For this week's Friday Focus, I wanted to bring you guys a flavour of the topic of the panel I was part of at Wellfest two weeks ago as a proud Kindsnacks Ambassador. Myself and my fellow four other ambassadors spoke on the importance of community, (in-person) social interaction, and minding your mental health when … Continue reading Social Media – Positives, Productivity and Pressure
FINALLY. I've tried jackfruit in a few different foodie favourite spots of mine around Dublin by now, but when I spotted it recently in my supermarket, I knew it was high time I got creative at home with my own recipe! This spicy little jackfruit dish is a great quick and easy lunch, and also … Continue reading Mexican Style Jackfruit, Beans & Greens
This week, I finished my final exam of my Masters. Over the past academic year, I've been a full-time student at University College Dublin, studying a Masters in Public Health and Nutrition, which has helped me to secure a position on the Public Health training scheme for doctors in Ireland. I'm moving to Galway to … Continue reading Semester 2 Reflections – My Masters in Public Health and Nutrition
Grab a cuppa lads, this one goes deep. Two things happened recently that made me want to write this post. First, I read an utterly incredible book by author and journalist Elizabeth Day called 'How To Fail'. Some of you may have read it (if so, let me know what you thought!), some of you … Continue reading Reflecting on Failure for a Focus on Mental Health Awareness
Is there any recipe we CAN'T make delicious with chickpeas?! Today's recipe proves that the answer to that question is NOPE - they are the ingredient that keeps on giving! I'm bringing you guys a creation I've wanted to try my hand at for a while - 'no bake' energy balls without dates. I do … Continue reading No Bake Chocolate Chickpea Energy Balls
This topic has been rolling around in my mind for a few weeks now, sparked by two books that I recently finished - Deep Work and Digital Minimalism, both by Cal Newport. Both focus on taking back your time from technology and the distractions using it brings, and both were absolutely brilliant reads. I preferred … Continue reading Ditch the Social Media Itch – Discussing Digital Minimalism and Prioritising Productivity
I ADORE beetroot. Recently, with summer around the corner, I decided I wanted to get a little PINK into my breakfast oats - and what better way to do that than with beetroot! Overnight Oats are my favourite weekday breakfast, and blitzing up the milk with cooked beetroot adds colour, sweetness and the micro-nutrient goodness … Continue reading Beetroot & Berry Overnight Oats
Well gang, I hope you all had an absolutely LOVELY Easter, and if you've got more chocolate leftover than you know what to do with, I've got you covered. Today's recipe, BROWNIES, is ideal for using up the leftover eggs and bars that you've got lying around the house! I use a creamy ripe avocado and … Continue reading Dark Chocolate Blueberry and Almond Brownies
This week, with my public health doctor hat firmly on my head, I'm placing my Friday Focus on immunisation, because it's a cornerstone of prevention as part of public health medicine, and also because this week happens to be European Immunisation Week. The goal of this initiative is 'to improve vaccination coverage by increasing awareness of the vital importance of … Continue reading Immunisation – Let’s Focus on the Facts
Happy EASTER gang! I'll keep this intro short and sweet - I've adapted my Coconutty Carrot Cake recipe for your Easter Sunday baking into a lovely Carrot Cake Squares recipe - I hope you enjoy it! Remember you can freeze a batch of these and save them for snacks for the week too! Recipe (Makes 12 Squares) … Continue reading Coconut Carrot Cake Squares
This post is a little bit of a different topic from those you might be used to my blog, but smoking and tobacco-related harms comprise a major public health issue, and I wouldn't be a public health advocate if I didn't address it on my platform! Now, this article is not about shaming smokers, past … Continue reading Saying No to Smoking – Moving Towards a Tobacco-Free Ireland
After the success of my Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies, I was on a butter bean vibe recently (yes, that's a thing!) and was feeling like brownies - so this was the happy result! I hope you guys find them as tasty and more-ish as I did! Recipe (Makes 12 Brownies) Ingredients 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp … Continue reading Peanut Butter Bean Brownies
This is going to be a Friday Focus with a difference - a little bit of a life update as opposed to a specific topic. That's a big reason I love my blog - it's a platform through which I share health promotion focused content with you guys, and that's my bread and butter of … Continue reading Embracing Change and a New Chapter
I absolutely LOVE oats. They're an essential cupboard ingredient for me - I love baking with them and of course, using them in my breakfasts, especially Overnight Oats! This week, I decided to get a little creative and come up with a new cookie recipe using oats as the key ingredient - I'm delighted to share … Continue reading Ciara’s Oaty Crunch Cookies
This week I am bringing you the beauty of Pearl Barley salads again! It is easily one of my favourite grains to create recipes with as it's just so versatile. Check out my recent Pearl Barley and Butter Bean Salad too if you want to give that a go. I was delighted to pair this salad recipe … Continue reading Barley, Bean & Broccoli Salad
I am very, VERY excited to be writing this post. If you follow me on Instagram (or Twitter) (I'm @theirishbalance) you'll have seen a post I shared at the start of this week with a BIG announcement about my next career direction as a medical doctor. As many of you know, I completed my undergraduate medical … Continue reading The Pillars of Public Health – Protection, Prevention and Promotion
If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll know that I LOVE butter beans. Almost as much as I love chickpeas - not quite, but close! Recently, I wanted to whip up a super quick but tasty and nourishing spicy dish, and I had a handy tin of butter beans in my … Continue reading Spicy Butter Beans and Greens
Anyone who has been following my blog for a while now will know that when I have my mind on something, I usually need to chew on the thoughts for a little while before writing them down and plugging them into a coherent article. The topic of today's rant/ramble/post (hopefully an articulate one) is no … Continue reading Social Media is Not a Substitute for Clinical Contact
So recently, I found a KILOGRAM of peanut butter (Pip and Nut brand - I had a LOT of messages on Instagram asking where I found it!) for a very good price in my local supermarket (Dunnes Stores should have me on commission really), and of course couldn't leave it behind. I then of course … Continue reading Peanut Butter Chickpea Curry
A BIG 2019 goal of mine was to get my butt back into reading. I spent a lot of last year talking about it, but not so much doing it. I've always loved reading and writing - as I kid, I used to enter 'Read-a-thons' for charity, and I wrote more short stories than I … Continue reading You Can’t Beat A Good Book – 3 Reasons To Make Reading A Priority Right Now
As many of you will know, I am a qualified medical doctor, and I'm currently doing a one year full-time Masters in Public Health and Nutrition. I spent five years training to become a physician, and I completed 3 years of clinical training (intern and senior house officer years) last July before diving back into … Continue reading Doctors, Diet and Disease – Balancing the Basics, Busting the Myths, Questioning the Context and Cultivating Collaboration
It's officially Spring now right? I know it's March, so we've technically cleared winter for a few weeks now, but with the daffodils popping up everywhere and slightly warmer weather recently (except some freakish snow in Dublin last weekend!) I've been keen to change up my breakfast game recently. I was also delighted to be part of … Continue reading Fresh & Fruity Breakfast Smoothie
This week, I found myself reflecting on how awesome it is that we have an annual day to celebrate us ladies. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for gender equality and power to the dudes out there too, but every year International Women's Day makes me smile ear to ear. I also have several gal … Continue reading International Women’s Day 2019 – 5 Facets of Women’s Health
I. Love. Chickpeas. In case you didn't know, chickpeas are one of my all-time favourite ingredients! You can use them for almost any recipe - hummus, curries, dahls, roasted as a crunchy snack, chickpea bars (check out my Chickpea Blondies recipe here!) - you name it, I've probably tried it! But a Chickpea SOUP was one … Continue reading Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup
This spring salad recipe is super quick and easy to make, and very tasty too! I highly recommend pairing it with my creamy cashew dressing for a super lunch you can pack up and bring on the go wherever! Recipe (Serves 6 as a lunch dish) Ingredients 1 400g tin of butter beans 300g of pearl barley/spelt … Continue reading Pearl Barley and Butter Bean Salad
This recipe cannot be described - it must be tried to experience it's pure deliciousness! I definitely recommend adding it to one of my salad recipes - especially the latest Pearl Barley and Butter Bean Salad!! Recipe (Makes 1 jar of creamy dressing) Ingredients 1 garlic clove, peeled and diced 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar Juice … Continue reading Tangy Turmeric Cashew Dressing
A tasty twist on a classic - I hope you guys love this one as much as me! Here is my Carrot Cake recipe if you want to check it out too! Recipe (Serves 1) Ingredients 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg 1 tbsp dessicated coconut 250ml milk of choice 50g oats 1/2 small carrot, peeled and … Continue reading Coconut Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
As many of you will know already, chickpeas are in my top 3 favourite ingredients. EVER. So this latest creation is a super simple but super tasty vegetarian curry with chickpeas playing the leading role! It provides you with lots of servings of veggies and takes very little time to whip together, ideal for a … Continue reading Creamy Chickpea Curry
I. Love. Butter. Beans. And I adore miso. And you all know I'm obsessed with nut butter! This tasty, simple and quick recipe combines all three - a match made in foodie heaven! Recipe (Serves 3) Ingredients 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove 1 red onion 1 red bell pepper 1 medium … Continue reading Nutty Miso Butter Beans
When I started working as a junior doctor, we had two weeks of induction before being officially 'let loose' on the wards, so to speak. We learnt about the common medications we would prescribe, heard the stories of the outgoing interns, did our hand hygiene training, and got a much-needed copy of our 'Intern Handbook', … Continue reading Working Around The Shift Work Clock – Healthy Habits for Day and Night
This Mexican-spiced stew is a tasty and comforting one-pot wonder, packed full of colour with peppers and tomatoes, plus a punchy protein kick from the chicken and kidney beans! It's a speedy one to make too, so a great call for those mid-week meals! Let's get cooking! Recipe (Serves 6) Ingredients 1 tbsp extra virgin … Continue reading Mexican-Style Chicken & Bean Stew
The topic of this article is one I've been keen to write for quite a while, but wanted to wait until I really felt that I have done sufficient background reading into the area to distill the science down a bit for you guys. Before Christmas, I joined an excellent webinar organised by Nutriwebinar all … Continue reading Giving Your Gut Bugs Some Love – Let’s Talk Gut Health
Well gang, here is another SUCCESS for the vegetarian recipe collection! I'm so excited to share this latest creation - one I was really keen to make as tasty as possible! I've worked a spicy little black bean sauce into this veggie stir fry for a plant protein punch, and I hope you enjoy it … Continue reading Cashew Black Bean Vegetarian Stir Fry
As you'll see from the title of this guide (Part 4!), I'm no stranger to Podcasts. I absolutely love them, and probably listen to one nearly everyday. I've shared several other Podcast guides on my blog, which you'll find here! I find Podcasts such an awesome way to learn while listening in on my walks and commute … Continue reading My Podcasts Guide Part 4 – Learning While Listening
I am so excited to bring you guys this latest recipe! It's a plant-based twist on one of my favourite home-cooked dinners - Spaghetti Bolognaise. I've packed 5 of your 'five a day' into this dish, and trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds! Let's get cooking! I'm such a fan of lentils - … Continue reading Lentil & Vegetable Bolognaise
Introduction from Joe O'Brien - Creator of @headfirst0: Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! My name is Joe O Brien, I work in mental health and have experience in clinical and research settings in the UK and Ireland. I’ll be posting more on this topic in the near future on my Instagram … Continue reading Guest Post: Is Your Phone Addictive? The Impact For Mental Well-being
Helloooo new recipe! And a quick, delicious, fully plant-based dinner recipe at that! So, one of my New Year's intentions for 2019 is to ensure I have at least one (and ideally 2) fully meat-free/animal protein free dinners per week. As you guys know, I keep my lunches and breakfasts veggie, and do consider myself … Continue reading Sweet & Smoky Double Bean Chili
Oh HELLO new recipe! So, recently I've kinda fallen back in love with bananas. I've been adding them to my Overnight Oats, freezing them for smoothies, and when I wanted to bake my Banana Bread with them last week, I decided to try something new. Because I'll be kicking off Semester 2 of my Masters pretty soon, … Continue reading Banana, Date & Nut Squares
So, I'm not gonna brag. But you know when you KNOW you've outdone yourself? Well, this recipe was one of those situations. You guys know I have been so so happy to be working with Sadie's Kitchen and their absolutely delicious Chicken Bone Broth - I've used it for stews, salads, as a cup of … Continue reading Rockin’ Ramen with Sadie’s Kitchen
One of the most wonderful things I've experienced since I started my food blogger venture is the fantastic brands I've been lucky enough to meet - especially the Irish ones! Sadie's Kitchen are a gorgeous Irish company I've become great pals with, who sell a lovely chicken bone broth product, and over the past 18 months have … Continue reading Pearl Barley Mushroom & Greens Risotto with Sadie’s Kitchen
This spring salad recipe is super quick and easy to make, and very tasty too! I highly recommend pairing it with my creamy cashew dressing for a super lunch you can pack up and bring on the go wherever! Recipe (Serves 6 as a lunch dish) Ingredients 1 400g tin of butter beans 300g of pearl barley/spelt … Continue reading Pearl Barley & Butter Bean Salad
