Toronto, Canada

My summer holidays began with a trip to Toronto, Ontario in late June with my sister. This unique city embraces the fact that 49% of its residents were born outside of Canada, turning multiculturalism into the face of Toronto. It is a mecca of delicious food from all over the world, as I was fortunate enough to discover during my visit there! My two favourite restaurants in Toronto were Fresh and Rawlicious - read about them here!

We explored Kensington Market, a colourful neighbourhood that boasts a bohemian mix of vintage shops, record stores, art galleries and hipster cafes. We walked along Dundas West, to the rapidly changing area of Little Portugal, where we picked up a fresh juice at The Goods, and then strolled down Queen Street, browsing the independent fashion boutiques and pausing for a lunch break at Café Bernate.

In terms of culture, The Bata Shoe Museum is every woman’s dream museum especially if you are a shoe-a-holic like myself, showcasing more than 1000 shoes from over 4500 years of history! The exhibition took me on a journey through time, from the days of the Chinese binding their feet, to displaying famous shoes from history and pop culture such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.

We also visited the The Art Gallery of Ontario. The AGO has one of the best collections of work from the Group of Seven, Canada’s emblematic group of landscape painters from the 1920s and 30s, as well as two floors dedicated to contemporary art.

No trip to Toronto would be complete without a jaunt over to Niagara Falls. Only an hour and a half away, it is one of the world's greatest natural wonders. The view can only be described at breathtaking: three waterfalls converge and plummet to the raging river below, which never slows down, the water just keeps rushing with no end. It seemed like a larger-than-life miracle of nature! This day trip also involved a visit to an impressive butterfly house with dozens of exotic species, as well as a stroll through the adorably traditional village of Niagra-on-the-Lake.

June favourites of the month

I know it's not even the middle of June yet, let alone the end of it, but I thought I’d do my June favourites early because I already have a few!

1. Seasonal fruit - not only is it fresher and tastier than fruit that is not in season, but it also packs in more nutrients. This month's picks include strawberries, blackberries, kiwi, cherries, plums and my absolute favourite: Indian Alfonso mangoes, which are so much sweeter and more flavoursome than regular mangoes!

2. Festivals - from music festivals to colour festivals to food festivals. At the beginning of the month, I attended HOLI On The Downs in Nottingham (where I go to university), inspired by the original Indian Holi festival, where people throw coloured powder paint on each other in the afternoon sunshine with music blasting in the background. Coming up soon is the Foodies Festival at Alexandra Palace, the UK’s largest celebration of food & drink, which I am really looking forward to! Also lined up for me is Wireless Festival, where Drake is headlining, and PartyNextDoor, Major Lazer, Labrinth, Fuse ODG and Maverick Sabre are performing among lots of other stars! I'd love to go to a music festival abroad one day in the future - Benicassim, Sonar and Tomorrowland all sound great, but above all my dream is to go to Coachella!

3. I know I’m so behind the times with this one but I’ve started watching Girls, starring Lena Dunham. I’m already well into season 2 as its on my go-to binge watching list! I love all the characters; either you are one (or have aspects of them) or you know someone like them, which makes it even more relatable and funny!

4. My fourth favourite this month is Bootcamp Pilates in Notting Hill. I’ve been going for about a month and I Iove the fact that doing pilates on a reformer is so much more challenging for your whole body (especially your core) than just basic pilates on a mat. 

5. Finally, here are a few songs I've been listening to at the moment:

• I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) - Jamie xx (feat. Young Thug and Popcaan)

• Everyday - A$AP Rocky (feat. Rod Stewart, Miguel and Mark Ronson)

• Somebody - Natalie La Rose (feat. Jeremih)

• Is This Love - Bob Marley (Montmartre Remix)

That’s all from me today but let me know some of your favourites this month in the comments if you like or feel free to let me know what you thought of mine!

Salted caramel porridge

Porridge season may be coming to a close with summer quickly approaching but I had to share this recipe with you!

Dates are really useful in cooking as they develop into a deep sticky caramel flavour when heated and are a fantastic natural sweetener. The salt in this recipe is the perfect compliment to the sweetness.

My salted caramel porridge can be made in less than 5 minutes and is super healthy but tastes really indulgent.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of porridge oats (I use gluten free but normal are fine)

1 cup of almond milk

1 medjool date cut into small chunks (if you have a sweet tooth feel free to use more!)

1 pinch of sea salt

1 tsp coconut oil

1 tsp honey/agave nectar (for topping)

Handful of berries (for topping)

Method

In a pan heat the porridge oats, almond milk, medjool date and sea salt. Use a low heat and stir until thick. 

Pour the porridge into a bowl, top with the berries and drizzle with the honey/agave nectar.

I'd love to hear from you if you give this a go!

Ethos Foods

Last week I checked out the new vegetarian restaurant that everyone has been raving about: Ethos Foods. With a prime location on Eastcastle Street near Oxford Circus, Ethos offers abundant displays of healthy, eclectic, meat-free dishes from around the globe. 

My favourite thing about Ethos is that you don’t have to choose between dishes on the menu as you can try a bit of everything (which I did!), since it’s a self-service buffet. The combination of flavours, colours and textures is remarkable - the foods range from vibrant salads based on lentils/quinoa/brown rice, to sweet potato wedges to giant bowls of guacamole, babaganoush and hummus. I particularly liked the "antioxidant dream salad"  with mango vinaigrette, the roast cauliflower with tahini dressing and cranberries, and the Moroccan tagine with chickpeas and apricots.

All of the desserts looked amazing and I couldn't decide between the gluten-free black bean brownie and the mini "peanut butter bombs" rolled in dessicated coconut - so I had both of course! Both were absolutely delicious and I can't wait to try the other desserts next time, such as pecan pie, cherry chocolate kugelhof, raw banana and coconut slice, and power puff energy balls.

I adored the décor which made the space feel bright and open, with white brick walls, sleek marble-topped tables, glass pendant lights and silver birch tree trunks from the floor to the ceiling in the middle of the room!

Ethos opens early in the day with a short breakfast menu (avocado on toast, granola, porridge, fruit salad) and then rolls on through to lunch and dinner. I think it’s a great spot for lunch (for all those shoppers that have worked up an appetite) as well as dinner - perfect if you've just finished work in town. Ethos operates on a Pay by Weight system so the pricing is flexible and my meal cost £10 for a plate piled high with delicious food. 

If you haven't already been, you should definitely check it out!

Imbibery London: cold-pressed juice

Cold-pressed juice has quickly become the latest craze on the health scene, and drinking it is an ideal way to give your digestive system a rest and to flood your body with nutrients.

Eager to get in on this healthy fashion and try it for myself, I decided to read up on what the different juice brands have to offer, and settled for Imbibery London in the end as I have been following them on Instagram for a while and they have been recommended by so many healthy food bloggers who I love, such as Deliciously Ella. This London-based juice company was founded by two American best friends, Meryl and Lily, and all their juices are cold-pressed, raw and unpasteurised to ensure optimum nutritional benefits. 

As well as ordering a vast quantity of different flavoured juice online, I ordered two nut mylks and three "shots" (Turmeric Kick, Hot Shot, and 100% Pure Ginger). Imbibery offer so many different flavours of substantial juices to sip on, and personally, I found the taste of the juices very refreshing and I looked forward to each one. 

One of my favourite juices was the Green Juice (spinach, cucumber, celery, apple and lemon). Although it contains mostly vegetables and not much fruit, this juice tasted relatively sweet thanks to the apple, in comparison with many other green juices that I've tasted in the past, which have been much less enjoyable to drink.

I also really enjoyed the "Hot Shot" which contained ginger, lemon and cayenne pepper. This shot boosts your immune system as well as your metabolism, and I mixed it with warm water to make a tea that was bursting with health benefits.

The two mylks I chose were Mind Mylk and Cacao Mylk. Mind Mylk was specially formulated by Dr. Tara Swart, a neuroscientist who is passionate about health and wellbeing. It is made up of matcha, cucumber, cashew, chia seeds, coconut oil and date, which means that it is full of antioxidants, magnesium, Vitamin B, protein and omega 3 fatty acids. I found it absolutely delicious and I loved its rich and creamy consistency.

Above all, my favourite Imbibery drink would have to be the Cacao Mylk, which I was very much looking forward to trying since I have a super sweet tooth! This is a delicious combination of cashew, cacao, coconut oil, date, vanilla and Himalayan sea salt, and tasted like dessert in a bottle - almost like a chocolate milkshake! 

The wonderful thing about Imbibery is that their juice is not made exclusively for "cleansing", but is also encouraged to be consumed alongside a healthy diet - but if you choose to do a juice-cleanse, in which you only consume these and do not eat any other food, I suggest drinking several litres of water throughout the day - try infusing your H20 with a squeeze of lemon and slices of cucumber to make it more exciting!

After finishing each juice, I felt incredibly energised knowing how much nourishment my body was receiving. Whilst some people like to do a full cleanse every now and then, I have come to the conclusion that cold-pressed juice is the perfect complement to a balanced diet. It makes me feel invigorated, gives me glowing skin and boosts my energy levels!

I highly recommend Imbibery juice, whether it is for a cleanse or not. If you are interested, head over to their website: www.imbiberylondon.com, where you can find information on the cleanses, stockists and prices. 

How to cope with exam stress

Exam season = stress. Depending on how you react, this could mean sleepless nights, constant tiredness, anxiety attacks, poor appetite, emotional eating, headaches and negative mindsets.

Here are my top tips to help you cope with stress around this time of year.

1. Nutrition

Fuel your brain as well as your body. A balanced diet is the key to optimal cognitive functioning. 60% of your brain is fat, so be sure to consume lots of Omega 3's, such as avocado, salmon, nuts, flax seeds and chia seeds.

Protein contains amino acids, which are vital for brain functioning. Some of the best sources include meat, chicken, fish, lentils, beans, quinoa, oats, nuts and chickpeas.

Carbohydrates give you energy. Ideally go for wholegrains, pulses, fruit and vegetables - there's a reason marathon-runners are known to have a pre-race banana!

Vitamins and minerals are crucual, particularly iron, vitamin B and zinc for preventing tiredness, and can be obtained from kale, spinach, red meat and lentils.

In addition, beware that too much sugar and processed foods will make you feel tired and sick, cause energy highs and lows and even insomnia!

2. Hydration

The average human body is made up of well over 50% water, the brain being about 85% water! It is obvious that dehydration will severely impact your ability to focus. 

I start the day by drinking 1 litre of water, and  carry a bottle of water with me to sip on throughout the day, which I like to infuse with slices of lemon and cucumber for a refreshing taste. I also drink plenty of green tea and peppermint tea, but avoid coffee as too much caffeine can make me feel jittery. 

3. Exercise

When you're busy and stressed, it's understandable that you might not want to exercise - but nothing de-stresses the mind faster than physical activity, so try to find a way to build it into your timetable. Exercise is great for helping you concentrate and it's also a real mood booster, plus it makes you sleep better! Being stuck indoors all day is not fun, so go for a walk outdoors and soak up some vitamin D!

4. Socialising

You can't spend the entire month of exam season locked away in your room studying! Plan your breaks and give yourself some time off and enjoy life! Having that balance makes a real difference to your wellbeing and stops you feeling depressed and isolated. Why not combine revision with socialising? You could form study groups where you can share notes and motivate each other!

Keep things in perspective and stay positive - it is possible to survive exams and there is life after exams - just think how great summer is going to be!

Good luck!

Healthy pancake recipe

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a huge fan of pancakes. They are the perfect weekend breakfast as they feel like the ultimate indulgent treat yet they are so versatile and with a few simple modifications, you easily can transform them into a perfectly nutritious yet equally decadent stack! It all depends on which ingredients you choose to use - swapping the white flour and refined sugar for ground oats and maple syrup is a great place to start.

If you avoid gluten and dairy like myself, or if you're just looking to enjoy your favourite weekend breakfast in a more healthy way, look no further! Here is my step-by-step guide to making the perfect healthy pancakes:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 mashed ripe banana
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground flaxseed

1 tsp maple/date syrup

2 tbsp almond milk

Optional add-ins: 
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cacao powder

1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
Handful of blueberries
Dark chocolate chips

Topping suggestions:
Fresh berries, homemade fruit compote, banana slices, maple syrup, raw honey, date nectar, peanut butter, almond butter, homemade cacao sauce (healthy chocolate spread), freshly squeezed lemon juice, desiccated coconut, cacao nibs...

Method:
1. Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another.
2. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk everything together thoroughly.
3. Heat a frying pan with some coconut oil and add 2 tbsp of the batter per pancake. 
4. Cook for about 2 mins per side until golden, then flip.
5. Add as many toppings as your heart desires - the more the merrier! 

How To make the perfect healthy hot chocolate

Who doesn't love hot chocolate?! It is warming and soothing in the colder months, provides a feeling of comfort on rainy afternoons and brings back memories of winter evenings spent by the fire.

Although I avoid dairy products, I have succeeded in creating my own hot chocolate, using almond milk instead of regular cow's milk, and rich cacao powder instead of the shop-bought cocoa powders which are full of sugar and additives. I like to add a pinch of cinnamon and a little vanilla extract to add depth to the flavour, and sweeten it with a teaspoon of organic date nectar for a caramel undertone.

Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
2 drops vanilla extract
1 tsp natural sweetener (honey, maple syrup, date nectar and coconut sugar all work well)

Instructions:

Bring the almond milk to a gentle simmer on the stovetop, then whisk in the cacao powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract and natural sweetener. Pour into a mug, sprinkle with extra cinnamon and enjoy every sip!

Daylesford

Daylesford Farmshop & Café is a beautifully decorated restaurant in the heart of Notting Hill. Almost all the fresh ingredients are organic and grown locally on the Daylesford farm in Gloucestershire.

The breakfast options include chia, goji berry and flaxseed Bircher muesli with natural yogurt and stewed fruits, or scrambled egg whites on sourdough toast with smoked salmon. There are several seasonal salads on offer, such as raw winter vegatables with avocado oil and cider vinegar, and raw green kale, butternut squach and spirulina crusted pumpkin seeds. The supper dishes range from the steamed lemon sole or Daylesford beef burger, to chilled raw cashew soup with spirulina, kale and pumpkin seed pesto.

To top everything off, their cold-pressed juices are to die for!

Cereal Killer Cafe

The opening of The Cereal Killer Cafe on Brick Lane has caused a lot of hype with a simple concept. It's menu consists of 120 different cereals from around the world, along with a choice of 20 toppings such as strawberries, marshmallows, walnuts and crumbled Oreo cookies. In addition, you can choose from 30 different varieties of milk, from almond milk to chocolate milk. 

The cool hipster setting in Shoreditch, East London, has a bubbly and fun atmosphere. Obsessed with all things cereal, this nostalgic cafe displays hundreds of pieces of merchandise and memorabilia all over the walls from the 80s and 90s and plays retro music to bring back childhood memories. From Cocoa Pebbles to Froot Loops, Cinnabon to Lucky Charms, the cereals come from a variety of countries including the United States, Mexico, Australia and South Korea. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even mix and match cereals into a single bowl. To top it all off, they are open until 10pm, so what better way to end your day than having breakfast for dinner?

If anyone out there loves cereal as much as I do, then you need to get down there ASAP!

New TriYoga Location

TriYoga has moved from Primrose Hill to a new location in Camden: a renovated beautiful Victorian warehouse, originally a piano factory. There is a wide range of classes on offer, varied enough that there is something for every level of experience, whether it's advanced Ashtanga, Hatha or Vinyasa Yoga, or beginner's Pilates. The teachers are all professional, committed and attentive, and the high ceilings and natural light add to the spacious atmosphere. Don't forget to pick up a fresh juice after your class!

Joan's On Third

Today I had lunch at one of the the trendiest places in Los Angeles. Joan's On Third is a marketplace, gourmet deli and café all rolled into one, with great outdoor-seating for people-watching. From the moment you step inside, you are instantly brought into a world of aromas and delectable delights. They have prepared foods to the left, an open kitchen in the middle, a cheese and charcuterie counter up front, a bakery to your right, and a grocery in the far back of the restaurant: a true Disneyland for foodies like myself! 

The place was bustling with an energetic crowd and a trendy atmosphere. In terms of the food, everything on the menu is made from fresh, seasonal, gourmet and high quality ingredients with unique flavour combinations. My favourite section was, of course, the bakery, where everything on offer is flawless in both presentation and taste, with goods such as nutella marble loaf, brown sugar pop-tarts, blueberry coconut muffins, peanut butter cookies and marshmallow-filled chocolate cupcakes. 

Utensils and napkins are in a wooden container at the table to help yourself, which added a very homey feel to the dining experience. The service was quick and efficient and the staff were all extremely friendly. 

The only downside is that most of their items are quite pricey - but then again, what would you expect from a prime spot in LA?

Eos lipbalm

Eos lipbalms are my new favourite thing to leave my lips looking and feeling smooth and nourished. They are fully natural and 95% organic, containing soothing shea butter and antioxident-rich vitamin E and jojoba oil. It has a wonderfully fruity smell and I love the different flavours and the interestingly shaped packaging. They are available online and at UK stores including Selfridges. The only downside is that they are prices at £6.50, which seems to be rather a lot for a lipbalm!

How to overcome winter blues

When I think of winter, I think of shorter days, dark gloomy skies and dreary mornings. My mind is flooded with images of never-ending rain, bitter cold, whistling winds, pale skin, bright blue veins, layered clothing, thick woollen socks, colds and flu, dull faces and early nights.

However, I have realised that perhaps winter isn't so bad after all. Although summer is undoubtedly my favourite season, winter is a good excuse to drink hot chocolate with marshmallows at any time throughout the day, curl up with a hot water bottle, go shopping for cashmere sweaters, admire the Christmas light displays, smell the roasted chestnuts along Oxford Street, go ice-skating, drink from Starbucks' seasonal red cups, visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and indulge in candy canes and gingerbread men!