Dorset Cereals | Happiness Challenge

Posted on by gloriouslygoodfood

“Life begins at breakfast”…

…according to Dorset Cereals – so they’ve set me a ‘Breafkast Challenge’

The lovely people at Dorset Cereals have kindly sent me a load of Dorset Cereal goodies and set me a challenge – to sit down over breakfast and ponder happiness.

Well, as The Happiness Speaker and author of ‘Recipe for Happiness‘, I had to jump at this opportunity, of course!

Dorset Cereals | Happiness Begins at Breakfast

Over the past week or so, I have tucked into the wonderful breakfast goodies Dorset Cereals kindly sent me and made a point of taking time out to savour my breakfast and reflect.

On one such morning, as it was the weekend, I sat down with my eldest daughter, Charlie, and asked her what made her happy, too.  I was delighted by her answer:

Having nothing to do now I’ve finished my exams, and being able to have lots of lie-ins!

So many other teenagers who have finished their exams are already complaining of being bored, rather than ejoying the luxury of being able to relax, see their friends, sleep in the mornings and enjoy some well-earned rest.

Dorset Cereals with Raspberry Yoghurt
Dorset Cereals Raspberry & Apple Muesly with Easiyo Raspberries & Cream Yoghurt

 

Dorset Cereals with Toffee Yoghurt
Dorset Cereals ‘Simply Delicious Muesli’ with Easiyo Toffee Yoghurt

I’ve now sampled all the cereals I was sent and have enjoyed & savoured every mouthful.  I feel like I’m cheating a little as I talk and write about happiness all the time, but here are some of my TOP HAPPINESS BOOSTERS:

  • Gratitude – writing down 3 gratitudes per day
  • Savouring the little things/moments in life
  • Injecting energy into life – dance, sing, walk, go to the gym…whatever takes your fancy!  I’ve been going to the gym 3 times per week and exercising at home twice per week for the last 10 weeks and it’s made a huge difference to my energy levels, motivation and ability to focus on my work.
  • Accept that ‘stuff happens’ – not everything is under our control and trying to change that only leaves us frustrated
  • Ask for help!  You don’t have to do everything on your own.  Delegate, ask people to help you (emotionally, practically, financially) when you need it.  Asking for help is not a weakness, it’s a strength.
Gratitude is possibly THE most important happiness-booster, in my opinion.  Here are just a few of the gratitudes I pondered as I woke up this morning and over my delicious bowl of Dorset Cereals Honey Porridge:
  • Having wonderful friends (and having planned a fun day with a few of them and their children today)
  • Music (and having tickets to go and see Blondie live tonight!)
  • My health
  • Lovely people sending me free food to write about in my blog! 😉
  • My wonderful family
  • Having a roof over our heads and food on the table
  • My professional support network
Over to you!  What makes YOU happy?  Answers in comments, please 🙂

Disclosure: I was sent free full-size cereal packs by Dorset Cereals for the purpose of blogging about breakfast and happiness.  The opinions in this blog are my own.

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Book Giveaway | Recipe for Happiness

Posted on by gloriouslygoodfood

Recipe for Happiness

‘An inspirational memoir with recipes’

As you may know, as well as blogging about food & recipes, I am a professional speaker – The Happiness Speaker.  As part of my speaking journey, I have examined my own happiness and researched other material on happiness; thus, ‘Recipe for Happiness‘ was born.  It is a book about happiness, with practical tips as well as anecdotes from my own life and those of the people I have interviewed, and packed full of inspirational quotes.  And as it’s written by me, it also has a selection of my favourite recipes, including my signature dish: Tiramisù.

Recipe for Happiness will be published by Solopreneur on 1st December and is available to pre-order now – all pre-orders will receive an exclusive signed copy* of this paperback.

If you want the chance to receive a copy for free*, enter the Goodreads Giveaway here before 15th December 2013.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Recipe for Happiness by Frederika Roberts

Recipe for Happiness

by Frederika Roberts

Giveaway ends December 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

*exclusive signed copies only available to pre-orders, not for the Goodreads Giveaway.

#tvdinner Competition | Freeview competition

Posted on by gloriouslygoodfood

Freeview have launched a new competition

Do you enjoy cooking and showing off your recipes?

Then hurry as this competition ends on 25th June!

You can win a ‘celebrity cooking experience’ for two

Freeview recently conducted some research that showed that, whilst the popularity of cooking shows is higher than ever (approximately 1.4million Brits – 3% – admit to writing down dishes from cookery shows), one third of us eat take-aways or ready-meals while watching these shows!

Tomato Spaghetti

According to Lisa Faulkner, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2010:

For me, the great thing about cookery programmes is they inspire me to try new dishes and show that making a good quality meal doesn’t have to take hours.

I couldn’t agree more!  Hopefully, the recipes I showcase on this blog appeal to all skill levels and time available, from quick, no-fuss meals to more complex sausage-making recipes.

I’ve pondered for a few days over which recipe of mine I should enter.  Should I show off some high-level culinary skill with a complicated recipe, or go with quick and simple?

In the end, I’ve decided to enter my fresh tomato and basil spaghetti recipe, as it is beautiful, delicious and seasonal…and ridiculously quick & easy to make.  With food this easy to make at home, there’s really no excuse for relying heavily on ready meals and take-aways!

To enter the competition, simply post (Twitter or Instagram) your picture with a snazzy caption, mention @freeviewTV and the hashtag #tvdinner.  It couldn’t be simpler!  Let’s champion great home cooking together and may the best recipe win 🙂

Good luck!

Follow the @freeviewTV #tvdinner tweets here