FATURDAY SATURDAY

Sometimes our guilty pleasures are, well, even more guilty and one of my all time favs has to be carrot cake. So, I thought I'd share this really simple recipe that’s guaranteed to have you coming back for more... well, when it has 'carrot' in its name it's pretty much part of your 5 five a day ;) And you certainly deserve it after baking up a sweat!!! And it’s the weekend,  jeez how many more excuses do you need...!!?

INGREDIENTS:

175g light muscovado sugar
140ml sunflower oil
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
150g grated carrots (about 3 medium sized, I tend to be very generous with this measure to make it extra carroty!)
100g raisins (I always add a bit extra)
grated zest of 1 large orange
175g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon (I use 2)
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg (freshly grated gives the best flavour)
1 tsp vanilla essence

For the Frosting:
175g icing sugar
11/2-2 tbsp orange juice
(These measurements are as per the recipe, however I am never accurate with the icing measurements and tend to add maple syrup or honey and sometime a sprinkling of walnuts on top to finish if I'm feeling a little nutty!!)

METHOD:
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4/fan 160C. Grease the base and sides of an 18cm cake tin (I prefer to use a bake oil spray as it's less messy!!)

2. Tip the sugar into a large mixing bowl, pour in the oil and add the eggs. Lightly mix with a wooden spoon. Stir in the grated carrots, raisins and orange rind.

3. Mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices, then sift into the bowl. Lightly mix all the ingredients until the mixture is fairly soft and almost runny.

4. Pour the mixture in to the tin and bake for 40-45 minutes, until it feels firm and springy when you press it in the centre. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn it out, peel off the paper and cool on a wire rack.

5. Beat together the frosting ingredients in a small bowl until smooth, it wants to be about as runny as single cream. Set the cake on a serving plate and drizzle the icing back and forth in diagonal lines over the top, letting it drip down the sides.

6. And finally... enjoy!!!... And then find it a good hiding place for it!!! 

 
 
  

KICKS WITH TICKS

 It doesn't take long for scuffs and dirt marks to show up on what were, only a short time ago, a pair of fresh to death kicks. Sometimes you can revive their appearance with the mere swipe of a damp cloth, but when you live and die in your favourite pair like I do it’s amazing how quickly they can start looking tired and to be honest, a damp cloth just ain’t gonna cut it!!!! So if money is tight and buying a new pair is just not an option… or you just can’t bear to part with them, you can prolong their life a little longer with a bit more of an aggressive cleaning approach… the washing machine! For best results remove the laces and wash them separately or just put in new ones. I wash the shoes by themselves, on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees and use half a cup of detergent. Allow to air dry and make sure you stuff them well with newspaper, not only does this make them dry faster it also helps retain their shape. Then you’re good to go!!! But unfortunately I find this only works well once.

BEFORE AND AFTER:

 

DOUBLE DUTY BEAUTY!

Whilst a fresh haircut or a new mascara can help you look your best, some of the most potent beauty weapons can be found in your local supermarket... or even your kitchen cabinet!!! Nosh yourself gorgeous with foods that you can eat and then apply. Featuring seven super samples, we look at today's food hero.... TEA!!!

In a world overflowing with gluttony and saturated with excess it is always a delight to still be able to enjoy the simple things in life and I think many would agree there are few nicer, simpler pleasures than a good old cuppa! Arguably the English’s answer to pretty much everything; it would seem there is literally no situation that can’t be recompensed by putting the kettle on! Rest assured no bad news will be delivered in any self-respecting British household without a good strong brew to help soften the blow! Well, now there is even more reason not to underestimate the humble cup of tea… so sip up!!!

DRINK IT!

All teas boast skin-boosting antioxidants, but green and white varieties are especially good because they have double the antioxidants of black tea as well as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a type of antioxidant that "protects skin from damage caused by exposure to sun and pollutants"

APPLY IT!

Tea is a also a natural hair colour enhancer that can function as a rinse to bring out highlights in dyed and undyed hair. Chamomile revitalises golden highlights in blonde hair, black tea boosts brunettes, and berry or red teas add oomph to auburn or red hair. Prepare 8 ounces, allow to cool, then saturate your strands with the solution. Put on a shower cap and wait for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water... Because you're worth it ;)