3 Morning Beverages to Energise You

Good morning! But it probably won't be the morning by the time you're reading this.

It is because I've spent the start of my day at my desk doing my dissertation and enjoying one of these refreshing drinks. I realised that last month I spent a lot of my free time reading WellandGood online magazine. I am captivated how it empowers us to have a healthy relationship with our health. Encourages us to understand what our body needs and not to confuse ourselves with all the different kinds of diets or yoga practices circulating the interweb.

The more articles I read, the more I understand how important breakfast is. Yes, we all love a brunch. But we're missing out on breakfast, either because we are too busy or don't like to eat massive meals as soon as we wake up.

I used to be one of those people who felt so nauseous when waking up. Thankfully that's gone now - but I'm still wondering why that happened.

And my habits have stayed with me. Instead of chowing down and making myself feel more queasy. I have a drink instead. Then when I felt better I have a proper meal.

I think it's better to get something down you instead of nothing. As your mother says, breakfast is all about breaking the fast! Your body needs something after sleeping.

Here is a list of beverages that keeps me energised and gets me through my mornings. They are so yummy and you will already feel its affects working straight away!

GREEN SMOOTHIE

This is the most filling drink on the list, as it is packed with so much goodness. The trick with green smoothies is that there should be more veggies than fruit. Fruit should be added for flavour. If you're not comfortable with the thought of drinking vegetables, here is my favourite nutritious and delicious green smoothie. 

First: kale (make sure you wash it first!). I use a big handful and a half. 

Handfuls are my preferred method than grammes!

Second: One handful of spinach.

Third: A small/medium sized banana.

Fourth: A small handful of frozen mango and pineapple. I love frozen fruits only because they make my smoothies slushy, and also you can store them for much longer. 

Fifth: Waterrrr. I pour just under half way. 

This makes a pretty big batch, so it's about two glasses full. If you don't have time to drink for two rounds, stick one in the fridge!

HOT WATER AND LEMON

So pure and simple.

This bad boy is a concoction for brilliance.

The acid of the lemon aids in better nutrient absorption. Flushes out toxins and steadies insulin levels.

All the celebrities swear by this formula for producing collagen in your skin, which smooths out wrinkles and lines.

It makes you feel fuller for longer due to the type of fibre called Pectin found in lemons. Not only does it hydrate you, which is essential for the morning, but it also boosts your metabolism.

There are loads of benefits found in this easy beverage! So if you don't know, get to know!

LYON'S COFFEE BAGS

As it's UK Coffee Week, I thought I'd share my current favourite coffee.

New on the market are these finest coffee beans bags. I find it hard knowing how much coffee is the right amount with certain coffee brands. I can never get it right. My coffee at university is different from the one at home. So I tend to make it too weak or too strong because I can't measure it out properly. Luckily Lyon's has solved my problem.

I've really enjoyed this brew in the cup. As I can control how strong I want it to be.

My mum loves to bring tea bags when she's on holiday because the tea 'is never right' abroad. Finally, I can bring my coffee on the go with these bags.

Recently I've been loving black coffee. And I can't really afford 100% freshly roasted ground coffee from the café every day. But this tastes so good that it makes me feel like like I'm in a coffee shop!

Lately I've been trying not to waste too much. It hurts me to see a bin full of wasted products.
 I was so happy to know the coffee bags are 100% compostable and the outer cardboard box is 100% recyclable.

And one more good thing that I truly love about Lyon's and their products is that they make a donation to Project Waterfall every time you buy a box. They provide clean water to every coffee-growing community around the world. The leading coffee producing countries are some of the poorest in the world and are sadly the home of heavily contaminated water. Diseases from unsafe water kill more people than all forms of violence.

It's nice to know I'm giving something back.

Hope you enjoyed this! What do you like to have in the morning? How many of us bloggers actually have avocado on toast for breakfast?!

This post may contain PR samples, however all reviews and opinions are my own.

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My new love affair with Oxford // Photo Diary

I spent the day away from my desk and dissertation. My boyfriend was staying in Oxford for a few days, and thought to give him a visit. I've never been to Oxford before. I kept on thinking I have, but I was mistaking it for Cambridge. 

I had two hours to spend on my own in Oxford before Leo finished his work. It was so easy to get to there from Coventry. Only 40 minutes on the Cross Country train - but Christ, that was a busy train.

Got off the train about 3 pm. Picked up a map. Left the station. It felt like I was being watched. Reenacting the last moments you see a girl go missing, her last visible movements on CCTV at the train station before she's gone forever. 

Luckily I'm not gone forever. Still here! 

So I followed the crowd. Everyone seemed to walk in unison towards the centre. When I saw Nando's and Giraffe. I knew I was getting to the centre. 

There were tonnes of people sightseeing. Am I tourist too? I'm not from this city and it's the first time I've been here. Feels odd to say I am when in fact I'm from the same country. Does this count as a 'staycation'? Please tell me it does as I'm ready for a holiday. 

I checked my map again, apparently I reached the heart of Oxford. With a heavy backpack and avoiding to spend any money on attractions. I thought I'd give myself my own walking tour. 

I think I'd like to live in a city like this. Minus the students who attend the prestigious university. I was quite surprised to see how they dress. When did posh people become hippies? I thought the Oxford students dressed preppy! Is preppy too 2008? Seems like Gossip Girl and The O.C era is dead. They wore wide frame glasses and tatty patterned fleeces. Shoes that looked like they've been through a war. At war with the concrete they scurry along to get to their lectures. Or at war with consumerism, perhaps? 

It was so busy right in the centre. It made me wonder, why do I find Oxford uncomfortably busy but London homely? I love London's hum of busy streets. Maybe because I know where I'm going. Maybe because it is home. And anything bad that London has to offer I shove it under the carpet. 

I decided to have a beverage. Intentionally it was going to be a coffee. Intentionally I wanted to buy it from an independent coffee shop. Why be anywhere in the country and go to Starbucks or Costa? I searched for quiet coffee shops that looked pretty. Then I searched for pretty coffee shops. Then I searched for coffee shops. Right in the middle of the city it's harder to find coffee shops as it is over crowded with pubs and restaurants. 

Pubs. Ah. I did fancy a beer for a spilt second. Maybe a girly strawberry cider. That would soothe my tired shoulders and sweaty back. The true Englishman came out in me. A pint was what I needed. 

I found a cute pub by the river. Perfect. Then I thought about how much a pint would cost in a city like this and by a river. Mm, not so perfect anymore. I'm still a student at the end of the day. 

Back to finding a coffee shop! I found one or two. But then I realised I shouldn't be having any dairy. Most coffee shops charge an extra pound or at least 80p for non dairy add ons. And I know that chain coffee shops don't. So I went to Pret A Manger! Sorry to all the coffee shops I missed out on. I'm still a student at the end of the day! 

Alas. My soya mocha and kindle in hand. Could I get anymore hipster?

My backpack was off my sweaty back. I sat by the window which faced a small and archaic church. This will do. 

After about 45mins. Still sipping on my soya mocha because I ain't buying anything else here! Leo said he was on his way. We take the luxury of internet on our phones for granted. Leo and I didn't have any data left on our phones. So we had to find each other the old skool way. 

'Meet me at Nando's!'

The most romantic meeting spot you could think of. 

I dragged Leo into a hotspot I passed two hours ago. We had a cool cool beverage. Finally sipping on my girly pint. We talked about our week so far then went on another stroll around Oxford. We managed to find a beautiful road called Holywell Street. This road led us to an even more beautiful place. Well-hidden narrow alleys called St. Helens Passage. A few pubs squatted here. Tucked away from the bustling city centre. It was so adorable. Historical too! But what isn't old and classical in Oxford? William Morris's and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's wife (née Jane Burden) was born here! Also, check out what Bill Clinton "allegedly" got up to. So peaceful and pleasant. It was that kind of place Americans would picture England to look like. 

After this stroll, and falling in love with Oxford more and more. It was time for dinner. But before we stuffed our gobs, we found a rooftop bar that made delicious and unusual cocktails. Sitting right at the top of the building looking over the University buildings, we couldn't have had a more perfect evening than this. For dinner we decided Turtle Bay. It would have been our fourth time there but it still excites us! 

I ended off the evening with a sore feet, a belly full of goodness, and a new love affair - Oxford. Sorry London.  

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Making POKÉ with MOANA

On Friday, I was invited to Island Poké an authentic Hawaiian joint situated just off Carnaby Street and behind Liberty's in London, for the release of Disney's Moana!

The beautiful and unique story of a Polynesian daughter of a tribal chief isn't your average Disney princess. Thank God there's no Prince Charming love interest in this movie. Moana is defined by her own interests and ambition. An empowering breath of fresh tropical air for portraying young women.

My love for Moana and my obsession for Poké joined in holy matrimony that afternoon.

If you haven't heard about Poké I'm sure I can convince you to definitely try it out! 

Co-founder James told us that there was a gap in the market for a "subway-style" poké restaurant. Poké's delicious raw fish is the cousin of the much-loved sushi. "But it is a move away from sushi because of the use of tropical fruits" James explained. 

WHAT IS POKÉ?

Poké (pronounced po-kay) means to slice or dice. The soy sauce based raw fish, such as ahi tuna or salmon, is chopped into bite-size pieces, scattered over sticky rice and garnished with an array of nutritious toppings. These toppings can consist of avocado, pineapple salsa (which we lucky got to make), sesame seeds, seaweed and sweetcorn. 

HOW TO MAKE IT AT HOME

This Poké bowl can be made very easily at home. As long as you make your rice delicate and fluffy like sushi rice, and buy Waitrose tuna steaks. You can bring a spice of Aloha! to your kitchen.

 James told us step-by-step which ingredients to add and how much of it. The tuna was so simple to make. A few splashes of soy sauce, sesame oil, a drop of mirin and a sprinkle of seasoning; let the tuna bathe. 

Chop up spring onions, but the green top as you don't want it to be overbearing and oniony. But I love onions so I added a bit of that white stuff!

Grab a chunky pineapple, cut up the juicy pieces and mix it in a bowl with fresh ginger, chilli and lime juice. I was a bit weary of this spicy and fruity salsa. Honestly - it tasted incredible!

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After an hour of slicing and dicing, Geeta and I tucked into our bowl of goodness.

We were so full within a few bits! Ashumi and I had to take some away to enjoy later in the evening!

Poké has to be one of my favourite dishes. I'm not being OTT or exaggerating. It's a meal that I'm always in the mood for. Something I could add to my healthy lifestyle. It's jam packed with so much pleasure! A definite add to your summer delights.

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Don't forget to buy your copy of Moana! It's out TODAY on DVD!

Go before anyone else goes!

Island Poké | Website - Instagram - Twitter

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