Bar San Juan, Chorlton

Turning up at a popular tapas restaurant that doesn't take bookings at 8pm on a Saturday night probably isn't the quickest way to get your dinner...

Luckily the atmosphere inside San Juan is buzzing; authentically Spanish (a little crazy and crowded), taking you a world away from the icy winter wind merely on the other side of the door.

Whilst we waited (they'd quoted us an hour and a half, we were seated within the hour which was ideal), we had two pints of Spanish beer to 'limber up' in time for the feast.

Our little round table quickly became stacked with dishes and plates; from memory I think we ordered:

• Olives (so buttery, d-lish)
• Toasted bread with (the most incredible) olive oil and herbs

• Whitebait - crisp n' crunchy for the win (really really salty - goes well with the beer)
• Lamb parcels with a sweet 'jus' for dipping 
• Meatballs in tomato sauce 

• Patatas bravas with a spicy tomato sauce
• Quails egg perched on top of ciabatta with a chorizo paste. Yep... Heaven.

The other great thing is how reasonably priced everything is - dishes are about £3-4 each on average.
We also got a top notch bottle of Tempranillo for £13.95,

It's messy food. So would be a funny first date territory. And you might have to share a table with another couple, but it all adds to the fun (and food envy).

I didn't take my big cam, so these are all taken on my phone, and as you can guess it was pretty dark in there, so sorry if some of the pictures are a bit blurred. It doesn't do the food justice really, which essentially means you have to visit now.

Well worth it, I cannot wait to go again...

Cucumber Cleansing Juice

This refreshing juice is ideal as a pick me up, especially the morning after a few too many drinks..! It's full of oxidising, alkaline ingredients and has a really fresh taste...

You'll need;

Half a cucumber

1 kiwi
2 handfuls spinach
2 handfuls kale
2 Romaine lettuce leaves
1 heaped teaspoon wheatgrass
2 handfuls blueberries
100ml water
Juice of half a lemon
Optional: dessicated coconut to top

Chop your cucumber and chuck it in your blender along with everything else. Blend until smooth and enjoy cool...

Chocolate Pancakes

These clean little babies are ideal to make for a leisurely weekend breakfast, or perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon. They're so indulgent and filling - and more importantly for us, really easy to make.

You'll need;

30g oats
1 mashed banana
1 tea spoon organic cacao powder
1 free range egg

Toppings;

Fage Greek Yoghurt
Blueberries
Meridian Almond Butter
Cinnamon

Method:

First, combine the oats, cacao and egg into a large bowl and stir. Mash the ripe banana and fold into the mixture.

Heat a pan with some coconut oil and when really hot, ladle your pancake mixture into the pan - it's up to you how big / thin / small you decide to make each pancake, I've gone for three scoops in this particular recipe, cooking one at a time.

Flip each pancake a couple of times to ensure the egg is cooked all the way through.

Top with whatever you fancy - I've gone for blueberries, nut butter, Greek yoghurt and a cinnamon dusting, but I also love adding raspberries, dessicated coconut and chia seeds.

My Week in Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I have to say I completely agree. Without fail one of the first things I think about when I get up is what I'm going to eat, and there's nothing more indulgent than planning your weekend breakfast from the warmth of your duvet on a Saturday morning!

I try to vary my breakfasts as much as I can, to get a variety of nutrients from my first meal.

This is an average representation of what I eat - the key I find is in the preparation!

On a work day I'll eat my breakfast at my desk, so needs to be prepped the night before..

Monday - Overnight Oats - 8.30am

This is one of my favourite treat breakfasts and I find it keeps me really full until about 12. It's so sweet and creamy and feels like a treat, which is a good way to start the week!

Usually I'll have; 30g oats, topped with Fage Greek Yoghurt, frozen blueberries, cinnamon and chia seeds. Maybe some milled linseed or raspberries too, if I've got some in stock. 

#messyoatporn

Tuesday - Eggs & Avocado

If I'm off to the gym before work, I find this a really filling and satisfying breakfast. If you'd have told me a year ago that two boiled eggs is enough to sustain you all morning I'd have probably laughed in your face, but honestly, it does!

I hard boil 2 eggs and leave them to cool before placing them in tupperware with half an avocado and black pepper to season. If anyone has tips on how to not make the eggs smell as much.. pllleeease pass on your nugget of wisdom!!

Wednesday - Green Smoothie

I'll make a variation of my trusty green smoothie which usually includes; 

1 banana

2 large handfuls spinach

2 handfuls kale

1 heaped teaspoon spirulina

1 heaped teaspoon wheatgrass

100 ml of either; unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened soya milk, coconut milk or coconut water

1 handful frozen berries: blueberries and / or raspberries

1/2 avocado
Sprinkle of cinnamon

... if I've got fruit in like kiwi or mango I'll chuck some of them in too! 

This goes into a shaker and I'll drink with a straw.

Thursday - Eggs & Avocado 

Boom. Eggs again. 

Friday - Overnight Oats

Like Monday, this is a treat but to celebrate the weeeeekend.

Same combo as above pretty much!

In the summer I'll have green smoothies more than the oats, but I find that in the winter I need to physically eat something rather than just drink, in order to feel satisfied.

Weekends - 11am 

I'll usually have a big breakfast on the weekend, as if I'm getting up later my meal times tend to be a little bit skewed, so if I wake up later and eat breakfast later, I'll just have a light lunch and healthy snacks throughout the day before dinner.

Usually breakfast consists of poached eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach sauteed in coconut oil.

I'll also slice up 1/3 of a lemon and a few slices of fresh ginger and have this as my morning cup of tea. If I'm feeling like I need a nutrient boost I'll make myself a green smoothie to go along side it.

I'm also a massive porridge fan. If I'm having porridge I'll cook 30g oats and 2 cups of either coconut / unsweetened almond / soya milk on the hob, stirring in cinnamon and cacao powder. When it's just about cooked, I'll add some frozen blueberries and top with a chopped banana, chia seeds, dessicated coconut and Meridian almond butter.... which has made me reallllyyy hungry thinking about it! It's chocolatey, warming and deliciously filling.

I also looovee to make healthy pancakes, which I'm going to do a separate recipe post on.. so watch this space ;) 

Anyone have any other ideas I could incorporate?