French Toast With Cinnamon Honey Recipe – The Balanced Diet Book From Jennifer Irvine, Founder Of Balance Box!

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I love to try to make my own version of a classic, but there are times when the classic is just right for me.  This is one of those occasions, the only difference being that instead of traditional white bread, I prefer the nutty wholesome flavour of rye or spelt bread, and it gives a great texture to the finished dish too.  This is diner-style breakfast at its best!

Ingredients – Serves 2

2 organic eggs

2 slices rye or spelt bread

3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon groundnut oil

To Serve –

2 sliced fresh bananas & 100g blueberries

 

Preparation

Beat the eggs in a bowl wide enough to hold both slices of bread. Cut the pieces of bread in half, and lay each of the slices in the egg.

Meanwhile, place your honey and cinnamon in a small bowl. Put the kettle on to boil and get a larger bowl.  Put the small bowl inside the larger bowl and pour hot water into the large bowl allowing the honey to warm through, leaving it runny. (This is otherwise known as a bain-marie)

Place a non-stick frying pan over a high heat with the ground nut oil. When hot add the egg soaked bread. Leave to cook for 2 minutes without moving, then flip over and cook on the other side for 1 minute or so.

Divide the bread between the serving plates and drizzle with the cinnamon-honey.  Put the banana pieces and fresh blueberries on each slice, and eat immediately!

Jennifer’s Tip:

A bain marie is a water bath used to warm food gently and gradually, and is great way to keep food warm.  I find this is the best method for melting chocolate, or – as in this case – for making honey more runny.

Balance Box 

Superfood Goodness – Find Your Perfect Green Powder With Hip & Healthy!

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This present day, awareness and research about the benefits of key green superfoods (chlorella, spirulina and wheatgrass to name a few) have become more prolific than ever. What’s more, with such fabulous foods available in convenient powdered form, consuming all the necessary vitamins and minerals has never been easier. But with so many different types of brands on offer, which one is for you? Never fear hip and healthies, for we have summarized the best of the best, so that you can select the greens that get you glowing with gorgeous goodness!

For ultimate detoxification – Neal’s Yard Organic Greens Complex
Feeling out of kilter? Need to rebalance after an overly indulgent summer? Then Neal’s Yard Organic Greens Complex powder is the one for you. Easy to include into your daily diet, simply sprinkle over food, in your tasty smoothie or juice, or even swap your regular espresso for an energy providing shot of green goodness!

Containing spirulina, spinach, parsley, chlorella, seagreens, barely grass, wheat grass, green tea, oat grass and acerola cherry powder extract, this powerhouse powder is bursting with antioxidants, chlorophyll and essential fatty acids, vitamins and nutrients to maintain a healthy alkaline balance, support healthy function of organs, and encourage a strong blood cell count. The result? A purified immune system, abundant energy levels and an effective, detoxified inner self that radiates inside and out!

 

For ingredients sourced from the most nutritious of places – Organic Superblends
With chia seeds functioning as the pivotal ingredient of the powder, these little seeds of goodness are mixed with an alkalizing blend of superfood powders such as New Zealand wheatgrass and Hawain spirulina. Guaranteed to be organic, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, wheat free, soy free and of course 100% raw, all ingredients sourced are harvested in climates where they yield the most nutrition. With all products containing no fillers, no artificial ingredients, no added sugar, flavours or preservatives, this superb superblend can be used in smoothies, juice or yogurt. What’s more, with every powder purchased, not only are you treating your own self to a treat of pure goodness, but also children across the UK, India and East Africa who have experienced poverty, abuse and neglect. Yes, that’s right, 10p is donated from every pouch sold to the Railway Children’s Charity – so buy your powders in the bulk!

 

For fitness fanatics – Organic Burst Super Greens Bundle
Basing its mantra purely on the terrific trio: chlorella, spirulina and wheatgrass, this is a must for all you gym bunnies. Organic Burst chlorella is a rich source of chlorella ‘Growth Factor’, a compound that quadruples itself every 24 hours! This, combined with the vitamins and essential fatty acids provided by the wheatgrass and spirulina helps the reparation of skin cells and muscle tissue – therefore a perfect dietary supplement to ensure you restore and protect your body after a rigorous workout. What’s more, the ‘three amigos’ (chlorella, spirulina and wheatgrass) contain thyroid-maintaining iodine and serve as a source of fibre which is not only good for your digestion and metabolism, but also helps you feel fuller for longer – preventing you from choosing unhealthy snacks between meals and gym sessions. Perfect for keeping that summer beach-bod trim and toned well into the winter months!

 

For the taste value – Wholefoods Green Superfood All Natural Drink Powder
Harvested by a family-run farm in Kansas, this raw food blend contains all the necessary superfood greens we know and love, but has a sweet, fruity kick to make the taste a sensation. For those of you who find most green superfood powders unpalatable, this is a must if you want a sweeter experience. Enjoy the additional antioxidant blend of raspberry, rose hips, pineapple, acerola cherry and apple pectin to ensure that your healthy addition to water, smoothie, juice, or any beverage for that matter (perhaps a funky fruit mocktail?) is anything but bittersweet. And of course, being gluten free, soy free and dairy free, this is perfect for vegetarians and vegans.

 

For those who make the quality of their powder a priority – Pukka ‘Clean Greens’ Powder
Many herbal teas or supplements on offer today vary greatly in quality, even if they don’t in the quantity of the herb present. This means that the ‘phytochemical character’ of that supplement may be substandard. Sadly, this affects the nutritional value and stops the supplement being as tasty as it could be. This occurs when manufacturers include cheaper food grade herbs rather than more exclusive ‘pharmacopoeial grade’ herbs. For Pukka, only the latter will do. Carefully selected herbs such as nettle leaf, chlorella, seagreens, kale seed sprouts, spirulina, parsley leaf and ginger to name a few, are primarily sourced from the most bountiful locations on the globe, then further tested to ensure the nutritional value has not been spoiled in the process. Pukka gets the pharmacopoial seal of approval, to ensure you get the full potential of natures goodness. Pretty Pukka don’t you think?

 

For those concerned with anti-aging – Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder
This natural multivitamin, high in antioxidants and rich in plant protein, is 100% organic, made from the naturally dried leaf of the moringa ‘miracle tree’ – and a health and beauty miracle it certainly is. Containing all nine amino acids and higher antioxidant levels than goji berries, green tea, blueberries, acai and pomegranates, dry and damaged hair, nail, skin and eyes will be a thing of the past. Being 25% protein, 24 times more iron than spinach and 21% more calcium than milk, this super-effective superfood aids protein synthesis, maintains normal oxygen transport in the body and even regulates hormonal activity to reduce the effects of stress, tiredness and fatigue. If that wasn’t enough, being a powder from dried leaves rather than an algae, drinking a beverage that mimics that of pond water is a thing of the past. Here’s to the new, brighter, younger you!

words by Olivia Murphy

image: Hip & Healthy Green Machine Smoothie – Recipe here! 

Future Olympian, Desiree Henry, talks running, nutrition and her must have kit!

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What ignited your love of running?

For me, I just loved watching the Olympics and being able to get involved on the track at such a young age and I think I’ve just got that passion and motivation to be the best. I enjoy working towards my goals and I ultimately want to, one day, be an Olympic champion.

What do you enjoy most about running?

It makes me feel good mentally as well as physically. I love pushing myself and seeing the results physically and when I do achieve a milestone it makes me feel proud and excited on the inside. I love it!

What is your favourite part of training?

My favourite part of training is the warm up because it brings the team together and we love to do loads of team building activities to get our spirits in the right mood. I also like preparing my body and getting in the zone.

What does your average day look like on a plate; so how early do you wake up, when do you start training, what’s your kind of day?

Well, training normally starts between ten and eleven, so I get up about an hour and a half beforehand, making sure that I’ve stretched and also had a nutritious breakfast. Training takes up about three to four hours of my day and then I’ve most likely got physio treatment after to make sure my body is still running smoothly enough for the next day of training. I’ve then got a lot of rehab activities to do which includes using NormaTech boots to help with recovery in my legs… I also do lots of stretching and foam rolling before tucking in to dinner. Then its lights out for some well deserved sleep!

What do you eat to keep fuelled?

I like to take homemade protein shakes, with ingredients like bananas or spinach. I can easily make them at home and take with me on the go.

What would your top tip be for those embarking on running as a form of exercise?

I would say to really enjoy it and if you can get someone to go with you and to have a laugh, even better! Exercising doesn’t have to be a boring and depressing thing, it can be something that you enjoy and love and you can feel proud that you are looking after yourself.

What’s your proudest moment?

My proudest moment would be, lighting the Olympic cauldron in the 2012 Olympics, that was an unexpected, emotional and happy moment for me. Just knowing that I was picked based on my past sporting achievement made me and my family so proud.

And, what’s your must have kit?

My must have kit must only be my adidas Energy Boost as they keep me feeling good and fit during training sessions. Every single time I feel like I’m sinking down in terms of energy, they manage to revive me and keep me going through tough sessions. They are definitely a must have during training.

Desirèe Henry is wearing the new adidas Energy boost – a revolutionary running shoe for women, combining energy return innovation with style led design.  Available now at www.adidas.co.uk/boost priced from £120

 

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Discover The Latest Health And Fitness Essentials!

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As the summer draws to a close and the post-holiday blues set in, here at Hip and Healthy we feel that the best solution to regaining that feel-good factor is by setting yourself some positive health and fitness goals to re-balance your mind, body and soul. But where to begin? To kick-start your road to summer-blues recovery, we have our very own health and fitness roundup, to ensure you get back to the best version of you in no time!

One-Shot Coconut Wonder Drinks  – Love coconuts but overindulged on the pina colada’s this summer? Never fear, for a brand new range of One-shot Coconut Wonder Drinks promise to restore your inner rhythm! 100% raw, natural and nutritious, combining a magical mix of kefir cultures, coconut goodness and tropical fruit flavours, these rhythm drinks are the first bacteria drink with no added sugar to provide a huge, three times as many types of bacteria than yogurt.

These little shots of pure goodness ensure ease of digestion and rehydration with the electrolyte salts that occur naturally in the coconut water. What’s more, their tropical flavours are sure to tantalize those tastebuds, as your choice of Coconut, Mango & Passionfruit, Coconut & Golden Lime and Pure Coconut make these shots taste more like a luxurious treat rather than a health-conscious choice. All this, yet still dairy-free, cholesterol-free, soya-free, gluten-free and low in fat, these little 126g coconut creations are just what the doctor ordered.

Rhythm Drinks are now in Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, Holland & Barrett and other independent health food stores nationwide.

Mi Adidas Customised Trainers – Do you lead a sport-inspired lifestyle, but have difficulty finding a trainer that ticks both the performance and style box? Then mi adidas customised trainers are a staple requirement in that shoe cupboard!

Available on a range of adidas footwear, including the revolutionary running shoe Energy Boost, 21, 10 Originals silhouettes and other Sport performance favourites, the customisation options allow the base, outsole, laces and inner lining design to become truly personal. Not only can you select your desired colours, but you can even add your own name, country’s flag or logo, without compromising on the sport shoe technology that continues to make adidas the go-to trainer for athletes. Waterproof yet lightweight, with the ability to mould to any shape foot, optimise your fitness performance whilst sporting your own unique style with personally crafted trainer-creations. What are you waiting for? Step on it!

Virgin Active’s “ZUU” Class! – Are you bored and uninspired by your gym workouts? Do you feel that training with weights and machines is too repetitive and uninspiring? Do you yearn for a full body workout that disciplines multiple muscle groups to achieve more effective results? Then it’s time to go ape, quite literally.

Virgin Active’s new, revolutionary ‘ZUU’ workout, designed by fitness guru Nathan Helberg, promises to develop mobility, agility, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance whilst strengthening muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and fascia. The science? Expect to return to those inherent animal instincts and unleash your inner ‘Gorilla’, ‘Bear’, ‘Iguana’, and ‘Frog’ to name but a few of the 100 unique ‘primal’ movements explored in each workout.

So is their method behind the madness? Yes! Helberg’s ZUU workout interweaves the seven primal and most natural of human movements – push, pull, bend, twist, squat, lunge and locomotion throughout a sequence of intermittent, high-intensity interval training to force the body into aerobic and anaerobic extremes. The result? A thrilling, animating and breathtaking full body workout that can burn up to 600 calories in 30 minutes.

ZUU is available exclusively at selected Virgin Active Health Clubs from early April. ZUU will be available at Virgin Active nationwide from the summer.

 

Tefal Infiny – There is no better way to get your five a day without a fruit blender or juicer. Yet, with many standard appliances, the waste and noise produced as a result renders your health efforts to a less than appealing endeavour. The solution? The Tefal Infiny Press Revolution of course!

The Tefal Infiny Press dries out and ejects any waste, therefore no waste chamber in the machine needs to be cleaned out during juicing. What’s more, all the removable parts are dishwasher-safe for ease of cleanliness and maintenance, with a compact size and shape to be easily stored in the kitchen. The Infiny Press has also been designed to be quiet ensuring that your early-morning orange juice does not only avoid disturbing the rest of the household, but can be enjoyed with peace of mind, as every morning should be experienced before the day ahead.

But the ‘revolution’ in juice preparation doesn’t end there. With two unique filters, the desired taste and texture of your smoothie can be controlled at your very fingertips. The orange filter enables any fruit or vegetable to be transformed into the smoothest of juices, whereas the pink filter enables a thicker coulis texture by filtering more pulp. Perfect if you wish to create a complimentary sauce for any dish, or evening desert!

So, if your summer fruit cocktail needs to be swapped for a detoxifying juice, smoothie or coulis, here at hip and healthy we give the Tefal Infiny Press Revolution a big 100% natural, 100% practical thumbs up!

 

Purple Balance Natural Food Company – An exciting discovery amongst the Hip & Healthy team is Purple Balance! Specializing in 100% natural, plant-based, gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar free protein powders and raw snack bars, this company’s mission is to offer only the best, most natural products to inspire people to have a positive, healthy approach to their eating habits.

Founded by Spanish entrepreneur, Frank Arrigazzi and his wife Christina, they decided to expand their nutritional backgrounds and create a fuss free, delicious brand that everybody could enjoy without having to worry about what was written on the back of the label.

Choose from their Raw Natural Chocolate Protein (designed for you chocoholics out there!), Raw Green Protein and Raw Omega Protein all of which offer a delicious blend of only the most natural and unbelievably wholesome ingredients.

More of an on-the-go gal? Opt for their seriously tasty raw snack bars that have the most delicious sounding names – Wild Pecan Choco Cake, Lemon Pie, Raspberry Cake and Goji Vanilla Cookie! Which ever one you choose, we can say with extreme confidence that one you go Purple Balance, there’s no turning back!

For more info and prices click here!

Hopps And Woolf “Mylk” Maker – Do you love milk but dislike dairy? Afraid of the quality of your dairy alternative? Then make your own nut or soya milk! This is precisely the ethos of Alex Hopps and Tom Woolf, who believe that the best, most nutritious milks are homemade. Their answer? The Hopps and Woolf milk maker, which ensures fresher, cheaper milk free from additives and preservatives giving you complete control over what you put into your body. If that’s not enough, you can even have your soya beans, almonds and hazelnuts delivered to your door, sourced from only the most ethical of farmers. But is making your own milk really necessary?

Yes, and with good reason. Cartons of almond milk can contain thickeners, preservatives and sweeteners. Some even contain as little as 2% almonds. With the milk maker, you can trust that your own heated, blended and pasteurized milk provides maximum goodness and optimum health benefits – because you control what constitutes your milk! Why not add other ingredients to suit your tastebuds – adding cacao powder to make your very own chocolate milk alternative is a real favourite here and Hip and Healthy HQ. Created in 20 minutes at the press of a button and guaranteed to stay fresh for five days, the possibilities are endless. Get milking!

Misfit Shine – Have you ever wondered if you’re moving enough? Have you made fitness goals but have no idea whether those goals are reached? With the new Misfit Shine, you can now keep track of your activity levels throughout the day, and even track your sleeping patterns to ensure you achieve optimum rest, relaxation, health and recuperation.

The sensor itself is made of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum and can be worn on your wrist or as a clip-on tracker using the included rubber wristband mount and magnetic clip. Versatile and built like a solid metal penny, it’s subtle and attractive enough to be worn on your collar, around your neck, or around your wrist. And you can take the Shine anywhere, even to the swimming pool, as it is waterproof up to 50 meters. With a six month battery life guarantee, this groovy gadget is built to last, yet looks super-smart, super-elegant as well as being super-strong.

Light, waterproof, practical and sexy, simply sync with the Misfit Shine app on your phone without any wires required. With a simple double-tap of the device, get ready to not only track your activity expenditure, but your sense of inner wellbeing as gratification levels sky rocket at your exercising successes!

words by Olivia Murphy

Chunky Red Lentil Soup Recipe – The Balanced Diet Book From Jennifer Irvine, Founder Of Balance Box!

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This is a quintessential winter soup:  hearty and warming, and packed full of vitamins. Just the thing to see you through a long, dark afternoon!

Ingredients – Serves 2

1 tablespoon groundnut oil

1 medium onion, peeled and roughly chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped

75g dried red lentils, rinsed and drained

400g can of chopped tomatoes

400ml vegetable stock

To serve –

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Small handful fresh parsley, finely chopped

 

Preparation

Place the oil in a medium-sized non-stick saucepan, and heat over a medium heat. Add the onions and leave to sweat for about 4-5 minutes, occasionally stirring. Add the chopped carrot and stir to mix with the onion.  Cover, and leave for another 4-5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add the lentils, the tomatoes (and their juices) and then the stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat so the soup simmers steadily. Cover the pan, and leave for 10-15 minutes, or until the lentils have collapsed and the vegetables are soft.

Season the soup with black pepper, then ladle into warmed serving bowls. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Jennifer’s Tip:  

This recipe works well with almost any root vegetables, so get creative! Try it with sweet potatoes, parsnip, potatoes or even celeriac.

Balance Box 

Aduna Launches A New “Super Ingredient”, Moringa!

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The 10th September 2014 marked the launch of Aduna’s second ‘super ingredient’: the new, super-charged, super-green super-leaf moringa. And as I was to learn, this little leaf is a mighty one at that. With Aduna priding itself on its exceptional and underutilized ingredients, sourced directly from small-scale producers in Africa, I couldn’t wait to attend the launch party to not only support the cause, but to officially #dothemoringa!

Known as ‘The Miracle Tree’ native to Africa and Asia, Andrew Hunt, co-founder of health and beauty brand and social business Aduna, informed me that moringa was the most nutrient-dense green superfood on the planet. As I peered skeptically into my delicious, mojito-inspired mocktail, which I was kindly given on my arrival, I needed convincing that my tasty green beverage was in fact a super-superior superfood.

It was Aduna Consultant Nutritionist Hala El-Shafie who alleviated my dubiousness. With her staggering statistics about the natural multi-vitamin, I was amazed to learn that moringa contains all nine amino acids and was higher in antioxidant levels than goji berries, green tea, blueberries, acai and pomegranates. The health benefits of this? Expect your hair, nail, skin and eyes to be radiant, glowing and gorgeous!

What’s more, being 25% protein, having 24 times more iron than spinach and 21% more calcium than milk, moringa aids protein synthesis, helps to maintain normal oxygen transport in the body and even regulates hormonal activity to reduce the effects of stress, tiredness, fatigue (great news if you are iron-deficient!). Even when compared to the most established ‘superfoods’ such as chlorella, spirulina and wheatgrass to name a few, moringa is significantly more nutrient-dense, being considered a ‘rich source’ or ‘source’ at RDA levels in vitamins and minerals such as A, K, E B1, B2, B3, B6, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, calcium and iron. Is there anything that this green powerhouse can’t do?

Nevertheless, I was still baffled by the delicious taste as I sipped my glass of pure goodness. Let’s face it, we consume green superfood powders not for the appearance and taste, but for the nutritional value. Yet, my marvelous moringa refreshment subverted such thought. Aduna Feel Good Chef, Saskia Gregson-Williams (founder of Naturally Sassy which we love and adore here at hip and healthy!) cleared my confusion. Saskia explained that flavour-wise, unlike chlorella and spirulina, which are algae and often found unpalatable, moringa has an earthy, ‘spinachy’ taste and is ideal for sprinkling onto salads, adding to soups or mixing into smoothies.

But the fun with moringa doesn’t stop there. As Saskia revealed during her inspirational, live raw cookery demonstration, the possibilities with moringa super-leaf powder are endless. I watched on in awe as she created moringa and avocado noodles, moringa key lime pie and even moringa and mint chocolate ice-cream! 100% organic, dairy free, soy free, wheat free, gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, my tastebuds were tantalized as I tucked into my not-so-naughty treats 100% guilt free.

Feeling excited and enlightened by my new awareness of #moringamiracles, I left the launch having achieved exactly what I set out to do; I was officially #doingthemoringa! Why don’t you?

Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder is available form Holland and Barrett, Liberty, Wholefoods Market, Planet Organic, Selfridges, As Nature Intended, Revital and other leading independent retailers nationwide and online via www.aduna.com

words by Olivia Murphy

Fitspiration – Ella Woodward (Deliciously Ella!)

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Your (awesome) blog, Deliciously Ella, has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years… Did you ever expect it to be so successful?

Not at all, I actually started it as a personal thing and never meant to show it to anyone so it’s really crazy to see how many people read it now!

In your “About Me” section on your blog you mention that a severe illness is what prompted you to start Deliciously Ella. What is Postural Tachycardia Syndrome and how did you overcome it?

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome is a chronic illness that affects the autonomic nervous system, affectively breaking it down so that most systems in your body don’t work as they should – I couldn’t regulate my heart rate, circulation, digestions, immune system etc. I tried conventional medicine for about six months but sadly this didn’t help and I was still bed-ridden most of the time so I decided to heal with food. Overnight I gave up gluten, dairy, refined sugar and meat and started eating a wholefood, plant based diet. It took me eighteen months to feel well again and come off my medication, but it’s really worked!

What do you love most about working in the health and wellbeing industry?

I love absolutely everything about it. I feel so lucky to work in an industry that I truly love and feel so passionate about. I also find that everyone who works in this industry is incredibly kind and supportive, which is amazing too.

If you could recommend one item of kitchen equipment for vegan cooking newbies, what would you suggest getting first?

I would get two items – a blender to make smoothies and a food processor to make awesome desserts, like raw brownies!

What’s your thought process when creating a brand new recipe?

It’s normally based on what I’m craving that day; I just play with ingredients until I find something that I love and that sates that craving.

Does it take a lot of experimenting before you get the finished product?

It really depends, sometimes it’s so quick but other times it takes a little longer. I find that savoury things normally come out well the first time that I try them as you can keep adding flavour as you go, whereas baking is much harder. Either way I always seem to make a lot of mess!

What are your three ingredients you couldn’t live without?

That’s such a hard question, there are so many things that I couldn’t live without but my favourite three ingredients are probably medjool dates, avocados and sweet potatoes – I’m really obsessed with all three.

What’s your favourite way to workout?

I like mixing up my work outs otherwise I get bored, I love yoga, pilates and dance classes though – I find that the time always goes so quickly and I leave feeling amazing. I love walking too so I try to walk as much as I can everyday, I’d much rather leave my house earlier and walk on a nice day rather than taking a crowded tube!

How do you stay motivated to exercise when you’re just having one of those days (or weeks!)?

If I’m honest I’m not always motivated, I think it’s totally normal to have a few days where you loose motivation but then I think it’s just a matter of scheduling in a class that you like and making it important – think of it like a meeting or anything else that you have to do. I find when I then do the class, even if I was dreading it, I feel so much better afterwards and my motivation to work out again comes straight back.

How do you like to refuel after a workout?

In the mornings I love making a big bowl of coconut porridge afterwards with banana and almond butter, it’s my absolute favourite thing! Smoothies are amazing too, I normally blend banana, frozen berries, almond milk, hemp protein, spinach and almond butter for an easy but delicious pick-me-up.

What’s your favourite go-to breakfast at the moment?

I go in phases, at the moment I’m obsessed with overnight oats and bircher muesli with lots of fruit, almond milk, cacao nibs and almond butter but I’m sure I’ll go into a porridge phase soon as we head into autumn.

Describe your dream holiday destination!

Anywhere with sunshine, fresh fruit and coconut water!

What are your top beauty essentials?

Coconut oil, brown sugar and oats! It may sound like a weird combination but I use coconut oil every day to moisturize. Then a couple of times a week I mix it with brown sugar and oats to do a full face and body exfoliating scrub which leaves my skin softer, smoother and fresher than anything I’ve ever bought.

Finally, what do you look for when buying activewear? Do you gravitate towards any particular trends or styles?

Anything with beautiful bright colours, I love working out in things that make me smile when I look at them – gyms are always quite dark places too so it’s great to add some colour to brighten them up!

Check out Ella’s blog (if you haven’t already!) here! 

 

#FITSPO: MADELEINE SHAW

 

Takeaway Tales – How Are They Damaging Our Bodies?

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Nothing beats finishing a long, arduous week in the office than a quick, carefree takeaway, eaten in the comfort of your living room sofa, washed down with a bottle of wine whilst enjoying a sedentary evening in front of the TV right? Wrong.

Here at Hip and Healthy, we were disappointed yet unsurprised at the recent findings accumulated by YorkTest laboratories, who provided staggering statistics to name and shame the UK’s love of convenience foods. That’s right hip and healthies, it would seem that we are in the severe minority, with people in the UK spending approximately £29.4 million a year on takeaways and the typical person splurging £109 per month on convenience meals. But, is it really worth it?

The statistics speak for themselves. Between January 2004 and January 2014 searches for ‘IBS Symptoms’ have increased by a jaw-dropping 85%. The causes of such discomfort differ for each individual (excessive consumption of dairy, wheat and gluten are common culprits), yet takeaway consumption is at its highest ever. The obvious irony, is that rather than a means of de-stressing, such actions in fact contribute to severe distress, preventing you from living your life to its fullest potential. With 18% more people searching for a Food intolerance Test on a Monday than any other day, this is key evidence to suggest that the weekend is making us feel anything but refreshed and revived for the following week.

So why does no solution seem to be transpiring? Why does the population continue to use and abuse their bodies, knowing full well that such irritable side effects will occur as a consequence?

In the present working world, long, stressful working hours are a common problem, tempting many of us to reach for that takeaway menu. What’s more, with the arrival of the weekend, people are 43% less likely to search for a solution to a health problem than at the beginning of the week, preferring to indulge and unwind with family and friends.

However, are we not allowed to let our hair down at the weekend? Of course we can! The weekend is a chance to socialise, catch up with family and friends, to mark a birthday, a job promotion, or just celebrate surviving the past week at work. Here at Hip and Healthy, we strongly believe that life is for living, having fun and a time to give and receive feelings of happiness and gratitude for the people and places around us.

This said, making too many unhealthy food choices and allowing portion control to fly out the window will hinder, rather than help you attain any of these goals.

The key? Moderation. Enjoying the odd treat here and there (and not just at the weekend!) whilst maintaining a hip and healthy lifestyle, is the perfect balance for your ultimate wellbeing.

So do you feel lack-lustre after an overly excessive weekend? Perhaps its time to curb the convenience foods, bypass the booze binge, and put portion perception into practice. The effect? A rewarding weekend that replenishes you back to the best version of you.

For the full blog post provided by YorkTest, click here

For the link to the YorkTest IBS symptoms page, click here

words by Olivia Murphy

 

London’s Newest Health Hub Opens! Meet Raw Press!

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With a splurge of juices bars currently opening up across London and taking the capital by storm, Raw Press, found on Dover Street in Mayfair, is one that stands out. Set up by cousins Jack and Toby Graham, Raw Press gets it right with a vibrant range of seven organic cold-pressed juices, three divine yet virtuous mylks, and a small but perfectly formed food offering.

On the liquid front, think refreshing coconut water, kale, spinach and more in the majestic ‘Super Green’ juice, and a sweet infusion of almonds, coconut water, dates, Himalayan salt, vanilla bean and raw cacao in the heavenly ‘Chocolate Mylk’ ! All are ‘squeezed’ and prepared on a daily basis and are made with only the best ingredients – so as well as being delicious, they are also incredibly good for you!

Their breakfast delights definitely do not disappoint! A choice of three delicious Acai bowls are whipped up with coconut yoghurt and home-made granola, whilst generous tranches of artesian bread (which incidentally you toast yourself in the unmissable yellow toasters that sit along the centre of the long communal tables) are served with slices of avocado or raw nut butter.

Lunch consists of four large bowlfuls of freshly made and gloriously healthy salads, designed exclusively for Raw Press by one of our on-going girl crushes Ella Woodward of Deliciously Ella, with creations such a zucchini noodles with brazil nut pesto (my favourite), a medley of roasted vegetables with sun-dried tomatoes and chilli, and an extremely more-ish quinoa, pomegranate and hazelnut salad.

Sweet (yet gluten, sugar and dairy-free) treats are not forgotten, with Ella’s infamous sweet potato brownies stealing the show, and a great selection of coffee and tea is of course available with a choice of dairy-free or nut milks.

Whether heading there for a power breakfast or a quick pit stop in the middle of a busy working day, Raw Press will certainly meet your healthy needs and cravings above and beyond expectation, and is without a doubt a welcome and exciting addition to the clean-eating Mayfair foodie scene.

Raw Press at Wolf & Badger, 32 Dover Street, London W1S 4NE
Monday – Saturday 10am – 6:30pm
Sunday – 11am – 5pm
0203 627 3190

 

words by Julia Griffith-Jones

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Get Back Into Shape With These Top Tips!

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Get clued up on your goals

Setting goals is a sure way to give yourself the best start when it comes to getting back into shape. It forces you to really think of what you want to achieve, how you want to feel and also look. An important aspect of setting yourself goals is to be specific. Saying that you want to look like a victoria’s secret model is all very well but that’s not going to give you a clear focus in the gym, nor in the kitchen. Jot them down on paper (or Iphone!) and you will soon discover whats important to you when it comes to being healthy and happy in your own skin.

Be Food Savvy

The food you choose to eat can either be your best friend, or your arch enemy. It’s quite astounding at how different types of food can affect the way you feel, especially when it comes to energy, productivity and even your mood. You also should consider that everyone reacts differently to food and what might suit your friend may not sit well with you. Becoming food savvy is learning to be observational…notice what your eating and how your body reacts to it. There is no right or wrong, it’s just a process of learning what foods make you feel at your best. We would suggest however to remove all artificial sugar and processed foods from your diet, we’re certain this alone will give you a massive heads start!

Hit Refresh On The Inspiration Button

Motivation and drive to exercise and eat well definitely likes to come and go when it pleases, and sometimes at the most inconvenient times! RSVP to your friends birthday bash? Check. Dancing shoes? Check. Dress to die for? Check. Motivation to workout so you can look hot? Ermm no..someone pass be the chocolate! Nobody is perfect and we all need some inspiration when we feel its dried up! Go old school and put up a few pictures of inspiring quotes or people you admire around your room or your workspace. You’ll be reminded of why you started and why being healthy is important to you. Or, if you haven’t already, get yourself on instagram and follow some accounts that you feel inspired by. There are some truly awesome people out there who offer workout tips, nutritional advice and lots of fun and healthy food ideas to get your Hip & Healthy juices flowing again. Some of our favourites include @censkiii @deliciouslyella @madeleine_shaw @naturallysassy_ @nataliabojanic @honestlyhealthy @calgaryavansino and @hipandhealthyuk (duh!)

Put The Emphasis On How You Feel Rather Than How You Look

We can all get caught up in body image and wanting to look like perfection, but an attitude that solely focuses on whats in front of the mirror won’t beat an attitude that focuses on overall, positive wellbeing. Shifting the emphasis from your reflection to your mind is the best step you can take towards achieving the body your deserve.

Try A New Way Of Exercise 

Another fantastic way to get back in to shape is trying a new way of exercising. Sometimes we can all get stuck in a particular workout rut and our bodies can adapt very easily to certain ways of exercising, so switch things up with a new class or new training programme. To make it more fun team up with your best workout buddy and go together… you’ll support and push each other through your new way of exercising AND nothings better than having a girly (or manly!) catch up over a post workout smoothie afterwards!

words by Molly Jennings

image: Roxy

Hot Honeyed Chicken Salad Recipe – The Balanced Diet Book From Jennifer Irvine, Founder Of Balance Box!

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I love warm salads – all the goodness of cold salads, but they feel just right any time of the year!  This favourite – both at The Pure Package and at home – came from Gaby, and is sweet enough to entice the children, savory and deliciously crunchy enough for the adults.  A sure winner!

Ingredients – Serves 2

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 small free-range chicken breasts, skins off, cut into thin strips

1 carrot, cut into thin strips

1 celery stick, cut into thin strips

1 red onion, finely sliced

1 tablespoon tomato puree

1 tablespoon honey

¼ teaspoon curry powder

To serve –

2 handfuls baby spinach, washed

Small handful fresh parsley, finely chopped

20g cashew nuts, unsalted

 

Preparation

Heat the oil in a wok or deep heavy-based frying pan, over a medium-high heat.  Add the chicken, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the carrots, celery and onion to the pan, place the lid on and cook for a further 5 minutes until the onions are soft and chicken is cooked.

Meanwhile make the dressing.  In a small bowl combine the tomato paste, honey and curry powder, and stir until well mixed. Add to the pan and mix through for a couple of minutes.

Place the baby spinach into serving bowls. Top with the chicken and vegetables hot from the pan. Garnish with the parsley and cashew nuts.

Jennifer’s Tip:

This recipe works well with left-over cooked chicken also – simply shred the chicken and add to the vegetable mix before you add the dressing.  When heated through, add the dressing, parsley and nuts.

Upcycling

Once cooled, the flavours of the salad develop further, making it a perfect filling for a soft corn tortilla wrap.

H&H would like to offer you all £20 off your Balance Box Delivery using the code “HH20”. This offer is valid until the 30th September.

Redeem this awesome offer here! 

The 10 Beauty Innovations You Won’t Have Heard Of Yet!

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These new, niche products with fill a void your beauty regime you never knew existed. From cocktail-style skincare that’s selling out in LA, to the backstage staple every make-up artist has in their kit – meet the new must-haves on the beauty block!

The Skincare Boosters – Odacité Pure Elements, £21-46

Is your complexion calling out for something a little more prescriptive? The good news is you don’t have to overhaul your entire regime to combat sporadic skin issues, just supercharge your regular moisturiser with one of these targeted Serum Concentrates. You only need to mix in 2-3 drops because the formulas (there are 18 in total) are super specific; forget catch-all categories like ‘oily’ and ‘dry’, you can address pretty much any concern with these souped-up boosters; from Capillaries and Eye Contours to Sagging Skin and Cell Energy. Which will you add to your skincare arsenal?

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The New Alphabet Cream – Estee Lauder Enlighten Even Effect Skintone Corrector SPF 30, £34

As more and more beauty brands jumped on the CC and DD bandwagons, there was a certain inevitability about the EE (Even Effect, btw). October sees the launch of Estée Lauder’s new Enlighten Skintone Correcting Collection; the EE Crème contains colour-correcting pigments to even out skin tone, but it also delivers practically impenetrable protection against UV, pollution and free radical damage to circumvent the onset of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Believe the hype.

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The Backstage Brush Cleanser – Japonesque Goats Milk Cleansing Balm, £16

Cleaning make-up brushes is a massive faff, right? Well not anymore, thanks to Japonesque’s Solid Brush Cleanser. Dampen your brush head and swirl it around the goat-milk balm to instantly dissolve make-up, then just rinse and let the bristles dry naturally. Completely genius!

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The Black Moisturiser – Optimum PhytoBrighter Triple Action Illuminating Black Moisturiser, £12.99

Pep up dull skin, banish those ‘greige’ undertones and smooth over wrinkles with this antioxidant powerhouse. Yes, we agree, it seems counterintuitive to slather on a black cream, with no intention of buffing it off, but the formula sinks into skin in seconds (leaving behind zero residue) and it gives your complexion a bright, lit-from-within glow.

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The Superfood Cleanser – Nourish Kale Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser, £16.50

Kale has a knack for overachieving in salads and skincare alike. In this ‘turbo natural’ formula, organic kale extract boosts skin suppleness and dials down redness, while pomegranate enzymes degunk and probiotics jolt sluggish skin cells in overdrive. Future cult product alert.

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The Multitasking Mist – LOVE + SALT Beach Hair & Body Mist, £14

Introducing, by way of New York’s Rockaway Beach, the lazy girl’s styling staple. Without coating or stiffening strands, this vegan, volume-enhancing spray gives hair a soft, textured finish – and it’s a prerequisite for perfectly tousled, beachy waves. In fact, thanks to a generous dose of coconut oil and aloe vera, you can use it as a hydrating body spray too. Did we mention it smells amazing? It does.

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The A-List Facial – BRAD Biophotonic Ultra Peel, £105 

A favourite among LA dermatologists, this is basically microdermabrasion (minus the downtime) in a tube. It’s an inconspicuous -looking, lightweight gel, but it blitzes congested pores and plumps up the contours of your face. Glycolic and lactic acid saturate skin with moisture, and pyruvic acid fights acne and any superficial scarring – so you can cancel that facial.

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The Make-up Hybrid – Bare minerals Bareskin Foundation, £26 and Perfecting Face Brush, £24

The brand that championed mineral has figured out how to make a liquid foundation that’s as suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin as its original power formula. So what’s the secret? Well, it’s easier to list what this foundation doesn’t contain; no alcohol, no synthetics, no fragrance, no water. Jojoba-coated mineral pigments are suspended in a coconut-derived base, and it’s brimming full of brightening vitamin c and lilac plant stem cells. And the brush, with its quirky fluid reservoir, is inspired.

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The Hero De-Stresser – Aveda Shampure Composition, £22

Set the scene for an at-home spa experience with this essential oil blend. Add to running bath water, massage into damp skin, nourish your scalp, soften your feet, treat your cuticles… and let the heavenly lavender and ylang ylang aroma permeate the rooms of your house. This aromatic potion will, without fail, bring your back from the brink. And breathe.

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The Gym Bag Essential – Percy & Reed Tools Of The Trade Accessories Wrap, £15

This diminutive, expertly-curated wrap comprises all the tricks and tools you need to pull-off a sleek, post-workout updo. There’s a set for dark hair and one for blondes, and each contain a keyhole instant updo pin, 3 hook bands, 15 smooth glide slides, 10 drag-free elastics, 2 get-the-look cards and a pony tail band. That’s one less excuse not to make that 7am spin class then.

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words by Charlotte Jolly

image: Pinterest