The Best of Brunch

So, anybody who knows me is well aware of the fact that I'm a bit of a brunch enthusiast. What's not to love?! Pancakes, eggs, sourdough, corn fritters - you get the deal. It's delicious and since moving to SW London I've tried out my fair share of brunch spots. I thought I'd put together a list of a few of my favourites...

Milk (Balham) & Milk Teeth (Tooting)

Best for: Menu variety 

Whether you're after a typical Eggs Bennie or you fancy something a little more extravagant. How about a Young Betty? Or The Convict? My personal favourite has to be Sweet Maria, corn fritters with poached eggs, halloumi, avo and kasundi <3 They also have THE best chai latte at the Tooting branch, I always get sad when I can't grab it in Balham. 

Price: £7 or £9 if you add eggs or bacon

The Ivy Cafe (Wimbledon)

Best for: Special occasions

If you're looking for somewhere that is a little classier but the price isn't too bad, then The Ivy Cafe in Wimbledon Village is perfect. You can actually book here, which is uncommon with most hip and cool brunch spots nowadays, and its worth it. I've tried to get in a few times without booking but succeeded just the once. I ordered the hot buttermilk pancakes with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, Greek yoghurt, lemon balm, and warm strawberry sauce. I also asked for additional caramelised bananas - DELISH!

Price: £8.95 or £10 with added banana 

Brickwood (Balham, Clapham or Tooting)

Best for: Your standard brunch spot

So I know my description doesn't scream and shout but Brickwood is just that, your typical brunch spot. You'll find all the usual go-tos for brunch food. I especially love their toasties. 

Price: Ranges from £6-12 

TOTA (Tooting)

Best for: Drunch

An all-time fave of mine, not only because they have some absolutely fab cocktails, but also because anywhere that has a fish finger sandwich on the menu is my kinda place! A lovely spot for brekkie, lunch and/or dinner. Here's a photo of the three buttermilk pancakes with apple and cinnamon, maple butter and an extra side of banana - cos it's me! 

Price: Usually £8.25 but an additional £1.50 for banana (criminal I know)

Saucer & Cup (Wimbledon) 

Best for: Cheap and cheerful

The cuuuutest little brunch spot, and right by my gym! This is a hidden gem perfect for a cheap and cheerful brunch without compromising any quality. I've previously had a sausage sandwich on my first trip here and most recently avo, eggs and mushrooms on sourdough. They also serve up a lush Matcha Latte!  

Price: Starting at £6 

My newest love: Mud Cafe (Tooting)

Best for: Flavours and food

First of all, they serve Ozone coffee - dare I say it THE best coffee in London sourced from NZ. Their dishes throw brunch up in the air, spin it around and come crashing back down onto the menu with some delish twists and turns. Welcome to the table Huevos Rancheros: a large taco with refried beans, avocado, pickled red onions, garlic cream, fried eggs and the option of chorizooo - YUM. A little more expensive than the other spots...

Price: This dish was £10 but so worth it! 

The Rude Health Product I Swear By

Breakfast is always a super stressful meal for me, If I can grab something whilst running out the door then perfect! Most days I won't even give myself time to have breakfast, which is stupid because missing the first meal can mess up your food plans throughout the rest of the day. I can't help it, if I can have five more minutes in bed, then I'll take it! If I have enough time I will occasionally make myself a bowl of cereal or have some yoghurt. 

But I'm about to share my all-time breakfast secret, a Rude Health product that I now swear by and would miss breakfast almost every morning without... Rude Health Smoothie Oats. 

These drinking oats are great! Scoop a few spoons into a shaker, mix with your choice of ingredients (I like honey, banana and milk), and hey presto! Unlike other oats these quickly dissolve into your cold drink and create a smooth texture, rather than the lumpy and bitty texture you get after blitzing your normal oats. So there you have it, a great way to have a quick and easy grab and go breakfast, and it's not even expensive! The prices vary between £2 and £3 in different stores, including Waitrose, Morrisons, Holland & Barratt and other health food stores!

K.

Super Smoothies

Now i'm not one for smoothie diets and food replacement meals, but I can't deny that I love a good cup of blended goodness to start off my day! It's one of the easiest ways to make sure you're getting at least five fruit and veg in your diet. As I love smoothies so much I thought i'd share my simple format for juicing along with my current favourite combo. You simply chose one or two ingredients from each section to create your own healthy snack...

Base: Milk, soy milk, almond milk,coconut milk, coconut water, water, ice

Second Base: Orange juice, tropical juice, apple juice, pineapple juice

Thickeners: Banana, greek yoghurt, natural yoghurt(flavoured if you wish)

Main fruit: Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes etc.

energy-kick: Spinach, Kale, raisins, goji berries, chia seeds, mara powder

Sweetner: Honey, cocoa powder, nut butter(peanut,cashew,almond), coconut flakes, cinnamon, chai latte powder

My Current favourite: Banana, raspberries, natural yoghurt, honey and pineapple juice

K.