Our Fave “Healthy Babes” Top Healthy Habits!

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Calgary Avansino – Health Journalist
When you are planning a meal, make vegetables the central focus and then add on from there. Too often, people think first about what protein or carbohydrates they create a dish around. They pile meat or fish, potato or pasta onto their plate and everything else becomes an afterthought or a side dish. Start changing how you prioritise your food and begin putting vegetables first!

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Madeleine Shaw – Nutritionist
Be kind to yourself. As woman we compare ourselves to others all day long. Give yourself a break and start being kind. Instead focus on all the flabby bits, focus your attention on everything you love about yourself, the more you focus on this the more it will grow.

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Paola Di Lanzo – Founder of Paolas Body Barre
I’d say my healthy habit (or addiction) is eggs! As I’m always on the go and busy racing from one class to the next or from one school drop off to the next, I need healthy “fast foods” and eggs are so easy to prepare! They are loaded with high quality proteins, vitamins, minerals and good fats! Whether it’s baked with avocado, or scrambled with spinach, tomato and parsley, eggs have to be my number one healthy habit!

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Cat Meffan – Fitness Blogger
I use my toothburshing time wisely – when giving my teeth a good clean twice a day I use the time to multi task. I’ll either stretch out my quads & calf muscles or I’ll do pliés, heel raises, squats or a wall squat hold for as long as possible. Obviously it’s a lot easier to do if you use an electric toothbrush!

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Danielle Copperman – Model And Qnola Founder
I love to do ten minutes of yoga or meditation a day and schedule in time, even if it’s not for long, to really let go and switch off. Even if it’s in your bedroom and you just lie down for 10 minutes, it can really sooth the soul. I also include essential oils too for a really relaxing, balancing experience.

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Saskia Gregson-Williams – Founder Of Naturally Sassy

My healthy habit is to be prepared. As boring as this sounds, for me it’s absolutely key to keeping healthy and happy! I always make big batches of raw chocolate balls  and sugar free mulberry & apricot bars from my blog to snack on during the week. I make sure to organise my bag the night before, so if I ever have the munchies I have something nutritious on hand! I’m also a big fan of Inner Me’s Energise Capsules, these are my go to’s to keep me sustained and energised throughout the day – I can’t remember the last day I went without this incredible supplement.

Healthy Habits Day Six – Boost Your Energy!

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We are almost at the end of our Healthy Habits Seven Day Challenge with Inner Me! We hope you’re all feeling positive, healthy and happy after your week of adopting new and exciting habits! Today, we’re going to provide you with some helpful and extremely easy ways to boost your energy and vitality as the days get darker and temperatures get colder – because there’s nothing better than feeling energised and motivated to live each day to it’s fullest!

Maca
This super sonic powder is awesome at keeping your energy levels up and it’s a great alternative to caffeine and other stimulants. Originating in Peru, Maca powder has been famous for its ability to boost endurance and energy as well as supporting regular hormone function. According to legend, Maca was popular amongst Inca warriors for increasing strength and stamina before heading into battle. It’s also got the most delicious malty, caramel flavour and you can’t beat a spoonful in your morning porridge for a truly energised day ahead! We love Organic Burst’s Maca Powder!

HIIT
If you’re looking for a workout that’s going to leave a spring in your step, you need to get on board the HIIT band-wagon. Also known as high intensity interval training, this form of exercise is short, tough time effective. The method to this metabolism boosting practice is that you perform an exercise using every last scrap of your energy for 40 seconds, and then completely rest for 20 seconds. We love taking this concept on the spin bike! Warm up for two to three minutes and when you feel your muscles are ready to go, crank up the resistance and peddle as fast as you possible can for 40 seconds. After your time is up lower the resistance back down and rest for 20 seconds. Repeat this 8-10 times and you’ll be good to go! If you’ve done it right you’ll be pretty knackered straight after but when your heart rate gets back down to a steady pace, you’ll feel totally energised and uplifted, and only taking 10 minutes out of your day is an extra bonus!

Catch some Z’s
Getting enough sleep may be a totally obvious tip to achieving greater energy levels and alertness during the day but it sure is a good one! It’s a vital moment during our daily lives when our bodies recharge and reset before the next working day. How can you expect to feel at your optimal health if you don’t give your body enough time to restore it’s self? In 21st century terms, it’s like expecting your iPhone to retain its battery for days and days without charging it! (Anyone who has an iPhone will know that’s pretty much impossible!). Getting your recommended seven to eight hours snooze time a day will help decrease lethargy and fatigue and amazingly, will help boost immunity and your body’s ability to fight infections!

Matcha Tea
Forget energy drinks and sugary coffee concoctions, green tea is the way to go if you need a super healthy afternoon energy boost! Made from dried and powdered green tea leaves, it’s incredibly potent and packed with antioxidants. Matcha contains two important amino acids called Theophylline and L-theanine. The reason why they are so important is because they work together with the naturally occurring caffeine to give you sustained energy for up to 6 hours. No crazy energy spurts and no zombie crashes either! You can expect to feel a sense of productivity and subtle alertness but without the jitters from regular caffeine hits. It’s a winner in our books!

Cut Out Sugar
Just when you think sugar is evil enough, it gets worse! Apart from causing inflammation in the body, spiking our blood sugar levels and promoting fat storage, sugar can seriously effective our energy, and not in a good way. Sugar is essentially a stress on the body and while your insides are busy trying to process this toxic substance, you can become very tired and lethargic. Although you may initially feel a high, approaching fast behind, will be a sudden “crash” in energy that will leave you feeling moody and grumpy. Time to say goodbye to the sweet stuff!

Inner Me “Energise Me” Supplement
Bursting with essential vitamins and minerals, we always turn to Inner Me’s Energise Me supplement when we need that extra support for our energy levels and metabolism function. Vitamins B6 and B12 are brilliant at converting food to energy, whilst Vitamin D works at maintaining normal muscle function (great for all you gym bunnies). On top of that, Inner Me have also included magnesium, to aid in reducing fatigue and Chromium, to help regulate blood sugar levels which play a huge role in feeling lively and spritely! Fancy getting your hands on our fave supplement? Enter the code “HH20” at the Inner Me checkout for 20% off! Hurry, this offer ends midnight on Sunday!

words by Molly Jennings

Healthy Habits Challenge Day Five – Have A Green Juice Every Morning!

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It’s day five of our healthy habits challenge with Inner Me, and we are feeling full of energy and even healthier than we did before! Today, we all about the green juice – Oh hail the green juice! Full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and all round goodness, we’re sharing with you three of our favourite recipes to help you go green for good this month!

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Naturally Sassy

Saskia’s Green Juice recipe is full to the brim with all kinds of green leafage and detoxifying properties! We love the added flavour of apples to give the flavour a subtle sweetness and this one is a definitely great hangover cure!

Ingredients – Serves 2

2 Apples

1 Cucumber

2 Handfuls of Broccoli Florets

4 Stalks Celery

2 Handfuls of kale

Juice 1/2 Lemon

A knob of Ginger

Method – Put everything in a juicer and enjoy! (We will!)

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Madeleine Shaw

Maddy’s Best Green Juice Recipe is simplistic, delicious and super easy to make. We love the tang from the lemon and the freshness of the celery really comes through. Enjoy this immune boosting juice as a pick-me-up afternoon snack!

Ingredients

3 Celery Stalks

1/2 Cucumber

1 Pear

1 Lemon

2cm of Fresh Root Ginger

Directions

Simply juice, stir and enjoy!

 

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Hip & Healthy

Our Jolly Green Giant Juice (Well it’s really a smoothie but who cares right?), is packed with plant-based goodness and contains skin superhero, avocado! For a nourishing post workout snack, this recipe will certainly hit the spot!

Ingredients:

 1/2 large avocado

1 pear

2 cups spinach

1/3 cup coconut water

1 tbsp hemp protein powder

1 tbsp chia seeds

Method: (you guessed it) Blend!

Healthy Habits Challenge Day Four – Get Into Soaking And Sprouting!

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Welcome to day 4 of our ‘Adopt Healthy Habits’ Challenge with Inner Me! We hope you’re feeling more positive, strong and confident about yourself! Our healthy healing week continues with even more hip and healthy habits that will, quite literally, restore and replenish you to the best you can be. So what is our theory this Thursday? Go back to your roots and start soaking and sprouting!

There is no questioning the goodness of seeds, beans, nuts and grains. High in fiber, protein, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium and countless more vitamins and minerals, these mighty minions are one of the greatest natural remedies to counter cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, lower inflammation, promote good digestion, stabilize blood-sugar levels, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, lower cholesterol, promote healthy hair, skin, nails, eyes…need we go on?

These body-boosting beauties are a fun favourite not only for vegans and vegetarians, but for fellow hip and healthy foodies who understand the benefits of eating foods that have not been tampered with. Eating a raw diet is the best way of ensuring that your body benefits from all the nutrition it deserves. The fundamental principle behind raw foodism, is that plant foods in their most natural state – uncooked and unprocessed – are the most wholesome for the body.

However, clever Mother Nature equipped these foods with anti-nutrients to protect them from insects, predators, bacteria, viruses and fungi. The most common anti-nutrient is phytic acid, a compound that inhibits mineral and nutrient absorption in the body. This is inconvenient for us wholefoods lovers, but there is a solution…hurray for soaking and sprouting!

Soaking your nuts, seeds and legumes ensures that these anti-nutrients are naturally eliminated from the outer-coating. Why? It mimics the natural germination process by providing enough moisture, warmth and acidity. Germination neutralizes anti-nutrients by helping increase phytase activity (an enzyme that helps break down phytic acid) to ensure our insides can reap all the nutritional benefits on offer.

Health and nutrition expert Vicki Edgson lives and breathes the soaking and sprouting methodology. Vicki praises how soaking and sprouting ‘awakens’ the enzymes, activating the protein content which brings out the very best of that sprouted food: ‘the active protein is superb for healing and repairing the gut in particular, containing many prebiotics that feed the cells lining the intestines, and ensuring a well-functioning digestive system.’

What’s more, sprouted beans and seeds are one of the few vegetarian foods with all nine amino acids, the building blocks of collagen and elastin. Before scientists formulate the elixir of youth, put your skin-aging worries to one side and eat yourself beautiful!

But what about the preparation, we hear you cry? Never fear, for people with even the most hectic of lifestyles will find soaking and sprouting effortless. Taking one or two days to develop, simply soak overnight and then rinse every morning and evening until the sprouts appear. ‘It’s as quick as brushing your teeth’ claims Vicki. When ready, simply sprinkle in salads, soups or use as the perfect garnish to any meal. Vicki swears by spirilised courgettes and carrots, with finely sliced radish and topped with a mixture of sprouts, with an argan oil and orange juice dressing: ‘I have a version of this for lunch virtually every day, together with a bowl of soup, and its lean, mean and energy-packed.’

So what are you waiting for? Why not try alfalfa, split peas, mung bean, radish seed, sunflower seeds or puy lentils to funk up your favourite foods? Why not smother that smoothie with those energy-providing B vitamins? Even your morning cereals can benefit from a chia seed boost of body-loving nutrition. We love our Over-Night Oats Recipe which promises to deliver a hearty bowl of porridge perfection: Simple, sumptuous and of course superabundant in superfood sustenance!

Be good to yourself this autumn, by soaking and sprouting yourself to the best version of you.

words by Olivia Murphy

Healthy Habits Challenge Day Three – Don’t Risk The Radicals, Cook With Oils That Don’t Harm!

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One of the most fundamental rules pursued by the health-conscious is the consumption of a diet low in saturated fat. For years we have been taught that a diet high in saturates can increase the risk of high cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and of course, obesity. But it is not just the types of food we consume, it is also just as important to be conscious of the way these foods are cooked too. Have you swapped cooking your dishes in butter to a leaner olive oil? Then be prepared to face the food faux-pas facts!

Significantly, saturated fatty acids pack together tightly, giving them an incredibly high smoke point and melting point. This means that when heated to high temperatures (when cooking) these mighty saturated fats maintain stability. In fact, the real enemies when cooking in high temperatures are polyunsaturated fats. These acids are very unstable as they do not pack together very well at all. This is bad news, as each broken molecule becomes a free radical when heated up. Therefore, oils that contain a large percentage of polyunsaturated fats and a low percentage of saturated fats are the worst choice to cook with.

But what exactly is a free radical? And why should it be avoided at all costs?

Any molecule or atom which has an unpaired electron in its outer orbit is known as a free radical. Free radicals are highly reactive, and if not controlled, damage occurs in different parts of the body. These demons cause oxidative damage to DNA, which can directly influence cell growth and development, cell survival and likely increase your risk of cancer, aging and other conditions like inflammatory disease.

The science is in the statistics. Understandably, sunflower oil, olive oil and sesame seed oil seem like healthy alternatives, being less than 15% saturated fat in contrast to butter which is a staggering 68%. But don’t fall for the food-fact-fallacy! When knowledge about smoke points, melting points and molecule stability is taken on board, you have no choice but to admit that saturates are the most saintly supplement you can use to cook your food in!

So what should we really be cooking with?

 

REAL BUTTER (but none of that low fat, margarine rubbish!)
If your Hip and Healthy like us, you know that any light or low-fat alternatives (especially in dairy products!) are full of nasty trans-fats and hidden sugars. When it comes to cooking with butter, we are only interested in the 100% organic good stuff. Why? Its pure, high in saturated fat and minimal 4% of polyunsaturates, ensures that these molecules are not broken down into free radicals.

So, if you take on one health tip, banish the butter beguilement. Believe it or not, butter is rich in the most easily absorbable form of vitamin A, which is necessary for thyroid and adrenal health. It also contains lecithin, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, which is essential for cholesterol metabolism, protects against hardening of the arteries, cataracts and pineal gland, and ensures healthy brain function and cell membrane function. Who knew that butter could protect against cancer, be a muscle builder and immunity booster? If your digestion doesn’t mind a lick of dairy, cook your food in a whole lot of goodness by discovering the beauty of butter!

 

GHEE  (like butter, but clarified!)
Regular butter contains tiny amounts of sugars and proteins and for this reason it may get burned during high-heat cooking. What’s more, butter might not be the best choice for the dairy intolerant. However, ghee is the perfect alternative, being a purer, clarified version. This means that all the lactose and proteins of regular butter are removed, leaving you with pure butterfat and a sinless 3% polyunsaturates. But the health benefits do not stop there. Rich in the oil soluble vitamins A, D and E, antioxidants K2 and CLA which contain anti-viral properties, and butyric acid which aids digestion, your immune system and intestinal wall will benefit greatly. If that wasn’t enough, ghee is anti-inflammatory, and can even aid the prevention of cancer. So, just to clarify, this purified butter is a positive powerfood!

 

COCONUT OIL  (The king of cooking oils!)
Being a shocking 91.9% saturated fat, it is no wonder that dieters feel they must stay well clear of this cholesterol-inducing nightmare. But think again! Coconut oil consists of a teeny 1.9% polyunsaturated fat and has a super-high smoke point due to its high melting point. This makes coconut oil perfect for cooking at high heat, being one of the most stable cooking oils on earth.

And the amount of health benefits may just surprise you. Alice Mackintosh, nutritionist at The Food Doctor, explains: ‘Coconut oil has the added benefit of increasing metabolism in the liver, and may even aid weight loss. It also has wonderful immune supporting properties owing to the presence of anti-bacterial lauric acid.’

It is this presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid that labels coconut oil as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. And so, coconut oil has the ability to improve your hair and skin, calm stress levels, reduce high cholesterol, dental quality and bone strength, and not to mention provide relief from kidney problems, heart diseases high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Who knew that a product so high in saturated fat could be so salubrious?

Alice also suggests that we try opting for ‘virgin’ or ‘extra-virgin’ coconut oil as ‘this has more antioxidants and a richer coconut flavour compared to refined coconut oil. Conversely, if you don’t want the coconut flavour, go for coconut butter, which has been de-coconutted!’

Its official, we are totally nuts for cooking with saturates.

words by Olivia Murphy

Mrs Vitamins – The Woman Behind Inner Me

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The world of supplements can be a confusing one. There are so many different options to choose from that you end up feeling more confused leaving your health food store than before you walked in! The simple solution to this problem lies with Nikki Cooper (aka Mrs Vitamins), founder or Inner Me! Passionate about making wellbeing beautifully simple, Hip & Healthy chat to this gorgeous and glowing brunette to find out the story and ethos behind this pure and nourishing brand!

 

Tell us, why, when and how Inner Me was created?
In 2009, on a quest to find supplements that would optimise my health and wellbeing, I found myself bewildered by choice and not finding anything I could relate to and so the idea for Inner Me was born. Following extensive research, Inner Me was later launched in 2012.

 

What was the inspiration and aim behind Inner Me?
In 2009 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and was recommended to watch a video on TED by a wonderful woman called Dr Terry Wahl who has secondary progressive MS. Through diet supplemented with fish oils, vitamin D and other nutrients she went from being severely disabled to taking part in treks and bike rides. I was totally inspired and began changing my lifestyle in terms of nutrition, diet and exercise and discovered the wonderful world of supplements – albeit a confusing one.

 

Have you always lead a healthy lifestyle or did you discover your inner wellbeing guru later on in life?
I have always been a fitness fanatic and spent my twenties training for marathons and other long distance events as well as being a gym bunny and dragon boat enthusiast. I wouldn’t say my diet was terrible then but I certainly didn’t understand the impact a good diet has on not just your body shape but also your mood and energy levels.

 

We adore the packaging! Can you tell us the idea behind the design?
I found the supplements on offer lacked brand differentiation with the majority coming in cumbersome bottles with flat designs that were too big for my desk and too ugly for my dressing table. I love brands like Benefit and Bliss where the packaging is not only stylish but inspires you to take and believe in the product. This is when I questioned why supplements could not be stylish and beautiful also. I wanted the “girls” on the packs to speak sisterhood and to give the buyer and indication of what that product would help them achieve in terms of increased energy, better digestion or lustrous locks.

 

Why should people take supplements even if they lead a healthy lifestyle?
Good nutrition is fundamental to good health and to maintain good health, our bodies require a daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Even with our best intentions and what we may consider a good diet many of us are still short of these essential nutrients. It is not just our modern day food choices that effects our vitamin and mineral intake but the nutritional state of our food. With intensive farming the eco-balance of healthy, mineral rich soil is ever changing affecting the phytonutrients in our soil and thus plants, animals and man who are living off that soil. Our nutritionist Amanda Hamilton has designed a set of Inner Menus with healthy and nutritious recipes – as we are not about pill popping, we are firm believers that good nutrition starts with a good diet. We then supplement our healthy diets with vitamins and minerals as an insurance policy – it is a simple way of ensuring that you have ticked all those nutrient boxes.

 

What makes Inner Me stand out from the supplement crowd?
Many women want to take supplements but have no idea where to begin. Our expert- backed range breaks down what each product can help with in regards to health, beauty and vitality, so the choice is easier. The packaging is handily portable, too, so they slip into your handbag and will keep you on track by reminding you which day you are due to take next. Quality also comes as standard, we use the finest ingredients we can get our hands on!

 

Do you have a favourite Inner Me supplement that you love to include in your lifestyle?
Daily 4 Me – the Hectic Years! With 2 children and a business I am always in need of that extra boost. This product contains a tailored multivitamin for my age group i.e. a menstruating woman using the finest quality ingredients, a co-enzyme Q10 capsule to help boost my energy levels, a high strength omega 3 capsule to help become a beauty and a geek as fish oil helps with skin inflammations and brain power and last but not least a digestive complex made up of Lactospore 15 billion and other digestive boosting goodies such as aloe vera, alfafa and spirulina.

 

For those who have never taken supplements before, out of the Inner Me range, what would you recommend getting first?
Our Daily 4 Me range – whether you’re 17 or 70, we have a tailored programme of nutritional supplements designed for your wellbeing. These ‘Daily 4 Me’ packs offer convenient all-in-one solutions to a healthy balanced lifestyle, with high-quality vitamins and minerals hand picked for three different life-stages: teens and twenties, 30’s – 40’s and 50+. We have done the research so you don’t have to keeping the whole process simple.

 

What have been your best moments along the Inner Me Journey?
There have been so many – from seeing my products first launch in Boots and Selfridges to having the opportunity to meet women I really admire from the beauty and wellbeing industry such as Liz Earle and Sian Sutherland from Mio Skincare. I also got to feature on the cover of Essentials magazine, which was so much fun having my hair and make up done professionally and I guess the most surreal moment was going on Dragon’s Den.

 

Where do you want to see Inner Me 5 years from now?
In 5 years I want to see Inner Me reach its potential by launching a wider range of products together with raising brand awareness.Once we have gained brand recognition the opportunities are endless in terms of product range and distribution in the UK and internationally with the launch of a men’s range and cross bordering into functional foods and drinks such as teas, shakes and healthy snacks. In short I want Inner Me to be a super health brand where consumers go to find healthy tips, recipes and nutritional products.

Head down to Inner Me to shop their products or find out more info here!

Healthy Habits Challenge Day Two – Try Hot Yoga!

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Welcome to day 2 of our 7 day ‘Adopt Healthier Habits’ Challenge with Inner Me! Do you feel revitalised, refreshed and ready for healthy habit number two? We all love to get those feel-good endorphins flowing, so what better time to spice up your workout than now? As autumn brings those darker mornings and evenings, we have come up with the perfect solution to counter those post-summer blues (and the cold!)… Hot Yoga of course!

Why Hot Yoga?
It is not hard to understand why yoga is so popular in the health, fitness and wellbeing world. Increased flexibility, strength, better posture, better breathing, a healthy heart and good circulation are only a few of the benefits that you can achieve!

 

But why are things (literally) hotting up?
To put it plainly, imagine each benefit you gain from yoga intensified. Stretching, posing and exercising in a hot environment is far more challenging than standard yoga, therefore the amount of concentration required to perform such physical moves, stretches and sequences forces you to meditate, focus, be aware of your breath and totally disengage from all outside thoughts. What’s more, with your heart pumping oxygenated blood around your body fast, your muscles and tendons can be stretched and strengthened to an extent that you never thought possible. Get ready to perspire those toxins and negative energies away to leave nothing less than a new, fitter, firmer, focused YOU!

So who are our faves?…

 

If you want only the best teachers…Fierce Grace Yoga
Fierce Grace was founded by the one and only Michele Pernetta; the woman who introduced Bikram yoga to the UK in 1994 after returning from LA. Therefore, leading the UK in the Hot Yoga revolution, you can guarantee that Fierce Grace will provide only the most passionate, motivated and experienced teachers. Therefore, reaping all mental and physical benefits from your hot yoga experience (as you deserve!) is a guarantee.

But don’t feel like you have to be an expert at yoga – beginners are welcome with open arms as each class is specifically orchestrated to be accessible for all ages and abilities. Simply choose from five fabulous classes – Core, Classic, Fierce Grace, Fierce (aka The Beast) or The Fix, to secure the exact experience you crave.

 

If you fancy a new kind of hot yoga…Tri Yoga “hot”
Jonathan Sattin had a vision that he wanted everyone to ‘triyoga’ and, come 2000 his dream came true. With the quality, accessibility and variety of his classes keeping clients returning again and again, this ethos was translated into the ‘Tri Yoga hot’ class, which set out to design a new kind of hot yoga experience.

The science? Rather than focusing purely on the temperature degree of heat, ‘Tri Yoga hot’ concentrates of the type of heat by using infrared waves. Therefore, the body rather than the room is heated, which stimulates an effective, detoxifying sweat at a safer, more tolerable intensity – perfect if you suffer from dizziness, are prone to fainting or have low blood pressure. Expect temperatures to range between 36-38C but enjoy and experience all the benefits as if your class was as hot as Bikram yoga (40C).

‘Tri Yoga hot’ is an alignment-based yoga practise based on the Tapasya method, therefore you will leave your class feeling revitalized, refreshed and not to mention sporting a super-healthy glow! Why not give it a Tri (see what we did there)?

 

If you want to take your hot yoga to new heights and hide-outs…Hotpod Yoga
Have you ever performed yoga in an inflatable pod? An inflatable hot pod? Then this is a whole new experience that every hot yoga fan must try.

Founders of Hotpod yoga, Nick Higgins and Max Henderson, wished to make the benefits of hot yoga accessible in as many ways (and places) as possible. Hence, after teaming up with award winning designers Inflate and Nick Elias, the portable hotpod was born! At a tolerable 37C, expect to enjoy a warm Vinyasa-Flow class to feel rejuvenated, glowing and calmed whilst simultaneously experiencing the benefits of an intensive physical workout.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Taking the country by storm and expanding from London to places such as Swansea, South Birmingham and Cheshire to name a few, Nick and Max thought it was time to take the physical and mental benefits of yoga to a whole new level (quite literally) by creating the only roofpod on earth. That’s right hip and healthies, hot yoga reaches new heights in Hackney! With 360 degree views of London, expect to feel calm, collected, liberated and on top of the world. Need to de-stress? Then this method beats any doctors’ prescription. Come and see it to believe it!

 

If your hardcore…Sohot Bikram Yoga
Do you desire to take hot yoga to the next level? Then Sohot Yoga is the one for you. Attracting clients far and wide, including celebrities such as Lady Gaga, this is not for the faint-hearted. Get ready for an intense 90 minute Bikram yoga class consisting of 26 postures and two breathing exercises to work every muscle, ligament, tendon and joint. Every posture prepares you for the next, and each proceeding posture gains from the previous one, resulting in incredible benefits that include improved posture, muscle & joint mobility, concentration, increased energy, and overall rejuvenation.

But be warned: the studio is heated to 105°F/41°C. If you can take it, expect to burn a rewarding 800-1000 calories a class, and experience a sport experience like no other. If you attend Bikram regularly, expect to see staggering results as your flexibility, strength, balance and mental state are stretched, strengthened and stabilised. Oh, and don’t forget your going to be sweating buckets of unwanted toxins of course.

 

If your mental state needs re-balancing…Fitness on Fire
Fitness on Fire lionises hot yoga as a means of specifically focusing, calming and centering the mind. The heat, set between 85 and 90F, gives you no choice but to concentrate on the task at hand, and live in the moment. By inhaling and exhaling heat, producing and profusing purifying sweat, peace, harmony, love and happiness exudes your soul and core. Feel strong, victorious, empowered and positive. After a class, expect to feel overcome with feelings of gratitude, as you realize the importance of yourself and your surroundings in the present moment.

If you wish to rediscover the benefits your body and mind can receive by means of meditation, then this is your go-to class. Achieve total harmony and synchronization with oneself to banish those unnecessary anxieties, and feel satisfied and fulfilled as you get back to being the best version of you – an ethos we hold dearly here at hip and healthy HQ. Let’s get physical!

words by Olivia Murphy

 

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Adopt Healthier Habits!

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Who’s up for a challenge this week? The Hip & Healthy crew have teamed up with Inner Me (the divine health, beauty and vitality supplement brand) to motivate and inspire you to adopt healthier habits this autumn! As our bikinis start to gather dust again after a summer of sedentary sun lounging action and one to many gelato’s, we’re on a mission to help you regain energy and wellbeing just in time before the festive season kicks off.

Throughout the week, we’ll be supplying you with a simple guide to making small lifestyle changes for the better along with a little inspiration from some of our fave “Healthy Babes”! We’ll also be sharing with you, our little chin wag we had with the gorgeous Nikki Cooper, (founder of Inner Me) all about how she stays healthy and happy and what gives her an extra boost for those “not-so-hot” days!

So to kick things off in true H&H fashion, here are some healthy habits that you can adopt right now!

 

Incorporate exercise into your commute
We all complain about stuffy trains, buses and tubes so why not change a proportion if not all of your commute to exercising? Whether it’s big or small, converting your daily commute into your daily workout is a cheap and incredibly easy way to get your blood flowing! Why not get off the bus a few stops earlier and run the rest of the way? Or invest in a bike and get those legs pumping before your day at the desk? Whatever it is, this healthy habit will not only refresh your lifestyle, but also you mind.

 

Check food labels
Tedious? Yes. Worth the time? Even bigger yes. You wouldn’t believe the kind of information you’ll find written in small black letters on the back of packaged food. High fructose corn syrup this, evaporated cane juice that… you’ll be surprised to discover that hidden sugars, additives and preservatives can be found in the most unusual of places. We’re talking, meats, “low fat” yogurts, condiments, salad dressings, microwave meals and those foods labeled as “light”, to name but a few. Seriously, those are just a few examples! When you come to your next weekly food shop, try and aim for foods that are in their most natural state and haven’t been processed and shoved in a sneakily appealing plastic wrapper. Your body will be thankful, we promise.

 

Shake up your workout routine
Getting bored of the same ol’ routine workout? Then it’s time to shake things up! It’s been proven that our bodies adjust to a certain way of exercising and there’s nothing worse than feeling totally demotivated mid lunge! Despite it getting colder, exercising outdoors is super refreshing and energising, especially if you can drag you best pal out with you too. Trying a new class or style of exercising can also help bring back your sweat spark, so be determined to push yourself out of your comfort zone… you never know what style of working out you could fall in love with!

 

Think positively
Positivity isn’t a trait you are either born with or without, it’s something you have the power to control. This week, try to approach situations in your life with more of a positive outlook. Negativity can often make things appear worse than they actually are and it can quickly become a vicious circle of one negative thought to the next. At the end of the day, maybe just before you switch off the lights, think of three positive things that happened that day. No matter how great or small, learning to see the positives in your life will quickly become second nature. Remember, “Everyday may not be good, but there’s something good in every day”.

 

Start taking supplements
When we need a little extra wellbeing boost, we look to Inner Me. This health, beauty and vitality supplement brand helps us towards feeling and looking as healthy as we can be. Dedicated to producing only the purest and highest quality of ingredients, Inner Me are passionate about giving health conscious women essential vitamins and minerals specifically tailored to their individual lifestyles. From lack lustre locks to dull, dry skin, Inner Me have got something for everyone.  To shop your perfect range, use our special 20% off discount code “HH20” here! 

words by Molly Jennings

Algerian Wedding Rice Recipe – The Balanced Diet Book From Jennifer Irvine, Founder Of Balance Box!

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Gaby came across this recipe when working abroad. This is a “pilaf” traditionally served at weddings, and with the North African combination of ingredients it is named “Algerian Wedding Rice”. It is normally a slow cooked dish, however we’ve speeded up the process so that it can be enjoyed more often.

Ingredients – Serves 2

100g quick cook brown rice

500ml vegetable stock

2 spring onions, finely sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

30g ready-to-eat dried apricots, roughly chopped into small bite size pieces

15g almonds, roughly chopped (or slivers)

25g pine nuts

To serve –

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

 

Preparation

Place the rice and the stock in a saucepan, and bring to the boil.  Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat so that it simmers, then cover tightly and cook for 20-25 minutes or according to packet instructions until tender. Drain.

Heat a small non stick pan with the olive oil and spring onions for a couple of minutes. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan. Add the cooked, drained rice and stir for a couple of minutes until well mixed. Serve with a sprinkling of black pepper on top.

Jennifer’s Tip:

You can use water instead of vegetable stock to cook the rice in if it is easier.

Upcyling:

This makes a wonderful, and unusual, basis for a rice salad.  Add some chopped fresh mango to the rice, and combine with mixed leaves and chopped cucumber.

Balance box

Fitspiration – Natalia Bojanic!

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How do you balance/sustain working in the hectic PR world with healthy living?
I incorporate exercise as part of my routine. Working out for me is a necessity like brushing my teeth. Eating healthily is a lifestyle choice that comes naturally to me and after exploring different nutritional recipes my new diet became part of my daily routine.

I try to go to the gym in the morning before going to the office so I won’t miss a session if I need to stay late. Doing exercise in the morning prepares my mind, body and soul for the hectic day ahead.

I also use the weekends to do most of my exercising. On Saturdays for example I do cardio, weights and yoga. Discipline is key, but when it all fails I try to keep active and instead of getting the bus back from work I walk or cycle.

 

Do you have a favourite way to exercise?
In the ideal world circuit training on the beach! In the grey reality of London I enjoy working out with my PT Joshua Clark who pushes my body to the limit and has absolutely no mercy! I balance the hard work with yoga classes that are essential to keep my body and mind relaxed and restored. I love the Hot Yoga classes at Triyoga with Julie Montagu.

 

What advice would you give to those who lose motivation to achieve a healthy lifestyle?
Have an achievable goal rather than something that is unsustainable. The important thing is to START, once you start feeling good and you start to see the results nothing will stop you. Progressively change your lifestyle and enjoy discovering new ingredients and find a fun way to exercise to suit you. However you still need to be able to treat yourself and reward yourself for all the good work you have achieved. I also think having an inspiration can boost your motivation, I use social media to learn new recipes and strengthen my willpower (I love a good #quote)

 

You’ve been shortlisted to the last 5 of the Women’s Health ‘Body’ Campaign; why do you think it’s an important campaign?
Putting a normal girl on the cover of a magazine shows that you don’t need to be a super model or a Hollywood star to be confident in you own skin. The other inspiring aspect of the campaign is that it shows how fitness can not only change your body but also empower you to achieve great things.

 

If you could change one thing about people’s attitudes to healthy living, what would it be?
I feel that people associate healthy living with a boring lifestyle, one that is surrounded by monotony, regime and removing guilty pleasures from your life. Since I’ve entered into this new lifestyle I’ve experienced the exact opposite. I’m now happier and more fulfilled than ever before!

 

Was there a moment when you truly realised that you needed to live healthily or have you always had healthy habits?
I’ve always had healthy habits and loved exercising, but just before I turned 30 I decided to dedicate more time and thought to my fitness life. How you look in your 20’s is partly down to your genetics but how you look after your 30’s is down to you! The more I realised that you can lead a nutritional and healthy lifestyle around a busy and successful career, the more passionate I became about this way of living.

 

You’re from Brazil, famous for it’s football, beaches and bums. Tell us about life over there and people’s attitudes to wellness.
I wonder if thats the correct order of importance! These are definitely 3 national passions. Vanity is not considered a negative trait in Brazil, so looking after yourself and being proud of your body is a part of who we are. The gyms are always busy, in Rio de Janeiro you see people from all ages exercising on the beach, and it is really easy to find fresh, organic food and best of all it is not pricey. Social status doesn’t matter, a Brazilian women will always want to look naturally sexy. On average they spend 11 times more on beauty products than European women!

 

What are the three, foods that are always in your kitchen?
Coconut oil, avocado, eggs, nuts, green tea and my Sunwarrior, vegan chocolate protein (sorry these are my six a day, three is not enough!)

 

Do you have any beauty handbag essentials that you couldn’t live without?
My Brazilian Strawberry Nivea lip balm (it is a real shame they don’t sell this one in the UK), something to keep my hair together and a bottle of water.

 

If you had to go away on holiday tomorrow, where would you go?
Home – I miss my friends and family, the Brazilian weather, the Brazilian food and the Brazilian warmth…

 

If you became the Women’s Health ‘Body’, how would you use your new, inspirational role?
I would love to help people see that keeping active, eating healthily and looking after your body can be fun and easy. I would love to help people embrace exercise and learn how to chose the food that is good for them. I would also hope that by sharing my passion for working out and nourishing my body, I would motivate people to have a healthy and happy life!

 

What are you favourite picks from the H&H store?
The obvious choice: Brazilian brand Track & Field of course! I love it all!

 

H&H support the gorgeous Natalia all the way! Want to vote for her? Click here and go and check out her profile here!

Get involved on twitter using the hashtag #WHTHEBODY2014 @UKWomansHealth

Get With The Glow – Hip & Healthy’s Top Moisturisers For Autumn!

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After an unusually long summer of sun, our skin is often left feeling dry, unloved and crying out for some intensive moisture to restore it to its former glory. Not only is this an essential step in order to soothe our sun-kissed skin and replenish its elasticity, but also, most vitally, to nurture and eek-out that all-important summer glow that we have worked so hard on over the past few months!

With a mind-boggling array of products out there on the market it is almost impossible to know where to begin, but here at H&H we have hand-picked our top six contenders that will leave your skin feeling gorgeous, glowing and youthful:

Sisley, Black Rose Precious Facial Oil, 25ml, £136
Skincare brand royalty, Sisley, have recently formulated a magical facial oil that is designed specifically to hydrate dry or dehydrated skin lacking in vitality. It’s a silky smooth dry oil that prepares and nourishes the skin, as well as tackling the signs of ageing, and it is a winner with us. Easy to apply, it sinks into the skin without a trace of shine and leaves it feeling supple, wholly revitalised and restored. Worth every penny? Definitely!

By Terry Cellularose Baume d’eau, 30g, £68
A fresh and deeply moisturising balm that combines the hydrating properties of an intense cream with the softness of a hydra-quenching gel, this product will be a secret weapon in your post-summer routine. Its has a delicate “rose scent”and “aqua-fluffy texture”that will revive even the thirstiest of skins, whilst containing active ingredients that are designed to specifically reduce the signs of fatigue in order to stimulate your natural glow. Perfect.

Clarins After Sun Replenishing Moisture Care for Face and Decollete, 50ml, £26
An old friend, but one that doesn’t fail. Clarins’iconic aftersun has long been a favourite and this version, specially formulated for the face, has that same wonderful smell of summer holidays, lightweight formula, and brilliant ability to both moisture and extend the life of your tan. You can go on using it long into the autumn months and it also sits beautifully beneath make-up.

Clinque Moisture Surge Intensive Skin Fortifying Hydrator, 50ml, £32
Another intensive moisturiser; this one is again designed for dry and delicate skin and is best for those in need of maximum hydration. Despite being described as a ‘gel’, it is more of a luxurious cream, which applied morning and night leaves skin feeling velvety soft.

Mio Future Proof active firming body butter, 240ml, £35
One of our favourite brands has come up trumps once again with their deliciously rich ‘Future Proof active firming body butter’. The name alone says it all and its magical ingredients carefully put back into your skin all the lost nutrients that the sun has reaped, leaving it strong, healthy and completely hydrated. A miraculous product that is so luscious you will not be able to resist slathering it all over you. Totally addictive!

This Works No Wrinkles Extreme Moisturiser, 48ml, £45
This one takes a more scientific approach with an ‘intelligent’formula that contains Moringa oil, Retinol and various amino acids that are designed to smooth the skin, reduce fine lines, and give long lasting hydration. We were tempted by the promise of no wrinkles and it certainly left the skin feeling soft, moisturised and clear.

words by Julia Page

Hip & Healthy’s Top Five Healthy Havens in London!

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The Good Life Eatery, Chelsea

After pounding the pavements of the Kings Road. Find refuge at The Good Life Eatery, located on Sloane Avenue. They have a wide variety of cold fresh pressed juices as well as healthy snacks and a delicious menu to choice from. Plus their Ronaccino (not always on the menu) is to die fore – A nut mylk frappacino perfect for perking you up in this hot weather.
59 Sloane Avenue, SW33DH.

RAW, Bayswater
Super chic and deliciously vegan, Raw is a T-Total restaurant set in up-market hotel La Suite West which is part of the Bespoke Hotels Group. What it lacks in alcohol it more than makes up for in superfood smoothies. Enjoy an energizing and immune-boosting drink on their outdoor terrace before moving inside for some seriously gourmet vegan fare – most of which is raw (obvi). Deliciously Ella is a fan! Plus they do a vegan afternoon tea, which is an absolute must.
41-51 Inverness Terrace, London, W2 3JN.  

Tanyas Cafe, Chelsea
A relatively new addition to the prestigious streets of Chelsea, is Tanya’s Cafe! If you love cocktails minus the alcohol then their superfood cocktail bar is where you need to be. Located in the trendy MyHotel, Tanya’s is all about embracing the busy 21st century lifestyle and proves that nourishing your body is easy and effortless no matter what time of day it is. This beautiful (and supremely delicious!) raw food restaurant is not to be missed!
MyHotel Chelsea, 35 Ixworth Place, SW3 3QX

The Retreat Café, Soho

This amazing café, located in Kingly Court in Soho, is the perfect place to meet a friend for a juice and a catch up. It is situated next door to TriYoga, so you could attend a class and then head to the café to relax and refuel in a natural, healthy way. Plus they have a Hip & Healthy Smoothie on offer! Be sure to give it a try and get our cleanse guide half price!
Kingly Court, Soho.

The Detox Kitchen, Knightsbridge
Set in one of our most coveted chic department stores, Harvey Nichols, the Detox Kitchen offers an array of delicious juices and healthy, dairy-free veggie food. We have a particular soft spot for their vegan, sugar-free brownies, which are best enjoyed with a hot drink teamed with one of their nut mylks… #yum! They also have just opened a restaurant in Soho’s Kingly Court!
Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge.

Nama, Notting Hill
Possibly one of our favourite places to go right now, Nama offers an array of delicious vegan dishes all of which looks as beautiful as it tastes. The smoothies are expensive but worth it and our top tip here would be to book your table to avoid disappointment. The vegan, raw lasagna is divine followed by a vegan “bounty bar” from their fridge for desert. The perfect place to go with friends and family for a light lunch or quick evening meal.
110 Talbot Road, London.

Words by Sadie Macleod

Image: Benfisherphotography.com