W.I.A.W: The Graduate.

This is kinda a what I ate Monday really, as i have been so busy moving I haven't done any baking and eats have been very snacky and and sporadic! Packing up and moving is definatly one of the most stressful things Can't wait to get settled in and for everything to be be sorted... but in the mean time here is my W.I.A.W(monday)

I have consumed hella diet cola and berries and made this tasty and very pink beetroot, strawberry banana et soya smoothie concoction. Served up with a peanut buttaaa pittaaaa on the side. Defiantly going to be whizzin' up more smoothies in the future this was delish but I'm going to add protein powder to beef up my next batch.

  On Monday it was my graduation from university! My parents came down for the ceremony and we celebrated. here I am feeling a bit uncomfortable in all my gown and glory...

 Collected my diploma... Its official I am a bachelor in the art of fashion.

 

Getting giddy and feeling like I was at Hogwarts...

toastin' with some bubbles and my dad.

 For lunch I sat on outside with a Marks and spencers gluten free Egg Mayonnaise sandwich and diet coke.

 

Some people want presents and flowers when they graduate... but I demanded Frozen yoghurt as my treat.

blueberry frozen yoghurt topped with fresh strawberries and cinnemon apple sauce.

The ceremony was 3 hours long filled with lengthy speeches and bizarre fanfare it most defiantly dragged on.. I mean... Im only interested in hearing my own name called out, sod the rest of ya. It was a really fun day and nice to reflect upon 4 years of hard work, but its was also tinged with a little sadness...finally saying goodbye to my student life.

After all the pomp and ceremony I returned home, tired and weery but had just enough energy to rustle up some supper...  me and Mr Bake and Beebz had alot of fun making this homemade GF pizza.

have you been to a graduation ceremony, did you enjoy it?
oh and whats your favourite smoothie flavvahs?

Gulten Free day one. Challenge one: eating out.

Today I had a very busy day at Uni, im currently running around running errands and constantly seem to have my stress head on as this is my final week of University studies... everrrr. Scary stuff. My looming deadline for my exhibition is Monday so its all go at the moment. This afternoon however I took a little moment to have lunch with my cousin, Amy, whose in town at the moment working.

  We decided to head to the lanes for a ladies luncheon and catch up, Our destination was one of my favourite eateries Iydea. Iydea is a wonderful canteen-style restaurant in North Laine catering for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs, ( gluten free me catered for! hurrah!) All of their dishes are clearly marked as to their suitability for each of these dietary requirements meaning that I find it an incredibly easy and delicious place to eat. They have a range of tempting, delicious and healthy hot and cold food, which always varies on a day-to-day basis.

Tofu and Aubergine Madras with
parsely butter carrots, roasted broccoli,
pickled beetroot and tzatzki

I spent a good while weighing up the vast option and was torn between gluten free Falafel or  Tofu madras curry. Amy instantly chose the curry, so I followed suit. You get given the option to add your choice of vegetables, salad and toppings...

 I opted for carrots served in parsley butter, Roasted rocked and pepper broccoli, pickled beetroot chutney and a cooling tzaziki dip... I'm not too sure what Amy chose to accompany hers i was too interested in scoffing mine...

manic food happiness

 after lunch we said our goodbyes and I headed to Infinity health foods to purchase some gluten free baking produce.

Also picked up some Gluten and wheat free bread buns from marks and sparks... Miss bread already (I think its a case of you always want what you cant have.)  I will be road testing these tomorrow!

AHHH yes... Confession, I can't help myself when it comes to Brighton's to American Candy Store... I momentarily went crazy in the aisle and bought,  PB cookie dough bites, mini mallow cup and Charleston chew... not sure if there GF friendly (will have to hide them til i know for sure) but the Betty Crocker chocolate peanut butter cookie lip balm certainly is, Ohhhh it tastes just like a nutty cookie, I am reapplying every 5 minutes... no exaggeration. It will just have to satisfy my sweet tooth for now whilst i read up on some gluten free baking recipes!

Baking with Beets

Or bake n' beetz!  This morning I popped down to St.Albans wednesday market and picked up some cooked beetroot amoungst other fresh produce.
Once home I decided to have a little experiment in the kitchen. I had chocolate on the brain and decided I wanted to create a kind of red velvet cake that incrporated my much loved beets. Using my carrot cupcake recipe as a base I got to work.

I added some extra cocoa powder to the fat free mix and popped the batter into the oven and waited (impatiently) for the results!

After extensive taste testing, they're good, chocolatey yet earthy, I'm just not completely satisfied with the recipe or quantities just yet so i will keep trying as i think they have potential. for now i will slop on as much icing possible and will post recipe when my discerning sweet tooth has given it a full stamp of approval.