Sweet Potato Risotto

One thing i always have when i go out to restaurants is risotto. I know its quite a simple dish but i can never make is as good as you get it in an Italian restaurant! Though this is the case, i do make it now and again. I have a mass of sweet potatoes so here we are… sweet potato risotto with my home made pesto!

Ingredients:

150/200g Risotto rice

3 medium sweet potatoes

1 stock cube

1 large onion

1 corrugate

3 garlic cloves

salt and pepper for seasoning

Step 1:

Chop up all the veggies and fry in a little oil.

Step 2:

Add the risotto rice, just cover with boiling water and add the stock cube. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3:

Bring to a light boil and keep adding a small amount of water… until the rice is plumped and cooked.

Once cooked add a table spoon of the homemade pesto!

New Additions To The Family!

Nothing surprises me anymore so when my parents told me they were getting chickens i had to laugh! I think it’s great! They look awesome and are a constant source of eggs which i eat every day! My uncle keeps chickens and has about 30 or more. I’m not too convinced the neighbors are going to be as impressed but don’t they look great!!! Cant wait to go home and see them… and get some eggs! They better get layin!!

Stop Worrying!

What is worry? and why do we worry?

By definition it is to ‘feel uneasy or concerned about something’ perhapps ‘anxious, distressed or troubled’.

Worrying is something that i think all of us do or have done at some point in our lives. Some to varying degrees to others. Be having to take an exam at school, go for a job interview or been a blushing bride on her wedding day!

There are situations daily where we are faced with some kind of worry and in some basic form worry is just fear. Fear of failure or rejection or the future. Worry is linked to everything and while some might just accept what they have or do, others might dwell upon the past.

Having worry can cause a great many effects both physically and mentally. Physically there are signs we are all aware of like feeling sick or ill, having butterflies in your stomach and even in extreme cases physically shaking. Mentally worry can cause sleeplessness, paranoia, lack of self confidence and even depression… the list goes on.

All of these symptoms though have a trigger, a source. It’s all about cause and effect.

Are there ways to stop worrying? I’d be inclined to say no. Though i’d be open to the notion that there are ways to reduce or maybe prevent worrying.

Changing your diet is something will not only improve your health but well-being. Sugary drinks and caffeine contain stimulants which can increase anxiety and symptoms of tension like headaches. Including weekly exercise not only helps improve your physical fitness but produces endorphins helps improve your mood and give you something else to focus your mind on. This is something i do and i can say categorically that my mood does improve after i have been to the gym. When i dont go for more then 2 maybe 3 days i’d stay out my way lol i’m definitely more inclined to be ratty or in a bad mood!

Being in control of any given situation is a way to reduce worry. Obviously you cant control everything but you can prepare yourself as best as possible. This can be anything from revising for an exam, preparing thoroughly for a job interview or planning a strategy for your working day. Preparation is the key here.

Do something! This may sound simple i know, but if there is something which is causing you be be anxious or worry then do something about it. Don’t just let the situation envelop you, stand up, make a change… take action! If you hate your job… find a new one. If you have concerns about someone’s feeling or emotion… talk to them. Talking about things i a great way relieve tension. Keeping things pent up inside helps no one and thus no one can help you! A problem shared is a problem halved they say. Having the support of a friend or family member can dramatically reduce worry and help support you though any difficult period.

Not all worry is bad it has to be said. That ‘nervous’ worry performers get is caused by increased adrenaline running though their body. In the right person this can help spur on a performance or i guess on the flip side cause the sickening fear which a lot of people get. I think it depends a lot on the person.

What I’m basically saying is that not all worry is bad and that some worry can even spur you on to take action, prepare yourself and so calm your mind.

Some people set aside time to worry in their lives. ‘I’ll worry about that later’ and literally not think about a worrying situation until later in the day. This is something which works for a lot of people. Setting aside a regular time of the day/ week to do this might be the best way forward. So that things don’t get put off and put off.

Writing things down before you go to bed is a great way to collect your thoughts and will stop you from worrying about things while you sleep. hopefully aiding in a more restful nights sleep.

I worry. About all sorts of things and the only way i can stop worrying is to be in control. For me preparation is the key. I keep myself physically fit by going to the gym four times a week which gives me focus outside of work and life. I leave any problems and worries at the door and focus solely on working out (like a dog i might add!).

 

Deconstructed Turkey Burger

I haven’t had a burger in since I don’t know when and today I had a real craving. So I did what info best… Made my own!

These are really simple to make and taste delicious. I don’t eat bread so they are bun-less but you could quite easily add a burger bun and a Alan of cheese to gourmet it up!

Ingredients:

500g turkey mince
1 egg
2 tbs of wheat free flour
1 tbs of dried sage
Salt and pepper for seasoning
5 mushrooms
1 onion
4 garlic cloves
1 red pepper

Step 1:

Mix the mince meat with the egg, flour, sage, salt and pepper.

Step 2:

Form the mixture into 6 balls. Heat a griddle or frying pan, add each ball and pat down into the obligatory burger shape.

Step 3:

Chop the peppers, onions, mushrooms and garlic. Fry these off after the burgers are cooked.

Step 4:

Prepare the salad and construct as you wish.

Oh It’s Monday Again

I’ve had such a manic 3 days that i have neglected my littler corner of the internet-web. BUT it’s monday and i’m back into the swing of reality. I worked like crazy over the weekend at the pub. We had every man and his wife in this weekend so getting up this morning to go to the gym was damn hard!

Having dragged myself out of bed i made a quick breakfast of fresh coffee and a three egg mushroom omelette which was delicious! Then got my ass to the gym where me and my gym buddy Fe killed it! Our abs were so hot after working out you could have friend eggs on them!! haha

Todays session included:

15 minute cross-trainer warm up

10 minute HIIT

3 sets of leg raises (15 reps, 20 reps and 25 reps)

3 sets of heel touches (20 reps, 30 reps and 40 reps)

2 sets weighted leg raises (3kg medacine ball)

2 sets medicine ball side to side touch

2 sets of 10 reps crunches on gym ball

2 sets of 10 reps ball jacknife

2 sets of 10 squats

This is me looking utterly ecstatic to be at the gym lol Looking a mess!

The Google Diet:How Google Makes Healthier Employees

Reblogged from Carlene's Figments:

Google is well known for their innovative office environment , and especially their five star food! But with a tantalizing and calorie laden cafeteria, how do you persuade employees to cut back and make better decisions? I dunno, just like, Google it?

Okay, okay, while Googling is my go to solution what I'm actually referring to is a  Fast Company…

Read more… 280 more words

My First Massage

Having never had a massage before i was really excited about the prospect of having one. A friend of mine who is training to be a masseur needed a willing patient so i jumped at the chance and i’m glad i did! While she said that i was in great shape the difference of how i was feeling yesterday compared to today is incredible and would urge everyone to go see a professional.

While i haven’t ‘suffered’ with back pain, neck pain or any major injuries. It’s obvious that i had learned to live with various niggles and complaints, putting it down to just being tired or having done a lot of exercise. It’s kind of hard to explain but what i thought was ‘normal’ in my lower back and neck especially feels lighter then air for want of a better phrase lol I feel nothing in fact.

I sit at a desk every day, run every other day and do weights so it would be no surprise if i complained of minor aches and pains on a daily basis but i don’t on the whole. However, it seems obvious to me that there were issues which have been dramatically decreased… and thats just after one session.

Other then the fact that it was very relaxing it was fascinating learning about the muscles and how they interlock with each-other. Learning about the production of lactic acid, how this effects your muscles growth and how through massage it can be broken down.

It’s easy to assume that because i work out a lot that I know all about what muscles i’m working. In reality I know very little about specific muscles how the work. I know what i need to get bigger muscles sure, but i think the key to real muscle mass gain comes from when you understand your body fully. This is something i will be looking into further. A broader, more informed understanding.

I’m definitely going to have follow up sessions. Keeping fit isn’t just about being able to lift incredible amounts of weights or running for miles and miles. It’s about your general health and well-being. Mind, body and soul!

R.I.P Glo Bar

This gallery contains 5 photos.

No one will really know the meaning of this place unless you worked there. During my time at university i worked at the student union bar and it was one of the most incredible places. Granted, not much to look at lol but the atmosphere, the people and memories are ones which i will treasure […]

Addicted To Bean!

I don’t ever really indulge in anything particularly ‘naughty’ when it comes to food and drink consumption these days. I hardly never drink anymore, my diet is so healthy it’s scary and i’ve never done drugs in my life!

SO, to get any joy out of life i have to look elsewhere at the minute to get that treat at the end of the day or that thing which i can go home too and just enjoy. Right now and for a long time it’s been coffee. In small quantities coffee is no real harm to you however i think it’s safe to safe i am actually addicted to caffeine… which isn’t such good news.

On an average day i would drink up too at least 5 cups of coffee at work a day, more if im working at the pub and most days drink a massive cafeteria of real ground coffee (sometimes two a day).

I noticed that i was drinking a LOT of coffee about two weeks ago and tried to cut down. Drinking only two cups a day but i have to say i found this really hard. As i say, i don’t indulge in anything else like chocolate, alcohol or cake and so i kind of saw coffee as a treat.

I know that excessive amounts of coffee isn’t good for you but i thought i’d delve in a little deeps and see whats what.

The Good:

Turns out drinking coffee helps can potentially help with all manor of things including:

• Reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
• When roasted is full of antioxidants.
• Reduces the risk of gout, gallstone disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• It can improve cognitive performance ie. give you short term renewed alertness.
• Reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
• Has analgesic properties which increases the effectiveness of painkillers and is the reason many over the counter medications contain caffeine.

The Bad:

• You can become addicted to it.
• If consumed to excess it can increase irritability, anxiety and insomnia.
• It can lead to iron deficiency’s and anemia.
• In severe cases can lead to coronary artery disease.

The Ugly:

• Excessive amounts will cause loose bowl movement and is basically a laxative.
• It can also make your urine smell and be discoluored.

 

Enjoy What You Do.

This sounds like a pretty simple motto to live by but it is laced with all sorts of underlying misgivings!

If we are talking about social activities then surly you are going to be enjoying what you do right!? Be it going to the gym, the cinema or spelunking… it’s a real thing! It’s something you are choosing to do in your own personal time so you will be enjoying what you do.

What i’m talking about is the stuff more related to the things in life that you have to do, like for example; going to work. Most of us have to go to work and some of us, myself included, are lucky enough to do a job that we love! I work for national media company editing showbiz pictures on a daily basis! I literally could not be better placed. I was so lucky to get it and to be able to say that i work on images that are used around the world, on a daily basis is an amazing feeling!

For some though i know that this is not the case and even people i’ve worked with didn’t enjoy the same job i was in fact enjoying. Some people just do job to earn the money and don’t really care about the opportunities that they are being exposed too. These are the ‘Showers and goers’ lol They show up, don’t care, earn their money and leave. There is no invested interest. No desire to progress or improve their career prospects.

At uni i was the supervisor at the SU bar and it was with out doubt the most amazing experience of my life. Being surrounded by people from a multitude of cultural backgrounds was just incredible. There wasn’t a day that didn’t go by when i didn’t learn something. Be it from making cocktails to learning sign language! It was just one of those places!

Sure, i’ve had jobs which i didn’t enjoy but you know what, i found myself another job and left the one i hated. This has only ever happened once to be fair lol But i learned that there is no point doing a job where you feel under valued. After that particular job i swore i would never do i job i hated. I’ve worked in supermarkets before and sure, it’s not exactly a fun house but you have to make the most of it and i loved my 6 years there.

I remember at the time of getting the job at PA, having to choose between doing a job that earned me more money and a job that i really wanted to do. In the end i took the job at PA because it was a job i really wanted to do and i love it!

I know it’s not always possible to do a job you love and sometimes you just gotta provide for your family! But i constantly walk into shops and am faced with people who literally dont wanna be there. It’s written all ovr there faces! There are other opportunities out there you just have to be proactive in getting them!

If your job is something that really does get you down then you have to make the most of the time you spend out of work. Get a hobby, do something you want to do. Use some of the hard earned money to do that little something for yourself which you will enjoy. I’m not a rich man but i accept what i have and do the best with what i have. People spend way too much time thinking about the things they don’t have and not appreciating the things they do!

You reep what you sew, enjoy what you do and proactive in making a positive change! You are the master of your own universe!