10 Flat Tummy Tricks For Summer

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Hip & Healthy contributor, Beth Windsor reveals her top 10 tricks to achieving a flat tummy this summer!

It’s estimated that a staggering 10-15% of the population suffer from IBS with two thirds being women and scarily, that number’s on the rise. Our diet and fast paced lifestyles don’t help the matter with on-the-go convenience foods being laden with tummy aggravating ingredients. Having suffered with the condition for years I’ve tried many different ways to banish the bloat – some worked a treat, others not so much! To save you the hassle of endless experiments, I’ve decided to share with you my top 10 tricks to banish the bloat and fast!

 

The Tea
Go herbal. There’s nothing better for a blown up tummy than a nice warm cup of herbal tea. Depending on preference, you can choose between peppermint and ginger as both do pretty much the same thing. Both brilliantly soothe the tummy, neutralise stomach acid and help take away any post-meal bloat.

 

The Herb
Coriander is a surprisingly good digestive aid having been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Either add the seeds to warm water or sprinkle the leaves on top of a soup or salad for ultimate results.

 

The Supplement
Nothing short of a miracle, OptiBac Probiotics One Week Flat will flatten your tummy within days! The sachet of powder is easily added to water and contains millions of live bacteria. These probiotics support digestive health by producing specific enzymes needed for the digestion of food and start reducing bloat instantly.

 

The Spice
Turmeric is a wonderfully bright spice that has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory, natural medicine. Its magical compound is curcumin, which has shown to be a more effective anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen, and has actually been proven to manage IBS better than prescribed drugs!

 

The Vegetable
Asparagus has an amazing ability to reduce belly bloat by ridding the body of excess water. This clever little vegetable also contains prebiotics, which are known to support the growth of good bacteria in turn helping to promote gut health.

 

The Fruit
Bananas not only taste great, but they’re super soothing for an upset tummy too. They are rich in potassium, which helps to regulate sodium levels in the body preventing water retention. Bananas are also a brilliant way to relieve constipation – infamous for causing bloat.

 

The Seed
Fennel is a tiny seed with a big impact. It works by expelling gas from the digestive tract, which instantly relieves bloating. It has been used in India for thousands of years for this very purpose. A handful of seeds are chewed after a spicy meal to prevent indigestion and freshen the breath. If you don’t want to chew the seeds you can always add them to hot water to make a soothing tea.

 

The Exercise
The gentle flow of yoga on the body helps things to move along the digestive tract more easily. There are certain yoga poses you can adopt if you’re suffering from gas and bloating. Folding and twisting poses help to stimulate the gut in different ways such as reducing pain and discomfort, aiding digestion and delivering fresh blood and oxygen to the digestive organs.

 

The Unexpected
Charcoal is surprisingly good at helping to ease gas and bloating in the stomach. If you take it before a meal it will prevent intestinal gas, which will in turn prevent bloating. It works by trapping toxins and binding gas-producing compounds in foods to stop them causing discomfort. It can also help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, IBS and leaky gut syndrome. Charcoal tablets are readily available so you don’t have to worry about black teeth!

 

words by Beth Windsor

Get Your Workout Mojo Back For Good!

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Fitness is a long-term commitment to the wellbeing of you and your body and, just like any lasting relationship; the nature of your romance will change over time. Sometimes it’s all fire and passion, with hearts racing and bodies sweating through every exhilarating session. Other times, just getting to the gym feels like an exhaustive workout in itself. We all go through hot and cold phases when it comes to our fitness and, whilst it’s normal to have periods when your heart just isn’t in it, you can’t let that be a cause for quitting. You have to put the work in even through the lows in order to experience the highs. So, Hip & Healthy writer, Maxine Ali, highlights some practices to help you fall back in love with fitness and get your workout mojo back!

 

Reconnect with your goal.
Think back to that moment you embarked on your health journey. What was your goal? Where did your attraction to this lifestyle come from? Was it a desire to become faster, fitter and stronger physically? Was it a quest to find confidence in your skin and belief in yourself? Whatever made you take that first step, reconnect with that goal. Remember why you started and let this reason lead you back to that place of passion and motivation.

 

Reflect on your journey.
Throughout your fitness journey, there will be milestones along every step of the way. From entering that first class, mastering a difficult yoga pose, rocking the dress you thought would never leave the closet … you’re accomplishing something great all the time. When you start to lose your love for fitness, reflect on your journey. Remember who you were when you started and think of the incredible, strong, confident and determined person you’ve become. Now think, if this is how much you’ve achieved on your journey so far, consider what you could still accomplish. You didn’t come this far only to come this far, so use your reflections of past achievements to get excited about the next stage of your adventure!

 

Identify ‘why.’
We typically don’t consider why our passion for fitness fades. Instead we take for granted our lack of motivation as caused by boredom. But understanding why we feel negatively towards fitness when in the past we’ve been head over heels in love is such an important part of getting those sparks flying again. When we lose motivation, it’s often because we think of fitness as an imposition on our life rather than a welcome component. For example, you might feel like you workouts are time consuming and therefore taking away from other valuable activities such as work or socialising. Or perhaps you feel as though your goals are unattainable and you aren’t seeing the progress that you strive for. Once we identify the ‘why,’ it becomes clearer how we can restructure our perspective to see fitness in a new and beneficial light. Fitness is not meant to be a punishment or detriment to your life. In eating well and staying active, you are showing yourself some much-deserved kindness and actively trying to spend each day feeling happier and more confident. Once you start viewing fitness as an act of self-love, it’s hard not to enjoy it!

 

Stay Committed.
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder but sadly a long distance relationship with your fitness just isn’t meant to be. With time off, your fitness levels will gradually start to decline so, whilst a small break may be a good idea in order to let your body rest and recover, don’t let that break turn into weeks of inactivity as extended time off will only make it that much harder to get back on track. Instead, take the JDS (just do something) approach. Any kind of activity is better than nothing at all and just showing up is half the battle. Keeping those sessions in your routine will help you stay on top of your fitness and you never know… One day that session may just be the one you need to fire your mojo up again.

 

Make a life outside of fitness.
Just because you’ve made a commitment to fitness, doesn’t mean you can’t see other people. In the early days, it’s great to try every class under the sun and all the recipes in your newest healthy cookbook, but at some point the honeymoon period has to end and having other joys to come back to will make the come-down a little less demotivating. When you aren’t feeling so besotted with fitness, try to keep your workouts short and intense and your food simple and easy so that you have more time to invest elsewhere instead. Why not try a get hobby, catch up with friends, read a new book or explore a new place? By incorporating fitness around your life rather than making it your life, you’re far less likely to dwell on low motivation and more likely to just get those workouts done!

 

Don’t stress.
Most importantly, don’t stress about it! Health is about more than working out and eating healthy. You have to have a happy mind-set and that means doing the things you love. If fitness isn’t one of those things right now, that’s okay! No relationship is perfect. The great thing about this lifestyle is that it doesn’t have a deadline or end-date. There will always be more chances in your future and ample opportunity to get back into fitness when you’re ready to. Your love will come back in its own time and so until then just be patient and focus on doing little things that keep you healthy and happy. Soon enough, you’ll be back to that sweaty gym-babe and no doubt you’ll be unstoppable!

words by Maxine Ali – www.maxineali.com @maxineali

Boost your workout mojo with some fresh fit-kit!

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Sugar-Free Lemon Mousse – Livia’s Kitchen

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There’s no better cook book to turn than Livia’s Kitchen when your sweet tooth comes out to play! If it’s not already a part of your kitchen library, then hopefully this scrummy (and ridiculously easy to make) Sugar-Free Lemon Mousse will tempt you to add this refined sugar-free bible to your collection!

This recipe is truly unique, and is one of the lighter options in this chapter. The lemon comes through so strongly in this mousse and is incredibly refreshing. It is a perfect dessert to serve after a really flavoursome meal as it helps to clear the palate.

SERVES 8

4 ripe avocados

Juice of 5 lemons

Zest of 3 lemons

5 tablespoons maple syrup

3 tablespoons almond butter

Berries and/or lemon zest, to serve

METHOD

Mix all the ingredients in a food processor for 2 minutes until mixed well and creamy.

Serve the mousse with berries and/or a sprinkling of lemon zest.

Simple!

Extracted from Livia’s Kitchen by Olivia Wollenberg (Ebury Press, hardback £20)
Photography | Tara Fisher

livias-kitchen

Under Armour HealthBox – A New Connected Fitness Concept

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Don’t you just wish you could have one nifty system that manages all of your fitness and health goals? That holds all of your wellbeing data from every meal you eat to any time you break a sweat? That helps motivate you along your fitness journey with tracking, guidance and your very own #fitfam community to share your ups, your downs, the pretty and the ugly? That monitors stress levels and quality of sleep? Sigh…

 

Strike that sigh and meet the brand new Under Armour HealthBox that does all of the above! Yes really! We were incredibly lucky to get to try, first hand, this highly anticipated, lifestyle collaboration powered by Under Armour and designed by HTC.

 

under armour

 

Three components make up this extraordinary connected fitness system, which all centres around the UA Record app – a heart rate monitor, a wearable band and a scale. Let’s start with the latter. This is no ordinary scale. Not only does this sleekly designed piece of kit track your body weight, it also tracks your body fat percentage and your progress towards your fitness goals.

 

Verdict on the Scale

If you have a specific weight loss (or gain) goal this will be really useful to you. The great thing about the scale is that it will sync all the data it collects on to the UA Record app so you can monitor your progress right from your phone or tablet without having to go back to the scale and read past weigh ins manually. With five months of battery life guaranteed and the capability to remember up to eight profiles, it’s definitely become part of our bathroom décor and has attracted other members of family to join in too!

 

Verdict on the Heart Rate Monitor

We were really happy to see a heart rate monitor in this connected fitness concept. In our minds, no wrist wearable can compare to the accuracy of a heart rate monitor and this will excite any budding marathon runner or triathlete! With a handy adjustable strap it’s comfortable to wear and will sync, via Bluetooth, all your readings from previous workouts. It’s amazing to actually see how hard you’ve worked and how your figures change over time as you gradually get fitter. You’ll even be able to see how your heart rate changes with daily stressors like an important deadline or presentation at work or even when someone cuts in front of you in a queue – giving you a great indication on what really stresses you out so that you can hopefully combat it… cue the meditation class.

 

Verdict on the Band

For us the band is the stand out piece in this entire trio and it fitted so seamlessly in to our daily lives and routine. Being water resistant, we were swimming, sweating, doing the dishes and even taking our morning showers without taking it off our wrists. And its clever design means it’s so comfortable you can sleep in it! Which brings us on to its awesome sleep tracking abilities. Before you worry about the hassle of setting it up just before bed every single night, think again. You don’t have to do anything to kick start it’s sleep tracking. Just drift off into a peaceful slumber and the UA band will do the rest! Taking a long flight or just become a new parent? The UA band will sync to the UA record app and you’ll be able to see right in front of your eyes just how much your quality of sleep can be effected! We noticed such a difference in our quality of sleep from when we gave ourselves a Netflix and email-checking curfew and made an effort to relax with an Epsom salt bath and a good book, compared to when we got in late from work and were finalising important details via email right up until we turned the lights off! Aside from that, the four other, swipe-able screens include a clock, pedometer, heart rate and workout tracker, which allows you to select whatever type of workout you plan on doing like running, spinning, HIIT etc. Not a runner? Don’t fear! You can also customise this screen and add other forms of exercise like yoga or Pilates for example and remove the activities you don’t do. Other settings include Airplane mode (handy for travelling) and brightness control.

 

One other thing we liked is that you don’t JUST have to use Under Armour gadgets for this fitness platform to work. The app connects with devices from Fitbit, Garmin, Jawbone and Misfit to name a few, which means you won’t have to let your current wearable gather dust!

 

For us, it’s a system that keeps on giving. The longer you use it, the better you will understand the ins and outs of your life and how you can improve upon all aspects of your wellbeing. This isn’t just a wearable… it’s a holistic approach that aims to help you perform, eat, sleep, rest and recover better and more efficiently than you ever have before.

For more info on the Under Armour HealthBox, head to http://www.underarmour.co.uk/en-gb/healthbox.html 

words by Molly Jennings

 

Cleanse Your Way To A Healthier You – We Are Tea

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There really is nothing like a good cuppa on a cozy morning and it’s even better when you know that the tea you’re drinking has so many wonderful health benefits! We Are Tea and Amanda Hamilton have brought us three amazing blends that do just that! With three different teas that help target specific needs, We Are Tea can help you feel your best while you drink up! The three unique blends all have different components and ingredients that strive to support your body.

 

Svelte: Designed to balance and invigorate your system, Svelte contains yerba mate, ginger, seagreens, dandelion root and nettle to help you feel toned and focused.

 

Glow: Skin feeling dull? Try Glow! With red berries, Calendula, and traditional herbs, Glow was designed to bring a brightness to your skin and help maintain skin health.

 

Soothe: Nothing like mint tea after a big supper! Soothe features fennel and mint that helps digestion and bloating.

 

We Are Tea Cleanse

We sat down with Amanda Hamilton to chat all about the different We Are Tea blends and how they help her live life to the healthiest and fullest!

We are so excited about your new range of teas with We Are Tea! Tell us a bit about how you came up with the 3 blends, Glow, Svelte and Soothe and the different ingredients?
Thank you!  I’m super excited about the launch of the Everyday Good teas too and we’ve had some lovely feedback on the range to date. I’ve actually been working with Spence who is the Founder of We Are Tea for about a year to make sure we came up with the right blends and ingredients, so it’s fantastic to see them on the Sainsbury’s shelves now.

Our ambition with the range was to come up with something that met core need states of consumers, as I’m a strong believer in the fact that small, everyday changes to your diet and drinking habits can be really beneficial long-term.

The three teas in the range include GLOW, which has been designed with skin mind, packed with gentle ingredients such as Echinacea and calendula petals. SOOTHE, features fennel and mint, long used herbs associated positively with digestion whilst SVELTE features yerba mate and ginger to invigorate your system.

 

What’s your go-to tea ritual?
I travel a great deal so my rituals are to try to top and tail my day with an element of routine. I have always paid attention to the details of the little things that I really enjoy so it’s nothing new for me to carry around my own teabags and ask for hot water instead on the early morning plane or train! At the end of a day I really try to slow down for that last 20 minutes, no matter where I am in the world – I usually sip a  tea as I run a bath. Right now I’m working on a new sleep blend but SOOTHE is just perfect to help rest and digest after dinner. When I am at home it is kids to bed, cup of tea, cat on lap, dog on feet – and Netflix!

 

How does We Are Tea support your busy lifestyle?
It’s easy to consume things that aren’t so helpful – caffeinated coffees and teas, sweet frappes or even juices and smoothies (nutritious as they sometimes are, they can really add a lot of sugar load or extra hidden calories if taken as a drink alongside food rather than as a snack). So, it can be helpful to build habits that are based on teas that are hydrating, caffeine, calorie and sugar free – not to mention tasty!

 

If you could invite 3 inspirational people for tea, who would you invite and why?
I’d invite one of my best friends. Sarah Willingham (the latest Dragon on Dragon’s Den), she’s a truly inspirational women – she usually hosts, so it would be nice to treat her for a change.

Then I’d invite a writer, someone like Gary Keller who wrote The One Thing – all about planning your day to align with how the brain works and the advice in the book really resonated – so I’d like to meet him. Like any other working parent, finding balance – or counterbalance as he says – is vital.

And lastly I’d invite Brenden Brazier, an ex endurance athlete who has really pushed the boundaries on what’s possible to achieve and is passionate about his stance on diet. There’s a lot to learn from people trailblaze.

Guess what Hip & Healthies…? The lovely people at We Are Tea are giving 20% off to all H&H readers and customers! Simply head to http://www.wearetea.com and enter the code “HIP20” at the checkout!

The UK’s Best Cookery Schools!

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Everyone has their own, unique way of switching off and zoning out when life’s stressful moments get in the way. For some it might be Yoga or Pilates… others might find comfort in meditation. For healthy foodies like us though, we love to relax and take our minds off emails and deadlines with whipping out our aprons! Being in the kitchen and getting to work with wholesome, nourishing ingredients definitely helps us to not only feel closer to nature, but it helps re-ignite our creative souls. Ok, yes there isn’t much preparation or time needed for Deliciously Ella’s famous energy balls (which we make pretty much on a weekly basis!), but it’s the process of turning the simplest of ingredients into delicious, mouth-watering meals that is the most wonderful thing.

Cooking classes are such a great way to unwind and even spend quality time with the ones you love… So we took it upon ourselves to hunt down the UK’s best cookery schools that we think are worth a visit, not only for a fun, experiential day out, but to also get a deeper understanding of where exactly our food comes from and how cooking from scratch isn’t as daunting or as difficult as it may seem!

 

Daylesford Organic
The mecca of all things organic and delicious, Daylesford Organic in Gloucestershire hold expert-lead classes in their very own, state of the art cooking quarters that aim to not only inspire but impart a depth of knowledge on cooking and creating recipes from scratch. We were lucky enough to be taught by one of Daylesford’s long standing cookery school masters, James, who was unbelievably inspiring and passionate about how your end product (i.e meal) will only taste as good as the produce you used to make it. This way of thinking is exactly what Daylesford are about. Growing organically, ethically and sustainably is at the heart of their philosophy and everyone who works there from the people who work in the Farm Shop to the hard working gardeners! Booking yourself on to a course or even just a one off class is definitely the best way to really see this first hand and to get a true taste of cooking healthy, wholesome meals.

We took part in the Seasonal Dinner Party class, which aims to give an insight into organising hassle-free dinner parties with dishes that are simple to prepare but have the wow factor when it comes to taste. Aside from cooking, we took a break from the kitchen to go on a guided tour of the farm and the Market Garden where every type of vegetable you could think of grows, lovingly nurtured by the chefs and produce managers. It was truly astonishing and inspiring to see such a global, household company leading the way in organic farming. James was so knowledgeable and answered any question thrown his way. We played around with flavours and learnt a lot more about seasonal cooking which is not only delicious, but can also help reduce your carbon footprint. Prepare to leave feeling inspired and never wanting to go to your regular, run-of-the-mill store for veggies ever again! We’re converts to shopping at local farmers markets and of course Daylesford’s Farm shops in London! Book your Daylesford cookery experience here!

Thyme Cotswolds

Thyme
Situated half way between Oxford and the picturesque Cotswold town of Cirencester, Thyme tell the complete story of the process of taking food from the earth or tree to the kitchen and onto your plate. Classes feature demonstrations, tastings, talks and garden tours but what we loved most were the foraging classes that are hosted by wild food expert and cook, Claudio Bincoletto and take place around Thyme’s kitchen gardens and water meadows.

This is an experience like no other, whether you are a seasoned country forager or a complete beginner. During the nature walk with Claudio, we learnt about “no trace” foraging and how this sustainable approach has little to no impact on the environment. It was so relaxing and enriching walking around in the natural elements learning about all these wild ingredients we had never heard of or at least cooked with before. We finished our adventurous morning with a seasonal lunch cooked on an open fire. The perfect ending to a wonderfully wild experience! For more information on booking a course, click here. Want to make a weekend of your trip to the Cotswolds? Thyme is also a hotel! Book your stay in one of their beautiful rooms and cottages here!

Le Manoir aux Quat'Saison

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
If you can handle the hefty price tag, there is nowhere quite like Le Manoir aux Quat’Saison in Great Milton, Oxfordshire. This highly prestigious cookery school is the brainchild of cooking legend, Raymond Blanc. Where else can you learn to cook in two-Michelin star facilities? From half-day introductions to residential programmes, courses at this lavish hotel and cookery school focus on recipes inspired and created by Mr Blanc himself and showcase the very dishes that made him the Michelin-starred chef he is today.

There’s a wide range of courses available, from The Magic of Vegetables, Herbs & Pulses, to Kitchen Secrets and Treasures from the Sea! Expect to master a variety of cooking techniques that are certain to impress your dinner guests… You really will be the hostess with the mostest! Under the guide of Raymond and his team, you’ll walk away having conquered exceptional dishes and recipes that will undoubtedly become permanent fixtures in your own recipe corner at home! Don’t worry though; you’ll be given a course book with all the recipes you created so you don’t forget any details! Find out more about Le Manoir aux Quat’Saison’s cookery school here!

words by Molly Jennings

 

The Hottest Way To Tone Up This Summer!

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No doubt you’ll have heard of this celebrity favourite sport that has taken the fitness world by storm recently. Meet Stand-Up Paddle-boarding! Not only does Stand Up Paddle-boarding (SUP for short) guarantee you a super fun workout on the water, it also helps whittle your waist and tone your arms!

Since the sun has decided to finally make it’s summer 2016 debut, Nadia, our Editorial Assistant, took to the waters with Active360 to check out this fun summer sport on the River Thames! (Not quite the Maldives, a girl can dream!)

 

I started out easy, paddleboarding on my knees, just to get a feel of the resistance of the water and how to catch my balance. Once I had that down, the instructor encouraged the group to come to standing and we all continued up stream as the sun was setting (dreamy!). The great thing was I never felt like I had to rush to keep up and really had the chance to enjoy conversation with our knowledgeable instructor, Lou, and the other paddle boarders in the group.

 

I also had the chance to ask the founder of Active 360, Paul Hyman, exactly how SUP gives you the ultimate total body workout! This is definitely a sport worth trying! If not for the workout, then definitely for the laughs!

 

The Benefits of SUP

 

Core Stability and Strength

Your midsection is the number one target in this workout. Your core, especially your obliques, is challenged to keep you upright and stable as you paddle against the resistance of the water. Similarly to swimming, the faster you paddle, the harder it gets. SUP is known as one of the best cross-training sports especially if you’re a runner! Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to switch up your current routine!

 

Arms and back strength

Although your core powers you through each stroke of the paddle, your arms and back still come into play when you paddle board. I was barely able to lift up my post workout smoothie afterwards! But don’t rely on your arms too much- you’ll tire easily. Paul suggests keeping your arms straight and to use your back to help propel you forward through the stroke.

 

Leg strength

If you have ever done barre, you are familiar with the earthquake shake! You can always start out on your knees (which will give your thighs an extra burn!) but once you graduate to standing, your smaller stabilizing muscles are sure to start firing! After the first 45 minutes, my legs were shaking!

 

Relax and have fun!

Although you may sweat and very well may be sore the next day (I definitely was), what I loved most about SUP is how much fun it is! Not only do you get to relax, it’s a completely different way of experiencing nature. And in London, that’s hard to find! So grab your bestie and get ready to paddle!

 

Pro Tip

Beginners should use a slightly larger board for more stability and make sure you stretch before and after! If you have any valuables you need to bring with you but can’t afford to get them wet, just make sure you bring a dry bag with you!

           

Of course if you need to SUP in style, we suggest this little number from our favourite surf brand, Perfect Moment!

A Blogger’s Guide To Hosting A Fitness Event In NYC!

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How to host a fitness event in NYC – A Blogger’s Guide by Molly Teshuva!

I can safely say that a year ago I never would have expected to be sitting here writing an article about the steps behind organising a fitness event overseas in the big apple. I created @progresspure whilst studying at University to hold myself accountable for all the ups and downs I experienced along my fitness journey. AKA an online diary to remind me that ordering Dominos after a night out was something to be avoided! Along the way I started connecting with hundreds of other likeminded girls who were seeking to not just get fit, but also learn to love and appreciate their bodies for what they were and what they could do. Because of Instagram, I’ve made lifelong friends from all over the world and been fortunate to experience some unbelievably exciting opportunities, like hosting an event in NYC!

I’ve decided to document my findings about how to go about hosting an event abroad in order to encourage more women to take the plunge in doing something social, exciting and helpful. So here are ProgressPure’s 7 steps to doing just that:

 

Be an opportunist 

Use any opportunity you’re given in life to try and spread the word about your healthy message, be it big or small. I knew I was already going to be travelling to NYC in August so I got brainstorming about how I could use this opportunity to my advantage and I decided to throw myself into the deep end and attempt to throw my first ever fitness event.

Do your research  

New York is not my home city and I’ve only been a few times so I had to get down to business about key factors like if I wanted to get co-hosts involved, where I wanted to host the event, what the purpose of the event was and who to invite.

Weightlifting is my game but you’ve got to think strategically, I knew putting a bunch of people into a sweaty gym wasn’t going to work so I started thinking about spaces which could accommodate lots of socialising, exercising and of course, eating! After discovering my passion for spinning at Spinn-off London I started doing my research into spin studios in the city. I came across CYC spinning studio, which was recommended to me by a friend, did my research and knew that it would be the perfect location to host the event.

Be clear about its purpose 

CYC can fit 45 people to a class so I had to be clear about who I wanted to invite and what was the actual purpose of it? What was the event celebrating? Make sure you have a clear purpose in mind, everyone likes to have fun at events but it’s more fun when we know exactly why we’re taking part. So looking back on the last year, in such awe and excitement at how far my blog has come, how many amazing women I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and how much Instagram has helped positively revolutionise fitness it was obvious to me that I wanted to host an event celebrating the power of social media.

Get in contact 

Once I had my sights set for CYC straight away drafted up an email to them pitching the idea. Remember that the person you’re getting in contact with may very well have never heard of you or your blog so get down to basics about what you stand for and what you’re trying to achieve with it. It’s also vital to get across how passionate you are about what you do, so be creative about how you express yourself… it’s refreshing for people to read a genuinely exciting email!

Find a place to stay 

Success!! CYC responded that they would love to help celebrate the power of social media with me and use one of their studios as the location space. Right, so I’m hosting a fitness event, in New York, for 45 people, WHAT! Let the exciting times roll on. Having received a confirmation from CYC needed to find a place to stay in the city. Luckily one of CYC studios is located in an awesome 4 star hotel right in the heart of Times Square, Row. I seriously lucked out with this one, if you haven’t heard of Row then I definitely recommend checking the hotel out, they’re equipped with a fitness studio, CYC spinning studio, photobooth (essential for an Istagrammer) and Glam&Go styling bar. Yes this place is heaven. Row is ideal if you’re a fitness fanatic like myself and need somewhere that’s got access to a gym, in great location for healthy lunch spots and, that’s affordable. Particularly tricky in NYC!

Get organising 

This is the most challenging step, just because if you’re a busy bee like myself, it can be hard to sit down and plan something which is weeks away. Stressing the ‘insta’ in ‘instagram’ I’m used to getting stuff done instantly, so long-term planning is a skill which I’m trying to get better at. But the ball is in your court now so you’ve got to take responsibility. You want to host an event which you would love to attend, where the goodie bags leave people snapping pics, and socialising with likeminded people was more than worth taking a few hours of your Sunday. So make a list of ‘extras’, which will be included at the event and get organising, for example:

–       Co-hosts

–       Goodie bags

–       Invite list

–       Food & drinks

–       Speechs, talks

–       Live music

 

Spread the word 

Once the ball is rolling start spreading the word through your blog, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, wherever that is relevant to let people know about this awesome event you’re hosting. Even if you’re not publically selling tickets to your event, the whole point of social media is to let people across the world know what you’re doing instantly. People want to be part of a team and to feel involved, so tell them what you’re doing and if there’s anyway they can help. Even if that’s just by hitting the <3 button on Instagram and sharing the love!

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Feeling inspired? Head over to Molly’s blog https://progresspure.com and be sure to follow her on instagram @progresspure

Healthy Eating Without The Hassle!

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Room Service! Are healthy meal deliveries worth it?

In this day and age it’s so easy to jam pack our schedules so much so that there isn’t much time left to enjoy the simple pleasures in life… like cooking properly for ourselves. Between work, university and workouts (because how else would we stay sane?), we often reach for what is quick and easiest. Anyone else guilty of grabbing an almond milk latte on the rush to work and calling it “breakfast”?

 

Luckily, we have some options to combat such hectic lives! There are several healthy meal delivery services throughout London that help take the thinking off of preparing meals before leaving the house or when you get home. And if meal delivery isn’t exactly up your ally, read our top tips for staying healthy in a hurry here!

 

Editorial Assistant, Nadia Liu tried out Fresh Fitness Food for five days (that’s a mouthful). Here are her thoughts!

Day One

It’s sort of like Christmas (only better because they are delivering food!). Fresh Fitness Foods sent their drivers out between 12am and 6am to deliver three fresh, well-prepared meals to my doorstep. (You have the option of choosing between 3 and 6 meals per day with snacks as well!)

My first meal was egg whites with chicken, spinach, tomatoes, and asparagus. And don’t forget the small pot of fresh avocado! It was sort of like having room service without the fancy presentation… who isn’t a fan of breakfast in bed?!

Each container has the exact amount of macronutrients and calories for the meal written on the side. This is extremely beneficial if you are training for a particular type of event where one needs/wants to know details like these. I am currently training for a marathon (yikes!) and of course nutrition is a huge part of the equation.

If you’re anything like me, you drew the short string and are allergic to about everything in the book including gluten, dairy, and cashews (sad day). FFF was able to take this into consideration and carefully prepare my meals without any sort of contamination.

 

Day Five

On my final day, my excitement still hadn’t dwindled from day one. I had quite the variety of nibbles to keep my interest piqued and my taste buds satisfied. Lunch was chicken burgers with sweet potato, green beans and radishes, and dinner was pesto sea bass with quinoa and asparagus. I really felt like I was getting quality meals with the best of the right nutrients.

Over the course of the entire week, not once did I feel an ounce of deprivation, although I did manage to get my hands on a bit of dark chocolate Friday eve. Which reminds me! FFF is all about getting the right amount of nutrients and calories based on your frequency of activity. Do not feel like you have to stick ONLY to these meals. I always had something extra pre and post workout so that I could fuel my body efficiently and properly.

Taking the guesswork (and just plain work) out of preparing my own meals gave me more time to focus on work, university and training – add sleeping to that list as well! Through reduced stress, added free time, and proper fueling, I was also able to improve my performance on my runs, getting a little bit faster each time, and most importantly, feeling stronger. One thing I would slightly alter next time is the amount of red meat that was on the menu that I chose. I rarely eat red meat and it made an appearance definitely more than once. However, this is easily fixed if you send the company a request!

 

Final thoughts
To be honest, I woke up on Saturday a bit sad that I didn’t have my meals waiting for me! Although I love cooking fresh and healthy meals for myself, the reality is that at this point in my life, I rarely have time. My days start at 5 am with a run and after work I head home to study or go to the gym for weight lifting. My weekends are also full of dissertation life and I can no longer spend a few hours perusing the aisles at WholeFoods or making the perfect balanced meals for the week on Sundays. Also, there was certainly no sacrifice in the flavor, which is a trap I tend to fall into when cooking massive bowls of quinoa or 10 grilled chicken breasts for meal prep!

If you have a busy schedule like this, it might be worth looking into a meal delivery service. There are several throughout London that cater to your specific needs and I am curious to try some others. The next one to try on my list is The Detox Kitchen. Here at H&H we are huge fans of The Detox Kitchen and they even have plant based friendly options (vegans, rejoice!). If you aren’t completely sold on the idea, most companies will have shorter plans so that you don’t have to commit to something long term.

If you do have little ones or others to take care of in your family, then a good option would be prepping meals ahead of time in order to be ready for the week. I honestly love meal prepping and always found a way to make it enjoyable by doing it with a friend or flat mate. Once my next round of deliveries is up, I’m jumping right back into my own meal prep inspired by some recipes I received over the course of the last week of course, by Hip & Healthy’s recipe corner. Vegan burgers all week sounds wonderful to me!

words by Nadie liu

 

Best Travel Snacks For Staying Healthy On-The-Go!

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Planes, Trains, Automobiles – Snacking on the go, Hip & Healthy style!

We all have had that dreaded moment when the stewardess asks us, “Sandwich or Wrap?” and in that very instant we wish we heard “Green smoothie or Kale salad?” Fear not, Hip & Healthies! Whether you’re in the air or on the rails, we’ve rounded up the best travel snacks so you can stay healthy and happy on the go!

 

DIY

Fresh Cut Veggies and Pip N’ Nut
Before you take off, prep some veg in advance! Celery, carrots, and jicama all make great snacks while you’re on the go. They won’t get squished in your carry on and are much less perishable than other fruits and veggies. Pair them with some travel-friendly nut butter like Pip N’ Nut Squeeze Packs and you have yourself a snack full of fibre, protein, and healthy fats that will surely tide you over until your next stop!

BAO!
Bananas, apples, and oranges! We always try to opt for whole foods before we reach for the packaged snacks and these fruits are the best when it comes to traveling. Like the veggies, you don’t need to worry about them going bad anytime soon and can usually take a beating if you’re rushing through security. Plus, the smell of freshly peeled oranges on the plane gives your senses a nice refresh from that recycled air!

Nuts & Seeds
We would be nuts if we didn’t mention these guys! Easy to pack and with minimal mess, nuts and seeds are usually the go to option for most travelers. Traveling already dehydrates you so opt for the raw versions rather than ones with added salt or preservatives. We LOVE Punch Foods Superseeds packs for travelling. We are particularly fond (read obsessed!) of the Coconut Brownie flavour!

Hard Boiled Eggs
Best for a shorter journey, another great option to prep at home the night before is hard-boiled eggs. The protein from these little gems will keep your belly full when it starts to grumble! Just be sure to peel the eggs before you take off and don’t forget the pepper!

 

IN A HURRY!

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Rhythm108
If you tend to have a sweet tooth when you’re traveling (guilty!), rather than heading to the vending machine for a chocolate bar before the final call, Rhythm108 Tea Biscuits will satisfy your craving, sans guilt! These gluten free, dairy free, organic biscuits will surely make the traveling process a little sweeter. Each recipe has no more than 8 ingredients, which keeps simplicity in those hectic travel schedules. At H&H, we’re particularly fond of the Chocolate Hazelnut flavor and can be found at shops like Planet Organic!

brads kale chips

Brad’s Raw Kale Chips
Brad’s Raw Kale Chips are the perfect alternative if you’re keen on buying chips from the cart. They are 100% organic and dehydrated below 115 degrees for the perfect crunch that retains all active enzymes. Add the right amount of spice and flavor and you have yourself the perfect snack! If you think you can handle the heat, try the Nasty Hot or Nacho flavour! UK stockist – Wholefoods.

S'well Bottle UK

TRAVEL TIP: In addition to keeping healthy snacks on hand, always remember to stay hydrated! Traveling puts a major downer on our systems and hydration is the key to properly recovering from a day on the road or up in the air. We take our S’well bottles everywhere we go!

Hip & Healthy Guide To The Greek Islands

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If ever there was a place to stay healthy on holiday with ease, it’s Greece. This magical, sunbathed corner of Southern Europe is the perfect place for the conscious foodie and lovers of all things sun, sand and sweat. The food is fresh, light and delicious, the relaxation and reboot options are ridiculously picturesque, and the opportunities for adventure are unlimited. Maintaining the remnants of a routine while island hopping through this patch of paradise really does take little, to no effort.

MYKONOS

Eat

NicenEasy_Mykonos_00

How do you indulge while staying healthy on the so called ‘party island’ of Mykonos? Easy! You can have your sunset view and your quinoa and buckwheat noodles too. Nice and Easy is the island’s only all organic restaurant. The menu is to die for and the view so Instagram worthy it will have you instantly drooling. Kastro’s bar is another beautiful spot to watch the day end. But make sure you get there early and stake out the seat right at the front of their outdoor area. It will feel like you are dining in your very own open air balcony. We can highly recommend the sea bass with broccoli and coconut puree – it’s out of this world. For dessert, build your own crepe or waffle at The Taste Diaries here, you can be as healthy… or as naughty as you want.

Sleep

Greece is usually associated with resorts and all of the luxury that comes along with them. But we suggest saving the pool-side hangs for one of the other islands. On Mykonos it’s better to stay in town, in the thick of the action. We highly recommend Fresh Boutique. The service is divine, the rooms cute and the included breakfast yummy, healthy and full of variety. But the best part is you are minutes away from everything, right in the thick of the hustle and bustle.

Do

The best way to see the island, well most of the islands in fact, is via quad or motorbike. For around £25 a day, you can hop on a bike and beach hop to your heart’s content. For a touch of luxury in the form of sun-beds and a waiter on tap, head to stunning Paraga beach. But for untouched beauty you can’t go past Ftelia. This slice of paradise is a little way off the beaten track, but the crystal clear water and beautiful cliffy surrounds will take your breath away.

PAROS

Eat

Beautiful, traditional, peaceful and romantic, Paros is pure paradise and a foodie’s heaven. Dining around the Naousa harbour is a must do, but my recommendation will require you to peel yourself away from the gorgeous water-front. SoSo is hidden in one of the winding backstreets of Naousa, and is one you’ll have to book ahead for. Menus change sporadically and are hand written, and the food is fresh and lovingly made, with an unforgettable homey flare. Afterwards you’d be crazy not to pay a visit to Nonna Crema. This home-made ice cream has a depth of flavour and creaminess to rival even Rome’s best gelato. Which is a mighty call, we know.

Sleep

Now this is the island you do want the luxurious resort experience. It’s a smaller island, with a slower pace. The perfect place to relax, unwind and catch up on that book you’ve been meaning to read. We can highly recommend Kallisti rooms and apartments. Run by a Greek-Australian family, it has a very down to earth feel, while also sporting lavish rooms, jaw dropping pool facilities and cosy balconies, all at an affordable price.

Do

kalogeros_beach_paros

Kalogeros beach is a hidden gem and a local hangout on Paros, and is well worth tracking down. The rock produces an amazing therapeutic mud that once you’ve lathered, dried in and washed off, will have you feeling silky soft and smooth. Locals say the mud has healed them of all sorts of skin conditions from acne to rashes, even eczema. Leftka is also an amazing little town centre to pay a visit too for a touch of tradition and stunning architecture.

SANTORINI

Eat

Santorini is full of amazing places to eat and drink, all with an absolutely fabulous view of one of the best sunsets in the world. Oia has a reputation for being the best spot to watch the sun dip, but we beg to differ. Head to Santo Wines for canapés and a glass of Ageri Rose and you will not be disappointed. They have the most gorgeous array of wines to sample, many of them organically farmed and the view gives you a bird’s eye view back over glistening Santorini. Another must dine spot is Classico. It can be quite overwhelming picking a spot to eat in Thira when the choice is so vast, but this restaurant and coffee bar is the perfect mix of fresh quality produce and a good price, with a stellar ambiance to boot. We can personally vouch for their salmon and quinoa salad.

Sleep

There are so many incredible waterfront resorts, hotels and bed and breakfasts right along the Santorini coast. If you are on a bit more of a budget El Greco is a 10 minute stroll from the main town centre of Thira but still sports incredible views. If you manage to secure a room at the front of the resort, you will have un-spoiled views of the entire Santorini coast from your balcony. During the day, take your pick from five luxury pools to laze beside, or head for a deep tissue massage and facial at the resort’s Loftus Spa.

Do

Wake up early, and run. This was our absolute favourite thing to do in Santorini. With a coastline path THAT spectacular, it’s a magical time and place to squeeze in some exercise. What made it even more amazing, was running from the empty boardwalk into the backstreets of Thira, to watch the fisherman and locals start their market set up for the day. Another good place to visit is Perissa, the black sand beach. If you get the direct local bus, it takes less than half an hour, and the journey itself is dotted with gorgeous scenery.

Words by Gemma Bath – wwwsunliteyes.com. Instagram/Twitter: @gembath

An Editor’s Anti-Aging Hacks

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I recently read an article that was all about embracing your age from the inside out, warts, wrinkles and all. And whilst I can’t help but applaud this outlook on aging, for now, I know in my heart that all I really want to do is turn back time, slap SPF everywhere, take my make up off every night before bed (big nights out especially included), drink WAY more water and way less booze. Had I done these things maybe I would be one of the people in this world that put their young faces and toned bods down to good genes. But alas, I had too much fun and not enough sun cream. Thank goodness then for the following tips and tricks that promise to reset the aging clock naturally…

 

Face Gym
Facials are my thing – I love them. So, I was a little apprehensive when I was told before my Face Gym “Runner Face” facial that this was not going to be the relaxing treatment I am use to. Revered as the ultimate destination for Facial Exercise, celebrities and influencers alike flock here before big red carpet do’s and important shoots and now I know why. Completely non-invasive but incorporating electrical techniques such as Radio Frequency and Laser Technology to tighten and tone the skin, the treatments are pain-free and quick. The results are actually quite astounding – I genuinely did have younger looking, plumper skin, so much so it even garnered a comment from my husband “you look glowing… oh god, are you pregnant?”.

 

Mindfulness & Meditation
Anxiousness and worrying does nothing for our skin. In fact, 9 times out of 10 if you check yourself at work you’ll be clenching your jaw, frowning, or squinting at your desktop. Learning to use mindfulness to relax facial muscles is a great way to minimize the effects stress has on our skin. Research suggests that regular meditation and mindfulness lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone that causes your body to age faster than it should). Next time you find yourself getting wound up by an email or stressful phone call ask yourself “are you ok, in this moment” the answer will nearly always be yes, then try and focus on relaxing the parts of your body that are tense as a result of your busy day. Lower your shoulders; relax your jaw; breathe in for 10 seconds and release. You’re doing it now aren’t you…?

 

Hydration
We all know that we should be drinking more water (Nutritionist Madeleine Shaw suggests ideally 2 litres a day) but did you know that it could have an immediate effect on the way your skin looks too. Sometimes, a new wrinkle can go just as quickly as it comes by drinking more water. This is because creases in the skin are much more prominent when your body is dehydrated. TIP: have a water jug or one of our S’well Bottles on your desk to sip from every few minutes.

 

Banish Pigmentation (for good)
Since my mid-twenties I have suffered from pigmentation on my forehead and under my eyes on my cheeks. Just before my wedding I tried everything to get rid of it but it was only recently that I found the answer, or two answers to be precise. One was removing all soy products from my diet, which are said to increases oestrogen levels (which sometimes causes pigmentation) and the other was using pro-biotic skincare from Aurellia. Pro-biotic skincare is fairly new to the market but has been scientifically proven to help manage the level of inflammation within the skin, maintain balance and increase cell regeneration – which is great for pigmented areas as it means that cells can return to their normal, balanced state quicker.

words by Sadie Reid