I should have started these blogs a few weeks ago but I think the first few weeks were a bit of an adjustment period during which I had to find ways to fill the time that I would normally have spent riding, training and preparing for competitions and actually competing.  Unfortunately I think I filled a lot of this time with the wrong things, ie snacking and feeling a little bit sad about all the horsey time I was missing! (my yard has temporarily closed and I have not seen Buddy for about 6 weeks).

 About 2 weeks into lockdown I quickly realised that if I continued like this I would not be in any shape to ride or compete if and when we get the chance this season and I needed to do something about it.  My healthy programme started…

 Every week I tried to find new ways to exercise and also experimented with healthy snacks, I am going to share some of my recipes and exercise ideas starting with these yummy raspberry, banana and oat cookies:  100% healthy and 100% tasty!

TARA’S RASPBERRY, BANANA AND OAT COOKIES

100g porridge oats

90g plain flour (or gluten free flour)

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp ground cinnamon

28g melted coconut oil (melted butter also works)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

120ml honey

50g raspberries

1 banana

Handful of raisins (optional)

In a bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, egg and vanilla extract. Then stir in the honey.

Add in the flour mixture and stir. Then add a mashed banana and fold in the raspberries.

Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes and cover with cling film.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

Drop the mixture into approx. 15 rounded scoops on the tray and flatten slightly.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Leave to cool on the baking tray for 15 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack.

Once I started eating better it was easier to motivate myself to exercise and the first thing I committed to do every day was go for a walk with my dogs.  I’m really lucky to live near the Ashdown Forest in Sussex (home of Winnie the Pooh) and it has actually been really fun trying to find new walks.  I highly recommend the Runkeeper app which is free to download and measures how far I walk or run every day and really helps keep me motivated. 

If you don’t have walks or parks near you it’s still possible to walk anywhere and once you get started it is really addictive.  If you need some inspiration here are a few good reasons to get outside and get moving:

1. Get up early and start the day with some fresh air (I get out as early as possible so I have the rest of the day free to concentrate on work).
2. Take some time away from work, screens, social media and watching the news
3. See other people (from a distance of course), it’s amazing how everyone has more time to say hello and how many people who don’t normally exercise have used their exercise time to start walking
4. Top up your vitamin D, great immune booster
5. Phone a friend and see how they are doing, bit tricky when you’re walking uphill

I hope Buddy appreciates all of this when I get to see him again.  More recipes and tips coming next week…