Moonlight Mel

Cruelty-Free Beauty, Vegetarian Food & Lifestyle Blogger

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This Isn’t Chicken Plant-Based Lemon & Herb Skewer Review

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Hello everyone

I have been vegetarian a while before deciding to go vegan (I watched Cowspiracy & Seaspiracy-they opened my mind). Since going Vegan I have been pleasantly surprised and seen more varieties of delicious no matter which supermarket I go to, 90% of things you know has a vegan option. THIS Isn’t Chicken Plant-based lemon & herb skewers in my local Tesco and I just had to get them, don’t they look great?

I can’t remember the last time I had skewers before but since I thought these looked amazing I just had to try them. I just had to mention it’s the first time I’m trying THIS.

This Isn't Chicken Plant-Based Lemon & Herb Skewer Review
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Dying my hair pink with Colour Freedom Magenta Dream

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If you follow me on Instagram you might have noticed I dyed my hair with Colour Freedom Pink Pizzaz a couple of months ago. When I dyed my hair pink it went down so well! Even though I loved the pink pizzaz, I fancied a little bit of a change mainly because didn’t stay vibrant very long. I decided to go for a deeper pink so that’s I got Colour Freedom Magenta Dream.

It’s not the first time I have used Colour Freedom over the years, they have been a brand I have come back to many times! The best things about them are that they are Cruelty-free, Vegan and very affordable. They have a nice variety of bright colours to choose from but my favourites as you might guess is the pinks!

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Simple Low Sugar Vegan Oat Pancakes Recipe for One

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Simple Low Sugar Oat Pancakes Recipe for One
How delicious do they look? yum!

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is well! So onto today’s post. My weight loss journey started I have been adjusting my diet around to see what works for me, while on that journey I have also learnt to make new foods. I am the only one who eats vegan food in my home so I like to plan and make meals measured just for me so I can make everyone else meals without worrying about mine. So this is where the Vegan Oat Pancakes come in!

Now I will be the first to admit I am not a huge fan of eating porridge, it’s tough to eat as I find it very filling. I have seen oat pancake recipes floating around the internet and in cookbooks so I thought I’d adjust to make ones I would love to eat. I tried them and I have never looked back, they taste amazing!

Vegan pancakes?

When changing my diet from vegetarian to vegan I was on a hunt for something that would work like eggs so I tried OGG’s egg replacer and they work fine in this. Other egg replacers online such as banana, apple sauce and soya yoghurt.

If you follow me on social media you will see make my own foods in my home I will be posting more recipes for one on my blog whenever I get the chance. I will also add other meals too. One of my favourites is vegan shepherd’s pie, yum!

Nutrition

The pancakes contain 5.2g of protein but this can be upped by simply adding protein-based plant milk or using a vegan protein powder. Carbs are 28.9g and fat is 4.0g. Fillings are separate in this recipe but adding peanut butter will add more protein with little effort.

Simple Low Sugar Vegan Oat Pancakes Recipe for One

Mel
Simple Low Sugar Oat Pancakes Recipe for One. Easy to make and delicous
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Course Breakfast
Calories 185 kcal

Equipment

  • hand blender
  • mixing bowel
  • fork
  • frying pancake

Ingredients
  

  • 40g Quaker Jumbo oats
  • 50ml Oat Milk
  • 50ml OGG's Aquafaba Egg Replacer
  • 1ml vanilla extract
  • 1tsp Canderel sugarly

Instructions
 

  • get all ingrients and measure
  • put oats in blender
  • combine all ingrients in bowl
  • mix until comined
  • spray a frying pan with low cal spray
  • pour mixture into the pan and fry until golden on each side
  • enjoy, top with whatever you like!
Keyword low sugar, pancake, pancakes, vegatarian

Tasty toppings & Fillings Ideas

The best thing about pancakes is that they are so verastile. You can make them savoury but if your like me you will like the sweet option. My favourite fillings in lotus biscuit spread with strawberries ontop with low sugar maple syrup.

Until next time

Mel x

Check out my other ‘Vegan Food’ Posts

Doisy & Dam Chocolate Review

Trying the new Ogg’s Bites

Pixi Rose Bodytreats Collection

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Pixi Rose Bodytreats Collection
This post contains items gifted to me with no obligation to share or discuss my views

I have tried many ‘Pixi Beauty’ skincare products over the years which I have for the most part loved and enjoyed using in my skincare routine. One of my favourites to use is their Retinol & Jasmine Collection.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got sent these skincare goodies and a bag ( perfect for travelling). That’s when I saw they had brought out some new products which are called the ‘Pixi Rose Body Collection’. In the collection, they are 3 main products; Body Cleanser, Body Polish and a Body Balm. I have to say I really love the pastel pink packaging they are in and also the decent size they are too.

Pixi Beauty is a huge beauty brand which sell cruelty free skincare and makeup products. Products can be found online and in many high street shops such as Boots and Marks and Spencer

Pixi Rose Bodytreats Collection

So what’s in the Pixi Beauty Beauty Treats Collection?

Rose Body Cleanser

A nourishing body cleanser is rich in flower oils that cleanse the skin while softening and hydrating the skin. Key ingredients include rose flower & rosehip which conditions and citrus oils and lavender soothe. You can use this whenever you feel the need. I like using this in the shower as it’s easier to wash off then.

Rose Body Polish

Gently removes dead skin cells with nourishing rose petals infused into the sugar scrub. The fruit extracts exfoliate and brighten while the lactic acid smooths and clarifies. Use whenever needed buts it’s suggested using before a bath or shower so you can wash it off while gently massaging it into the skin.

Rose Body Body Balm

A lightweight nourishing balm that is perfect for everyday use to keep skin hydrated and soft. It has shea butter which helps lock in moisture and rosehip oil for supple skin. I like using this before going to bed because it helps keep my skin soft and it smells lovely too.

Pixi Rose Bodytreats Collection
from left to right: body polish, body cleanser and body balm.

I was very suprised but extremly happy with the collection. It has definatley made me think about taking care of my bodies skincare rather than 100% only my face. I hope they bring out more bodytreats soon.

Until next time

Mel x

Check out my other Pixi Posts

Pixi +C Vit Collection

Pixi Milky Collection

40 Nostalgic Movies and TV Shows to watch

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I don’t know about you guys but one of my favourite things to do in my free time is to watch programmes from yesteryear. Life can be super stressful at times so watching movies from our childhood can be so comforting and bring back some wonderful nostalgic memories.

Growing up, I watched a variety of movies and tv shows. A mix of action, tearjerkers and comedies. Many of them are still my favourites to this very day. So let’s open up the popcorn, bring out the snacks and enjoy some throwbacks!

Check out my 40 nostalgic movies and tv shows to watch to bring back some feel good, old school vibes!

person in black and white striped socks lying on bed
Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com

40 Nostalgic Movies and TV Shows to watch

20 TV Shows

Courage the Cowardly Dog (1996-2002) This programme was really scary when I was a kid but I love it now! It sure has creepy vibes! It’s about a dog called Courage, abandoned as a pup, he was found by Muriel who lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband Eustace…If you know, you know haha! Weird things always happen to Courage and he has to save the day!

The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005) I absolutely loved this programme, it was one of my favourites; especially that evil character, HIM! Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup have to save the town from evil villains.

Recess ( 1997-2001) The theme song to this was brilliant, always made me and my sister watch!

Spongebob Squarepants ( 1999-Present) I have loved this programme since forever! As I have got older I think I am more like Squidward LOL!

Dexters Laboratory (1995-2003) Another classic! I really enjoyed watching this and would rewatch this again with my kids. It’s about a boy who has a lab, his sister Dee Dee usually destroys his experiments.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003) What can I say to do this programme justice? I love it so much that I called my cat Salem.

Keenan & Kel (1996-2000) This programme is just full of laughs, worth the watch.

Dragonball Z ( 1996-2003) Another one of my sister and myself favourites! My parents weren’t too pleased though aha, they thought it had too much fighting. A classic!

Gladiators (1992-2000) I loved the American adaption of Gladiators, when I was younger I wanted to grow up to be a Gladiator.

Blind Date (1985-2003) I wish they would bring this back, it was brilliant. Cilla Black was the perfect host.

Continued…

The Crystal Maze (1990-2020) The original series was by far my favourite, it had so much character. Its a game show where contestants when in as a group to do tasks to get time in the crystal maze for prizes.

Keeping up Appearances (1990-1995) I have been in tears of laughter many times watching this! Hyacinth Bucket is a character for sure!

Art Attack (1990-2007) An art show which I always wanted to follow along with but never had the supplies lol!

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996) A show that needs no introduction, legendary!

Ricki Lake (1993-2004) I really enjoyed watching this show, it had a vast amount of subjects.

The Vicar of Dibley (1994-2007) I recently rewatched this during Ramadan last year, wonderful watch.

Mr Bean (1990-1995) A man of few words but so many laughs! I could watch Mr Bean every so often.

Drake & Josh (2004-2007) They are step brothers with opposite personality, learning to live under one roof while at the same

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) I have always loved Vampire themed programmes/films, this gave me chills watching before but love to watch now.

Unsolved Mysteries ( 1987-2010) Before all the documentaries they were ‘Unsolved mysteries. This programme was a programme I watched with my mum.

Top 20 Nostalgic Films

Harry Potter film series (2001-2011) I am sure we have all seen the Harry Potter movies but if not I recommend them. I grew up watching these movies so makes it great to look back onto.

Pirates of the Caribbean film Series (2003-2017) These were my favourite films when I was a teen, Jack Sparrow and Will Turner were epic in these films.

Edward Scissorhands ( 1990) I watch this film every Christmas, it brings happy tears to my eyes. It a man created and he’s left unfinished with scissors as hands when his creator unexpectedly dies.

Happy Gilmore (1996) Happy learns his gran is going to lose her house so he ends up entering a golf tournament. The thing is he wanted to be a hockey player…

The Bodyguard ( 1992) Rachel is a singer/actor and she gets death threats from an obsessive stalker, she hires a bodyguard and falls for him. Love this film, Whitney Houston played the part perfectly.

The Mummy and The Mummy Returns (1999-2001) I am a huge fan of ancient Egypt so these films have been watched many times! i know its not historically correct but still, its wonderful.

Blade series ( 1998-2004) I love these so much that I have them on DVD. Blade is half human and half vampire, who hunts vampires.

Jurassic Park series (1993-2001) Based on the book, this science fiction film series is a must for anyone wanting nostalgia.

Men in Black ( 1997) K & J, (the men in black) are agents fighting against intergalactic events. Everyone thinks the song is catchy right? ‘Here come the men in black…the galaxy defenders, na na naa…’

Of Mice and Men ( 1992) I am not the only one who learnt about this book/film in English class right? It made me cry that’s for sure.

Continued…

The Mask (1994) Stanley has a simple life as a bank employee till he finds a mask created by Loki(God of Mischief). When he wears the mask becomes an eccentric/fun and somewhat powerful character.

Interview with the vampire (1994) I first watched this in my teens, it has so many amazing actors in it, which reminds me, I need to rewatch this.

Sleepy Hollow (1999) Ichabod Crane is a police detective called to a village to find out whos behind a series of murders. He soon finds out its a headless horseman with a curse.

The Addams Family Series ( 1991) A supernatural black comedy film created by cartoonist Charles Addams. This gothic family is different from many but very family-based. I love the relationship between Gomez and Morticia.

Hook (1991) Peter Pan (Robin Williams) has grown up but needs to return to Neverland to save his children from the dastardly captain hook.

The Witches (1990) A film il never tire from! This is based on Roald Dahl’s novel. A boy uncovers a witches convention and tries to stop them but gets turned into a mouse. He has to stop them from turning all kids into mice.

Death Becomes Her ( 1992) A writer and an actress have hated each other for years. They want the same man and it leads to them taking a miracle cure to stop the ageing process, thing is that it has effects, oh dear!

10 Things I Hate About You ( 1999) If you haven’t seen this then I recommend it!

Beyond the mat (2000) a documentary film worth watching if you are an old school wrestling fan like me.

The Truman Show (1998) I love this film, it has to be my favourite of all time. Truman is an insurance salesman when he slowly discovers people around him are actors and he’s in a tv show. 100% recommend.

What are your thoughts?

I hope you enjoyed my top 40 picks! They are many I have missed I am sure but let’s be honest, looking back they have been some brilliant films and programmes!

Comment down below and tell me your favourite nostalgic movies/tv programmes

until next time

Mel x

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Simple at-home UTI testing with TestCard

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Simple at-home UTI testing with TestCard
You get two tests in the pack, which makes it more value for money.

*Sponsored post, products sent. All my thoughts on the product are my own and unbiased*

Simple at-home UTI testing with TestCard

Over the years my blog has constantly changed and with that change, I would say it’s grown with me as a person. So that’s why I can open up more with everyone as I feel like it’s ok and at the end of the day, life is for living and you never know you might share life experiences with others.

So with that being said, that brings me to today’s blog post. UTIs! I know it’s not really spoken about freely but I thought it would be great to be open with you all and share the subject. I have tried TestCard (UTI) Urinary Tract Infection self-testing strips and used their app.

Common symptoms of UTIs are as follows

  • An intense burning while urinating
  • Unusual smelling urine
  • Pain in the lower back

I have had  UTIs previously, and it definitely wasn’t pleasant! I used to be so embarrassed to get treatment. We need to get past the embarrassment because UTIs are incredibly common, even if you’re not sexually active.

Getting tested can be a right pain at times because getting an appointment can sometimes take longer and going right now is a bit harder because of Covid-19. Finding out about TestCard has been wonderful as they are a great way to get instant results at home for an affordable price.

TestCard unrine self test kit
Testcard comes in an envelope that can easily fit a letterbox.

When it comes to UTIs (Urinary Tract Infection) I have heard so many myths about how they happen and remedies.

One myth I have heard is that drinking cranberry juice can reduce getting UTIs but the fact is that it’s only a placebo effect and it’s simply not true. I got told this and I’m glad I know this now because cranberry juice is so damn sour for me LOL!

Another thing is that UTIs can happen for a multitude of reasons and it’s not always intercourse that causes it even though it can be a contributing factor. For some people, they can be recurrent and sometimes they have no symptoms at all.

Myths and Facts

  • Fact: Some people are just prone to recurring UTIs, men can also get them!
  • Fact: Symptoms can vary, some people have no symptoms at all, however, common symptoms include pain when urinating or/and burning.
  • Myth: They are not caused by poor hygiene, sometimes they are just unavoidable.
  • Myth: Cranberry juice will reduce chances is a total myth, I was shocked by this as I was advised by a lot of older family members.
testcard app
The simple to use app can be downloaded at the apple store or android.

Anyway, onto the TestCard.

TestCard is a self testing kit in which you order online

They send you an envelope with two self-testing strips. Inside the envelope, it tells you the instructions on where to download the app. I used the Apple store to download the free app.

How to use

(First Step) Before you get started make sure you have a clean container to collect urine. Then simply tear open a sachet and hold the strip by the top and scan the QR code so the app knows which test you are using.

(Second Step ) To take the test simply dip the test in the urine to the max wet sign briefly.

(Third Step) While holding the testing strip simply scan the QR code to match up with the blue guidelines on the screen.

(Fourth Step) It takes about a minute to get your results on the screen. Depending on your result you can share results with a health professional.

testcard test strip
The testcard strip. Simply hold at the hold here and dip till the max wet sign.

My final thoughts on TestCard is that they are bloody brilliant! I have never taken a test at the comfort of my own home before but wow what a difference. It was more relaxing for me to take the test and I wasn’t rushing around.

The test is very simple to use and the app is perfect and easy to use. Getting the results almost instantly brought a huge relief to me. I will 100% use them again if I ever feel like I may have a UTI.

Of course, consult with your health professional if you feel the need because at the end of the day, only you know your body.

TestCard (UTI) Urinary Tract Infections Test strips cost a super affordable £12 and even have FREE delivery.

Check out their website below 

https://testcard.com/products/utitest

Use my code MEL10 to get 10% off of your first order

moonlightmel

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