If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Burn Fat With These Foods!

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Yes, it’s true, certain foods really can give you a flatter stomach. While this gives you no excuse to miss that workout, these superfoods can aid you in your quest for washboard abs so be sure to chow down to a trimmer physique!

 

Eggs
Not only are they packed full of protein and vitamin B12 which helps the body to metabolise fat, but recent studies have proven that you burn more calories digesting this superfood than a carb-heavy alternative.

 

Almonds
The most tummy-friendly member of the nut family, almonds make a perfect snack for curbing hunger between meals. Almonds are not only high in protein, fibre and good fats, but when eaten in moderation they promote weight loss and improve cholesterol levels. Their high magnesium content is what will really see you on your way to a six-pack for summer as your body needs in order to regulate blood sugar and prevent those energy dips that leave you reaching for that doughnut fix.

 

Avocado
An avocado may have the same calories as a Mars Bar, but that’s where all similarities end. Full of mono-unsaturated fats for healthy skin, hair and nails, avocados are also a great source of fibre, which keeps you fuller for longer. The perfect excuse to eat the buttery fruit all mashed onto warm toast, whizzed up into cacao mousse, straight from the skin with a spoon…

 

Peanut Butter
Our favourite childhood snack is totally great to eat now we are grown up too, just skip the bread and jam… Packed with niacin, which keeps the digestive system on track and prevents bloating, peanuts are also a good source of protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling full. Check the labels and opt for unprocessed versions though, as some jars are laden with added sugars – a surefire way to send those abs into hiding!

 

Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that have been proven to speed up metabolism so switch your normal cuppa for a green alternative to promote a flat tum. Sip on a cup first thing to hydrate you and help rid your system of excess water and add a squeeze of lemon to enhance the positive effects on digestion. Sitting down to savour a lovely hot mug of tea is also a fantastic way to curb stress and lower your levels of belly-fat inducing cortisol. So unwind and drink up!

 

Cannellini Beans
Packed with resistance starch, a unique fibre that resists digestion, these legumes make the body work harder and burn more calories so you can wave ‘bye-bye’ to belly fat! Add to salads, sauces and stir-fries for a filling meal.

 

Porridge
Slave to the the 11am slump? Then swap sugary cereals for warming, comforting, hearty porridge. Oats are rich in fibre and release their energy slowly, so they keep you energised until lunchtime and help to beat blood sugar peaks and troughs that lead to hormone imbalances and the dreaded tummy pooch.

 

Hot Pepper
Capsacin, the compound that gives chilli peppers their characteristic kick, heats up the body and effectively melts additional calories. Add cayenne pepper to hot water and lemon for a metabolism-boosting drink and throw plenty of chilli into sauces and soups to reap those fiery rewards!

 

Lean Meats & Fish
Not only does protein have a high thermogenic effect (meaning you can literally burn calories as you chew), but lean meats and fish, such as salmon, are full of Omega 3 and saturated fat, vital nutrients for preventing stress chemicals (yep, think cortisol again!) that can result in weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area.

 

Whole Grains
Oats, bulgar, brown rice and quinoa (okay this one’s a seed but we’ll let it off!) are harder for our bodies to digest than processed foods, meaning they speed up the metabolism and burn more calories, which can lead to overall fat loss.

words Harriet Tisdall

When Exactly Is It Healthy To Be Healthy?

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Drinking water with lemon, early morning exercise and lots of sleep all make for a happier and healthy life. At Hip & Healthy we love healthy habits and there is never a bad time to be healthy. However, according to the book “The Body Clock Advantage” by Matthew Edlund, our bodies function in sync with a finely tuned internal body clock. In order to optimise our health, the timing of our healthy habits actually does matter. Obviously, by exercising and eating well you are one step ahead of those eating doughnuts on the sofa but you can improve your health even more by clocking in those healthy habits at the optimal time of day.

MORNING

Drink Water with Lemon

We’ve all heard about drinking warm water with lemon first thing in the morning. Famous healthies such as Madeleine Shaw and Ella Woodward (Deliciously Ella) swear by its benefits – apparently it stimulates digestion and gives you an immune system boost thanks to all the vitamin C in lemons. According to health experts, the reason for drinking it in the morning is because the citric acid in the lemon helps to get the body’s enzymes functioning after sleep, hence the better digestion. Also we wake up dehydrated and so the water returns necessary hydration to the body. Drinking water with lemon at another time of day isn’t going to be unhealthy, but starting your day with it is optimal. And remember to always use a straw as the lemon juice can damage your teeth over time!

Exercise Before Breakfast

Fasted-cardio has become a bit of a buzz word in the fitness world. Apparently, exercising first thing on an empty stomach stimulates fat loss (excellent!) as it forces the body to use its fat stores as fuel. However, Ollie Frost, fitness and nutrition coach at Reach Fitness, recommends that high intensity exercise done in a fasted state should be kept to less than 20 minutes – any longer and you risk muscle breakdown and fatigue (not good if you have a long day of work ahead). Ideally you want to fuel yourself before a workout session with a small snack such as one of our energy balls or Banola Bars.

And hold off on the handful of nuts post-workout. Ollie adds that fats should be kept to a minimum after exercising as they do not resynthesise glycogen, which we need to power us through the day ahead. Instead go for a mix of protein and carbohydrates such as eggs and quinoa.

Take Your Supplements

Our favourite supplement company Inner Me recommends that their vitamin supplements should be taken with a meal as some may cause nausea on an empty tummy. In addition to feeling queasy, if you take water soluble vitamins such as the Bs and C without food, they will pass out quickly as rather expensive urine. An ideal time to swallow your vitamins is with a good breakfast. Also vitamins such as Bs and C can help with energy and immunity so morning is the best time to take them. In fact, B vitamins support the breakdown of food into energy meaning you will get the most from them if you take them in the morning. Fat-soluble supplements such as vitamin D need dietary fat for absorption – a little coconut oil with breakfast is perfect!

Two supplements which should be taken at night instead are calcium and magnesium. Magnesium, in particular, assists with muscle relaxation and both have been shown to aid sleep. But before you start popping those pills, get some advice from a nutritionist or doctor.

 

AFTERNOON

Snack on Protein

Depending on what time you eat lunch, it is quite likely your blood sugar will slump mid-afternoon. Pre-empt this by making sure you snack on something every three to four hours. You want to avoid high sugar foods on their own such as dried fruits, sweets and fruit smoothies. These won’t fill you up and will cause a spike in your blood sugar level, meaning you will need another pick-me-up not long after – one biscuit is too many and five is not enough (you know the feeling). An ideal snack three to four hours after lunch is one high in protein and good fats which will sustain you until supper. At Hip and Healthy, we love snacking on almonds, Coyo’s coconut yogurt and nut butters.

Sleep

Also known as a power nap, an afternoon sleep at around 3pm can do wonders for our health. Instead of reaching for that bar of chocolate, take a 10 minute break and have a sleep. According to an Australian sleep study which compared power nap times, 10 minutes left participants feeling most energised and refreshed. Unfortunately most offices don’t offer nap breaks but a little breathing and meditation can have a similar effect. Headspace, a fantastic resource and app for guided meditation, states that meditation activates the “rest and digest” part of our nervous system which helps with stress management. Find a quiet space, focus on your breath for 10 minutes and you will return to work with a second wind (no sugar needed!).

 

EVENING

Stop Eating Before 7pm

Often bandied around as a weight loss tip, no eating after 7pm has very little evidence backing it up. Often you hear celebrities talking about how they don’t eat anything at least 2 hours before bed time but that isn’t the reason that they are slim. The key to a healthy weight is ensuring you eat the right things throughout the day and physical exercise. However, for some people, having a cut off time works as they know that they are more likely to reach for the chocolate and ice cream later at night. According to nutrition experts, your metabolism does not stop while you are sleeping but it does slow down. In order to avoid things like indigestion, bloating and gas, it is sensible to stop eating a couple of hours before bed so you can sleep comfortably. Sadly, it isn’t going to make you any slimmer.

Epsom Salt Baths

Who doesn’t love a bath? Light a few candles, sprinkle some Epsom Salts, a dash of essential oil and you are in bath-time heaven. But an Epsom Salt bath in the morning is probably going to make you want to head straight back under the duvet. Epsom Salt is made up of magnesium sulphate, a compound of magnesium and sulphate, two important minerals for our bodies. These minerals are absorbed through your skin and are wonderful for soothing tired muscles and reducing a bloated belly. Ideally, run your Epsom Salt bath just before bed time to help you sleep better.

words by Kathleen Fleming

image – LIJA Activewear available to buy here!

An Inspiring Weekend with the Hay House Greats!

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Something very exciting is going down in London in the spiritual world this year. The world’s most superlative cast of inspirational speakers and spiritual teachers will be gracing the city for one exclusive weekend to create an exciting, inspiring hub of motivation to incite those elusive ‘a-ha!’ moments! Including Gabrielle Bernstein, Kyle Gray, Nancy Levin, David Hamilton, and Hip & Healthy favourite Tara Stiles, Ignite! London is a must-visit event for anyone wishing to develop their creativity and mindfulness – whether you’re nurturing a spark of interest in spirituality or you’re already a fully-fledged advocate of the movement, Ignite! London offers something for everyone to unite in like-minded wellbeing and spiritual celebration.

Hosting a diverse series of conference talks, Ignite! London is covering the spectrum of spirituality and wellbeing. Including discussions on lucid dreaming, intuition and self-knowledge and holistic nutrition to enable you to create your very best self and support you on your journey to being the happiest and healthiest you! Complete with opportunities to meet with your spiritual teachers and claim signed books from your favourite authors to motivate you into your transformative future.

Date: 14-15 March 2015
Location: The Shaw Theatre, London, UK

Optimise your total wellness, join the inspiring movement and be a part of igniting London – Book your Early Bird place before 28th February and save £20 on your ticket – Join in here: http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/i-can-do-it-ignite-london 

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If You Only Do one Thing This Week… Pimp Your Kitchen Gadgets!

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Every health foodie worth their organic pink Himalayan crystal salt knows that a strong army of gadgets ready to take on the nitty gritty of the raw and superfood worlds is a vital element to their kitchen. Being a mindful eater, and enjoying preparing and experimenting with healthy food recipes can be messy, time-consuming and often requires a lot of prep – so its necessary to have an elite group of gadgets at your disposal to aid your chopping, blending, juicing, spiralising, milking, blitzing, storing, and extracting and see you right in your wellness voyage!

Hip & Healthy has reviewed 2015’s top kitchen gadgets to assist and impress even the most experienced of raw, vegan, gourmet chefs. These super gadgets represent the best of what 2015 has to offer for the kitchen – they do everything save eat your creations for you!

 

Vitamix Total Nutrition Centre
When it comes to every kitchen goddess’s most important healthy creations tool, the blender, there is undoubtedly one brand which reins supreme. Vitamix. The secret weapon of many of the top professionals in the health food industry, Vitamix has a big following of loyal advocates including Miranda Kerr, Deliciously Ella, Madeleine Shaw, even the White House is rumoured to be a fan for goodness sakes! The Vitamix family of blenders has grown rapidly and choosing the perfect model can be tricky – if you are after a good quality all-rounder the Total Nutrition Centre is just what you need. This clever kitchen helper can chop, cream, blend, heat, grind and churn – yes, this blender does a whole lot more than just liquefy kale for your green smoothie.The gadget’s laser-cut blades are capable of whizzing at up to 240mph so they makes light work of tough skins, ice and nuts, so you, and your digestion, get the most from your whole foods. It even makes light work of creating homemade nut butters, hummus, dips and flours.

The jug of the Total Nutrition Centre allows for up to six servings of liquid to be prepared in a single blend, making meal prep for the week a doddle – just multiply your usual quantities, divide up and then freeze the rest for later in the week. It can even whip up hot, fresh soups, saving you a lot of time and even more washing up! And possibly the best thing of all? The blender is self cleaning – just add a drop of soap and hit ‘blend’. Available in four modest colours to suit your kitchen interior the unit fits right in as part of the family. That’s a kitchen BFF right there.

The Vitamix is a notoriously dear kitchen accessory, but we believe that if you are a true health fanatic, if you spend a lot of time making soups and smoothies, and if you like to experiment with cooking and baking then it is one well worth investing in.

 

GEFU Spiralfix Spiraliser
If you are not yet familiar with the aesthetic beauty of spiralised veggies then you must be absent from social media. The likes of Pinterest and Instagram are awash with swathes of pretty pictures of meals adorned with zucchini noodles, carrot spaghetti and beetroot ribbons of late and prettifying your food has become quite the trend amongst health-conscious cool-kids. All thanks to one quirky little instrument: the spiraliser. Worth their weight in gold for the low-carb, gluten-free, clean-eating brigade, spiralisers are valuable soldiers in your appliance army. Because nutrients taste even better when they look like streamers.

Spiralisers range in price from pocket-money hand held peelers to big daddy worktop appliances. A nice middle of the roader in terms of cost, but with superior ability to turn the straightest of carrots curly, is the Gefu Spiralfix Spiraliser.

The machine is compact, modest in appearance and super simple to use. The Gefu Spiralfix works on a knob setting which changes the shape and width of your noodles so the whole process is easy peasy, just stick your desired vegetable into the barrel, decide whether you fancy yourself some 3mm, 6mm, or 12mm noodles, then turn the handle for a cascade of nutrition! The Spiralfix base doubles up as a handy, dishwasher-safe storage container once the lid is on so you are saved on the dishes and have yourself a big tub of courgette pasta ready to take to work within minutes.

So if you are a gluten-free gal missing her spaghetti, a parent desperate to get her little one happily munching on greens, or even just a foodie looking to jazz up her Instagram pics – the Gefu Spiralfix Spiraliser is a must have kitchen accessorry!

 

Tefal Infiny Press Revolution
While the juicing vs smoothie debate rages on we’ve decided that you can’t go far wrong with including both kinds of drinks in your meal plans. Blending food into smoothies is fantastic for retaining whole foods and serving as a meal in a glass, juicing, on the other hand, provides only the juice from fruits and vegetables and leaves behind the fibrous pulp. This results in a fast hit of nutrients to your system in a refreshing and easily-digestible form. The juicing set argue that leaving out the tough and fibrous parts of foods gives your digestive system a rest, which can be beneficial. Plus, a vibrant juice is always a great way to brighten up a morning, we think!

As the craze for juicing has soared it has become apparent that not any old juicer is capable of getting the most from our fruit and veg. One juicer which you can entrust your super-est of superfoods to is the Tefel Infiny Press Revolution. The Infiny is a cold-press juicer, employing a screw system to gently press out juice and as a result can preserve up to 75% more antioxidants from food than centrifugal blenders and juicers, which can destroy some nutrients through heat from their fast spinning blades. In the washing up stakes the Infiny Pro fares pretty well – Unlike traditional juicers which are notoriously difficult to get clean, the Infiny churns out all waste immediately instead of storing it within the unit and all removable parts are dishwasher safe so cleaning up is relatively simple.

 

Nutribullet Pro 900
So the Tefel juices and the Vitamix blends, that is all we need to get the optimum nutrition from our foods, right? Well, er, not quite.

Whilst blenders churn foods into smooth mixtures and juicers extract juice, the Nutribullet Pro 900 offers a whole new method for getting those nutrients in – extracting. Extracting your foods leaves them whole, as opposed to juicing, but unlike blending, extracting your fruits and veggies breaks down cell walls of food much more thoroughly leaving them in what is essentially a pre-digested state before they even hit your mouth, meaning your body can more easily absorb their nutrients. If you are guilty of mindlessly wolfing down your lunch on the go (don’t worry, we all are), then an extracted smoothie could be a great way to swap out a solid-food meal to aid digestion when you are busy. A nice touch is the recipe book that comes with each Nutribullet, detailing the benefits of the healthiest of smoothie ingredients.

But really, whether you are convinced or not, the Nutribullet Pro 900 is a highly powerful and most of all, convenient blender. The unit is small and compact and comes with a range of different sized jugs – each of which magically becomes a to-go cup once its flip-top lid is on, so you’re blending straight into the drinking vessel. Just throw in your ingredients, nuts and all, blitz, detach the beaker and you’re off! So if you struggle to get in your Green Machines in the morning the Nutribullet kicks all those ‘I haven’t got time’ excuses to the curb. Plus, anything that saves on washing up is a winner.

 

Hopps and Woolf Nut Milk Maker
You can’t have missed the renewed interest in nut milks of late. No longer a niche health food reserved for hardcore vegans and hipsters, the increasing awareness of the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle has seen a rise in the availability of dairy alternatives and almond, coconut and even macadamia nut milks, or mylks, as they are often dubbed, are cropping up in mainstream supermarkets and coffee shops all over the place.

Read the labels on the most ubiquitous nut milks, though, and you’ll see straight away that your favourite brand likely contains thickeners, preservatives, sugar and a very small percentage of actual nut milk. The answer to the hidden nasties in all processed food is, of course, to make your own

It is entirely possible, and lots of fun, to make your own nut milk sans machine, but the process can be lengthy and is sure to leave your kitchen looking like an explosion in Whole Foods. Unless you have a hardcore Sunday baking sesh planned then having a machine to do the milking for you whilst you get on with work/yoga/making raw brownies is a convenient and excuse-busting way to ensure you always have a supply in the fridge. The Hopps and Wolfe Nut Milk Maker takes only about 20 minutes to churn you up a bottle of fresh, clean, dairy-free milk and they have just begun offering a delivery service that sends the required nuts and beans straight to your door ready for milking! Simply soak the nuts, pop them in the sleek-looking kettle and press the button.

Excessive? Well, no. It may be a little more expensive to make your own nut milk, but being able to control what goes into your drink really is worth it and the flavour of fresh nut milk really cannot be replicated by cartoned varieties. Plus, you are left with the nutritious flesh of the nuts afterwards, which you can use as flour for gluten free baking! You don’t get that with your supermarket favourite.

Have fun experimenting with flavours and thickness – add a spoonful of raw cacao powder for a healthy vegan milkshake or a touch of maca for a superfood, hormone-balancing malty treat. Just be sure to activate those nuts first for the most tummy friendly of milks!

 

Bobble Water Purifying Jug
Perhaps the most underrated and most simple of all kitchen gadgets has to be the water purifier. Tap water has been shown to contribute to toxin build up in the body and continually buying bottled water is expensive and not good for our lovely earth.

We love the Bobble Jug. The domesticated relative of our favourite Bobble Sports bottle, the 2L jug is slim and elegant, made from recycled BPA-free plastic and is incredibly simple to use, making for a perfect kitchen companion. The non-reservoir design makes filtering quick and best of all, you get a lovely little email reminder when it’s time to refilter, so you are always guaranteed to have a pitcher of pure and cool water ready and waiting for you to rehydrate after your workout!

words by Rachel Bednarski

 

Fitspiration – Niki Rein

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We’ve heard the buzz surrounding the bottom-burning benefits of Barrecore, but what exactly does it involve? Barrecore exercises work the body in a way that forces the insulin uptake into cells so you are able to burn fat more efficiently than just calorie burning. Poor insulin uptake tends to show in the waist line but barrecore is known for creating perky and toned bums which is believed to stem from better estrogen metabolism. We create these whittled waists and pert bottoms by performing high repetition, isometric contractions across the whole body. When insulin is under control all other hormones work more efficiently as well. This hormonal process doesn’t just last during the time that you are in class but works over the following 4 days. There is also the theory that during these 4 days post workout you actually create more energy producing, fat melting mitochondria in your cells. Added bonus, when you do at least 2-3 workouts a week you are keeping this process going creating unbelievably fast results

What was your inspiration behind your move to the UK and founding Barrecore? That’s easy. Love brought me to the UK. I met my husband in London when I was here for work and it wasn’t long before we decided to get married and I moved over. Shortly after arriving in 2009, I created a class called ‘barrecore’ for some of my private clients. The response was overwhelming. One class a week turned into ten without even advertising in what seemed like no time at all. It became apparent that I needed a larger studio so we opened the Chelsea studio in 2011.

Why should we add Barrecore to our workout regime? It’s a different way of working the body and mind than most other workouts. I have yet to find anything as results-oriented and stress-reducing as barrecore. It is time efficient as classes are only an hour and you only need to do classes 2-4 times a week to see visible results. The next day you might feel it, but not overly, so you can energetically move through your day. You also get an amazing endorphin high that sets your mood to ‘positive’ for the rest of the day!

What would be your advice to those new to barre fitness? Don’t stress at being new to class! So many new clients are so nervous, but afterwards they realise that all the worry was not necessary. There will be all levels of fitness in your class but the moment you start in the first exercise everyone is just so focused on what they are doing there is no time to judge anyone else. All of the instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and will be giving you hands on correction and encouragement along the way. Because you use your own body weight as resistance, you can easily rest and jump back into the exercises when you are ready. You will be pushed and challenged but you will have many successes along the way. Most of all have fun and learn to feel great in your body!

When you’re not plié-ing in the Barrecore studio, how else do you like to work out? I love to take a strong yoga class or go for a mind-clearing run in one of London’s gorgeous parks.

Which three items or products would you consider to be your workout essentials? My lululemon Luon leggings (any colour!), a hair tie and barrecore sticky socks, of course!

How important do you consider diet to be in achieving a fit and healthy body? I think what you consume is 80% of the equation and exercise is 20% at most. Some people are lucky and don’t have to (at least not yet) think about what they put in their bodies but most do. If you can combine a healthy, clean eating programme with your workout then you will see the results you desire in a very short amount of time. If you happen to have hormone- related issues, it might take you a bit longer and you might need some assistance with supplementation or a nutritional therapist to bring your body back to balance but, with consistency, you will benefit.

What is your go-to breakfast to fuel you for a busy day? I always start my day with fat and a little protein. This usually consists of wild salmon with MCT or coconut oil and handful of nuts or a couple slices of pasturised uncured bacon and an avocado blended with cashews, coconut cream & matcha. My days are extremely busy so I need to be using fat for fuel in order to keep my blood sugar levels balanced and avoid getting hungry until the late afternoon and a predominately fat-filled breakfast is the way I do this (good fats).

Where is your favourite place to eat out in London? I just love Ceviche in Soho. It’s very easy to eat grain-free. Look out though…their pisco sours pack a big punch!

Give us an insight into a typical day in your life. Each day is extremely varied and busy and most of the time it really doesn’t feel like work because I am around such fun and inspiring people all day. I usually wake up between 5:30-6 and meditate for 10-20 minutes, make tea and answer emails until I need to teach at one of the studios or head to my first meeting. My meetings are either catching up with one of the studio managers or lead instructors, meeting a potential new partner in this wonderful wellness industry or I might be taking a new instructor test out class. It’s often that I will be at a couple studios in one day catching up with clients and the team but a couple days a week I try and work out of our head office in Chiswick or from home. I try to make sure I am home and have my computer shut by 8pm.

What is your favourite way to unwind after a stressful day? It might sound peculiar but I actually find chopping vegetables to be extremely relaxing. I can’t sit down the moment I walk in the door and if I do I usually end up back on emails, so prepping dinner or snacks for the next day seem to be my favourite de-stressor.

Where do you draw motivation from in your daily life to keep achieving your goals? The people I am surrounded with each day keep me going. The entire barrecore team, clients and other incredibly inspiring people in the community make all of the effort worth it. It’s also a huge boost each time I hear how pumped someone is when they see positive change in their body!

Name three beauty products you always have to hand. Exuviance Age Reverse Foaming Cleanser – it’s the best cleanser I’ve ever used. Oxygenetix Foundation (it’s still good for your skin even when you are sweating and it stays put!) and Liz Earl bronzing powder, just to add a bit of colour and glow.

Do you have any advice for busy ladies wanting to live a fit and healthy lifestyle? Buy a slow cooker and use it. You can make you and your family amazingly nutritious meals without effort and bad ingredients by throwing in a whole chicken before you go to workout and on with your day and come back home to dinner nearly complete. Just throw together a quick salad and voila! Or, if you don’t want a slow cooker, learn to be a better delegator. Better yet do both!

 

 

 

 

Supercharge Your Meals With These Grain Alternatives!

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Being healthy needn’t mean going carb-free. If you remember the ‘food pyramids,’ from science lessons, whole grains make up an integral part of a balanced diet. Offering a wealth of health benefits and a filling addition to any meal (meaning you’re far less likely to reach for the biscuit tin), they are an essential pantry staple.

Confused which grains to go for? An array of alternatives to the usual brown rice, quinoa and oats are currently the talk of nutritionists and foodies alike, and we’ve narrowed them down to our faves!

Teff

It is impossible to open Honestly Healthy’s new ‘Cleanse’ book without spotting regular references to Teff. This gluten-free grass seed, which has been a staple for centuries in Ethiopia, is rich in calcium, iron and silica, a mineral with beneficial effect on bones, skin and connective tissues.

What Do I Do With It? – Teff is most commonly fermented and used to make Injera, a North African flatbread similar to sourdough. Similar to quinoa in size, this supergrain can also be used in porridge and polenta-like cakes.

 

Freekeh

It may not be wheat free, but Freekeh (pronounced freak-eh) is currently the buzzword on a number of health experts lips. Containing three times as much fibre as brown rice and twice the amount of quinoa, this green wheat is harvested earlier than its mature alternative meaning it also has higher levels of protein and minerals.

What Do I Do With It? – Use in place of brown rice or barley in pilaf, salads and risottos.

 

Buckwheat

Don’t be mislead by the name, buckwheat is actually a seed from the same family as rhubarb. Filled with essential amino acids, high quality protein and magnesium, this super grain is also great for stabilising blood sugar levels due to its high mineral content.

What Do I Do With It? – The options are endless, as buckwheat is both versatile and inexpensive. A favourite with Deliciously Ella, use the flour in baking (search buckwheat pancakes on Instagram for an array of inspiration!), the wholegrain as an alternative to porridge and soba noodles in soups and stir fries.

 

Millet

No, it’s not just for birds, this ancient, gluten-free seed has been used in cooking for over 4,000 years. Full of vital minerals including copper, manganese and phosphorus, millet is a great source of magnesium, which has been shown to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack.

What Do I Do With It? – Throughout history millet has been used in everything from beer to roti. We like it best cooked in coconut milk as porridge, or due to the delicious, nutty flavour as a side to roasted veg and hummus.

 

Amaranth

Like buckwheat and millet, amaranth is actually a seed. A nutritional powerhouse, this tiny grain (similar to poppy seeds in size) contains more protein, iron and fibre than any other gluten free alternative and is an excellent source of lysine which makes it really easy to digest.

What Do I Do With It? – Sprout, pop or simmer amaranth for a great alternative to rice. Popped amaranth is delicious for breakfast with coconut yoghurt and berries. Check out our Amaranth Museli recipe here!

 

words by Harriet Tisdall

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Eat For Happiness!

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With the festivities long gone and a seemingly endless stretch of cold weather, grey skies and detoxing before us, January is traditionally the bluest month of the year. As a result, many of us are looking to perk up our moods. The solution to the winter slump is easy to overcome – with just a quick trip to your nearest supermarket you can bust the blues and put a spring in your step – just stock up on these foods that are proven to make you happier!

 

Chocolate
Yes chocolate! Sadly Dairy Milk doesn’t count, but cacao (chocolate in its purest form) is high in magnesium, a mineral that helps to relax muscles and ease tension. Chocolate also contains tryptophan, which helps alleviate symptoms of depression – the perfect excuse to head to Whole Foods or even make a day of it and create your own raw treats!

 

Tahini
Proven to alleviate symptoms of PMS and lower the risk of depression, tahini is not only full of calcium to promote strong bones, it is also a great source of magnesium, tryptophan and Vitamin B1 which has calming properties. Add to stir-fries and salad dressings for a creamy texture and Asian-inspired flavour you won’t believe is dairy free.

 

Avocado
Not only are avocados full of good fats which are great for your skin, hair and nails, they contain serotonin, otherwise known as the happy hormone – a natural feel good transmitter to combat even the greyest of wintery days! Add to salads, smoothies and mash up on toast for instant, creamy, comforting deliciousness.

 

Pumpkin Seeds
A zinc deficiency can trigger depressive behaviour, but pumpkin seeds are packed with the essential mineral. These salad sprinklers are also full of L-trytophan, a natural mood booster, so go to town on the little critters and use them to jazz up both sweet and savoury dishes to top up your zinc supplies!

 

Honey
A natural mood-booster, the nutrients in honey can provide both a calming effect and as well as boosting energy levels, a golden ticket if you are feeling stressed. A great alternative sweetener, add to porridge, raw cakes and hot drinks. However try to use it in its purest raw form.

 

Spinach
This leafy green is full of folic acid, a B vitamin that has been proven to make you happier. Spinach is also an antioxidant that works to protect brain cells from free radicals, which can lead to mood swings. As huge advocates of eating your greens, we recommend adding this superfood to everything from smoothies to salads, where it cannot be tasted but turns everything a beautiful, healthy shade of green – if the vibrancy of green smoothies doesn’t make you smile then we’re not sure what will!

 

Green Tea
Feeling stressed? Swap your normal cuppa for a mug of green tea, which contains theanine, an antioxidant that acts as a calming agent to relieve the feeling of stress and anxiety than can often occur with lack of sunlight during the winter months.

 

Berries
Berries are not only one of the lowest sugar fruits; blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are packed with anthocyanidins, nutrients that help reduce stress and depression, and they re cheerily colourful to boot. Swap your usual biscuit for a handful of mixed berries to beat the 4pm slump.

 

Eggs
Packed with B vitamins and essential fatty acids, eggs help the body to naturally produce serotonin (Remember? The happy hormone!) Plus, having a couple for breakfast has been proven to keep you feeling fuller for longer, stopping any blood sugar crashes later on. Now that’s something to get egg-cited about! Sorry…

 

words by Harriet Tisdall

The Best Health & Fitness Gadgets You Need To Use In 2015!

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Last year saw the rise of the fitness tracker, with smart bands becoming a feature on the wrists of many a health and fitness junkie. 2015 is set to see health and fitness technology go mainstream, with gadgets aimed at every aspect of aiding users in their health and fitness journeys – from apps which help you change bad habits, to smart yoga mats, to now-customary GPS running watches updated with the latest software, it is certainly an exciting year for technology, and one which has every area of health covered. There’s even an app to monitor bad breath. Yes, really.

Wearables in particular are going to become standard adornments on the bodies of everyone this year – activity tracking is no longer reserved for the most fanatical fitness freaks. No no, 2015 marks the beginning of the era of the wearable as more and more people seek all-round wellbeing, immediate health data and personalised motivation to really hone their bodies. There is even a dedicated website – www.wearable.com – to assist users in getting the most from their devices, proving that activity tracking is not just a fleeting craze. Welcome to fitness for the digital age!

Hip & Healthy has put some of the top players to the test to bring you a rundown of the very best in what happens when tech meets health:

 

Jawbone Up, £99.99 – A forerunner in the wearables world, the Jawbone Up promises to offer a ‘holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle’. The Up monitors calories consumed and burned, steps taken, mood, water intake and sleep. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Up app, the band is worn on the wrist and acquires a variety of health-related data throughout the day which is depicted in easily interpretable graphs on your smartphone.

What makes the Jawbone Up more interesting than many rival trackers is its sleep monitoring abilities, as it detects both light and deep sleep, allowing you to judge the quality, rather than just the time, of your slumber. A nice added feature is its morning alarm which wakes you at a set time during your lightest sleep by a gentle vibration, making for for a lovely relaxed start to the day so you can really get the most from your beauty sleep.

With Smart Coach technology, the Up offers tailored advice as it learns about its wearer’s lifestyle and habits over time and offers encouragement via the app based on your habits. So if you regularly spend a lot of your day parked on your bottom it’ll prompt you to get up and move more. It’s a little like having a motivational coach by your side.

Pouring over your own health statistics and making connections in the results allows you to identify that adjusting small parts of your daily routine can significantly impact your wellbeing in other areas – ‘Oh I took 1000 extra steps yesterday, that must be why I slept more deeply last night!’

Where the Jawbone falls short is with its lack of wireless technology. The band needs to be plugged into your smartphone daily to upload its data and charged about once a week in the headphone jack of your computer. While this isn’t really a huge issue – connecting the band before bed quickly becomes a ritual – it is one thing that makes the device usage a little less sleamless and user-friendly than some of its rivals. Likewise, remembering to set the tracker to ‘sleep mode’ at night and back to ‘activity mode’ upon waking can sometimes be a bit of a faff but it soon becomes a part of your routine.

That said, the Jawbone Up is a fantastic device and a great intro into the world of wearables. For those of you who love poring over numbers, data, and graphs, the Jawbone Up is a winner.

 

Misfit Shine, £79.75– If you’re the type of lady who responds well to seeing your progress in visual form, enjoys the social side of exercise, and is a bit of a fashionista to boot, the Misfit Shine is the wearable for you.

With its super sleek disk (which comes in a variety of cool colours) in place of the standard band, the Misfit Shine caters to the ‘hip’ as well as the ‘healthy’. Looking more like a piece of jewellery than an activity tracker is one of the Misfit’s strongest plus points so it compliments any gal’s Friday night LBD, because you need to track those dance moves, obvs. Aesthetically minimalist yet incredibly high-tech, the Shine certainly makes for a conversation starter. Warning: Wearing the Misfit Shine is likely to make you feel like a Bond Girl.

But don’t be fooled by its glamour – behind the glossy surface the Misfit Shine is a very smart little thing. The monitor can track sleep, steps, distance and calories and has a built-in photo food journal to satisfy the food photographer in you, it is also fully waterproof, meaning you can take it to the pool. Whether for an intense training session or for a chill in the Jacuzzi is, of course, down to you…

All the tapping and learning how to read the time using the Shine’s LED flashing system can be fiddly initially but telling the time according to a series of flashes soon becomes second nature. Having your daily progress available to check right there on your wrist makes achieving your activity goals easy as you can monitor your progress with just a couple of taps.

With the Shine app, users can connect with one another to motivate, seek inspiration, and partake in some friendly competition. Building relationships and spending quality time with friends is a vital wedge in the wheel of health and Misfit makes it easier than ever to integrate socialising with healthy living so the two need not be mutually exclusive. Just place the disk on your smartphone screen to sync it with the app. Like we said, Bond Girl.

 

Aftershokz Bluez 2, £74.95 – It’s winter. It’s dark out there. If you are a runner you are probably kitted out in enough luminous, flashing, glowing running attire to see you fit in at any rave. Because safety is paramount. But then you likely plug in your ear buds and get those power songs blasting…

Being safe when you are out there pavement pounding requires more than just being seen, blocking your sense of hearing puts you at risk too. Luckily, Aftershokz understands this, and luckily, they also understand the importance of your carefully compiled training playlist, which led to the Aftershokz Bluez 2.

The incredibly lightweight headset sits snuggly around the back of the head with the earpieces positioned in front of, rather than on or in, the ears, and conducts sound through the wearer’s cheek bones – the same technology used by Google Glass, FYI. Meaning you can jam to your tunes without completely blocking out all external noise so you can have your wits about you and stay connected to both the outside world AND Beyonce.

The other fabulous feature of the Bluez 2 apart from being both waterproof and sweat-proof, is their wireless connectivity. The headset connects via Bluetooth to your phone or mp3 player and all controls are easily available in front of your ear. Not having tangly, flail-y wires to contend with and not having to spend minutes before every workout lacing leads through your sleeves and round your neck is quite the novelty and makes popping out the door for a quick 5k a cinch. Ain’t nobody got time for wires! The headphones also deliver much better quality sound than that of the standard iPod buds that you are likely familiar with, and you can even take calls through them so your social and business lives need not suffer while you sweat.

And whilst you may feel a little geeky sporting your hi-vis in the name of safety, the Aftershokz Bluez 2 looks sleek and elegant too, proving that safety can actually be pretty cool after all.

 

Lumie Bodyclock Iris 500, £120 – The last few years have seen an astronomical rise in the acceptance of holistic and emotional health as an integral aspect of a well-rounded healthy life. People are becoming increasingly more in tune with their bodies on a more comprehensive level and the importance of rest, meditation and mental health is being lauded to balance out hardcore physical training and high-powered lifestyles.

The Lumie Bodyclock Iris 500 is one gadget that aids in all-round wellbeing with its holistic approach to bedtime. Nobody likes to be jolted into their day by the brutal shrieks of the standard phone alarm; a sure-fire way to start the day with an injection of stress. In an ideal world we would all wake and sleep in rhythm with the sun and moon but of course, this is the modern world of busy lives that don’t allow us to stay in the land of nod according to Mother Nature’s desires.

The Lumie Iris 500 solves the problem of the rise in stress levels which can develop from the need to be woken artificially. Implementing the huge benefits of light therapy, the Iris emits a gradual light to stimulate hormone production and stabilise irregular sleep patterns followed by a burst of aromatherapy oil to fully stimulate your senses. We’ve seen light-emitting clocks before, of course, but what makes the Iris extra special is its aromatherapy dimension. Yes indeed, you can now choose from an array of aromatherapy oils to aid restful nights and energise early mornings. Set the clock to disperse the relaxing scent of lavender at bedtime, and the refreshing smell of lemon oil to rouse you in the morning and you have yourself a whole new experiential bedtime routine. The light also serves as a conventional lamp allowing you to fight the gloom outside with its relaxing and healing glow.

Sounds a bit faddy, we thought at first. But after just two nights of Lumie taking care of our circadian rhythms we can attest to a marked boost in morning-time energy levels. The Lumie therefore makes rising early to get in those morning workouts a breeze (okay, it’s not magic, but getting up is a whole lot easier now than without it) and you’ll be far less likely to spend the day downing coffee and trying to keep from nodding off at your desk.

If you feel your internal clock needs a reset and you’d benefit from an energy boost, give the Lumie Bodyclock Iris a go.

 

TomTom Runner, £99.99 – To most runners, their GPS watch is as indispensible to training as their Nikes. Which is why the purchasing of a durable, functional, multi-data-collecting device can be a lengthy and, quite frankly, daunting task. It’s easy to find yourself with brand-blindness.

The TomTom Runner offers simplicity to those seeking a GPS running watch, yet still packs in a whole host of vital features for optimal training. With just one touch of a button you are able to scroll through your run’s vital stats – time, pace, distance and speed – and with a little set-up, the Runner can also collect statistics from treadmill runs which is something a lot of other watches require a shoe sensor for. The feature that makes the TomTom Runner a standout in a competitive field of starter GPS watches, though, is its integrated coaching system which allows users to program in a set training workout of intervals. There is also a heart-rate training zones feature which tells you which percentage-zone you are working in so you can tailor your training for ultimate fat burn. Winning.

An essential requirement in a running watch is speedy satellite syncing. If the watch connects with the sky quick-stat then it is sure to enjoy a long and sweaty relationship with it’s user. The TomTom Runner certainly delivers on this front, connecting to satellites after less than a minute, on average, before flashing up the command ‘GO!’ to get your run off to a speedy start. With its lovely big and bright display it is easy to read your data at a glance whilst on the run and on typically British dark and squally run-commutes the watch’s water resistance and light-up display are particularly appreciated.

As far as cons –the ability to interchange the fascias of the device probably isn’t worth having the watch itself pop out from its strap intermittently, making it prone to becoming lost in the murky depths of one’s gym bag. But this is really just nit-picking. The TomTom Runner is not stuffed full with features you’ll never use, making it incredibly simple to set up and familiarise yourself with. Out of the box, it just requires a quick plug into the computer for a charge, a quick sync with the online program and it’s good to be strapped to your wrist and taken to the pavement!

words by Rachel Bednarski

image: NikeLab X Johanna F. Schneider Collection

Maximise Your January Health Kick With These 8 Tips!

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Being totally into all things Wellbeing – January is perhaps our most treasured month. We love the fact that everyone is on a cleanse, that booze drinking is limited (and artfully dodged at those poor souls who’s birthdays are found in this clean eating month) and nothing pleases us more than the sound of the pitter pattering of a pair of new trainers jogging along the pavement. To make the most of it all we have outlined 7 ways you can maximise your January health kick… Enjoy.

Healthy cookbooks galore

From Deliciously Ella’s new cookbook to Plenish Cleanse to yogi, Julie Montagu… Anyone who’s anyone in the instafood world has a cookbook coming out! Take the time to flick through these glorious new healthy cookbooks whether your vegan, gluten free, into juicing or just trying to get inspired. Packed full of some of our fave ingredients, kale, sweet potato, avocado and lemon (to name a few) these books will have you salivating over delicious concoctions that are as good for the body as they are for the soul. You’ll be getting your iPhone out and snapping away at all the heavenly creations you’ll be making. Ones to watch: Madeleine Shaw and Naturally Sassy also have books coming out later this year!

Chia Co instant porridge

Now we are not usually in favour of things that are so instant but these little sachets of goodness will really get your engine revving in the morning and they are perhaps one of the easiest ways to give yourself a healthy brekkie first thing. Perfect for the time poor! There’s no excuse now not to fit in that extra early morning workout. We love their new mixed berry flavour. All you have to do in the mornings is add water!

CrossFit

After partnering with Reebok in 2010, Crossfit has grown exponentially in the past five years but it is still yet to go mainstream here in the UK. Having said that the popularity of the workout has certainly risen recently with cool CrossFit gyms popping up in London, Surrey and beyond. Frazer Brent who set up the amazingly popular New Wave Crossfit (www.newwavecrossfit.com) says that the recent interest in CrossFit from women is not surprising “women are realising strong is the new skinny and crossfit provides a lean strong physique without the ‘bulky look’ commonly associated with weight lifting by combining different training styles, resulting in consistent weight loss and muscle definition without a treadmill in sight.” Where do we sign up?

The GymTote 

Is it a handbag? Is it a sports bag? It’s both and won’t look out of place in either the boardroom or the gym. One of our best selling items over Christmas is the bag that we have all been waiting for. Finally we don’t have to apologise for sweaty trainers or wet towels being dumped in the corner of the office or during a meeting – they have compartments for these. We are particularly impressed with the shallow top section for keys, phone, wallet etc that makes it easy to find all the essentials without having to route around smelly kit negotiating and the wet swimwear! Get yours here!

Fit Skincare

You pay attention to the skin on your face – but what about your thighs? Or your bottom? Or even your upper arms? These are all areas we focus on in the gym but not so much in the bathroom… Until now. Now you can find products that will work as hard for your skin as you will in the weights room. Mio Skincare launched their range of fit skin products with much success last January and even have a product specifically for yogis called “liquid yoga” which helps keep the skin alert, supple and hydrated. Or why not try ActivBod’s new range specially formulated for those that like to keep fit? It’s time your skincare worked as hard on your body as you do don’t you think?

Get Activated

At the end of the Summer we went to a very interesting talk led by Nutritionist and foodie guru, Vicki Edgson, all about the benefits of activating our grains, beans and even nuts. Although it sounds like a hassle, it’s really not and could be incredibly beneficial to your health. This is because nuts, grains and legumes all contain something called antinutrients which make it hard for our body to digest them and they don’t allow all the goodness from the plant to be absorbed as it should be. By soaking the plant in water before cooking or eating, it will break down the antineutrinos making it much easier on the tummy. This is something that everyone did centuries ago, and we seemed to have lost the knack for germinating the food before we eat it… we think it’s time to bring soaking back.

Use Charcoal (the new superfood?)

Charcoal is more and more being used as a detox tool. We asked, Nutritionist, Alice Macintosh, why it is becoming so popular, is it actually safe and how does it work? ” Activated charcoal (which is a safe medicinal version of charcoal, as supposed to the stuff you burn on the BBQ) is a chelator, meaning that it has the ability to bind certain elements to its structure and carry them out of the body. This can be useful when there are higher than normal levels of toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the body, which is surprisingly common for many city dwellers.” But it is not always as easy as that… “Though charcoal is an exceptionally good chelator, it can have quite powerful effects when ingested, some of which aren’t entirely safe. Firstly, it can bind to other essential minerals we need in the body (such as zinc, iron, calcium and selenium), putting us at risk of deficiency. The other factor to consider is that by nature toxins are harmful, meaning that the body ensures they aren’t able to circulate and cause damage. Ingesting charcoal can draw these toxins out quickly which can leave you feel awful. Removing toxins from the body is therefore something that should be done with extreme caution to prevent it causing more harm than good.” Alice also suggests that when detoxing you must always help and support the liver with necessary supplementation.

Get Juicey

Hailed for being one of the most efficient ways of ridding the body of any toxins, not to mention those few extra pounds that shift with it, a juice cleanse is the perfect post-party detox ritual. There are loads of great ones to choose from and it’s best to shop around to find the one that suits your needs. We love new cold-pressed juicing company PRESS. With a handful of locations scattered across London and offering delivery all over the uk before 10.30am (and in London 9am), PRESS believe that a cleanse is not to starve the body but to bring it back into balance. Having learned their trade in LA, PRESS founders Ed and Georgie, created the UK’s only cold-pressed juice brand to make its juice in a custom-built, cold-kitchen which slows down the process of oxidation and degradation of nutrient content so you end up getting a far better quality, fresher and better tasting juice. http://press-london.com

words by Sadie Macleod

Fitspiration – Hilary Gilbert (AKA BOOM Cycle Founder)!

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Tell us about your journey to starting BOOM Cycle?
When I first moved to London from NYC in 2004 I desperately wanted to find some great indoor cycling classes offered conveniently and I thought – If I want this so badly, others must too!

 

What makes BOOM Cycle different from other Spinning and indoor cycling classes?
BIKE. Beats. BOOM!. We have structured our class format like a DJ set- designed to build you up and be totally immersive and we have massive night-club quality sound systems.

 

What fuels your passion for working in the fitness industry?
Seeing people accomplish their goals and find their strength. I also love BOOM Cycling so it’s great to be able to do what I love!

 

What makes indoor cycling such an effective workout?
BOOM Cycling is such and effective workout because it is an interval-based program made easy to follow because of the music and delivery of instruction. It’s also extremely fun and addictive which makes it easier to come back.

 

When you’re not BOOM Cycle-ing, what are your favourite ways to workout?
I love a good run to clear my mind and I love Reformer Pilates.

 

Who do you consider to be your role model in the health and fitness world?
I don’t have a role model per say, but I have so much respect for so many people in this fabulous industry.

 

What are your favourite ways to relax and unwind after a busy week?
I’m not gonna lie – I do like a gin martini! I also love watching 1 hour drama series all hugged-up in bed with my boyfriend for hours.

 

As a model, and now a busy businesswoman and trainer, how important is nutrition in your daily life?
Nutrition is important, but I don’t let it run my life. I eat clean most of the time so whenever I want to have something naughty it doesn’t matter. I do still model from time to time as well, but I’ve always worked my nutrition like I do now.

 

Name three health foods you couldn’t live without.
Blueberries, sweet potatoes, matcha

 

At Hip and Healthy we aim to inspire our readers to be the best versions of themselves – how do you stay motivated to be the best version of yourself?
I have always found life in general is easier if you just accept that you need to put your best foot forward every step of the way. I learned that as a young adult and have just made it ‘the way things are’.

 

Where is your dream travel destination?
Funnily enough, I have never had a sunny beach vacation with my boyfriend despite our many travels together, so I would say a luxury hotel in the Caribbean for a minimum of 2 weeks.

 

What do you consider your top beauty essentials for fitness fiends?
Water proof mascara – I use Maybelline great lash, REN Rose O2 serum to combat skin dehydration, Philip Kingsly Daily Defence

 

Do you have a favourite quote or mantra that you live by?
No Regrets. The time is now so do not regret you had not done more. Take this time that you have and use it well.

 

Tell us about your workout wardrobe style? Which are your favourite pieces from our active-wear store?
Lexie Sport printed leggings – all prints all colours – genius… Or the Lija – long sleeve run top and run shorts – just so cute.

 

Book your next BOOM cycle class here!

 

Free People – Lets Move!

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January 20th is set to see the health and fitness conscious unite across the globe via a day of free events being held in major cities around the world including our very own London!

 

To launch their new range of gorgeously unique active wear in style, Free People have joined forces with Women’s Health to bring you an evening bursting with inspirational health and fitness fun in cities including New York, Sydney and Vancouver, and a special one right here on British soil.

 

We are super excited for the chance to join up with thousands of fellow fit foodies and share the love via #FPLETSMOVE to celebrate freedom, health, vitality, the brand new FP Movement collection and lots of yummy yummy food!

 

So get your lovely selves down to Studio 2 Gallery, Shoreditch from 6pm – 8:30pm tomorrow to join the party with Women’s Health, Naturally Sassy, Carly Rowena and Rooted for a fusion of tastings, fitness classes and giveaways to get you well and truly on the move to wellness! RSVP here to grab one of the limited spots. See you there!

Honestly Healthy Cleanse Book Launch!

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Honestly Healthy, aka. Natasha Corrett is one lady who talks a whole lot of sense when it comes to health. Advocating the importance of practicing balance when it comes to nutrition, Natasha’s newest book, the Honestly Healthy Cleanse, based around alkaline forming foods – or ‘the alkaline way’ – as Natasha calls it, already has quite a devoted following.

 

Whilst taking care of our diets and eating whole, natural food as much as possible is essential for a healthy body ‘we live in the modern world,’ says Natasha ‘not in caves in the middle of a forest’. This practical approach to looking after ourselves from the inside but ensuring we balance our dedication with being able to enjoy eating out and the occasional drink with friends is what makes Natasha so relatable and the Honestly Healthy Cleanse so easy to work into daily life.

 

At Hip & Healthy we love to promote the fact that nourishing food never has to be boring, and this is manifested in the Cleanse. Comprised of 100 delicious and beautiful recipes, the book is a hub of inspiration for anybody looking to neutralise the PH of their bodies, particularly after a toxin-laden Christmas. It is now well documented that acidity causes inflammation which leads to disease and therefore an alkaline body is a healthy body. After finally reaching breaking point with stress, tiredness, and weight troubles which resulted in a trip to an acupuncturist who changed her views on eating, Natasha embarked on a journey to rid herself of her own acid build-up. The Honestly Healthy Cleanse is a physical manifestation of all Natasha learnt on that journey and a fantastic guide for anybody on their own quest for wellness. Tackling the abundance of acidity in our modern lives, the book offers four cleanses to kick-start an alkaline-forming lifestyle to ultimately leave you rejuvenated, happy and full of life for the long term.

Eschewing the misconception that detoxing means burying yourself for days under a pile of lettuce leaves, the Honestly Healthy Cleanse packs an abundance of plant-based superfoods into smoothies, juices, breads, hearty main meals and decadent sweet treats. Recipes we are particularly hungry for include a grain-free pizza and the we-can’t-quite-believe-they’re-cleanse-approved Gooey Vegan Brownies. We’ve already devoured a big, warming bowl of the Immune-Boosting Porridge along with a glass of the Maca Almond Milkshake for breakfast, and can confirm that the Starter Green Juice makes for fantastic pre-workout energy. Thanks to the Honestly Healthy Cleanse we are well on the way to joining the alkaline club!

Order your copy here!

words by Rachel Bednarski