Autumnal Granola Recipe

Hello!

Welcome to A Northern Spectacle. I’m Maddie, and I’ll be posting a little bit of all sorts from vegan recipes to film recommendations to tattoo advice.

Thanks for reading my first Blogtober post; I’ll be posting every day during this month (if I remember) and throughout the year with a variety of content (some more exciting than others…).

Anyway, back to the point – I’m kicking off Blogtober with a vegan granola recipe. Shop bought granolas are often packed with hidden sugars, and making your own is a great way to sneak in additional fibre, and you can of course customise it your own personal taste. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup oat bran

Handful chopped almonds

Tbsp chia seeds

Tbsp flax seeds

Shake of cinnamon and nutmeg (to taste)

Drizzle maple syrup

2-3 drops vanilla extract

Method:

Mix the dry ingredients and bake them on 200C until almost completely dried out. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract and stir until fully incorporated, then return to the oven until the granola is fully dry, crispy and golden. Make sure to keep an eye on it to avoid it burning! (Not delicious)

I recommend eating this granola with vegan yoghurt, sliced bananas and blueberries, but of course you can experiment with all kinds of different flavours and textures.

Thanks again for coming to my blog so early on. See you tomorrow!

Maddie x

How to Survive the Flu at Uni

Happy Thursday pals,

Now that autumn is officially here it’s starting to get into sneezy season! Everyone is getting poorly, and if you go to uni you’re bound to catch it too. So, today’s post is a survival guide on how to manage the flu at university.

Use your evenings for a bit of self care. Have a nice hot bath or shower and let the steam soothe your poor bunged up sinuses, and have something comforting yet nutritious for your tea (see my vegan comfort food recipes!). I recommend chilli – you can cram in extra veggies, and spicy food is super helpful when you’ve got a cold! And, of course, it’s THE comfort food.

When you’ve had your tea, get snuggled up with some treats (and tissues!) and watch something lovely on TV. I’ve been watching Bake Off on my laptop when I feel a bit grotty, it’s the ultimate lovely viewing and doesn’t half take your mind off feeling crap! Even better if you’ve got a giant packet of bourbons…

However sad it may be though, we can’t sit in bed watching Bake Off all day (sob). When the morning rolls around and you have to climb out of your nest and actually go into uni, I find the following tips helpful;

Have a shower in the morning. It is probably the last thing you’ll want to do, but when you already feel gross it can help you feel much brighter (and cleaner), especially when you might have a long day in lectures ahead.

Have a nutritious and sustainable breakfast. Things such as porridge are uber comforting and will sustain you until lunchtime – the last thing you want on top of feeling ill is to be hungry all morning! If you have any nuts, seeds or fruit they’re good additions to a healthy brekkie.

Take a smoothie to uni! Even if you have a good breakfast, a smoothie can help you feel refreshed and energised throughout the day. Smoothies that contain ingredients such as carrot, ginger, spinach, or blueberries are perfect for when you’re feeling yucky. They’re full of nutrients and vitamins that will keep you going! If you have things such as chia or flax seeds in, they’re a really good addition to boost nutritional value.

Wear your favourite comfy clothes! Thankfully, one of the great things about uni is that (usually) it doesn’t really matter too much what you wear. Stick on your comfiest sweater and boots with some fuzzy socks, and make comfort your top priority.

And finally, if you really are super poorly, stay in! If you’re absolutely full of flu, there’s probably not a whole load of point in going to uni anyway- you’re unlikely to be able to concentrate on any work, and apart from anything, nobody else wants to catch your germs!

Good luck this flu season, and I hope this helped if you are feeling under the weather.

Maddie x

Spiced & Spiked Vegan Hot Chocolate

Evening lovelies,

Today was one of the first few times I’ve felt a bit chilly outdoors this autumn, so I definitely feel a hot chocolate is in order! But to make it extra warming and special, I’m making a “spiced and spiked” hot chocolate – autumnal spices and a little bit of a warming tipple in my favourite hot chocolate recipe.

You’ll need:

Your favourite mug (preferably a big one!)

Dark chocolate (check ingredients to make sure it’s vegan)

Dairy-free milk (I like oat best) – use chocolate milk for even more chocolateyness!

Cocoa powder or hot chocolate powder/mix (I use Sweet Freedom’s ‘Choc Shot’ as it’s liquid so mixes well, but cocoa powder is just as good!)

Maple syrup

Whiskey, brandy or perhaps rum

Vegan marshmallows and vegan whipped cream (optional)

To make:

Melt your chocolate (be careful not to burn it if using a microwave) and add a small amount of milk and mix to thin it out. Add your spices and cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix, and gradually add more until you’ve fully introduced the milk so the mixture doesn’t split. Add to a pan and warm gently before adding the rest of your milk. Add as much whiskey as you feel like, and warm until it’s as hot as you want it! If your hot chocolate isn’t as creamy as you’d like, try adding a splash of cream. Pour it into your favourite mug and top with cream and marshmallows, snuggle up with your favourite film or TV programme, pop on a scented candle and enjoy! 💖

Maddie xx

Ultimate Vegan Comfort Food – Bolognese Recipe

Hello friends!

Today’s post is another recipe- spag bol is possibly the most comforting comfort food! And being vegan absolutely does not mean we have to miss out on our favourite tea time classics. Here’s my go-to recipe for bolognese!

Ingredients:

200g vegan mince

Tin chopped tomatoes

Tbsp tomato purée

Olive oil

Half a white onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

Sliced chillies (to taste)

Handful mushrooms, chopped

Handful olives, sliced

2 chunks frozen spinach

Small carrot, grated

Half a courgette, grated

Chopped fresh basil

Tsp yeast extract

Vegetable stock cube

Red wine (to taste)

1/2 tsp instant coffee

Herbs/spices: dried oregano, dried marjoram, dried thyme, shake of cayenne, shake of paprika, salt and pepper to taste.

Method:

Fry the onion in olive oil, and when its starting to go translucent add the garlic. Once both are cooked through (you’ll be able to tell by the smell!), add the herbs and spices and the tomato purée. Stir together for a few minutes before adding the mince. Stir the mince whilst it cooks to prevent it catching. Once the mince is around 90% cooked, add the can of tomatoes, spinach, stock cube, coffee (trust me) and yeast extract (again, trust me – it adds an extra savoury dimension without being detectable, and is a great source of B vitamins). Cook for a few minutes, then add your chillies and basil*, as well as any veg you choose to include. I find that grating carrot and courgette into dishes such as these is a brilliant way to get extra veg into your meals without altering flavour or texture too much. Finish with a glug of red wine, and simmer until you’re ready!

*to save me buying packets of fresh basil and throwing away 90% of it or having another plant die on me, I buy a pack of fresh basil, chop it, and freeze it in ice cube trays with a bit of water to keep it together. Then when I’m making a dish such as this, I pop a basil-cube into the pan and hey presto! Fresh basil flavour without the waste.

Serve with pasta, preferably spaghetti (I didn’t have any, so penne it was) and some grated cheese. Parmesan-style vegan cheese is relatively easy to find and is perfect for this but again, I didn’t have any so regular old (vegan) cheese had to do!

Hope you give this a try and enjoy it as much as I do 🍝

Maddie x

Autumnal OOTD – H&M William Morris Collection

Hi dears,

Apologies for not having been very regular with my posts for the past couple of days, I’ve not been feeling too well. For today’s post I thought I’d share my OOTD to inspire you to get into the swing with autumnal fashion.

Now, annoyingly (never thought I’d say this), it’s actually not that cold here. It’s mizzly and grey – and too hot! Not really what you want in October. Well not me anyway! So in the spirit of not being able to wear a snuggly jumper, I plumped for an autumnal outfit that wasn’t go to make me boiling.

I thought this autumnal shift dress paired with cosy tights and boots was a seasonal take on an outfit that can be worn in almost any day to day scenario. I also chose to wear my lovely satchel that was an 18th birthday gift from my dad. It picks out the muted reddish brown in the dress beautifully! Unfortunately, I was not forward thinking enough to have selected a coordinating brolly 😩

When it actually does start to get chilly, I’d wear this outfit with a denim jacket or trench coat and a scarf. I also feel that next time I might wear the dress with a belt- I’m not really the best shape for shift dresses and I am quite busty, so they tend to look a bit hospital gown-esque on me (which is fine if that’s what you’re going for, but it’s not really my bag!).

I love the print of the dress so much. I have adored William Morris since I was little so discovering that H&M had brought out a range featuring his prints I could’ve done a jig!

I’m a sucker for anything green, and this muted forest-y shade couldn’t be more ‘me’. I am also a great advocate for the use of red and green together – it’s not just for Christmas!

I tied together the look with a deep red lip (and my signature chipped nail varnish…).

Hope you enjoyed this and it made you feel at least a little bit autumnal ❤️

Maddie x

Managing Mental Health in the Darker Months

Hello loves!

I forgot to post yesterday so if I get round to it you might get a double post day some time soon.

The weather is getting increasingly ~Octobery~, and although it’s not as cold as it usually would be at this time of year, the nights are drawing in and it’s starting to get drizzly. I for one actually really enjoy the cold weather as I love getting wrapped up and snuggly, but sometimes the dingy skies and the rain can really get you down.

So, today’s post is a few tips on managing your mood and trying to keep yourself in good health mentally during the darker cooler months.

Firstly, I think a great thing to do is to go ahead and embrace the dinge! Use the cold weather as an excuse to get your cosy on. Pile your bed with your favourite cushions and throws, break out the fairy lights and light your favourite scented candles. And any reason to watch films and drink hot chocolate is welcome, right?

Use days and nights in to get sh*t done. Instead of moping and feeding the feeling of being low, use the time you might have spent outdoors productively. Plough through some work, do the chores around house, read a book or even do some indoor exercise like yoga.

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t spend time outdoors! Get wrapped up and take the dog out, or go for a power walk with a friend. Some of the loveliest walks I’ve been on have actually been on a frosty morning!

My lovely dog Billy on muddy autumn walkies 🐾

Meditate! I know it’s annoying having to remember to do something every day, but everyone has 10 minutes. Everyone! And that’s all it takes- 10 minutes of meditation a day can really help to improve your mood and bring down anxiety overall.

I know the dark months can be difficult so I really hope you’ve found this helpful. If there’s anything in particular you find helpful when the weather is bringing you down please do let me know! 💖

Maddie xx

30 Songs for a Halloween Playlist

Bonjour friends!

For today’s post I’m sharing some of my favourite Halloween songs, including classics as well as some less likely yet still very appropriate tunes! They can be used to build the perfect Halloween party playlist, or just to get you in the festive mood… it is October, after all!

30) Michael Jackson – Thriller

29) Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams

28) Rick James – Super Freak

27) Ramones – Pet Sematary

26) Ray Parker Junior – Ghostbusters

25) Sam and Dave – Soul Man

24) Starlite Unlimited – Banana Boat Song

23) David Bowie – Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

22) Talking Heads – Psycho Killer

21) Guided By Voices – Game of Pricks

20) The Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive

19) The Fratellis – This Old Ghost Town

18) Queen – Killer Queen

17) David Bowie – Rebel Rebel

16) Bow Wow Wow – I Want Candy

15) The Citizens of Halloween – This is Halloween

14) Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me

13) Britney Spears – Toxic

12) Bobby Pickett and the Crypt Kickers – Monster Mash

11) Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell

10) Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You

9) Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child

8) The Fratellis – Halloween Blues

7) The Sonics – Strychnine

6) Stevie Wonder – Superstition

5) The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil

4) Cast of Rocky Horror – Time Warp

3) Electric Light Orchestra – Evil Woman

2) Warren Zevon – Werewolves of London

1) L’Orchestra Cinematique – Remains of the Day

I hope you enjoyed this list, and it’s helping get you feeling spooky 👻

Maddie 👹 x

Ultimate Vegan Comfort Food – Chilli Recipe

Greetings!

For day 9 of Blogtober, I’m starting my Ultimate Vegan Comfort Food series. For the first post in the series I’m going to share my chilli ‘non’ carne recipe. It’s 100% vegan and the perfect meal for warming up in the autumn.

Ingredients:

200g vegan mince (I recommend Naturali, but any will do)

Large can chopped tomatoes

Large can red kidney beans in water

Handful mushrooms, chopped

Handful black olives, sliced

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

1/2 white onion, diced

2/3 cloves garlic (to taste)

Chopped chillies (to taste)

2 tbsp tomato purée

1 tbsp chipotle chilli paste

1 cube vegetable stock

1 tsp yeast extract

Drizzle olive oil

Squeeze of lime

For the spice blend: cayenne, cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, dried thyme, dried marjoram, salt and pepper to taste.

To serve: cooked white rice, vegan cheese, vegan sour cream or crème fraîche (I found crème fraîche easier to get hold of), parsley (dried or fresh).

Method

Briefly toast the spice blend in a hot dry pan, then add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the onion to the pan, cooking until softened slightly, then add the garlic. Avoid adding them together as garlic burns quickly. Add the mince and continue frying until both the garlic and onion are softened and translucent and the mince is mostly cooked. Add the can of tomatoes, tomato puree, chipotle paste, yeast extract and stock cube. Let simmer, stirring occasionally. Add peppers, mushrooms, chillies and olives (veggies can be adjusted to personal preference) to the pan. Cook the red kidney beans in a separate pan until 90% cooked, then drain and add to the pan. Add a squeeze of lime and continue to simmer until the consistency is as desired. To serve, spoon chilli over a bowl of cooked rice, grate over some vegan cheese and add a dollop of crème fraiche. Top with fresh or dried parsley.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

Maddie x

Favourite Autumnal Candles

Hello again lovely humans!

Today’s post is a few of my fave autumnal scented candles. I’m a bit of a candle junkie, and autumn is one of my favourite months- a snuggly night in isn’t complete without the light of a candle. And if it smells of autumn then what a bonus…

My number 1 favourite autumnal candle is Yankee Candle’s “Autumn Nights”. However, I CAN’T FIND IT! I’ve just moved house, and have a terrible feeling it’s in a box in my dad’s garage (sob). However, it is truly gorgeous. You’ll just have to take my word for it!

Another of my favourites is also a Yankee Candle. “Crackling Wood Fire” is a lovely scent for autumn- it’s smoky and earthy, with a sweetness that isn’t sickly or overpowering.

WoodWick’s fig candle is quite possibly one of the nicest candles I’ve ever owned. I’ve wanted to buy a WoodWick candle for years, and I spotted this mini one in TK Maxx a few days ago. The scent is richly fruity – it’s nice to have something autumnal that doesn’t involve pumpkin! It’s also a gorgeous purple colour, and the wooden wick means it crackles while it burns which has such a calming effect. It reminds me of being at back at my dad’s in front of an open fire. A little home comfort while I’m at uni!

Last but not least is a candle that might not necessarily seem autumnal as such, however I like to burn this one on a morning or throughout the day. It’s fig leaf and elderberry scented, and has really pretty floral visual accents. I actually picked this up at Sainsbury’s! It has much more of a fresh scent compared to the usual rich and cosy scents of autumnal candles; it’s like a little pick-me-up on a morning when the skies are looking a bit gloomy.

Thanks so much for reading as always 🧡

Maddie x

Food Bank Donations for the Colder Weather

Hello again friends,

Today I thought I’d share how I try to make a difference for people that don’t necessarily have the means to sustain themselves and their families during the colder weather. Food banks are a really good way to help people in your community, whether that is through voluntary work or donations. A lot of people donate over the Christmas period which is great, but it’s important to remember that people might need help all year round. When the weather starts to get cold it’s important to make sure you’re donating the right sorts of things; sustainable, healthy and comforting items are your best bet.

I find that donating to a food bank doesn’t have to be expensive- for example, if I buy an extra tin of soup for 50p every time I get my own shopping, that isn’t going make a great deal of difference to my budget.

I’ve put together a list for those of you that might feel unsure about what to donate to your local food bank. Some food banks also accept other items such as personal hygiene products, which can help people to maintain their dignity when they might be struggling to afford these products otherwise.

Here are some suggestions:

Teabags

Instant coffee

UHT milk (dairy or non-dairy)

Long-life fruit juice (aim for high vitamin C, i.e orange)

Fruit squash

Bottled water

Tinned soup, veg, beans, chilli, spaghetti etc.

Tinned fruit

Whole grain pasta

Whole grain rice

Lentils

Pasta sauce

Cooking oil (olive oil is full of healthy fats, however vegetable or rapeseed are more affordable)

Breakfast cereal/porridge oats

Peanut butter/jam/Nutella

Biscuits

Sweets or chocolate

Condiments

Non-food items could include:

Tampons/sanitary towels

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Soap

Flannels

Shampoo and conditioner

Washing up liquid

Sponges/cloths

I hope this post was helpful and has inspired you to give back within your community.

Maddie x

Lush Halloween Products

Hello again! Welcome to Blogtober day 6…

Today is a little look at the Halloween range at Lush. They’ve got their seasonal favourites and few new products to get excited about!

Their “Ectoplasm” collection is a creepy and very Halloween-esque addition to the range. The shower gel also comes in solid form for those of us trying to go sans-plastic!

They also have an “Ectoplasm” version of their jelly bomb- a bath bomb that turns the water to a bizarre jelly-like texture, perfectly appropriate for Halloween.

Another Halloween twist on an existing Lush favourite is the “Monsters and Aliens” version of their product “Fun”, which is a rubbery textured product that can be used as shampoo, soap, bubble bath, you name it.

A spooky take on a classic, the “Eyeball” bath bombs are a fabulous Halloween bath time treat. 👀

I’m quite a fan of both Lush’s bubble bars and witchy kittens, so I was very pleased when I came across “Bewitched”. In addition to looking great, it’s infused with bergamot, which is one of my favourites. Unfortunately when I went back to Lush to treat myself, they’d sold out! 💔

For those of you that fancy treating someone you love (or even just treating yourself), Lush do pre-selected bundles of Halloweeny treats complete with a festive knot wrap scarf.

The sparkly pumpkin bubble bar was what I eventually plumped for. I’ve always had the eye of a magpie… I can’t resist anything sparkly.

Juniperberry and lime oils give the bubble bar a refreshing sweet and citrusy fragrance which are really uplifting when you’re feeling droopy on these dark nights.

Aside from feeling a bit like I was bathing in Berocca, I was really pleased with this product. In addition to smelling delightful, it softened the water nicely and didn’t irritate my ridiculously sensitive skin. Besides, who doesn’t love a bubble bath?!

See you tomorrow!

Maddie x