My Favourite Home at the Weekend Lunch!

Hello! How is everyone! I am currently chilling out in my reindeer onesie and slippers drinking iced matcha tea after a gorgeous dinner and cashew chocolate protein smoothie! Recipe will be up on that soon, it was SO delish ;)

Anyway, today I'm sharing my favourite jumbly lunch - it is so good and so satisfying (though i always have room after lunch for a little fruit and a small square of dark chocolate!) not to mention super healthy.

Avocados are INCREDIBLE for your hair, skin and nails. I'm sure you've all heard it a hundred million gaZILION times before, but avocados are full of healthy fats. Healthy fats are my favourite, I have a diet quite heavy in them just because they're so fantastic for dense calories but don't let that scare you! The healthy fats can speed your metabolism up and keep you fuller for longer. HAPPY DAYS!

Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of carbohydrate - ooh and due to their gorgeous vibrant colour, they are FULL of carotenoids which can ward off cancer and keep signs of aging at bay! They're also a great source of potassium, magnesium and loads of other scientific things our body LOVES. And they taste amazing. Can you tell I'm obsessed? *QUICK NOTE* sweet potatoes aren't in season in the UK at the mo and my family are really concerend about food miles. Unfortunately, the only sweet potatoes we COULD find were from the USA until we went to my brother's local health food shop and their sweet potatoes come from a country much closer. Just a little note to shop around if you are also concerned :)

Chickpeas are a fab plant based protein and are just goooooorgeous, and kale is amazingly chockapock full of iron and other fab vitamins and minerals. EVERYTHING ON THIS PLATE IS JUST LIKE MEDICINE... but really tasty and natural medicine...

It's also super simple, and you can just whip everything up and spend an hour boogieing or doing work or taking the dogs for a walk or working out or something!

Ingredients:
Serves 2

FOR THE WEDGES:
- 1-2 sweet potatoes depending on the size and your hunger
- 1 scant tbsp cinnamon
- 1 scant tbsp smoked paprika
- salt
- a shed load of pepper
- 1tsp coconut oil
SIDES:
- humous, my mum made some but I'm not sure her recipe i will find out if you want, but good quality organic humous is fine too!
- 1 avocado, or 2 again depending on how hungry you are or how much you love avo'
- About 5 handfuls of kale, ripped up
- Lemon juice
- Tamari (opt)

Preheat your oven to 180C, or 200C if you don't have a fan assisted oven. Wash your 'tats and chop them into chunky wedge shapes. I cut mine too thin and they kind of lost the crispyness and just went a bit flimsy - still delicious, but a wee bit flimsy, so it's your call here. Chuck them in a roasting tray with the coconut oil, or 1tsbp olive oil if you don't want to use coconut oil/don't have any because you ate it all already in porridge, smoothies and basically everything. I've been there guys, too many times... Then sprinkle the spices and seasoning over and pop in the oven for 45 minutes-1 hour! It depends on the size of your wedges, so just check and prod a couple of times.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, pop your kale in another tray and cook it. Once it's out, drizzle some tamari over. If you don't have tamari, just put salt on the kale before you cook it :)
Chop the avocado into little chunks and squeeze some lemon juice over; and serve!

Hope you enjoy this random jumbly and extremely simple recipe, if you try it out tag me on instagram @eshbean or twitter @eshbean!

Lots of happiness and peace to you guys,
Esh
xoxo

What I Ate Wednesday: Pancake Day!

I have always loved being a nosy parker and finding out what people munch on throughout the day.

Is that odd?

It's just fun and interesting to learn how people support their lifestyles with their diets - it gives me ideas and examples... So here's mine!

Just a quick note - this is not what I eat everyday; I mostly consume porridge with a shed loads of toppings on, I'm not always a salad person as i crave hot stuff so soup and avo on toast is a favourite, and dinner is always different. Snacks vary and somedays I get it wrong and just have tiny meals and too many snacks. Everyday is different: everyday is a new opportunity to learn and re-shape.

I woke up around 9, and did some little side stretches before I got up out of bed. However odd this sounds, I'm finding that having a little smile and looking at something that makes me happy in my room makes my day feel so positive which is fantastic because it means that no matter how much stress I've had to deal with the previous day, the morning feels great. I'm trying out this whole mindful, meditating, yoga-y kind of lifestyle to fit in with GCSE's, high intensity workouts, pilates and doing other things that I love in my day (not that I love GCSE'S, but they're necessary... apparently... ;) ) which can be tricky but I've already noticed a calmer feeling inside. ANYWAY, food!

 For breakfast, I devoured this delish green smoothie from Deliciously Ella's blog.. naturally ;) Spinach, hemp, blubes, raspberries, banana, spirulina, almond milk, oats and chia seeds! Actually so tasty, sweet and nutritious! And filled me up a heap! But, 11 o'clock striked and although I wasn't hungry at ALL, I like to keep my energy up with regular snacks. I prefer being the more snacky person than I do big meals and no snacks kind of gal... Even if I have big meals too whhoooops.

My morning was packed with a calm relaxed-y feeling and a spot of yoga. Happy days.

 Mid morning post mini yoga session snack = brazil nuts (3 count as your full selenium intake for the day apparently! Roll on that disease preventing beauty of a nut!), almonds, hazelnuts and sultanas with a soya cappucino topped with nutmeg. After I went on a doggy walk with mum - it was the most beautiful Winter into Spring transition day! Absolutely stunning!

A bit of a use up lunch but it was super yummy!

To make 2 delicious and nutritious salad bowls:

- 1 cup of quinoa (Although after cooking it was a little much so maybe 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup would be better? Honestly it depends on you and whomever you're making it for/your future self's appetite :) ) cooked for 15-20 minutes in double the amount of boiling water, covered, with a bit of tamari.

- 1 apple cut into little thin slices and as many cherry tomatoes as you want cooked in the oven for around 10-15 minutes at 180C.

-An avocado, chopped

- Butternut squash cubes, peeled and roasted with salt, pepper, 1tsp paprika, cumin, coriander - and any other spices you would like! Roast them in 180C oven for around 40 minutes or so (I like to roast a huge butternut squash chopped up and just keep some in the fridge for salads and general picky snacky times!)

- A shed load of spinach

- Dressing: 1tsp tamari, 1tbsp tahini, 1tbsp apple cidar vinegar, 1tbsp olive oil

- Chopped celery

- A few quickly stir fried mushrooms and optional kale!

After lunch I did some doodling and went to town with mum. After some wandering and a quick little Specsavers trip, I grabbed a cashew cookie nakd bar from Holland & Barrett for my pre workout snack! I'm not a massive fan of a raw fruit and nut bar for my pre workout snack, I prefer hot cacao and carrots with humous but ho hum it was quick simple and tasty nevertheless.

I'm really sorry  as well, dinner was boring and I forgot to picture it because i was starving! I had lots of gf oatcakes with homemade humous and carrots as my post pilates and aerobox session, which I know was a little dinner but it was okay because PANCAKE DAY FILLED ME UP REAL GOOD!

Homemade buckwheat crepes with sugar free blueberry compote and honey drizzle! SO TASTEEHHH!

My 2nd pancake: chocshot with almond butter!

 And then, right at the end of the day whilst enjoying 'Last Tango in Halifax' with mum and dad, I had a hot cacao and a bit of reading of my new book!
I hope everyone is having a lovely week, please comment and tell me how you are and what you've been munching recently. Ooh, and if you like this type of post!

Lots of love,

Esh
xx

Almond Butter and Bird Food.

Hello everyone! How was your January? I thought I'd compile just a small selection (a huge plethora actually...) of pictures to sum up life recently... it's mostly food. Yep.

My instagram is constantly updated with food pics and selfies and so on, so if you, like myself, are a bit of a nosy parker check out that @eshbean, but I thought I would only include the pictures taken on my camera as it's nicer quality :) I also think maybe like one or two of these piccy's were taken yonks ago in January, but most in the last week or two.

LET'S GO!

 Favourite big snack at the moment, as I'm trying to get some #girlgains - these wimpy biceps won't grow without some fuel! Two slices of Biona buckwheat bread (UPDATE: Just tried the sunflower and rice gluten free bread toasted and it's SO MUCH NICER! So tastyyyy *munch munch*) with almond butter - my crack - and somer raw honey. 

This was my lunch which I gobbled up about half an hour ago! Best post run lunch! Roasted paprika sweet potato cubes (oh my gosh, I found sweet potato in this gorgeous hippie shop in the town near me which comes from SPAIN and not the USA! YESSSS FOR LITTLE FOOD MILES!), garlic sauteed spinach, red quinoa with brown rice, chilli humous and avocado! So, so, SO darn good.

 Close-up, because it was so delicious.

I made these energy bites from Deliciously Ella, my new favourite person. They are gorgeous and encrusted with all my favourite bird foods. I feel like I have become a squirrel, bird, girl hybrid since becoming vegan and I am ecstatic about that.

Another day, another tasty pre workout snack. Two brown rice cakes with almond butter and honey and energy bites. Can you tell what my favourite foods have been?

THROWBACK... SATURDAY! Early January, before Ella released her book I made this turmeric carrot soup from her app and it was gorgeous with mum's homemade bread and some potato wedges with dips for a pick 'n' mix din dins.

FLASHBACK AGAIN! My tummy has been really weird for the whole month of January. I was extremely ill one day and after that I just noticed how my stomach felt and I've realised I really was feeling puffy and bloating and I think it was after consuming too much gluten and/or yeast, so since I've bought Deliciously Ella's book I've eaten hardly any of those wheat-y yeast-y foods and I feel so much better! Mum and I kind of think I may have IBS, and stress bloats my stomach so it could be I've been feeling less stressed now i'm done with mock exams or... i don't know! But anyway, a gorgeous breakfast for a happy tummy is brown rice pops with homemade granola and oat milk... so good! And a lovely change from almond buttery porridge... although I think I will never get tired from that ;)

 Lovely quick snack - a huge organic apple with cinnamon sprinkled... just needs some almond butter.

Frothy coffee = happy Eshy!

 A Deliciously Ella recipe AGAIN! Warming winter stew with some rye bread (this was pre- me avoiding too much gluten in products) and humous.

Buckwheat and potato homemade gnocchi with vegan pesto and rosemary mushrooms! SUU GUUUUUD!

 Off to the gym to pUMP UP THE JAM!

SNOWWW

Hope you've had a lovely day!

Esh
xxxx

Striving for Strength

I have 16 days left of being 15. How exciting is that?! It may be utter collywobbles (collywobbles? I think I mean pollycock?) but I do feel more mature. In five, ten years time I might be thinking how silly and immature I was at 16 but ho hum we all change.

The reason for this exciting feeling of knowledge about myself is bubbling up inside of me; I am not bothered with "skinny" anymore.
This statement may come and go after I've eaten one too many vegan tiffins, but I'm not, and I urge you if you feel this way or if you are too bothered with being curvy or straight or whatever you want to be, to stop.
Fitness and health have changed my life, because I need to eat to fuel my body, and after years of thinking I was all wrong, recently I have felt so deprived. Deprived of bread, "happy eating" and celebratory treats. That little nasty voice in my head telling me I don't need a piece of seedy bread as a snack after my rice cakes can go and stuff itself.

One major problem I had in my "funny days" (not har har funny, more like stupid-esh-not-eating-tasty-carbs-and-other-things) was being influenced by other's diets. Audrey Hepburn, my absolute inspiration, is exactly my height and on the blogosphere, I read a post about what Audrey supposedly ate daily. It was a very small amount and I was shocked compared to what I eat, or what I had been TOLD to eat. Later, I found out that sizes were completely different back then and the curvacious Marilyn Munroe would be preeetty small today.
Disugsted with myself for not being 1950's actress small (wtf, I know), I stepped onto the scales to see a bigger number. But you know what? Humans have evolved. Sure, lots may be eating too much protein in red meat and we have a high percentage of obesity, but there are still a lot of women who are taller now, and STRONGER now. Like I said, fitness has become an obsession (not a stupid obsession like eating habits, but a really motivating and fun obsession) of mine and it has changed the way I see my body. I don't want a thigh gap, I want to be able to squat with a heavy weight on my shoulders; I don't need a 20 inch waist, I'd rather do my ab work and have a strong core. I'm not suggesting we all become 'gym bunnies' as this too can have a damaging affect, but listen to your own body and within moderation and consideration of your internal health, give your body what it goddamn needs.

One last bit of inspiration of mine is this programme about these gorgeous old ladies who are still wearing whatever they want and keeping active and happy. I want to be able to live as long as I can, as happy as I can be and as confident as I can.


I hope this helped, or at least wasn't as boring as some of my other posts heheh.

Esh
xoxo

Vegan and Savvy; Makeup Edition!

Hello! How is your 2015 so far? For me, this year is bring excitement. My stomach goes all warm and jittery at the thought of being done with negativity. I know we can change when we choose, but at the beginning of a new calendar things seem more possible and positive - so embrace that feeling.
Anywho, we had enough cheese in the last post; today I'm going to be talking about what it's like to be a teenage vegan hippie who enjoys beauty products.

IT IS POSSIBLE!

*warning* this post may seem a bit preachy and a bit basic vegan trying to convert everyone but I'm not, i'm just sharing my "story" and hopefully giving some tips to all those who are interested.

Let's rewind. 9 years old, standing in Superdrug with mum. My love of Audrey Hepburn started at a very young age and for some reason I thought it would be a really good idea to spend some of my crafting money on eyeliner to do some flicks. I picked some up not knowing anything about animal testing and mum asked me if I really wanted to buy from that brand. She chose a "safe" one and told me all about it. I was shocked and ever since I haven't bought from brands that animal test. Fast forward a bit (I'm so sorry I really am awfully ramble-y), and I'm standing in a snazzy makeup shop somewhere on holiday. I picked up a really pretty eyeshadow and asked the shop lady if it was tested on animals. She went on and on about how no brands are, or ever have been, tested on animals and that it's all just CODSWOLLOP (maybe she didn't say that, but it's kinda fun re-enacting my childhood as a Dickens novel). Suspicious, I turned and didn't buy anything. After much research I found out SHE was talking utter codswollop and there are brands, lots of brands still testing!
Like I said, I don't mean to sound preachy and I'm sorry if that offends you but I really do think that if you are interested in ethical beauty and animal care and so on it's worth decreasing your purchases on brands who test.

LET'S GET CRACKING ON TO THE REAL STUFF:

If someone pictures "green" or "Vegan" beauty products, they probably think of coconut oil or Dr Hauschka (i don't blame them, I love those two things a LOOOOT!). But we don't have to use oils (though they are a good idea) and buy from pricey brands! If you are a) 15 or younger and not legally old enough for a job (though I do sell cakes at events), b) have a part time job that doesn't quite give you loads of dollah biiills, or c) have an obsession with Lush and Topshop and sportswear (welcome to the family) you don't have to spend all your money on that mascara you crave.
I'm here to tell you that it is possible to walk into a mainstream "drugstore" and buy ethical makeup!

• Soap and Glory

I love Soap and Glory. The kitsch packaging, the highly pigmented products - ah! This isn't completely perfect as it's still on the priciER side, and also some products contain parabens (not to mention those pesty other products I can never remember the name of! Read till the end to see my opinion on chemicals in products...) but, i just love this brand. They're very clear on their website what's what, and the quality is great. As you'll see in the picture below though, they can't confirm the ingredient it's derived from. This makes me want to buy less from them and a new resolution of mine is to make sure everything I buy cosmetic wise is all natural and good. Again, read below on my two cents of the matter right now, but just keep the fact they don't 100% know in mind.

• The Body Shop

HOORAY, HURRAH - IT'S THE BODY SHOP! (that should be there new ad jingle).
The Body Shop is one of those shops we all know are trying to be as veggie and kind as possible, and although their makeup range isn't as diverse and other brands, I still think it's a staple. I like the work they do, the ingredients they choose (though, again, watch out for those pescy parabens!), and the fact they state clearly that they choose not to test on animals. What's annoying though? They were bought out by the big fat old meanie, Loreal Paris (uh, who said they were gonna stop testing on animals yonks ago! Yeaahhhh that hasn't happened). But, The Body Shop still assure us it's all good in the cosmetic hood.

• No7, Boots' brand AND Any of Superdrugs' brands

No7 isn't, again, the cheapest but Boots and Superdrug assure us that their brands are free of animal testing. I've got a few No7 products because they always give me those darn £5 vouchers, and they are good quality though annoylingly they're not very clear on the whole ingredients list which p's me off a little.

The Golden Duo (in my eyes)

Liz Earle and Origins!

Liz Earle especially though. Liz Earle's makeup brand is free of nasty chemicals and also very clear on her love for animals BONUSSSS. These two brands are preeeetty pricy but this is why I'm justifying them:

This is new this year, but I'm really gonna try and be more natural. Not only in the fact I won't buy nasty chemicals, but also just looks wise. I've been going with less and less makeup compared to the plastered on and spotty Esh of August/September/October of '14. My skin clogged up, I LOVED the feeling of taking off my makeup and i was constantly self conscious of concealer rubbing off and being left with one very white patch left on my face.

Not good things to be thinking.

This year I'm going to treat my hair well, not depriving it of conditioner (I used to believe conditioner would make my hair greasy. This can be true if used in large quantities I suppose but coin sized piece for my short hair works really nicely), try not to straighten it on a daily basis and wear minimal face makeup only on crucial points of my face (eg. awful dark circles due to obsessive insta-stalking, and that big red lump that pops up inbetween my eyebrows monthly). Eyebrows are a must for my albino coloured odd skinny things hanging above my eyes, and I love wearing a little bit of eyeshadow smoked or eyeliner and mascara on my eyes because I have pretty titchy eyes, but I'm really going to try and go for QUALITY, not quantity.

My best friends bought me a gorgeous Urban Decay (also safe!) palette for christmas, and when I get a job I'll try and purchase only those crucial products. Lush are my faaaave for... everything, basically, so I always buy skincare and haircare from there but on my list to buy I've got Liz Earle's eyebrow define-y thing/an Origins eyeshadow in a shade that matches by hair colour for the brows, a Liz Earle mascara and possibly an eyeliner if I can afford it eventually.

I suggest thinking about how much you wear comfortably, makeup wise. If you are a girl or guy who feels more confident and comfortable in full face makeup, please go for it. The key is whatever makes YOU the happiest. But if you're also concerned about prices, try and shop savvily; sales, vouchers, student discounts.

Right then. That was long and rambly and probably very boring so I do apologise but before you go please comment your favourite vegan/vegetarian brand! I would love to know.

Esh

xoxo

Resolutions

Hello everyone! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm actually very excited for 2015 for once. My annoyingly superstitious side is telling me not to lock on to that or anything but I've got plans i'm looking forward.

2015 will hopefully be the year of - finishing GCSE'S, having a wicked summer, going to a new sixth form to study drama btec, doing a pilates course and hopefully getting a job at lush because it is my SWEET SIXTEEEEEEEEEEN at the end of January.
I think resolutions and wonderful and marvellous and truly important - yes, they can produce guilt if broken but they give us a nudge in the right direction to get motivated for the new year. We can make resolutions whenever we want; at the beginning of a month, on a Monday, in the middle of the year - but I just think the best time to get going is now, with the support of everyone we love around us. Right, I'm babbling - here are my resolutions:
1. Work hard for my dreams and goals. Yes, I have to work hard for things I care less for when I do my GCSE's, but this year I want to truly focus on my ultimate goals - becoming an actress and a pilates instructor. I'm not saying by the end of this year I'll be a successful actress in a BBC period drama or a super fit and advanced instructor, but hopefully I'll be getting somewhere.

2. Always be kind. Sometimes when we find ourselves in dark places (metaphorically dark; I'm not just talking about sitting in your bedroom on a Winter's eve) it's easy to use all those crappy feelings to be mean or cruel to somebody. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.

3. Be as confident as you want. Last year I made a resolution to not care what people thought of me, not saying I will become a huge rebel and wear radiator's on my elbows, but saying that if people didn't like or appreciate me because of my appearence or personality so be it. I'd like to think I've done that successfully but sometimes it can be hard to feel confident, ecpsecially when you're not doing something your peers are doing. 2015 will be the year of strutting my stuff in whatever I want and I hope you will too!

4. Embrace oddities. Rather than complaining about how my nose isn't elfin like, or my cheekbones aren't...cheeky enough, I'm really going to try and embrace the things that seperate us from others.

5. Try and drink a green smoothie for breakfast most days just because they're delicious and nutritious!

6. Take health and fitness seriously, but practise balance. Health isn't an 'all or nothing' kind of thing - it's all about balance. No "cheat meals" or "clean eating" just wholesome and healthy foods with the exception of foods which are nourishing to our soul.


7. Do more charity runs! Hopefully I'll be doing runs for cancer and muscular dystrophy as they mean so much to me and I want to do as much as I can to help.

Well then. I feel like a walking talking cheese board (a vegan one of course) but there we have it!
Please tell me yours in the comments as i would love to know.

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS I WISH YOU LUCK LOVE AND LAUGHTER!

Esh
xoxo

Nut Roast Sandwich (Vegan and Healthy!)

Yo yo yo, merry late christmas again!

I made a lentil and cashew nut roast for christmas day, and because of all the roast tatties and brussel sprouts me, my mum and my brother didn't eat that much of it - despite how tasty it was if I may say so myself.
BUT THAT MEANT NUT ROAST SANDWICHES AND THEY ARE THE BOMB!

So here's how I make 'em;

two pieces of super seedy bread

lil bit of vegan marg

crumbled nut roast

pickled red cabbage

a leaf of your choice (spinach is preferred in my opinion but I went for lettuce to mix it up a little)

slice and munch!

Great mix of proteins, fats and carbs - enjoy your leftover sandwich!

Esh
xoxo