Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Blondies

These apple and cinnamon blondies are one of my favourite healthy treats. They are packed with natural sugars to give you a nice clean energy boost, but be careful not to eat too many! They also contain chickpeas which are packed with protein, making them the perfect post workout snack.

Follow the instructions below and try them for yourself.

Ingredients

Apple jam:
– 2 red apples: cored, peeled and finely diced
– ¾ tsp cinnamon
– 1tsp vanilla essence
– 1 tsp stevia
– 1 tbs corn flour/starch
– ½ cup water

Blondies:
– 2 cups Oats.
– 1 can chickpeas – 1½ cups drained and rinsed.
– ½ cup (140g) low fat vanilla or natural greek yoghurt.
– 2 tbs coconut oil, (melted).
– 1 tsp baking powder.
– ¼ tsp cinnamon.
– 2 tsp vanilla essence.
– 4 tbsp honey.
– Pinch of Himalayan salt.
– ½ cup almond or soya milk.

Topping:
– ¼ apple finely sliced to decorate.
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon for dusting.

Instructions

– Preheat the to oven 200C | 390F.
– Line an 8×8 inch baking tray with baking paper and put to one side.
– Note: if you use bigger tray, please double all ingredients.
– Place all apple jam ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to the boil.
– Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer until the apples have softened and the ‘syrup’ has thickened.
– Place all of the blondie ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.
– Once the Apple jam is ready, fold it into the batter and mix well.
– Pour the batter into a tray and top with apple slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
– Bake for around 30 minutes (depending on your oven).
– To check if they are ready insert a toothpick into the centre and see if it comes out clean.
– They will be VERY moist and fudge-y when taken out of the oven, but they will get firmer and set as they cool down.
– Note: Don’t overcook them, as they can become dry.

Let us know if you liked them, and follow me on Instagram for more healthy cooking inspiration.

Neda

Introducing Personal Trainer and Parkour Fitness Specialist, Rowena R

Rowena is one of our most creative trainers, regularly practicing the art of parkour. She has a great understanding of how the body moves and like most great trainers, practices what she preaches on a daily basis.

What is your biggest client success story?
I worked with a weight loss client who managed to drop from a size 20 to a size 10 by changing her lifestyle and nutrition. When we started she was extremely self conscious and embarrassed by her low fitness levels. It was great to see her confidence grow as the months went by. Her posture improved, she treated herself to a new wardrobe and actually started to enjoy the sessions! She recently ran her first 10k and has progressed from a 20 second plank on her knees to a 90 second full plank.

What do you enjoy about being a part of the TruBe Team?
I love the philosophy behind the app and the fact it caters to today’s modern lifestyles. I love the use of functional exercise in the signature workouts as this is something I am very passionate about. I encourage all my clients to be strong for a reason! I also really enjoy teaching the barre workouts as I can draw upon my background as a professional dancer.

Your favourite piece of TruBe equipment?
The suspension trainer; as it’s so versatile and can be used both in and outdoors. It is great for core strength and adds an extra dimension to body weight training, enabling you to work through a greater range of motion without losing form.

rowena blog trx

What was your last health and fitness obstacle and how did you overcome it?
In September last year, I had surgery on both my knees and was on crutches for 2 months. This was a challenging time as I am normally so active. The surgery was quite invasive and I was left with a lot of scar tissue to work with but I was determined to make a full recovery. I’m happy to say the hard work paid off and I am now stronger than before and have a newly found confidence in my knees.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?
I lived in Cuba for 2 years, speak fluent Spanish and dance a mean salsa!

What is your favourite instagram account you follow?
GMB fitness – as they offer great tutorials

What is your favourite motivational quote?
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.

What was your latest qualification?
Parkour UK ‘Parkour fitness Specialist’. Taking the principles of free running and parkour training into a fitness context.

How do you treat yourself?
With a pair of new workout leggings. I have a ridiculously large collection of colourful leggings, but there is always room for one more pair!

rowena blog leggins

What is the best piece of advice you have received from a mentor?
If it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you.

How do you find balance in your life?
I’ve learnt to be very strict about my days off work and rest days from training. Duvet day is sacred! It’s so important to take time out for myself and to give my body a chance to rest, yet not always easy to stick to. When I feel like I need a break I’ll take some time out for a walk by the river and a nice long stretch in the sun.

To book a session with Rowena, download the app and find her as one of our featured trainers.

The best healthy eating restaurants in London

Living in London we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out healthy. You just need to know where to go, Whether you’re paleo, low carb, vegan or raw we have put together our favourite go-to places for lunch and dinner.

Daytime Eating

raw pressRaw Press – Mayfair -W1J 
These raw pressed juices are super healthy. Totally raw and organic, the cold-pressed manufacturing method of these juices ensures that they retain essential nutrients and taste better for longer. For the green juice connoisseurs out there, you have a load of choice including super green, green or sweet green depending on how sweet you like your juice. They are also the only cafe in the area that does a yummy almond milk cappuccino.  You can find Raw Press on Dover Street below Wolf and Badger.

Nama -Notting Hill – W11 1JR
Eat guilt free when visiting this Vegan raw food Nirvana in Notting Hill. All the food is unrefined and gluten free and raw. The menu is supercharged with body and skin nourishing foods such as seaweed, kale, lucuma and coconut. Perfect for a post yoga session brunch date with the girls.

Detox Kitchen– Soho – W1B 5PJ
Great food without the stress. Detox Kitchen enables you to eat restaurant quality food every evening from the comfort of your home. Their team of chefs and nutritionists create and deliver nutrient dense, well-balanced meals to help you feel great. They also do a wicked breakfast smoothie using co-yo yoghurt and the beetroot brownie is to die for.

Roots & Bulbs – Marylebone – W1U 3JG
Roots & Bulbs offer homemade superfood smoothies at their two London locations. Focusing on keeping things unprocessed these juices are free from unrefined sugars and are packed full of flavour.

daylesfordDaylesford – Notting Hill – W11 2RH
From farm to fork is the approach at Daylesford. All the food that is grown or reared on their 100% self sufficient organic farm is used in the restaurant. The food is free from pesticides and fertilisers and their ruminant livestock is fed with GM-free produce grown on the farm. After your meal, they have a delectable delicatessen to pick up a few organic treats and some items for dinner.

Wild Food Café – Covent Garden – WC2H 9DP

This vegetarian cafe situated in Covent Garden are true flavour innovators. They are big on superfood infusions and raw treats. Expect dishes like vegan paella, delicious raw cakes, a wide array of juices and super fresh salads. A favourite with celebs, this café offers a gorgeous view out across Neals Yard, so grab a window seat if you can. Our favourite is the Wild Pizza special that has a dehydrated almond & butternut squash base, topped with marinara, wild sea purslane pesto and a daily selection of toppings.

Evening Dining

nopiNopi – Soho – W1B 5NE

In this fast moving Ottolenghi restaurant you will find dynamic art and tasty food. They go big on vegetables but meat lovers also will find inventive flavoursome dishes to keep them more than happy.

Mildreds – Soho – W1F 9AN
This long standing Vegetarian cafe in Soho stands out from the crowd with its diverse menu mixing the best of European and Asian cuisine. Our favourite is the Sri Lankan curry which is infused with spices and punchy flavours.

Pure Taste – Westbourne Grove – W2 4UP

Paleo restaurant Pure Taste serves dishes that are all gluten and dairy free. The menu is about big bold flavours and it caters for everyone from low-carb serious meat eaters to Vegans.

ethosEthos – Oxford Circus – W1W 8DX

The new kid on the block. Ethos pulls inspiration from the middle east it oozes creativity and delivers on taste. This self serves restaurant offers delicious salads and unusual grain dishes alongside treats for vegans like seitan spare ribs. Breakfast, lunch or dinner – there is plenty to choose from at every meal.

If we missed anywhere out please let us know and perhaps we’ll follow up with part 2!

P.S. Subscribe to the blog below or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @trubeapp for more inspirational ways to reach your health and wellness goals!