Natasha Duncan-Drake's Blog, page 14
March 9, 2020
Recipe: Lentil & Jackfruit Hearty Soup #GlutenFree #Vegetarian #Vegan #InstantPot
Lentil & Jackfruit Hearty Soup
#GlutenFree #Vegetarian #Vegan
This recipe is based off of Best Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe by Olena from iFOODreal - yes the same lass who came up with the brownie recipe. However, I've changed lots of things, so this is my version . You can in fact adapt this recipe any way you like with any ingredients you like.
Now I made this in my Instant Pot , because I have one and I love it, but it would be easy enough to do it in a large...
March 5, 2020
Recipe Recommendation: Black Bean Brownies (The Delicious Healthy Option) #GlutenFree
Recipe Recommendation: Black Bean Brownies (The Delicious Healthy Option) #GlutenFree
So I have been making a conscious effort to improve my diet, because, frankly I used to eat far too much crap. One of the big things I am doing is reducing the amount of refined sugar I eat.
Now I have to admit, this was really hard for the first week. They are right that sugar is more addictive than cocaine - however, it seems withdrawal doesn't last that long . I've been doing this since New Year...
February 19, 2020
Domain Name Not Working without WWW When Pointing at Blogger - SOLVED
Domain Name Not Working without WWW When Pointing at Blogger
So as I have mentioned previously, I have been busy setting up everything for my alter ego Virginia Waytes and her Sexy Stories Podcast. I purchased the .com and .co.uk domains for the name as soon as I decided on the nom-de-plume, but had not yet decided exactly where to point them.
This week I finally made the choice to point them at Virginia's presence on Blogger because everything else is linked from there and I can host...
February 13, 2020
Stretches for Authors and the Pomodoro Technique
Stretches for Authors and the Pomodoro Technique
Okay so I know, as authors/bloggers/desk jockeys, we are all guilty of sitting still too long and, I don't know about you, but this plays havoc with my shoulders and neck. However, I have found a solution. Hence I have come to share.
Now this isn't a complete cure if you're past 30, sorry, we all know age is not our friend when it comes to odd aches and pains, but I have noticed a huge difference since changing my routine.
What We Need:
Focus...
February 4, 2020
Another new cover - Myriad Imaginings - Paperback
Another new cover - Myriad Imaginings - PaperbackSo we've been meaning to get the Giveaway Games anthologies into paperback for a while now, but there had never been time to sit down and give it them the attention they deserve. However, that time has finally come.
Myriad Imaginings is going through a new re-edit, to make sure it is perfect and, of course, every book needs a cover.
As you may recall I redesigned all the covers for the Giveaway Games anthologies last year, so I have a great start...
January 29, 2020
Cover Reveal - New Cover for Shivers: 13 Tales of Terror
Cover Reveal - New Cover for Shivers: 13 Tales of TerrorSo originally Soph designed the cover for Shivers: 13 Tales of Terror - our first collection from our All Hallows Read miniature anthologies. And it was great for the eBook version, but we discovered pretty quickly that the design she chose doesn't pint well.
It's unfortunate, after all the hard work she put in, but the cover comes out virtually all black when printed, with very few of the details of the artwork visible. Hence, we decided...
January 19, 2020
Recipe Recommendation - 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies (#GlutenFree, #Vegan)
Recipe Recommendation3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Breakfast CookiesGluten Free and Vegan
So Soph (my sister) was recommended this recipe on Youtube after she started looking up overnight oat recipes, but I was the first to try it. I made these yesterday morning and this morning because I had the bananas and the cookies keep well in the fridge or freeze and they disappear fast.
Many of the recipes I have seen for breakfast cookies require loads of honey or some other sugar substitute, but all the...
January 13, 2020
New Blog Layout!
New Blog Layout!So I decided it was finally time for a change and I have a lovely new blog layout. It's still a 3 col one, but it has a new header and I've changed up some of the widgets in the sidebars too.
If you're on mobile I think the only difference you'll see is the header because, for some reason, Blogger sees fit not to include all the sidebars at the bottom in the mobile layout. I'm guessing it's because half the gadgets don't actually work on mobile. For example my blog topics page...
January 7, 2020
The Joys of Podcasting - A Beginning
The Joys of Podcasting - A BeginningSo I have been setting up and practising for recording the podcast as Virginia (my erotic fiction alter ego )- which has been fun and a total headache at the same time!
I am using Audition since I have the Adobe suite of applications and I have never used it before, so that's a learning curve. Nothing Adobe ever makes is intuitive, so I've been checking out all the tutorials etc, but their products are very powerful.
I recommend Audacity to those who do...
December 24, 2019
Free Christmas Anthology for One and All!
Free Christmas Anthology for One and All!
It's Christmas! So this month Soph and I have a free holiday anthology for everyone.
We want to spread a little Christmas cheer and, hopefully, bring a smile to all faces.
If you're feeling down around this time, for whatever reason, hugs to you and we hope it gets better for you soon.
Light of Christmas
Our little anthology has two heartwarming tales, one from me and one from Sophie.Light of the World - Natasha Duncan-DrakeKit and Sam have been together...
