This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Durham chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I finally managed to get my best friend, Mollie Hunter to let me do a profile on her! Her Instagram page ‘molliemakesxo’ is really fabulous so make sure you check it out and give her a follow! Her Campus Durham caught up with Mollie and found out a bit more about her and her foodie inspirations..

Name: Mollie Hunter

College: Grey

Year: Third

Subject: Geography BSC

Hi Mollie! Thanks so much for agreeing to chat with us about your Instagram page. Tell us a bit about ‘molliemakesxo’

Hi! As you’ve said, I’ve set up my own Instagram page which is essentially somewhere I can post my own recipes and creations. I also adapt recipes from books by Jamie Oliver, Clean Eating Alice and Joe Wicks!

What inspired you to set up the page? Do you have anyone in particular who inspired you to do it?

Well, I’ve always been a bit of a foodie! A while ago I started posting pictures of my meals on my personal Instagram account. I was totally overwhelmed when my followers, friends and family encouraged me to set up a page dedicated to the food I make. I take inspiration from Clean Eating Alice in terms of the food she cooks but I look to Joe Wicks, The Body Coach for advice for an overall healthy lifestyle.

What’s your favourite recipe?

I’d have to say the protein pancakes I make from one of Joe Wicks’s books. There are four simple ingredients: eggs, banana, oats and protein powder. I always like to try different toppings making it a healthy, sweet treat – perfect as a post-workout breakfast. Oh, and the raw mix tastes just like cake mix!

That sounds delicious! Do you think this will just be a temporary hobby while you’re a student or do you see yourself carrying it on long-term?

At the minute I’d say it’s a hobby but I 100% think I’ll carry it on in the future. My plans at the minute include moving over to Australia and opening up my own little café – a sort of nutri-bar style place!

That would be amazing. Good luck with it! Do you have any other plans for the future?

I’ve always been quite business-minded and I love having lots of projects on the go to keep me busy. I think variety is the spice of life!

Do these projects involve expanding to other social media platforms?

My blog is in progress now! After I graduate next June I’d like to set up a Snapchat account with step-by-step cooking videos to go alongside my Instagram posts.

Back to your cooking – do you find it hard to food shop on a budget for all your healthy ingredients?

I think budgeting for healthy ingredients has the potential to be difficult if you don’t know where to look! I mainly shop at Aldi because it’s not just priced well, but its good quality too. Once you’ve bought your cupboard essentials like spices and herbs you just need to top up weekly with fresh produce. I have a job at a gym in Durham called Shaping Futures and use my wages to buy the freshest produce possible.

So what would you say are your five cupboard essentials?

Hmmm, I would say the five things I use the most are coconut oil, chilli flakes, peanut butter and cinnamon (obviously not all together!) I also eat a lot of oats.

Do you enjoy cooking for other people?

I love it! I think I’ve invited the whole of Durham round for dinner this year! I’m thinking about doing a sample evening for friends too!

What advice would you give to our HC Durham readers about healthy eating?

It’s all about balance really. There are so many fad, yo-yo diets out there that aren’t effective – I’ve done them all myself and they honestly don’t work. ‘molliemakesxo’ is about getting the right foods in your body and giving yourself a sweet treat when you want one!

I see on your page that you’re gluten and wheat intolerant. Are all of your recipes gluten and wheat free?

Yes, they are! It’s surprisingly not that difficult in this day and age – there is always a substitute and the supermarkets are getting really good at catering for people with dietary requirements. I like substituting things like spaghetti for courgetti. For me, it’s about finding substitues but not compromising on taste– coconut oil and spices and herbs are lifesavers!

Courgetti is so delicious! Have you ever experimented with a dish to have it go completely wrong?

I once had a go at one of Clean Eating Alice’s recipes – she asked for roasted root vegetables and pan-fried seabass in a miso paste. The miso paste burnt so quickly and the veg turned black! And the seabass was like cardboard! Definitely will not be doing this recipe anytime soon, I prefer to keep it simple and tasty.

Oh dear! So, what’s your favourite meal of the day?

I absolutely love breakfast! I like cooking breakfast dishes that get me energised and ready for the day.

Do you do exercise along with your healthy eating?

I do indeed. I have a great personal trainer back home who likes to work me hard but also gives me great nutritional advice! I work out daily at the gym and go to a variety of classes like HIIT, Spin and Box Fit. Working at Shaping Futures has its perks too!

We love keeping up to date with the recipes on your Instagram! Are you a regular reader of Her Campus Durham?

Of course! It’s an absolutely fab magazine. I really enjoy reading what all you girls are writing and interested in. I think that a lot of what you all write is really inspiring. I even went to the Christmas Party last year so will be looking for an invite for next month – hint hint!

Finally, give us three words to describe yourself (other than healthy – we already know how true that is!)

Friendly, fun and fabulous!

Thank you so much, Mollie. Check out Mollie’s Instagram page ‘molliemakesxo’.

Meet Mollie Hunter – Creator of molliemakesxo

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