One of my completed cross stitch projects

Beetroot and Chocolate cupcakes

I baked these cup cup cakes for my nieces birthday. 

Ingredients:

• 75g cocoa 
• 175g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 225g caster sugar
• 3 free range eggs
• 100ml stout 
• 225g grated beetroot 
• 100ml olive oil
• 
  
• 1.     Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
  2.     Sift the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and sugar into a bowl.
  3.     Blend the eggs, beetroot, stout and oil in a food processor until smooth.
  4.     Stir the beetroot into the flour mixture until just combined (do not overmix).
  5.     Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cupcakes have risen and the tops are springy to the touch. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
        
  7.     100g cream cheese
  8.     100g unsalted butter
  9.     the seeds of a vanilla pod
• 450g icing sugar

Caffeine-Free Tips for Increasing Your Energy

t’s no secret that we have severe schedules these days.

 Between juggling work and family, it’s no wonder that you

r energy levels are low.

Although most people resort to caffeine to remedy their lack

 of energy, there are viable alternatives that are much healthier.

Use these strategies to boost your energy without having to

 step into a coffee shop:

1. Exercise. When you need a fast energy boost, exercise is 

the best fix. Take a brisk walk or hop on an elliptical machine. 

The energy boosting effects are nearly instant and can last up

 to two hours. Doing even just one minute of jumping jacks in 

place can give you a boost!

• Exercise increases your alertness and the level of endorphin's.
•  Endorphin's are known mood boosters. So, you’ll have more 
• brainpower to completing your paper, and you’ll also be happy 
• to do it!
• A great resource on the subject of exercise, energy and menta
• l alertness is the book, Spark.  Check it out!

2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Maintain a regular sleep

 schedule and ensure your body gets enough rest to function

 efficiently.

• A lack of sleep has can cause early physical signs of aging, 
• such as hyper-pigmentation on eyelids, puffy under-eye 
• circles, and wrinkles.
• It also literally makes you age prematurely at the cellular l
• evel!

3. Indulge in a power nap. A 15- to 30-minute power nap 

can provide you with an instant boost of energy. If you don’t

 have a half hour to spare, a 10 or 15-minute snooze may 

provide enough energy to power you through the rest of 

your day.

• You may be tempted to just forge on through your tight 
• deadlines instead of taking a nap. However, after arising
•  from your power nap, productivity increases from the 
• rest you’ve given yourself and you’ll be able to accomplish
•  double the results you would attain if you were to keep
•  working without a break.
• In addition to immediately boosting energy levels, power
•  napping also increases your ability to retain information.

4. Minimize the junk. Avoid unhealthy foods that are laden

 with fat, sugar, and preservatives. These foods widen your

 waistline and make you feel groggy after each meal as well

 as tired in general throughout the day.

• Maintain a balanced diet. It’s okay to indulge in something
•  sweet every now and then, but eating microwavable
•  macaroni and cheese and cinnamon buns every night
•  adversely affect your energy and work performance.

5. Eat often. Many people find that eating small meals 

throughout the day keeps both their metabolism and energy

 functioning at optimum capacity.

• Avoid skipping meals.
• Carry healthy snacks with you always!
• Eating heavy meals can deplete your energy fast.

6. Smell peppermint. Peppermint has a strong, refreshing

 scent that can wake up even the drowsiest person. 

Peppermint candles, peppermint oil, or peppermint scented

 air freshener sprayed throughout your work area has the

 power to invigorate your senses.

Combine several of these tips to supercharge your energy

level in a very short time. Say goodbye to the days of coffee

 highs and crashes. Small changes you make today can make

 a huge difference in how you feel and your performance

 at work.

The Scientific Way to Cut a Cake

Happy Sewing

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