Random thoughts, used to be about running
Random thoughts, used to be about running
Fruity flapjacks are tasty any time! These are simple, cheap, and quick to make with the possibility of endless variations. Try with other dried fruit and nuts? Or leave them out and dip in melted choc once they’ve cooled a little? So many choices. I made these for what should be called #runningclubcakefest2017 and they went down a treat. I managed to bring none home with me! Given them a try and let you know if you do a variation on this.
Sweet and spicy nuts – these for me are a real, lovely with a glass of something bubbly. But after all the miles I’ve put in this year, and on second thoughts, I think these would also make a fab trail mix. There’s a lovely combination of sugary, salty, spiced, goodness. And it’s all a little retro! This year I made these for a friend of mine and will be making more for drinkies and celebrations over the next couple of weeks. Sweet and spicy nuts are easy to throw together and so well worth the effort. So here goes… […]
Ahh, sweet potato cake, what’s not to love. I love the humble sweet potato as you can see by the related recipes. But rarely is it used in sweet treats or desserts and this seems a real shame. Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre as fully of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, selenium, most of the B vitamins and vitamin C. And they’re packed full of beta-carotene. And this cake is delicious. It’s rich and moist with the spices giving it a depth of flavour. Give it a try and let me know how you get on. […]
What is it about runners and cake? I was never much of a lover of cake but I have eaten more since I started running than I did in my entire life before running. Combine this with my fondness for trying out recipes that are simple but offer an interesting mix of flavours, here comes Tamarind Date Cake. This cake is surprisingly light and full of flavour. I got some excellent feedback from my running group at our biannual #cakefest – so give it a try. Now for the cardamom seeds – if you have a mortar and pestle, […]
Really? Gin and tonic cake – good for you? Except of course it could make you slightly tipsy and put you on a bit of a sugar high… We all know the old tales that spirits are good for you if you’re ill. Now, we have moved somewhat away from that thinking, which in my mind is ‘probably’ a good thing. What did surprise me is that there are a number of reasons gin can be good for you (albeit in moderation). This is what I came across in my research: 1. The main ingredient of gin is juniper berries. These are […]
Runners think a lot about food! And nutella and banana cake, it’s something to think about. Runners think about what’s good for pre-running, during running, post-running and those times we’re doing other stuff. So when thinking about a cake to make for running folk after a relay race, I did a little research on great food for runners. It goes a little like this: Chocolate – According to Runners World UK, it keeps you trim, it lowers blood pressure and it boosts your staying power
When I was invited to a good friend’s leaving picnic, this recipe for Black Tea Spring Rolls jumped to mind. Baked spring rolls in crispy wrappers – my Saturday night special. Making mini rolls requires a bit more effort but the results are worth it
Ahhh…ANZAC Biscuits … the story goes that the mothers, wives and girlfriends of ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, WW1) would make these to send to the troops. They were good for shipping as they didn’t spoil. Little chance of them spoiling as they went down a treat post-race with friends from my running club – after a 10 mile race through mist and fog. These are little bits of goodness and great for replenishing your energy stores post-race. They’re easy to make and oh so good!
I never had much of a sweet tooth until I started running. And then the cake arrived and I discovered just how well cake and running go together – carrot and pineapple cake to be precise. At the moment I don’t eat cake when actually running, but we’ll see how it goes. It’s a good treat for afters with a good strong cup of coffee.
Snacks can be tricky particularly if you’re looking for something healthy and tasty that requires minimal effort. This is why roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds are so good. Dare I say it, but it’s only possible to eat so much humus. Roasted seeds are a great snack full of lots of things we all know we should be eating, good oils and protein. I make this about once a week – generally I’m using the oven for something else so very little hassle for great rewards. You could even use these as part of a trail mix
I’m not a huge fan of baking and it tends to be for special occasions only but homemade wholegrain soda bread is a real treat well worth the time. So try it! There’s something lovely about getting your hands stuck in. This soda bread is amazing still warm dripping with butter and jam or it goes well with a nice solid cheddar and it freezes well for a good couple of months. This recipe makes 1 big loaf or 2 smaller ones or 16 rolls