Vegan Banana Icecream!

Hey!

I have to thank instagram for giving me so many amazing vegan recipes especially this vegan icecream alternative. Banana or nana icecream as everyone calls it, is an amazing, healthy and easy way to make icecream.

You just slice up and freeze bananas then blend in a food processor. It helps if you either defrost the bananas slightly first in water or add a non frozen banana or something else such an nut butter or vegan milk to make it a bit easier to blend and give a good consistency. I have also read that if you want a less banana taste to use unripe bananas and over ripe bananas for really banana taste. You can then add pretty much anything you like from strawberries, blueberries, cocoa powder, almond butter.. the possibilities are endless!

I know some people might say eating alot of bananas isn't good for you because of the sugar or potassium but really! I have also made this without using banana by blending frozen mango, coconut milk and a splash of orange juice which was a similar creamy texture. I imagine you could also make sorbet in a similar way using frozen fruit.

Icecream isn't good for you anyway and this is alot healthier and yummier!
 
Here are some amazing instagram inspiration photos. Just search for #nanaicecream for more. Feel free to leave your recipes below!

 http://instagram.com/naturalnomad

 instagram.com/mmmoky_

My Favourite Healthy Snacks & Recipes

Hey!

I am always searching for new healthy, vegan food to try so thought I would share with you some of my favourite foods for on the go or just when you want a snack between meals. Alot of these are great sources of protein for those who don't eat meat.

Nakd Bars
I always take one of these bars with me to work instead of something unhealthy like a chocolate bar. They are just raw fruits and nuts smooshed together with no added sugars or syrups. They are vegan and also wheat and gluten free. Most of them are around 150 calories which isn't bad as they are pretty filling and full of good stuff like dates that I wouldn't usually eat. Obviously fruit naturally contains sugar so if you're trying to lose weight they might not be for you but as a healthy snack I love them. My favourite flavours have to be gingerbread and chocolate orange with banana bread and strawberry crunch close behind.

Oaty Protein Muffins -
 http://unprocessedpeople.com/?p=1563

I love this vegan muffin recipe as it's full of some of my favourite protein filled foods such as hemp, chia and peanut butter and are so easy to make and eat!  I also added dark chocolate chip and flaxseed to mine to satisfy my boyfriends sweet tooth and add extra protein. Amazing!




Trek Protein Bars and Flapjacks
These bars contain around 9-12g of protein so are great for when I've only had a small breakfast or lunch to keep me going until dinner time. They are quite calorific (about 250kcal) due to them being an energy bar so I wouldn't suggest eating them every day if you're trying to lose weight but once in a while or as a treat is all good. My favourite flavour is coco coconut which almost takes like a cake with coconut and dark chocolate topping. Yum! They are also mostly vegan :-)

Dale Pinnocks Breakfast Bars - http://dalepinnock.com/gorgeous-granola-bars/

I have two of Dale Pinnocks books - The Medicinal Chef & Healthy Everyday Living. I really love his recipes as they are simple and healthy without using loads of strange ingredients. Alot of his recipes are vegetarian but some containing fish or chicken (no red meat). They also say why ingredients are good for you which is really good to know for your own nutrition.
You can pretty much add anything you like to these bars as they are just a healthy flapjack. He also has some other similar bars and snacks such as banana & peanut butter that is essentially the same just using mashed bananas. He also has some energy bombs and other recipes that I'm definately going to try.

I hope you try some of my recommedations. Please feel free to leave your own recipes in the comments section and let me know what you think.

Kate

LUSH - Cruelty Free Cosmetics

Hey!

On my journey to live a cruelty free and healthy lifestyle I have been switching all of my products to ones that aren't tested on animals or use animal products. My friend Nicki (http://indigos-moon.blogspot.co.uk/) highly recommended LUSH cosmetics so I thought I'd give them a try and have to say I'm now a lush addict! Their products are pretty reasonabley priced, use recycled packaging and natural products which is good if you try to avoid loads of chemicals like me.

Here are some of my favourite products so far:

Oatifix Face Mask - £6.25 - https://www.lush.co.uk/products/oatifix

This face mask leaves my face so soft, even and smells lovely.  It has the consistency of porridge due to it containing oatmeal so is a bit weird at first to put on but is totally worth it! Just smooth it on your face, leave for 10 mins and you're left with exfoliated yet moisturised skin.

Dark Angels Cleanser - £6.40 - https://www.lush.co.uk/products/cleansers/dark-angels

I bought this cleanser as the one I wanted to get (angels on bare skin) was out of stock on the website but actually prefer this to the one I got afterwards. It contains charcoal, mud and sugar to give your face a proper scrub and exfoliation without being too harsh. You just get a small piece in your hand, add water and rub into a paste. It gets rid of all my dry and flakey skin which in turn means my foundation goes on better! I also prefer the smell of this one to the angels on bare skin.




Helping Hands Cream - £7.50 - https://www.lush.co.uk/products/helping-hands

I have always suffered with really dry hands due to working in places that involved getting my hands wet so have always searched for hand creams that actually help. Up to now the only one that has worked for me is the hemp one by body shop but can actually say this worked just as well. I also find that due to it being in a pot rather then tube I don't waste as much by accidently squeezing out too much.


I have also tried the happy hippy shower gel, american cream conditioner, angels on bare skin cleanser and celestial moisturiser which have been great.

My next goal is to find a great cruelty free foundation for pale skin so if anyone can recommend one please do! Feel free to leave your favourite product recommendations in the comments below :-)

Kate