How To Make Your Oatmeal Super Special

Oatmeal is probably my most eaten breakfast. It is so easy and quick to make in the mornings (even If I'm running late) and I can take it with me and enjoy it at work. My friend recently asked me if I'm not getting tired of eating oatmeal almost every single day. And you know what? – No, I'm not! The best think about oats are the flexibility of serving them in so many different ways.
In today's post I want to show you my favorite ways of eating oatmeal and how you can change the game. Every. Single. Day.

Ingredients

I usually prepare my oats with plant-based milk. Nowadays, supermarkets sell an incredible variety of different kinds of milk which is perfect to vary the flavor of your oatmeal. I often use oat milk, just because I like the smooth taste. But as already mentioned: there is such a great variety – go and get creative with for example

• soy milk (vanilla/chocolate flavor),
• hazelnut milk, 
• almond/cashew/macadamia milk or
• coconut milk.

When preparing, I use the double portion of milk. 

Preparation

Microwave, oven or stove? If you want to prepare your oatmeal super quick, then the microwave is probably the best option for you. I prefer cooking my oatmeal rather on low to medium heat on the stove, stirring it quite regularly. This is the perfect way of getting a smooth and fluffy consistency. 

It is also possible to create baked oatmeal with a firm consistency. Just add the milk to your oats and pour everything in a baking dish. You can already top up the mixture with some fruits, nuts or whatever else you fancy. Put it in the oven for 20 – 30 minutes on 175°.

Toppings

Next stop to create a whole new breakfast-experience (it certainly is!): toppings. Now that you have your base, it is time to get creative. My favorite toppings are

• berries, 
• nuts,
• chia seeds (for extra protein),
• (dried) fruits and
• chocolate drops.

I like to change up my breakfast and to combine different tastes. My favorite is definitely the combination of oat milk, raspberries and cashews – it's so good!

What is your favorite oatmeal recipe? x

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The Ultimate Muffin Recipe

After working 13 months in retail, I quit my job. Even though it was sometimes annoying and stressful I genuinely enjoyed my time working there and I am sure that I will miss it from time to time. For my last working day I wanted to spoil my team with a bunch of delicious muffins. And they came out so fluffy and tasty - I just have to share this recipe with you! 

 WHAT YOU NEED 

• 150g flour

• 30g cocoa powder

• 100g cane sugar

• sachets vanilla sugar

• 2 eggs

• 20ml milk (I used vanilla soy milk)

• 150g butter

• dried cranberries (optional)

 WHAT TO DO 

Preheat your oven to 170°C. Combine your butter (room temperature) and the sugar with an electric whisk until the mixture is creamy (takes about 2 minutes). Add the eggs and keep mixing. 

In a separate bowl mix together the flour and cocoa powder. Add your dry ingredients to the wet ones until well combined, followed by your milk of choice. Fill your muffin paper cups evenly and top them off with some cranberries. Put the muffin tray for about 20 minutes in the oven.

This muffins are just to good to be true and so worth a try! x

The Saver On A Cold Day: Butternut Squash Soup

What would be Fall without a heart-warming pumpkin soup? When I was younger I hated eating soup and would make a fuss over it. In my opinion it wasn't even a proper meal. But now, eight years later, I can finally admit that it's not thaaaat bad, is it? When I come home on a rainy day from uni or work, I just want to cuddle up in my favourite sweater, have a nice bowl of hot soup and watch a movie. There's nothing better, especially if it contains butternut squash! I absolutely love it, be it in soup or roasted in the oven with salmon.
Since I can't share my pot with you, here's the recipe. I hope you will like it as much as I do. You can also freeze it and enjoy it on another day.

 YOU NEED (serves 4 people) 

• two medium butternut squash | peeled, seeded and diced
• two carrots | peeled and diced
• one celery stalk | chopped
• two small red onions | finely chopped
• one teaspoon thyme | finely chopped
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• pepper to season
• pine nuts

 HOW TO 

In a big pot heat up olive oil and add onions, celery and carrots. Wait until vegetables are softened and add butternut squash, thyme and the vegetable stock. Bring it to boil, then reduce heat, put the lit on the pot and let it simmer for about 30 - 40 minutes. By then the butternut squash should be softened. Use a blender to mash the soup. Season with pepper. Roast the pine nuts and drizzle over the soup when serving.
You can also put a bit of crème fraîche on it, but I prefer it plain.

Enjoy x

How To Kickstart Your Day

I genuinely love my bed. It's so nice and warm and cozy and hach.. it's heaven. Sometimes it's really hard to get up but I feel like it's so much more doable when you have reasons to start the day. Here are a few of the things I do which help me to leave my bed.

1. Start your day off with a big glass of water! After sleeping 7 - 9 hours your body is dehydrated and it needs water to function. You can also infuse your water with lemon/orange slices, berries or whatever you have at home to give it some flavour. I always have a glass of water on my bedside table so I don't forget about it.

2. Workout! A few weeks ago I decided to start exercising again. Because of work I don't have time to go to the gym, that's why I went for runs. It was alright but after a while I recognized that running wasn't doing it for me, so I started doing Blogilates and it works perfectly fine for me. I suppose a lot of you already know Cassey Ho and her Youtube channel. I don't wanna lie: it was so damn hard at the beginning, but I went for it and it's so much fun. I can really feel myself improving and getting fitter again. I am following her monthly workout calendar which provides exercises for every part of your body and a great variety. Get ready for a sore body, guys!

3. Enjoy an amazing breakfast! You might have heard it a 96482648 times before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why? Easy: as much as you need water, your body as well needs fuel  in terms of food. There are so many ways of enjoying an easy and quick breakfast: avocado on toast, yoghurt with fruits and granola, oatmeal or my favourite BAGELS!
They are such a nice treat on the weekend when you have a bit more time preparing your breakfast. And what would this post be without a "How-To-Make-The-Perfect-Bagel"-recipe?

YOU NEED

• one bagel (I always use the cinnamon and raisin bagel which is heaven with savory filling!)
• 1/2 avocado, mashed
• red spicy hummus
• tomato, sliced
• 1 egg
• cheese (I use sliced mozzarella)
• spices and herbs

HOW TO

Cut the bagel open and pop it into your toaster for two to three minutes until it's golden. Meanwhile crack your egg in a heated pan and fry it on medium heat, on both sides.
Put the mashed avocado on the lower part of the bagel, followed by your cheese of choice, slices of tomato and the sunny-side up egg. Finish the bagel of by adding the top part with the hummus.

4. Make a plan! I always feel better when I know what is actually going on during the day. I try to be as productive as I can be, except I planned a lazy day with my BFF, also known as Netflix.
Start off my creating a To-Do list with all the stuff that needs to be done like i.e. laundry, emails you need to write, etc. It is such a satisfying feeling when you can cross tasks out after finishing them.

I hope this tips will help you to have a great start to the day x

The Simple And Most Addictive Cookie Recipe

Two years ago I was craving cookies. After trawling the kitchen cupboards and finally realizing that I didn't have any cookies at home I decided to bake some on my own! I was looking for a really easy recipe and I assume it was pinterest which saved me (once again). Here it is and you need just three ingredients! (Yup. No joke.)

YOU WILL NEED (basic recipe, makes four small cookies)

• one ripe banana
• one package Quaker Oats
• tsp baking powder

At this point you can add to the recipe whatever you want to: • blueberries, • vanilla essence, • cinnamon, • ...

HOW TO

Preheat your oven to 160°C (fan). Mash the banana until it's smooth but still contains a few chunks. Fold in the oats and baking powder, stir until the mixture is well combined. I also added a few drops of vanilla essence and a few dark chocolate bits to make it even yummier!
Drop one tablespoon per cookie on your baking paper and put it in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the cookies are golden.

I love to serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Made with dried fruits they are a great snack and even suitable for breakfast.

ENJOY x

Sunday is Pancake-Day

Who doesn't love a delicious stack of warm, fluffy pancakes? Especially on a sunny weekend day?
There are so many different ways to enjoy them: with fruits and maple syrup; with butter and sugar or  with a bit of Nutella to satisfy our little sweet tooth.

Today I want to share my all time favorite pancake recipe with you! It took me a good time to perfect it, but I finally made it. You can always substitute the ingredients if you like or add anything else.

YOU WILL NEED (makes around 9-12)

• 135g plain flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1tbsp caster sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 egg

• 120 ml vanilla soy milk
• 1 tbsp low fat yoghurt
• 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter

HOW TO

In a large bowl mix together all dry ingredients. Use a separate bowl to whisk together the egg, soy milk and melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and whisk until there are no lumps left. Add the yoghurt.
Heat a pan over low to medium heat and add a teaspoon of butter. Now add the batter with a few blueberries on top. Wait until you can see bubbles - it's time to flip your pancake.
After using up the batter it's time to get creative! Cut up some fruits to go with the pancakes and enjoy!

Easy, quick, and delicious: Pancakes are soul food! Grab your ingredients now and start your day right. And btw: No one will judge you, if you don't share them!

Have a great day! x

Holy Guacamole!

My love for avocados is eternal. I'm serious. This little green fruit is not just delicious but contains also good stuff like e.g. fiber, Vitamin K and healthy fats which benefit your overall health.
One of my favorite recipes to make is Guacamole because it's easy, quick to make and super yummy!
I tried a lot of recipes before, but frankly none of them was just "the one". I like my guacamole to be quiet plain and chunky and that's why I made up my own one. Let's get the ball - ehm avocado -  rollin'!

YOU WILL NEED
• 1 avocado (small)
• plum tomatoes
• fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to season

HOW TO
Carefully cut the avocado in half, take the core out and spoon the avocado in a small bowl. Add the olive oil and the lime juice and mash all together. Cut the tomatoes in small chunks and roughly chop up a few basil leaves. Fold this through the avocado and season with salt and pepper.

Yup, that's all! I bet you won't even need five minutes to prepare it. Guacamole is perfect as a dip for nachos, fries or even toasted bread. I love to make some sweet potato fries to enjoy them with the guacamole. This is one of my favorite dishes and I hope you'll give it a go!

Take care x