October Highlights | Minna Blabbers

Oh my God! I can't even....

The October went by so fast I didn't even realize that we are already halfway through November. I have simply been so busy with school and work and then all the past time activities. Now I'm afraid tomorrow I'm going to wake up and realize it is already Christmas Day.

     Because I had so many things to do in October I thought I could write some of the best things that happened.

Cutting-down-the-sugar-diet

This started as a challenge on Facebook and I thought I might as well give it a try since I recently felt like I lived on sugar and carbohydrates. The point of the challenge was to avoid - for four weeks - any products with added sugar and eat products with only very little sugar. For example instead of eating normal yogurt I ate yogurt without added sugar or sweetened version.

     I recommend the diet for anyone because it made me realize how much sugar is added to food. Even dried fruits have added sugar. Though I still think they are much more healthier than sweets. And the yogurt with only the sugar from fruits it contained was actually really good once I got used to the taste since it didn't taste as sweet as I am used to when it is about yogurt.

     As for snacks I ate mostly fruits or nuts instead of various snack bars or protein bars. Yep, I also left out all the protein bars and actually the nuts and fruits kept my hunger away for far more longer than the protein bars. Even now I'm trying to eat fresh fruits instead going for the advertised healthy rich in protein snack bars. Of course, I need protein also but those are not a magic food to make me loose weight.

     Anyhow, I was so surprised how quickly the four weeks went by and I actually followed the diet for the whole time with only one exception which was the food expo. And in fact, I lost 2 kg by only reducing the sugar which proves how many extra calories I have been eating before the diet. Very happy! :)

It is said that peeling the apple without breaking the peel
brings you good luck 

The Book/Food Expo in Helsinki

My sister came in town and wanted to go to the annual book expo in Helsinki. Going there has been our little tradition for few years now but this year we weren't sure if we were going to make it. However, we did. :)

     I'm not sure if it's because we have been there so many times now that it isn't that exciting to go there anymore. Or is that last couple years the theme of the expo hasn't been so appealing to us but yeah... Of course there are some special offers and so on but I felt like there was nothing out of the ordinary this year. Lots of books - that's all I can say.

    They arrange the food expo alongside the book expo and you can visit both with the same ticket. The best thing in the food expo is that you get the chance to try various dishes around the world and lots of new products of the Finnish companies. Last year we tried German dishes currywurst and bratwurst so this year we decided to go for fish and chips.

Found a stormtrooper patroling xD

Spotted also Peter-No-Tail! Sweet childhood mem

Guilty face... But I love gelato <3

Home Made Food and Friends

Though I was busy all the time I had time to cook my own food in a long long time. Though cooking doesn't take much time the problem was not having time to manage my fridge well so I basically lived on easy and ready to eat meals or ate back at my grandparents'/parents' place.

     I love to cook and try new things but sometimes I'm simply lazy. Here I have presented couple of my easy dishes. Simple flavors and the most work you need to do is to peel the veggies and cut them into small pieces. The chicken meat I buy is usually already seasoned/marinated so I just need put in preheated oven and let it cook there for about 15 minutes. Easy, right?

     What also made me happy was the coffee break with my friend. She is an exchange student and leaving Finland in December so I won't have too many opportunities to spend time with her. Having international friends is one of the greatest joys in my life but it can be sad sometimes because meeting them isn't easy.

Marinated chicken cooked in the oven with some broccoli
and salad with cottage cheese

Easy creamy vegetable soup with an boiled egg

Long chat with a friend in a cafe <3

Anyhow, this has been a small peak into my October. Hope you haven't been as busy, tired and stressed as I have been - though I have tried to make the most of the extra time I have had in hands.

Till next time!
xxx