5 of the best snacks to eat mid-morning

The period between breakfast and lunch is a killer so here are some snack suggestions you can keep on your desk for when hunger strikes. And save you from raiding the chocolate in the vending machine.

1. Perkier bars*
These new 100% plant based quinoa and sprouted grain oat bars are packed with goodness and perfect to help keep your energy levels up mid-morning. They're also free from wheat, gluten and dairy. Thanks to the quinoa, the bars really fill you up. The slow burning energy keeps you feeling satisfied before you can tuck into lunch. And keeps you away from the dreaded biscuit drawer! My personal favourite is the fruity goji and cranberry flavour. Who needs a chocolate bar? #getyourperkyon!

2. Yogurt drops
I got this idea from Sarah a while ago and it's genius! Simply pick your favourite fat free Greek yogurt and using a teaspoon, drop into a baking tray. Pop in the freezer over night before taking to work the next day. It's a great way to keep your sweet tooth at bay but without the guilt.

3. Fresh fruit salad
Is it me or does fruit taste so much nicer when it's cut up in a bowl? All the peeling is too much of a faff when you're in your flow. Make up a fruit salad the night before. Try something a little out of the ordinary and choose fruit that's in season. Clementines, apples, pommegrantes and cranberries are all in abundance in December.

4. Hummus and vegetables
Hummus comes in all different forms now at the supermarket but if you're feeling adventurous, whiz up your own batch at the weekend for the working week. I'm loving red pepper hummus at the money with carrot batons and sticks of cucumber

5. Popcorn
Popcorn is great because you can satisfy your sweet or savoury tooth. There's more varieties on the market than ever. Plenty of brands offer healthier versions too. It's better for you than a bag of crisps but you still feel like you're treating yourself. Win win situation!

What are your favourite snacks?

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Recipe: Christmas sticky toffee pudding

A few weeks ago Whitworths invited me along to a baking master class hosting by the first GBBO winner Ed Kimber. We were given a the chance to make his alternative Christmas pudding - a rich sticky toffee pudding. I'm not a fan of traditional Christmas pudding so this is perfect. It's really quick and simple to make - you can even make it the day before!

Ingredients:
225g Whitworths dates
100ml rum
200ml water
175g light brown sugar
3 tbsp of honey
200g self raising flour
1 tsp of mixed spice
75g unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg
50g Whitworths apricots, roughly chopped
50g Whitworths sultanas
50g of Whitworths crystallised ginger, roughly chopped

For the sauce:
50g unsalted butter
A pinch of sea salt
100g dark brown sugar
A splash of rum
100ml double cream

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (160 degrees if fan) and lightly grease ten dariole moulds.

2. For the butterscotch sauce, place the butter, sugar and salt into a medium saucepan and cook over a medium heat until melted and smooth.

3. Allow to bubble away for few minutes before adding the cream, stirring to make a smooth sauce. Set aside whilst you make the puddings.

4.  To make the puddings, place the dates, water and rum in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer and cook until a thick date paste has formed. Scrap the paste into a bowl and set aside for a moment.

5. Place the butter, sugar, vanilla and honey into a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.

6. Add the eggs one at a time beating until combined before adding the next one.

7. In another bowl, mix together the flour, spice and baking powder.

8. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat on a slow speed until they just combine.

9. Add the date puree and the dried fruit and mix until smooth and combined.

10. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared moulds and place onto a parchment lined baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven for around 20 minutes or until the pudding springs back to touch. Remove from the oven and turn onto plates immediately.

11. Serve the pudding whilst hot with lashings of caramel sauce.

Tweet me if you decide to make them - I fully recommend it!

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OOTD: Sequin cami #GeorgePartyTips.

Outfit:
Copper sequin cami: George at ASDA*
Black jacquard cigarette pants: George at ASDA*
Glitter low heel courts: George at ASDA*
Black duster jacket: Topshop (similar)

December parties means sequins and sparkles. Lots of sequins and sparkles. So when George at Asda got in touch and offered to send me a festive outfit, it was obviously what I went for. Instead of opting for the usual party dress, I went for this gorgeous copper came. LOOK AT ALL THOSE SEQUINS! No Christmas party outfit is ever complete without a red lipstick. I think it might even be written in the rulebook.

The festive season is hardcore. There's parties left, right and centre. Someone has to take one for the team. But work christmas parties can be stressful - no one wants to go in the next day with a raging hangover to sniggers from colleagues. Not even a double sausage and egg mcmuffin will save you. My plan of action is to not treat it as a party with your friends. Work colleagues will not appreciate your dirty sense of humour and maybe drinking three bottles of white wine to yourself will leave a bad impression. Try to have a little bit of an air of professionalism. It's still work! Also a Christmas party is never the time to ask your boss for that pay rise. Never. Wear something you feel comfortable in and you'll be ready to hit the ground running. Just make sure you don't take it literally.

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