Hello 2016

Hello. It's me. I've been wondering after all these years, if you'd like to... read my blog again! OK. Before I break out into a myriad of Adele songs, I do want to say a genuine hello, and explain my AWOL-ness. How long has it been? Oh, just 16 months. Cripes! 

You see, I have a good explanation. Over these past 16 months I managed to fall preggers, bake the bubba inside my tummy for more than the required time they say it takes (40 weeks my arse) and now have in my arms a six month little boy called Noah Attlee. Ta-dah! 

You see, when I found out I was pregnant I didn't know what to do with my blog and YouTube channel. Suddenly I had a lot more going on in my world, and all I could think about was babies 24/7. There is just so much to learn and I had no clue. So, my mind really wasn't on this game called blogging, apologies!

But, I do want to stoke the coals and get this machine working again, there just might be a few moderations, you know, since I have a baby in my life now. 

I feel this blog may turn into more of a family lifestyle blog. I'm still obsessed with make-up and skincare, and love a good bake, but a lot of my life is learning about how to create tasty purees for the wee man, or how to make a sensory box! Therefore, you may get some of that sprinkled in here too. I hope anyone who has read the blog (if anyone) is still up for adventuring through life with me, we just have a plus one now. But that's exciting right?!

OK, so that's just a little update from me. I hope to get a few posts up here soon, as well as my YouTube channel so stay tuned.

Until next time. Stay classy.

Becks xxx

High End Beauty Haul Alert!

I've realised that beauty posts have been lacking on Beauty and the Bake recently. Tut-tut to me. I don't know if it was the guilt of not blogging about beauty for a while or quite simply that I hadn't really been buying a lot of new products that led me to an almighty splurge not once but twice in Space.NK over the past few weeks....eeek!

Motivational Monday: Chocolate Cravings, the alternatives

I have a sweet tooth like you wouldn’t believe. I joke about going out just for dessert for dinner instead of eating anything savoury. I say I joke, but I’m deadly serious. But now that I’ve given up processed sugar for a while, yes I know you’re probably bored of me telling you this every Monday, shop bought dessert and in particular a Cadbury’s chocolate bar is out of the question – ahh!

The 4pm slump can be pretty tough when it’s not fuelled by a whispa, or jelly sweet of some sort, so, I thought today’s post could focus on a couple of healthier alternatives I’ve been enjoying snacking on that give me that sweet, sweet satisfaction.

Well.....Hello Fresh!

I love cooking. Whether that be baking a cake, rustling up a lasagne, or making my own truffle gnocchi to go with a sage and butter roast chicken, I just love the satisfaction you get from taking a few standard ingredients and making it into something beautifully yummy. 

I love cooking...when I have time...when I can be bothered...oh and when I'm organised enough to plan all the ingredients I need for each recipe.

Motivational Monday: The Recipe - Banana & Date Muffins

Muffins you say? On a Motivational Monday? One word...YES! 

Motivational Monday: The People

It’s fair to say that with only two Motivational Monday posts then a four week break, I have been lacking a wee bit of motivation myself. I fell off the band wagon coming back from holiday, and got into some pretty bad eating habits. So, for today’s post, I thought I would talk about two people who have inspired me to follow the road of a truly healthy, and nourished lifestyle once again, and hope they do the same for you too.

Motivational Monday: Don't beat yourself up about it

Never have truer words been spoken. OK, that might be a bit overdramatic, but this phrase really rings true for me.

So it goes like this…too many times I’ve started a ‘diet’ only to find a week later I’ve given in to drinks and dinner out, felt slightly hungover the next day so ordered myself a pizza. Pretty sure that pizza isn’t part of a healthy lifestyle…big woops. Not every blip may be that bad, it might be a bit of chocolate here or there, but I can guarantee you that I beat myself up about it the next day. Sometimes, I say to myself, ‘oh well, I was bad yesterday, I might as well just carry on for a few more days then on Monday I’ll start again.’

Ladies and Gentlemen, I think you call that a downward spiral.

Let’s be honest with ourselves, if healthy eating and taking exercise isn’t something that is whole heartedly at the core of your being and philosophy of living (there’s me being dramatic again), you’re going to slip up and take a bite of cake somewhere down the line. We’re only human for crying out loud.

Where it really goes wrong is when you beat yourself up about eating something naughty and put a lot of guilt on yourself. Stop hating yourself, that isn’t healthy either. In my experience that’s when people can allow their feelings dictate what they eat. For me, I comfort eat. When I am upset, or a little be down I’ll eat to make me feel better. That’s a whole other story, but the same truth applies. If you make yourself feel guilty about ‘cheating eating’ you’re more than likely to do it again, and much more frequently. Then when does it stop?

What I find works is when I really want a treat I allow myself to have it. Obviously, you should ask yourself whether you really, really want it, sometimes the feeling will pass after 15 minutes or so. If you do allow yourself a treat, then enjoy it. Every single morsel of it. There’s nothing worse than allowing yourself to eat something you know isn’t all that good for you, then beat yourself up about it with every single mouthful. What was the point of even eating it? Just make sure that afterwards you say to yourself, OK that was a treat, but tomorrow, I’m going to be extra good and plan what you are going to eat so there is no excuse.

Regret can equal regression into old habits, so just dust yourself off, feel content that you allowed yourself a treat and not beaten yourself up about it, and continue the next day of healthy eating.

The healthy eating journey can be a tough one, I’m only just starting it (again), but I will not allow myself to feel down about little slip-ups along the way. Be positive. You’ll feel better for it.

Have a great week everyone.

Becks xxx