I can’t stay away

So, I know it is exam time and you probably all think I’ve gone under in light of that, but I could not stay away. I’ve got too much to say! Not regularly, since most days these days consist of….revising ALL DAY intermixed with some time on facebook and eating and pinterest and skyping my mom and trying to figure out internships and my Fulbright.

I’ve been out a few times with friends. Don’t hate me, but I actually really like clubbing?

Hear me out. As someone recovering, drinking still means calories for me, but on the one hand, I’ve learned that a night out here and there does not automatically make me unhealthy, and on the other, I can go out and still have fun without drinking. Both of these facts are reassuring, although it only decreases my irrational fears somewhat. I’m working on this. I’m sure this is relatable.

I’ve been a bit lonely since everyone has been revising. Not to mention that everyone who wasn’t was off traveling. How they’ve got the time to do so, is beyond me. Some other international students are on programmes, but I’m here for the full year, directly enrolled in uni, so I’ve got to stay until I’ve gotten the exams sorted.

So what have I been doing with myself? Besides revising, that is. My friend D and I went to see the London Marathon last sunday, which I’ve been waiting for literally all year. I don’t know what I was expecting but it was a lot of this :

Run!

It was actually really emotional. Having only run two 5ks, I cannot imagine how it would feel to conquer the beast that is 26.6 miles, but watching this made me tear up. Notwithstanding the physical triumph, but some people were running for others. Could I ever set this as the ultimate goal? To show my body that I care for it and trust it to care for me as I challenge it?

Grass skirt guy!

I said to D, as we were watching, that I’d enther be crying the entire time (that’s a long time, folks) or stopping to help everyone who stopped or looked ill. Yeah. I’d better get a grip first haha.

The sky over by Blackfrier’s Bridge was beautiful and baby blue at around half 12 when we were there.

Crystal clear.

So we walked around a bit and D taught me how to use a film camera while we had tea by St. Paul’s.

St. Paul's. Favourite of London.

You have no idea how many pictures I have of St. Paul’s.

Roofs and Sky. Classic Hannah.

This one especially. How can you not love the rooftops?

Perfection.

We soon relocated to Sainsbury’s where D bought a baguette which I stuck in my bag.

I had to get this classic picture. It isn't in the 'bean' but it's close.

Not knowing what to do, we decided to check out the Tate Modern, which I haven’t been to yet. Don’t hate on my lack of tourist capabilities. I’ve got a lot on my mind.

Recognise this bridge?

We crossed the Millinnium Bridge, like the one from Harry Potter.

Hey....that is NOT what is on the other side...

Except the real one crossed to the Tate, where we were going.

Check out that sky.

The Tate Modern is WEIRD. I shall confess to being more of a classic art girl, so this was a bit odd, but it’s so close so I had to go.

Book art? I can go for that.

Luckily, there was something on the wall near most of the art that gave you the ‘bigger picture’ in case modern art wasn’t your thing. Or you weren’t feeling especially sharp that day in terms of abstract applicatoin.

I'm in the art. This was actually a piece of art.

Some of them were just like….hm…..

All I can think of is jabba the hut, but that isn't what this is at all.

When we finally left the Tate, it was pouring. I went over to D’s flat for a bit where I had some ginger tea while D ate baguette and cheese. Then we watched My Drunk Kitchen (if you haven’t seen this DO IT) and some Feminist videos and chatted about intellectual things.

In terms of food, I’ve been trying to save money/eat everything in my room so I don’t end up with things to take home with me. It is actually kind of fun because it forces new combinations into things.

First attempt at overnight oats.....barley flakes....

This was my first attempt at overnight oats. 1/4 cup barley flakes, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 tsp maca, 6 strawberries, 1 tbsp coconut flour, 1/4 cup soy milk. Left overnight. Hm. It was….I don’t know how I felt about it. Perhaps it was the barley flakes, but they just felt a bit soggy. And the yogurt was almost off (which is why I used it) so I think I’ll try it again. In general, I’m certain that I prefer oats to barley flakes, so I’m not sure I”ll try them again.

I’ve been making lots of spreads (and eating them, obviously) lately. I finally put tahini in hummus (I used to be scared to do so because of extra calories- PSSSH) and it tastes so good! I’ve also been experimenting with different beans and different mix-ins. This certain one had peanut butter in.

I didn’t take this picture at night, but rather in bad lighting on a brown scarf. Yes, I know you’re all jealous of my photography skills. But fear not, I’m taking photography in the fall!

Peanut Butter Hummus

I broke my blue plate, so there will be no more blue plate special (aka: every single meal on that blue plate) but now we’re working with boring white plate. Sorry. 2 months guys, two months. Then I get my gnome plate back!

The market is my love. Last week I bought 2 large square punnets of Strawberries for £1.50. They’ve been eaten. Oh yes.

1/2 giant tub Alpro soy yogurt (favourite), 2 tbsp peanut flour, basically like 16 strawberries

I love strawberries. They are also the most beautiful fruit to photograph.

Since I have basically no food left in my fridge, I had to improvise. I looked around my room and saw that I had some things. 3 eggs, coconut flour, leftover peanut butter hummus. Hm…thought I, what can I make with these? I hopped online and found this recipe

I love Leanne’s recipes and her photography is phenominal. Where do you live Leanne, that you get such great light???? Obviously not London with its relentless rain….

crusty but moist inside.

Chocolate Coconut Protein Bread
Adapted from THIS

makes 1 small loaf, serves 4!

1/4 cup chocolate protein powder ( I used GoTein, since that’s what I’ve got on hand)
1/4 cup coconut flour
3 eggs
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup hummus (I used PB hummus, but you could also use some other puree like carrot, prune, pumpkin, or applesauce)
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup wheat bran

Literally had to stop myself from just eating the batter.

1. Combine protein powder, coconut flour, baking soda. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix eggs, puree, and vanilla until incorporated.
3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until just mixed.
put in greased bread pan
4. Bake on the middle rack for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely (about 1 hour) before serving. <– that didn’t happen, I ate it.

Look at how moisttttt

Seriously so much protein in this bread- 10g per slice!

topped with coconut flour spread- since that is literlaly ALL I had to put on top.

Sliced into 1/4′ths they are pretty thick slices, so I sliced one slice in half and ate it open faced. Enough slice?

The last bite.

 I had another slice for breakfast this morning, sans topping at all, since I was in a rush to get to the library to revise. Speaking of which, did you guys hear about the guy who threatened to blow himself up on Tottenham Court Road today? That’s near where I was, I tried to go buy nut butter there, but the police had cordoned it off. 

If you know me, I’m as stingy as they come. Not only because I like to save, but because I’m literally petrified of spending. I have a credit card, but I never use it. I never take money out of the bankomat, and I always use cash.

Take today, for instance. I am utterly out of nut butter. I’ve been making it for myself since peanuts are only £0.56 at Sainsbury’s and my flat mate has a mini food processor. But lately I’ve been going through it quicker (yay me!) so it’s gone and gone. I decided to challenge myself and get something that came in a jar. Product of choice?

Apricot Kernel Butter!

I’ve seen this on some blogs and know they don’t sell it in the US so I had to give it a try.

But it wasn’t as easy as all that. I’d prepped myself and even asked my mom if I coud justify buying it rather than making it for cheap. I’d been at the library for a couple hours and then at a revising session. I headed to one store, as  I mentioned above, but was turned away because of the hostige situation. ‘Could this be a sign that I shouldn’t spend money?’ I thought as I walked to the other more local natural foods shop. In I walked, surveying the nut butters. They all looked delicious and I imediately saw the one that was the most “interesting” and yet the one that cost £5.39. Yes my friends, that would be how much I’d spend on about 6 packages of peanuts at Sainsbury’s which would last me until I go home, and then some.

I walked out of the store.

I walked around the block. I thought I lost my oyster card. It was in my bag.

I walked back into the store and bought the damn thing.

And friends, it tasted good.

I had to add a bit of salt, because I couldn’t taste it that much, but that could be because I was just hungry. Or perhaps I didn’t know what it SHOULD taste like. Definitately realy mild, and not very nutty, but distinct. The texture was the same, quite drippy with a lovely flecked almost rosy colour. High in protein too, which you’d never know. Oh the things you can make into nut butter these days.

Already spooned into....forked, rather

The next challenge will be to actually fill my fridge this weekend, for I cannot live on plums and nut butter alone. Well I could….but….

Love, Hannah

 

Thank Goodness

I tried to post yesterday but wordpress and my internet were doing something really wonky so that was a no-go.
But I’m here now.
There has been no rhyme or reason to my blog lately and I’d say I’m sorry but life takes importance over posts which might be mundane or whatever. I think it is better so post sporadically in wonderful spurts rather than to simply post because I have to. I’d rather read something of good genius or a photo post than a post full of links to other posts or contrived things. That’s just me.
Onward.
I’ve been up to my eyeballs in work though. Friends have begun getting back from having gone home for break. Perks of being a study abroad student? You get to stay in halls all through holidays, alone.
Luckily I’ve been fortunate to find the Regents Canal path which runs conveniently quite close to where I live! It is the most beautiful and peaceful thing that you wouldn’t realise ran straight through London and I can’t believe I haven’t discovered it until now.

Look at that blue sky

I think it would be a perfect place to run but I’m actually scared to run because I’m afraid I’ll fail. That’s maladaptive perfectionism for you. Do any of you guys have tips for beginning runners? I’ve run two 5ks but I don’t run formally. It is literally like every once in awhile I’ll get at it for a week and then freak out.

Smiles for miles

*fun fact: My mom wants me to get rid of both that bag and that coat since I’ve had them for years and they are in tatters.
*funner fact: They’re not going anywhere.

Canal boats and beautiful sky

This reminds me of the new Regina Spektor song, All the Rowboats. Have you heard it?

It’s intense but totally channels how I feel when I’m around stormy seas and boats and the piano in the background really mimics the roll of tempestuous waves. And it is about museums! Always a plus. Regina always has songs about things most artists don’t write or sing about and I applaud that.

On the topic of boats, I went to The Boat Race for Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) on the Themes last weekend!! SO AMAZING. I used to row crew (hard to believe, right?) so I was just excited and nostalgic the entire time.

Here they come!

It was a complicated ending and a somewhat undeserved win for Cambridge- check it out online if you want to know what I’m talking about. My friend and I took pictures whilst waiting for the boats to actually arrive for the 3 minutes they would be under the bridge upon which we stood:

Smile in sepia

On our way back home as stopped at Pentonville Prison. Any Sherlock fans out there?

A bit too smiley for in front of a prison? Nah.

It is actually kind of pretty, but a bit scary to think that it is literally a 10 minute walk away from halls.

Pretty prison.

I’ll share this face with you simply because I think you need to know. Sometimes I have lots of energy.

This is my most special face.

But I swear I was much more pleased when I received this ipod/iphone armband from 3 media! to review. I don’t have an iphone (YET) but I have an ipod that fits in the little holder. Ask my mom, I’ve been lusting after one of these running armband forever.

Belkin- just the one I wanted!

Pardon the shoddy pictures but I got this on a really cloudy day and the lighting in my room is practically the worst you could have for photography anyhow.

check it out!!

There is nothing more awkward than either holding your ipod while running or, even worse, having it bouncing up and down in your pocket. Problem: sorted.

awkward shots for the win.

Have you ever tried to take a picture of your upper arm? Yeah? No? Well it’s hard. Take a look at that photo. But basically you just strap the thing on and go. I’m pleased

I’ll be back soon with more updates. I have loads I want to say but I’m freaking out because this is crunch week. Once this week is over I swear I’ll have interesting things to say

Love, Hannah

Uprooting

Today I’m posting over on my travel blog –> A Case of Wanderlust 

So I’ll be talking a bit more about things there.

I said I’d get back into blogging but right now I’ve got really itchy arms and a big paper and exams to revise for.

So it will be slow going. I have SO many things I want to say, or muse about or whatever.

such as:

-My love for Tahini
-My experience with social inabilities and how it is to have friends
- Life in London
-How I’m growing
-Changing your mindset
-Do what you love- thoughts on that
-Plans for the future
-Why I can’t wait to go home but I really don’t want to leave London

And more random things I decide to post about.

I won’t post a picture of me because I have a horrible rash on my arms….it’s ugly I swear.

Lately my life has been a bit of this:

just...wake...me..up after finals...

Really, I shouldn’t do work in bed. But sometimes it’s the most comfortable to put your feet up…besides which I turned my bed so that my chair doesn’t fit under my desk because the end of my bed is there so I’m kind of  always doing work in bed aren’t I?

It is our 3 week break here, so I’ve been just chilling, really. My flat mates are gone, and with them their amazing kitchen mess making abilities, so I’ve been actually cooking!

The other day I went to the market and got one of my awesome box of veg for £1 deals. Then I went on a massive roasting spree- eggplant, peppers, onions, sage, cabbage, mushrooms, onions. I also have a little casserole pot with a lid that I got from my Nanny job (they are moving) so I layered veg in that with shepherd’s pie seasoning and baked it for some sort of pottage….and then I stir fried some stir fry mix with black bean sauce. It was an epic evening. All eaten with tahini of course.

and I forgot to take a picture? It was kind of ugly anyhow.

You don’t even need to read this post. I’m just rambling in the small moments before I have to go to work.

Also. I’m not sure where this blog is going. I don’t live and breathe food anymore, and my life is widening. I’m distracted by schoolwork and stressed because of it, which might be putting a damper on my creativity. And my flat-mate messiness problem + lack of kitchen utensils is probably putting a damper on my baking/cooking. All I can say is, when I’m here I’m here, and when I’m not I’m not.

I don’t really blog for a certain response. I blog because I need to say things. Sure, I enjoy the odd comment, but really it’s more for my benefit and pleasure, since I like writing. I like the way words come together. Words. They carry so much meaning and when you put them together they create something. Even rearranging the words in a sentence can change its meaning.

Rambleramble.

Love, Hannah