Things don't always go as planned
And my favourite granola recipe
Last time I posted, I told you I signed up for an ultra marathon, and I was so excited for this goal (and still am). Waking up every day excited to train for this goal, get out on trails, run through London, put in the work at the gym, all of it. Then I injured myself, and it was all slipping away.
I never had an injury before, so I had no idea how big the toll is that it can take on your mental health. Of course, it’s sad you can’t do the thing you love doing, but what no one talks about is that it spirals almost into an identity crisis. “Who am I without this thing I do daily?”
Your routine gets disrupted, and you’re forced to sit with yourself and figure that out.
So for a few days, I was quite sad not being able to go on walks, runs, and just move the way I do. Getting up to get something seemed like the biggest effort, and I was just upset with myself because this injury would have been preventable. So I was pitying myself for a bit until I decided enough is enough, and I started focusing on the things that are in my control.
It’s a cliche thing, but true in all scenarios of life: Focus on what’s in your control and let go of the things you can’t control. You cannot control the weather, but you can dress appropriately.
Instead, I’ve been focusing on cooking, baking, filming new recipes for you, and spent quite some time on a stationary bike and doing light exercises.
You can decide at any given point in your life to change something and choose a new outlook.
Now it’s a few weeks later, I can walk again and don’t feel pain anymore. By focusing on other things, that time went by very quickly, and even though I still have to take another month off running, I’m actually doing fine. Currently, I’m visiting my family in Switzerland and spending a lot of time mountain biking, which isn’t my favourite, but sometimes you just do what you can.
Recipes of the week
Here are some easy recipes for you to make this week:
Vanilla Dates Honey Granola
There is nothing like homemade granola! It is so easy to make, cheaper and healthier than the store-bought version, and makes for a great Sunday activity. I added nuts and dates to this batch, and oohh my god! It turned out SO good. The dates started to caramelise during baking, and now I get excited each time a piece lands in my bowl.
Ingredients:
200g rolled oats
100g mixed nuts, chopped
10 dates, chopped
1-2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
80g honey
55g Cold-pressed rapeseed oil
Bake at 150 C for for 30-35 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes until golden. Bake for longer if the granola isn’t golden after 35 minutes, but keep an eye out for it to make sure it doesn’t burn. Afterwards, allow the granola to cool completely, that’s when it becomes crunchy.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Baked Oats
This easy high-protein meal prep recipe that you can eat for breakfast, as a snack, or have as a healthy dessert at night. Or all of them combined. Making a batch of baked oats is such an easy way to make eating healthy easier, and knowing that something is waiting for you in the fridge whenever you feel hungry is just the best feeling, especially if you are busy all day.
Apple Blueberry Crumble
If you’re looking for an easy dessert that’s guaranteed to impress, this one’s for you! In less than 20 minutes, you’ll have this dessert assembled and ready for the oven. The best part is that the crumble topping is made with @flora.dach plant butter, which is 100% plant-based and with 73% less climate impact than dairy butter. You get that delicious, golden crumble while making a choice that’s a little lighter on the planet and the cows.
Peanut Butter & Jam Baked Oats
This is such an easy, healthy recipe and SO incredibly delicious! Baked oatmeal is just the perfect breakfast, snack, or even dessert, and you can create so many different flavours which we love. This peanut butter and jam combo belongs in my top three!
Cooking Tip Of The Week
This one might seem obvious, but always have a garbage bowl near you when you cook. Not having to walk to the bin every few minutes can save you a lot of work during cooking.
Quote Of The Week
“Overthinking is the biggest waste of human energy. Trust yourself, make a decision, and gain more experience. There is no such thing as perfect. You cannot think your way into perfection, just take action.”
Alright, that’s it from me this week!
Talk soon,
Marina