London’s New Healthy Kitchens We’re Loving!

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We’re always on the look out for new cafe openings and exciting places to brunch with friends! We just love a good natter over delicious, healthy food! We’ve rounded up London’s new healthy kitchens that we haven’t been able to resist!

HEMSELY & HEMSLEY CAFE, Selfridges, Bond Street

These power sisters can do no wrong! We were excited to hear that Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley opened their very first café in the new Body Studio at Selfridges! After the success of their two (mighty delicious) cookbooks, we think it’s such an amazing idea to give everyone the opportunity to experience some of their most loved recipes without having to step foot in your kitchen! From their famous bone broth to scrummy buckwheat coconut porridge, there will be something on the menu that everyone will enjoy after a tiring day of shopping Selfridges famous handbag section!

 

RAW PRESS, 3 Ellis Street, Chelsea

Just a three minute walk from Sloane Square tube station, the second Raw Press Juice Cafe has opened. Meat, dairy, sugar and gluten free, we are simply in love with the abundance of healthy and delicious goodies on offer! They even stock brownies from The Hardihood (if you don’t know who these guys are check them out on insta here!), an incredible range of cold pressed juices, choccie nut milks, acai bowls and our all time fave – healthy peanut butter cups! We love the ultra simple decor in the care itself; think marble counters and pale wood, ideal for us Instagram obsessives to get snapping away! There are even toasters on the table tops, so we can have our artisan breads toasted to perfection, before smothering it in lashings of nut butter. The bright, airy and modern space is perfect for meetings, working or catching up with friends.

 

SHOT, 23/23A Bride Lane, St Pauls

Simple, healthy, organic, tasty food. Set up by London DJ, Mr Asad Naqvi founded SHOT because he found it was hard to find somewhere offering the nutrition he needed after a night behind the decks…

His menu is based on foods that will nourish you and provide you with sustained energy throughout your working day. SHOT offers a variety of clean food dishes, including a thai green fish curry, baked falafel wraps and beef and sweet potato chilli. SHOT has a wall dedicated to their dishes, with nutritionist backed information cards displaying their ingredients, micronutrients, health benefits, as well as calories, protein and lots more to help customers make an informative decision before choosing on what to eat or takeaway.

 

ROOTS JUICERY, 1 Charlotte Place, Fitzrovia

A delicious selection of organic cold pressed juices, nut milks, superfood smoothie bowls, as well as healthy food dishes and great quality coffee. Got a sweet tooth?  Fear not – their raw caramel slice, quinoa cookies, raw cacao oreos and brownies will tick all your boxes! These are made fresh on site daily, and all produce is organic, as well as being sourced as close to the juicery as possible. We love the cute little glass bottles that the juices are served in; ROOTS will even give you 20p off your next drink if you bring your bottle back!

 

THE DETOX KITCHEN, Mortimer Street

Because one Detox Kitchen was never enough, Lily Simpson, (the brain-child behind this amazing company) decided to open another! Situated on the bustling Mortimer Street, they serve fresh, vibrant and delicious dishes that are free from dairy, wheat and refined sugar, and aim to celebrate good quality, seasonal and whole ingredients. The menu boasts the most dreamy selection of salads; think miso aubergine, kale and apricot with a tahini and coriander dressing, or courgetti with basil and cashew pesto …(yum!). There are also plenty of yummy brekkie options, such as porridge, with endless toppings like honeyed pecans, toasted pumpkins seeds…we are just drooling over the menu!

 

CORE KITCHEN, cafe at Core Collective

The epic new gym, Core Collective on High street Kensington has recently opened up a lovely new cafe, Core Kitchen. The menu sounds just up our street! Pop by for brekkie and get your fix of buckwheat waffles, served with coconut cream, blueberries, cinnamon and salted coconut caramel! We also love the sound of Turkish poached eggs, with harissa, yoghurt, herbs and toasty soldiers. Lunch menu packs a protein punch; fill up on glazed salmon fillet or seared steak fillets post workout to rebuild those muscles. Sides include baked sweet potatoes, green fritters and roasted aubergine. How good does that sound?

words by Flora Crichton

The Fitness Trackers That Actually Work!

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Here at Hip & Healthy, we have to put our hands on our hearts and say that we’re fitness tracker junkies – we’re the girls that can tell you how many miles (to the yard) we ran during marathon training and which pair of Nikes took the most slog!

So after Nike’s Fuelband gave up the ghost, we decided it was time to get ourselves a new piece of arm candy. It seems that whatever sport is your poison, there’s a fitness tracker to suit you. From the everyday Fitbit enthusiasts to the more specific Triathlon watches from TomTom and the like, we take a look at which one works best for you.

 

Fitbit

Tracking everything from weight to calories (accurately based on your heart rate) and sleep, the Fitbit range is a dream for any fitness enthusiast. Link it up to My Fitness Pal and let it work out what exercise you’re doing – although sadly there’s no Barry’s Bootcamp setting. Choose the Charge or Charge HR for everyday fitness and step tracking, or go hard with the new Blaze (made to rival the Apple Watch but with a much longer battery) for added music control, GPS and on screen workouts. And if that’s not enough for your competitive streak, get one for your friend and challenge them to beat you at a work week hustle or a weekend warrior step off – just make sure you’ve got the step count to win…

 

TomTom

For anyone running a Marathon or prepping for a Triathlon, the new TomTom Spark is a godsend. With a built in heart rate monitor, this watch doesn’t just track your daily activity. The multisport mode allows you to track runs and cycles with GPS as well as your swims – yep, you got it: this bad boy is waterproof! With capacity to store over 500 songs too, you won’t even need to carry your phone when exercising. And if you really want to give your body that extra push, you can choose to train in a specific heart rate zone like fat burning or cardio endurance to make sure you’re getting the most out of your workout. Perfect to help you push for that sub-four-hour marathon then…

 

Apple Watch

The obviously flashy choice, the Apple Watch is definitely a jack-of-all-trades. Featuring all-day activity tracking and notifications that sync with your iPhone, this is a piece that Apple aficionados will love. It’s full of the company’s beautiful design elements, with the daily progress goal coming in the form of an activity ring, but you can also track your heart rate, steps and calories (through My Fitness Pal again). If there’s a negative though, the notorious battery life of Apple products means that you’ll probably spend all night charging it rather than tracking your sleep time, but it is definitely an impressive piece of kit.

 

Jawbone

Remember the original UP? Well, one of the first ever fitness trackers is now into its third iteration with the aptly named UP3. This bracelet not only tracks your sleep, but also pinpoints the best time to wake you up in your sleep cycle (as if there is such a thing?!). Oh, and if you’re idle for too long, it will quite literally give you a buzz, With an impressive array of designs and colours, the UP3 is less chunky than some of its competitors too, making it perfect for slimmer wrists.

 

Misfit Shine

When the original Misfit Shine launched a few years ago, it was the first fitness tracker that looked more like a piece of jewellery than a piece of hardware. And as an added bonus this is one of the only trackers not to need charging – simply replace the battery every 6 months or so. Because the Speedo edition is waterproof too, you can track your whole fitness life on one piece of kit – everything from a leisurely stroll to swims, cycling and running. Thanks to an impressive array of accessories, you can wear the Shine as a necklace or bracelet – or even clip it onto your clothing if discretion is more your thing

So whether you’re looking for something to track your sleep or want to beat your friends, there’s a fitness tracker made just for you.

 

words by Jemma Crow

Top 5 Energy Boosters For Busy Mums On The Go!

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Life as a new mum, super-mum, working mum or simply-trying-to-keep-it-together mum can be a challenge, but we know you embrace it and carry on living your life to the fullest – and that is what makes you so amazing! That said, there will inevitably be times when you’ve forgotten to brush your hair on your way out of the door, let alone sit and treat yourself to a homemade smoothie and side of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon! But a hungry, energy-depleted mama really isn’t good for anyone!

We know time doesn’t always permit the insta-perfect breakfast (lunch or dinner for that matter!), which is why we want to share with you our top tips for staying healthy and energized on the go!

 

Make sure you have breakfast! If nothing else, prioritise starting your day right. And for the time-poor, why not try making jars of chia seed pudding or overnight oat pots in the evenings, so that even if you’re rushing out, you’ve got a nutritious, homemade breakfast ready to pop in your handbag! Try this recipe here!

 

Keep properly hydrated – and coffee doesn’t count I’m afraid! We all know we should drink lots of water, and yet it is often forgotten. Make sure you drink water when you wake up to rehydrate yourself after your sleep, but also continue to sip on water throughout the day!

 

Always have a packet of nuts and seeds in your hand bag! By this we mean the unsalted, unsweetened, unrefined sort of course – but these are a great way of getting a quick energy hit if hunger pangs hit and you’re out and about with no health food shop in sight!

 

Treat yourself to a matcha latte! Matcha has incredible energy producing properties and is an amazing natural source of caffeine. It tastes indulgent and yet, is totally guilt free so don’t let this gem pass you by!

 

Make sure you’re always well stocked on healthy and quick foodie essentials! To name but a few, we think you should always have avocados, houmous, oatcakes, dates, peanut butter (allergies permitting!) and bananas at the ready!

 

You probably don’t think about yourself first anymore, which is wonderful but still totally necessary, and so that’s what we’re here for! Don’t forget to nourish yourself properly and maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially now that you have a little one that depends on you to be fit and well! Keep well hydrated and fuelled so you can be the best mum to your babe!

words by Cecilia Clarke – Founder of Nurture With Nature

If You Only Do one Thing This Week… Eat Green, Get Lean!

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Veggies might have a bad rep for being a bit boring, but they can really be jazzed up to make some of the scrummiest dishes around. Think curries, bean chillis, warming soups and guacamole! The dark green leafy kind are some of the most nutrient dense foods out there, so we really need to be getting more of them into our bodies. From glowing skin, to sustained energy and general well-being, plant based diets are a sure-fire way to getting you in the best shape and health this 2016!

 

The Goodness of Greens…

Veggies are packed with potent compounds that are very difficult to find anywhere else in the same concentration. Green veggies are an amazing source of minerals, most notably magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. They also contain a high number of vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, E, K and B, lots of dietary fibre, folic acid and beta carotene.

Dark green leafy veggies, such as spinach and kale, are a particularly good source of carotenoids – these act as antioxidants, helping to protect the body against cellular damage, the development of tumours and harmful organisms in the body.

Try to buy organic as much as possible, as veggies contain twice the vitamin and mineral content. When we feed our body with so much goodness, we no longer crave energy in the form of sugar to prop us up. Try a green juice when you are feeling tired, and you will notice that natural boost in energy and a welcome decrease in sugar cravings.

See below how to sneak more vegetables in your diet without compromising on taste!

 

Soups and Smoothies

Juices and smoothies are a great way to incorporate more veggies into your diet. Aim to use more veggies than fruit when preparing fresh juices in order to increase your nutrient intake, while avoiding any sugar spikes on your blood sugar levels. Make sure to pop some form of fat into your smoothies or soups too as this will increase the nutrient absorption by our bodies. This could be in the form of nut butter, tahini, avocado or chia seeds. These will also thicken your smoothies and soups, and give them that desired creamy and indulgent texture.

Soups can often be perceived as bland but you really can make them delicious by adding a source of fat (like olive oil or coconut oil) or lots of herbs to bring out the flavour and popping in diced veggies will make for a heart warming broth with lots of texture. Another scrummy option is to make a coconut based veggie curry such as Madeleine Shaw’s Thai coconut prawn courgetti soup which is comforting and warm, yet has a spicy kick to it! Another favourite is Deliciously Ella’s sweet potato and chickpea stew, bursting with fibre to keep you really satisfied!

We would also recommend Zita Steyn’s beautiful book ‘Good better Green;’ a beautiful collection of inventive recipes to help you increase your green intake, from soups and risottos to smoothies and even veggie based cakes!

 

Swapping meat based meals to veggie based

Personal trainer to the stars, Dalton Wong’s book The Feel Good plan, emphasizes the importance of pairing our veggies with flavoursome foods so we start to associate them with tastiness. Sauté spinach in coconut oil, garlic and lemon, or grate parmesan over kale. You will begin to form a positive association with the taste of veggies and soon be loving them all by themselves!

We love veggie-based curries, such as squash, spinach and coconut lentil curry; slow cooking these over a low heat will ensure incredibly comforting dishes and beautiful depth of flavour. Roasted veggies are also packed with goodness, paired with hummus and a tahini lemon or fresh pesto dressing to make a yummy and fibre packed lunch to pop in your tupperware.

 

Our current fave veggies to include in our diets…

Sweet Potatoes; we at Hip & Healthy believe that avoiding carbs is a no-go. We all need our daily dose of energy and these gems are the perfect source of slow releasing carbohydrates. Bake them with cinnamon and top with hummus or feta, or slice up, roast in paprika and drizzle with coconut oil to get your French frie fix, minus the guilt!

 

Brussel sprouts; these are nutritional powerhouses – we know some of you will be flinching at the thought, but have you tried roasted Brussel sprouts? Any hint of bitterness you might associate with them is replaced by a subtle, caramelised sweetness! Drizzle in olive or coconut oil before seasoning and roasting for a delicious veggie side-dish, bursting with goodness.

 

The humble green pea; cheap and cheerful, little green peas are bursting with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, as well as omega 3 fats – who knew? Whip up a simple soup by blending peas, veggie stock, spinach, tahini, coconut oil and lemon for a cleansing yet delicious dinner made in minutes.

 

Spinach; no surprise there! A plant with incredible benefits which will increase vitality, energy, and purify the blood. Try Deliciously Ella’s tasty salad that doesn’t really taste like a salad at all – wilted spinach coated in creamy tahini with bursts of sweet sundriedd tomatoes and smoky roasted aubergine. Thank you Ella!

words by Flora Crichton

Superfood Beauty Buys!

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We’re firm believers that if you care about what goes into your body, you really should care about what goes onto it. Your skin is your biggest organ and absorbs 60% of what you slather all over it. So when it comes to superfoods, if you’re cramming those bods with nutrition-packed goodness, why let your skin miss out on the fun?  We’ve all become familiar with the nutrition-rich food types that are extra beneficial for our health; the blueberries, broccoli, kale, spinach, pomegranate, avocado, beetroot…they all provide a ton more vitamins and minerals than your average food and help keep our bodies healthy. The good news is that both your skin and hair can also benefit from these wonder foods, so we’ve rounded up the latest superfood beauty products to give your bathroom shelf a healthy boost.

 

First on our list is a brand spanking new product from Origins – By All Greens (great name). This is a clever little product that’ll treat you to both a soothing face mask and gentle cleanse as it doubles up as both. Featuring a superfood-packed line up of spinach, spirulina AND green tea, this is a powerful, antioxidant mask that’ll act as a mini detox for your skin. Spirulina also has great antibacterial properties that’ll get to work on acne and breakouts. Once you’re about done with your mask, By All Greens conveniently transforms into a foaming cleanser with coconut and clay that will draw out impurities and toxins. It’s perfect for unclogging pores and removing potentially harmful dirt from the skin. Basically like a juice cleanse for your skin.

 

Jane Iredale is a fantastic natural make-up brand and we especially love their Circle Delete Under Eye Concealer. This is an utter wonder product as it’s basically a concealer that moonlights as an under eye cream, with the ultimate aim of hiding and deleting those annoying under eye bags (that usually follow one too many late nights). Its secret? Green tea and avocado, two of the most powerful green superfoods. The tea is high in antioxidants – specifically tannins – that help to shrink the swelling, in turn reducing puffiness. It also has astringent properties that help to constrict capillaries and lighten dark circles. Avocado contains a powerful mix of fats that nourish and moisturise the delicate skin around the eyes, preventing further damage. And as this beauty is also a concealer, it means it’ll hide any current bags whilst helping to zap them for good.

 

La Bella Figura’s Barbary Fig Renewal Serum has gained legendary status in the green beauty world and for good reason. Its key ingredient Barbary fig oil is basically what we like to call a superoil. Dubbed as liquid gold and the new Argan, it contains essential fatty acids 3 and 6 that are perfect for moisturising, building collagen and promoting suppleness. It’s also packed full of a pretty impressive array of vitamins and minerals that deeply nourish.  As if that isn’t enough, La Bella Figura have thrown in a dash of our favourite superfood broccoli seed oil which acts as a primer; smoothing skin and brightening the complexion. Also in the mix is pure guava oil, milk thistle seed and magnolia oil, all in all a powerful little number that also smells divine. Disclaimer: we know it carries a pretty hefty price tag but we promise it’ll last for ages and is totally worth it.

 

 

British brand Pai can’t do much wrong in our eyes. As well as their infamous Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil (honestly will give you THE softest skin and pretty much stop ageing in its tracks…), they have a killer range of products from cream cleansers to calming body balms. But their Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seed Organic Stretch Mark System really grabbed our attention – pomegranate and pumpkin? Yes please! The superfood pomegranate is packed full of goodness and has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, to name but a few. The two part treatment is also high in vitamins C and E, plus the pumpkin provides an array of Omegas that nourish and hydrate. Finally a range of essential fatty acids help keep skin smooth, supple and ultimately improve the appearance of those super annoying stretch marks. Just try not to eat it when applying…

 

NailsInc have got a pretty sweet range of superfood polishes, designed to inject a surge of nutrients into damaged nails. We love their Nailkale Superfood Base Coat which actually contains kale extract to strengthen nails and promote growth. Kale is packed full of Omegas 3 and 6 which will help keep nails healthy and shiny. And to top it off, this amazing stuff is also a 5-Free formulation (doesn’t contain potentially harmful Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor) so it’s safer for your little trotters.

Words by Clean Beauty Co | www.cleanbeautyco.com
Instagram @cleanbeautyco | Facebook Cleanbeautyco  | Twitter @cleanbeautyco

The Best TRX Classes In London!

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TRX is having a moment. And is it any wonder? As one of the best methods of resistance and body weight-training around, it fires up every muscle in the body to build muscle, burn fat and get that highly desirable lean, sculpted look we’re all after – fast. And the benefits don’t stop there. This simple two handle strap, besides helping you to look awesome also builds serious strength (the kind that’s very hard to replicate with regular free-weights) as well as endurance, stamina, balance, joint and muscular stability, helps to increase range of motion, flexibility and reduces your chances of getting an injury.

Invented by the Navy Seal Randy Hetrick, the TRX was born out of the need to be able to keep in shape anywhere at any-time whilst the seals were on deployment out on the high seas. So Randy knew a thing or two about needing to work-out in small, non-friendly exercise places and the beauty of TRX is that you can hang it up anywhere; at home, the park, the beach, at work, a hotel room. Once secure all you need to do is grab the stirrups and away you go! Experience a seamless transition between body blasting HIT cardio, to get the heart-rate up and torch calories, and then slower functional conditioning moves to build strength, overall achieving that effective after-burn hours after your work-out. The unstable environment caused by the strap suspension means that the core must be kept tight and engaged the entire time to stabilise you in all movements, otherwise you’ll simply lose balance. The wide variety of angles and planes the TRX allows you to exercise in in means that more muscle groups can be recruited simultaneously during each exercise. Speaking of the core, Hip and Healthy haven’t found a better, more effective method of training to hone those rock-hard abs we all want – simply slip your feet into the straps for some killer core work. Warning – ab moves on the TRX are challenging so if you’re trying it for the first time just sticking to holding a plank on the hands and elbows in good form presents enough challenge to start with. Plus the exercises you can perform on the TRX are endless meaning that you won’t ever get bored so you’ll be guaranteed to keep coming back for more!

With all this in mind, time to get strapped in with our pick of the five best classes for you to try….

 

Transition Zone – TRX with Claire or Adam

This is the ultimate in TRX training. No work-out is the same and every time Claire and Adam make sure they push you to your max – whatever your fitness level and classes are kept small to ensure you can receive lots of one on one attention. A killer combination of cardio – pistol squats, kickboxing movements, power-hops, scissor lunges and mountain climber sprints all come together to get your heart-rate up. These are alternated with rounds of longer, isolated strength movements and contractions – press ups, rows, Y’s, I’s, T’s, – the slower you go, the more time under tension, and the more strength you build from each exercise; “Many women wouldn’t dream of lifting their own weight” says Claire, “but that’s exactly what they’re doing in many TRX exercises”. The studio offers a full flowing 45-minute session on evenings and Saturdays, which integrates an intensive full body conditioning with added extras – think HIT drills, kettle bells, sprints and a whole lot more. And for added convenience the studio also offers 30-minute morning fast classes, which you can easily fit it into your busy day. Don’t be fooled – in 30 minutes you work hard! With more focus placed upon high intensity cardio moves in this shorter session, results come fast. TRX is also incorporated into their Boxing and heart-rate monitored HiPer Zone circuits classes so you can get a taste for it.

 

Core Collective – Resistance with Ania

A Hip and Healthy all-time favourite, time flies in this jam-packed strength class. Set in this sleek, Kensington studio Ania’s class focusses on killer core moves – a brutal mix of planks, pikes, side planks, mountain climbers, cross-body mountain climbers and single legged planks (where one of your feet is hooked into the TRX strap whilst the other is outside forcing you to kept it lifted and level with the other) come together in a timed circuit to really overload your abs and make them work to their limits. The rest of the class flows naturally building upon exercises and integrating cardio and strength moves – like a single leg backward lunge with one leg hooked into the strap, developing into a hop and a lunge, moving to a burpee and backward lunge and finally culminating to a burpee, press-up and backward lunge – no rest! Watch-out for Ania’s signature closing minutes – numbered count-down rounds of cardio blasting Jump squats, double arm rows and burpees that steadily reduce down to 12, 10, 8 and 6 and get your heart racing to leave class on the biggest high!

 

Paola’s Body Barre – TRX Core with Emily

A TRX class is not what you’d expect from this Pilates and Barre mecca that is Paola’s Body Barre in West London. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t tough – so expect to sweat! Paola discovered TRX 7 years ago finding it was a great tool to emulate many movements she was already teaching on the Reformer. So when she came to open her own studio she knew that a TRX offering was a must. This class is non-stop high intensity work, incorporating plyometrics moves (think scissor lunges, burpees and squat jumps) with back to back with free-weight training and core moves like the frog press and plank. Emily takes you through each move with a demo so you do get time to rest and recover between exercises. Finish off with a time off the TRX with a killer round of bear crawling and forward jumps to really test your endurance. The TRX also facilitates a quick stretch session at the end. For those who find HIT cardio a real turn-off TRX can still be an effective piece of kit for you to use – “The TRX demands generating and controlling strength through functional movements in a dynamic sequence similar to that of yoga” says Paola so the TRX can become “the ultimate foundation to improving your yoga practice”.

 

Ten RX – TenRX with Reza

This class is a great one for beginners. You don’t need any TRX experience at all – just a good level of fitness to enjoy this results-driven, varied class, which works on correct form and posture. The warm-up uses Pilates techniques to stretch and prepare the stabilising muscles, to get you ready for the more demanding circuit-based exercises to come. You work between 2-4 different stations at a time, focusing on different muscle groups to ensure the entire body is challenged, interspersed with periods of high intensity interval training. The session ends with a full cool-down stretch to aid muscle recovery and make sure you won’t stiffen up later. You’ll come out of class feeling tightened and toned and over a consistent period of time you’ll start to notice improved muscle tone and overall fitness levels.

 

Equilibrium – TRX with Niko and Jay

Equilibrium directors Niko and Jay are passionate about TRX – “I genuinely think it is the greatest training tool on the planet” says Niko. And it is this incredible enthusiasm which comes through in every TRX class they teach. Experts in the field, Niko and Jay lead every TRX class themselves at the studio all the while watching, correcting and demonstrating to the class at any one time. Focus is upon building the correct form in performing exercises before becoming super strong and fit. The 45 minute sessions are high energy and varied to work the entire body. High intensity intervals are not the focus here but the pace remains fast-paced and well-balanced to make you feel that you’ve had a tough but effective work-out. Look out for their trademark move on Instagram – the TRX headstand. Now that’s something to aim for!

 

H&H Team Favourite – Heartcore TRX

Heartcore’s class offers a challenging session with a variety of HIIT but all levels are welcome. You can take it up a level to the FITRX class which combines TRX-based strength training and heart-rate monitored HIIIT (high intensity interval training) so you can visualise your results in real-time and track your performance of heart-rate and calorie burn throughout the tough 55 minutes. Warning note – this is not for the faint-hearted!

 

words by Sophie Heywood – Twitter: Sheywoods – Instagram: Sheywood90s

The Wellness Boxes You Need To Subscribe To Now!

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In recent years, subscription boxes have gained popularity throughout the beauty, fitness and foodie realms. At Hip & Healthy, we love nothing more than treating ourselves to the finest and tastiest treats the wellness world has to offer. This month, we have picked some of our favourite wellness (subscription) boxes so that you too can indulge in and enjoy these healthy delights as much as we do, all in the comfort of your own home.

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Calling all tea enthusiasts!

Our favourite box for all tea lovers out there is by London Tea Club, created by tea-enthusiast Cecilia Lau who has sourced more than 100 teas for the monthly club since it launched its subscription service in 2013. Offering premium teas, which are carefully handpicked from around the world, the company brings inspiration to everyone who loves tea and wants to learn more about the art of brewing the perfect cuppa. Members of the club will receive a parcel each month of three premium, loose-leaf teas (tailored to your personalised profile, of course), each incredibly fragrant and delicious. Tea varieties, some of which can also be purchased in the online shop along with other beautiful tea essentials, include blends such as a ‘jade’ oolong type titled Frozen Summit, a fruity Rooibos Blossom & Berries, and a classic Ceylon black tea infused with butterscotch pieces. The teas should brew 3-4 cups each and are all accompanied with a description card, unlocking the secret of the tea’s origins, tasting notes and brewing instructions. We also love that London Tea Club wraps its teas in elegant packaging, making the experience all the more enjoyable!

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Fitness fans behold!

Fitty London is London’s coolest new fitness box. Each month, fitness enthusiasts will be surprised with a beautifully wrapped box filled with the latest must-have fitness essentials. If you simply can’t wait that long, fitty also offers a one-off box called The Felix. Whichever one you opt for, you’ll certainly uncover a range of carefully hand picked products sure to satisfy all you Hip & Healthies. Boxes contain anything from resistance bands to protein powders by The Organic Protein Company (the UK’s first organic whey protein company) and even a frother to whisk up the tastiest matcha lattes in town – think of it as the Glossybox of the fitness world. What makes Fitty London quite so unique is its bold and confident personality, as founders and best friends Laura Fullerton and James Smithers, hope to make the world a healthier, sexier place, fuelling the city’s sweat game in the process. We can’t get enough!

 

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Paleo heaven

The UK’s first Paleo snack subscription service, Primal Snack Box, founded by Molly Clifford and Mark Fordham just two years ago, joined forces with Paleo advocate and Barrecore founder Niki Rein to create a bespoke Barrecore box, with the items chosen by Niki herself. The box features a selection of high-protein mouth-watering snacks such as Paleo original biltong by Barefoot Biltong, hot chocolate by Sweet Revolution and a coffee & hemp chocolate bar by Almighty Foods, ensuring you’ll be spoilt for choice. We particularly loved the Himalayan Salt Chocolate Brownie by 100% Natural, which is infused with Goji and Acai Berry. While this isn’t a box for the vegan-loving gal, we do suggest you try Primal Snack Box’s Forest Box instead, which is vegan and vegetarian friendly featuring tasty Paleo biscuits and fig and orange chocolate by Pana (to name but a few). Whichever one of the fives boxes at Primal Snack Box you will be tucking into, we promise you will not regret it, as this is Paleo Heaven at its best.

 

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For the Artisan Aficionado

Superfoodio was “born out of a passion for good, wholesome food”, making superfood discovery simple in the process. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle and sense of wellbeing, Superfoodio was created by Nirali and Jag Mankodi in 2015 after finding themselves travelling through South America where they unearthed some of the world’s finest superfoods, which would later become the inspiration and birth of Superfoodio. The brand is now in the process of launching a Healthy Artisan Snack Box to accompany its growing, vegetarian-friendly line of boxes. With four unique and nutrient-rich snacks, such as a savoury sweet potato granola, tiger nut flour and cashew and cocoa nibblers, the snacks are gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free. We loved Superfoodio for helping us discover new, exotic flavours and bringing out our inner gourmet cook by expanding our palate, as each box features between 1-3 easy to follow recipe cards (depending whether you choose the mini, classic or sharing box) and also one cooking ingredient. With unique flavours, Superfoodio takes us on our very own culinary journey and there’s certainly nothing we love more than a box that opens up a world full of adventures.

 

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The new health top up!

Designed to be a ‘health top up’ rather than just another cleanse, THINK Press is a Kent-based juicery that was created by Alex Auger and delivers anything from cold pressed juices (which boast 6kg of freshly squeezed vegetables, fruits and nuts) to creamy nut milks and bone broth cleanses across the UK. Sourcing the finest and freshest local ingredients, THINK Press keeps produce seasonal and always British where possible. Its latest addition comes in its Bone Broth Cleanse. By teaming up with Osius, this nourishing cleanse programme was especially designed for the colder winter months (and non-vegans for that matter), as the cleanse features either a chicken or beef broth as well as three delicious cold pressed juices, and a protein packed nut milk. As the first and only on the market to offer it, THINK Press and Osius’ are one step ahead of the crowd!

 

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One for every season!

This beautifully curated wellness box, titled Aevi Box was created by friends Natalie Viklund and Marie Hansen, finding its inspiration in the word Aevi, which comes from an Old Norse language meaning life. Aevi Box is built on three simple foundations: love yourself (aevi), love your body (heart, mind and skin), and to love others (share your light). Aevi is a way of life. By encouraging mindfulness of the heart, mind, skin and caring according to the seasons as Ayurveda teaches us, (Aevi’s boxes come out four times a year), each box is carefully adapted to each season without compromising on the brand’s luxurious handmade design or feel. With the simple wish to encourage others to love themselves and in turn love others better, Aevi not only makes the most pure and radiant skincare more accessible but it more importantly reminds us that we deserve true wellbeing by serving as a gentle reminder of what’s truly important in life. Check out their current Spring Box for delightfully luxurious treats!

 

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Perfect on-the-go snacking!

When YouTube sensations Marcus Butler and Niomi Smart were tired of spending hours hunting around to find healthy, natural snacks, the duo joined forces in 2015 to create SourcedBox. After transforming their own diets and seeing amazing results, they decided to share their health and wellness knowledge with the millions of viewers across their YouTube channels. With an overwhelmingly positive response, the idea of SourcedBox was born – as a simple, exciting way to discover healthy snacks. Offering a monthly subscription as well as a limited amount of one-off boxes, each month subscribers receive a different variety of hand-picked snacks made from natural ingredients, including superseed trail mixes, dairy-free chocolate mylk by Rebel Kitchen, and broccoli crisps to name a few! Hoping to set out and change the mixed messages we might receive from friends, family, and the media who lecture us what we should and shouldn’t eat, SourcedBox proves that being healthy doesn’t have to be hard.

Use the code HIPHEALTHY25, you’ll receive 25% off your first monthly subscription (valid until the end of April). Enjoy!

Words by Jessica-Christin Hametner

Fitspiration – Hollie Grant (Founder Of The Model Method)

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How did you first get into pilates?

After a terrible, stressful, depression-inducing year as a Pastry Chef – the only job I had wanted to do from a very young age – I made the heartbreaking decision to never go back into the professional kitchen, quit my job and refused to work my notice and was suddenly without any dream job or income. After a few months soul searching in New York working for a charity, I came home to a receptionist job at a Reformer Pilates studio where I hoped I would be able to re-assess my life. I was immediately hooked with Reformer Pilates! I had always been super fit but found Mat Pilates very boring, Reformer Pilates just felt amazing and I couldn’t get enough! I used it to train for a multi marathon charity event I was running and was told by the instructors that I should study to become a Pilates teacher too. I did and it was the start of the best, most obvious career path ever.

How did you go from teaching pilates to creating The Model Method?

After teaching hundreds of clients, and thousands of classes, I was noticing a real trend. Women who came to Pilates tended to do so because they were not fans of cardio-based exercise such as running and spinning. They were super strong but often asked me how they could ‘get rid of this’ (and point to their stomachs or bums). What they were really asking was how could they reduce their body fat. As someone who wholeheartedly disagrees with diets my advice was always that they needed to get some cardio into their regime. I was asked more and more to help clients with this and realising there was a gap in the market began my journey to creating The Model Method. I studied for further fitness qualifications, did some serious research and begun testing out some formats on my private clients. Results were amazing – reduced body fat, inches lost, huge improvements in fitness levels and physical health….and then the waiting list began.

Tell us more about The Model Method and how it differs from traditional pilates workouts?

Pilates, as a standalone workout, is a fantastic way to improve muscle tone, strength, posture and flexibility. It gives you an incredible body AND gives you a healthy, safe, pain free body. However it does not have any real cardiovascular benefit, of which these benefits include reduced risk of chronic illnesses, and it is so important that this system is strong too! To improve our cardiovascular system we need to get our heart working hard – this is where HIIT comes in. The Model Method combines HIIT, Reformer Pilates and weight training to target the bodies different systems and cover all bases! Clients burn a large amount of calories during the session but the main benefit is that post workout their bodies start to break down body fat – and it is high levels of body fat that are most dangerous for the body. Clients can expect to feel stronger, more lean, have more energy and reduced body fat.

 

You also offer an online Model Method plan; what does this involve?

The Model Method is a truly personalised fitness and food programme. It’s a 6 week plan combining video workouts, nutritional information, recipes and fitness testing. The plan consists of videos you can stream from anywhere, any time, on any device and also includes a Starter Pack from LifeBox Food Co containing all you’ll need to get started with your new life. At the start of the plan you fill in a 4 stage online consultation form which asks questions about your current health, levels of fitness, body confidence, motivation levels etc. You also have the opportunity to add start photos to your form (optional) for us to assess your body shape and posture. Once this is all submitted you receive a Starter Pack which has been designed with LifeBox food co and consists of some of the newest and most powerful superfoods, supplements and drinks, a resistance band (needed for the videos) and the book Nourish which was written by myself and Integrative Nutrition health coach Jenny Millichip. The book is centred around Nourishing yourself (rather than calorie restriction and diet plans) and features 22 recipes including recipes by Gizzi Erskine and Julie Montagu. I then assess your consultation form and based on your responses assign you 6 videos to be completed each week for 6 weeks (you have 1 rest day). These videos normally consist of 3 x 30 minute HIIT workouts, 2 x 15 minute dynamic Pilates workouts and 1 x 30 minute dynamic Pilates workout. After 2 weeks you receive a questionnaire assessing how you are finding your videos and this gives us the opportunity to adapt your videos if needed. At the end of the 6 weeks you fill out a final consultation form and are given your results/changes in body confidence etc.

 

Why do you think your classes are proving to be so effective compared to other workout methods?

I believe its down to the fact that it was created by a woman, for women, with real research, science and motivational techniques involved. The focus is always on strength and creating bodies that are functional and fit. This is not about aesthetics or ‘losing a stone in a month’. This is about making women healthier, happier and a little more comfortable in their clothes.

 

What benefits does pilates have compared to other forms of exercise?

Pilates is all about bringing the body to its most effective, functional, safe state. Our lives nowadays really aren’t conducive to this. We spend many hours sat over our laptops, walking looking down at our phones, slumped on the sofa watching tv. This is not what our bodies were designed for and with this our bodies start to suffer and change. Pilates aims to correct this. Good instructors will be able to spot imbalances in the body and fix them. This not only reduces any potential aches and pains in the body but helps you look taller, slimmer and happier. I can always tell someone who practices Pilates – they are super strong, flexible and have rock solid tummies!

Why is it so important to have a strong core?

Our core muscles protect and support the spine which houses the most important part of the body – your central nervous system (CNS). Your CNS transmits messages from the brain to the rest of the body and when damaged can cause death of major muscles and more severely – paralysis. Your core also has the tough job of carrying the weight of the upper body and holding the spine in the position it was designed to. If our core is not strong our posture is affected and this places the spine in an unsafe position (which again can affect your CNS). Most of us have really weak spine extensors (the muscles that run along your spine and keep it held upright) and overtime we start to hunch forward. Common side effects include headaches, migraines and back ache.

What pilates stretch would you recommend for those who work slumped at their desks all day?

Wall Roll Down – stand facing away from a wall with your bum, spine and head touching it but your feet 1 foot away from it set hip distance apart, knees soft. Inhale to prepare and as you exhale  start to peel your head and then spine away from the wall, one vertebrae at a time until you are as low as you can manage with just your bum touching the wall. Inhale to stay here and on your exhale roll back up again one vertebrae at a time to meet the wall. Repeat 3 times to loosen and articulate the spine and relax the neck.

What are your three top tips for leading a healthy lifestyle?

  • Download Headspace – The app is amazing, although not strictly essential for mindfulness, as it teaches you first how to meditate and then assists you in doing so guiding you through various topics of your choice eg anxiety, depression etc. Mindfulness is fantastic for reducing blood pressure, reducing tension, controlling overeating and generally improving mental health. Mental health should be seen as the most important aspect of your health.

2) Love yourself – try to put your health goals into some perspective. I have heard every fitness goal under the sun in my 6 years in fitness and the one that yields the best results is to learn to love yourself. When you love your body you don’t want to poison it with terrible food, you don’t want to abuse it with over exercising and dieting, you treat it with less disdain and appreciate it for all it does for you. When this happens your body thanks you by being strong, pain free and healthy. Forget aesthetics and dress size and care more about function and capabilities.

3) Consistency – nailed 6 spin classes in 6 days? Completed the 28 day Bikram challenge? How lovely – now how is that ever going to fit into your normal life? There is no point binge exercising to cover up for the fact you’ve been on a bender in Ibiza for 10 days. Consistency is key and some of the fittest women I know only exercise 2-3 times per week but have ALWAYS done that and always will. It is part of their life not their whole life. They will never get bored of it as it is a smaller part of their life but they will always have a great base level of fitness that will never fade.

What is your typical day on a plate?

Breakfast – Toasted Rye Bread, avocado, scrambled egg, sunflower seeds, chilli flakes, udos choice oil, lime juice.

Mid morning – Sunwarrior Vegan chocolate protein powder, almond milk, banana and hazelnut butter shake.

Lunch – homemade soup (my favourite is my Thai spiced crown prince squash soup)

Mid afternoon – Bone broth and a banana

Dinner – Ostrich steaks or Salmon, grilled asparagus, green beans with pine nuts and a sachet of ready cooked quinoa or wheatberries.

Dessert – I LOVE chocolate so usually a couple of Paul A Young truffles or Rococo dark chocolate (I love their Chuao bar).

 

Book your class here!

Beach Body Prep With Pilates PT!

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We couldn’t think of a better person to whip our bodies into shape than the lovely (but tough) Hollie Grant, owner of the award winning PilatesPT studios on the New Kings Road. Loved by the likes of Ella Woodward (Deliciously Ella for those that don’t know) we knew we’d get our sweat on to the max but in a fun, enjoyable way. Yes, its possible! Our Editorial Assistant, Flora, shares her experience and below and reveals why you should definitely go to Hollie for you beach body prep!

 

During the session, Hollie recorded my weight, muscle mass, bodily water percentage (Ideally 55% is what we should be aiming for so I was very pleased that my constant water guzzling was paying off  –  my results showed that 54.2% of my body weight was water). She also told me my calories burned per day were 1,458 – that is, if I were to stay still all day long. This proved to be really fascinating to me as exercise and movement on top of that would mean my body required over 2000 cals per day. She then told me if I were to continue with PilatesPT, we would aim to strip my body fat down to around 21%, that of an athletes body. It is definitely a very challenging workout, but I left feeling energetic and of course looking forward to my next sweat-inducing meeting with Hollie!

 

It is no wonder that she is in demand and people see great results – I did a variety of exercises, beginning with a little interval training on the treadmill, followed by short bursts of HIIT training, such as burpees and box squats, and lastly the pilates reformer machine, my new favourite. I wore a heart rate monitor belt, so my heart rate was displayed on the screen of the watch I wore – this definitely kept me really motivated as I wanted to keep it high! I practiced lower intensity exercises on the machine, providing a welcoming contrast to the intense bouts before.  These seemed to lengthen, stretch and tone my muscles and I felt my arms were more defined the next day; my hard work was reinforced in the slight aches throughout my body! However the series of stretches we ended the lesson with would have definitely helped with this and made me far less sore. There were some lovely deep stretches to release tension, especially around the neck and shoulder area.

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Hollie’s super toned body is definitely a great source of motivation as well! You can tell that she is an expert in her field of pilates, on how the body works, continually giving me interesting pieces of pilates advice. Her calm support and encouragement, rather than any aggressive shouting, (which I have previously encountered and completely disliked), really kept me focused and able to complete each exercise. She was quick to point out that my posture could be improved and my shoulders slumped a lot which I know is due to working at a desk all day. My hamstrings were also pretty tight and I had a curved back which could be improved by tightening my core. She gave me a number of stretches and exercises to improve these areas which I really appreciated. Netflix and chill? No, more like Netflix and stretch!

 

Each session will aim to burn between 500-800, so it’s very likely you will tone up in no time at all if you are putting enough effort and time in. Hollie believes that the combination of different fitness methods is the key to faster driven results; much of which is inspired by pilates with a focus on strengthening that all important core. Expect slimmer legs, toned arms, tighter core and reduced body fat –  yes please!

 

Check out her website here to book in your session; http://www.pilatespt.co.uk

If You Only Do One Think This Week – Sculpt Your Abs!

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Summer is literally just around the corner and with the thought of baring all on a beach, we’re definitely ready to get our abs in tip top shape! Maintaining a strong core will give you so much more than that flat tum – many other benefits will also fall into place, from reducing our likelihood of injury and back pain to better posture, confidence and overall strength.

 

What are the benefits of a strong core?

Preventing any nasty injuries. When we have a trim and taut tum, we are generally fitter, and our likelihood of getting injured will decrease a significant amount. Little do some of us know that most of the movements we perform throughout our everyday lives are deeply connected to our core, so having a rock solid centre will help ensure that our movements are strong and pain free.

 

Exude confidence – Weak core muscles usually results in slouching over at our desks. Strong core muscles will create a much healthier posture. Yes please! Our breathing will also be made easier as our lungs will open up, encouraging deeper breathing. With a strong, healthy core and body, we will effortlessly begin to carry ourselves around with, and naturally project more confidence. You will also look more confident too – Even if you aren’t feeling that way inside!

 

Banish away any back pain – If we do have a weak core, it is very likely that we may experience back pain which can be seriously painful and debilitating. Our abs support our spine from the front and side, so if our abs are weak, then the other muscles supporting our spines will have to work harder causing strain and muscle fatigue. If we want to train and strengthen our tummies without causing any niggly back pains or problems, we need to engage in exercises that get the whole body moving whilst stabilizing the spine

 

Top exercises that target your core!

 

Front Planks – Make sure to keep your tummy engaged and your back straight. Get in to press up position and lower yourself on to your forearms. The plank works all the deeper muscles in your tum, as well as your thigh muscles, calf, lower back, bottom and biceps! A metabolism-boosting must!

 

Side planks – Keep your tummy sucked in as you lift off the ground in a straight line from tip to toe and hold for 30-60 seconds. If you get the shakes, this is a good thing; you are working those muscles! This is perfect for working the obliques, the transverse abs, as well as your bottom, hips and leg muscles! It’s a full body workout in one! Start with 30 seconds each side and work up to a minute.

 

Hula Hooping – Hula hooping is often overlooked, but just ten minutes a day will work those inner muscles that are really hard to target with other exercises! Practise on one leg to really test your core strength and balance or hula hoop in the opposite direction for an all over core cinching workout! Top tip – constantly engage your core to really benefit from this workout!

 

Forward lunge with weights – With your shoulders back, lunge forward with your abs held in tightly and lifting your arms forward and up above your head keeping them nice and straight in a Y position. You need balance for this move and the tighter you hold your abs in, the easier you will be able to perform this move. If you feel you can add a dumbbell or two, this will enhance the move and core workout further. Push yourself back to starting position. The leg constitutes a huge muscle group, and the more you work them the more your muscles have to work and the more fat your burn. As you need to steady yourself, your abdominals get a great workout.

 

Superman – This looks pretty simple but if your core is weak, it will be a challenge. Start on your hands and knees and suck your tummy in. Gently, stretch your left hand forward and your right leg backwards so create a long stretch and hold for a few seconds before gently lowering. Repeat on both sides times ten.

The Six Books That Will Make You Healthier!

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READY STEADY GLOW – Madeleine Shaw
Maddy’s second gorgeous cookbook will hit the shelves this April 7th. We love her healthy and happy attitude to cooking, and this collection of recipes reflects easy, yet delicious meals, that can be whipped up in under 30 minutes, all wheat and sugar free. A focus on natural ingredients to nourish your body from within and banish any cravings for those fatty or sugary treats. Expect speedy breakfasts, lunches for those that are on the go, and and fuss free dinners to fuel you from morning to evening with boundless energy.

Maddy … “You’ll be feasting – not fasting – on food that tastes so good you’ll forget the things you’re cutting out”

 

PRETTY HAPPY – Kate Hudson
Kate’s new book is far more than just a book on losing weight. Instead, it teaches us about how to connect with our bodies on a deeper level, understanding what our body needs and wants, all the while creating a great relationship with ourselves. Kate focuses on four pillars of Health to bring about the best version of ourselves; cultivating an intuitive relationship with your body, eating well, awakening our bodies through movement and the miracle of mindfulness. It features body type and stress level questionnaires which will help you identify your areas of concern and what you need to work on to feel your happiest and look your very best. We love the shift away from striving for perfection, and the emphasis on self-love and tips for boosting self-esteem and confidence.

Kate… “When you understand yourself and connect to how you can become body smart, you realize pretty quickly that the perfect, the ideal is not the goal. Instead, the goal is feeling good in your body.”

 

HONESTLY HEALTHY IN A HURRY – Natasha Corrett
Natasha’s book was created to help those who are busy busy busy, with no time for healthy eating and cooking. The book has many simple recipes that will nourish our bodies with real foods, whilst ditching the sugary processed foods for good, leaving us with boundless energy. Some of Natasha’s recipes take under ten minutes to put together, so there really is no excuse to cook healthily. You’ll be equipped with skills on how to slash time by prepping ahead, reusing veggies in different meals throughout the week and leaving dishes in the oven to get on with other things.

 

EAT BEAUTIFUL; Nourish your skin from the inside out – Wendy Rowe
Good skin starts from within. This is something we truly agree with at Hip & Healthy, so we are so exited for this refreshing new beauty book, which will be published this June 23rd 2016. Wendy Rowe, world renowned beauty and make up artist, knows skin from the inside out, and her book will show us how to nourish our skin from the inside with our diets. The book features over 70 recipes of fresh, delicious meals; each recipe will contain foods that will nourish different skin types, and target different problems areas, giving us all that glow we so desire! We can’t wait to try some of the homemade face scrubs, masks and cleanser recipes that are featured.

Wendy… “I work with people at the highest level within their field, who have to look their absolute best everyday, so learning how to achieve great skin has become a big part of my life. This book allows me to share this knowledge with you in a way thats simple and gorgeous and easy to make part of your everyday, with a few laughs along the way!”

 

NINA CAPRI; Recipes from Italy’s Amalfi Coast – Nina Parker
A beautiful collection fresh and vibrant dishes, drawn from Nina’s inspiration of the Mediterranean will be published June 2nd 2016. Having spent much of her childhood living in the South of France, Nina’s wonderful dishes have an unfussy and rustic touch, bursting with flavours and goodness. Nina’s first book, Nina St Tropez, presents a culmination of French recipes, and its huge success has led to her second bookNina Capri. This book touches on her time spent travelling around the bay of Naples, meeting the locals and the food of the region. The book reflects a lovely twist of classic Italian cooking and dishes are given a more modern approach; most are dairy and gluten-free. This is the perfect guide to ensure you bring lots of sumptuous and flavoursome meals to the table all summer long!

 

THE YOGA KITCHEN – Kimberly Parsons
For all you yogi bunnies out there! Author Kimberly Parsons, trained naturopath and chef, brings the yogic principle of combining diet with holistic health to strengthen and nourish our entire bodies. The book is published this May 5th and boasts some stunning photography; we seriously want to recreate just about every recipe in the book and get Insta snapping! The book is divided into ‘chakras,’ the different energy systems in our bodies, based on the ancient yoga chakra system from India, such as Vitalise, Nurture and Strengthen. We are able to support these energy systems through our diets, and Kimberly explains the best foods and recipes with which to energise our bodies. Whether you are craving energy, balance, tranquility, or cleansing, Kimberly will suit your needs with suitable and delicious veggie recipes. Of course there is a wonderful variety of sweet treats… chocolate and Maca quinoa pops simply sound too good to be true!

words by Flora Crichton

image: Madeleine Shaw