Almondy protein bar/dessert

This is a recipe I have slightly adapted from a blog I read recently. It definitely has a distinctive flavour but if you're wanting to cut down on refined sugar but still have a sweet craving I would recommend it - anyway you need to try things a few times before you decide you don't like it so don't give up straight away! ;)

I would recommend making it and then trying it the next day - I wasn't keen on it the day I made it but by the next day it had seemed to sweeten over night and I think it tastes like a less sweet banana cake. If it really is far too unsweetened for you maybe try adding 1tbsp of honey or 1tsp xylitol to it.

Ingredients: (obviously double/triple for a bigger batch, this will make about 8slices)
1-2 bananas
1 egg
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Pinch salt
130g almond flour
60g frozen or fresh blueberries or cranberries.

In a bowl whisk the egg and oil together. Add in the mashed banana. Then add the dry ingredients and mix together. Spread into either a cake tin or a glass dish (as pictured below) and sprinkle the berries over the top. Bake at 180C for about 25 mins or until the top is browned.

Motivation

Sitting here at my dining table eating a large ramekin full of yogurt looking at the rain pouring outside, it's hard to remember how beautifully sunny it was this morning. For the first time in what feels like a long long time the sun was out and it actually felt warm! I couldn't wait to get outside and enjoy it, so off I went for a run. So glad I did - looking outside now I definitely made the most of it.

It made me think - some days motivation to exercise is much easier to find than others. This morning the sun did all the motivating for me! But other days when the rain's pouring and I'm feeling worn out from the day it takes all the energy I've got left just to get my kit on! But I always feel so much better and more alive for it and as soon I'm back I wonder what all the fuss was about!

We all need motivating or to motivate ourselves in different ways. I've definitely learned to identify when my motivational tools are not great - running because I've had a 'fat day' or because so and so looked thinner than me today or because I've got to be better at running/training than the next person is NOT healthy for me or a good reason to workout. These motivations just highlight insecurities in me. Over time I've become quicker at recognising these things in myself and making sure I'm doing it for the right reasons - far from perfect yet though!

Enjoying being outside, fresh air, building a strong healthy body, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, being with friends, knowing how much better I feel afterwards...these are some of my motivational tools these days :) These things keep me going on days when I'm tired or my body won't do what I want it to and keep it all in perspective. Sometimes a good song (namely 'Greyhound' - Swedish House Mafia - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRKSIj2tMc) gets me through a good old spin class or a sunny day lures me outdoors when I'm tired and wakes me up again.

We've all got our own ways of motivating ourselves - what are yours?