Clare’s Tasty Tapas (2)

Here is part two of Clare’s Tasty Tapas. These are super as a main meal any evening, ideal for lunchtime leftovers and you will impress many a dinner guest if you were to sever mini ones of these as canapés.

Today we have our simple mango salad, Mushroom bruchetta and Tomato bruchetta.

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Total Time:  20 minutes

Ingredients

Mango Salad:

• 100g Mixed Salad leaves
• 1 sliced mango
• 1 sliced red onion
• juice of 1 lime
• 2tbs extra virgin olive oil
• pinch of black pepper

Mushroom Bruchetta:

• 8 slices of french bread
• 200g button mushrooms
• half a glass of white wine
• 1tbs smooth mustard
• 1tbs grated garlic
• pinch of salt and pepper
• handful of fresh chopped parsley

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Tomato Bruchetta:

• 200g vine ripe tomatoes
• 2-3 chopped spring onions
• 2tbs olive oil
• 1 grated clove of garlic
• 1tbs of sugar
• pinch of salt and pepper

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PREPARATION

Mango Salad: Mix the salad leaves, mango, red onion and dress with the oil, lime juice, salt and pepper.

Mushroom Bruchetta: Cook your sliced mushroom in a pan for 4-5 minutes, until soft and tender, add the wine and cook until almost evaporated, add your mustard, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. toast your bread slices and top with the mushroom mixture.

Tomato Bruchetta: Chop your vine ripened tomatoes, add your chopped spring onions, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper. Toast your bread and top with the tomato mixture.

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❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

The other 50 something names for Sugar used on food labels

Why Sugar is Bad for You

Sugar is bad for a number of reasons. Firstly, it makes you gain weight and promotes hunger and cravings, it causes tooth decay and rots your teeth, It increases bad cholesterol and triglycerides, raises insulin levels and suppresses the immune system, making you more prone to heart disease, diabetes and illness in general. It also suppresses the release of human growth hormone, which encourages premature aging and makes us look older than we are.

This does not count as one of your five a day

What you Should Know About Food Labels

When looking at the food labels on products, know that the order of ingredients normally go from the highest to the lowest in weight,food manufacturers are required by law to list them this way. That means that the first ingredient will make up a large percentage of the product. It is also recommended that the first three ingredients listed not be sugars, so different types of sugars with different names are often used so that they can appear lower down on the list.

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The names that might appear in place of Sugar are:

1. Fructose
2. Sucrose
3. Dextrose
4. Lactose
5. Glucose
6. Maltose
7. Diastase
8. High Fructose Corn Syrup
9. Galactose
10. Maltodextrin
11. Turbinado
12. Panela
13. Demerara
14. Muscovado Sugar
15. Sorghum Syrup
16. Carob Sugar
17. Diastatic Malt
18. Date Sugar
19. Coconut Sugar
20. Caramel
21. Castor Sugar
22. Brown Sugar
23. Corn Syrup
24. Corn Syrup Solids
25. Confectioner’s Sugar
26. Golden Sugar
27. Golden Syrup
28. Panocha
29. Yellow Sugar
30. Jaggery
31. Molasses
32. Sucanat
33. Dextran
34. Glucose Solids
35. Ethyl Maltol
36. Brown Rice Syrup
37. Beet Sugar
38. Invert Sugar/Syrup
39. Rapadura
40. Refiner’s Syrup
41. Treacle
42. Malt Syrup
43. Raw Sugar
44. Grape Sugar
45. Evaporated Cane Juice
46. Palm Sugar
47. Icing Sugar
48. Cane Juice Crystals
49. Rice Syrup
50. Raw Cane Sugar
51. Luo Han Guo
52. Fruit Juice Concentrate

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However we need some sugar. In the form of glucose, sugar provides the fuel our cells, especially those in our brain, need to function. But most of our sugar should come from food sources such as fruits and whole grains, not from fizzy drinks and packets of sweets.

❤ Clare with the hair ❤

The Top 5 DIY Beauty Treatments

Some of my top DIY treatments that anyone could try at home, Here are 5 seriously simple at home DIY Beauty Treatments that anyone can do 🙂

Need a relaxing bath , then mix 1/4 of a cup of Rosewater, 1/4 of a cup of Coconut milk, pour into your warm bath, swirl and lay into it and relax, it a such a treat for the skin and is incredible relaxing and smells pretty dam good to boot!! Try it!!!

Legend has it that the beautiful Egyptian queen Cleopatra who loved to emerge herself in milk and rose petal baths and insisted to have her bed covered with fresh roses every day, had carpeted her boudoir with petals of these flowers (to which she attributed aphrodisiac powers) when she first greeted and seduced Marc Antony.

Well known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, rose water is excellent for cleansing, purifying, softening and toning the skin. Its pleasant fragrance makes it a nice, light and fresh cologne to wear especially in the summertime.

2/ Need a great, yet very affordable Skin Moisturiser, then you need to mix 2 teaspoons of Honey with 2 teaspoons of Almond Oil. Apply , to make this a moisture packed mask then add . mashed up half an  avocado and mix in all the ingredients to form a pure, Apply to face, Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. This will improve skin complexion, retain glow, moisturize better and deeper, soothe skin irritation, nourish your skin while making it softer and smoother.Almond oil is rich in vitamin A, B and E, which are great for skin health. In fact, most skin care products have these vitamins loaded in them. The oil helps maintaining moisture levels of the skin and gets absorbed in a jiffy without blocking the pores. Mash the avocado and mix in all the ingredients to form a puree.

3/ Important day? date? interview? or any other big day!! and skin is looking a little rough? then you need a quick, easy, DIY Facial Scrub!! Mix 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil with 1 tablespoon of Raw Sugar, mix to a rough paste , apply to clean skin using your finger tips, be gentle, this is more about quality of ingredients on your skin and technique, not brute force 🙂 apply with tips of your fingers in a light circular motion, do this for 2-3 minutes and rinse with warm water and pat dry.Your face will look bright, clean, and be glowing.

4/ Our poor feet get a battering in all the fabulous Shoe Shoes we wear but sometimes we need to treat our feet back!! it is only fair, I guess. So here we have the ultimate in simple yet effective Foot Pedicure‘s for you. Mix 1/4 of a cup of Almond Oil with 3 tablespoons of dried power milk. this will form a paste. Apply all over your feet, cover in cling film and socks, sit back for as long as you have or over night and wash off in the shower to reveal soft and supple looking feet 🙂

5/ My all time favorite DIY at home treatment is this Body Scrub, anyone who know me, know’s I obsess over super soft skin, It is a must for me and this is one of the treatments I use to keep it this soft!! Place the brown sugar and honey in a small bowl and mix together well. Store in a jar with an air tight lid if you want to make up more and have on the bathroom shelves. Apply a small amount of scrub to wet skin and massage gently in a circular motion. Rinse well.

Thank you for reading you FABULOUS people

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

3 Minute In Shower Tanning Lotion

Delighted to see this super tan, the St.Tropez 3 Minute In Shower Tanning Lotion, on offer in Boots : http://www.boots.ie/en/St-Tropez-Gradual-Tan-In-Shower-Lotion-200ml_1690813/ Just 3 minutes is all you need as part of your daily shower regime for this luxurious lotion to provide you with a gradual sunkissed glow.

100% Streak-free and super easy to apply, it’s ideal for first time tanners or people who just can’t seem to master the traditional tanning lotions, pre and post holiday top-ups, or those looking for a low maintenance all year round glow. The more you apply the deeper this tan goes.

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Packed full of Sweet Almond Oil  to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours, so there’s no need to moisturise afterwards, making it perfect for busy lifestyles.

Simply apply daily to build your depth of tan to suit you. One coat gives you a lovely light golden glow. Three coats and you look like you have actually been on holidays 🙂

How to Use

Step 1: Fully cleanse and wash in a warm shower.

Step 2: With the shower off, generously apply the product in circular motions with your hands to wet skin to create an even coverage. Wash palms after application.

Step 3: Wait 3 minutes.

Step 4: Fully rinse off with warm water only.

Step 5: Gently dry yourself, before getting dressed. After showering, the self-tan actives will naturally start to work, developing gradually and deepening with regular reapplication within the shower.

I am loving this tan, tell me have you tried it? what do you think of this? or is there one you might recommend as being even better?

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❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Aroi Restaurant Limerick Review

If you are planning a trip to Limerick City, then find time to visit Aroi! This review is based on my personal experience in their Aroi’s Limerick restaurant but just to let you know, Aroi are also based in Cork City Center also.

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In Aroi’s words:

“Aroi is associated with the eating experience in Asia. Pronounced (Aroy) means delicious or tasty.

Aroi is a casual dining venue which offers a single course dining experience and service with the minimum of fuss.

Our ethos is to serve market fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our healthy cuisine avoids the obscure chemicals and additives so common in our food today.

Aroi sources authentic herbs and spices and we do not use M.S.G. in any of our preparation.”

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In my words:

Aroi is one of my favorite places to visit for lunch in Limerick, they serve fresh, tasty, clean food at affordable prices with the bonus of a free ice cream afterwards.

I have tried many items on their menu but my favorites are (in order) the Pad Thai, Char-grilled Duck, Red Thai Curry and the must try for you all, their sticky rice, I love this with the Char-grilled Duck.

All main meals are just €10, which I really love, before you go in, regardless of what takes your fancy on the menu, it is always just €10!

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Aroi also have a large selection of soft drinks, wine, teas and Thai beers.

The ice cream I referred to is actually their homemade Gelato, they have tonnes of flavors, I have tried their Cherry, Lemon & Coconut, and I loved them all, I will have to return “just to try the others” and report back 🙂 

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I am a big fan of Aroi and I am not alone, this year Aroi won the Best newcomer in Munster from Irish Restaurant association. Well done Aroi, this is a super achievement because as you know, Limerick and Munster is filled with some super places to dine.

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❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Clare’s Warm Spanish Salad

Today’s #TastyThursday recipe was inspired by my recent holidays to Lanzarote. This is my take on a Warm Spanish Salad that can be enjoy all year round.

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Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Total Time:  30 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 chicken Breast
• 100g Chorizo
• 200g Baby Potatoes
• 100g Tomatoes
• 3-4 chopped basil leaves
• 1 Yellow pepper
• 1 large white onion
• 1 bag of mixed salad leaves
• 2tbsp olive oil
• pinch of pepper
• pince of salt
• pinch of sugar

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For the dressing:

• Bunch of chopped Parsley
• 1tbsp Grain Mustard
• 2tbsp Ground Almonds
• 1 grated clove of Garlic
• 1/2tsp Sugar
• 3tbsp Sherry Vinegar
• 4tbsp Extra Virgin olive Oil

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PREPARATION

1. Dressing: Mix all ingredients together, add a splash more oil if the almonds soak too much, set to one side for the flavour to develop while you make your salad.
2. Pop the Chicken in a pan of water and bring to the boil, cook for 8-10 minutes and just leave in the pan to cool a bit.
3. Slice your baby potatoes and place in a pan of water, bring to the boil and cook until tender, remove and drain once cooked.
4. Place your tomatoes and sliced pepper on a baking tray, sprinkle with salt, pepper, sugar , chopped basil and olive oil and place in a  med oven for 8-10 minutes.
5. Place the cooked potatoes into a large saute pan, add the sliced onion and chorizo and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. In a large bowel mix the potato mixture, roasted tomatoes and peppers mixed leaves in a large bowl, add 1/2 the dressing and mix well
7. Serve and top with the remaining dressing

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❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Michelle Keegan 1st Look AW15 Collection for Lipsy

It seems like only yesterday Michelle Keegan’s summer collection launched at Lipsy but she’s back already with the first look at her AW15 line.

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And we have to say we love it. The actress and designer has incorporated this season’s 1970s story and reworked it for the cooler months, ensuring we can still do hippy chic all the way to next Spring.

This look is a great example. Over the knee boots, a floppy hat and this Bohemian inspired playsuit are the perfect combination for nailing the trend. The off shoulder style and lace texture give this all-in-one a gypsy-esque vibe.

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This marks one year since she began designing for the hight street giant. We adore the entire collection and its nods to 70s trends.

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Shop the entire collection this Thursday on http://www.lipsy.co.uk/

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

The newest bizarre optical illusion which paints a brunette woman on a blank canvas simply by staring at someone’s nose – but not everyone can see it

Forget that is it blue & brown, is it white & gold dress, it is this: the white and blue face that’s about to break the internet.

An optical illusion has surfaced online in which readers are instructed to stare at the white dot at the centre of a negative of a woman’s face.

After about 15 seconds, participants are then instructed to glance at the white blank space to the right of the photo.

The almost demonic figure transforms into the beautiful full-colour face of a young brunette woman.

This optical illusion is known as a ‘negative afterimage’ and is caused by cells located in the eyes, called ganglion cells, which send messages to the brain by coding – or identifying – colours in pairs of primary colours.

• Stare at white dot at the centre of the negative 
• After 15 seconds, glance at the white blank space to the right of the photo
• The negative figure will transforms into a woman’s face 

Try this and let me know how you get on, The image appeared for me.

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Week 2 SW Meal Plan

Here is a full weeks meal plan including snacks, drinks , treats and all your main meals covered.

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Many of the recipes are already available on this site, for any that are not, I will add them over the coming days and weeks

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Clare’s Summer BBQ

At last some summer sun has arrive so today I am sharing with you some of the things I enjoy most when we have a BBQ. Here are my Chinese sticky chicken wings, mushroom bruschetta and home made coleslaw.

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Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Total Time:  50 minutes

Ingredients

For the wings: 

• 24 chicken wings (6 per person)
• 2tbs Chinese five spice powder
• 1/2 inch grated ginger
• 1 crushed clove garlic
• 1 small finely chopped red chilli
• 2tbs clear honey
• 2tbs light soya sauce
• zest and juice of one lime

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For the Mushroom Bruschetta:

• 200g mixed mushrooms
• 2 finely diced shallots
• half a glass of white wine
• 1 clove grated garlic
• 1tbs butter
• 1tbs cracked black pepper
• 2-3tbs of fresh chopper parsley
• 1tbs french mustard
• 8 slices of bruschetta bread

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For the Coleslaw:

• 1/2 a white cabbage grated
• 2-3 carrots grated
• 1-2 red onions grated
• 2tbs wholegrain mustard
• 1/2tps cracked black pepper
• 1/2tps salt
• 3-4tbs of light mayo

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PREPARATION

Wings: 1/ Mix all the ingredients in a bowel and add the wings, leave for at least 30 minutes but this works best if left over night in the fridge.

2/ Remove the wings from marinade and lay flat on the BBQ, turning frequently and brush several times with the marinade. Cook until the meat is white and the outside is slightly blackened.

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Mushrooms: 1/ Put the butter, shallots, garlic and sliced mushrooms in a large pan, cook until the mushrooms are soft and have cooked down, add the white wine, parsley and mustard and cook until the liquid is 80-90% evaporated.

2/ Toast the bread on the BBQ and top with the mushrooms.

Coldslaw: 1/  Place the grated vegetable in a large bowel, add the mayo, mustard , salt and pepper, mix well. I like to make this a little ahead of time as the vegetables soften a little and the flavor develops.

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❤ Clare with the Hair ❤