Country Girl Meg Sharing Food Ideas and Life Stories

 Happy Easter 2021 everybody!  I have been fairly silent on my blog, my last post was actually Christmas. I sadly injured myself running and was feeling very low and felt I didn’t have much content to write about that was inspiring. I also let someone no longer in my life put me down about my blog, even though they aren’t in my life anymore. Worrying about nothing is something I’m still working on, I’ll get there. Anyway, I have been experimenting with a different bake for Easter this year. Now that we can see light at the end of the tunnel with lockdown, we can see our families (in the garden at least) this weekend, I wanted to make something to take with me, that was a bit ‘different’, so, welcome Simnel Cookies.  They are super tasty, spicy, marzipany, sugary, what more could you want!? Wedding diet starts next week, I promise!  So, go get your apron on, grab all your store cupboard items (that’s right, you don’t need to buy anything!) bake these beauties and enjo...

 Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This sure is a strange Christmas for us. But how I think of it is we are all in the same boat and missing out on what we are used to or wanted.  I have had so much time to experiment with my baking and this year I have made my first ever batch of mince meat, and to make it even better, VEGAN mincemeat! I know how much being a vegan is popular now, so I am sure many of you will love this! I have made some mince pies with my mince meat for friends and family and dropped them off and they are popular, so here, try this new recipe. Ingredients; 1 large apple, grated 250g dried fruit (I used currants, raisins and mixed peel) 390g glacé cherries  150g brown sugar 1 satsuma, zest and juice of 1 star anise  1.5tsp ground cinnamon  1.5tsp ground ginger   1 cup orange juice  1/2 cup port  1. Add all ingredients into an oven proof pan or dish and stir to combine. Ensure it is covered with a lid or foil...

 It is no secret that this year has been very hard on everyone, no matter what their situation. People struggle with their mental health for many reasons, not necessarily something others understand. I think for me that is the thing I have struggled with most.  Over the years I have struggled on and off with a ‘heavy head’ for certain reasons. I often think I am my own minds worst enemy, putting myself down and a hell of a lot of over thinking! As has been said many times to me, I am the queen of over thinking.  I have given a lot of advice lately to people struggling who have come to me about how they feel. I think the advice and the help people need depends on their situation with family and friends. But I have my own ways of dealing with my ‘heavy head’, as does everyone.  I think back to a year ago, where I wrote a blog telling you all about my struggles with mental health. I was a very different person then, I had different relationships that I don’t have now, h...

 Wow! A year ago today, mum had dropped me off at Stansted airport, and I was waiting for my flight to Brisbane. I was soooo excited. I never ever thought I’d have the guts to go to the other side of the world on my own. But I did it! What an adventure it was. 7 weeks turned into 6 months.  I have posted about my travelling tips being solo and why I did it, so I don’t want to repeat myself. Instead, I want to talk about what I gained from it, where I am now, and why it has shaped the person I am today.  What did I gain from travelling solo?  I gained a whole lot of confidence. (I mean if doing a bungee jump isn’t brave enough...) I think that is the biggest thing that I got out of this. Before I left, I let my life be lead by others, I didn’t necessarily do what was right for me. I did what was right by other people because that was their opinion of what I should do. I also got into a bad obsession with how I looked. I wanted to have the ‘perfect body’. I over exerci...

It seems I have had a lot of likes and requests for the recipe for this really nice and simple cookie recipe. Using ingredients that are in season too (the raspberries) they make for an even better weekend sweet treat. Using a new ingredient to make it slightly healthier with added protein and fibre, these are a must. See below for this recipe... enjoy!  Ingredients; 150g salted butter, softener 100g caster sugar 150g self raising flour 50g coconut flour  50g fresh/ frozen raspberries 60g white chocolate, roughly chopped Method; 1. In a medium bowl cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. 2. Add both the flours and roughly combine, ready to add the makers of these amazing cookies! 3. Gently mix in the chocolate and the raspberries. We don’t want to mush the raspberries too much.  4. Divide the mix into balls on a dessert spoon and place on baking trays lined with grease proof paper. Gently flatten the balls slightly with your fingers, dipping your finger...

 Who has fallen into the lockdown snacking pit? Yup, we have. Being at home all the time does have its struggles. Especially if all you have is the dogs to have their beady eyes on you when you go for your fourth biscuit and you know they’ll keep your secret if they get a biscuit too.  For the last three years I have been on a fitness journey. I got into running, and alongside that have gained a really big passion for healthy eating and along with my baking passion, finding and experimenting with new healthy recipes. Well, I have found the jackpot!  Do you love peanut butter, nuts, oats and dried fruit? Well, you’re in luck, because this easy 25 minute snack bar recipe is the one for you. Have it as your coffee break snack, your afternoon snack, your breakfast or even dessert! It’s AMAZING! Whenever we get low on it, Kurt is always saying ‘Meg, you ARE going to make some more of those snack bars right!?’.  With 16 servings and only 193 calories a slice, it’s a winner...