The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl

Easy Blueberry Oat Pancakes

Oats + cottage cheese + eggs = pancake? I was very suspicious when I spotted this recipe in Red magazine yesterday. But it was Sunday morning and all that watching Rafa Nadal's sexy legs at the Australian Open was making me hungry.

I was surprised at how tasty these babies were, considering the modest list of ingredients. And since you blast the ingredients together in a food processor until they're totally smooth (except the blueberries) they didn't taste at all cottage cheesy or eggy, which I'd feared. You might make them and think that ain't a pancake - for one, they're not as fluffy as the traditional floury kind. But speaking as as a non-connoisseur of pancakes they tasted good and Sunday breakfast-y to me. Stupidly quick to make, a healthy balance of ingredients and very filling. WILL MAKE AGAIN A++.

Easy Blueberry Oat Pancakes

from James Duigan's Clean & Lean Diet Cookbook, via Red magazine, March 2012.

Serves 1 very generously, or 2 with more restrain than I.

50g/1.75oz rolled oats
100g/3.5oz low fat cottage cheese
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
50g/1.75oz blueberries

1. Blend all the ingredients except the blueberries in a small food processor until smooth
2. Pour a ladleful into a heated non-stick pan, and cook for two minures each side (I just poured it in straight from the food processor bowl, then pressed in the blueberries, cooked for two minutes, then flipped over)
3. Eat while observing epic feats of athleticism on the telly.

Screenshot from weightlossresources.co.uk.

All sold out

Thanks everyone for all your Sell Out entries thus far! Entries close this Tuesday 31 January at 9PM GMT, so if you've not checked out all the groovy prizes there's still time to do so. Here's the complete list:

Day 1 - 'An Honest Kitchen' magazine

Day 2 - $100 Cathe Downloads voucher

Day 3 - Weight Loss Resources three months membership

Day 4 - Less Bounce £45 sports bra voucher

Day 5 - MizFit's My Trainer Fitness cards

Day 6 - Total Greek Yogurt + Zest mag subscription

Day 7 - Cardio Coach MP3 workouts

Back with a new post tomorrow. With just words. No prizes, alas.

WIN! Cardio Coach audio workouts - DG 11th Birthday Sell Out Day 7

The prize:
One lucky winner will receive all eight volumes of Cardio Coach high intensity interval MP3 workout downloads. Ten runners up will each win a copy of Volume 2.

Available to readers from: Worldwide

What the heck is it?
Cardio Coach™ is a downloadable audio high intensity interval workout programme for any MP3 player and you can use it for just about any cardio activity - treadmill, elliptical, stepper, rower, cycling, jogging, walking). Cardio Coach has a patented levels and zone system which means you can make it work for you no matter your fitness level, from beginner to advanced.

Why I dig it
I'm dead chuffed that the Cardio Coach folks were up for a third appearance in the Sell Out. I'm still a huge fan and in the past year have introduced some of my Up & Running pals to the delights of Sexy Sean, as he's become known on the forums.

I remain a non-lover of cardio and Sexy Sean makes it sooo much easier to bear. I still can't describe it any better as I did way back in 2007:

.. a dude called Sean O'Malley with a rather sexy voice tells you exactly what to do; suitable for any piece of cardio equipment. When to go fast, when to go slow, when to stretch; it really does make the time go faster! I have conversations with Sean in my head. I hate you Sean. Oh we're almost there? Fine then. I'll do it. Only for you. Fetch me another bottle of water Sean. You're the best Sean. HIGHLY recommended.

Your coach, Sean O'Malley

To be in the running for the Cardio Coach prizes, simply leave a comment on this blog entry . If you're reading this post via an RSS feed, Facebook or Goodreads, you need to click through to the Dietgirl blog. Entries close Tuesday 31 January 2012 at 9PM GMT. Winners will be drawn at random. Click here to view terms and conditions of the Sell Out.

BONUS! If you don't win this time, all Dietgirl readers score a 25% discount off all workouts until 14 February. Just enter the code dietgirl at the checkout.

WIN! A month's supply of Total Greek Yoghurt + Zest magazine subscription - DG 11th Birthday Sell Out Day 6

The prize:
One lucky winner will receive a month's supply of Total Greek Yogurt plus a 12-month subscription to Zest magazine, courtesy of the Total Greek Yogurt folks.

Available to readers from: UK only. Sorry!

What the heck is it?
Total Greek Yoghurt is delicious, thick, creamy yoghurt that leaves all other yoghurts whimpering in the aisles, cursing their inferiority. This of course is just my opinion... dinnae sue me, hen. Zest magazine is a leading UK health and fitness magazine.

The lucky winner of this prize can linger over their magazine while enjoying the following yoghurt bonanza:

- 2 x 500g tubs of 2%
- 2 x 500g tubs of 0%
- 4 x  0% Greek Yoghurt Split pot (blueberry, honey, tropical fruits and strawberry)
- 1 kilo Classic Greek Yoghurt

Whoever you are, lucky winner, I am SPEWING with jealousy already.

(Total lasts for ages in the fridge so the winner should be able to get through it all, otherwise they can share it with your pals. Or me!)

Why I dig it
If you've been reading awhile you'll have heard me bang on and on about this yoghurt. My Greek goddess friend Argy introduced us in 2005 and the love affair has been going strong ever since.

It's more versatile than Meryl Streep:

• excellent sour cream substitute - dollop onto soup or chili
• great whipped cream substitute - love it in Healthier Eaton Mess or Nigella's Chocolate Berry Pavlova
• mind-blowing when blasted up with frozen berries to make Instant Frozen Yogurt
• lovely just with fresh fruit and/or a splodge of strong honey

Total have just launched a new website with lots of recipes and useful info from their TOTAL Living Team, consisting of TV Chef Paul Merrett, nutritionist Martin Macdonald and Daybreak Fitness expert Dee Thresher. They’ll be hosting live Q&A sessions, providing video content, recipes, meal and exercise plans, news and competitions. You can check it out at totalgreekyoghurt.com

There is one Greek Yoghurt + Zest prize to be won, courtesy of TOTAL Greek Yoghurt. Simply leave a comment on this blog entry to enter. If you're reading this post via an RSS feed, Facebook or Goodreads, you need to click through to the Dietgirl blog. Entries close Tuesday 31 January 2012 at 9PM GMT. Winners will be drawn at random. UK entries only.  Click here to view terms and conditions of the Sell Out.

WIN! MizFit's My Trainer Fitness workout cards - DG 11th Birthday Sell Out Day 5

The prize:
One lucky winner will receive a set of My Trainer Fitness 100 Calorie Workout cards, featuring the one and only Carla "MizFit" Birnberg.

Available to readers from: Worldwide.

What the heck is it?
My Trainer Fitness 100 Calorie Workouts are a nifty six-pack of cards, each with a workout on it that can be performed in under 20 minutes. Each is designed to facilitate a 100+ calorie burn with each workout, including periods for rest and recovery.

Why I dig it
This prize is kind of like the goodness of Carla distilled into a card. Among the many things I've learned from years of friendship (and haphazard podcasting) with this awesome woman is: when it comes to working out keep it simple. Rather than worrying if you're doing the right activity or have the right gear (guilty), just pick something and go for it. It doesn't have to be fancy - just consistent.

These cards a great example of this philopsphy. They don't require much space or equipment. You can use resistance bands and dumbells but can substitute heavy books or cans. Lots of the exercises are simply your own bodyweight. It's an efficient, straightforward workout in a highly portable format. And our Carla is right there on the cards showing you exactly what to do. I love it!

Carla in your pocket

There is one set of My Trainer Fitness 100-Calorie Workout cards to be won. This prize is sponsored by me, and I'll post 'em to anywhere on the globe so everyone is welcome to enter!

Simply leave a comment on this blog entry to enter. If you're reading this post via an RSS feed, Facebook or Goodreads, you need to click through to the Dietgirl blog. Entries close Tuesday 31 January 2012 at 9PM GMT. Winners will be drawn at random. Click here to view terms and conditions of the Sell Out.

WIN! £45 sports bra voucher from Less Bounce - DG 11th Birthday Sell Out Day 4

The prize:
One lucky winner will receive a £45 gift voucher to spend at Less Bounce, including free worldwide shipping.

Available to readers from: Worldwide

What the heck is it?
Less Bounce is an online sportswear retailer. It's where I purchased my first Enell scaffolding in 2004. I rocked up to my next Body Combat class and nearly wept for joy. Jumping kicks are much easier when you're not clutching your chest protectively!

Why I dig it
After those dark years of inadequate support, I'm evangelical about the joys of a good sports bra. I've yelled "GET A SPORTS BRA" at unrestrained chests on the telly so many times that Gareth now pre-empts, "Don't tell me. She should get a sports bra."

So, LessBounce is a UK company started by fitness instructor and personal trainer Selaine Saxby when she couldn't find a good sports bra locally. They stock a huge range of sports bras suitable for all sports for chests of all shapes and sizes. They've got good brands like Freya, Berlei, Champion, Triumph and Panache. As well as sports bras they stock swimwear, maternity bras, and sportswear! They have great customer service, a handy bra finder on the homepage and they ship worldwide.

I asked Selaine if she'd be up for donating a prize for a third year running and she was kind enough to do so. They really do cater to a wide range of sizes, so if you have boobs this one's for you!

There is one £45 Less Bounce voucher (including free worldwide shipping) to be won. Simply leave a comment on this blog entry to enter. If you're reading this post via an RSS feed, Facebook or Goodreads, you need to click through to the Dietgirl blog. Entries close Tuesday 31 January 2012 at 9PM GMT. Winners will be drawn at random. Click here to view terms and conditions of the Sell Out.