Pancake Day: Guilt-free Superfood Wholemeal, Vanilla & Cinnamon Pancake Recipe

I have been addicted to pancakes recently and have been having them most Saturdays for the last few months as a treat (I prioritise sleep over having a nice breakfast during the week) and by tweaking the batter and the toppings that I use every time, I think I have finally cracked the perfect pancake!

Although my diet is not dairy-free, I try to avoid it when alternatives can be used, so I use almond milk in my pancake mixture along with fibre-rich wholemeal flour, with toppings such as chia seeds and cacao nibs to put a super-food twist on the classic pancake. These extras are of course optional and the mixture ratios work just as well with white flour and cow's milk.

My toppings of choice for this particular batch (below) were cacao nibs, a healthy alternative to chocolate sauce (see ingredients list), a little natural yoghurt, raspberries, orange and kiwi, which created a lovely fruity tropical flavour. However, banana, strawberries & blueberries are just as delicious. Find your favourite combination and have fun with it!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other dairy or dairy-free milk)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional)
• Oil
• Fruit of choice 
• Sweet Freedom Choc Shot Liquid Chocolate
• Natural yoghurt
• Agave syrup or honey to sweeten if necessary (optional)
• Cacao nibs (optional)
• Chia seeds (optional)

Method:

1. Crack egg into large mixing bowl, then sieve flour into bowl and add milk.
2. Add vanilla and extract and ground cinnamon (optional).
3. Whisk ingredients together until a smooth batter is formed.
4. Put 1 teaspoon of oil into a large frying pan on a medium heat and tilt pan to ensure oil is spread evenly.
5. Add approximately a ladle of batter to the pan.
6. Cook pancake for 1-2 minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface.
7. Flip pancake (if you're brave) or use a tool to turn over.
8. Cook other side of pancake for a minute or until golden.
9. Repeat this process until you have used all of the batter.
10. Stack pancakes, add toppings of your choice and tuck in! Voila!

Enjoy! x

Bobbi Brown Remedies - Skin Moisture Solution

During Winter, I always suffer from really dry skin. I find my skin changes so much when the seasons change and it usually happens quite suddenly. Last month, I was struggling to keep my skin hydrated, even with the most intense moisturisers, masks and smothering night cream on, hoping it would work it's magic over night, but no luck!

So when I saw Bobbi Brown's latest range of skincare products, I figured it could be the answer. The Bobbi Brown Remedies range consists of six different solutions for a multitude of skin issues. Mine currently being dryness, I opted for the 'Skin Moisture Solution', but there are also products for problems such as pores & blemishes, loss of elasticity or redness and irritation.

Bobbi Brown's Claims:

"A concentrated infusion of moisture, featuring a Hyaluronic Acid Complex that pulls moisture into the skin and supports skin's natural moisturising factor."

• Helps increase skin's natural moisturising factor

• Helps restore skin's optimal moisture levels

• Minimises skin tautness

Although you don't get a great deal of product (14ml), a little goes a long way. You just need a couple of drops and it glides beautifully over bare cleansed skin. It is a light gel-like consistency which does initially feel slightly sticky but that feeling only lasts a few seconds.

I use this product after I cleanse my skin, and before I apply moisturiser which allows the Hyaluronic Acid to work it's magic. I have heard mixed reviews of this product but I really do feel like this product has made a difference to my skin. At £29.50 a pop, it's definitely not a bargain product but if you're suffering from dry skin, that no amount of moisturiser will cure, then give this a go!

Have you tried this product yet or any of the other products in the remedies range? Let me know!

Bobbi Brown Corrector - Porcelain Peach

Suffering from dark circles? Then you need to try this! I've been layering up concealer like nobody's business over the last couple of months, but after buying Bobbi Brown's Corrector and applying this before my concealer, I've been able to not only use less concealer (resulting in less caking & creasing) but I've been able to reduce the look of my dark circles considerably!

I really like my under-eyes to be really bright and look highlighted so I went for a light shade in the corrector (Porcelain Peach), but there are shades to suit everyone. I apply the corrector with a fluffy blush and then use my finger to pat the product gently in to the skin. Then I use a beauty blender to make sure the product is even and is pushed into any fine lines I have under my eyes. After allowing the corrector to sit for a minute, I use my Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly (which is a little too light) in the corners of my under eyes where any darkness is still showing through, and then I add a little Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer in the shade Light Warm. The Urban Decay concealer is amazing, and offers the most beautiful blendable coverage, without looking heavy or cake, which makes it perfect for use under the eyes!

I finish the rest of my face, applying foundation and concealer where needed. I then take a fluffy brush and either my Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Yellow or Ben Nye's Translucent Powder (Neutral Set) to set my face and also my concealer. Sometimes it requires another press with the beauty blender to ensure there are no creases before you apply additional powder. 

Bobbi Brown - Corrector - £19.50 - available online & in most major department stores

Have you tried any under-eye correctors? Do you agree that they're worth the hype? I'm still yet to be sold by the all over face colour correction palettes that are popular at the moment, but I'll willing to give it another go if I find the right product!