other awards….

…….We have an exclusive party EVERY. SINGLE. WEDNESDAY!!!

I mean, how cool is that?! You can even come in your PJs!!

We have our own book club too ya know? Aaannnnd…………shhhhhhhh……..we actually eat tofu!!!

Bloggers are veggies, vegans, omnivores……or maybe they’re just weird!! ;-)

 Hmmmmm??!!! Yes, some of us really do come up with the strangest food combinations! But what the heck?! Anything goes here in food blog land!

No matter what your style is, bloggers have so much in common and in times of need, the compassion of this community can be overwhelming. If you’re going through stuff, recovering/suffering from an ED or simply looking for friends and recipes, you’ll find it all here in the blogosphere:-)

From the bottom of my heart, to everyone reading this, thankyou. You have all inspired me in some way and I wish we all lived closer!! I am honoured and happy to be a member of this special group of people :-D

Next time you go out, see if you can spot a fellow blogger……they’re relatively rare but when you come across one, you’ll know just how special they are (Nicky – that’s you!!)

 - Are you a member of any special clubs?

           - Did you and your friends form a “gang” when growing up?”

Love and hugs,

Emm xoxo

Fruity Friday -The Case of the Berry Bomb Smoothie

HAPPY FRIDAY LOVELIES!!!!! Wohoooooo! I’m so glad it’s the weekend, as this week has been slightly mental at work. Time to slow the pace down for a couple of days :-)

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My fruit bonanza begins......

In the last week, what with all the excitement, I’ve barely posted about food or fitness. For most of the week I’ve been craving smoothies – every imaginable concoction! First, there was the SWAMP MONSTER, that satisfied my urge for spinach and today…….well it’s all been about the fruit baby! Yup….all I wanted was juicy, summery fruit.

The craving hit as soon as I woke up. I had a small and simple fruit salad, keeping it light before heading out for a 7.10mile run. It was glorious! I felt like I could have kept on running forever but with a day of work ahead, I had to head inside and prepare to face the day.

My run included a little hill training…..believe me it’s steeper than it looks!
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After a long, crazy day in the surgery, I headed into town and noticed this shop as I was walking by. I LOVE looking in vintage/retro shops so I headed upstairs to check it out.20110520-093436.jpg

20110520-093450.jpg20110520-093459.jpgThere were a fair number of steps to climb but the stairwell was super cute, with little encouraging messages to keep you going :-)

Inside, there were loads of really cool, old-school American clothing. Its was so fun to look around. I snapped a pic of this Ohio number plate for my dear friend Michelle – it’s true, we stole her from The States and turned her into a serial tea drinker who now owns a kettle and speaks fluent Geordie! (Love ya girl!!!!) 20110520-093511.jpg

One the way home I picked up the best Pink Lady apple I’ve EVER had. I was kinda sad when I got down to the core :-( 20110520-093532.jpg

When I got home, I came across a sachet of yeast in the cupboard and decided to whip up a healthy, vegan choc-chip and PB flavoured loaf. It turned out pretty good – not sweet as you would expect and full of fibre as it was made with wholemeal flour.20110520-093547.jpg

Healthy Coco-Nutty Bread

HEALTHY CHOCO-NUTTY LOAF

- 1 cup wholemeal flour

- 1 sachet dried yeast granules

- 1Tbsp vegan spread, melted

- pinch of salt

- 1/3rd cup vegan choc chips

- 1/3rd cup cocoa powder

- warm water

Add all the ingredients to a bowl, leaving the water til the end. Add warm water to the mixture until a soft dough forms. Need the dough for 10mins and then place in a loaf tin. Bake for 25mins at 230degC.

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With Morello cherry preserve

When it reached dinner time, my tastebuds still wanted fruit, despite the fruity breakkie and snack. I thought I might have been dehydrated so glugged down lots of water before making a great berry-protein smoothie. I’ve named it BERRY-BOMB because I literally covered the whole kitchen in the stuff when the lid came off my Vita-Mix waaayyy too early! I loved this smoothie!!!!

BERRY-BOMB PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

 - 1 CUP BLUEBERRIES

 - 1 SMALL FROZEN NANER

 - HANDFUL OF CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES

 - 1 HEAPED TBSP VANILLA SUN WARRIOR PROTEIN POWDER

 - ICE CUBES GALORE!!!!!

Blend like mad. Pour (not all over the kitchen!). Drink. Smile!20110520-093605.jpg

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Berry Tash!!

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Oh yeah……and I got mail!!!!!

Yum!

I won Lily’s giveaway and now have a big grin on my face because I LOVE 9 BARS!!! This pack is so great. You can order them online if you wanna try them – just go to http://www.9-bar.co.uk :-)

20110520-093705.jpgAnyway….I’m gonna head over to a few of your blogs before retiring to bed with a book….

What are your plans for the weekend? I’m going to see my Grandma – can’t wait!!!

Has anyone got a Garmin watch? If so, which model and would you recommend it?

Hugs xoxo

Home Sweet Home

Evening ladies :-) Aaaahhhhh……home again. I’m currently sitting here in a post holiday daze, catching up on blogs and drinking nettle tea. I’m relaxed, content and sleepy. What a wonderful week I just had. Phil, family, nature, running, vino, beautiful surroundings and a cottage on a hill. Perfect :-)

The Isle of Mull and it’s surrounding islands all hold a special place in my heart. In the next couple of days you will see why as I tell you about my trip. I have lots of piccies so stay tuned!

Before I hop into bed, check out the great packages I received before I left for Mull……

Tofu from the wonderful people at Clearspring

Some Organic Tofu from the kind and wonderful people at Clearspring.….

Complimentary Veggie Supplements and a Sun Warrior sachet

……And some complimentary super supplements from the Aggressive Health Shop – the great online store from which I ordered a packet of Sun Warrior a few days earlier.

The reviews of these products will be coming up in the next few days. I can’t wait to try my Sun Warrior :-)

Anyway…..I’m practically asleep so I’ll be back tomorrow with a photo filled Mull extravaganza!

Night night xoxo