The lovely Jenn over at Peas and Crayons has set ‘Falling into New Habits’ as the theme for this month’s What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) parties. Maybe the first new habit I should ‘fall into’ for Fall is actually turning up at the WIAW parties. I’ve been missing all summer! Sorry guys! There was a serious lack of food photography going on in July & August as I was too busy (having fun) with Lil’ L. Now he’s back at school, there’s no excuses!
However, one new habit that I have taken up this month is going for a 30 minute run straight after school drop off. I’m not a ‘morning person’, but this quick run in the fresh air is making a world of difference to my day. By the time I get back home, I feel really alert, and the fact that I’ve actually ‘achieved’ something before 9.30 spurs me on for the rest of the day.
My productivity levels have definitely increased since I made this simple change to my daily routine. Let’s hope I continue with it!
I’m also enjoying the opportunity it gives me to spend an extra half hour outside in the fresh air, enjoying the morning sunshine (we’re having a great September here in Bath!) and taking in the beautiful views. Here’s my favourite pics from this week’s runs.
I’ve always struggled to run in the mornings but I do feel like I’m getting a bit better at it. I have no trouble running at night… it feels effortless, like I’m flying rather than running. In stark contrast, in the mornings, I feel like I’m glued to the ground, and it takes a huge amount of effort to pick up my legs and run. Weird eh? Does anyone else experience this or is it just me???
When I get back from the run, I’m doing a simple 5 minute core strength yoga sequence, then it’s time for breakfast.
On the subject of food, since coming back from the Summer holidays, I’m full of renewed enthusiasm for cooking fresh home-made meals. I just need to get into the habit of photographing them! For this week’s WIAW party, I thought I’d share my favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner from the past seven days. Fortunately, these were the three meals that I did actually manage to photograph! I hope you enjoy them as I much as I did! 
Breakfast
Continuing with my recent chocolate-banana obsession, my favourite post-run breakfast has been a chocolate-banana energy shake. It tastes fantastic, is packed with goodness, and leaves me feeling full up all morning.
Here’s how I make it…
Raw Chocolate Banana Energy Shake Serves 2-3 Ingredients Method
1½ cups fortified non-dairy milk (I use Alpro almond milk)
½ cup non-dairy yoghurt (I use Alpro plain pouring yoghurt)
1 large ripe banana (or use frozen banana slices for a deliciously cool shake)
3 tbsp raw cacao powder (or regular cocoa powder)
1/2 cup fine rolled oats (I use Mornflake superfast oats) (omit oats if you don’t have a high speed blender)
1 tbsp chia seeds (for a nutrition boost including omega 3)
1 tbsp raw cacao nibs (optional, but they add nutrients, great flavour and texture to the shake)
1 tbsp agave syrup, or to taste
Lunch
I’ve had lots of lovely lunches this past week, but my favourite was this Thai Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup.
So delicious! I’ll write up the recipe and post it on Friday. I promise!
Dinner
It was hard to choose a favourite dinner, as I’ve been cooking lots of our favourites this week. However, this is the one that I managed to photograph… Mediterranean Vegetable Crumble.
This is so yummy and can be eaten hot or cold. Any leftovers make a great addition to work lunch boxes.
Here’s how I make it….
Mediterranean Vegetable Crumble Serves 4 Preparation: 15-20 minutes Ingredients Vegetable mixture: NB. To save time chopping, I give the veggies a quick blast in the mini chopper or food processor. Crumble: Method
Cooking time: 45 minutes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
2 celery sticks, finely chopped
1 medium courgette (zucchini), finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
100g / 3½oz / 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
400g / 14oz can borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
10 black olives, chopped
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp tomato purée
500ml / 17¾ fl oz / 2 cups organic tomato passata
1 tsp vegetable bouillon
Sea salt & ground black pepper
75g / 2½ oz / ½ cup wholemeal (wholewheat) flour
75g / 2½ oz / ¾ cup rolled (porridge) oats
2 tsp mustard powder
2 tbsp nutritional yeast (gives a cheesy flavour & a nutritional boost)
85g / 3 oz / 1/3 cup non dairy margarine (e.g. Pure)
27g / 1 oz / ¼ flaked almonds
27g / 1 oz / ¼ cup finely chopped nuts (e.g. Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews) and/or seeds (sunflower, pumpkin)
My favourite dessert of the week has got to be the instant dairy free chocolate banana ice cream with chocolate sauce and nut sprinkles. Yum yum yum!
Time to head over to Jenn’s and join the party!
Enjoy the rest of your week everyone xx
This time last year…. my first appearance at Jenn’s WIAW party!!! WIAW Party – I’ll bring noodles
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wow your meals looks so delicious! great that you are cooking so many colourful and nourishing dishes! I am really tempted to make the veggie crumble and soup.. soups are my life savour in winter and its slowly becoming cooolder!!
It’s suddenly become really cold here… and wet… and dark in the mornings. I can’t believe how quickly things have changed
It’s definitely time to start making delicious home-made warming soups!
I love all of the food but your soup is beautiful. The colors are just so fantastically fall in nature.
As for what I will try first out of this will definitely by the smoothie. In the mornings I don’t like to eat much so a drink is definitely what I need to get me going.
Thanks Rachel! I’ve only just noticed that a lot of the soups I’m making lately are Fall in colour… lots of yellows, oranges and reds. It’s got really cold here so a bowl of home made soup is just what I need at lunch time.
Energy shake looks good! Almost a reason in itself to trundle up and down the beautiful hills around #bathcity on my bike. I’ll try it out…
Having a shake like this does feel like a well-deserved reward after a hard run or bike ride. It’s super nourishing. You’ll have to give it a try!
I am so envious of your morning runs! I miss running so much–the physical aspect of it, but also the mental. It was so therapeutic for me. My trips to the gym and walking the dog are close, but just not quite the same.
All that beautiful yummy food in one day? You make healthy eating look so easy and interesting and delicious! I am so making that soup! (Thanks for sharing the recipe!)
I’m loving the mornings runs but I need to make sure that I don’t overdo it and niggle old injuries. For now I’m just going to stick to short 30-40 minutes runs and see how it goes.
What amazing scenery you have for your runs. I don’t think I’d ever be able to pass up a quick run!
Thanks for sharing those two awesome recipes too xo
Hi Jessie! Thanks so much for your lovely comments!
It makes running far less of a chore when you’ve got some beautiful scenery to look at
Received some lovely feedback on Twitter this week on the veggie crumble:
“Hi, I have to thank you, your Vegetable crumble recipe is sublime! Tastes even better the next day too, double yum! Best wishes, Mandy”
It’s always great to hear when someone’s enjoyed a recipe. It puts a big smile on my face!