Blueberry & Carrot Oat Muffins (SW, WW & low calorie friendly)

New and updated baked oat recipe! This is just one version, so please check my blog for other baked oat ideas.

These baked oats are 1/2 syn for 7 muffins, using oats for your hexb, part hexa, so the only syn is the blueberries. 

Blueberry and Carrot oat muffin recipe

• 40g oats (hexb)
• 40g grated carrot (speed)
• 70/80mls of almond milk (part hexa)
• 1 egg (protein)
• 2 caps of vanilla extract or a flavouring of your choice (free)
• 2 tsp cinnamon (free)
• Blueberries (Free food and syns can vary depending on many you use, mine was 1/2 syn but please check your app to protect your weightloss)

***No sweetener needed

What you need;

• Muffin tray
• 7 silicone cases
• Preheat your oven to 180 degrees

Measure your 40g oats and 40g carrots then put in a jug with your 80mls of milk and stir. Then add in your egg and mix throughly. Then add your cinnamon and flavouring of your choice. Combine all together. 

Place your silicone cases onto your muffin tray or tray, then pour in the mixture. Weigh out your blueberries and then pop a few in each case. You can just drop them on like I did on push them right into the mixture.

Put into your oven on 180 for 25-30 mins. Then leave to cool for 3-5 mins. You can add maple syrup or choc shot for an extra treat but I quite like them as they are.       

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Serve with some speed food and yogurt or quark! Quark for extra protein and filling power 💪🏻 

If you make them be sure to let me know here, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or add me on snapchat “justjulietta” as I’d love to see and hear from you. 
I hope you enjoy x 

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*please check the syn values of the brand of Milk & other products to protect your weight loss. Syns do vary with brand labels. 

If you want to syn your Oats instead of using your heathy extra b you can, just make sure to check the syn values in your book or the slimming world website. 

*All syn values are correct at the time of posting this recipe, if you’re viewing at a later date please check the syn values to protect your weight loss. 

Slimming World Syn free Zoats recipe

ZOAT RECIPE

• 40g Oats (HEXB)
• 1 cup water
• 140mls Unsweetened Almond milk (HEXA)
• 40g courgette (S)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 sweetener tablets (F)
• Add in frozen speed fruit at the end so no syns because you’re not cooking them.

~ Enjoy!

Check out my YouTube video https://youtu.be/WXyTNT08_xs & don’t forget to follow my on Instagram!  

Peanut Butter Oat Cups recipe

I haven’t made baked oats in a while and I missed them. So I made a video which is live on YouTube and you can view it by clicking here.
These baked oats are 2 syns for both, using your hexb, part hexa and the 2 syns are for the peanut butter powder (I use PB2 from Amazon or you can get PBFIT from tesco). 

Peanut Butter Oat Cup Recipe

• 40 oats (hexb)
• 50mls of skimmed milk ( 1.5 syns per 100ml so I would say 1 syn or (Part hexa) 
• 1 egg (protein)
• 2 caps of Almond extract or a flavouring of your choice (free)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp of sweetener 
• PB2 powder (2 syns per level tbsp)

What you need;

• Muffin tray
• 3 silicone cases
• Preheat your oven to 180 degrees

Measure your 40g oats and put in a jug with your milk and stir. Then add in your egg and mix throughly. Then add your sweetner and flavouring of your choice. Combine all together. 

Place your silicone cases onto your muffin tray or tray, then pour in the mixture. 

Now time to make your peanut butter. So you weigh out two tbsp of PB2. (It is 1 syn per tbsp) then you mix it with water and make the consistency you want. I like mine a little runny as when it cooks, it thickens.

Now you can lick the spoon 😋

Put into your oven on 180 for 20-25 mins. Then leave to cool for 3-5 mins.

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Then pop them out and enjoy as they are or decorate it with Sweet Freedom choc shot.
Serve with some speed food and yogurt if you like, or if you’re having an SP day have some quark. 

These muffins are perfect for an SP day because it used milk and not yogurt. 

If you make them be sure to let me know here, YouTube or tag me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or add me on snapchat “justjulietta” as I’d love to see. 

I hope you enjoy x 

—— 
*please check the syn values of the brand of Milk & other products to protect your weight loss. Syns do vary with brand labels. 

If you want to syn your Oats instead of using your heathy extra b you can, just make sure to check the syn values in your book or the slimming world website. 

*All syn values are correct at the time of posting this recipe, if you’re viewing at a later date please check the syn values to protect your weight loss. 

Yumbox by Eat Well U.K.

Recently I’ve been wanting to portion my lunches better and I’ve wanted a lunchbox for so long. As a child I had a care bear lunchbox with stickers all over it and nothing compared to it. For years I’ve looked for something to fall in love with and that’s when I found Yumbox by eat well uk. 

What drew me to the lunch box was the portioned sections. Then the cute graphic design and of course the vibrant colours. They have so many beautiful colours and there’s also different compartments you can purchase separately to change the inside. You can also get a child’s version.

So when I found out it was spill proof, yes you did read that right, spill proof!! I had to test that theory out. So I made Slimming World tiramisu which can be quite runny and I added in frozen fruit. We all know what happens when defrosting fruit, it fills with water. I can confirm, in a bag traveling in a car, it did not spill! I was shocked. The inside has a rubber that seals the lunchbox closed. 

I then tried something a little cuter with a cookie cutter for my cucumber, which fit perfectly in the circle. I’ve also used this section for sauces and peanut butter. So this was my little trip to the beach lunch box!

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It was so nice just to sit and the beach with a no fuss lunch box and enjoy it. The lid stays attached so you don’t need to worry about setting it down and it is handy to put crisps into. I made the mistake of putting beetroot in and it did stain my lid, but that’s ok, it shows it’s well loved, but yes certain foods will stain the rubber lid. No one sees it but you anyway!

Of course I had to take a photo with the tower, isn’t that the touristy thing to do; even though I live here now hehe! In the warm weather I’m always asked if I’m here on holiday; sometimes I’m cheeky and say yes, other times I say we live here. 

Getting back to the box, it is a great lunchbox, it holds soup to with no spillage. It is hard plastic, you can change the inside with another design and it is a beautiful looking box. It would be suitable for someone who uses a lunchbox often or for trips to the beach with the kids. 

The lunch I have is the Yumbox Panino and the price is £24.95 and you can purchase it on the website. It is dearer than your average lunch box but it is an investment, it will be something that will last and you won’t need a replacement every few months. It is dishwater safe, BPA free and I just think it’s brilliant. Whether I’m indoor or outdoor I use this a lot and if you are in the same slimming world group you’ll know I have my evening meal in it every week ☺️. 

I do think this is a great tool to learn portion control. You get to add different bits to have a variety too. Definitely a plus for me.  The kids also use it when they have a school trip.

I found it hard to find any negatives about the Yumbox and the only thing is the staining from beetroot. 

The customer service was impeccable and delivery was fast. 

So if you’re interested in this lunch box then be sure to check Eat Well UK or click here to see all the different designs and colours! 

If you get one yourself be sure to comment below and let me know what you think, or if you’re on Instagram tag me.

If you follow me on YouTube you will see I spoke about the Yumbox in a recent video, so you can see a hands on view approach 😀 
**Disclaimer; Eat Well UK did send me this Yumbox to trial and review. This is not a paid or sponsored post and I’ve given my completely honest opinion. I have tested the Yumbox over a few months before writing my review, I wanted to see if it stood up to wear and tear, I also wanted to check if the spill proof would degrade over time and so far it has not. 

Slimming World LOW SYN TREATS 2017

Hey everyone! I did a video on low syn treat and snack ideas. I mention all the syn and size of products. Good range of crisps, chocolate and sweet. 

Let me know your favourite snack in the comments below or on the video.

X

Oxo Spiralizer (review)

Hi Guys!

Today I am bringing you a review on my most loved kitchen gadget so far. The table top spiralizer by Oxo. I did a video review and recipe on my youtube channel, and you can check it out here or if you’d prefer it in my own words, keep reading.

This spiralizer is a game changer! It is so handy to have when I am doing SP days or I want to cut down on carbs.

SP days on slimming world are protein & speed foods only; for example apples, pears, raspberries, carrot, courgette, cucumber.

This spiralizer has a suction cup on the bottom and a leaver at the side to keep it in place, with a little lip to lift to aid in removing the spiralizer from the counter with ease.

There are 3 blades, spaghetti, fettuccine & ribbon. Each blade creates its own unique shape.

Spaghetti great for noodles

Fettuccine creates a thicker noodle & curly fries

Ribbon create long, thin & wide strands

I love the spaghetti for carrots and courgette but when I fancy a thicker noodle the Fettuccine blade is fantastic. I use the ribbon blade made for cucumber and Apple. I make roses from apples, such a fun and visually pleasing part on the plate.

 

 

I have used the fettuccine blade in both boomerangs.

With this Jerk chicken dish, I used the spaghetti blade to create courgette and carrot noodles.

I used the fettuccine blade to make the curly fries. I do love this blade.

Here I used the ribbon blade to create a flower from an apple.

This dish I made spiralized courgette cups. Recipe is in this video.

You can do so much with the spiralizer, from simple dishes to creative ones, so every day can be unique and make your food visually pleasing; as well as being yummy!

I have used other spiralizers but in my honest opinion this has been the best one I have tried, mainly because of the simplistic nature of how you use it. The suction cup is a must and for a busy mum like myself the cleaning it easily and quickly is fantastic thanks to its modular design.

One thing to be aware of, when buying vegetables like carrots and courgettes, they do need to be at least 1.2 or 1.5 inches thick and make sure to chop each end, giving the vegetable a flat surface.

The Oxo spiralizer is BPA free and the blades are stainless steel, which is fantastic!

It really is a must have gadget as I would be lost without it now and I could sing it’s praises all day. I hope you enjoyed this post and if you pick up your own spiralizer, tag me on instagram, twitter or Facebook and leave me a comment below, I would love to see your creations.

Until next time,

NEVER STOP & STAY STRONG x

 

 

 

 

Sweet Freedom (Review)

Do you ever find a staple product and always have to have it? Well thats how I feel with Sweet Freedom products. If you have been following my blog you know I am following Slimming World and being a chocolate and honey lover well that makes it difficult, until I found Sweet Freedom. For each of their products it is only 1/2 syn per level teaspoon!! Yes you read that right!

Sweet Freedom has 5 different products;

• Choc shot
• Choc shot coconut
• Choc shot orange spice
• Syrup
• Syrup (dark)

I use the syrup (which tastes like honey/maple syrup) in my over night oats, pancakes, baked oats, over fruit and nuts. The choc shot I use over ice cream, fruit, pancakes, baked oats, to bake with and a hot chocolate! The hot chocolate is so good when it’s made with Choc shot and Almond unsweetened milk!

I was so surprised by the taste of the syrup, it is a beautiful and thick syrup. I was worried that it wouldn’t be thick because it is so low calorie and vegan friendly, but it is! Heavenly! The same applies for the Choc shot, it is thick and has a gorgeous taste. I have raved about it that much in my Slimming World group around 50 members have bought it in the last few weeks, as we have our own group page and I always share my baked breakfast which all have Sweet Freedom products used in them.

Each product for me serves a different purpose depending what I am in the mood for. Recently I was inspired by the Slimming World HiFi macaroon bars and made Chocolate macaroon baked oats, where I used the Choc shot coconut which worked a dream.

Chocolate Macaroon Baked Oats (5 syns)

When I fancy a Terry’s chocolate orange the Choc shot orange spice hits the spot! I bake with it then add some over the top, delicious!!

Chocolate orange weetabix (5 syns)

The syrups are perfect for pancakes and waffles, yum! I am getting hungry just thinking about those. Waffles are my new obsession and the syrups are like the icing on the cake.

Chocolate weetabix waffles (1 syns)

The things you can make with Sweet Freedom products are amazing. If you check out their Instagram and website you’ll be blown away by the range of recipes and how other people are using the products ever day. The fact it’s low calorie and a vegan product, makes it top marks! It is a staple that I could not be without, I use it almost everyday and replace it every few weeks!

You can purchase Sweet Freedom products from Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Boots and many other stores, which you can find here.

COMPETITION to Win the set of Freedom Freedom product ends 30th September 2016.

A little stop motion I created:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK8R5QHh8FT/?taken-by=justjulie_sw

6 stone loss in 6 months with Slimming World | Q&A

You asked the questions, I answered ❤

Thank you to all you lovely lot x

Just Bee Water (Review)

Hi Guys!

Today I would like to talk about a drink that I think is fab and I want to share my thoughts on it.  Now being on a diet or a change in eating plan, it is always recommended to drink more water, I drink around 4 litres of water a day! I now love water ❤ but lets be honest it can be boring… I’ve added lemon, fruit and all sorts to spice it up and it works but I am always on the look out for more.

I came across Just Bee Drinks and they have a range of flavoured waters but something about them as a brand and their ethics made me want to find out more. When I read up about the company I feel the love; they have a love for Bees but the passion to help Bees and create a product with their family struck a cord with me.

The water is enriched with a drop of honey, no refined sugar and 50 cals or less (depending on flavour), making it 2 – 2.5 syns per drink. Now you might be thinking, woah Julie are you mad?! but in the scheme of things I am on a diet with Slimming World and I am allowed 15 syns per day, before I always tried to think how much bad stuff can I have for those syns, now I think about healthy syns. Don’t get me wrong I still like the odd naughty chocolate bar but if I can have a healthy drink then pass me more!

It also made me very nostalgic, when I was younger and ill, my mother would make me a drink with honey in it. Sadly my mother is no longer here but I am still attached to that idea.

There are three flavours; Lemon & Green Tea, Apple & Ginger and Blueberry. I must admit Blueberry is my favourite and you can taste the honey in it. It tastes like no other water drink I have ever had.

My husband and both my girls loved them, so much so the taster turned into them gone in seconds.

With the cartons, once open you do have to drink them with in 24 hours but they’re the right size that it would fill a glass and you wouldn’t really put it back in the fridge, I know I couldn’t.

Make sure to check out Just Bee Drinks Our Story

You can purchase these drinks direct from Just Bee Drinks  or check the stockist page for more information.

My final thoughts

I love the product, it tastes beautiful!

Yes, I would buy them again. They’re more expensive than your average bottle of water but you are buying from a local business that we need to see thrive and they’re helping save bees.

Yes, I would use the syns on them and I would choose it over dare I say it…chocolate!

It definitely feels like a treat and served with ice on a warm day it’s refreshing.

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I hope you enjoy the stop motion 🙂

Julie x

 

 

 

 

JUST BEE WATER from Julie Mullin on Vimeo.

This week I hit 6 stone loss in 28 weeks!

It has been an emotional week for me, if you watch my YouTube videos you will know that my other half is recovering from surgery and I was finding being on plan difficult but somewhere in the mist of the dark cloud that was over me I found strength to fight through it, get back on plan and work my butt off (literally :’) )

Wait for it… it lead me to 4.5lb loss giving me my 4 stone award with slimming world and 6 stone award with My Fitness Pal in 28 weeks! One thing I do want to make clear, yes I did lose a lot of weight quickly and yes I did it healthily but it isn’t a race! I don’t want anyone reading this feeling disheartened or compare journey’s. I did at the start and man, was tough but what I do now is I compare myself to myself yesterday. So if I didn’t eat properly or skipped a meal or workout then I would make sure I didn’t do that again. I am now in competition with yesterday’s Julie and I tell you honestly I am not perfect, I do things wrong, I am not always on plan and there are days I don’t drink enough water. We can only do better than yesterday and that is enough!

Please enjoy your journey, take it each day as it comes, do not think about the end game, focus on the now and the rest will follow!

I am excited to show you the gift my hubby bought me for hitting this milestone and it will make cooking so much easier, more recipes coming soon.

Let me know how you are getting on and I hope you have a fantastic week ahead.

Julie x