3 Healthy Alternatives

When a new year begins, many of us decide to start a new healthy eating regime; some people lasting longer than others! I for one, am not having much fun with this healthy eating malarkey, but I'm sticking with it. To make it a little easier, I thought I'd share with you three of my favourite healthy alternatives - a healthy breakfast, a healthy drink and a healthy snack.

Overnight Oats

This is actually a recipe I found on the back of a Quaker Oats box...I know, how exciting!As an alternative to cereal, which is full of sugar, this a great one to try.

You'll Need:

• 50g Quaker Oats
• 50ml milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 30g raspberries/blueberries
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 30g desiccated coconut
• 1 tbsp honey

Method:

Add oats to a clean container (I used a jam jar) and pour in milk and vanilla extract. Add a layer of berries then a layer of banana. Top with coconut and honey. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. Stir and enjoy!

Banana Milkshake

This is definitely the easiest - a healthy banana milkshake. This is filling, energising and tastes really good!

You'll Need:

• 1 ripe banana
• Tsp honey
• 1 cup of milk
• 1/3 cup of oats

*You can tweak the volumes depending on preferred taste.

Method:

Pretty self explanatory really - put it all in a blender and whizz until smooth. 

Banana & Blueberry Muffins

They're not quite as good as a chocolate muffin, but these banana and blueberry muffins are perfect for an afternoon snack! This recipe was from MyFussyEater.

You'll Need: 

• 2 cups oats
• 2 ripe bananas
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup blueberries

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 390f/180c (or if you have an Aga feel free to chuck them in anywhere and hope for the best). Line a muffin tray with muffin cases.

2. Put all ingredients, except the blueberries, into a blender/food processor and blitz until everything is combined. (Hopefully, you'll not be like me and have a complete disaster with the food processor...it all works out in the end).  Stir in half the blueberries.

3. Pour the mixture into the muffin cases, filling 3/4 full then top with the remaining blueberries. 

4. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minuted or until a cocktail stick comes out clean.

5. Remove from muffin tins and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Be sure to let me know if you try any of these recipes out! Happy Healthy Eating!