Ravercise the full body workout

Wow.... So as I type I've just finished my first ever Ravercise class. 

It was quite simply AMAZING. I'm a workout class junkie, you name it I've tried it, from Zumba to Body Pump (including the devil that is spinning). I can quite honestly say I've never had so much fun and felt like I've had a brilliant workout at the same time. 

Classes are in Mother Bar, in Shoreditch, an apt venue for a rave. Many of you who know the place will certainly agree. Everyone comes ready to get going in their vibrant gymwear prepared to get rid of all that pent up frustration that work undoubtably causes. Our instructor Kim stands at the front, introduces the class and gets every one pumped up for their hour long workout showing the superbly crafty and easy to follow steps.

Arms start swinging, legs kicking and there's even jumping and squatting involved. It is non stop. Our DJ (the very talented Ivan) is up in the DJ booth playing music that keeps us going for the whole time. Even if you're not a hardcore dance music fan the music is great fun and very accessible. It may even turn a few of you into converts. 

By the end of the first track I realised this is indeed a workout and I'm sure I will feel the effects the morning but I simply don't care. That's the name of the game and why I came in the first place. I was so energised at the end I can't wait until my next class. 

Right at the end the class enters into the "skank out" free style; 15 minutes of pure unadulterated craziness. Any move goes and you have an MC spitting on the mic to make it feel like a real rave. Everyone in there was having a great time and it's the perfect way to top what was a new and engaging experience there to brighten an otherwise exceptional day. 

I am a complete convert. No more boring over coregraphed gym classes for me. Working out can and is amazing fun with a crowd like that. So a great big thank you to those that came up with the concept and I wish you every bit of your well deserved and inevitable success. 

To those whose interest has been peaked go check them out a ravercise.me and sign up.

You won't regret it! Oh, and come say hello because I'm certain to become a regular. 

Here is a quick video I managed to take and post on YouTube 

http://youtu.be/6DNird4IO7Q

Hot Cross Buns - comfort food for those shorter days

• So yes, despite it not being Easter I made Hot Cross Buns the other night and took them into the office. This was mainly because I wanted to do a 'dough' bake and couldn't find my trusty Cinnamon Roll recipe.

  This one however did pop up in my search and is rather simple if you have the time to wait between rises. My flatmates had just finished drying some clothes in our utility cupboard leaving the perfect conditions for me to leave my dough there to rise (if you do the same make sure the machine isn't on when you sit the dough on top... Sounds silly but I did it and it unsurprisingly knocked all the air out). 

  
  
  I think they turned out ok, certainly not my best. My biggest tip is FOLLOW THE RECIPE e.g. Use skimmed milk and low fad spead.  This is a low fat option for making Hot Cross Buns and it tastes just as good. Changing the ingredients to the full fat versions will change the amount of fat (oh yes it's a shock I know...) in the recipe and in the chemical reactions that take place. I myself was lazy and use full fat milk and butter the other day and it didn't quite work as well as I wanted them to. They still tasted good but that combined with over kneading meant I didn't get that all important rise I wanted. Not that anyone in the office noticed....phew. 

  Ingredients

  	450 g Flour, wheat, strong white (breadmaking)
  	1 teaspoons Salt
  	1/2 teaspoons Allspice
  	1/2 teaspoons (level) Cinnamon, Ground
  	1/2 teaspoons (level) Nutmeg, Ground
  	zest of 1 Lemon
  	10 g Yeast, Dried, (1 sachet)
  	25 g Low fat spread
  	300 ml Milk, Skimmed, tepid
  	2 tablespoons clear Honey
  	1 Egg
  	150 g Mixed Dried Fruit, e.g. currants and mixed peel
  	1 teaspoons (level) Honey, to glaze

  Instructions

• Sift the flour, salt, mixed spice, cinnamon and nutmeg into a large bowl. Stir in the lemon zest and yeast.
  
  
• Whisk the margarine into the warm milk, until it melts. It's very important that the milk is room temperature and not straight from the fridge. Add the honey and egg to the mixture and beat together well.
  
  
• Blend the tepid, milky mixture into the flour with the dried fruits, mixing until you have a sticky dough. Turn this out on to a lightly floured surface and knead well, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic - around two minutes. As I said earlier I over kneaded, as you can see in my pictures, which meant I didn't get the rise I wanted. Also note I added sultanas as I love the flavour of them so feel free to do something similar just don't add more than 150g of fruit overall as this again will change the ability of the dough to rise and we all want springy soft buns.
  
  
• Place in a lightly floured bowl and cover with lightly oiled clingfilm. Without the cling film the buns get a hard skin before baking - again impeding the rise. Leave in a warm place to 'prove' until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
  
  
• Lightly spray two baking sheets with spray cooking oil. Knock back the dough, divide into 12 equal pieces and knead each one for 1 minute before shaping into a bun. Space six buns on each sheet. Cover lightly with a piece of oiled clingfilm and leave in a draught-free area, to double in size again. 
• 
  
  
• Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6/200°C/400°F. 
• 
  
• Use a knife to cut a cross on each bun. Mix 2tbsp of flour and 2tsps of Caster sugar with enough tepid water to make a paste. Place mixture in a piping bag with a plain writing tool nozzle. Now following the lines of each bun pipe the white crosses onto each bun. 
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• 
  
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until well risen and golden.
  
  
• Transfer to a wire cooling rack and glaze the hot cross buns by brushing a little warm clear honey over each one. 
• And that's it! They are wonderful toasted with lashings of butter and with all spices even though it's not necessarily Easter, they are something that fits in quite well with this times of year and comfort food. 
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Do let me know how you get on and if you tired any modifications.

Quote to start the blog....

Ladies and Gents,

Welcome to my blog and my very first post. I found this today as a quote on cake and it made me smile so I turned it into a typography picture to share with you. (My first attempt at typography - so let me know what you think)

I personally have dieted from time to time like most women out there but have always found room for the occasional treat which includes cake. Why make yourself miserable I say?!

This leads me on to the purpose of this blog- there should be a cake recipe up before the end of the week - potentially a YouTube video depending on my filming, editing and general tiny kitchen issues I will have to contend with. I will try to share my experiences in the kitchen with hints and tips and recipes as well as general food bits and bobs that come about, restaurant visits and such. Along with any escapades I may think you will find amusing so watch this space.

I'm really looking forward to this new challenge and getting to know some fellow food enthusiasts so please get in touch and spread the word.

Ciao for now

George

xXx

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