I'm going to tell you a secret...

…That’s right, I am! In fact, TWO secrets (I’m generous like that). But first, you wanna see what I’ve been up to the past 24hrs?

Much of this:

And this:

(That would be a black bean brownie, in case you weren’t sure :p)

And this:

And this:

A bit of baking this:

Tina’s oatmeal raisin bars for my mumma, with added nutmeg, apricots and sunflower seeds.

Chewing this:

(In case you didn’t know, I am a gum addict! There, I’ve said it, my dirty secret is revealed…I know gum is hardly faboosh for you, but I like the taste I think I’ve become a stress/boredom chewer actually. Surely better than biting my nails, or pulling out my hair right?)

And way, WAY too much of this:

My animal behaviour essay on instinct is far, far harder than I thought it would be. As per usual, my response to that? Boooohiss :p

I did find time to make the bestest breakfast ever! And I’m going to give it the honour of becoming an official recipe too

Chocolate Pudding Oats

It sooounds like a time consuming recipe, but I promise it’s not! Just be efficient, be a woman (aka multi task) and you’ll be fine Or just take the morning off of work/school to eat this, cos it’s tasty – it tastes just like chocolate pudding!

• 1/2 c. oats
• 1.5 tsps cocoa powder
• a tiny, weeny pinch of salt (think like a mouse)
• 1/2 – 1 tsp cinnamon (I’m a cinnamon freak, so I add the heftier portion)
• 1/2 – 1 tsp vanilla extract (it depends on your brand – some are stronger than others izntit)
• 1.5 c. water/milk/mix
• drizzle-y sweetener of choice (agave, maple syrup etc)

Combine everything apart from the sweetener, and cook on a stove til it’s thick and … well, cooked probably 5mins or so, depending on your oats.

Get a small individual size baking dish and pour the oats into it. Drizzle with the sweetener (to taste), and mix it up with a fork [lick the fork clean. We don't like waste in this household!]

Put into an oven, approx. 160-180degrees (350F) for 20-30mins – it depends on your oven

Go and do some jumping jacks, level 3 of Jillian’s Shred, a power walk, go back to bed, brush your teeth, pack your bag – do whatever you need to in the morrrnin’ that takes 25mins.

Go fetch your oats out of the oven – When it comes out, it’ll look runny still – these don’t set straight away – and probably have bubbles, like so:

Now this bit is tricky – ignore the oats.

Leave them as is for about 25mins, or as long as you can. Again, entertain yourself! Put some slap on, run a fast 5k, do some homework; the choices are endless!

Once the wait time is up, scrape round the edges with a knife and throw it all into a bowl If you’re like me, you can pour some cold (soya) milk over, or just have as is:

Dig in!!

I simply adore the creamy skin and thick texture and pudding-likeness – it’s divine Not a pretty dish…but still. It’s worth the time, IMHO!

Heh

Ok, secret time now!

1) I really didn’t want to reveal this til the Big Reveal (that makes sense..oh yeah…) but now I HAVE to, cos I need HELP! My secret is that Brit Chick Runs is GROWING UP! (this is what I was referring to when I said about the face lift earlier in the week :p) The dot wordpress will go and a new blog will be born [this way] but here’s the problemo – I’m using Bluehost as my host (if that’s the term, idk) and I’m trying to load up a header. But – it. won’t. work. I’ve spent hours tearing my hair out, studying tutorials, watching videos, getting upset, getting stressed, getting angry, and really genuinely not knowing what to do. I don’t want to start the new blog without a header cos it looks crap, so PLEASE -

SOMEONE HELP ME!!! Again, I’ll pay you with love and roasted parsnips

Secret Numero Duno:

2) I’m scared.

I’m seeing the sports physio tomorrow, but I am terrified of what he’s going to say. My new injury (which is kinda near my ankle bone, on the inside – feels a bit like a muscle strain or tendon thing, is sore to touch, and I’m limping even in walk. Unless I make my foot face out, then it’s not as painful) is really, really sore. I was le idiot this morning, and did my usual hour of Jillian workout, despite the pain. Why? Cos I suppose I just don’t want to believe that I’m injured, and wanted to work through it. But after, it felt 10 x worse, and has been off all day Soooo I’m taking tomorrow totally off. But anyway – I’m scared the physio will say it’s something really bad, that leads to 6months off from all impact exercise or something. And this leads to a fear – I’m kinda ashamed to admit it, cos I feel like I shouldn’t feel this way, but I do – I’m scared I’m going to put on loads of weight without exercise. There! I said it. I can’t help being worried about this; I’ve been at the same weight for sooo long, I can’t imagine being any different, and so I really am anxious about it. Plus, exercise is a huge stress reliever for me, and considering I’ve got the most stressful time in my life approaching, I’m worried how I’ll cope!

The other exercise options are tough; the nearest pool is a 15min drive away, plus costs £10 a pop (car parking fee and entrance), and is open at stupid hours. The nearest gym (that is open when I could go) is 30mins away. We only have one bike, and it’s this tiny, crappy tinny thing which is NOT a comfortable ride!! So…I’m not really sure what i could do….

Anyone have any advice? Have you ever had to take a long time off from exercise? How did you manage?

And of course – any Bluehost users who can help me…speak now!!