Almond Butter Blondies | Gluten, Dairy Free + Vegan

Three posts in Three days? This past bank holiday weekend has had me wanting to grab my Macbook again, to enjoy writing and sharing my recent finds and recipes. For those who have stuck around and recognise my little face popping back up on their feeds, hello.

If you happen to follow me on Instagram, where I am far more active - some may say, too active, you'll have seen I've been busy settling into my new home, teamed with a new job and a few other stressful life situations along the way. Back in September I viewed my now home, with the offer accepted that very night. Despite being a first time buyer, sole applicant and not using any help to buy scheme - as well as the property being chain free, it still took from September to February to get the keys. However, the best things are worth waiting for. I finally received the keys on Valentines Day, dashing out of the office to collect and then back to finish the days work. Receiving the keys on Valentines Day was absolute Girl Boss vibes. 

Whilst I may have used the oven for savoury, I had only used it for baking pastries when bribing my Dad to complete DIY with me. Last night I had the urge to bake a little something, teamed with a large tub of Pip and Nut Almond Butter - Coconut, picked up the previous weekend as a little Holland and Barrett red sticker bargain. At 8pm I decided to whip up some Almond Butter Blondies, ready to treat the family. 

If you fancy giving these a go, you'll find the recipe below....you'll be NUTS to not try these.

Spring Reading with Graffeg | Rita Wants...

Graffeg always blow me away, with their beautiful publishings from talented authors and illustrators. The Rita series, is written by Maire Zepf, a northern Irish author with 12 childrens books under her wing, six of them being from the Rita series alone and as always, Graffeg have published them in both english and welsh. 

Whilst I am far from the targeted age of Maire's readers, there's always something so comforting and charming, to flick through children's books. It may be one from my own childhood, or the new publishings for todays generation of readers. Irish illustrator 'Mr Ando', won't fail to bring every child's imagination to life with his bold, illustrations oozing with expression and movement.

Rita Wants a Genie, is the latest to join the Rita lineup, this spring. Rita the little girl with very big ideas, returns with a tale featuring a genie, a lamp and of course a flying carpet, to highlight the importance of sharing. Rita has decided she wants a genie. Not just any genie. One who will obey her every command and give her, all her dreams. But what should happen, if someone else gets their hands on her lamp? That little someone being a cheeky, younger brother. This tale shares the positives and negatives to Rita and her decisions, or should we share 'wishes'.

Rita Wants a Fairy Godmother, features our little lady again, whilst Rita isn't wishing on a lamp this time, she's dreaming up her very own fairy godmother after deciding she no longer wishes to dress herself. Oh how things would be easier, if by one swish and flick of a wand, her fairy godmother could dress her in an instance. Of course, Rita soon learns that having a Fairy Godmother may not be as great as it first seemed. Rita Wants a Fairy Godmother, follows with bright and bold illustrations, sharing the amusing adventures of our small but mighty Rita.

Don't forget to check out the full Rita Series here.

Are you familiar with the Rita Wants series? I'm having a hard time deciding on which series published by Graffeg is my favourite, Fletcher or Rita, they're both incredibly charming and beautifully illustrated. Lucy x

Disclaimer: Books sent for review consideration

Fear Of Eating Out | Wagamama

For those of you in the UK, it's likely that by now you'll be aware that the government have recently enforced a new rule to UK restaurants with 250+ employees, to display calorie information on both their in-person and online menus. The government are insisting this new rule, is a step to help customers, by allowing them to make healthier and more informed choices when dining out and ordering in takeaway, in turn, tackling obesity. Of course, some larger chains have already been displaying calorie information for quite some time, however many haven't. 

Whilst the government claim this is one step, into their plan of tackling obesity, many are concerned this next step will cause great harm for opposite reasons. Restaurants are concerned of the increase in cost, altering and updating menus both in-house and online, may take time and money but also has a great impact into others mental and physical well-being. There is a large concern for the future generation, growing up and dining in environments where they only opt for the dishes under a certain amount of calories, forgetting that more plays into a dishes 'nutritional' content, not to mention reducing the discovery of new cuisines, ingredients and flavours.

Charities such as BEAT, are concerned this new drive, will contribute to increasing harmful thoughts and behaviours to all those with food/eating disorders. Displaying calorie information on menus will cause great anxiety and harm to those with disordered behaviours and thoughts around food already, feeding into the fixation and increased feeling of 'guilt' many struggle with. Of course, some might argue that supermarkets already display this information on food packaging, again this is already challenging enough for many. 

How do Wagamama come into this? With Wagamama being a chain large enough to be affected by the new mandatory rule to display calories on menus, they have decided to support their customers by allowing them the choice of opting for a menu with calorie content or without. Wagamama realise that calories aren't helpful for everyone and that everyones relationship with food differs, acknowledging the challenge that dining out can be. Customers should feel safe, whilst dining out. Wagamama pride themselves on providing dishes with nourishing ingredients and state this goes FAR beyond calorie content. Guests will be able to request a calorie-free menu, to help alleviate the trauma that can already be in place, before a menu has even been provided. 

Knowing I can visit Wagamama (my nearest being Bristol and Exeter), with their support in place is brilliant. In the meantime before I get into the cities, I'll be hitting Tesco for their new line of Mayo - Katsu and Firecracker...which are both, gluten+dairy free and Vegan. Perfect for livening up wraps, salads and as we enter BBQ season. More on Wagamama products here.

What are your thoughts on the new rule? I was touched by Wagamama acknowledging the anxiety the government are creating in a bid to combat another illness. Lucy x

Disclaimer: no fees were exchanged in partnership of this post.