Hip & Healthy’s Top 5 Eyeliners!

Written by

As much as we love the natural and makeup free look, we must admit, we are looking forward to getting down and dirty with the dramatic, bold and colourful eye-looks this autumn/winter. From a smoky winged-eye to a smudged sultry vibe, we’re rounding up our top five eyeliners to get your hands on…

 

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner – £13.00
This meticulous liquid eyeliner is a real favourite amongst the H&H team! With over 15 hues to choose from, this thin, flexible brush-tip glides over the upper lid with ultimate precision. No jump-starts or clumps in sight. It will only take you one attempt to get the ideal level of thickness you’re after, whilst the waterproof aspect ensures the colour stays all day whatever the weather or event.

Our Hip & Healthy tip? This product is a must try for the cat or winged-eye look. Stila’s ‘periwinkle’ and ‘paradise pink’ shades are ideal for a glamorous night out!

 

MAC Chromagraphic Pencil – £14.00
Mac’s ‘high-def Cyan’ wins the colour battle, hands down. Competing with over 10 other shades available in this product, this Prussian-reminding shade of blue is perfect for highlighting the eye without the intensity of alternative midnight shades. The creamy, silk like texture of the lead tip (embedded in a wood-clenched pencil), smoothes perfectly onto the eye for a commanding look.

Our Hip & Healthy tip? As well as the ‘high-def Cyan’ colour, try MAC’s ‘pure white’ hue, adding only to the inner corner of the eye and the water line for a dramatic pop.

 

Organic Glam Liquid Eyeliner – £19.95
Dramatic and bold. No two other words can aptly describe this product! Comprising a rich formula this simple ‘black’ shade offers a classic yet sexy look. Only one thinly pressed glide is needed for real definition and a standout look.

Our Hip & Healthy tip? This product does all the leg-work, but be sure to keep the application close to the top eyelash line – from the very inner corner all the way to the outer – for understated beauty.

 

Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner – £19.00
More of a wax crayon texture than pencil, Chanel’s eyeliner is a classic within its own right. Its smooth and creamy consistency glides nicely across the lid and stays firmly put all day long thanks to its water resistant properties. What can be seen as both a positive and negative is that upon application, the espresso shade we tried, needed to be redrawn a few times to make the colour really pop. Whilst not ideal for many, we found this gave us much more control and made for a perfect, subtle look.

Our Hip & Healthy tip? Ideal for both work and play, add to the bottom lash line and smudge from the outer corner inwards with your little finger for a smoky edge.

 

Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner – £18.00
For those who prefer the control of a pencil, this one’s for you. A humidity resistant eyeliner lasting up to 12 hours, you won’t see a smudge in sight. Ideal for a well-kept, precision based look, this gel liner exudes confidence and class in a range of midnight colours.

Our Hip & Healthy tip? Try Bobbi Brown’s ‘pitch black’ shade for ultimate definition. Be sure to apply a little pick me up half way through your day to keep that intense look effective.

words by Samantha Marie Organ

 

Quinoa And Hazelnut Salad – Deliciously Ella For Raw Press!

Written by

This week, we are sharing an exciting (and scrummy) recipe from Deliciously Ella exclusively for Raw Press Cafe!

“This is an awesome new salad, which I designed exclusively for Raw Press. It’s the perfect summer dish as it’s wonderfully light, yet still very satisfying with awonderful taste. It’s filled with fluffy quinoa, roasted hazelnuts, refreshing slices of cucumber and sweet pomegranate seeds, which are then tossed in a simple lemon and argon oil dressing to create something incredibly delicious. Each bite of this salad will fill you with an amazing combination of plant protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, so you’ll feel energized all day!” Ella Woodward, Deliciously Ella

 

Ingredients

50g blanched hazelnuts

50g mixed red and white quinoa

100g cucumber

50g pomegranates

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 tbsp argan oil

Pinch of Salt

Pinch of Pepper

 

Method

Cover the quinoa with boiling water in a saucepan along with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Allow to boil for 12 minutes or until the water has been absorbed. While the quinoa cooks, place the hazelnuts on a baking tray and place in 200c oven for 8-10 minutes. Chop the cucumber into quarters, then into eighths. Slice out the wet, seedy central part and slice in to thin pieces. Allow the quinoa to cool before string in the argan oil, pomegranates, chopped cucumber and hazelnuts along with the salt and pepper to taste!

recipe: Deliciously Ella for Raw Press

To find more info on Ella and her blog, click here!

To find out more info on Raw Press, click here!

Screen Shot 2014-08-19 at 16.04.18

A Hip & Healthy Round-Up – Top Five Wellbeing Retreats!

Written by

Healthy travel website Queen Of Retreats has been named a Top 10 health & wellness website by the Sunday Telegraph’s Stella magazine. Here the site’s founder and editor, spa journalist Caroline Sylger Jones, shares her favourite wellbeing retreats of her year so far…

The Healing Retreat

Shh, Dorset & Ibiza 

One of the most amazing retreats of my career so far, Shh (which stands for Sensual Healing Harmony) was set up by former media mogul Vikki van Someren and international swimmer Lucy Arrowsmith to help women reconnect with themselves, connect better with their partners (or find the right one) and generally be happier in life. These two personable, impressive women run seriously luxurious and holistic, healing health retreats for women – choose from an indulgent Georgian pile in the Dorset countryside, and at a swanky serene villa in Ibiza, all staffed by a large group of hand-picked talented female therapists at the top of their game. From £2900 per person for a 3 night retreat in Dorset.

Read more here

 

The Coaching Retreat

Jessica McGregor Johnson, Spain

I loved my recent private coaching retreat in the gorgeous Spanish mountains with mentor and guide Jessica McGregor Johnson, a highly qualified coach who has helped all sorts of people find the right way forward in their personal and professional lives over the last 10 years. She’s grounded, light of heart and easy to be with, and particularly good at helping you access a truer path in any given situation if you feel you’ve chosen something that you think you should do rather than what suits you better. Her private retreats take place at Casa Ana, a glorious, boutique guesthouse in the white washed village of Ferreirola in the Alpujarras. £1964 pp for 3 nights.

Read more here

The Fitness Retreat

 

38º North – Cornwall & Ibiza 

It’s not always the case you feel comfortable and cared for on a fitness holiday, but keen and empathetic couple Kelly Morgan and James Davis take the time to ensure you do when you book one their fab healthy weeks on Ibiza. I went  for a private Deep Sleep & Relaxation retreat, but the couple also run private and group holidays for Optimal Fitness, Optimal Weight Loss, Yoga, Detox and Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Their base is Aguas de Ibiza hotel at Santa Eularia in Ibiza between April and October – they also run health braeks at The Scarlet hotel in Cornwall between November and March. From £1579 residential and £939 non-residential per person for a 6 night Optimal Fitness programme.

Read more here

 

The Yoga Retreat

Silver Island, Greece

I could quite happily live here year round – it’s one of the most authentic, peaceful retreats I’ve been to in a long time. A 15 minute boat ride from the coast of Evia island, it offers week-long yoga holidays from April to October and the odd meditation week too. There’s no internet connection and no mains power, making it even more of a ‘stop the world’ retreat. The yoga comes courtesy of teachers from all over the world, and the ambiance is artistic and relaxed. From £1100 per person for 6 nights.

Read more here

 

The Relaxing Retreat 

Song Saa, Cambodia

I felt deeply chilled staying at this serene, eco-friendly private island in the Koh Rong Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. You can book onto 5 and 7 day wellbeing retreats to kick back and indulge in holistic rituals devised by British organic skincare brand Ila in an expansive villa or a wonderfully rustic outdoor shala surrounded by the endless sea. There are Buddhist blessings with the local monks, kayak trips through the mangroves, trips to beaches and delicious fusion food. From £2,448 per person for 5 nights or £3,428 for 7 nights – see full details below.

Read more here

Author and Journalist Caroline Sylger Jones has been travelling the world since the 1990s checking out spas, retreats and healthy holidays for international newspapers, glossy magazines, websites and her own books (Body & Soul Escapes by Footprint). She is the founder and editor of independent healthy travel site www.queenofretreats.com, which only features spas, wellbeing breaks and healthy holidays that have been reviewed in person by published journalists and other writers to help you sift through the hype and find the retreat that’s right for you.

Hip & Healthy’s Top Tunes To Workout To!

Written by

H&H’s top tunes to work out to!

Motivating yourself to go to the gym can be tricky, even at the best of times. Especially when the sun is out and summer barbecues are at their peak! A little tip we recommend is to grab your iPod, download some good tunes to keep you in the zone and feeling upbeat, and get your sweat on. Plus, it can make working out really enjoyable and if you have the breath, you can sing along too! Below are just a few of our favourite songs that feature on repeat in our gym playlist!

The Hip & Healthy Fitness Playlist

Radioactive – Rita Ora

Feel The Love – Rudimental

Fancy – Iggy Azalea

Sonnentanz – Klangkarussell

Hideaway – Kiesza

Treasure – Bruno Mars

Burn – Ellie Goulding

What Now – Rihanna

Chandelier – Sia

Calling All Hearts – Robin Thicke & Jessie J

 

So what are you waiting for? Grab your trainers and your music player!

We got our iPod Shuffle at Argos, in case you haven’t got one.

A Summer In Aspen – Why It’s Not Just For Winter!

Written by

Located high in the Rockies in Colorado, Aspen and its nearby sister town Snowmass is a playground for the rich and famous who are attracted to the fantastic skiing with diverse terrains and multiple ski areas during the winter months.

However in the summer, Aspen is the ultimate health and wellbeing haven. With numerous outdoor activities and healthy food haunts aplenty, Aspen is the perfect place if you want a relaxed yet active holiday.

Stay:

If you like 5* luxury then head to the St. Regis.  Located at the base of the famous Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis sets the benchmark high for superior luxury accommodation in Aspen. With 179 guestrooms all exquisitely decorated to palatial perfection, an outdoor swimming pool and several onsite restaurants, you’ll never want to leave the Hotel. However, it is located at the base of the famous Aspen Mountain so it’s perfectly situated for an early morning hike or ski, depending on when you visit.

TheStRegisAspen.KingRoom

The St Regis, Aspen

For those who prefer more of a laidback vibe, the Sky Hotel conveniently located at the bottom of the Silver Queen Gondola at the base of the Aspen Mountain, is a modern, boutique hotel. Less decadent than the St. Regis yet still full of charm and character with it’s brightly coloured interiors and garish furnishings, the Sky Hotel is the go-to place in Aspen for apres-ski. This applies all year round even in the height of summer.  A friendly hotel with a fun, buzzy atmosphere, the Sky Hotel has a constant stream of people coming and going, whether they are guests of the hotel or passersby popping in for a sundowner post hike.

sky-hotel-aspen-1

The Sky Hotel, Aspen

If you do decide to venture to Snowmass, stay at the Viceroy.  This magnificent hotel, nestled in the mountain means that it is in a prime location for hiking, biking and breathtaking views. It also combines all the amenities (and more) of a deluxe hotel with the snugness of a condo (as they say across the pond – that’s a self-contained apartment to you and me). Each suite comes with it’s own nespresso machine so you can get your caffeine fix in the morning and every guest is given a stainless steel flask to save on plastic, following the Aspen Snowmass way of eco-friendly living – it’s the little things!

lo res viceroy_1BDRoom_Normal, Oct. 10

Viceroy, Snowmass

Do:

There is a real community spirit in Aspen. The locals go hiking during their lunch breaks or after work, biking or rafting at the weekend – every spare moment is spent outdoors enjoying the scenery and getting an endorphin boost.

White water rafting along the roaring fork river is a firm favourite for locals and tourists. The river is particularly high around June time when the snow from the mountain starts to melt so if you are after an adrenaline rush, June is the month for visiting for you…otherwise stick to July and August if you prefer calmer tides.

One particular draw is Hot Air Ballooning. Catch the sunrise at 6am during the summer months…it’s worth waking up early for and the perfect way to appreciate this magical place. There are also number of hiking and biking trails including hunter creek where you can climb up the mountain on a steady incline meandering round the famous roaring fork river.

Snowmass is low-key in comparison to Aspen but is in no way lacking in activities and outdoor pursuits. Bike Snowmass offer mountain biking, the ultimate adrenalin-pumping activity.  With a trail system covering 50 miles of terrain, there are gentle routes and more challenging single track lanes to cater for the novice rider as well as the gung-ho cycling pro.

Eat:

Aspen is a healthy foodie heaven. With so many innovative restaurants and cafes, there is something for everyone.  If you fancy a delicious and nutritious breakfast, head to Spring Cafe. Serving an assortment of eggs, cereals, delicious smoothies – think cacao, almond butter, blueberries and bananas and refreshing cold-pressed juices, Spring cafe is the perfect place to start your day.

For fresh, natural cuisine, visit the Pyramid Bistro. This quaint restaurant is situated in the heart of Aspen. Known and loved by the locals, Pyramid Bistro is a hidden gem. Situated above the bookshop Explore Booksellers in a treehouse-themed setting, everything about this restaurant oozes health and vitality. The menu features Nutritarian cuisine from the chef, Martin Oswald consisting of dishes such as fresh salmon, quinoa salad and kale crunchies. All the produce is fresh and locally sourced.

The Chefs Club at the St. Regis is a gastronomic dream.  The brainchild of Food and Wine, this innovative concept brings together the most talented and best new chefs to create exclusive dishes featuring the finest ingredients – well worth a visit even if you are not staying at the St. Regis

See: If you really want to absorb yourself in culture then make sure you go and see a rodeo. This exhilarating spectacle makes our Olympic dressage attempts seem pretty tame. The rodeo takes place every Wednesday in Snowmass, just a 15 minute drive away.

Further Information:

Seven nights in Aspen/Snowmass, including three nights at The St Regis Aspen and four nights at The Viceroy Snowmass, with SUV (4×4) hire car and international flights with British Airways starts from £1,820pp based on two people sharing. To find out more call Scott Dunn on 020 8682 5030 or visit www.scottdunn.com

Aspen Chamber Resort Association- www.aspenchamber.org  

Snowmass Tourism www.snowmasstourism.com

words by Rebecca Fairbrother
image: Pinterest

Peanut Butter And Raspberry Chia Jelly Smoothie – Madeleine Shaw

Written by

My dad grew up in Boston and my grandparents still live there. I wouldn’t say I have adopted the American diet but I do like a few of their combos. Peanut butter and jelly is one of them. The salt and sweet flavours just seem to go so well together.

This smoothie starts with a jam base and then has a delicious smoothie top; easy to make and such a treat!

The jelly (or jam as we would say this side of the pond) is made of fresh raspberries, chia seeds and lime juice. The chia seeds are loaded with omega 3s, manganese, calcium and phosphorus. The lime and berries give your beautiful body a good supply of vitamin C. Have this post workout or as a special breaky.

Ingredients

1 frozen banana (peeled and frozen overnight)

200ml of almond milk (or rice/coconut milk)

2 TBSP of natural peanut butter

pinch of vanilla bean powder of extract

50g of raspberries

½ lime

1 TBSP of chia seeds

Directions

At the bottom of your smoothie glass place the chia seeds lime and berries, mush with a spoon and leave to sit for 10 mins, stir ever few minutes until a gel like texture is formed.

In a blender blitz the banana, almond milk, peanut butter and vanilla in a blender for a few minutes.

Poor over the raspberry jelly, and enjoy!

recipe by Madeleine Shaw

Twitter: @madeleine_shaw_

Instagram: @MADELEINE_SHAW_

Raw Press Coffee & Mylk Recipe!

Written by

We are so excited to share with you the first of three recipes from the brand new healthy hub in London, Raw Press! Having opened on the 11th August, we thought we’d give you Hip & Healthies a little preview of the yummy treats you’ll be able to find in their cafe! Today we’re sharing their Coffee & Mylk recipe which will help give you a nutritious boost all from the comfort of your own home!

Ingredients 

120g soaked almonds

5 medium-sized soaked pitted dates

A pinch of sea salt

3 drops of pure vanilla extract

1 litre of fresh coconut water

A shot of cold-bee coffee of espresso

 

Method

Leaving the coffee to one side, simply blend all the ingredients together in your blender or vitamix until creamy and smooth. Strain the liquid before adding the pre-prepared coffee. Serve immediately or chill for up to three days in the fridge! Yum!

For more info on this exciting new cafe, click here!

Screen Shot 2014-08-19 at 15.45.20

recipe: Raw Press

 

Experience New Heights With HotPod Yoga’s New Rooftop Pod!

Written by

Hotpod yoga. Being a self-confessed yoga convert who has recently jumped on the Bikram band-wagon, I certainly appreciate the transformative benefits of yoga and the health benefits of yoga in high temperatures. But yoga in a hot roofpod? Excited as I was to enjoy a class in the new rooftop pod in London Fields, Hackney, I was full of ardent questions: was this a new, futuristic, Bikram-esque yoga craze? Why the roof? Would I be at risk of being blown away, pod and all, mid yoga class? Would a combination of heat, height and Hackney really help restore my inner tranquillity? There was only one way to find out, and that was to experience it first-hand.

I entered the unassuming Netil House and ascended the stairs to the very top. Walking out onto the roof, I found a little oasis of heaven. With 360 degree views of London, a panorama stretching from Canary Wharf to the Shard, from Westminster to Hampstead Heath, the vista was liberating. The roof, decked with cool seating areas and a funky rooftop bar, exuded coolness, calmness and composure. If it wasn’t for the unavoidable glass pod erected in the centre of the roof, I would have mistaken my location for a trendy, post-work drinks refuge.

I entered the pod, which, to my surprise, was not inflatable by design. Unlike the portable, pop-up pods that have made hotpod yoga so distinguished, this roofpod had floor to ceiling glass windows to ensure the glorious views were not obscured. Unlike the darkness created by an inflatable pod, the glass design ensured that the pod was filled with sunshine. I was instantly engulfed by the warm, yet not unbearable temperature (37 degrees) and empowering, meditative music. Joined by ten others, we all sat in silence and serenity as we waited for our instructor to initiate the class through child’s pose.

To my delight, the class was not as intense as Bikram yoga. Instead the class focussed on the benefits of Vinyasa Flow, as movement and breath were synchronised to create a continuous flow of meditation. As we concentrated on inhalation and exhalation, stretching and warrior poses, I felt a sense of oneness, acceptance and gratitude as the sun descended below our horizon. Surprisingly, however, I did not feel that my exercise had been compromised by the ease of discipline. The warm temperature ensured that my heart rate was active, with perspiration ridding my every pore of toxins and unnecessary worry. This gentle, yet transformative, strengthening yet limbering exercise was certainly working me hard, as after the 60 minute experience I was left breathless and revitalised.

So I survived the class. Yet, I was curious to get a fuller understanding behind the science of the practice. Nick Higgins and Max Henderson, the directors and founders of hotpod yoga came to my aid.

Nick explained that he and Max wished to make the benefits of hot yoga accessible in as many ways (and places) as possible, therefore teamed up with award winning designers Inflate and Nick Elias to create an inspiring yoga environment in the form of a portable pod. Taking the country by storm and expanding from London to places such as Swansea, South Birmingham and Cheshire to name a few, Nick and Max thought it was time to take the physical and mental benefits of yoga to a whole new level (quite literally) by creating the only roofpod in the world. By relaxing the strictness of Bikram, but not compromising the physical and transformative benefits, Nick and Max formulated their own take on yoga – allowing thousands of years if yoga tradition to become highly accessible for all abilities. Nick explained that the perspiration stimulated by the heat is purifying for the body, and simultaneously aids flexibility for a high impact yoga exercise. With the heart working harder, maximum benefit from your exercise is guaranteed.

This philosophy certainly delivers. Aside from a challenging workout, mind and inner self was left balanced and contemplative. I felt empowered, motivated and at peace – I was physically and mentally on top of the world. Although I had my preconceptions, I can certainly verify that the combination of heat, height and Hackney successfully restored me to a greater sense of wellbeing.

Book your HotPod Yoga Rooftop experience here!

words by Olivia Murphy

“Get The Glow” Cookery Class With Madeleine Shaw!

Written by

It’s time to whip out your aprons and tempt your taste buds… The wonderful Madeleine Shaw is hosting a “Get The Glow” cooking class to help you discover the world of clean eating in a fun and enjoyable environment!

Maddy is a firm believer in clean, unprocessed cooking, using only the most natural ingredients to nourish and energise your body. Her passion is to show just how simple and easy it is to eat healthily whilst also busting the myths that cooking from scratch is boring and time consuming!

On Wednesday 17th September, Maddy will be setting up her cookery class at the super stylish La Cucina Caldesi Cookery School in Marylebone in London, where she’ll be sharing her tips and tricks to a glowing, happy body. She’ll teach you how to use food as your best beauty tool and how important it is to feed your body with pure, nutritious ingredients.

If you love the sound of Healthy Gluten Free Pizzas and delicious Raw Chocolate Pudding then book your space here!

For more info on Madeleine and her blog click here.

If you only do one thing this week…Glow With These Summer Supplements!

Written by

This week give your body a little summer glow boost with our top health supplements! With chillier august days setting in, we think it’s super important to give ourselves a helping hand to starve off those inevitable colds and coughs as well as keeping us feeling on tip top form as we approach autumn!

The Workout Wonder – Bodyism Berry Burn, £49.95
Packed with acai berries, this powder will take your workouts one step further by boosting the body’s ability to burn fat and turn it into energy! Plus, it is also crammed full of antioxidants like blueberries and the lesser-known brindle berry, which will help your body to fight free radicals and keep your immune system in tip-top condition. We like to add ours to a pre-gym smoothie.

The Tummy Toner – Symprove Probiotic Drink, £21.95
Want to beat the bloat this summer? Tried, tested and loved by H&H, Symprove is a great way to get your digestion working as it should, keeping bloating at bay by regulating bacterial imbalances in the stomach. Best to take it first thing in the morning 5-10 mins before you eat. The reason being is that when you eat something your digestive enzymes become active and more acidic…taking your Symprove before eating will give the probiotics a better chance of working their magic rather than getting broken down immediately upon entering your body.

The Hair Hero – Perfectil Plus Hair, £17.95 
Summer can be a killer on your lustrous locks; all that sea air, sunshine and chlorine can result in untamable tresses. Perfectil Plus hair contains the all important trio of hair vitamins and minerals: biotin, selenium and zinc, so the hair can repair itself from within.

The Immune Booster – Bee Prepared Max Strength Immune Support, £11.99
Summer colds are the worse… and there is a nasty one going around right now. Give your immune system a fighting chance with the help bees! Studies have shown that bee propolis (which is a sticky brown mixture that honey bees make from their saliva) is not only immune boosting but also anti-bacterial and anti-viral too. Plus this particular supplement contains reishi mushroom which is a powerful antioxidant.

The Skin Saviour – Viridian Organic Clear Skin Omega Oil, £16.06
Suffering from a Summer breakout? This is the product for you. We all know that getting enough good oils into our diet will help improve the condition of our skin but who wants to eat fish by the bucket load just to ensure you are hitting your daily recommended amount. Enter the Omega Oil. Dominant in anti-inflammatory omega 3, and including 6 and 9 fatty acids too, this oil will ensure that your skin is glowing from the inside out. Either eat by the spoonful, add to your porridge or even pop in your morning green juice!

words by Sadie Macleod

The Best Summer Snack Foods

Written by

So, you’re sitting at your desk and the dreaded four-pm slump strikes, but before you grab a KitKat from the corner shop near your office to give you that much needed boost, why not get prepared and pack a healthy snack in your handbag to keep your blood-sugar levels and energy consistent. Not always the easiest things to get – healthy snacks are a great way to feed your body and mind. This summer we have not been able to keep our hands (or should we say our mouths), off the below… Get ready to snack yourself happy!

Organic, Dairy-Free Booja Booja Ice Cream
One of the best alternatives to dairy, sugar-filled ice cream, Booja Booja is made with just four ingredients of which cashew nuts is the main one. Plus it comes in tiny, bite-size tubs that are just perfect for afternoon office snacking. Available at Waitrose, Wholefoods or Planet Organic.

Mango Chia Pods by The Chia Co.
Feel like something fruity but need an energy kick, The Chia Co.’s delicious Mango Chia Pods should do the trick. Packed full of omega-rich chia seeds and coconut milk these are sure to give you the kick you need. Available at Wholefoods or Planet Organic.

Lusciously Lovely Lime Chocolate bar from IQ Chocolate
Totally organic and vegan, these chocolate bars will get your taste buds tangling. We love the added lime for extra zing. They’re gluten-, dairy-, soya-, wheat- and nut-free so you can have all the goodness with none of the guilt. Available at Harvey Nichols, Wholefoods and Planet Organic.

Plenish Cleanse Cashew Milk
Need a protein boost? Then Plenish’s Cashew Milk has the plant power you need to keep going till the end of the day. As a drink it is also easy to take into meetings – just try not to slurp too loudly as you suck up every last bit of yumminess. Available online on ocado.com

Clearspring Tamari Roasted Almonds
Fancy something savoury? These nuts should do the trick. Salty, crunchy and totally moorish, they are also organic and full of good protein. Available at Waitrose, Wholefoods or Planet Organic.

Nairns Gluten-Free Oatcakes with Raw Almond Butter
When you are hungry, it can be tempting to reach for something biscuity (especially when that’s what is offered in the office). But take a second at home to make something truly scrumptious and your body and mind will thank you for it. Nairns’ Gluten-Free oatcakes have all the buiscuity texture without the gluten and added sugar. We like to spread some raw almond butter (easier to find than you think.. thank you Waitrose) on ours for that perfect 4pm treat. Available pretty much everywhere: Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Budgens…

Cocoface Coconut Water (don’t forget to scoop out the flesh!)
This really is one of the best tasting coconut waters we have ever tried (and trust us – we’ve tried them all). Seriously nutty yet hydrating you’ll down this sweet nectar in one. And the best bit? Once you’re done drinking the coconut’s juice you can then cut off the top and start making your way through all the nutritious flesh… it’s the snack that keeps on giving!

Cherry Coyo
Another one for our fruity friends… Cherries are known for their fat burning abilities. Team them with coyo’s ah-mazing coconut yoghurt (still the best on the market by far) and you have a match made in heaven. Available in Waitrose, Wholefoods and Planet Organic.

Image from Pinterest

Get Your Grove On With London’s latest Spin Studio, Groove Cycle!

Written by

The penchant for rave-spinning is continuing to spread across the capital with dedicated studios like Psycle achieving cult-like status. As a seasoned Psycler I therefore couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try a similar class that focuses on dance movements whilst spinning in a full-body workout that promises to burn between 700 and 1000 calories per hour.

GrooveCycle is currently based at the magnificently sleek and impressive Reebok Sports Club in Canary Wharf and is the brainchild of Sarah-Jane Aboboto. Sarah-Jane has spent 12 years as a dancer and choreographer, appearing alongside Kylie Minogue and Gwen Stefani, meaning that she has enough experience of being whipped and whipping others, into shape.

She greeted me warmly and encouragingly led me to a bike right in front of her, in full view of the other class members and the full-length studio mirrors – no pressure to perform well here then. However, she assured me that I could take the class at my own pace by adjusting the resistance of the bike to suit my ability. Being the fitness freak that I am and motivated to burn I knew I wanted to ramp up the resistance and make the workout as challenging as possible. Thankfully, as the class started the lights switched off and on went dim colourful lights to give the illusion that we were working out on our own (and therefore without pressure), and in a nightclub.

What followed was an hour-long workout where I was pushed to my absolute maximum. I was put through my paces with muscle shredding push-ups on the handlebars, weighted shoulder and arm dance movements (think ballet, hip-hop and R&B style dance here), interval pedalling and the dreaded ‘rave’ section. Rather than shaking ma thang to the beat of the music, I was encouraged to pedal moderately during the verses of a dance song before the beats kicked in and the ‘rave’ was on. To ‘rave’ for Sarah-Jane, is pedalling as fast as possible for the whole chorus, which lasted for about 30 dreadful seconds. However, as my legs switched up a gear (or 20) I felt like I was flying, almost knocking myself out with my knees as my upper body collapsed towards my legs with the effort. I couldn’t quite believe how fast I had managed to go, and felt like I could give Laura Trott a run for her money.

By the end of the class I was swimming in my own sweat, safe in the knowledge that I had worked the hardest I could whilst having a brilliant time. GrooveCycle aims to motivate people of all levels without the pressure to compete with fellow riders. The darkness of the room helps to achieve this, as does Sarah-Jane’s infectious personality. She sings, she dances, she encourages you to “get your groove on” and she hollers motivational mantras throughout the ride. She even had the city-slick workers, the bankers, the managers, the CEOs of Canary Wharf “woo-ah, wooing” to some brilliant and cheesy tracks.

For that, Sarah-Jane, I commend you.

words by Lucy Marshall

Available to non-members of the Reebok Sports Club for £10

To find out more visit: Groove Cycle