Madeleine Shaw’s Rhubarb & Coconut Rice Pudding

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I first tried rice pudding on a yoga retreat. It’s the most comforting dish; I love it made with Indian spices like cardamom and cinnamon. Rice pudding goes perfectly with stewed rhubarb – and any leftover rhubarb compote is great on top of porridge or on toast at a later date. Pudding rice can be hard to find (trust me, it took some time!) but no worries if you can’t find it. Just use short-grain or basmati rice, although check the cooking time for basmati as it cooks a little quicker.

 

Serves 2

Ingredients 

500ml rice milk or other milk

200g coconut cream

1 vanilla pod

1 cinnamon stick

1 cardamom pod

1 tbsp maple syrup

120g pudding rice or short-grain rice

2 tbsp flaked almonds, to serve

extra maple syrup, to serve (optional)

 

For the rhubarb compote

2 rhubarb stalks

2 tbsp maple syrup

grated zest and juice of 1 orange

 

First make the rhubarb compote. Finely chop the rhubarb into 1cm pieces.

Place in a saucepan with the maple syrup and orange zest and juice. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and allow to simmer for 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Keep warm to serve with the rice pudding.

Meanwhile, put the milk, coconut cream, vanilla pod, cinnamon stick, cardamom pod and maple syrup in another pot, over a medium–low heat. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes.

Then bring to the boil and add the rice. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring well, until the rice is cooked through. Take out the cinnamon stick, vanilla pod and cardamom pod (if you can find them).

Serve the rice pudding with a dollop of the rhubarb compote and sprinkled with flaked almonds on top, plus a drizzle of maple syrup if needed.

This recipe is taken from A Year of Beautiful Eating by Madeleine Shaw, published 20th April 2017 by Trapeze in Hardback and eBook, priced £20/£10.99

7 Mindfulness Tips That Will Make You Happier

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In your life’s journey, are you the passenger, or the pilot? You wake up in the morning, drink coffee, go to work, have lunch, go to the gym, eat dinner, go to sleep, and repeat. But are you truly engaged in these activities? Do you feel wholeness and meaningfulness, as if you are living with intention and purpose? Or, do you simply go through the motions, riding on a conveyer belt without much control over where you are going, or what choices you make along the way?

 

We all like to think that we are fully engaged in life, taking control in the driver’s seat. However, in reality, most of the time we are on autopilot. We go through the motions of our routines without stopping to give sincere attention to any of the activities we are ‘engaged’’ in. Through daily Mindfulness practices and meditation, you can turn off your autopilot, and experience TRUE engagement with your body and the environment around you.

 

Many people believe that Mindfulness is only about meditation, and while this may be one component, this practice is about so much more! There are many different ways to incorporate this quality of presence into your daily life, and with practice, any activity can become a Mindful activity. To bring more attention, awareness, and engagement to your daily routine, here are 7 mindfulness tips that will make you happier and healthier!

 

  • Start Meditating 10-Minutes A Day: You’re probably thinking: “Meditation? I don’t have the time to meditate, I’m too busy!” While you’re very busy juggling your personal and professional life, you may feel as if there aren’t enough hours in the day. The good news, is that meditation can be done in just a few short minutes when you find a spare moment or are in between tasks. Think about all the times you idly scroll through your Facebook newsfeed or browse the internet for the same (if not more) amount of time. Using those pockets of downtime for meditating could be just what the doctor ordered to get you refocused and back on track.

 

  • Observe Your Thoughts: Focus on your breathing, and where your mind is focused in that moment. Is it wandering? If so, where is it going? It is important to understand that our minds do wander, and by being aware of when it happens, we can bring ourselves back to the present moment. A Harvard study found that people’s minds wander on average 47% of the time, regardless of what they are doing (Killingsworth & Gilbert, 2010). Moreover, they found that mind-wandering causes people to feel unhappy. Therefore, taking a moment to observe your thoughts can help you to bring your mind back to the present-moment, and in turn feel happier.

 

  • Listen To Your Body: Are you comfortable with your own body right now? Scan your body for one minute to become aware of the different sensations you may be feeling. Our bodies are our homes and we should take good care of them. Are you hungry? Tired? Are there certain areas of stress? Do you need movement right now? This allows you to really recognize what is going on in your body and be attentive to its needs, whether it be getting some rest or doing exercise.

 

  • Label Your Emotions: Do a check-in with yourself to see how you are FEELING at that moment. Are you feeling lonely or bored, is that why you are mindlessly checking your phone? Are you feeling anxious or excited, is that why you’re reaching for chocolate? Recognize the connection between your emotional state and your behaviour and see how your feelings may be affecting what you do. Once you identify your present emotion, label it, and let it go.

 

  • Tweak Your Daily Routines: Take an everyday activity that you may normally do mindlessly, such as brushing your teeth, drinking your coffee, or walking the dog, and make it Mindful. Every day you should approach the activity with curiosity, being Mindful of what you are doing and how you feel throughout the experience for two minutes. When you pay attention closely, you may pick up on things you haven’t noticed before, or find more enjoyment in the seemingly simple task.

 

  • Find a Mindfulness Buddy: While Mindfulness training at its core may seem like something that you do alone, the Mindful Buddy can give you the platform to encourage and be encouraged to take part in the Mindfulness activities and meditation. Choose someone who will be a good support for you, download a Mindfulness app together, and make an appointment during the week to meet and meditate together. Check-in with each other over the course of the week to make sure the other person is practicing Mindfulness. Push each other to grow on this journey.

 

  • Eat Mindfully Once A Day: When you sit down for a meal, are you fully present with this experience? Or are you multitasking – checking social media, watching TV, or talking with your friends? Always ask yourself: “Am I really hungry right now? Does my body really need that?”. Instead of trying to rush through, take the time to enjoy your food and set a timer for 20 minutes to make sure your meal lasts at least that long. Try to be Mindful of the experience and really pay attention to the texture, taste, and temperature of the food, as well as to your bodily sensations.

 

Dana Zelicha is a leading academic on the topic of Mindful Leadership, graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE), and a former corporate high-flyer who’s first-hand experience with the mounting stress and pressure of the modern workforce inspired her to launch OWBA—The Well Being Agency (wellbeingagency.com). Her goal is simple: to help the organisational world become more Mindful. To arrange an informal conversation, email Dana at – [email protected]

 

Model – Blair Sinnott

Outfit – Hip & Healthy

The Olympian-Worthy Workout For The Time Conscious!

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Tired of your same old workout routine? Feeling un-inspired and end up wasting precious time in the gym figuring out how to make your workouts more exciting? Get excited! BRITA has teamed up with Olympic heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson to create a workout called “Switch7” that will inspire people to switch up their exercise regime to challenge and optimize their workouts in seven ways – from gaining explosive power to effective hydration!

 

BRITA, the water filtration pros, have revealed that over two thirds (68%) of fitness fanatics feel that their current exercise routine doesn’t challenge their body, with a lack of ideas or access to experts being cited as some of the causes for people only changing their routine every three months on average.

 

Katarina Johnson-Thompson says “Training as a heptathlete challenges your body as you train for seven different disciplines, and it’s so important to ensure you are properly hydrated throughout the day and especially before, during and after your workout. I always have my BRITA fill&go Active on hand, its squeezable design means it’s really handy for the gym and ensures I can stay properly hydrated. Poor hydration means results can be compromised so it was great to develop a workout in partnership with BRITA to ensure people have the right information to stay properly hydrated and get more from their workouts”.

 

If this workout sounds like something that will spice up your sweat sessions, then you’re in luck! This Saturday 29th April Katarina will lead her exclusive Switch7 workout class in Finsbury Park, London from 11am – 12pm. Attendees will have the chance to meet and train with one of the most exciting sports stars to emerge from the legacy of the 2012 Olympic games. To book your spot in this exclusive preview head to http://bit.ly/BRITASwitch7Session There are limited places so be quick!

 

Discover BRITA’s water filtration products, click here and download the Switch7 workout here!

Instagram: @BRITA.UK

Facebook: @BRITA.UK

#BRITASwitch7 #swapforgood

 

HIP AND HEALTHY PROMO

The Low-Down On Crystals & How They Benefit Your Wellbeing

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Confused about crystals? We’re giving you the low-down on what they are and how they can benefit your wellbeing!

With the rise in popularity of alternative healing therapies, crystals are no longer just a hippie’s delight! Their healing properties are slowly being exposed to a wider audience thanks to the booming wellness industry, so we thought we’d uncover a little more information on what they are and how you can use them in your daily routine to maximise your inner beauty and take your healthy glow to new levels!

 

The science behind crystals and their healing powers:
Crystallization occurs when liquid cools and starts to harden. As a result, the molecular structure of a crystal is fixed and repeated in a particular pattern.

Laurey Simmons, crystal guru and author of The Inner Beauty Bible, says “crystals heal because, through their highly consistent molecular structure, they bring inconsistent energies back into harmony.” This is known as entrainment. We can synchronize with a crystal’s specific vibrational frequency, which is why different crystals are known for different healing properties. It may seem a bit kooky, but there are plenty of examples of this process – as Laurey points out, one being when fireflies manage to flash light in perfect harmony.

In today’s society, where it seems there isn’t a single person who DOESN’T complain about being too busy, crystals can help bring your body back into harmony. The big question is… How can you slot their uses into your daily life?

 

Create A Sacred Place:
Having a space filled with crystals and objects linked to happy memories can be great for focussing your mind, especially when your busy life is calling. But where do you start in making a space that’s sacred to you?

Laurey Simmons, says that ‘making my sacred space beautiful always makes me feel more beautiful on the inside.’ We recommend finding a place where you already feel peaceful, like your bedroom, or a windowsill that overlooks a garden.

Choosing your sacred objects definitely calls for a good rummage in your box of sentimental goodies that currently gathers dust under your bed! You might like to use a shell from a beach trip, or a candle whose scent reminds you of a relaxing moment. Whatever gives you that warm, cosy, happy feeling!

 

Next, the crystals.

It’s worth deciding how you want to feel when you visit your sacred place and sourcing crystals that match those energies. We’ve put together a list of our five favourite crystals and how they might help you:

 

Amethyst – Amethyst is associated with peacefulness, contentedness and is known to eliminate impatience. Its healing powers are said to include sobriety and personal losses. We suggest you try adding a few small tumble stones to your day cream to help improve your skin’s moisture retention.

 

Rose Quartz – We think everyone could do with some Rose Quartz in their lives! It holds qualities of nurture and compassion – it’s not surprising this crystal is the most widely used in skincare products. Pretty in pink, you could wear this stone in jewellery from to be connected to its caring properties.

 

Hematite – If you’re a nervous traveller, try taking a hematite tumble stone with you – they’re said to strengthen your connection with the earth to make you feel more secure. This can help keep you grounded while on the move, and can also help with jetlag!

 

Turquoise – Turquoise is connected to water energy. If you struggle with dry skin, or even eczema, you might like to wear turquoise jewellery. The stone’s energy is known for regulating your water balance and keeping moisture in your skin.

 

Opal – We like to think opal as a mindful stone. Its glistening rainbow colours reflect qualities of enhancing imagination, creativity, memory and is even thought to decrease confusion! By carrying an opal tumble stone with you, you might find you’re more productive and your spirits heightened throughout the day.

 

Crystals in your Beauty regime:

While crystals can help radiate your inner beauty and wellbeing, they also have great effects on your outer beauty and wellbeing too! Laurey suggests applying your daily face cream with a smooth, palm size rose quartz to ‘help blood flow circulation, bringing a glow back to the skin.’ When warmer weather starts to set in, a nifty trick is to keep the crystal in the fridge overnight to refresh skin and tighten pores. While on-the-go, you might like to add some smaller crystals to your face or body cream to enrich it with crystal energies, then easily apply to your face.

We’ve sourced some great beauty products infused with crystals that you can seamlessly swap into your daily beauty routine.

 

Eve Lom Crystal Foundation Powder – 100% natural ingredients, this powder has Amethyst, Ruby and Rose Quartz particles to illuminate your skin, while connecting to calming energies.

 

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Radiance Fluid – A great serum for your skin infused with tourmaline energizes and gives you a healthy glow.

 

Prismologie Rose Quartz & Rose Body Balm – We love this moisturizer because the Rose Quartz gives comfort and the Arctic Rose helps to increase endorphin levels. Perfect before bed!

 

Aoes Skincare Range – This range is made with hand-picked crystals, which are then made into an elixir, to make your skin wonderfully radiant!

 

Quartz Treatment Room – If you want to fully submerge yourself in crystal healing, head to Galgorm Resort & Spa in Ballymena, Northern Ireland and discover their newly launched Quartz treatment room! This world class spa now houses a state of the art quartz bed for which two new quartz therapy treatments have been developed. This remarkable new concept in spa treatment tables, the MLX Quartz, uses a base of alpha-quartz sand, which is warmed to the desired temperature, generally 107 degrees. Derived from the ancient Greek concept of ‘psammotherapy’ (hot sand therapy) MLX Quartz is the modern version of a unique treatment which is guaranteed to not only dissolve tension but it also has proven therapeutic benefits for anyone suffering with rheumatic and muscular conditions. These benefits include improved circulation and metabolism as well as stimulation of the lymphatic and immune systems.

words by Katie Hafner

Raw, Vegan Donut Recipe (What dreams are made of)

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Mind = Blown. The talented people at Pana Chocolate have done it again with this seriously dreamy raw, vegan donut recipe from their new cook book, Pana Chocolate – The Recipes!

 

SWEETHEART DONUTS

Donut worry, be happy. See what we did there? This stunning raw vegan donut recipe is one of a kind, delightful in avour with a shimmery glaze. Perfect to share with that special someone (or not, we don’t judge).

Makes: 12

Time: 25 minutes preparation, plus 12 hours dehydrating time

Equipment: food processor, mini donut mould/tin (or similar), dehydrator, bain-marie, dehydrated rose petals, to garnish

 

Ingredients

1 quantity chocolate glaze

1 1/4 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons cacao butter

100ml chocolate syrup recipe (see below)

Melt the coconut oil and cacao butter together over a bain-marie. Add the melted oil and butter mixture with the chocolate syrup and stir thoroughly. Make sure the syrup is at room temperature (or warm over a bain-marie) before combining, or the mixture may seize.

Chocolate Syrup

90g Cacao Powder

140 ml coconut nectar

100ml filtered water

Place all the ingredients into a bowl and whisk together until smooth and shiny.

Donut Dough

80 g (23⁄4 oz) cashew meal

60 g (2 oz/2⁄3 cup) desiccated coconut

45 g (11⁄2 oz) activated buckwheat flour

45 g (11⁄2 oz) Brazil nut flour

pinch of Himalayan pink salt

juice and zest of 1⁄2 lemon

45 ml (11⁄2 fl oz) coconut nectar

1 drop of lemon essential oil

Method

Blitz the cashew meal, desiccated coconut, buckwheat our and Brazil nut flour in a food processor until ne.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, then add salt, lemon zest and juice, coconut nectar and lemon essential oil. Massage the mixture with your hands to combine.

If you own a donut mould tin, divide the dough into heaped tablespoon-sized portions and roll each portion into a ball. Push each portion down into the tin to ensure it takes the donut shape, then tap out onto the bench. If you don’t have a donut mould, roll the dough out between two sheets of baking paper until it is 2 cm (3⁄4 in) thick, then cut out using a 4 cm (11⁄2 in) cookie cutter. Cut a hole approximately 1 cm (1⁄2 in) in the middle of each donut. 
Place the donuts on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate at 40°C (104°F) for 12 hours.

ASSEMBLY: Carefully dip each of your donuts into the glaze. Garnish with dehydrated rose petals.

Note: If you prefer, you can also eat this donut mixture without dehydrating it – just set it in the fridge for 15 minutes.

 

Pana Chocolate, The Recipes by Pana Barnounis (Hardie Grant, £16.99 ) Photography © Armelle Habib

Marathon Recovery Tips From The Experts!

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With the build-up to the marathon focusing a lot on the actual race itself, it’s easy to forget about the aftermath – but we’ve got you covered! Check out these top marathon recovery tips and how to look after those precious pins from some of London’s industry experts!

 

Turmeric
We just love Turmeric! While rich in anti-oxidants, it is also ant-inflammatory, which is why it’s the perfect supplement for anyone running a marathon. It can help alleviate muscle pain and is even thought to help with shin splints. We suggest taking a Turmeric shot after the race, or indulge in a turmeric latte before bed. Imbibery offer a delicious turmeric shot with ginger and apple cider vinegar!

 

Have an energy drink waiting at the finish line
When we sweat, we lose electrolytes. Electrolytes are certain nutrients that have several crucial functions, including regulating your heartbeat to allowing your muscles to contract and move. The most important electrolytes are calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphate and chloride. If you suffer from cramping after or during a workout, you’ll often be advised to add more salt to your diet. Cramping is your body telling you that you’re lacking electrolytes, and salt contains the correct nutrients to cure this. After 26.2miles of running, however, you might need something a little more precise. Having an energy drink immediately after you cross the finish line will not only provide you with the correct measure of nutrients to rehydrate your body, but will also quench your thirst. Most store bought energy drinks are full of processed, artificial ingredients so we suggest making your own healthier version! It’s totally uncomplicated! We love this recipe from Don’t Mess With Mama!

After your energy drink and you’re feeling better, think about what food you might need to consumer. Fitness trainer, Conor Barrett, says, ‘there will definitely be some wear and tear on the muscles which will need to be repaired through correct food choices.’ This should include a carb to protein ratio of 4:1 and any lean meats of your choice. For a veggie option, have lentils, beans or quinoa instead.

 

Foam Rolling
Worried about DOMS? Don’t sweat it, foam roll it instead! Trainer Conor Barrett at OPUS Fitness says, foam rolling ‘will help lengthen the muscles that would have become considerably tighter over the run but will also help to increase blood flow to the legs, flushing out all the metabolites (e.g. lactic acid) that may have built up.’ Although it may be painful, foam rolling can reduce joint stress and help prepare your muscles for recovery. If you’re feeling like a post marathon pamper, visit COMO Metropolitan London for their marathon runner’s massage package.

 

Stretch or Do Some Yoga
Your muscles will be most receptive to stretching straight after you complete your run and are still warm. Stretching properly will reduce long-term tightness and pain. We think yoga is a great way to ensure a thorough stretch – it can also get you into the calm mind-set to recover.

CAUTION: when stretching, don’t forget your hip flexors. People often forget about their hip flexors as they don’t flare up as frequently as other muscles, but when they do its super painful. Hip flexors start the movement of your leg whenever you walk or run, so they’re used constantly during a marathon. Stretch them out by placing one foot on the floor in front of you and your other knee on the floor behind, both in right angles just like the classic “will you marry me” proposal pose! Slowly tilt your pelvis under and keeping your back straight, lean forward until you feel your hip flexors stretch. This should not be a deep lunge. Simply tilting your pelvis alone might be enough for you to feel the stretch! Hold the stretch for 30-60secs. Repeat twice on each leg.

 

Take a bath
No, take two! One hot, one cold. As soon as you’ve stretched and foam rolled, add some ice to a cold bath and bathe for 8 minutes. Try not to be put off by the discomfort – ice baths help repair micro-trauma in muscle fibres by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling.

Just before getting some well-earned sleep, soak yourself in a warm bath before bed to minimise any morning-after muscle ache. We’d recommend adding Clean Beauty Co. Well Earned Bath Soak, which contain Epsom salts. When submerged in water, these salts break down into sulphate and magnesium, which easily soak into the skin and then to your muscles. These substances will relax your muscles, eliminate toxins, and could help you wind down after an adrenaline-fuelled day.

 

Lounge in compression tights
Looking for an excuse to live in your gym kit just that little bit longer? Compression tights could actually help speed up your recovery.

It’s not advised to hit the sofa straight after a marathon, instead, slowly walk around to let your muscles cool down slowly. But, when it’s time to settle down in front of the TV, throw on a pair of compression tights to keep your recovery going at maximum speed! Sports scientists suggest wearing them for 72 hours after a marathon – even in the bath! Compression rights help reduce the chances of cramp as well as any delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It’s definitely worth adding a pair of these to your post-run chill-out. Our Falke Compression leggings will do just the trick!

words by Katie Hafner

The #1 Skincare Secret for Glowing Skin

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“Drink more water” is a much-used catchcry of the skincare bible, yet, we believe it’s frequently ignored. Nutritionists, models and beauty professionals all tell us to drink more water…so why aren’t we listening?

 

Does drinking water seem too simplistic? Do we think ‘I’ve already had water today’? Is the promise of clearer and brighter skin not enough to commit to drinking more water? We’re sure it is…and on the final day of our week-long water challenge with Get More Vitamins Drinks, we’re wanting to shout it from the rooftops “drinking more water is the biggest skincare secret!”

 

 

Hydrate your skin from within

 

Skin is the body’s largest organ and like any other organ, it is made up of cells, which require water to perform at their best. When we’re dehydrated our organs begin pulling water from our blood, which thickens as a result and in turn pulls water from our skin – causing sullenness, more pronounced lines and less elasticity.

 

It’s easy to visualise the dehydration of cells as cracks in dry and poorly hydrated skin. So when we’re dehydrated, our skin is much more susceptible to allergens, dirt and pollution – it simply can’t perform well! Water also flushes toxins from the body – a build-up of these can lead to congestion in the skin.

 

Vitamins for a skin boost

 

Vitamins are absorbed into our bodies through the small intestine through what are called ‘active transports’. When we digest nutritious foods, the vitamins are dissolved in water, then transported through our intestine wall – if our bodies are lacking in water, they cannot absorb as many vitamins. Here are some ‘vits’, which are vital for your skin:

 

Vitamin A repairs skin tissue, good for hydrating your skin – a deficiency in this can cause dry & flaky skin. Can also help with wrinkles and aged skin.

 

Vitamin B complex contains biotin, a nutrient which forms the basis of skin cells. Lacking in this powerful vitamin could cause dermatitis. Vitamin B complex has also been known to be anti-inflammatory that could help even out your skin tone.

 

Vitamin C is known as the ‘anti-ageing superstar’ – it’s one of the strongest anti-oxidants around. It holds UV protection qualities, which also help repair the skin, collagen and can even reduce pigmentation. For a great skin boosting Vitamin C treatment, find a serum with at least 20% Vitamin C. Ones with Ferulic acid increase the stability of the vitamin, too.

 

Vitamin E helps reduce scars and dry skin. To keep your skin looking beautifully supple, try adding some more spinach to your diet – it’s packed with vitamin E goodness, but also bursting with water!

 

Vitamin K is fabulous for lightening the appearance of dark circles and bruises. It is needed by the body to coagulate blood, so by getting more dark greens in your diet (like kale and cabbage), you could get your skin superbly sparkling!

 

The key ingredient to helping our bodies absorb these nutrients is water. So alas, here is another ‘Ode to Water’ for our skin’s health – we hope it will inspire more frequent visits to the tap (and bathroom) and that your skin shows the positive impacts of drinking more water.

 

Congratulations and thank you to anyone who was inspired to drink more water throughout or Water Challenge week – we hope you are embodying all the benefits we’ve mentioned and keep up the good work!

 

LAST CHANCE to win £100 John Lewis Gift Card + One month’s supply of Get More Vitamins Drinks!

Click Below to enter!!

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Why Not All Vitamin Water Is Created Equal

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As part of our Drink More Water challenge with Get More Vitamins Drinks, we’re looking for original ways to increase our water consumption. Vitamin water offers a delicious and refreshing alternative to the water filter or tap and as adequate water consumption is crucial to our vitamin absorption, vitamin waters are a fantastic 2 in 1 solution to dehydration and vitamin deficiencies.

However, with a variety of products available on the market, not all vitamin water is created equal. With many containing additives like sugar, it is important to be discerning about all the ingredients they contain. Here’s what you should be looking out for when choosing your vitamin water.

 

Added sugar? No, thank you.
The sugar content of many vitamin waters is on par with well-known sugary soft drinks, meaning they’re calorie-loaded and really not that great for our bodies. Some products have up to 13g of sugar per serving which is close to half our recommended daily intake! The list of harming effects of excess sugar is almost endless so we won’t harp on too much here but it is important to note that inflammation caused by sugar can lead to malabsorption of vitamins. This means that the body cannot get the full benefit of the vitamins in the drink and as such, we are left with not much else but sugary water. Get More Vitamins Drinks have no added sugar which means you can ensure you’re getting the full benefits of vitamins in your drink and with only 6-9 calories per bottle, your blood sugar levels won’t spike as it would with sugar-laden alternatives.

 

Which vitamins exactly?
If you’re reaching for a vitamin water as a form of liquid supplement rather than just afternoon pick-me-up, then it’s important that you know which vitamins are contained in a water and how exactly they help you. Get More Vitamins Drinks have different products each made with specific vitamins: A, B, C, D, minerals and multivitamins to target specific deficiencies and supplement a healthy diet. The Get More B Vitamins Drink contains vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B12 to give an energy kick and boost metabolic function, this is particularly useful for those fighting fatigue or having a plant-based diet.

 

So which to choose?
Unlike many vitamin waters available in your health food stores or supermarket aisles, Get More Vitamins Drinks have no added sugar and the product’s intention is to boost your vitamin levels where you might be lacking. We believe that big businesses are releasing vitamin waters to capitalise on this new market, which has been created by our increasing rejection of sugar-loaded soft drinks. As it is important to consider the integrity of the brand you’re buying from, Get More Vitamins Drinks are trusty and reliable products made to give us a helping hand with our health.

Full of vitamin goodness to ensure you’re getting Vitamin D when you haven’t seen the sun for days or Vitamin C when there’s a cold being shared around the office, the Get More Vitamins Drinks range gives you a boost where it’s needed when it’s needed!

Win £100 John Lewis Gift Voucher & A Month’s Supply Of Get More Vitamins Drinks!

Click below!

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The Latest Water Trends You Need To Embrace

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Over this week for our Water Challenge with Get More Vitamins Drinks, we’ve helped you get clued up on the importance of staying hydrated, what it can do for your skin and overall health AND how to easily and deliciously stay hydrated this summer! In this article, we want to take it one step further with highlighting the latest water trends that are making waves (waves… get it?!) and will provide a host of health benefits, from glowing skin, optimum gut health and more!

 

Charcoal Water
Is there anything charcoal hasn’t wiggled its way into? From lattes to sour dough bread, charcoal is definitely 2017’s trendiest ingredient! Charcoal has been used as a purifier in Japan since the 17th century so as well as making your water actually taste better, drinking activated charcoal-infused water can also benefit your health. Charcoal has been shown to be an effective way of removing substances like chlorine from our drinking water as well as other sediments that are often found lurking in tap water. We love black+bum activated charcoal sticks that you can add to your water bottle… they last for roughly 6 months and cost £4.50 per stick.

 

Rose Water
Rose in essential oil form has been utilised for its medicinal benefits for many years and is now a common ingredient in a number of beauty products dedicated to calming sensitive-prone skin. Think soothing facial sprays and decadent face creams! But did you know there are health benefits to ingesting rose-infused water? As well as hydrating the skin from the inside out, rose water can act as a stress reliever by calming anxiety and can even help sooth digestion issues like bloating and constipation. We love this delicious Rose, Lemon & Strawberry infused water by Wallflower Kitchen (image above)!

 

Birch Water
The key theme with regards to the health benefits of birch water seems to be its ability to aid in detoxification. Known to have natural (and very mild) diuretic properties, drinking birch water can support the liver in times of overload! A great natural hangover remedy springs to mind! It also can help eliminate toxins within the skin to reveal a smoother, toned, more plumped appearance as well as improving elasticity. Our go to brand for delicious birch water has to be Tapped. Check them out here!

 

Vitamin Water
Despise taking ginormous vitamin tablets every morning? Then look no further than Get More Vitamins Drinks. Get More Vitamins Drinks strive to help you get more of what your body needs so you stay strong, healthy and full of vitality without the use of artificial flavours and without added sugar. If you’re deficient in certain vitamins, your body can’t function at it’s optimum level, which is why Get More Vitamins Drinks is the perfect helping hand when life gets busy! Take a look at their offering here and find the perfect vitamin concoction to suit your body!

 

words by Molly Jennings

image: Wallflower Kitchen

WIN! Have you entered the Get More Vitamins Drinks competition? Click below to enter!

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Mind & Body Benefits Of Drinking More Water

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We all want to be the best version of ourselves and staying hydrated plays a huge role in keeping your mind and body sparkling throughout the day. Your body is made up of 60% water, which is why having a lack of it can affect you both physically and mentally. As part of our water challenge with Get More Vitamins Drinks, here’s how drinking more water could help you:

 

Mind
For women, dehydration affects their concentration the most. When your body is lacking in water, it causes brain tissue to shrink. This means our brains have to work much harder to perform at the same level. One study reveals that after comparing the brains of dehydrated young women, there was especially strong activity in the frontal lobe while trying to solve a task. Even though their brains were working so hard, they weren’t performing any better than others who were well hydrated. Men, on the other hand, often experience different de-hydration symptoms, which include poor memory and anxiety. Studies also show that if you’re dehydrated by 1%, there is a 5% decrease in cognitive function. If you’re 2% dehydrated, your short-term memory will suffer and you’ll have problems focusing.

When your brain is functioning on a full tank, you’ll be able to think quicker, focus more easily, think more clearly and be more creative. Drink more water? It’s a no brainer!

 

Body
Keeping hydrated can give you that healthy glow. It reduces dark circles under the eyes and also helps prevent wrinkles! If you suffer from skin problems, it might help to increase your daily water intake (2L recommended). If it’s dehydrated, our skin struggles to get rid of toxins and becomes inflamed, congested and irritated.

Regularly sipping water can hugely effect your body, too. It helps eliminate bloating, gas, acid reflux and IBS, but also keeps your organs healthy (especially in your gut!) by flushing out toxins.

Water is also a great way to speed up your metabolism: every time you drink, your body has to digest it, so the more you drink, the quicker your body learns to process its food.

With leaves starting to grow on trees and flowers beginning to bud, hay fever season is on its way – when the body is dehydrated it creates more histamines, exaggerating the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Hydrate your body to keep your symptoms at bay!

Working out while hydrated can make you work longer, better and more efficiently. It can reduce your blood pressure, which means you can push your body further, but also keeps the cartilage around joints hydrated and supple. Cartilage consists of 85% water, so keeping your joints hydrated will help prevent injury and increase recovery time.

 

Emotions
When your water levels are low, you might find yourself a bit tired and grumpy. This is why you sometimes crave a cheeky afternoon snack, but your body could actually be crying out for water to battle its fatigue. It has been proven that you don’t actually feel the thirst sensation until you’re already 1-2% dehydrated. So next time you need a pick-me-up, don’t surrender to the sugar, drink water instead! It may just give you that refreshing spike of energy you need to get you through the afternoon.

words by Katie Hafner

Get More From Your Water With Our Drink More Water Challenge!

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Hello Hip & Healthies! We’ve got a challenge for you this week that will make you feel healthier, more energised and give you that glowing complexion you’ve always dreamt of! Sound good to you? Then keep reading because we’re bringing you a week’s worth of tips, tricks and advice to show you why you should be drinking more water, the positive effects it can have on your body AND how you can get more from your water as we commence the count down to summer!

 

For this week’s drink more water challenge, we’ve team up with Get More Vitamins Drinks to help inspire you to drink more water and keep up this hugely beneficial habit not just for summer, but for your lifetime.

The benefits of drinking vitamin water
Get More Vitamins Drinks strive to help you get more of what your body needs so you stay strong, healthy and full of vitality without the use of artificial flavours and without added sugar. If you’re deficient in certain vitamins, your body can’t function at it’s optimum level, which is why Get More Vitamins Drinks is the perfect helping hand when life gets busy!

 

Immune Boosting
If you live in the UK, in particular, London, you’ll be able to relate to the constant battle we face on keeping our immune systems fighting fit! Let’s be honest, it’s one hell of a struggle, with bacteria-laden commutes to work (a sneeze in the face seems like a daily occurrence for most of the year) and cold weather that never ends apart from a few weeks in July! So a vitamins-infused drink like Get More Vitamins Drinks will allow you to keep topped up on your daily vitamin intake to help support a healthy, balanced lifestyle. We particularly love their Vitamin D water for boosting immunity! With less exposure to sunlight than other countries around the world, we can be susceptible to a vitamin D deficiency, which might explain why colds are such a common occurrence! A large study involving over 19,000 adults and adolescents found that those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were over a third more likely to develop a common cold.

 

Convenient
Popping pills isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and they certainly aren’t travel/on the go friendly compared to Get More Vitamins Drinks. Get More Vitamins Drinks provide an easy and convenient way to get an extra dose of the vitamins you need minus the hassle of trying to gulp down ginormous pills that can often be difficult to digest due unnecessary bulking ingredients.

 

Delicious!
Why choose the boring, taste-less option of vitamins in tablet form when you can drink a vitamin-infused water like Get More Vitamins Drinks that quenches your thirst while giving you a delicious flavour. With flavours like Lemon & Lime and Blackberry & Blueberry, we’re pretty sure you’ll be immediate converts! It’s also a tasty and refreshing way to stay hydrated during the summer months after a sweaty outdoor workout!

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Stay tuned this week and follow our Drink More Water challenge with Get More Vitamins Drinks!

HIP AND HEALTHY PROMO

 

How To Un-wind, Re-balance & Find ZEN In Mykonos

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Hip & Healthy contributor, Daniella Isaacs, finds a retreat to help her understand how to un-wind, re-balance and find her zen….

 

I have always been interested in staying fit. I eat well. I move lots. In fact, it’s a huge focus in my life. So when I booked the Helios retreat, I was anticipating that the 5-day trip would be spent perfecting my burpees followed by eating very light meals (which are frankly boring). I’ve done those types of retreats before and I hated them but I’ve always been under the impression that retreats aren’t meant to be fun.

 

Arriving just in time for breakfast, the six guests (never to be referred to as bootcampers) are all chauffeur driven up the spiralling narrow roads to the stunning villa which perches at the top of a hill overlooking the incredible vista of Mykonos. On arrival, founder of Helios Retreats, Hugo-Martini Mensch is waiting for me with smoothie in hand. We are all briefed about the ethos of the escape- which is to learn to be truly kind to your body. This means that alongside the high-intensity workouts, we can also enjoy lazy afternoons by the infinity pool! To complement our beautifully crafted menus consisting of very ‘clean foods’ we can also have a glass or two of organic wine in the evening- without any shame or guilt whatsoever. It’s time to return to our natural, mindful, yin-yang approach to wellbeing. And so the retreat begins.

 

I make my way to my room, which would even put a smile on Kelly Hoppen’s face. The zen-inspired decor summons up a Feng Shui feeling which makes me consider diving deep into the King Size bed and resting there for the next four days. Of course, I resist. The bathroom is filled with organic toiletries, a linen Helios dressing gown and slippers and a goodie bag filled to the brim with ‘wellness’ delights including- leggings, chocolate (dark and raw, of course) and even a beautiful candle which I light straight away to get into the relaxation spirit of things.

 

We kick-start things off by going on a morning hike down to the Aegean Sea to dip our toes into the turquoise water. Hugo has bought along bags of toasted nuts and dried fruit and bottles of mint-infused waters for us to enjoy whilst sitting on the sand. After soaking up the Mediterranean sun, we make our way back up the steep hill in time for lunch. For those who would rather skip the extra-exercise, they get driven back to our abode. Hugo organises it with zero fuss- that seems to be the theme of the trip, anything is possible and stress is banned.

food helios

The smell of garlic oozes out of the villa just as we return back in time for lunch. The menu at Helios is unique. It follows a ‘chrononutrition’ structure – a method first developed in 1986 by Dr Alain Delabos. His (and their) thinking is that the time of the day that you eat affects your metabolism and health. It basically means that the majority of our food is enjoyed before 5pm. This allows us to naturally detoxify overnight which is not only proven to aid weight management but also improves sleep and helps our muscles to recover from any exercise we’ve carried out in the day. Lunch is an impeccably made wild sea bass, cooked in basil and garlic with potato puree (thankfully carbs are celebrated not demonised in Mykonos). There’s also a beautiful green salad with sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and balsamic which is shared between us too. Each meal includes a good source of protein, which aids muscle recovery and also helps keep us fuller for longer.

 

For the rest of the afternoon we relax, and what’s perfectly considered is that if we want quiet time away from others, there is a private upper deck or if socialising is on the cards then there are sunbeds lining the pool.

 

Just as I crave an afternoon glass of Sangria, we are invited to a sunset yoga session led by Sarah Highfield. Sarah is a yogi with a pretty impressive track-record. She has taught at some of the best studios in London including FORM and Bodyism and has a hugely impressive client list (which unfortunately I am not allowed to disclose). Basically, she knows how to help unleash the ‘yin’ out of the very ‘yang’ personality types. And with me, she does it in a matter of minutes. As we take the first sun salutation on our mats, Sarah massages tiger balm into my tight shoulders and I surrender. For the first time in what feels like years, I mindfully stretch, breath deep and unwind for the 45 minute practice which ends with a 10 minute meditation as the sun sets over the Greek island.

helios yoga

Dinner is light, which in normal London life, would be enough to make me feel moody for the rest of the evening but for some reason, perhaps it’s a by-product of Sarah’s mindful meditation, the dish which consists of mussels lightly steamed and served with a broth of onions and fennels is all I need to feel nourished and ready to melt into my king size bed. By 9pm I’m sleeping like a baby.

 

We are woken the next day (and for the rest of the trip) at 7am, which on day two feels unwelcome but after getting used to early nights and early mornings actually makes me feel pretty smug and I quite like it. After a quick espresso, we walk to the villa’s Helipad where personal trainer, Danny Osbourne, greets us with a warm welcome (he’s topless). I’m not going to candy-coat it, his workouts are hard, sweat-inducing and pretty relentless (think burpees, hill sprints and endless ab exercises) but when you have the vigour of the other guests on your side, anything seems possible. Also, knowing that breakfast is only 50 minutes away is enough to keep me going all the way to the end. After a very-much needed cool down, we head off to breakfast alfresco.

 

Breakfast is organic buckwheat and quinoa cooked in fresh coconut water, walnut milk and a spoon of homemade mango and passionfruit jam. It tastes as extravagant as it sounds and I deserve every single morsel after Danny’s workout. Each day, the very well-deserved, Michelin-rated chef rustles up something even more fabulous- from eggs on toast to fresh fruit salad to fresh smoothie bowls, Greek food is there to be celebrated and healthy food suddenly feels decadent and no longer boring.

 

Breakfast is followed by a deep-tissue massage (of course) and a few more hours lying by the pool. Snacks are served halfway through the morning- which over the week ranges from homemade sugar-free ice cream, juices, smoothies and even grilled vegetables with a range of locally-sourced cheeses.

 

Some choose to go for another hike, others choose to do some boxing practice and pad-work with Danny, others choose to do nothing but lie horizontal until the afternoon comes around. That’s the beauty of Helios, there is no pressure to do anything at all. It’s all about tuning in with your body and re-finding your natural balance. I watch other guests beginning to let go of their habits, heady drinkers begin to opt for another glass of fresh juice instead of Chablis, I opt for another stretch session with Sarah instead of my typical high-intensity practice and those who normally don’t switch off their light until the early hours are tucked up by 9pm. The beauty is, this isn’t scheduled or ordered by Hugo, it’s actually just having the time and stress-free space to tune into our individual needs.

 

The days melt away in a similar vein, early rises, sweaty morning workouts followed by relaxing afternoons and mindful yin yoga sessions. Between the expertise of Hugo, Danny and Sarah, we are all carefully looked after and any wellbeing request is met with a smile. On our final evening we are treated to a night out on the ‘Mykonos tiles’, we go to a famous Greek restaurant synonymous for wild late-night parties and endless plate smashing. However the six of us, find ourselves ordering fresh mint tea and fruit to round up the evening, we also are all openly sharing the discoveries we have made from the retreat. I mention that it’s the first time I have felt free from my iPhone screen in years, others say that they are going to change their entire diet when they get home and one even says that he is going to hand in his notice (a broker in the City) when he gets home because he has realised that always being ‘on’ is not the way it has to be.

 

Helios has made me realise that to be truly ‘healthy’ you need balance. There is no need to go mad on a spinning bike every day. There is no need to eat ‘clean’ 7 days a week. There is no need to beat myself up if I miss a day (or week) of exercise. We all spend so much time beating ourselves up with ‘having’ to ‘eat well’, ‘work harder’ and ‘exercise more’ when actually, Sarah, Danny and Hugo prove that sometimes taking a moment to breath, relax and walk away from outside stresses has the power to improve your work, your mindset and your body. Balance is everything and now I’m back in the hectic city, I hope this new calm approach lasts.
Dates for 2017 in Mykonos

27-03 May – Sarah Highfield and Madeleine Karlsson

18-24th May – Danny Osborne and Yoga TBC

01-07 June – Natasha Kerry and Paola Di Lanzo
http://www.heliosretreat.com/