CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

This is a lovely recipe from Juliette Kellow Nutritionist

I am not keen on orange so did not use it and topped it with giant chocolate buttons. Enjoy.

CHOC ORANGE CUPCAKES

Tonight is the local swimming clubs’ festive swim night – and with that comes a tombola and cake stall to raise funds.

I’ve whipped up some chocolate orange cupcakes to sell. They’re never going to hit healthy eating guidelines but to help reduce saturates I swapped butter in the cake mixture for olive oil and used semi-skimmed milk.

They’re really delicious (yes, we had to try one!) so here’s the recipe.

CHOC ORANGE CUPCAKES

Makes 12

For the cakes:

100g plain flour

40g cocoa powder

150g caster sugar

1½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp orange extract OPTIONAL

4 tbsp olive oil

1 medium egg

130ml semi-skimmed milk

For the topping:

100g butter, softened

200g icing sugar

2 tbsp cocoa powder

½ tsp orange extract

1-2 tbsp semi-skimmed milk

12 chocolate orange segments

Orange zest

Gold spray (optional)

Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/gas mark 5. Line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases.

Sieve the flour, cocoa, sugar and baking powder into a large bowl.

Lightly whisk the oil, vanilla extract, egg and milk in a jug using a fork. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.

Divide the mixture between the paper cases and bake in the oven for around 20 minutes, until risen and an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Make the topping: whisk together the butter, icing sugar, cocoa, orange extract and milk. Spread over or pipe onto the cupcakes and decorate each with a choc orange segment, orange zest and gold spray if you have any. I USED LARGE CHOCOLATE BUTTONS

Per cake

1278kJ / 304kcal

14.6g fat

7.2g saturates

42.3g carbohydrate

34.7g sugars

1.3g fbre

3.2g protein

0.2g salt

INSTAGRAM.COM

Watch this reel by juliettekellownutritionist on Instagram

 

TIPS TO PREVENT FALLS

I wrote this for the local paper as too many people end up visiting the Accident and Emergency departments and possibly being admitted to the hospital due to falls.

Thinking of people I know who have fallen this year often they could have been prevented by simple measures like keeping hydrated, wearing sensible shoes if going walking --the list goes on.

Dr Mabel Blades – Public Governor for East Northamptonshire and freelance dietitian and Faizal Rayan Staff Governor and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

 Twitter @blades_mabel

 

Sadly, people often end up coming to the hospital after a fall which results in a fracture of a bone which requires orthopaedic expertise. Fractures such as a broken hip require surgery combined with a stay in hospital. This is then followed by help with physiotherapists and rehabilitation which can take a while.

 

 We felt some tips based on our combined interests to prevent falls would be helpful and we will expand on these in the New year.

 

·       Take vitamin D which helps to keep bones strong

·       Check you are eating properly

·       Take enough fluid 2 litres per day for most adults

·       Wear supportive shoes especially outside

·       Get your eyes tested regularly so that you can easily see trip hazards

·       Also have your hearing checked  as if it is fading and you have not realised  you may not hear alerts about items

 

Try to keep active with regular gentle exercise. Walking is always good.

 

While it can be a temptation to drink excess alcohol this time of year. Try to keep to the maximum of 14 units per week!