Healthy Sunday: Roast Dinner with Roasted Butternut Squash (Issue 2)

Hi everyone,

Hope you had a great weekend. Mine has been full of working and spending time with family so have been pretty good. Anyway down to business, this recipe is simple and easy to do in like an hour or so. If your trying to lose weight like myself it is quite easy to wanna eat lots of potatoes and Carbohydrate rich food. I'm not cutting them out completely I'm just simple having less than what I would normally have or replacing it with something else. So this recipe uses butternut squash instead of roast potatoes.

Before we get started, I'm not a health expert I'm just made sure I did a bit of research before I did this healthy eating plan. So I'm still learning I guess and this is only one meal idea if you don't like some of the food I have used then replace it with something you like :)

Lets get started.......

Recipe:

 

50g of Butternut Squash.

1/4 cup of Peas.

1/4 or 2-3 large cubes of frozen Spinach.

4 Turkey rashers (optional).

2 quorn chicken fillets.

4-6 spears of asparagus.

1. Frist pre-heat oven to 180 degrees or gas mark 4. Put some sunflower oil in a baking tray for the butternut squash to go on.

2. Next peel and cut one butternut squash (make sure pieces are smallish size so like the same as roast potatoes I guess), wash under water and let them drain so no water is on them. Then add to baking tray in oven to cook till soft (30-40 minutes). Don't worry about using all the butternut squash you don't have to, you can keep it for doing mash butternut squash or put into a smoothie :)

3. Fill one sauce pan up half way with water and let it boil. This will be for the peas and spinach.  Once boiled add peas and spinach to pan. I use frozen spinach which I know isn't good but it is as it stays fresh longer, it still the same as fresh spinach and it's quite cheap :)

4. Next in a frying pan add a bit of sunflower oil, put it on a medium heat, this will be for the Quorn chicken fillets which you add to the pan and let it cook till slightly brown on one side then flip over to other side till brown. Then take them out of the pan and on plate off heat.

5. Check on peas and spinach. once looks cooked drain it. make sure all the water is out of the spinach but pressing on it with a spoon till most of it is out. Then add to plate.

6.  This is optional as I'm not vegetarian. If you are ignore this stage and just go to stage 7 or replace turkey rashers with quorn bacon.  Then to the add your turkey rashers to the same pan of the quorn till brown on one side and flip over and repeat. Then take out of the pan and add to plate.

7.  Put asparagus into pan for a few minutes. Then take off and put on plate.

8. Check on butternut squash. If done add to plate if not then leave for a few more minutes till fork goes through it easy and doesn't stick to it or doesn't need to be forced down to.

9. Make gravy if you want to but it is up to you.

Image from fran_helsing (my instagram account)

 

 

Thank you so much for reading my healthy Sunday blog post. Don't forget to share this blog post :)

Enjoy the rest of the day :)

 

Love

 

 Fran Helsing! x

 

 

 

Where to find me:

 

Twitter: @fran_helsing

instagram: fran_helsing

Bath Routine! (June 2014) x

Hi guys,

Welcome to my bath routine blog, this is what I do every Thursday night or one night in the week to chill out. I've only started doing this and has been really helpful. Again I have not been paid by the companies to do reviews of the products used they have either been bought with my own money or been given as freebies. Lets get started.


I Start my bath with running it (as you do), I put in a Lush bath bomb, I have made a pack with my self to try different ones every time I go to the Lush store. I tried Sakura from Lush. As I wanted to try this one for a while now. I am so in love with this product. The smell of it is just amazing. It smells like everything relaxing and calming, it kinds of reminds me of a blossom on a tree or something. Am going to make this one of my favourites of all time and the price of this giant of a bath bomb.

(video is on my instagram: fran_helsing)

I Let the bath run a bit of just hot water and once the bath bomb has completely gone, I then add the  Radox Relax bubble bath. This is good for the sense for helping you to relax but at the same time it isn't good for if you want lots of bubbles in the bath. So was a bit disappointed in that one.

I then add some Harmonising bath oil from G Baldwin & Co. This was given by a company who sell bath oils. This was given to me from the place I work as a freebie. Just added this to my bath yesterday and OH MY GOD! I was the most amazing bath ever :). It has lavender marjoram and geranium oils. This has not been tested on animals which makes this super amazing.

That's it I normally lie there for a while and relax.

Thanks for reading my blog, really means the world to me. Again don't forget to follow me twitter @fran_helsing, instagram fran_helsing and sharing this blog.


Seeya on Sunday for another blog post for Healthy Sunday :) 

Love

Fran Helsing!

 x

 

- Sakura, £3.25. https://www.lush.co.uk/products/sakura

25 Random Questions

Hi Everyone,

Hope your having a good week so far. Just a random 25 questions blog I thought I would do. Hope you enjoy it.

Question 1: Do you have any pets?
I have 7 tropical fish.

 

Question 2: Name three things that are physically close to you:
My phone (Sony Xperia SP), ipad mini and my cuddly toys both red pandas. A bit of an obsession.

 

Question 3: What's the weather like right now? 
It's night time at the moment when i'm doing this but it was sunny all day today.

 

Questions 4: Do you drive ? If so, have you crashed?
Yes I drive been driving for over a year now and no I haven't crashed yet *touch wood* but I have gotten punched tyre twice and had to drive back to my house quickly so it didn't go complexly flat. it was like mission impossible. 

 

Question 5: What time did you wake up this morning?
8am (GMT). 

 

Question 6: When was the last time you showered?
This Morning before going out.

 

Question 7: What was the last movie that you saw?
X-men days of future past. (really good film).

 

Question 8: What does you last text message say?
It said "okay coolies :) i'm watching the cartoon movie brave :) lol xxxxxxxx" - from my boyfriend

 

Question 9: What is your ringtone? 
Just a normal one on my phone called tigerstyle.

 

Question 10: Have you ever been to a different country?
Yeah I have been to Spain when I was 8 and been to America (Washington DC and New York) at age 15. 
 

Question 11: Do you like sushi?
Yeah I do like it but only some like the vegetable one and salmon. So good :)

 

Question 12: Where do you buy your groceries?
All over really but mainly Asda or Sainsbury's.

 

13: Have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster?
Nope.

 

Question 14: How many siblings do you have?
 I have an younger brother Josh who is 20.

 

Question 15: Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
I have a laptop.

 

Question 16: How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 
22.

 

Question 17: Do you wear contacts or glasses?
I wear glasses only when I have a headache. 

 

Question 18: Do you colour your hair?
Yes.

 

Question 19: Tell me something you are planing to do today: 
Just Writing a few blog posts and taking photos for them.

 

Question 20: When was the last time you cried?
Like over 2 weeks ago, maybe a bit longer than that.

 

Question 21: What is your perfect pizza topping?
Sausages, bacon, green peppers, onions and meatballs.

 

Question 22: Which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger?
Hmmm I don't really like either I normally go for chicken burgers but out of the two will have to say cheeseburgers.

 

Question 23: Have you ever had an all-nighter?
Yep! it was fine I had a lot of caffeine drinks and films to watch to keep me busy.

 

Question 24: What is your eye colour?
They are a blue/grey colour but one is greener than the other :S.

 

Question 25: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?

I think coke cola tastes better out of the two but like them both.

 

 

That's it till Friday where I'm going to be doing a beauty blog about relaxing bath times. Don't forget to check out my instagram and twitter which are both fran_helsing :) and to share this blog to friends and loved ones.

 

 

Have a good week :)

 

Love

 

Fran Helsing! x

Healthy Sunday: 4 health foods juice (Issue 3)

Hi everyone, 

Hope you all had a lovely weekend :) 

Here is a quick and healthy smoothie idea which is good for protecting the body against any viruses and protecting DNA. Lets get started.

Recipe:

- 25g strawberries (chopped up) strawberries are good for vitamin c and boosts collagen production.

- 25g seedless grapes (green or red) these are good for resveratrol, protects DNA and slows aging. 

- 1 whole Apple (chopping up and remove the core) apples are good for Quercetin which is a flavonoid. They are also good for defending against free-radical damage.

- One small banana (peeled). good for vitamin b6 and pyridoxine. They also have Potassium which maintains electrolyte balances.

- 250ml coconut milk or any non dairy milk. Coconut has got potassium in it which helps supports healthy electrolyte balance. It is also important for metabolism, energy, and brain and nervous function. :) 

- A blender :)

Steps:

1. Chop up fruit and add to blender. 

2. Put lid on and start blending away. For about  2 minutes. 

3. Add milk. Then blend till smooth and has no bits in it. 

Ready to serve :)

Thanks so much guys for reading my blog. All the facts about the victims and stuff are from eat pretty book, really good if you wanna it more fruit and not sure what beauty and body benefits it has, link is down below.  Don't forget to share it and follow me on Twitter or instagram :) if you guys want show me pictures of your smoothies to my Twitter or instagram with hashtag #healthysunday :)

Hope you guys have an amazing week :)

                                     Love, 

                             Fran Helsing! x

- Eat Pretty [Paperback] (£10.28)

Http://Www.amazon.co.uk/Eat-Pretty-Jolene-Hart/Dp/1452123667/Ref=Sr_1_sc_1?Ie=UTF8&Qid=1404484289&Sr=8-1-Spell&Keywords=Eat+Prett 

Healthy Sunday: Carbonara (Issue 1)

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the first of many blogs of healthy eating. This one is going to be on Carbonara with gluten free/wheat free pasta. This recipe is something I made with my dad when I was little like from 8 years and onwards. A little disclaimer, all the stuff in this recipe is done with my own money and I'm not being paid to do this blog post. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this recipe and the food. Let's get started.

 

 

For two people: (half if doing one person)
 

Recipe: 

200g gluten free/wheat pasta.

80g frozen peas.

80g frozen spinach.

4 rashers of turkey rashers OR Quorn version.

Campbell's Cream of Chicken.

Or

Cheese Sauce.

Small amount of cheese for topping.

Some Sunflower oil.

Topping: Asparagus (but can use other veg or not at all)

 

Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees or Gas Mark 4.

 

Step 2: Boil two saucepans of water, would want water to be about half way up the pan so it is half full. one pan will be for pasta and other for peas and spinach.

 

Step 3: Cook the turkey rashers in a bit of sunflower oil, you could easily do use Quorn chicken or bacon if you wanted to be more healthy or if you're vegetarian. Cook until slightly brown and a bit tough.

 

 

Step  4: Once turkey rashers are done, would be good to put them on some kitchen roll so that it can get rid of any oil which is still on it.

 

Step 5: Once water is boiling in both pans put in one pan the pasta in one pan (bigger one out of the two) and put your peas and spinach in the other (the smaller one). Pasta should normally take 10-15 minutes so put in first. In mean time cut up turkey rashers into bits.

 

Step 6: Once pasta is done, drain it off in sink and same for peas and spinach. once it is all drained put it in the bigger saucepan (make sure it is off heat) and mix it in with the chicken soup or cheese sauce in with the mixture.

 

 

Step 7: Add in the turkey rashers and stir in mixture together. then put into a dish for two people. Put half the mixture in the dish then put a little but of the cheese on top. Then put the other half of the pasta mix in the dish then however much cheese you want on top. you could use goats cheese to make this recipe daily free if you wanted to. 

 

 

 

 

Step 8: Put dish into over for about 10 minutes as you just wanna heat up the mixture and melt the cheese on time. After that it is ready to be served.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy! x

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this recipe. Please follow me on intragram and twitter at fran_helsing. To let me know how it turned out and send me photos too of you trying it out, would love to see them :)

 

 

Hope you had a lovely weekend,

 

Love Fran Helsing! x 

 

 

Next week would be a Roast dinner but with Roast butternut squash :) Yummy!

TMI Tag.

Hi everyone,

I have done the TMI tag, so it gives you guys a chance to get to know me and gives you a chance to ask me questions :). Don't for get to share this tag and follow me on intragram or twitter. So yeah enjoy this blog post :)

1.       What are you wearing?

Skull top from new look and some black leggings from topshop.

 

2.       Ever been in love?

Yeah quite a lot but I would say maybe 3-4 times in my whole life which is okay I guess.

 

3.       Ever had a terrible breakup?

Hmmm I would say some have gone well like I have stayed friends with them if they still want to be but sometimes they don’t want to and I respect that and just say okay and more on more or less. On the other hand, most of my exes are more friends unless it was my choice or theirs so yeah I would say no I guess.

 

4.       How tall are you?

I’m 151cm

 

5.       How much do you weigh?

I don’t know last time I checked I was 72kg but I might be more :S.

 

6.       Any tattoos?

Not yet sadly but yeah would like to have at least 3-4 tattoos maybe.

 

7.       Any piercings?

Just the normal lobe ones but thinking of getting maybe another 2-3 piercings at some point J

8.       OTP?

Ummm this is tricky in terms of one true pairing. I think I’m going to have to go with Castle and Beckett for the tv show Castle. As am a mega fan of the tv show and love the chemistry they have on the show and from clips I’ve seen of them at comic con.   

9.       Favourite show?

Already gave my answer in question 8 but is Castle as I love the comedy mixed with crime drama elements of the show. The cast is amazing too I mean I am not really into a tv as much as I am for castle I don’t know what it is but I just love it so much I am not sad to say it but I have my own castle mug J #caskett

10.   Favourite band?

Oh god, this changes all the time. I would say either panic at the disco or killswitch engage but I love most music just not country really as not really into that type of stuff.

11.   Something you miss?

I would say I miss my friends as most of my friends work full time or have just finished university now so we doing spend a lot of time together but that is sadly a thing that happens when you grow up. So yeah just miss spending time with my friends but yeah we just try and make the most of it when we do meet up.

12.   Favourite song?

Have lots again but it’s got to be “can’t take my eyes off of you” like all covers of this song so it’s just the words which are amazing and it makes me happy or if I’m in a rocky mood I love “always” by Killswitch Engage.

13.   How old are you?

21

14.   Star sign?

Scorpio

15.   Quality you look for in a partner?

They have to be funny. If someone can make me laugh I’m theirs pretty much.

16.   Favourite quote?

“fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.” Shawshank Redemption

Be grateful, our scars have the power to remind us that the past was real” – Hannibal Lector

17.   Favourite actor?

Tom Hardy

18.   Favourite colour?

Red

19.   Loud music or soft?

Loud of course :P

20.   Where do you go where you’re sad?

Normally my bedroom I would say.

21.   How long does it take you to have a shower?

Depends on whether I have to shave or not really. If I do can take 30-45 minutes, if I don’t then about 15 minutes.

22.   How long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?

About 30 minutes

23.   Ever been in a physical fight?

Nope and don’t plan to be either.

24.   Turn on?

Umm a guy who can make me laugh and who is quite stubborn too I would say as I don’t know I mean guys who show a girl they are there for them is a very sweet thing to do.

25.   Turn off?

 

Someone who is shallow and bases opinions of people based on their looks which is unfair

and I know people can do it from time to time. I know I probably do but I don’t do it when it

comes to friends but if someone fancied me and I didn’t feel that way. I would wanna know

why I wasn’t attracted to that person if it was looks then I would wanna give it a go and get

to know them a bit or if I felt that was the right thing to do. If it wasn’t and I felt it would hurt

that person more I would wanna be honest with that person and say how I felt and say it is

my fault for being shallow and list many of their good qualities and try and stay friends if I

could with them.

 

26.   The reason I joined youtube?

Well I am not a member of youtube yet. So I guess I’ll say why I became a blogger was because I wanna see if it is a lifestyle that suits me or be my cup of tea. I’m not very good at editing but maybe if the blogs I do become good enough that I can make some money out of them I’ll get some cameras and stuff so yeah who knows what can happen really.

27.   Fears?

Water, dolls and being forgotten by friends and loved ones.

28.   Last thing that made you cry?

I think that would have been a friend of mine as was worried about them a lot. That was like about a month ago.

29.   Last time you said you loved someone?

I would say yesterday to my boyfriend.

30.   Meaning behind your youtube name?

Again applying this to blogging rather than youtube. But yeah Fran Helsing is my nickname from my best friend izzy. It was when we were thinking of a name for my msn account back in 2004/2005, and I liked the movie Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman in it, so we decided that would be it. So yeah I’ve had it for ages and lots of people like it. When it came to doing blogs I didn’t want to put my normal name down, don’t know why but just didn’t, then Fran Helsing became my blogger name.

31.   Last book you read?

Think it was fifty shades of freed part of the fifty shades of Gray (yes I am a fan, don’t judge :P).

32.   The book you’re currently reading?

Currently not reading one.

33.   Last show you watched?

Family guy.

34.   Last person you talked to?

My mum.

35.   The relationship between you and the person you last texted?

I’m in a relationship with that person.

36.   Favourite food?

Carbonara is a dish I can cook and have loved since I was little. Me and my dad use to cook it a lot and I enjoy this recipe as we do it in a healthy way which doesn’t take long to cook and is super yummy too J.

37.   Place you want to visit?

Ireland like the Republic of Ireland rather than Northern Ireland. Not that there is anything wrong with Northern Ireland. It is just I have family history in Ireland so would like to have a look around there.

38.   Last place you were?

I would say America like Washington DC and New York as was on a school trip there.

39.   Do you have a crush?

Nope. Unless you mean my boyfriend then yeah.

40.   Last time you kissed someone?

Tuesday.

41.   Last time you were insulted?

Can’t remember I think about a year ago maybe.

42.   Favourite flavour of sweet?

Strawberry or coke cola.

43.   What instrument do you play?

I used to be able to play the trumpet when I was like 7 for like a few months then stopped as was moving schools.

44.   Favourite piece of jewellery?

necklaces.

45.   Last sport you played?

Can’t remember I would have to say rounders maybe which is kind of like baseball but UK version.

46.   Last song you sung?

Always by Killswitch Engage.

47.   Favourite chat up line?

Don’t really have one :S think they are all bad. I would say this one.

“I seem to have lost my number, can I have yours instead?”

As it is quite cheesy yet kind of clever.

48.   Have you ever used it?

Nope haha.

49.   Last time you hung out with anyone?

Ummm with my boyfriend on Tuesday but with a friend maybe just like a couple of weeks ago.

50.   Who should answer these questions next?

Anyone that wants to do this tag.

Thanks for taking the time to reading my TMI tag. Hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to do your own answers please feel free to do them in the comment box below or send me a link to your TMI in the comment box below. Don’t for get to share this and write any suggestions of tags I should do next or any questions you wanna ask me anyway.

Till next time,

Love,

Fran Helsing x

Where to find me…….<3

Instagram: fran_helsing

Twitter: @fran_helsing