Happy Pancake Day

March 3, 2017

Ok, so I know it’s a few days late but I think it’s time we enjoyed pancakes all year round! There’s so many delicious ways to mix them up and with the ingredients being store cupboard basics, they’re cheap and easy too.

This pancake day I decided to try something new and have banana oat pancakes for breakfast. Sticking to four ingredients – mashed banana, jumbo oats, rice flour and almond milk – I whipped it all together to make one big pancake. Perhaps not the traditional method, however once I added lots of berries, yoghurt, more banana, my homemade granola and a sprinkling of cinnamon on top, this made one tasty and filling breakfast to keep me going throughout the morning.

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And with the weekend coming up, I’m sure my Dad will be sniffing after his favourite crepes topped with simple fresh lemon juice and sugar. My fail safe recipe for these comes from Delia Smith and can be used as the basis to sweet and savoury pancakes. With leftover batter I’ll be making savoury open pancake salads which can be embellished with whatever takes your fancy – mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic rocket salad is always a winning combination. Experiment with your pancakes and they can become a go to dinner or a healthy breakfast choice any time of the year.

Escapism

February 24, 2017

You can never pick up a book and put it back down having not learnt anything. With technology encompassing our lives, I find the simple pleasure of getting lost in the journey of a book or magazine a perfect way to switch off from my phone…true escapism into the depths of imagination a million miles from this world that never stops.

So here is what I’m reading now. First up the books and Elizabeth Gilbert is an author I can’t get enough of at the moment. Eat Pray Love is both inspirational and frank about her unique road to finding peace within. Whilst a story of self discovery and learning the art of meditation may be a whimsical concept, Gilbert’s style of writing is down to earth and frank in her outlook on life, making this a relatable and often humorous read.

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Having enjoyed Eat Pray Love so much I was recommended Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Being in a creative field of work myself, this book opened my mind to the curiosities of imagination which we often shy away from. Gilbert encourages us to embrace our inner ambitions and face challenges we may have deferred, whether that is a hidden talent or simply a task at work. Living creatively doesn’t necessarily mean having a job in the arts, but leading a life fuelled more by curiosity than fear.

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Now onto my favourite magazines. I’ll be honest, I find many magazines full of advertisements and high end fashion which is pretentious and unecessary. However I do appreciate good articles on lifestyle, fashion, food and travel. I’ve been an Elle reader for many years now and find the styling tips and fashion articles relatable. The cover star is always well interviewed in a colloquial manner to give a realistic impression of their personality, alongside a beautiful spread of photos which showcase some enviable clothes.

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Finally Company is a magazine I’ve only recently began reading, especially since its new larger size and cheaper price (£1!). The lifestyle articles by Dawn O’Porter and Hey It’s Ok section never fail to make me smile – I can always relate some tragic situation to my own. And like with every magazine, I turn straight to the travel hotlist and swoon at the white sand beaches I dream of jetting off to…

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About

February 16, 2017

Danielle Aneka Nieuwenhuys, 23 year old from Hampshire forging a career as an actress, dancer and model. Having trained in London for three years I find myself back in the countryside dipping in and out of the city for castings.

Life has come with its ups and downs, but this blog is to remind me of the little things that make me smile – what problem can’t be solved with a theraputic shopping trip, a good cuppa coffee or even a simple takeaway night guzzling wine and laughing with your best friend?

Don’t take life too seriously (as I have been guilty of in the past) Just be a little more self indulgent sometimes and learn to let things be…because lets face it, no one makes it out alive.

Dani x

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