Banish Dry Skin With These Holy Grail Products

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As the cooler months begin to settle in (hot chocolate by the fire anyone?), our bodies will begin to adjust to the change in temperature and we’ll especially notice a change in our skin! With radiators switching on across the country,our skin always needs an extra boost as the chill begins to come through…

Lo and behold: a list of Holy Grail products the H&H team swear by to keep our skin moisturised and fresh without looking like we’ve dipped our faces in coconut oil (even though we do that sometimes, too!)

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Origins Drink Up Intensive

We love the idea of an overnight facial! Fall asleep with this mask on and you’ll be sure to wake with moisturised skin. Avocado and Apricot Kernal Oils replenish lost moisture from your day and helps keep your skin hydrated well into the next. This mask also contain Japanese Seaweed, preventing further signs of dehydration and aging…Where do we sign up!? Plus the scent is so delicious we could almost eat it!

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Egyptian Magic

This is our be all and end all. From gently removing our make up to removing our fine lines, Egyptian Magic has been on the radar for quite sometime and it’s easy to see why! A favourite of celebrities like Adriana Lima, Kate Hudson, and Cara Delevigne, Egyptian Magic truly lives up to the hype! Made from Olive Oil, Bees Wax, Honey, Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Bee Propolis only, this cream can be used for anything, anywhere! Some of the best uses for Egyptian Magic are moisturising, healing cuts and burns, and even psoriasis. Any skin issue you may have, Egyptian Magic is sure to solve it!

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de Mamiel Autumn Facial Oil 

As the seasons change, so should your skin care! We love that de Mamiel caters to the different seasons with their seasonal oils and of course now that Autumn is here, we need to take the time to heal our skin from our summer holidays. A hand blend of different oils and extracts, the Autumn Facial Oil settles the skin and even the mind with a blend of flower essences that work through the body’s acupuncture meridians to enhance positivity in your state of mind!

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Clean Beauty Co. Fuss Free Moisturiser

The Clean Beauty Co believes that your skin care should be just as clean as diets and use ingredients from their favourite plants, nuts, flowers and seeds. The Fuss Free Moisturiser contains coconut oil, vitamin E and jojoba oil all of which work together to keep your skin happy, healthy, and soft! Slather it on as a regular moisturiser or use as an in shower treatment.

 

words by Nadia Liu

Why Health Guru’s Swear By Skin-Glowing Turmeric!

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It’s been a while since a simple spice took over the health food scene. But this year Turmeric has been propelled into the hall of health food fame. It’s got everyone’s taste buds in a twist and here at Hip and Healthy we’ve set out to put the spice to the test…

 

We know what you might be thinking, Turmeric is something you put in a curry, something to add colour to, a staple in the spice cupboard perhaps? Well think again. Turmeric has had a recent makeover and is now the “it” tea to order at your morning breakfast meeting. It’s received a loyal following that’s set this newest health trend alive. The reason behind its popularity is the health benefits that it has to offer. Turmeric is known to help with reducing the risks of cancer, acne, heart disease and Parkinsons due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties. So it’s no wonder people are trading in their coffee for a Turmeric Tea!

 

Turmeric is in fact a member of the ginger family, which originated from South Asia and for years has been used as a medicinal cure. The all natural ingredient is said to have been used for over 4,000 years in India to heal health problems. This is all down to ‘Curcumin’ which is found in the Turmeric root and holds the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. It’s safe to say that if you can get your hands on Turmeric root it’s the best and purest option. Health gurus like Deliciously Ella, the Hemsley Sisters and Natasha Corrett of Honestly Healthy all boast Turmeric in their recipes. It seems the spice is very diverse when it comes to including it into your diet. A quick recipe search provides endless results from adding grated Turmeric root into your daily smoothie to Turmeric tea and even Turmeric hummus! (Which is seriously so so good!)

 

It’s worth noting that despite the supposed health benefits of Turmeric the spice packet in the shop only contains 5% of the goodness, known as Curcumin, and so you’d need to drink a lot of Turmeric shots to really reap the goods. Experts suggest that a Turmeric supplement is a much better option, and we can see why, with 95% of curcumin contained, this seems like a no brainer, especially if your pallet doesn’t quite like the taste. But don’t let that put you off trying Turmeric out. If you’re as intrigued as we are you can pick up a Turmeric Latte at most health food stores in London. Head to Planet Organic or Nama Foods in Notting Hill for your first Turmeric fix-enjoy!

 

All this talk has got us wondering what exactly does Turmeric taste like? Will we really feel any healthier? Here at the Hip and Healthy office we are constantly on the go and can fall victim to eating in-front of our screens (We know, we know, that isn’t good!), so we decided to trial some Turmeric fixes to see if we felt any of the benefits….

 

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Pukka Turmeric Tea

We love a herbal tea at any time of the day, and we always turn to our beloved Pukka for our tea hit. We hadn’t tried their Turmeric tea until now, and it didn’t disappoint! It does take a little while to get used to the strong and distinct flavours, but by the third and final cup of the day, it’s done the trick. It leaves you feeling warm and your taste buds refreshed. Pukka are definitely championing the Turmeric trend and have released a range of Turmeric Supplements too… see below!

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Pukka Turmeric Supplements

Leading the way in the Turmeric revolution, Pukka have not only brought out turmeric tea but turmeric supplements too! As well as launching Active 35 Oil, Turmeric Active and Turmeric Lifekind supplements, we’re pretty obsessed already with their Wholistic Turmeric capsules, which contain the highest organic grade, sustainably cultivated and fairly traded herbs. We adore this product, especially now as we come into the colder months… Not only is it helping our bid for glowing skin, it’s also fighting off colds and viruses! We’re certainly going to be relying on this wonder product this season!

 

Turmeric Porridge

With the weather on the change and those colder mornings starting to creep up on us, there was only one way to have some Turmeric for breakfast – porridge! This is really straight forward; just stir in half a teaspoon of turmeric into your morning porridge with anything else that you enjoy. We made ours with coconut water, honey, turmeric and topped it with some apples, mixed seeds and cinnamon. A great way to set yourself up for the day!

 

words by Lisa Evans

 

The Ultimate Healthy Holiday For Families!

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Founder of Hip & Healthy, Sadie, gives her verdict on the ultimate healthy holiday at Forte Village. Wellbeing for families on vacation has never been better!

My two biggest loves in my life are often hard to merge together. You see, being really into healthy, active living rarely fits in with my wonderful family life. Take mornings for example… Gone are the days when I could wake up at the crack of dawn (out of choice), head out on a run followed by a delicious homemade smoothie and bowl of lovingly made porridge. Instead mornings go a little more like this; wake up at the crack of dawn entirely not out of choice (a dawn so early it’s still dark at the height of summer) as my son has risen and wants to make sure that we are up too, the next two hours that follow are a blur of nappy changes, pajama wrestling, milk spillages, teeth-brushing tantrums, too much cartoon watching and not enough breakfast eating plus the odd lost toy that we must all immediately stop what we are doing to find before we have a meltdown of Britney Spears standard to deal with.

 

So, you can imagine the challenge we face when trying to book a holiday that not only is fun for the little one but also allows mama and papa some proper down time too. Which is why I was absolutely thrilled to find Forte Village in Sardinia. I first discovered it when I was writing an article for Condé Nast Traveller’s Body & Soul section as it has become renowned for offering some of the most fantastic sporting facilities in Europe (the Chelsea Football team, Wimbledon tennis stars and athletes all flock here to train). As I delved deeper into the research of the resort I realized that it was as strong on its sports/spa side as it was catering for kids. A haven for health-loving parents as well as their little pickles, could it be true? Once I heard about their six-pool Thalassotherapy Centre, I was willing to take the risk and find out.

 

After a two-hour plane ride with a toddler that won’t sit still longer than he’ll eat a biscuit, we were driven to the resort about 45 minutes away from the airport passing flamingos and fishermen on the root. The view from our room was spectacular, staying in the Castello Hotel part of the resort we benefited from a 4th floor balcony that was inline with the beautiful pine tree line and overlooked the ocean. The travel cot was already made up as we got in – this was certainly a place that new what it was doing. We all napped immediately.

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For Kids

The resort could not be more welcoming to children. They have their own restaurant, kids club and swimming pools, they even have their own mini village. Plus there was a constant supply of toys for the beach. Not to mention they are welcome everywhere – making our lives so incredibly easy. We went out of season too, which meant that we had most of these areas to ourselves . We took Max with us to dinner, where Peppa Pig playing on iPads was a frequent sighting that made you feel better about your own child’s screen time knowing that everyone else out there does exactly the same thing in order to steal a bit of “grown-up” time.

 

Wellbeing For Adults

If you are in need of a little spa therapy, your first stop at Forte Village has to be the incredible Thalassotherapy pools; six pools that all harness the power and potency of the sea’s unique healing powers. My husband’s bad back, which has been bothering him for months, was genuinely cured after just one circuit. Whether you allow yourself to be pummeled and massaged by the powerful jets or just bob atop the surface of one of the floatation pools, you’ll notice it’s therapeutic effects straight away.

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The Acquaforte Thalasso Spa itself caters for a wide range of wellbeing requests from dreamy Sisley treatments to physiotherapy and even a health food bar. But if that is not active enough for you they are not short on fitness options either. Their state of the art fitness center will have you working up a sweat using newly refurbished equipment, or you can enjoy tennis, cycling, golf and even football within the grounds of the resort. Not to mention, diving and watersports for ocean lovers.

 

Verdict: We will most definitely come back next year. I’m already looking forward to sipping my fruit smoothie on a sun lounger whilst my son happily plays in front of me on the beach…

Book your holiday to Forte Village here!

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Granola Recipe

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Jessica Prescott, founder of Wholy Goodness, shares this delicious chocolate granola recipe that will turn your breakfasts in to decadent feasts!

In Croatia, an innocent bowl of granola with chocolate hidden in it led to a full-blown obsession with chocolate breakfast cereals. This is my attempt at a healthy version.

 

INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons coconut oil

4 tablespoons smooth or crunchy peanut butter

4 tablespoons maple syrup

200 g (2 cups) rolled oats

150 g (1 cup) roughly chopped nuts of your choice (hazelnuts pecans, almonds and walnuts are all good options)

80 g sesame seeds

60 g cacao nibs

10 Medjool dates

30 g coconut flakes

 

TO SERVE

Nut milk and fresh fruit of your choice

 

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180C (350F/Gas 4).

 

Melt the coconut oil, peanut butter and maple syrup together in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the oats, nuts, sesame seeds and cacao nibs to the pan and stir until evenly coated.

 

Spread the oat mix on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.

 

During this time, remove the pits from the dates and finely chop into tiny pieces. It’s best if you keep a wet cloth nearby so you can wipe your sticky fingers and sticky knife occasionally.

 

Add the dates and coconut to the oat mix, stir, and bake for another 5 minutes, keeping an eye on it as the coconut can burn very quickly.

 

Allow to cool on the tray and then store in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for 1–2 weeks.

 

When ready to eat, serve with a nut milk of your choice and whatever

fresh fruit you have available

 

Recipe from Vegan Goodness: Delicious Plant-Based Recipes That Can Be Enjoyed Every Day by Jessica Prescott, founder of Wholy Goodness (RRP £15)

New Ways To Get Your Yoga Fix In London!

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If you haven’t started doing yoga yet, it’s never too late to find out what you’ve been missing. Yoga is great for its healing qualities – forget a stressful, busy day and calm a noisy mind by stretching and opening the body. Yes, it feels great nailing that pose or finding strength where you didn’t realise it existed, but it’s not all about the flexibility. Give yourself some “me” time, away from your phone and everything life demands from you, indulge in the meditative aspects and suddenly you’ll discover a new perspective. While you’re there, if you get the breath going you will be sure to break a sweat. Below are just a few of our favourite ways to re-connect to our bodies and minds.

 

Sky Garden Yoga, City of London
It’s not every day the top of the Gherkin is your point of focus during yoga, but if you make it to the 36th floor you will have a class like no other. The view over London combined with the uplifting, energising vibe of the Sky Garden is really extraordinary and definitely worth the early start. Why not grab brunch afterwards and kick off your weekend on a healthy high!?

 

Evolve Wellness, South Kensington
Set in a quiet mews in South Kensington, Evolve is a place of tranquillity and calm. Offering a multitude of yoga classes of every sort, you will never be short of choice. Whether you are a complete beginner or have been practicing for years, there will be something here for you. One of our favourite instructors is Mona Heep who gives off such a calm, playfulness in her vinyasa classes, you are guaranteed to leave feeling inspired and energised. Find Mona at Evolve on Monday evenings at 7.30pm or Tuesday mornings at 9.30am.

 

Steffy White Yoga
Steffy teaches both privately and at various studios across London. On taking a yoga class for the first time, Steffy says “My advice to someone brand new to yoga is to do what FEELS good!  Rest when you need, miss out what doesn’t feel good and enjoy the power of being led by the breath!”

Find Steffy on the mat at the following times. Monday’s: 7.30pm and 8.30pm at Frame (Shoreditch). Wednesday’s: 6.15pm at Frame Yoga (Kings Cross). Thursday’s: 10.30am and 12.30pm at Frame (Shoreditch). Friday’s: 8am at Another Space Covent garden AND 4.15pm and 5.30pm at Frame (Shoreditch). Alternatively, catch her privately and discover everything your body and mind is capable of. She’s a true inspiration to us!

 

Total Chi, Marylebone
If you want zen in the centre of London, Total Chi is your place! The beautiful space will see you relax as soon as you step through the door. With two studios and an outdoor space, Total Chi focuses on very small classes to ensure you get a session with absolute support and attention from the teacher. As well as the amazing classes, be sure to grab a juice or coffee from Total Chi’s chilled upstairs space. With over 50 classes each week, Total Chi will certainly tick all your yoga boxes. Why not try a 7.15 morning class to put a spring in your step and set you up for a good day!

 

Inner Axis at Tri Yoga, Camden
If you fancy trying something brand new to the yoga scene, then head to TriYoga to experience a mind, body and emotional transformation. Inner Axis is a new class in town and is being led by US based teacher Max Strom. Designed to focus on breathing and mindfulness to alleviate depression and stress, this new-to-the-uk method will help you sleep better and feel amazing. Inner Axis is a worldwide phenomena but opening its doors for the first time in London at TriYoga Camden. Max leads the class with 5 sequences of breathing exercises with postures which are often repetitive movements from right to left. Designed to be accessible to absolutely anyone who hopes to find a more peaceful and positive outlook on life, this could be the first step to making a change which could see benefits like no other.

words by Rachel Cruickshank

Our Favourite Healthy European Bloggers!

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image: Denise Norden

Here, at H&H, we are continuously inspired by the ahh-mazing community that promote health and wellbeing. We love people who are changing the game for the better and who not only inspire us, but also you! The fact that we can find some of our favourites right next door in the EU makes it that much sweeter! We’ve asked some of our favourite European bloggers to give us a peek into their day to day lives from what’s in their gym bags to what inspires them! See why we love these girls so much…

 

DENISE NORDEN

Entering the blogging scene almost ten years ago, Denise gives us some serious inspiration to live a fit and healthy lifestyle but also just to be happy. Her lifestyle blog, Denise Norden, has amazing imagery that makes us want to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every moment! Not only is she a talented photographer, her positivity definitely shines through each of her posts and makes it hard for us to not want to live a well-rounded lifestyle!

We are absolutely obsessed with the content and aesthetic of your blog. What inspired you to get started?
Thank you so much! I’ve been blogging since 2007 so it’s almost 10 years now! I’ve always been a “diary girl” and when I heard about blogging I new that that was something for me.

What is your favourite workout to stay in shape?
I’m an old gymnast from the start and did gymnastics for 10 yeas so working out has always been a part of my life. I’ve done everything from gymnastics, thai boxing, crossfit…But now I’m all about finding the perfect balance. So at the moment, I’m all for yoga, running and gym. I do what I feel for and what I think is fun, not what social media is telling me to do.

Do you have any cardinal wellbeing rules?
My rule is to always have fun when you workout and do it with love. Don’t stress and the result will come!

What are your gym bag essentials?
I always have a pair of indoor shoes with me. I also have my wireless headphones with me so I can listen to great music that will keep me going while I’m working out! I will also have a water bottle with me in some cool color to match my outfit. Don’t forget to drink lots of water when you workout too!

 

 

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EAT BETTER NOT LESS

Nadia, aged 20, based in Switzerland, is the creator of Eat Better Not Less. Her alluring blog features mouthwatering recipes. Each of her creations is a work of art. Nadia’s ethos highlights the importance of nourishing your bodies with wholesome and delicious food. Her breathtaking recipes will have you heading to the kitchen to whip up the best breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks!

How did you get started on your own recipes?
Cooking was always a big passion of mine. Ever since I was 10 years old, I never liked to follow a recipe; I always made up my own. I think in pictures and colours, and like to try out new things! I think most of it just comes from my imagination combined with my passion for creativity and desire to create new things! With every recipe I make I want to create explosions. Taste explosions and fireworks for the eyes!

Based on your Instagram, it looks like you’re a breakfast girl! What is your favourite go-to breakfast recipe??
Oh gosh I love breakfast! I could eat it all day, haha! There are so many options, from sweet to savoury, but I prefer to have something fruity and sweet for breakfast. Banana ice cream with fresh berries & crunchy homemade granola would be my go to recipe. Super easy & absolutely delicious! In winter, when it’s colder outside, I love to make millet porridge for breakfast. It keeps you full and satisfied and is great for heart & soul! There’s plenty of recipes of both on my website www.eatbetternotless.com

Best well-being advice you have received?
Whenever people tell me that they can see how passionate I’m about what I do and that my eyes start shining when I start taking about food & cooking. I would just love to hug them and never let go, haha. The reason that I do what I do and love is to make people happy. That’s my biggest intention. And I feel like this is only possible if you do what you do with a lot of passion and with your heart!:)

What is your go-to workout?
My favorite workout? Maybe cooking!? I cook so much so it’s kind of like a workout! I love to go for long runs. I run about 15-20 kilometres every other day. The other days I do HIIT for like 30-40 minutes with body weights and dumbbells. I love to push myself to the limit and the feeling after of course! I also love to do the Kayla Itsines 28 minute workouts but usually do 4x 10 minutes instead of 4x 7

 

 

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JANNE IN WONDERLAND

Starting her blog in 2011, Jannú created Janne in Wonderland. She continues to inspire her followers (us included!) with her positive attitude and her healthy outlook on life. She is a true inspiration when it comes to balancing health and well-being with such a busy traveling schedule. Her blog includes everything from her OOTD to her latest experience like running her first Spartan Race! We love girls who aren’t afraid of a little mud!

What is your go to workout that always leaves you feeling strong?
From my social media channels, people may wrongly think that I am always motivated and up for a workout. But the truth is that I am human and, like everybody else, I have days in which I am totally motivated and others in which my mood is low or the day at the office may have been long and my energy levels ask for an evening at the couch instead of hitting the gym.

I always try to focus in the feeling that you obtain after the training session. Those who follow fitspo accounts may be familiar to the motto “You will never regret a workout”. And it is so true. A bad day can be made better by going to the gym and that is what I always keep in mind. The feeling of leaving the building after giving your best is comparable to no other. This is not only about physical exercise; this is about self- confidence and overcoming obstacles you think you couldn’t.

Can you describe your day on a plate for us?

Breakfast: 3 egg whites, avocado on toast and soya latte

Snack: apple, goji berries, quark and cinnamon

Lunch: Vegetables with chicken breast, quinoa and cottage cheese

Snack: Peanut butter on corn or rice toast and protein shake

Dinner: Broccoli soup with salad and Spanish ham

How do you balance travel and wellbeing?
It can be really challenging. I always try to make healthy choices but the truth is that it can be really difficult when traveling and eating away from home; even a simple plate like salad can hide unhealthy fats (ex. sauce) and unnecessary sugars. It is normal that the body craves sweets and searches for unhealthy carbs when traveling. I always take fruit with me and try to pick unprocessed snacks (I would prefer the 600 calories of some peanuts rather than the sandwich they offer on board while flying).

I also stop at supermarkets inside airports and buy coconut milk, quark and nuts to have something to snack in case I’m hungry while waiting for my next connection.

 

We hope these awesome ladies help inspire you to become the best versions of yourselves! If you’d like to get to know them more head over to their blogs and give them some love!

Founder Focus – The Women Behind LNDR

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The hot new brand on everyone lips from fashionista’s to fitness lovers, LNDR is paving it’s way in the athleisure world at an astounding pace. We’re obsessed and you guys seem to be obsessed too! Started by three fashion industry guru’s Sarah, Donna and Joanna, we sat down to discuss their super successful brand and what the future holds!

 

We were so excited to launch LNDR on Hip & Healthy earlier this year… Can you tell us how you guys met and why you decided to start an activewear line?

All three of us have worked in the fashion industry for several years and as a result our paths crossed many times. We live very similar lifestyles – working hard, working out whenever we can, socialising and travelling – and together wanted to create a premium high-performance activewear and every-wear brand that would promote the healthy, fun and active lifestyle that we like to live. We want to do things differently – to question the status quo and do things our way.

 

LNDR has a very specific style with it’s neutral colours and gorgeous flattering shapes. Where did you draw inspiration from?

The abbreviation of LNDR is a wink to the brand’s DNA: although team members are from different corners of the globe, each is now a proud ‘Londoner’. Living in a big city – or living a modern active lifestyle anywhere – means comfort is as valuable a commodity as time. Our inspiration comes from everywhere, including from our travels and from living in this bustling city. The current collection is inspired by retro National Geographic photographs of trekkers in the Andes Mountains. We interpreted these images into the graphic peaks and geometric geodes splashed across the collection in a sporty palette of lapis lazuli blue, deep Chile red and midnight navy.

 

Can you tell us a bit more about the fabrics used in your collections?

Technical fabrications and innovative functional design is at the heart of every single piece of clothing we make. We want the clothes to look good but it is also hugely important to us that they do exactly what they should do in the activewear space. We want our customers to enjoy working out and have the clothes that allow them to do that.

Our seamless pieces are all antibacterial, breathable and moisture wicking, and some are also cool comfort and quick dry. We also use circular compression knits, which in tandem with a seamless construction allow optimum breathability whilst sculpting and supporting the body. In other pieces we use heat-balancing yarns used in Formula 1 overalls.

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What, would you say, is LNDR’s best selling piece?

Our sports bras are always a sell out. They don’t typically look like traditional sports bras, so can easily be worn as a top on their own or under clothing. Most are circular knit to reduce the numbers of seams so there is less risk of irritation when working out so they’re like a second skin.

 

As we come in to Autumn, how should people style out there LNDR activewear? What are the key pieces for the AW16 collection?

One of our favourite pieces is the easy layering piece, the Base Jacket. Considering the unpredictable British weather, this style is a perfect year-round piece: it can be layered over a sports bra when the chill rolls in, and then takes up minimal space in your tote when the sun – eventually! – comes out. It is also moisture-wicking and breathable so the perfect extra layer for a work out.

The Rocky set is another great AW16 option, the technical fabric makes the Rocky bra and Rocky legging the perfect performance pieces for a sweaty workout and the tonal print detail gives a touch of geometric edge.

 

Since launching in 2015, LNDR has experienced amazing success… how would you like the next 5 years to go for the brand?

We are delighted with our first year in business and really look forward to continuing to grow and everything ahead of us. We see ourselves expanding our global reach with offices around the world to better service different markets and intend to expand into a full range of women and men’s lifestyle products, in addition to clothing!

 

Shop our curated edit of LNDR here!

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Natural Deodorants For Fitness Fanatics

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The thought of heading to the gym with ONLY natural deodorant on may be one of the most anxiety ridden situations fitness fanatics have ever experienced. “Is this really going to work? Wait, is that me – Surely that cannot be me!” But no matter how daunting navigating the weights section with natural deodorant is, using them is something that everyone should consider because keeping your skincare clean is just as important as keeping you diet clean too!

 

The benefits of using natural deodorants over typical ones is similar to the effect of using any kind of organic and natural skin care – you’re not piling on synthetics and chemicals onto your body and you don’t have to worry about the effects said chemicals might have.

 

You’ve probably seen thousands of articles linking antiperspirants and deodorants to breast cancer and claiming they are bad for your skin and while the debate is still up in the air, we don’t think it can hurt to go au natural. Some of the best ingredients to look for in natural deodorants to help keep you feeling fresh are witch hazel, essential oils (we love peppermint!), mineral salts, and coconut oil (is there anything coconut oil doesn’t do?)

 

We’ve rounded up our favourite natural deodorants that are perfect for gym bunnies so you won’t have to do the “pretend to stretch but discreetly check if your deodorant is still working” move!

 soapwalla

Soapwalla Deodorant

Soapwalla is completely different from your regular application of deo, but if you don’t have any issue applying deodorant with your fingers, then give this one a go! It is all-natural and utilizes superfine vegetable powders and clay, as well as lavender, peppermint and tea tree essential oils to absorb moisture, inhibit bacteria and has a long lasting effect. Although, it isn’t an antiperspirant so we would suggest keeping this one reserved for yoga rather than marathon training.

lavanilla

 

Lavanilla Sport Luxe Deodorant

If you are looking for something stronger, then we suggest using the Lavanila Sport Luxe Deodorant! Their SmartSport and Beta-Glucan Technoology combined, wicks away moisture and breaks down sweat molecules all while nourishing your skin with ingredients like rosemary, sage, and Japanese green tea! Not to mention you will smell fresh as a daisy with the blend of white Jasmine, honeydew, green apple, and vanilla!

neals-yard

Neal’s Yard Deodorant

Combining 8 different essential oils, this deodorant from Neal’s Yard cleanses odor causing bacteria from your underarms and is formulated without any aluminum which is found in many commercial deodorants in order to block pores to stop sweat. But our bodies are meant to sweat and we like to show how hard we are working and thankfully we can do so without having to smell like we are! With the fresh lemon scent, it feels like we’re in the lemon groves in Sorrento rather than sitting on the spin bike!

words by Nadia Liu

5 Ways To Kick-Start Your Health This Autumn

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The transition time between summer and autumn is usually one of excitement and extreme nostalgia for our back to school days. And even though the era of pack lunches might be behind us, we still feel the need for a little pick me up before its time to cosy down in our cashmere. Here at Hip & Healthy, we have sourced a few ways to kick-start your Autumn health preparations, because commencing a new regime doesn’t have to wait until January 1st! Let’s start now!

 

Your New Travel Snack – Deliciously Ella Energy Balls

Our autumnal schedules combined with less sunlight can leave us feeling a little drag. And with those busy schedules comes less time to eat properly (Or so we think!). Often times, you might be tempted to grab a quick cereal bar from the shop to tide you over until your next meal, but more often than not, those are loaded with hidden sugars and contain more ingredients than we can count on our own two hands and feet. Luckily, Deliciously Ella has made it easy for us to fuel our bodies properly when we are in a bind! The health blogger sensation has answered our prays and created three tasty energy ball flavours that are the perfect for post sweat sesh or after a long day of meetings when you’re stuck in traffic. Our favourite is the Cacao & Almond but the Hazelnut & Raisin and Ginger & Cashew are not far behind! Now stocked in Wholefoods, Planet Organic, Waitrose, and even Ocado!

 

Your New Superfood Boost – Ibiza Superfoods

Your one stop shop for protein and superfoods, Ibiza Superfoods are designed to support your healthy lifestyle with a blend of multiple super foods, which are guaranteed to kick start your health! Each blend is organic, gluten free, vegan and made without any added sugar so you can feel confident that your are fueling your bodies with the best ingredients. We love using the Fit Mix and the Disco Mix in our morning smoothies to get us pumped and off to an energised start!

 

Your New Cocktail – WOW Chia

What do you get when you combine delicious cold pressed juice and sustainably grown chia seeds? One of the best drinks EVER. Seriously. WOW Chia juices are packed with protein and fibre leaving you feeling full rather than your typical juice where you feel you could knock down about five more. Not only is each juice packed with these hunger stoppers, they are raw, vegan, and cold pressed! Definitely a drink we like to keep on hand!

 

Your New Workout Class – Ethos

There’s nothing better and more inspiring than jumping into a new fitness routine! We love starting out our mornings with a good run or total body workouts! Not only does it keep our energy up throughout the day, it means that once we are done with work, we can head home and relax! One of our new favourite workouts here in London is TRX with Ethos! The tabata style (a type of short burst interval training) class keeps our heart rate up for an entire hour and not a second goes by without breaking a sweat.

 

Your New Morning Smoothie Add-In – Macacha Protein

Designed with the active woman in mind, Macacha Protien powders have harnessed the power of plants to help nourish and energise your body. Using pea and rice protein enriched with phytonutrient-rich organic botanicals, Macacha blends are the perfect source of nutrients for when we have little time to make a proper breakfast or a post-workout snack. We love both the Energy and Peace blends which help cater to different parts of your day! Check them out here to read more about their wonderful ethos!

words by Nadia Liu

Our Yoga Style Rules!

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We’d be lying if we said we’ve never gone through a yoga class where we were constantly pulling up our leggings, tucking in our shirts or adjusting our crops! We are absolutely in love with yoga but downward dog isn’t exactly the ideal pose for regular ol’ activewear. But, by the grace of the fitness gods, we have had some of the ultimate yoga brands bestow upon us the best of the best gear for our practice! We break down our top yoga style rules for sweating in style during our sun salutations! (Try saying that ten times fast!)

 

Keep it High-Waisted
Like we said, we’d be lying if we said we have never spent a yoga class constantly pulling up our leggings. With different inversions and folds, there are always going to be parts of your body that might make an appearance whether it’s your tum or your bum! Enter the high-waisted legging! We love being able to get our yoga on without having to fuss with our gear. This way we are able to fully focus and enjoy our hour!

 

Just breathe (Mesh Leggings)
When people think of yoga, they usually think of a relaxing workout, and while it is, we never underestimate the amount of work we are doing and usually work means sweat. We love materials that let our limbs breath especially when we are holding warrior two!

 

Patterns
We would be remiss if we didn’t include patters in our top style rules! Long gone are the days of typical black leggings sans any detail. We love that yoga is a sport where anyone and everyone is free to be! Love a crazy and colourful print? Go for it! Add some excitement to your savasana with some of our favourites!

 

Support for your closest girlfriends!
During a traditional workout, normally we only double-check the supportiveness the bottom of our bras and crops. But yoga is a liiitle trickier. Because we are doing headstands and downward dog, it is important to kit yourself with sportsbras that are equally supportive on top as they are on the bottom. We keep our girls in check with Mara, Alo and LNDR!

 

4-way stretch (Not just for swan dives!)
Of course yoga keeps us bendy and flexible, but if you aren’t doing your practice in fabric which is meant to complement your movement, then you may as well be tree posing in your best pair of skinny jeans. We love 4-way stretch fabrics that let us move without any limitations so that we get the full benefits from our practice. These leggings are like our second skin!

 

Add a smile to your chakras
The physical benefits of any workout are always obvious, but it’s the mental benefit that is harder to express. One of the main reasons why we love yoga is because it leaves us feeling relaxed and happy! After all, smiles are the best accessories!

words Nadia Liu

Discover The Best Workouts For Your Body Type

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Shop the activewear in this image here!

To find the best workouts to suit your body type, Health and Fitness Travel, the leading experts in healthy holidays worldwide, explain why it’s important to know which body type is most applicable to you. Endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph are the three body types or ‘somatotypes’ that can be used as a basic formula to categorise which type(s) are the closest fit, in order to effectively achieve your fitness goals. Although, hardly anyone fits rigidly into one body type criteria, so don’t be surprised to find overlapping similarities between multiple body types within your own body. Learn which cardio and strength training based workouts are suited to your body type, so you can reach your fitness goals faster and even choose the best fitness holiday!

 

ENDOMORPH
The body type of an endomorph has a soft, curvy physique. Naturally, larger bone structure means your total body mass tends to be higher. Difficulty in losing weight means exercise is essential to maintaining your optimum body weight.

Endomorph Characteristics

  • High levels of body fat
  • Pear-shaped physique
  • Lose weight slowly
  • Slow metabolism
  • Larger bone structure

Endomorph Cardio Recommendations
Emphasise cardio during your workouts to see the best weight-loss results. Endurance running or spinning for 30-45 minutes several times a week will burn fat whilst helping to build muscle and speed up your metabolism.

Best Strength Training Workouts for Endomorphs
Highlight strength training exercises that will make your lower body feel the burn with heavier weights, to target your muscles more beneficially. High reps with short recoveries will also help to burn those extra calories for an endomorph physique.

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Where to Workout like an Endomorph – St Lucia: The BodyHoliday Fusion Fitness

Return home feeling fit, healthy and body beautiful following this fun-filled fitness holiday on the tropical shores of St Lucia. Choosing from a diverse range of 1-on-1 fitness sessions, sports and daily spa treatments, tailor-make your ideal fitness holiday and reach your body goals with your favourite activities. Kick start your day with yoga, before reaping the rewards of strength and cardio workouts, from beach running to kettle bell training.

 

 

MESOMORPH
The mesomorph is considered to be the athletic and lean body type. With a greater ability to gain muscle mass, this body type creates natural athletes who excel in high-intensity sports. They possess a medium sized body type and bone structure, whilst also gaining or losing weight with apparent ease.

Mesomorph Characteristics

  • Naturally muscular
  • Quick to gain muscle
  • Lose/Gain weight easily
  • Athletic physique
  • Efficient metabolism

Mesomorph Cardio Recommendations
The most efficient way for a mesomorph to maintain muscle tone is with HIIT training, which will help to address fears of becoming too bulky in women. Be careful though not to do too much, as you’ll start to burn muscle instead of fat.

Best Strength Training Workouts for Mesomorphs
Create an overall balance to your body and well-being on a bootcamp holiday where shaping up or slimming down will help you reach your fitness goals. Raise your heart rate with slight resistance (but not too heavy), with a high number of sets and repetitions to prevent muscle bulking.

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Where to Workout like a Mesomorph – Zanzibar: Wildfitness Zanzibar

Treat your body to a luxury fitness retreat with bootcamp workouts set amongst the beautiful surroundings of Zanzibar’s south east coastline. Following an initial assessment with professional fitness trainers, delve into a programme of daily training sessions with a strong emphasis on nature. Boost your fitness with activities from beach fitness training to wild running, before unwinding at the Hush Hut with a deep tissue massage. Fuel your body during your stay with natural cuisine and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle with nutrition workshops.

 

 

ECTOMORPH
This slender body type generates the slim, tall and long-limbed ectomorph that optimises the ‘ideal’ model physique. The difficulty lies in gaining weight or muscle mass, as you are naturally disinclined to retain body fat. Being slender in size means you are well suited to long distance and endurance events.

Ectomorph Characteristics

  • Slim physique
  • Low body fat
  • Fast metabolism
  • Difficulty gaining muscle/weight
  • Lean muscle mass

Ectomorph Cardio Recommendations
Ectomorphs looking to tone their lithe physique suit cardio and long distance running, but not to the extreme. To bulk up and add some curves, then HIIT workouts and circuit training are great to build muscle mass and definition.

Best Strength Training Workouts for Ectomorphs
Train heavier and extend your workout duration to allow for the muscles to have a greater recovery time between sets. Prioritise strength training in order to gain muscles mass, with three sets of 10-12 reps, enabling you to gain the most out of each exercise.

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Where to Workout like an Ectomorph – Thailand: Absolute Sanctuary Pilates Reformer Bootcamp

Get fit not thin on a toning Pilates fitness retreat on the beautiful island of Koh Samui in Thailand; the perfect full body workout to increase muscle tone, flexibility and posture. Under the guidance of expert instructors make the most of group classes on state of the art reformer machines, before experiencing the benefits of a tailored private session. Advance fitness with classes in Thai boxing and aqua power, before indulging with luxury spa therapies, such as Thai stretch, to release tension and lengthen tight muscles.

For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891

 

 words by Paul Joseph

About Paul Joseph:
Paul Joseph is co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel, the leading experts in tailor-made healthy holidays worldwide. He searches for the rare and hidden gems around the world and puts together exclusive and trend-setting holidays for those who would like to improve or maintain their health and fitness whilst on holiday. As well as a love of all things travel, Paul’s other love is exercise, cycling and yoga. Paul also contributes to the travel pages of various high-profile newspapers and magazines where he offers his expert advice on wellness holidays.

 

About Health and Fitness Travel:
Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company that originated in the UK in 2010 and is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Created by Paul Joseph and Adam Heathcote as a result of their passion for health and fitness travel and offering bespoke holidays to improve people’s well-being to lead happier and healthier lives.

Health and Fitness Travel offers clients a tailor-made seamless service with the very best health and fitness holidays, handpicked by its expert team, together with exclusive and added value packages with the best deals. As leading specialists, Health and Fitness Travel has also created their own collection of trademark healthy holidays in various destinations, which include Fusion Fitness™ BodyBreaks™ and Discover Recover™, offering clients the best value and holiday experience. For more information visit: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com

 

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Hip & Healthy Guide To Sydney

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Arguably Australia’s most famous city, Sydney is known for its year-round sunshine, stretches of sand, and of course, beloved Bondi Beach. The home of healthy eating and brilliant brunches, we all know that Sydney is the perfect place for anyone with a penchant for ocean-related activities, and with its scenic coastal walks and plethora of perfect spots for foodies, it really is an Instagrammers’ heaven. So read on for our Hip & Healthy Guide to Sydney!

 

SLEEP

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The Establishment Hotel
Perfect for the more discerning traveller is The Establishment Hotel. Offering 31 rooms, including two stylish penthouse suites, and located in the centre of the CBD and walking distance from the famous Opera House, this boutique hotel is achingly hip and surrounded by trendy bars and restaurants.

Bondi Yoga House
Nestled down a pretty street away from the hustle and bustle of Bondi Beach, is newly opened urban retreat Bondi Yoga House run by qualified yoga teachers Amanda and Benny. With five sumptuous rooms named after local beaches, the décor is indulgent beach chic as its very best. A shared kitchen and dining room allows guests to mingle with fellow travellers, and the hosts have been known to knock up a five-star breakfast to rival any of the local cafes. As well as offering over-night accommodation, there is both a yoga space and in-house massage treatments available and tailor-made stays can be customised to suit individual guests.

 

SWEAT

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BikeAsana at Flow Athletic
Keen to make like a local with one of the latest fitness trends? Give Flow Athletic’s Bikeasana a go. A sixty-minute class starting on a bike and ending on a yoga mat, it’s a well-balanced and unique work out that will leave you feeling both relaxed and reinvigorated.

Coastal-Walking
Offering some of the best views in Sydney and unending stretches of rugged coastlines, there’s no better way to blow away the cobwebs than with a coastal walk. One of the most popular – and no doubt picturesque – is the famous Bondi to Coogee, but we recommend the slightly less busy Rose Bay to Nielsen’s Park which offers unbeatable views of the harbour and famous city skyline.

Power Living Studios
For the crème de la crème of yoga that Bondi locals swear by, try one of Sydney’s four Power Living studios where you’ll be able to get your sweat on in style. Offering 60 and 90 minute Heated Vinyasa Yoga and relaxing Yin Yoga classes and with calm yet vibrant vibes and zen-like interiors, the popular studios are well worth adding to your hit-list for any stays in Sydney.

 

EAT

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Porch & Parlour
One of Sydney’s hottest spots for brunch is Porch and Parlour, a hip cafe on Ramsgate Avenue whose distressed walls, elegant tile work and rough wood paneling give its interiors a beach-chic feel with a mediterranean edge. Offering locally sourced and seasonal produce, the menu ranges from a green pea pancake to the devil’s breakfast – spicy chorizo, roasted potatoes, bean molé, and chilli and papkrika doused eggs, but our personal favourite is the green brekkie bowl – the perfect fusion of kale, quinoa and creamy avocado.

Sadhana
For the creme de la crème of all things vegan, Bondi favourite Sadhana is where it’s at. Offering a seasonal and plant-based menu, which is gluten, dairy and refined-sugar free, it’s the ultimate in clean eating. Try the vegan Cheezeburger for a post coastal walk treat; or the Monkey Business smoothie for something lighter – with banana, coconut mylk and peanut butter it certainly takes some beating.

Kawa
Boasting streetside seats and a country-cottage vibe in the heart of bustling Surry Hills, Kawa is a must-visit for anyone seeking the finest of health eating in Sydney. With mismatched furniture and a relaxed vibe, Kawa’s organic offerings range from breakfast to lunch and everything in between. Their spiced tea and Single Origin coffee are loved by locals, and their famous breakfast salad is as good as it looks.

Bare Naked Bowls
If you’re an Acai bowl addict, you must stop off at Bare Naked Bowls. Started by two friends Josh and Ashley, Bare Naked Bowls was born out of a desire to create a sustainable business that fed customers the most nutritious, delicious frozen acai bowls, which both Josh and Ashley discovered on a month long trip to Santa Monica in California. With so many different blends and toppings, you’ll never get bored of this healthy haunt! We love the Power Bowl, which consists of Organic Acai, Banana, Strawberry, Peanut Butter and Almond Milk topped with Organic Activated Chocolate Buckinis, Banana, Blueberry, Hemp Seeds, Almonds and Honey!

 

DRINK

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Coogee Pavilion
Eastern suburbs favourite Coogee Pavilion, is a rooftop oasis with views of Coogee’s stunning shoreline, chic interiors and four bars – each with their own exotic flair. With drinks ranging from fruity cocktails to superfood smoothies and cold pressed juices you’ll be spoilt for choice; though our personal favourite has got to be The Original Green. The perfect spot to while away a balmy afternoon in the sun, the vibe is carefree, the drinks delicious and the menu mouth-wateringly Mediterranean.

Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel
Few places do sunset drinks like Sydney hotspot Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel, known for it’s unrivalled views of the city. With beautifully blue décor – both inside and out – and a mouth-watering cocktail list, there’s few better places to watch the sun set in Sydney. Their superfood cocktail – the Coco Bay, served in a fresh coconut with pineapple, Cirac coconut, lychee, peach and elderflower – is the perfect accompaniment to a Sydney sun set.

words by Lucy Pearson – Check our her blog – www.theunlikelybookworm.com

Like our Hip & Healthy Guide to Sydney? Check out more of our City Guides here!