7 Healthy Habits To Take Up This Spring

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Ciao Winter! It’s been fun (ish) but we’re moving on to prettier things! Spring has begun so we’ve rounded up 7 healthy habits to take up so you can feel like the best version of yourself!

Injury proof your workout

You’ve made a strong start to the new year if you managed to stick to a new workout, however, going from zero to hero can come with its challenges too. If you’ve ever done a little too much too soon you’ll know what we’re talking about. This is where Ten Fitness (with locations all over London) come in as they aim to injury proof your workouts to ensure all those New Year resolutions can be stuck to. With pilates, yoga, barre and more on offer, for strong year and a stronger body: Ten Fitness is a great place to start.
www.ten.co.uk

 

Therapy with a twist

Suzanne Wylde is a stretch therapist based at Tri-Yoga in Camden. Suzanne’s treatments will help anything from posture to stress. Starting with walking massage to warm up your body and ending with resistance stretching – Suzanne has a wonderful ability to read your body and work to release the fascia. It really is a transformative process that leaves you freer in mind and body.

 

Start meditation

Whether it’s grabbing 15 minutes with the headspace app or 5 minutes before you jump out of bed in the morning, it really doesn’t matter. Finding time to slow down your mind, be present and be calm can make such a huge difference. Decluttering your mind when you’re busy may seem like another thing you don’t have time for, but we challenge you to just 10 minutes of quiet time a day for a week and you will start to notice a lighter and yet more active mind. If you have no idea where to start, the headspace app really is fantastic.

www.headspace.com

 

Put yourself first

Whether this is quitting Instagram for a bit or wearing an outfit you love and not worrying about what others think of you. Doing what is true for you is essential to being happy. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Take some time for yourself to do something you love whatever that might be.

 

Listen to your body

There has been a lot in the press regarding clean eating and whether it is a fad or has substance. Whatever you believe, remember we are all unique. We all have different needs, different bodies and when it comes to nutrition there is no one plan fits all. Don’t force yourself into a particular way of eating just because you’ve been told it’s a healthy! It might not work for you and that’s ok! Listen to your body and respect how you feel.

 

Facial Reflexology 

From the creator of The Zone non-surgical facelift, Ziggie Bergman is a facial reflexologist who holds clinics at Grace Belgravia and Tri Yoga. On February 10th, Ziggie will be holding a workshop at Tri Yoga called ‘Get Your Spring Glow’ where she will be teaching techniques that can be performed on your own body to reach a healthier, more glowing you. Book your slot now and learn the tips of her world renowned facial reflexology skills. Visit TriYoga’s site to book here.

 

Perk up your juice and your energy levels.

Naomi’s kitchen has created a range of vitamin and nutrient dense powders to perk up your juice or any meal. With blends to cleanse, energise and more – why not try one of these super blends to turbo charge your health through the last few months of winter.
www.naomis.kitchen

                                                                                                                                                               

Words by Rachel Cruickshank

@rachelcruick

Scrub Away Winter With Our Top Facial Exfoliators

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Exfoliation has been a beauty art practiced for centuries and very little has changed in terms of technique and product. From the ancient Egyptians to the middle ages, a range of natural exfoliation practices and processes took place and all in the pursuit of one common goal, a goal that is still the case today; to have brighter, clearer and younger looking complexions. American Indians used dried corncobs as pumices to scrub the skin; Polynesians used crushed seashells and women in the middle ages used old fermented wine because of the high tartaric acid that “chemically” exfoliated the skin, all in the name of getting that glow.

 

But somehow, for a moment, we over-complicated the process and created a beauty catastrophe with our introduction of microbeads. These little plastic balls not only damaged our oceans, and the poor fish that consumed them but they were also working their way back onto land through our water systems and harming humans too (one man found microbeads imbedded in his gums from brushing his teeth – yuk). For years they went unnoticed until former President, Barack Obama, signed the Microbeads-Free Waters Act of 2015 at the end of December, which banned microbeads in the personal care industry in the US. Here in the UK we followed suit and introduced a pledge to have microbeads banned by the end of the year. The good news is that retailers are already removing them from shelves and thus we have returned to a much more natural way to add a little glow to our skin.

 

So in light of this great news we celebrate three of our top facial exfoliators – all of which will help you well on your way to achieving that spring glow!

Aurelia

Refine + Polish Miracle Balm, Aureila, £57

We caught up with Claire Vero, Founder & CEO of cult beauty brand Aurelia –best known and loved for introducing probiotics into the skincare market. Their new Refine & Polish Miracle Balm is the latest addition to the BioOrganic skincare range, aimed to brighten and clear dull, lack-luster complexions. “Dullness is one of the main concerns of ageing skin and can be one of the first signs that your skin is not optimally balanced” Claire remarks, “and there are immediate steps you can take to counter-act this”. Formally a Dermatology Director at GlaxoSmithKline, Claire was frustrated about the level of unnatural substances she was asked to use in her formulations when she felt that natural ingredients were much more effective at getting the job done: “Exfoliators come in a variety of forms but some of the most effective are naturally derived from plant and fruit enzymes, known as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)”. The particular AHAs that are found in Aurelia’s Refine & Polish Miracle Balm are derived from sugar cane and maple sap; “these enzymes dislodge and digest the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and, when used as a mask, offer effective and noticeable results even after one use. By increasing the rate of cell renewal they promotes smoother, younger looking skin.” Apply the balm as a mask and leave for a few minutes to allow the fruit enzymes to deeply exfoliate the skin by targeting dead surface cells. On contact with water the balm will turn into a milky fluid that once rinsed off will leave skin feeling and looking smooth, soft and glowing. There are also very gentle rice beads, “not plastic microbeads” Claire hastens to point out, which help to rinse away the dull skin.

 

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Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate, de Mamiel, £41

Another deliciously natural brand that undoubtedly blazes a trail in the skincare market is de Mamiel; their botaniques Brightening Cleanse & Exfoliate has been revered as the ultimate skin fix by journalists and celebrities alike. The product comes as a pink powder, which on activation by water, polishes and perfects skin to reveal it’s natural radiance. But it is the unique list of ingredients that really gets us excited; Rose Quartz, Cacao, Hawaiian Sea Salt, Collodial Oat to name a few. Annee de Mamiel hand blends all of the de Mamiel products herself, researching different ingredients as well as sourcing them to ensure their quality and potency; “where and how the ingredients are grown as well as how they are harvested can really impact the quality of the ingredient” and therefore the product. But what in particular will ingredients like Raw Cacao do for our faces? “Raw Cacoa powder is rich in minerals such as magnesium that helps to promote blood flow whilst Collodial Oat reduces redness and the blend of mineral packed Hawaiian Sea Salt, Red Jasper and Rose Quartz Gem powder will physically buff away dead skin cells”. Top tip: Mix the powder with their cleanser and the scrub becomes even more gentle, massage onto the skin for a few minutes then gently wash away.

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Gentle Scrub, Skin & Tonic, £18

This gentle yet effective scrub also comes in the form of a pink powder, founder Sarah Hancock explains that “by keeping the formulation powdered based we are able to keep the ingredients as natural and potent as possible”. The pink colour is derived from the French Pink Clay ingredient, which cleanses and detoxifies the skin. The scrub also contains; oat bran, which protects the collagen and elastin in the skin, helping to fight against the damage caused by free radicals; Probiotic yogurt powder – which help keep wrinkles at bay; rosehip seed powder and geranium leaf oil (this is where the wonderful scent comes from). Quality of ingredients is not the only thing that Skin + Tonic take seriously, they also place a lot of importance on quantity – so much so that none of their products contain more than 7 ingredients. I asked Sarah why this was, “The skincare industry is full of products that contain excessive, synthetic ingredients that are hard for the consumer to decipher. At Skin & Tonic we wanted to keep things simple, so we only use a maximum of 7 natural and organic ingredients in each product so our customers understand exactly what they are putting on their skin & why it benefits them.” Top tip: Add 1 tsp of honey or yoghurt to the paste to create a hydrating mask. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse face with warm water.

words by Sadie Reid

Spring Detox – 4 Ways To Break Your Sugar Addiction For Good!

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If you feel like it’s a constant battle to ditch the sweet stuff once and for all, then fear not as you aren’t alone! Sugar is highly addictive and it’s designed to make you want more and more which is why it has been used in products all over the world to keep customers coming back for more. But why exactly should we be giving up refined sugar? The Detox Kitchen founder Lily Simpson says “Refined sugar has no nutritional value other than calories, and the way the carbohydrates are processed in the body has been strongly associated with weight gain, obesity and other chronic health problems. Excess sugar also plays havoc with blood sugar levels, which can indirectly affect our hormones, stress levels and mood”. Not good.

 

Lily has kindly shared her top tips on beating your sugar addiction for good and reaping all the benefits!

 

Clean out your kitchen!

The best place to start is in the kitchen, having a purge of your fridge and cupboards, getting rid of anything that contains hidden sugars. This includes juices, cereals, jarred sauces, supermarket peanut butter. Instead try making your own. Cooking from scratch and avoiding processed foods is the best way to have more control over your diet. Homemade sauces and nut butters will not only be better for you but will also taste better too! It takes no time at all to whip up a fresh tomato sauce or blitz chickpeas with tahini and lemon juice for a moreish hummus.

 

While this might sound restricting, we promise you it really isn’t. Now is your chance to fill your shelves with delicious, vibrant and seasonal fruit and veg, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean protein (fish, white meat), as well as herbs and spices. Try and have some fun with it, cook dinner this week using an ingredient you wouldn’t usually go for and really experiment with flavours, using your nose as a guide. You can check out the recipe section of our blog for some inspiration.

 

Get clued up on “natural sugars”

Remember, sugar is still sugar. Our resident nutritionist Rob Hobson says “There is no healthy sweetener and the word healthy should never be used in terms of sweeteners. People often talk about natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup containing other beneficial nutrients but the amount you would need to eat to gain any useful amount would mean eating a huge amount of sugar.” Hobson advises consuming no more than 6 tsp per day (30g) of added sugars, this includes those found in fruit juice, honey, coconut sugar and maple syrup.

 

Recognise old habits

Hobson advises that craving something sweet after a meal is most likely to do with habits acquired from childhood or emotional eating. Try breaking the habit by keeping yourself busy or looking at other ways of dealing with emotional stress. When I am trying to curve my sugar intake I use a very simple technique that definitely works: I wait for at least 5 minutes once I have the craving, normally the craving passes. If it doesn’t I have a glass of water and then the craving usually passes. If it STILL doesn’t then I’ll reach for a piece of fruit!

 

Eat more!

And last but certainly not least, eat more! Hobson states that according to research, nutrient deficiencies may make sugar cravings worse, as some nutrients appear to improve blood sugar control including chromium, vitamin B3 and magnesium. So the best thing you can do to avoid that mid-afternoon sugar craving is to eat a diet that is rich in protein, healthy fats and fibre, which will help to maintain your blood sugar levels.

 

This is what our detoxes are all about; stripping out the nasties that are hidden in so much of our food, and replacing them with whole, natural ingredients that work with our bodies, not against them. Why not let our team of experts create and deliver a nutrient dense, delicious, well-balanced diet to your door by booking onto one of our detoxes this week.

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The Detox Kitchen have two central London delis, a detox delivery service and a fitness studio located on the lower ground floor of their flagship deli in Fitzrovia. Rob Hobson is a registered nutritionist (www.robhobson.co.uk) and nutritionist at the Detox Kitchen.

Hip & Healthy Guide To Thailand – Inland

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An entirely antithetical experience to the bustling clamour of Bangkok, Chiang Mai Provence is a haven of tranquility, outlandishly calm locals, traditional culture, quaint backstreets and a sunny climate. Chiang Mai lies in Thailand’s tropical North and is thus perfectly situated for reacquainting with nature and finding solace in the flora whilst indulging in traditional fare and rich handicraft. Heading into central Chiang Mai and you’ll discover an inspiring fusion of traditional markets, arts, crafts and food with a progressive yet esteemed yoga and health food scene – for which the inherently laid-back character of the city is a perfect conduit. Here is our Hip & Healthy Guide To Thailand, part 1! (Part 2 coming very soon!)

 

SLEEP

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The perfect contrast to the charmingly rough-around-the edges city, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai sits in the Mae Rim Valley amongst expansive rice fields and dense jungle and is the zenith of luxurious holiday-making. The resort is comprised of individual residences, pavilions, and villas and thus maintains a local, intimate and village-like character. The lake and terraced rice fields are the focal point and heart of the resort – breakfast is enjoyed overlooking the water whilst the rice field farmers play music as they parade across the paddies in ceremonial attire, morning yoga practice takes place right on the calm of the lake, and evening drinks go down with the sun on day beds around the feature infinity pool.

 

Like Chiang Mai itself, the theme of Nature at its tropical finest characterises Four Seasons Chiang Mai – the residences frame the paddy fields and lake, so waking up and wandering out onto the private terraces to watch the sunrise with a coconut milk coffee from the mini bar is a favourite way to welcome in the day. Accommodation interiors are spacious, furnished with plush wood and blend natural elements and cultural heritage with modern luxury which instills calm and comfort. Thoughtful details make all the difference, with bowls of local fruits, colour-co-ordinated cable ties, and elephant-printed leather book marks are left charmingly behind in rooms by housekeeping and reflect the care and attention that goes into the design, maintenance and culture of the resort.

Indeed, speaking with the hotel manager, Yam, who has genuine love in her eyes when she speaks of the place and her role within it, it’s clear that the hotel’s immersion in nature is what instigates the calm serenity that emanates from not just the staff and guests, but from the heart of the resort.

 

Days at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai begin with a gentle yoga flow which takes place at sunrise every morning and in the evenings in the yoga barn overlooking the lake. The yoga programme is headed by master-trained yogi, Pilates instructor and Reiki master, Dheeraj Singh Patwal – the authentic embodiment of the true essence of yoga. Pranayama, Nidra, Hatha, fire, and pregnancy yoga classes are also on offer. If seeking movement in the gym is more your thing you’ll get your endorphin fix in the resort’s Health Club, which is complete with Technogym equipment, free-weights, sauna, steam room and Pilates studio. For quirkier activities, take part in a spot of buffalo bathing, or rise extra early to meet and be blessed by the local monks as they visit the resort daily to collect food package donations.

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To complement the physical activity in which you may or may not choose to partake, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is the ultimate facilitator of utter restorative indulgence and unrestrained self-care. Nothing epitomises this more than an obligatory visit to the spa. The extensive menu of treatments draws inspiration from traditional practices, herbs and aromas, and, most notably, social harmony. This explains the spa’s nod to the farmers, royalty, monks, craftsmen and servers who form the Thai social system, the qualities of each are honoured in the spa’s treatments to instil cohesive harmony. Don’t check out without treating yourself to the Samunprai massage for a true nourishment of mind, body and spirit.

 

On the subject of nourishment, it is impossible to leave Four Seasons Chiang Mai without being full to the brim with macro and micronutrients of the highest order – delicious food abounds in both the healthy and indulgent varieties, and balance when it comes to dining is thus superlatively executed. Breakfast is a sprawling buffet across two rooms of the Sala Mae Rim which comprises continental breads, pastries, yogurt, toppings, rice and rice adornments and the customary spread of local, seasonal fruits – expect the brightest dragon fruit, pomelo, watermelon, coconut, passionfruit and guava, and tall glasses of bright blends from the smoothie and juice bar which deals out freshly made drinks to order. Dietary requirements are superbly catered to at the resort. If you’re gluten or dairy free, veggie or vegan, the chefs are amazingly accommodating and will bring out free-from breads and fresh muffins as equally impressive as what’s on offer at the pastry bar. Then there’s the hot bar – which affords the opportunity to fill your plate with a savoury course of breakfast potatoes, veggies, rice and noodle dishes, soups and broths, meats and eggs. Coffees can be made with cow’s, almond or coconut milk and rival any of those made in London’s favourite coffee shop haunts. Spending half of the morning relaxing on the breakfast room’s terrace overlooking the rice fields and lake with multiple coffees to punctuate trips to the buffet is easy to do and a more than acceptable way to begin holiday days.

 

No stay at Four Seasons Chiang Mai would be complete without a multi-course dinner and night of entertainment at the Thai Food Experience hosted at Rim Thai Kitchen restaurant. The ultimate way to kick off a luxury stay in the country, the evening introduces traditional Thai cooking in a casual setting which invites guests to get stuck in with the cooking and help the chefs in preparing different courses and dishes and thus learning a thing or two about indigenous cooking techniques and flavours. In-between courses, diners are entertained by traditional Thai dancers and musicians dressed in colourful costume.

A number of private dining experiences can also be arranged.

 

EAT

Healthy foodies won’t go hungry in Chiang Mai – if there’s still room in your belly after the Four Seasons breakfast buffet, take the complimentary, wi-fi-enabled shuttle into central Chiang Mai for authentic Thai street food and a myriad of raw, vegan, vegetarian and healthy eateries.

Plant-based, gluten-free eaters, or indeed, anyone who appreciates fresh, wholesome food served up in giant quantities should head to the Blue Diamond Breakfast Club. The menu is immense and there is always a lovely bustle of people hanging out on cushions in the garden or working on laptops in the shade inside. The cafe is so popular that it has garnered a renowned enough reputation to allow it to run purely on word of mouth – they don’t even have social media accounts. It’s that good.

We recommend the huge, fluffy banana pancakes, coconut matcha lattes, masaman curry, the raw chocolates, crusty rice bread, oat cookies, fruit salads, and fresh juices (everything, basically…).

For a traditional taste of Thailand, Anusarn market is a veritable trove of edible treasures with savoury dishes, sugary sweet treats, fresh fruits and healthier options abounding. Don’t leave without sampling ‘karam krok’ – sweet, mini Thai pancakes that happen to be gluten free and vegan and are made from just coconut and rice. You can also pick up jack fruit, durian, grilled banana on sticks, bags of banana chips, big plates of pad thai and the ubiquitous and moreish mango and sticky rice.

 

DO

Being so close to the jungle, Chiang Mai is perfectly situated for adventurous day tripping. Trekking, rafting, zip lining and climbing are easily arranged through the hundreds of agencies in central Chiang Mai.

Elephant rides are another popular activity. When deciding on elephant trekking, be very conscious of going with an ethical company. Not every company treats the animals humanely, be wary of those putting profit before the welfare of the elephants. We recommend booking a visit to Elephant Nature Park (elephantnaturepark.org), an elephant sanctuary which rehabilitates mistreated elephants, educates animal owners on the importance of responsible tourism and teaches them to properly care for their herds. The organisation also offers volunteering and conservation opportunities.

As Thailand’s cultural capital, with more than 300 temples in the city and surrounding area, a visit to the main ‘wats’ is imperative. Take a trip up the mountain to the renowned Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for magnificent views over the city. Wat Chedi Luang is another must-see, and is easily accessible

Finally, you cannot visit Chiang Mai without dusting off your haggling skills and hitting the colourful, bustling markets the city is famous for. Check out the Night Bazaar and the JJ Market for organic produce, toiletries, handicrafts and antiques. The Sunday market, which runs the full 1km length of Wua Lai Road is also worth a peruse, with the splendorous food-filled Anusarn market just around the corner.

Four Seasons Chiang Mai runs complimentary buses from the resort to the Night Bazaar throughout the day until around 11pm, and a private guide can be arranged for translations, assistance, recommendations and comfort.

words by Rachel Bednarski – @rachelonendorphins

Get Flipping Healthy This Pancake Day!

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I think it’s now universally know that eating healthily doesn’t have to be dull and boring, especially when it comes to Pancake Day! Even for the most health conscious person, in recent years Pancake Day has got a whole lot easier to say yes to. There are so many healthy and delicious alternatives to delve into that you can now stack as many pancakes onto your plate and feel guilt free. Why not try swapping chocolate for cacao nibs, coconut sugar instead of white sugar, and even greek yogurt and almond butter make a great alternative to ice-cream and Nutella. Trust us, these healthy options will leave you feeling satisfied and without that dreaded next day slump. Thanks to the likes of Deliciously Ella and Natasha Corrett, to name but a few, Pancake Day no longer means that you have to kiss goodbye to your healthy habits. You name it there’s a healthy alternative to it; gluten free pancakes, and sugar free pancakes are now more popular than ever; and we’re definitely happy to ride on that band wagon! So to get you in the mood to celebrate one of the best day’s of the year, here’s a run down of Hip + Healthy’s top 5 healthy and delicious pancake recipes to really get your teeth stuck into.

 

Mind Body Bowl’s Date and Apple Buckwheat Pancakes

Annie Clarke is known for her delicious healthy recipes and incredible yoga classes, so its no surprise that this recipe has left us drooling over our computer screens. The recipe is free from traditional pancake ingredients but packed full of flavour. The use of dates and apple puree are a great way of including a natural tasting sweetness and really bind the mixture together to achieve that desired fluffy pancake. Annie recommends serving her pancakes with vanilla maple syrup, cashew butter and frozen raspberries. Sounds good doesn’t it? It’s certainly one way to load up your toppings for a real Pancake Day treat.

Recipe here!

 

Honestly Healthy’s Turmeric and Lemon Pancakes

Natasha Corrett’s recipes never fail to tickle our taste buds and this one certainly ticks all the boxes. It’s gluten free, and the use of turmeric means that you really are getting that added bit of anti-inflammatory nutrition. Turmeric is great for boosting your immune system and a simple way of getting an extra burst of energy. The recipe recommends including fresh lemon and coconut sugar, which are healthy alternatives to white sugar and bottled lemon, and they taste so much better too. What we love about this recipe is that it doesn’t have to be a breakfast; it can be eaten at lunch, pudding or as a snack to keep you going throughout the day. You just may need more than one, but that’s ok, they’re good for you anyway!

Recipe here!

 

Tales Of A Wooden Spoon’s Cacao & Strawberry Pancakes

Lauren Teeling has pulled out all the stops with her latest recipe and just in time to celebrate Pancake Day. When it comes to refined sugar, dairy and gluten free treats she never fails. Not only do the recipes on her popular website ‘Tales of A Wooden Spoon’ look too good to eat, they’re also super healthy and nutritious too. She’s managed to sort out our chocolate cravings with these Cacao and Strawberry Pancakes so its no wonder she’s made it into our top 5 healthy pancake recipes. The best thing about this recipe is its super quick and easy to whip up. You can throw everything into a mixer and before you know it you’ll be loading up your plate with these delicious pancakes. They are sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, but the use of Cacao instead of chocolate means you really are still getting plenty of antioxidants. They make the perfect brunch or dessert and you can get as creative with the toppings as you like.

Recipe here!

 

Deliciously Ella’s Lemon Cardamom Pancakes With A Zesty Honey Drizzle

When you’re looking for a healthy recipe with a twist then Ella Mills is the woman to go to. She’s put together a brand new pancake recipe for this year’s Shrove Tuesday’s celebrations by creating a healthy twist on the classic sugar and lemon recipe with cardamom and lemon. The spice from the cardamom combined with the sweetness from the honey drizzle and fresh lemon compliments each other to produce a flavourful packed batch of pancakes. They can also be eaten all year round, so why not flip a few pancakes for Sunday brunch or a mid week dessert.

Recipe here!

 

Naturally Sassy’s Vegan and Gluten free Pancakes

Saskia grew up in America so if anyone knows how to whip up a batch of Pancakes, its Saskia. We’re not talking about the kind of pancakes that leave you in a food coma, this recipe is one that will leave you satisfied and full of goodness. This batch are vegan, gluten free and sugar free, and you’d never even know it. Start your Pancake Day off with this lot for breakfast and you’ll feel energised all way until lunch time. Our favourite thing about this recipe is the Natural Nutella, but be warned its dangerously good.

Recipe here!

Featured image – Deliciously Ella, Tales Of A Wooden Spoon

words by Lisa Evans

Aussie Health Food Trends To Adopt!

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When you think that Australia brought us Kayla Itsines, glam sportswear and a ton of new exciting workouts, it’s pretty hard to ignore this faraway sunshine land as a mecca for health trends. Former Londoner and Sydney resident Carolina Are gives us her top health food trends from Down Under.

 

Smoothie bowls
Especially if you’re in Queensland or in Sydney’s Easter Suburbs (think Bondi or Coogee Beach) it’s almost impossible to step out without seeing a bar or a cafe whipping up some yummy take on a smoothie bowl. The main streets around Coogee Beach, a mecca for British immigrants, have about ten bowl joints within five minutes’ walking distance from each other!

Unlike their London counterparts, Aussie bowls are quite generous in size, come in all sorts of varieties and are generally gluten and dairy free. Aside from the traditional açai, usually topped with fresh fruit and raw granola, professional açai bowl makers like Coco Bliss Collective have come up with about 10 different bowl options served all over Australia. Our favourites are the Mango Weiss, topped with mango cheeks wrapping the bowl almost like rose petals, or “nice cream” bowls, using frozen fruit like pitaya or banana to make smoothie bowls with an ice cream texture and topped with raw chocolate or desserts. Which brings us to the next trend…

Where to find these in the UK: Bodyism in Notting Hill offers a choice of four açai bowl to get your Bondi on.

 

Raw cooking
A raw food diet is about eating mostly or all unprocessed and uncooked meals. Although not everybody who eats raw decides to give up on cooking completely, more and more Aussies are going at least part raw, while cafés and restaurants providing yummy raw recipes grow day by day. Most health bloggers or influencers are raving about these easy to make, Insta-worthy raw food options.

According to nutritionists, eating raw foods doesn’t only ease digestion but also helps you make the most out of your meals’ antioxidants and vitamins. Plus, while they are not a guarantee to lose weight, raw foods make you feel fuller thanks to consuming fiber and nutrients in their full strengths, helping you curb cravings and eat less overall.

Where to find these in the UK: Planet Organic have a whole raw foods section both in store and online, while the Wild Food Café in Covent Garden exclusively cooks raw meals and provides recipes and cooking classes to get started.

 

Nutrionist made ready meals
Catering for busy Sydney-siders who still care about looking after their diet, a wave of nutritionist-approved healthy ready meals is taking the state capital of New South Wales by storm.

Companies like Eat Fit Food make meals packed with all the nutrients you need and tailor them to your needs, from vegan to gluten free, still keeping them super yummy. Think pumpkin gratin or raw granola with cashew milk, delivered to your door in the morning ready for breakfast or to be taken to the office.

Most services grow vegetables and prepare meals at their own farms or, like The Cook’s Grocer, they partner up with celebrity chefs from Sydney’s best restaurants. Although they’re a bit on the pricy side (three meals for $99 for The Cook’s Grocer and starting at $375 a week for an Eat Fit Food plan), they target high-income earner busy bees who benefit from not having to worry about cooking after hours spent at their desk.

Where to find these in the UK: Springbox and UK Fitness Food are a yummy, affordable alternative to their Aussie counterparts.

 

Coconut Milk Desserts
Aside from tasting absolutely yummy, coconut milk helps your immune system and has been this year’s revelation in terms of desserts. From soft serve to real Italian ice cream, Sydney vegans have been having a ball hopping from Newtown’s Gelato Blue to Soul Burger’s coconut milk thickshakes – and these are only a couple of Sydney’s vegan joints that don’t make you miss the real thing.

Watch out however: if it’s weight loss you’re after, it’s still worth noting that coconut milk is high in fat. The secret of its success stands in its ability to make desserts taste and feel as indulgent as their dairy counterparts, making the switch to a dairy-free diet less painful on your cheat day!

Where to find these in the UK: Coconut Milk desserts still have to blow up in the UK, but Hanbury Street’s The Canvas Café makes dairy-free milkshakes with a coconut milk base. Yum!

 

Kombucha and fermented food and drink
Sydney is all about your guts right now and fermented food and kombucha are all the rage when it comes to looking after your gut’s health.

Kombucha is a tasty fermented tea-based sparkling drink that tastes like cider and helps your body detox. The staff of health news empire I Quit Sugar swear by it, stating that the beverage preserves nutrients and breaks them down into an easily digestible form while providing with vitamin B and an abundance of bacteria and yeast, to bring your gut flora back to a healthy balance.

So why bother about your gut? According to I Quit Sugar a healthy gut flora improves digestion, fights candida overgrowth, improves mental clarity and stabilises your mood. Kombucha is slowly becoming everyone’s choice of drink replacing alcohol and brands like Remedy Kombucha and Kombucha Zest are the new bottled drinks being stored in juice bars.

Along with Kombucha, fermented food such as sauerkraut and other vegetables are popping up in each Sydney supermarket. Health-conscious foodies love them because fermenting converts sugars into cellular energy and lactic acid, which eases digestion while enhancing nutrients.

Although jars of fermented food might look slightly odd and not super-appetising, they make a great work lunch and are actually a fresh and different alternative to your everyday boring salad.

Where to find these in the UK: Equinox Kombucha brew this tasty drink here in the UK.

 

Plant-based lattes
Aussie-wide lifestyle gurus The Urban List predict that a rainbow of plant-based lattes will take over our Insta feed in 2017, from blue majik lattes (a type of algae) to red velvet. Meanwhile, turmeric lattes are what’s hot in Sydney at the moment.

Turmeric is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and memory improvement powers and, in a latte, it’s a caffeine-free spicy alternative to your boring chai. Sydney cafés from Bondi to the City are serving it up in all varieties, while companies like Golden Grind are producing blends of natural, unmodified turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper brew kits for you to brew your own latte at home.

Where to find these in the UK: Sourced Market at St. Pancras International gives you a healthy, caffeine-free turmeric latte before you hop on the Eurostar. Also, if you’re in Fulham you have to stop at Hally’s for a delicious turmeric or matcha latte! They have also just started doing beetroot lattes too!

 

Words by Carolina Are from Couchsurfer Reviews.

Baked Eggs – The Perfect Weekend Brunch

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This is a weekend brunch must! These baked eggs are very straightforward to prepare, yet offers something a little bit different and the pumpkin seeds add a wonderful crunch. If you fancy something more substantial, a layer of cooked quinoa in the base of the oven dish works well and beautifully absorbs the rich mushroom and spinach juices.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil or Olive Oil

2 Portobello Mushrooms

50g Baby Spinach

3 Large Eggs

2 tbsp Crumbled Goat’s Cheese

1 tbsp Pumpkin Seeds

1 tsp Chili Flakes

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

Freshly Grated Nutmeg

1 Lemon

Salt

Pepper

Fresh Thyme (Optional)

 

Method:

 

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), Gas Mark 6 and place an oven rack near the top.

 

  1. Wipe the mushrooms clean, and slice.

 

  1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. When hot, add the mushrooms and let them sauté. Season with salt and pepper. Keep the heat high, as this will encourage the water released from the mushrooms to evaporate, preventing the overall dish from being soggy.

 

  1. After 5 minutes add the spinach, some freshly grated nutmeg and the Dijon mustard and stir. Once the spinach has wilted, turn off the heat.

 

  1. Scatter the mushroom and spinach mix into a small ovenproof dish.

 

  1. Crumble over the goats’ cheese and crack the three eggs on top.

 

  1. Scatter over the pumpkin seeds and add a twist of black pepper and a sprinkling of chilli flakes.

 

  1. Bake at the top of the oven for 10 minutes, or until the whites of the eggs are set, but the yolk remains slightly runny (or as you like it).

 

  1. Allow to rest for a few minutes, then squeeze over some fresh lemon juice and serve in shallow bowls.

 

  1. A scattering of thyme leaves is a lovely addition if you have any to hand.

 

  1. This dish should be juicy and creamy; wholesome comfort food perfect for kick starting an active Saturday morning!

Recipe by Plenish Cleanse 

A Spotlight On Superdry’s Yoga Collection!

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With Spring edging ever closer, it’s the perfect time to have an activewear wardrobe re-fresh! Below, we take a closer look at Superdry’s Yoga Collection!

 

Like many successful high street clothing brands, Superdry are the latest to make the move in to Yogawear to add to their already established Sports Collection! With the rise in new fitness classes and with people being inspired to live a more active life, sportswear has now become a daily staple in many people’s wardrobes! Long gone are the days of wearing an old t-shirt and trackies to the gym… activewear has become functional and stylish whilst still maintaining its comfort factor. What more could you want?

 

Superdry has absolutely nailed style, functionality and comfort by creating a wide selection of fitness wear that is durable, breathable and moisture wicking. The new Yoga collection (which we are particularly in love with!) features flowing, super-soft tops and stretchy, supportive yoga leggings that are designed to give you ultimate comfort during movement. With performance-enhancing materials, you are guaranteed to get the most out of your yoga flow with absolutely no limitations.

 

The Yoga collection has been carefully tailored to avoid things that annoy us most about our activewear. For example the waistband can be adjusted in height to suit your preference, so whether you’re a hipster kind of girl or love a good high waist, these will be perfect for you!

 

We especially love the Studio Wrap Shrug to throw on after a yoga class. It’s super soft and loose fitting so it’s ideal to have in your bag for when you head to your favourite juice bar post yoga. We also love the Studio Stirrup Leggings as they provide a really secure fit and will go well with your current activewear wardrobe. The great thing about Superdry’s leap into activewear is the reasonable, wallet-friendly prices. With items starting at just £24.99, it’s perfect for sports and yoga newbies who don’t want to bust the bank!

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Healthy lifestyle blogger Lottie Murphy collaborated with Superdry to show the Yoga collection in action with some beautiful imagery and videos. As a busy Pilates instructor, Lottie portrays just how versatile and style-able the Yoga collection can be and how it seamlessly bridges the gab between studio to brunch!

Here’s our top picks from the collection which you can shop below!

Studio Wrap Shrug Superdry

Studio Wrap Shrug – £29

Studio Stirrup Leggings Superdry

Studio Stirrup Leggings – £29.99

Studio Corss Back Bra superdry

Studio Cross Back Bra £24.99

promo logo

Hip & Healthy Guide To Singapore

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Luxurious hotels, national heritage and street food: Singapore might be tiny, but it has plenty to offer to everyone. This little far East gem blends so many different cultures we felt like flying into three countries at once. Hindu temples, some of the best Chinese food you will ever find and an all-Western obsession with sky-high buildings make Singapore a mecca for fun-loving types, foodies and shopaholics. Carolina Are gives you her Hip & Healthy guide to Singapore!

 

FLY

 

Singapore is a gateway to the Orient and a well-known layover pit-stop if you are flying from the United Kingdom to Australia. Because of this, it makes the perfect three-day weekender stop on your way down under. Most international companies like Virgin or British Airways will fly to Singapore direct, while if you are looking to stop there from Australia on your way back to Europe, flying ScootBiz will still give you a perfectly comfortable flight without making you feel too light on cash.

 

SLEEP

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The Marina Bay Sands

Few places will make you feel on top of the world like The Marina Bay Sands – literally. A casino, shopping centre, mecca for some of the best international restaurants in town but, mostly, home of the 57th Floor Skypark and Infinity Pool, The Marina Bay Sands is the brainchild of the Sands group, which owns most of Las Vegas. Think rooms with curtains that open up to reveal breath-taking views as soon as you walk in, stylish interiors and one of the most incredible landscapes in the world: one night at The Marina Bay Sands will bewitch you forever. Doubles start at $329 (£184).

The Quincy

Strategically located close to some of the city’s main shopping centres and in between Chinatown, Little India and the Botanic Gardens, The Quincy is a hip little hotel guaranteed to help you make the most out of your stay in Singapore. With complimentary mini-bar and hot meals, The Quincy also features an infinity pool, gym and Spa on its 12th floor and is your best bet for a luxurious stay that doesn’t break the bank. Doubles start at SGD $280 (£157).

 

EAT

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Brunch at Nosh

Hidden among the trees and gardens of the gorgeous Rochester Park, Nosh looks like a colonial mansion serving Western food with a Singaporean twist. Think warm colours, glamorous interiors and a killer menu to start your weekend right. The signature Crab Benedict, using the one-of-a-kind Singaporean crabs for a perfectly executed twist on an over-done classic, is ideal for a cheat day, but their pesto salad is Italian-proof if you’d rather keep it healthy.

Shinkansen

Born out of the desire to make filling salads, Shinkansen blends protein and the love for Japanese food in a salad bar that is all about nutrition. Serving Western Japanese fusion dishes, Shinkansen has just launched a breakfast menu to help busy City workers get a nutritious start to their day. Don’t miss out on the restaurant’s Omega 3 Donburi bowl, made with Shinkansen’s signature mixed grain sushi rice, salmon sashimi, cured salmon and a medley of veggies and sliced nuts garnished with balsamic ginger sauce.

Lean Bento

Cute low-carb, low-fat bento boxes with no MSG and plenty of protein? Yes please! With an array of healthy choices to satisfy veggies and meat-eaters alike, Lean Bento’s menu is made of delicious brunch platters under 500kcal and filling main meals with all the protein you need. Go for the Miso Salmon and Teryaki Children not to miss out on this eatery’s best ingredients.

 

 

SWEAT

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YogaLab

If you’re looking to wind down after all this cardio, boutique Yoga studio YogaLab is the place for you, with a selection of classes targeted towards stretching, pre-natal yoga and curing injuries for the ultimate relaxation. With two central Singapore locations, YogaLab lets you drop in for $28 (£11) and enlists a team of expert teachers who will tailor your session to your needs.

Amore Fitness Cardio Bolly Blitz

Move over aerobics. Blending Bollywood choreos and hip hop moves, this cardio workout is based on hand movements and footwork, bringing Singapore’s melting pot of cultures to the gym. Ask the team for a free trial.

POUND

Unleash your inner rockstar in Singapore’s brand-new workout, Pound. Using light-weight “Ripstix” drumsticks made for exercising, POUND is a full-body workout blending cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and

pilates. In the one-hour class you will be squatting, jumping and lunging while holding the drum stick, in a quirky new workout idea designed by two American drummers and fitness fans in 2011. It’s exclusive as it gets, with Grace Sagaya being the only certified Pound instructor in Singapore to date!

Run

One of the most stunning landscapes you will find on your Insta, Singapore’s Marina Bay blends shining water, sky-high buildings and unreal green spaces. Blend sport and discovery with a bay run up until the gorgeous Gardens By The Bay, an eco-friendly garden which will provide a cherry on top to an already beautiful run. The Marina Bay run is a guaranteed good sweat, especially in Singapore’s humid and tropical weather.

 

 

GETTING AROUND

Singapore has one of the best public transport systems in the world, with a clean and efficient underground network that will take you from one end to the other in no time. A day tourist pass costs $20 (£11), with $10 generally refunded at the end of your trip. Alternatively, fool-proof Uber and taxi networks are active throughout Singapore: an Uber to or from the airport can cost from $14 to $19 depending on traffic, while going from inner Singapore to the Marina generally costs you no more than $10 per trip. But how about the language? Not to worry. Sure, Hindu, Chinese and Singlish – a blend of Chinese, Singaporean dialect and English – might be spoken all over town, but most people will speak English and will happily help you with directions or anything else you might need.

 

Words by Carolina Are from Couchsurfer Reviews.

Tips To Get Your Children Eating Healthily!

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Struggling to instal healthy eating habits in your children? Fear not! Naomi Buff, Holistic Wellness Coach and founder of I am Superfood Blends, shares her journey on getting her son and daughter to embrace healthy eating and her top tips on getting your children eating healthily too!

 

Being a health expert with two children you would think they are both perfect little eaters, well sadly not!

I have a 13 year old daughter and a 7 year old son and between the 2 of them I have explored every avenue of health and wellness with them as well as experienced every emotion.

 

I started my career in health and wellness due to my son who was one when we moved from the UK to France then to Monaco 6 years ago. Following the move he went from eating beautifully prepared Anabel Karmel homemade meals to becoming a self proclaimed junk food vegetarian eating a diet consisting of white foods that I could count on one hand. Being in a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t have any support and this threw me into the unknown! A few months later he randomly drank a huge cup of fresh apple, carrot and ginger juice, as the ginger packed a serious punch I realised that it wasn’t the flavour of food that he didn’t like (years later I realised it was a psychological issue which has since led me to study Eating Psychology). I clung to this breakthrough, bought a juicer, vitamix and started to study nutrition from home. I then started to create recipes for him, which integrated fruits, vegetables and superfoods so I could ensure he was receiving all the nutrients he needed to grow. I would serve him superfood smoothies in fun cups telling him they were milkshakes, courgette cakes, quinoa cookies and much more. Once I learnt to relax into his ways and took the pressure off myself he eventually started eating meat about 4 years later. He is a very healthy boy, with boundless energy yet he still won’t touch a vegetable but is happy to drink them, he tells me he prefers to drink his vegetables. The bottom line with my son is that he is just not a foodie, he will pass on the chocolate cake at a birthday party and will take one lick of an ice cream then hand it to me as he has had enough, I have learnt to accept him for his crazy little ways and trust that eventually he will also learn to eat his greens up too!

 

My daughter was a great eater when she was little and would eat platefuls of salmon and broccoli, by the time she reached 7 we were living in France all this changed as the sweet treats the kids were showered with after school and at sporting activities soon managed to destroy all my hard work and good efforts. I was shocked to see the mothers at the school gates with full packets of cookies and chocolate bar sandwiches, my apple and crackers didn’t go down to well and she soon started wanting what the other kids were eating, I was in a tough position as she was struggling to fit in as it was being one of the only English girls in a small French school so gave in more than I wanted. Her diet change then (sugar became a comforter) and it took years of battling with her until recently (so 6 years later) to finally have found a way to inspire a healthier diet. Even though I am known as a health expert in Monaco consulting with restaurants, hotels and high profile clients it wasn’t good enough for her and all my advice continued to fall on deaf ears! I can’t begin to tell you how disappointing and frustrating those years were.

 

So what changed? Me! I changed my approach with her, I took the pressure off and gave her the tools so she could educate herself rather than continue to lecture her. I first gave her some of my books, which were easy reading, she is very intellegent so this was a good approach. She didn’t take too much interest in the books at first and I started to find myself nagging her off of youtube to read them. So I tried a new approach and took interest in what she was interested in – bloggers, vloggers and youtube and found a cool blogger with a cookbook which I bought her for Christmas – the result an inspired daughter who is making healthy food choices for herself and making me healthy dinners a few times a week now – huge result!!

So based on my experiences as both a mother and health coach/consultant here are my practical tips that I have used personally and professionally on how you can bring healthier habits into your child’s life while keeping your sanity!!

 

Macronutrient Balance

What is your child eating for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, what are they drinking?

Be honest when you look at their diet. If they eat at school ask the teachers how they eat, what do they leave, then check in with them when they come home. If they have a pack lunch is it balanced? Is there anything you can change?

Ensure that all meals are balanced with a good source of protein (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, lentils, beans, nuts, quinoa, seeds, tofu etc), carbohydrate (whole grains including quinoa, brown rice, beans, legumes, all fruits and vegetables) and fat (avocado, nuts, seeds, cold pressed olive oil, oily fish)

 

Limit Sugar

Sugar is basically crack for kids – it is highly addictive and the cause of obesity, tooth decay, behavior problems and associated with many diseases and illnesses. However sugar consumption continues to increase and is hidden in most processed foods.

Be wary of food labels especially and don’t trust anything that says sugar free as it is likely to have another artificial sweetener in place of sugar, which is just as bad! Look at the serving size (be careful here as some packaging is cleverly marketed and the serving size is actually about half the size that is generally being eaten)

1 teaspoon of sugar = 4g of sugar

An apple juice carton which is 250ml may give nutritional information based on 100ml – therefore you would need to multiply the sugar content in grams by 2.5 to get the complete sugar content for the whole carton.

 

 

Meet your child where they are

Dinner times are stressful enough at the best of times – so rather than wasting your precious energy on fighting a loosing battle consider what your child likes and doesn’t like, work with the things they do like. If they are a big pasta fan try experimenting with healthier pastas such as chickpea, lentil and wholegrain. If they like rice, can you swap to brown rice, you may need to go 50:50 while the transition – don’t rush them and continue to experiment.

If you have tried to get them to eat broccoli for the last 6 months but they still won’t eat it then experiment with letting that go for now and consider trying different foods and methods (such as hiding it in a tomato based sauce instead) If you are stressed then they will be stressed too and likely not to eat what you want them to so you are fighting a loosing battle – learn to let some things go (for now, as an experiment!)

Have fun and relax into dinner time, the more you relax, the more they will eat (I promise this is true)

 

Don’t Give Up

I told my story above as it took me 6 years of battling and tears (mainly mine) to reach a place of happy medium where I have found balance and some fun during meal times. It took me a long time to relax into trusting that they would survive and I was doing my best!!

As mothers we are the worst critics of ourselves, which just adds additional stress and pressure on already the toughest job out there. So go easy on yourself, don’t give up!

 

Compromise

There will be foods that you don’t want your kids to eat, that you know aren’t good for them but they love and you may even restrict foods already. Find healthy boundaries that work for you and your family. For me, I have a sugar free healthy house and I let my kids have a treat on a Friday which is known as “Sweetie Friday” if they have been good all week at school. I am also not too strict at parties (although watching from afar), I find that giving them a little of what they want keeps them from feeling isolated from the other kids and deprived, otherwise when they grow up they are likely to go crazy and binge on the restricted stuff and have food issues.

 

Educate them and cook with them

Educate them as much as possible, tell them why they need protein – “for big strong bones” and why they need to eat their greens – “to heal and grow tall” Make it easy to understand and fun. You could also try cooking with your kids as this is a great way to introduce them to new foods and they will be so proud of their achievement they will likely eat it (this works for me every time!)

For the frazzled mammas out there, I have just launched a product called I AM Energised which is a natural vegan blend of superfoods and adaptogens. The blend has been scientifically formulated to ensure maximum effects from the powerful ingredients resulting in improved and sustained physical and mental energy.

words by Naomi Buff – www.naomis.kitchen.com

Winter Run Survival Guide

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It is a given that running in the summer is a lot more motivating and pleasent than winter running. The gym can be a lot more tempting in the colder months but you shouldn’t rule out hitting the pavement or park because it will do wonders for your mind and body, and there is definitely something about an outdoor run that you just cannot beat! We have devised the ultimate winter survival guide to get you up and out even when its -5 outside..no excuses!

 

Layer up

Wearing layers is essential when running during the winter… we recommend running in a warm base jacket like this LNDR one that can easily be taken off and tied around your waist once you get hot and sweaty. Wearing a long sleeve base layer underneath is also key as it will keep all your upper body warm and will make sure your arms don’t freeze if you do strip off the top layer. Remember, the first 5 minutes are always the toughest and coldest! But once you warm up you’ll be glad you laced up!

 

Be fuelled

You can expect to lose a lot more energy when it is colder as your body is using more energy to try and stay warm. Be prepared and fuelled for your run, get a big, carb filled dinner in the night before to give you lots of energy and try to eat something around 30 minutes before your run so you can let your stomach settle but still feel full of energy. A good old banana with some nut butter or a couple of oat cakes and hummus will do just the trick!

 

Warm up

Ensure you do a quick warm up before you begin your run. This is always important no matter what workout you do but it will even more essential before your winter run. Warming up helps the muscles ease into exercise better and will help prevent injuries. Warm up indoors if possible by doing some dynamic stretching and exercises such as mountain climbers or walking lunges to raise the heart rate before going outside so you are warm before you leave.

 

The Gear

Wearing gloves for a winter run is a must! You will definitely want to avoid frozen fingers on your run as it can be very painful and distracting! North Face Etip Gloves are amazing for keeping your hands warm and protected from ice cold winds. A headband is also handy for a winter run to keep your ears warm, not the most attractive thing but it will keep your hair out of your face and ensure your ears don’t feel like they are about to drop off!

 

Run with a buddy

If you arrange to run with a friend you are much more likely to drag yourself out of bed because you won’t want to leave them hanging outside your front door in the morning! Running with a friend offers added motivation and welcomed company, and hey, a good natter too! You could even plan to grab a post-run smoothie and a snack after which gives you all the more motivation to get up and put your running trainers on!

 

Make it part of your commute

A brilliant way to execute a winter run is to incorporate it into your journey to work. This does require you to have showers at your workplace otherwise your colleagues might have to wear clothes pegs on their noses all day, but if you do this, it’s is a great way to get in some exercise and save money on travel! If you have tiring days at work and the last thing you want to do is go for a run in the cold evening after work then you should converting your morning commute into a run. If you happen to live miles away from work, even getting off a couple stops earlier is a great way to get a morning run in!

 

Parkrun

If you haven’t already tried it, Parkrun is a great way to motivate yourself to go for a winter run. Park run is a free 5km run held every Saturday morning at 9.00am come rain or shine. It is held in different parks and open spaces across the UK and anybody is welcome to join. If you sign up online before you attend, you can print off a barcode which will allow you to receive an email later on in the day with your time, this is a great way to track your progress and reach your personal best! If you find it de-motivating running alone especially in the cold winter months this event is for you, surrounded by lots of other people you will be more driven to complete the run and push yourself to the best of your ability.

 

Lay out your clothes the night before

As simple as this may sound, our last tip very effective, and once which our founder, Sadie swears by! By laying out your running gear the night before you are more likely to just get up and out. By the time you have faffed around trying to find you’re running leggings which could be in the tumble dryer or in the laundry basket and the rest of your gear, you could have been half way done on your run! If you wake up see your clothes you are instantly in the mind set of ‘yes I am going running this morning’ and have less time to think of reasons not to go. This one is so simple and if you are guilty of finding a million and one reasons in your head not to go for the morning run you planned to do you should 100% try this, just get up and out and it will be over before you know it and then you will feel amazing for the rest of the day!

 

WINTER KIT INSPIRATION

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LNDR Base Jacket

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Alo Yoga Glow In The Dark Leggings

LNDR BASE LAYER

LNDR Breeze Long Sleeve Top – Blue Marl

Etips

The North Face Etip Glove

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S’well Bottle – Mother Of Pearl 

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APL – Heather Grey

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Falke Control Maximum Support Bra

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Falke Compression Tights

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Falke Invisible Running Socks

Workout Game-Changer – Best Wireless Headphones

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Whether you hit the gym, go for regular runs or even enjoy a brisk walk, you know that having some motivational beats makes any workout just that bit better. So you’ll also understand how frustrating it is when your headphones keep popping out of your ears and you get tangled up in the wires. Nightmare.

 

Well it’s time to say goodbye to those wires and say hello to wireless headphones. Yes you heard us! Wireless headphones are here to make your workouts effortless, fun, and most of all full of beats to keep you going whatever your workout maybe. It really doesn’t get any better.

 

Here at Hip and Healthy we’ve put together a roundup of the best wireless headphones you need in your life right now. Trust us you won’t regret it.

Groove E Motion Headphones

Groov- E Motion Bluetooth Headphone

These are probably one of the most affordable and effective wireless headphones out there; oh and did we mention they look pretty good too? They are perfect for the gym, on your daily commute and even travelling. They are perfectly sized, lightweight and fold away neatly…just make sure you don’t lose them in the bottom of your gym bag! The fact that they have a bluetooth feature means that they can be wireless on your run or walk without the hassle of cables bouncing around. There’s a nifty ear hook and neckband style which means they fit comfortably and there’s no budging them. You can even get some calls done on your walk or commute with the inbuilt microphone and don’t worry if you work up a sweat because the sweat resistant pads will save you from having to buy another pair anytime soon. At just £24.95 these are a bargain if ever we saw one.

 

Apple-AirPods-2016

Apple AirPods

It’s no surprise that Apple are at the forefront when it comes to wireless headphones. The Apple AirPods are hard to fault; you simply open up the case pop a pod in your ear and connect to your iPhone. It really is that simple. There’s even an in built microphone on the end of each AirPod making it easy to make calls, change the volume and skip tracks. A double tap even lets you talk to Siri. What more could you want? The most important thing to note is that the design of the pods means they do stay in your ear and rarely pop out like others on the market. They can be easily adjustable to suit each person, and versatile for most activities. They don’t come cheap though and at £159 they are at the higher end of the market, but for a good reason. These are an all-round safe purchase, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Monster isport headphones

Monster iSport SuperSlim

This set of wireless headphones are certainly aimed at the sporty kind! Monster iSport SuperSlim work using bluetooth, and provide a heavy bass sound that also manages to cope with your sweatiest workout. The design is simple, yet effective with a cord that connects the two ear pieces together and sits comfortably behind the neck. We love the fact these come in a bright green neon colour, but don’t worry if that doesn’t take your fancy there are some blue and black ones to sport too.  If you are like us and work up a sweat in the gym then these are for you, they are super sweat resistant which is a must! Again these are definitely an investment at £129.95, but we think its money well spent.

 

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The Jabra Sport Coach

These headphones have been designed specifically to suit more intensive training like HIT and cross training. With so many other headphones to choose from The Jabra Sport Coach has found a niche in the market. Like most wireless headphones they are designed to fit securely and to be sweat resistant, so that’s two ticks in the box from us. The headphones work with Jabra’s Sport Life App for Android and iOS and once connected it provides with you with a selection of workouts. This is a great motivator for those needing a little extra help to workout. We love the fact that your headphones connected with the app act as your own personal coach. There’s even a track fit sensor inside the headphones which can be used to track your running. These super comfy, and innovative headphones come at £100….go on you know you want to!

 

Powerbeats3 wireless headphones

Powerbeats3 Wireless

The name says it all! Powerbeats nail it when it comes to proving that sport headphones can sound just as good as other ones. The selling point for us is that they last for days unlike some others that you are constantly having to re-charge. The 12 hour battery life really is a god send especially if you forget to charge them regularly. They come in a range of colours from black, blue, yellow and even our favourite coral red. Worried about how well they soak up the beads of sweat? Well don’t worry at all, they are completely sweat and water resistant. Another great feature to point out is the new ear band which is slim, and resilient, allowing a range of movements and most importantly they are comfy. These wireless headphones really are worth the £169; they are easy to use, comfortable and style out any workout.