Hello
Welcome back! I've had a lovely week of eating out with friends and family, it's been so nice.
How was your week? I hope you had a lovely one!
Here are my little gems for this week, there's quite a few :)
Homemade Chocolate Protein Granola with Berries & Coyo Yoghurt
Started the week as I meant to go on! I think I overindulged so much last week I was feeling a little bit tired. So, I have tried to be a bit better this week.
'Goodness Bowl' of Crispy, Roasted Kale, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Peppers, Homemade Hummus, Artichokes and Falafels
This LoveRaw bar is so so delicious! Thank you Rimi :) It totally filled a corner when I needed an afternoon pick - me - up! I adore these bars, they're full of nutrient rich ingredients, they're organic and they taste amazing!!
Breakfast Granola again with some Coyo - because I'm addicted he he!
I've been making my lunches quite a bit this week. I just fancied something nice and simple and so have been eating avocado on these delicious crackers with some homemade hummus and a snack of radishes. I always forget how much I adore the pepperiness of radishes. They are such a good snack as they are filled with some many vitamins! I gotsta love me a snack that's great for your skin.
Post Yoga Acai Bowl
This I feel is turning into a bit of a ritual! I think after a good yoga session (the type where you're a bit of a 'hot mess' after), something so cooling like this is perfect!
Honey Roasted Salmon, Spinach, Coleslaw on Caramelised Onion and Black Pepper Roll
I know this is not very like me. I don't tend to do sandwiches or any form of fish for lunch as a rule, but for some reason I needing some grounding. I am one of those people who need carbs and get terribly shaky and dizzy if I try and not eat them. I find that they do ground me (as mental as that sounds) and I need them in my diet. This sandwich was so so good and the bread was still warm too! What more could I ask for hey!
Common Ground | Altrincham
Buttermilk Pancakes with Honey Ricotta, Peaches and Caramelised Walnuts
So when I say 'The Big O', I mean that kind of 'O'! These pancakes - which might I add, look nothing like pancakes! Were INCREDIBLE! Oh my days, I don't think I've ever eaten anything as delicious. These are available all day and I swear I could eat them ALL DAY LONG! I can't rave enough! My little 'Pilates Princess' (we have decided that's her new name on my blog ha ha) and I decided to venture out for lunch on Friday and as I hadn't slept very well all week, I was feeling a little sorry for myself. After a combination of her little smiley face, the caffeine from my Earl Grey Tea and these pancakes - life was all rosy again! Thank you my little Princess and Common Ground for bringing me back to life!
Then around an hour or so after mooching around the shops, we decided to have another drink. We went to check out Gran T's Coffee Shop. I've not been here before but it's super cute! The kind of place you can go and sit with a friend and natter for ages...
So we did! He he! It's super cute here too, I love all the vintage style decor and the novelty books and board games.
We went for the fresh mint tea and the honey, lemon and ginger tea. Both were really lovely and even come with these adorable little tea timers. How kitsch!
It was so good I took hubs back the next day for tea and cake! For those curious, it's on the high street in Altrincham where Y McGregor used to be (I loved that place!)
This time I tried the raspberry, lime and mint tea. Really lovely again, still love the honey and lemon best though!
Hubs had a coffee and the salted caramel chocolate fudge cake. It was so nice, very rich but not dry at all. I'm not a fan of sponge cake (Victoria sponge especially) as I find it so dry. This was really nice though.
Glamorous Chinese Restaurant | Manchester
Starters: Soup and Steamed Prawns with a soy dip
Then, it was family time! We went for an evening meal to Glamorous in Manchester (above the Wing Yip Supermarket).
I asked my Dad to order lots of good food so we ended up having one of the set menus (off the Chinese menu). This might look a bit weird, but this is good, traditional Chinese food. It was ah-mazing!
Main Courses
Deep fried sea bass with tofu and shitake mushrooms
Prawns and squid with straw mushrooms and sugar snap peas
Triple roast mix
The fish was so good, it was super rich though! It's deep fried in flour first and then pan fried with sauce. You don't actually realise how heavy it is until it's too late! ha ha!
Braised spinach with ginger and preserved vegetable
We ended up with 3 desserts! This is a selection of jellies. Coconut, mango, goji berry and strawberry
Fresh cut oranges of course! Standard end to a Chinese meal :)
Then, finally after a bit if begging and pleading (they said they didn't have any!), we managed to get our hands on the red bean soup.
This is so old school and I've grown up on it. Very traditional Chinese dessert and I LOVE IT! As you can see there is one empty bowl for hubs as he thinks it tastes like mud! ha ha ha! I think it's one of those things you have to grow up eating, otherwise it doesn't taste of much.
So after all that food last night, I had a huge bowl of porridge for breakkie this morning. I made it with Pip & Nut Almond milk which is really tasty. Then I cooked some berries with lemon juice and maple syrup and added a big dollop of almond butter. Yum!
Managed to make it to work this morning for 7:30am. Don't ask, I have no idea why but this humongous cup of decaf Earl Grey Tea was a lovely way to start my day. Are you liking my ears?? ;o)
The Botanist | Alderley Edge
Beef & Vegetarian Roast Dinner with cauliflower cheese, roasted veggies and buttered cabbage
Don't worry, my gravy finally arrived after this picture was taken! Waaaay to dry without it! After work today I went for a nice roast dinner at The Botanist in Alderley. Not been here in ages, food was ok and the staff were friendly. Didn't move me too much as the potatoes were quite dry and so were the parsnips. I was starving though so it all went down (well except the super dry parsnips!). I am now officially stuffed!
I feel the food has changed here over the last few years. I remember when it first opened I couldn't get enough of their roast, but somehow it's gone downhill a little. Maybe it's just me, I don't know. Have you been recently?
I hope you all had a good week, my plan tonight is to get an early night and watch a bit of Netflix me thinks!
Thanks so much for reading,
Big love,
Em x