Going Vegan?

Tomorrow is #HugAVeganDay, did you know? I have been considering going Vegan for some time now and I just don't know what's stopping me.

There are a lot of people making the transition into Veganism nowadays for a variety of reasons: health, environmental and of course for the animals. Conversely there are still a huge amount of people who view Vegetarians and Vegans in a negative manner, maybe because they just don't understand it fully. 

Personally I would like to go Vegan for the heath and ethical reasons. I am a huge lover of animals and I disagree with the way they are treated in the meat industry. The only reason I haven't made the change already is that I am nervous about not getting all of the nutrients that I need. I am a lazy cook so I need food that can be prepared quickly and with very little effort and everything I have seen about Vegan cooking takes a lot of work. I suppose I should just stop being so lazy! I also truly believe that going Vegan may help cure my raging eczema, and that would be a miracle! 

I'm going to turn my Vegan journey into a regular segment on here so that you can see how I'm getting on and so that I can share my thoughts and discoveries with you. Maybe I could even help a few of you on your own way to becoming a Vegan! 

One of my all time favourite Vegan's is Sweetsugarcrumble. She is an absolute gem and I love her blog and her Youtube channel so you should definitely check her out. 

Here's to going plant based!

Lottie x 

#Stoptober

The time is almost upon us once more and it's time for thousands of us to grit our teeth and take the plunge to stop smoking this October. It will be hard, no one is denying that, but it will be so worth it! 

I quit smoking just over a year ago after smoking for just under 6 years. Although I enjoyed smoking it had become a crutch and I had had enough so I decided to stop, no matter what it took. I'm not going to sugar coat it, it was bloody hard work and some days I just wanted to cry. But a year on I can safely say that it was the best decision I have ever made. 

I no longer get out of breath after two minutes of cardio, I don't spend all my wages on stupid little sticks and I no longer have to stand outside in the rain when everyone else is cosy and warm inside. More than that I have significantly improved my internal health and am no longer putting myself at risk. 

The NHS is running Stoptober again this year to try and help thousands of people to give up for good. They say that by stopping for 28 days, you are 5 times more likely to give up smoking for good. If you sign up now, they will send you a free stop smoking pack to help you on your way. Pledge to stop smoking starting the 1st of October for 28 days and you could improve your energy levels, your life expectancy and your sex drive! Now who would say no to that! 

Here's the link to get you started: Smoke Free

Good Luck! And let me know how you get on.
Lottie x 

"Get Some Meat On Your Bones"

I hate this saying. My Nan says it to me almost every single time I see her, along with, "You're so pale, you look like a ghost."

"We need to feed you up"
"Do you ever eat?!"
"Why are you so thin?"
"You look anorexic."
"You must not eat enough to keep a fly alive."
"You are too skinny."

All of the above are things that I have had said to me over the years and all of them are things that I find offensive.

I have always been thin. I danced from the age of 3 and still do so I never really put on any weight. I have a very high metabolism and I am just generally quite a small person, In the past doctors have expressed their concern from my BMI being lower than it should be but only by about 1 or 2 points and nothing to worry too much about. The fact is is that I have always been like this, no matter how much I eat. And crikey, I eat a lot!

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that phrases like the ones above are not exactly helpful. In fact they can often make people feel self conscious and worried about their appearance. I feel this way and I am perfectly healthy. But imagine if you did say this to someone who does suffer from an eating disorder, how would it make them feel? It certainly wouldn't help them in their recovery, I can bet that much!

I suppose it's just important to think about what you say before you say it, and to consider how it may be received by the person to whom you are directing it. There are better ways to compliment someone on their weight or appearance.

No matter what you're body shape, if you are healthy and happy then don't worry about what other people are saying. Just be confident with who you are because you are beautiful.

If you do think that you may know someone who is struggling with an eating disorder then please tell someone who can help them and get them the support they need.

Let's just be nice to one another and take care of each other.

Lottie x


P.s. Zoella did a blog post on this topic back in 2011 if you would like to check it out. https://www.zoella.co.uk/2011/03/why-are-you-so-skinny.html

Vegan Banana Pancakes

I want to be a vegetarian, better yet I would love to be vegan. However, every time I have tried to transition I have ended up failing miserably.

I came up with a plan to try and introduce new vegetarian/vegan meals into my diet slowly and eventually I should have enough ideas to cut out meat completely!

One of my all time favourite breakfasts is vegan and I want to share it with you today.
VEGAN BANANA PANCAKES. 

So the recipe could not be more simple:

• 1 Banana (Mashed)
• Flour
• Almond Milk (or any kind of dairy free milk)
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Sugar

And that's it! I don't have exact measurements as it really does depend on the size of your banana but you are just looking for a pancake batter consistency. 

Spray your pan with a little oil and cook gently over a low heat for a couple of minutes on each side and viola. Delicious, healthy breakfast. 

I usually serve mine with some chopped up fruit but it's delicious with dairy-free yoghurt too! 

I hope try this recipe and if you do, I hope you enjoy! 

Lottie x