Energy For Life

Post New Year Fitness Blues

New Year is the time that many wannabe fitness enthusiasts get their gym shoes on and take out a gym subscription only to fall by the way side by mid-month. But for the hardened gym fanatic it’s sometimes just as difficult to get going post New Year. You know the feeling; your leggings feel a little tighter round your waist and thighs (and you thought lycra was forgiving); when your heart races a little faster at just the thought of the forthcoming Spin class and you haven’t even clocked the teacher yet; You’re hovering at the vending machine and last year’s Mars Bars look 'oh so inviting' and

15 common mistakes that prevent weight loss and how to avoid them

I know from first hand experience that losing weight can seem very tough.

Coconut Protein Pancakes you won’t believe are Gluten Free

I’ve been experimenting with gluten free American style pancakes for ages. The mixture was either too thick to cook all the way through or so runny it became a flat pancake rather than a fluffy American style. These are pretty much perfect in every way. Packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, due to the addition of a plant based protein powder, they are super delicious. They make a perfect breakfast or brunch and would double up as a treat for pudding too. Enjoy Ingredients: 50g coconut flour 1 ½ tea spoon bicarbonate of soda 2 scoops Arbonne Essentials Vanilla Protein Powder (20g protein)

Sweet Potato Pea Fritters

When I first suggested these as a brunch snack Mr H looked a little perplexed. I don’t know what he was expecting but they turned out much better than either of us anticipated. They are little dollops of yummy-ness on a plate. I like to serve them with a green salad, salad leaves or watercress, when in season. Half a sliced avocado and a poached egg on top really complete the dish. You could of course serve them with a dip as an appetiser before supper or as a mid-afternoon snack while entertaining friends. The choice is yours. All I ask if that you enjoy. Ingredients 30g frozen peas –

Ali’s Beetroot Hummus

I love beetroot but no one else in the Hutchinson house will touch it. I’ve tried adding it to smoothies, chocolate brownies, soups but they still detect it so I’ve now given up and have to eat a whole bunch to myself. Shame! This beetroot hummus recipe came out of necessity. I had cooked some beetroot that had arrived in our organic box but had far more than I needed so was wondering what to do with it. Making a batch of hummus for the following week is often a weekend task so I just put the two together and hey presto you have the most delicious, amazing coloured hummus you can imagine

Ali’s vanilla Fudge Protein bars

Oh these little bars of heaven are oh so good. When I first made them they were devoured within minutes so if I want to keep them for more than a few days I have to double the batch ingredients (which fits in my tin better too) and pop them in the freezer, ideally with a label no one can read but me! They are super easy to make and because they are 'no bake' you could even get your kids making them. It's amazing how much easier they'll eat home made bars if they had a hand in the making of them. And because these are super tasty they'll want to share them with their friends too. Ingredients 11

Ali’s Superfood Protein Bars

I love a refined sugar free protein bar that is also gluten free and these are just one of my best inventions. Not only are they packed with protein and super foods but they are super tasty – they’ll keep for a week in an airtight container (if you’re lucky) – they never last that long in our house! Give them a try and let me know what you think. Ingredients ½ cup quinoa flakes ½ cup gluten free oats ground into flour ½ cup Arbonne vanilla protein powder A pinch pink Himalayan Salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup

Hummingbird Café Inspired Carrot and Pineapple Tray Bake with Coconut Lime Frosting

Sometimes you need cake that really feels indulgent. I've loved watching The Great British Bake Off over the years but i'm mostly left feeling hungry and disappointed that so many of the gluten free alterntives to traditional cakes are so dense, tasteless or packed with refined sugar. This was a superb exeriement that i undertook after I had a can of pineapple pieces left over from a birthday party. I'd been tasked with re-creating one of those 1970's inspired hedgehogs of cheese and pineapple spikes! It was a triumph and thankfully this cake was too. My inspiration was a cake I tasted at the