My must try foods in Okinawa (Japan)

Regular readers of this blog will know that I loooove food! My family loves a good eat and so do my friends, so I find that this is often a "hobby" I am doing!

If you know that I love food, then you will also know that I love travelling, and what better way of combining these two favourite activities then trying new foods when on holiday!

If you have read my blog post on Okinawa then you'll know that I have recently spent a few weeks in the little Japanese island with my mum's side of the family. I have been learning Japanese and this was my chance to throw myself in the deep end and put my learning into practice.

Whilst here I have tried so many new foods, as well as some childhood favourites that my mum used to make, I wanted to share with you my "must eat foods when in Okinawa". The reason I have stated 'Okinawa' rather than Japan, is that here we have our own little sub-culture and foods. Some of the foods listed also originate from Japan but others are local delicacies!!!

Enjoy!

Nip + Fab glycolic fix daily cleansing pads

Recently I have been using these glycolic fix cleansing pads, from Nip + Fab. They offer a gentle exfoliation without scrubbing to reveal fresher skin. And fresher skin = younger looking skin right?

A pot contains 60 pads, and each pad is soaked in glycolic acid, which helps to re-texture and resurface.

Raw vegan and gluten free chocolate tart (no bake)

After an amazing 5 weeks in Okinawa (check out my blog post here) I am trying to eat more ‘clean’ now as the rich food has made me start to feel sluggish. Whilst I love my veggies, I also love my desserts and that is the hardest for me when I am 'eating clean'. 

Healthy and desserts aren’t usually two words you see next to each other in a sentence but they certainly go together in this recipe for chocolate tart. Thanks to the cacao powder, this chocolate tart will give you a hit of antioxidants and they are also chock full of protein.

Banana, protein and oat pancakes

Pancakes for me are the epitome of a lazy Sunday. Whipping up a batch of pancakes for a long lazy start to the day. And there has to be maple syrup.

But they aren’t too great for the health conscious eaters and whilst the odd pancake binge isn’t going to do anyone any harm, it’s perhaps not a weekly staple.

Unless that is… they are these...

Made with oats and protein powder, rather than the usual flour and butter based pancakes. They are quite sweet but they work equally well with savoury and sweet toppings – my personal favourite are oodles of berries and natural yoghurt or the classic (lean) bacon, banana and a touch of maple syrup.

Things to see and do in okinawa, Japan

When I told people I was going to Okinawa, most people's reactions were "where's that?" and then "oh yea I've seen Karate Kid". 

Okinawa is a little island off the South Coast of Japan (it is actually closer to Taiwan and China though), visiting my mum's family. Floating in the Pacific Ocean, Okinawa is made up of several islands but I am staying in Naha, on Okinawan Island (the largest of the islands) where my family live.

picture from http://www.ft.com/

When I arranged to come here, my intention really was just to come and chill out so that I could learn the language and my background/culture. I have been learning for a couple of years but it is only when you immerse yourself that you really get to grips with it, so this was my chance to speak to native speakers to practise.

Pumpkin protein pancakes

Pancakes have become somewhat of a Sunday tradition for me and The Boy. Not just out-the-packet pre-made stuff, but delicious home made ones. Plus ones that are full of protein and not made with flour. 

The latest creation are pumpkin based protein pancakes. 

Bottomless boozy brunch at Avenue, St James, London

There is no denying that bottomless boozy brunches are still gaining popularity – the idea of combining brunch (one of the best meals of the day) and booze is a wonder child. The good news with them increasing in popularity isn’t just the fact you have legitimately have prosecco with  your eggs benedict or a bloody Mary with your pancakes, but that places are doing them bigger and better!

Just after Christmas I blogged about Shoreditch’s Forge and Co. Great prices and a decent helping on the bottomless prosecco for two hours!

Well today I am going to blog about Avenue, in London’s St James area. 

Banana and vanilla protein flapjacks

Healthy snacking is hard, especially when you are working in an office, where it is the norm for colleagues to bring in tasty and tempting treats. 

Whilst everyone is tucking into the biccies and pastries, sometimes you fruit slices and ryvita just doesn't seem to be fulfilling your snacking needs! 

Homemade flapjacks do make a great snack, and are so easy, so if you are looking for a great snack recipe, try these banana and vanilla protein flapjacks. 

Home made French onion soup recipe

Inspired by an overnight trip to Paris (I'll blog about that soon), I decided to whip up a batch of French onion soup for me and my dad over the Christmas break. 

Being a fantastic cook, my mum does the most amazing French onion soup so I'll be honest - this was not as good as hers! 

With just a few simple, humble ingredients, there is magic in the process that transforms them into a delicious, warming soup at the end. The magic ingredient? Time. Don't rush this. Yes it is an easy recipe but it is also time consuming. 

Brunch at Brickwood, Tooting Broadway London

After a particularly heavy birthday celebration one Saturday night courtesy of my friend Frenchy, we went to refresh ourselves with a brunch in Tooting Broadway Market.

I used to live in Tooting Bec a couple of years ago but it has developed since then, with cute cafes and brunch places popping up everywhere. 

Our chosen venue was Brickwood, tucked in the corner of the market.

Dove silk glow body wash

Body washes are not something I would usually blog about but I felt that I had to share my love for this Dove body wash. I have been using this the last few weeks and I love it. Soft and silky, this really does leave your skin feeling smooootttthhh. 

Cherry and coconut protein healthy oat flapjacks

I must admit it has been a while since I did any healthy baking, probably because the Boy has been on deployment and he is the main consumer of my healthy treats. But I had a new man in town staying with me on his trip from Cambodia, my dad. And like the Boy, he likes his food.

I whipped up a batch of flapjacks, experimenting with a new flavour combo. I have experimented with flavours before and the basic mixture of oats, a bit of butter, a bit of milk and an egg. Once you have that you are free to experiment with all sorts of flavours.

Lush's fresh face masks - 'love lettuce': review

He might be a big, beefy Marine officer but when it comes to the girly stuff, the Boy has it nailed!

He's often bought me shoes, accessories and helps me pick out an outfit quite happily (well maybe not happily) but he is also pretty good when it comes to knowing what beauty products I like!

I was surprised with a huge box of bath bombs from Lush and also this little treat for the face...

A face mask from Lush's Fresh Face mask range. 

A boozy brunch at Forge and Co Shoreditch

Who doesn't like a weekend brunch?
Who doesn't like a weekend brunch that also involves booze?
Lots of booze at that - unlimited in fact!

unlimited prosecco at Forge and Co 

Boozy brunches are the thing right now. I love it!

I went to one a few weeks ago with the Boy and the girls from home, to Forge and Co in Shoreditch, London. Eggs Royale with bubbles, what's not to love?