Exams, Exams, Exams.

It's that time of year again - the dreaded exam season. The college library is packed with exam period blow-ins, there are no books available for that one particular subject you're stuck on, assignment due dates are creeping up and everyone is stressing to the max. I used to count down the seconds until that last dreaded exam was over, but, this year, things are a little different. It's hard to believe, but I'm currently studying for my finals. This is my last... ever.... exam period. In one way I'm delighted, but in the other, extremely sad. No more heading out more nights than staying in during the week, no more skipping lectures when the sun is shining, no more chilling with the college gals after a hardcore full day session in the library - I must grow up and face the real world - what a scary idea! 

Pulling all-nighters and last minute cramming are only known too well by us final year students. We've spent three years perfecting our tactics, and, we figure that to do it right, you really do need some serious brain food. I always make sure to stock up on Berocca and vitamin C tabs, but, the most important thing for me is to eat a good breakfast and to munch on vitamin-packed snacks while I study. Having said that, chocolate and sweet treats are also important - well I like to think they are-  so check out the recipe for my trusty exam time buddies; my all time fave; Millionaire's Squares, at the end of the post. 

I can never function properly on a regular day, never mind during exam period, without a good breakfast in my belly. Here are a few samples of what I munch on each morning before I get to work...

A nice big bowl of porridge topped with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and Eucalyptus honey - it always does the job and keeps me going well into the day.

Vitamin packed blueberry and kiwi smoothies

To make these tasty treats simply blend...

1 Banana

 2 Kiwis

250g Blueberries

3 tbsps of Natural Yogurt

100ml Apple Juice

Small cup of Crushed Ice

... serve chilled, and enjoy! This smoothie is also perfect as a mid-study snack. It's full of vitamins and good sugars and, will keep you feeling wide awake while you work.

Granola topped with everything I can get my hands on! 

Natural Greek yogurt, raspberries, grapes, banana, almonds, dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds and honey - throw anything on top, it'll be delicious!

A breakfast feast; American Style Blueberry Pancakes topped with banana, maple syrup and strawberries. These have to be my favourite thing to munch on over breakfast, but, they do take a little longer than others to prepare. 

Ingredients

260ml Milk

270g Plain Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

4 tbsp Butter (melted)

2 Large Eggs

4 tbsp Caster Sugar

Handful of Blueberries

Method

1) Whisk the milk, eggs and melted butter together in a jug

2) Sieve the flour and baking powder into another bowl, mix and then combine with the wet mixture using your electric mixer

3) Melt a tsp of butter and a few drops of coconut oil in a pan, spoon one ladle of the mix onto the pan and, using your spatula, shape into a circle.

4) Stick 4-5 blueberries on top of the pancake before you flip and make sure both sides are evenly cooked

5) Serve topped with banana, strawberries and maple syrup.

Porridge topped with apple, blueberries, flaked almonds, cinnamon and honey - another delicious breckie that will keep you feeling full well into the day.

Carrot and Passion Fruit Smoothie - another delicious smoothie that is packed full of energy boosting vitamins. It'll leave you raring to go! Simply blend...

1 Banana

1 Pear

1 Carrot 

1 Passion Fruit

1 Cup of Orange Juice

Half a cup of Crushed Ice

... serve chilled and enjoy.

Toast with my one true love; peanut butter and banana sliced on top. This may not be as filling a breakfast as some of the others but it's seriously delicious. 

The Trusty Study Buddy

Millionaire's Squares

I seem to make these bad boys every time exam period comes around. I know I said that healthy food is key, but, I think we all need a little comfort food at this time of year too!Just click on the name above for the easy recipe.

I'm going to miss spending every day with these pals for sure..
Now I must get back and study - wish me luck!

Carrot & Passion Fruit Smoothie

I woke up feeling a little under the weather this morning and decided that I needed to make myself some sort of vitamin packed breakfast. I thought of topping porridge with the usual chopped fruit and berries but instead I rooted through the fridge and pulled out a few carrots, pears and passion fruits and decided to whip up a pick-me-up smoothie. Blended carrot didn't sound overly appetizing to me, but, to my surprise this strange creation proved me wrong. This smoothie, packed full of vitamins, left me feeling ready to tackle my final semester assignment mountain.

 I'll just say one thing; don't knock it 'til you try it!

Ingredients 

SERVES 4

2 ripe bananas 

2 pears 

2 carrots

2 passion fruits 

2 cups orange juice

1 cup crushed ice
Mint leaves (to serve)

Method

There's not really much to making this smoothie 
- you pretty much whack everything in the blender, but here goes... 
just in case...

1) Peel and chop all fruit and veg and add to the blender 

2) Add the orange juice and blend on medium speed until smooth

3) Add in the crushed ice, blend again and, hey presto there's your super healthy vitamin packed smoothie - enjoy!

New Year, New You

Almost everyone begins a new year with great intentions of eating healthy and exercising more, so I'm starting 2014 with a series of pictures to motivate my followers to try out some sort of new and healthy lifestyle. After all, not all Yummmmyy food is bad for you.... 

Eat Well

Get Out & Do Something

Treat Yourself

Quote Images from theBERRY