Emma wrote to me a little while ago, inquiring if I’d like to swap a few recipes with her – of course, I jumped at the chance! She writes a really great foodie blog called Fit Food Emma, that also features fitness and lifestyle posts. Here’s a little introduction to her and her healthy living views, as well as the delicious peaches and cream overnight oats recipe she cooked up especially for Curiously Conscious!
What made you start blogging about healthy food?
I fell in love with healthy food in 2013 after discovering how much more awake and energetic I felt when I swapped refined sugar and processed foods for natural spices and lots of vegetables! I wanted to share my love for simple, delicious, nutritious meals and show everyone that healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive or involve hard-to-find “superfoods”. After writing recipes for brands and bloggers, I decided to create my own blog to share more recipes as well as fitness tips and my London highlights.
What type of food do you personally eat and why?
I personally eat a low sugar omnivore diet, however plants usually take over most of my plate! I eat a balance of protein, low GI carbohydrates and healthy fats. Lots of my meals are vegan or vegetarian and I try to eat as sustainably as possible. For example, I try to choose restaurants with ethical procurement policies where possible, am reducing my dairy intake, buying grass-fed beef and have signed up for organic, seasonal veg boxes. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels and bloating since reducing my sugar intake, and eating less dairy and red meat (and choosing the most sustainably, kindly farmed options) reduces my diet’s environmental impact.
What else do you get up to when not in the kitchen?
I love fitness and usually exercise at least four times a week. This varies from lifting weights to outdoor walks, pilates, high intensity circuits and stretching/relaxation sessions. I try to travel as much as possible – I explored Asia, Australia and New Zealand for three months after graduating and now try to see as many new cities and counties as possible by taking advantage of long weekends and cheap advance train tickets! I also love visiting festivals and expos to discover new foods, gadgets and activity ideas.
This dairy-free, plant-based breakfast is inspired by bircher muesli. The coconut milk adds a lovely silkiness, creating a summery peaches and cream flavour which makes this dish a perfect pudding as well as a tasty way to start your day.
Peaches & Cream Overnight Oats
Serves 1
1/3 cup oats
1 tsp ground golden linseeds
1 – 2 tbsp finely grated courgette (optional)
100ml unsweetened coconut milk, or 20g creamed coconut dissolved in 80ml boiling water
1/4 – 1/2 cup dairy-alternative milk (unsweetened almond or Koko coconut milk work well)
1 flat peach, chopped into small pieces
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Nut and seed mix
Peanut butter
1/2 flat peach
- Combine the oats, linseeds and courgette in a bowl (omit the courgette if you are going to eat the dish immediately, as it won’t have time to soften)
- Stir in the coconut milk, dairy alternative milk and chopped peach
- Cover and leave to soak in the fridge for at least half an hour – preferably overnight
- Uncover and add a little more milk, to reach your preferred consistency
- Add your favourite toppings (Wylssdon nut and seed mix, creamy Pip & Nut peanut butter and half a doughnut peach) and tuck in!
To note, this recipe is also nut free (without toppings) and refined sugar free. The recipe can very easily be scaled up or down to suit all appetites!
If you’d like to keep up to date with more of Emma’s recipes and blogs, you can visit her blog at www.fitfoodemma.com, and also find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Bloglovin’.
