At the office, in the gym, lunchtime runs to hitting the high street – how to make sure you fit hydration into your busy schedule

We all know how important staying properly hydrated is for our health, especially when you’re always on the move like we are. From early morning yoga classes to breakfast meetings and lunchtime runs – when you’re always on the go, it’s important to make sure that you stay hydrated.

However, if you’re conscious about the environment like we are, you’ll want to reassess your use of plastic water bottles. The UK alone consumes 18 billion plastic bottles each year, and since only a quarter of these are recycled this means 38 million plastic bottles end up in landfill every single day! The solution? An eco-friendly, filtered water bottle that you can take with you on those busy days when you’re on the go. Our choice? BRITA Fill&Go.

The perfect companion for busy bodies, here’s how we make the most of ours throughout the day:

Pre-breakfast: It’s super important to drink water as soon as you wake up as our bodies have often gone 7-12 hours without any liquids at all, and you know what this means – dehydration! Before eating anything, try to drink a Fill&Go full of water (600ml) to replenish and revitalise a dehydrated body. For an extra kick of goodness, add a squeeze of lemon for a pre-breakfast metabolism booster, liver detoxifier and bowel cleanser.

Mid Morning: Once you’ve enjoyed your pre-breakfast bottle – don’t stop there! If you’ve done a morning workout or are partial to a morning coffee, then it’s extra important to get another Fill&Go in before lunchtime. At this time of morning we love sprucing ours up with fresh berries for an all-natural and super healthy take on vitamin water. Added bonus – the sweetness from the fruit wards off any cravings for those vending machine nasties.

Afternoon: Keep your Fill&Go close by and aim to drink at least one full bottle during the afternoon.

Post-dinner: After dinner, try adding some fresh mint leaves to your bottle for a freshly fragrant digestive aid. Lovely and soothing, fresh mint leaves are a great herb to have on hand to slip into your Fill&Go at any time of day, especially if good digestion is what you’re after!

Available in pink, blue, green and grey, BRITA Fill&Go is BPA free, dishwasher safe and comes with a handy removable drinking straw – making it an easy to use on a treadmill or spinning bike with just one hand. A simple and effective way to remind you to drink more water, with your BRITA Fill&Go on hand, you’ll be happily hydrated all day long. RRP £14.99.

To celebrate our collaboration with BRITA, we’ll be giving away 5 Fill&Go’s to 5 lucky Hip & Healthy readers! To enter, head over to our twitter & retweet ‘Always on the move? Retweet for your chance to win a Fill&Go #BetterwithBRITA’ to go into the draw to win! 

Hip and Healthy have partnered with BRITA for this hydration challenge as part of the #BetterwithBRITA campaign. For more info visit www.brita.co.uk.

By Zsa Zsa Vella

promo logo


If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Drink 2 Litres Of Water A Day!



Hip & Healthy x BRITA Presents: The 10 Day Water Challenge!

Do you drink 2 litres of Water every single day? The answer is probably not! One of the easiest and simplest ways to improve wellbeing – it is recommended by health experts (notably the glowing Madeleine Shaw) that we consume two litres of H2o per day to ensure our bodies are running smoothly and efficiently.

Whilst making sure we’re drinking the recommended amount on a daily basis can sometimes seem like a bit of a chore – it needn’t be! Especially when you know that by doing so you can expect clearer skin, better digestion, sustained energy and enhanced fitness! With this in mind, we have joined forces with #BRITA and are challenging you (and your friends and family – get them involved too) to drink more water!

Over the next 10 days, we will be posting articles including expert tips and tricks and water based recipes, and keeping you motivated via social media so you stay inspired and in the game over the next week and a half. The aim of this challenge is to show you how by upping your water intake, you can feel and look great every single day, inspiring you to continue the good work and stay healthy, happy and hydrated on your own!

To get involved be sure to upload photos to social media of you and your loved ones enjoying your daily dose of H2o with the hashtag #BRITAWaterChallenge. Get sipping!

Hip and Healthy have partnered with BRITA on the 10 day hydration challenge which is part of the #BetterwithBRITA campaign

By Zsa Zsa Vella


IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… DRINK 2 L OF WATER!



Exclusive Mummy Baby Yoga Retreat in Surrey

Calling all Hip & Healthy MAMAS: Come and join us in the Surrey Hills at Nurture with Nature’s first event! We’ll be indulging in a morning of post natal yoga and super yummy brunch, with childcare provided all morning and an optional session of baby yoga too! What better way to spend your Friday morning?!

Nurture with Nature aims to help parents make the best possible choices for their children and themselves! Their founder, Cecilia Kristiansen, strongly believes that healthy living should be a holistic mantra, not only about the foods we consume, but also about keeping fit, staying happy and being considerate to our environment and world around us.

THE DEETS

FRIDAY 14TH AUGUST, 9.00 -12.00, £35

HIGH BARN, HIGH BARN ROAD, EFFINGHAM, SURREY, KT24 5PR

 One ticket includes:

  • 1 hour post natal yoga for mummies
  • Optional 30 minute baby/mummy yoga class
  • 30 minute ‘Nutrition for Kids’ talk
  • Brunch; including breakfast muffins, granola bars, fresh fruit,
  • 1x organic cold pressed juice and 1x nut milk
  • Goody bag
  • Childcare for babies/children throughout

ALL YOU NEED TO BRING IS YOUR BABY AND A MAT

BOOK HERE


POST-PREGNANCY BODY WORKOUT TIPS



Keeping The Summer Spirit Alive

These stylish picks from the Hip & Healthy team are all about embracing the high spirits of the season and keeping the summer spirit alive for as long as the weather permits! So whether you’ll be getting your sweat on in a park, on the beach or pounding the pavement this sunny season, we’ve rounded up our top summer active wear essentials to get you inspired to move!

Gem&I Slogan Tee’s

Be loud and proud this summer with Gem&I’s witty slogan tees – the ultimate style statement! The soft jersey fabric of these t-shirts makes them the perfect addition over a bikini top or paired with any of the leggings below to inject a touch of glam into your workout!

Alo Yoga Leggings Airbrush floral

The perfect summer yoga pants, this lovely print has all the colours of an English garden in full bloom. Designed to be comfortable for every flow of yoga, these pants are our go-to for morning yoga in the garden.

Tiny Fish Canguu Beach Capris

This striking print will have you flowing from pose to pose as fluidly as the ocean and the capri length makes them great for warmer days. A perfect compliment to your beach side yoga class or morning run – we love the hypnotising shades of blue reminiscent of ocean waves.

L’urv Paradise Palm Leggings

If you can’t be within the palm trees this summer, wear them! These leggings are designed by the L’urv team from Australia who have summer style down to a tee. A wardrobe staple here at Hip & Healthy – these Lurvable leggings make for the perfect yoga class to brunch attire.

We Are Handsome Chameleon Active Leggings & Bralette

One of our favourite pieces of the season, this to-die-for duo have that ‘wow’ factor we just can’t resist. Champion all things tropical this Summer and embrace your inner wild in this must-have fit fashion set that’s on every fitness-istas radar.

They’ll Never Find Us Slogan Tanks

Nothing makes us smile more than everyone coming together cheerily on a summer’s day, so why not make more people smile with They’ll Never Find Us’ happy slogan tanks! Featuring mantras such as ‘Be A Nice Human’ and ‘Hooray For Everything’ – the fabric is lovely and soft and the loose fit is flattering and comfortable for any occasion. We love!

By Annabel Armitage


STYLISH SPORTS BRAS TO SUIT YOUR SHAPE


 


Pip&Nut Sachet With Every Activewear Order This August

Nut butter give-away. Need we say more? I do ‘nut’ think so, but here we go anyway…

With every purchase from the Hip and Healthy online store this month, we are giving away a squeeze pack of Pip&Nut nut butter! Squeeze this deliciousness into your smoothie bowl, onto your toast or over your porridge for a generous dose of healthy fats and plant-protein.

The brainchild of athlete Pippa Murray who started making her own nut butters after looking unsuccessfully for healthy snacks free from palm oil, refined sugars and other nasties – what resulted was the pure deliciousness of Pip&Nut. Initially housed in a Maltby Street Market stall, now the trio of butters (almond, peanut and coconut + almond) can be found in Selfridges, Sourced market, Partridges and As Nature Intended.  Be sure to sign up to our newsletter and use the code PIPANDHEALTHY when ordering online to receive 20% off until the end of August.

We love the nut butters that Pippa and her team of ‘squirrels’ are bringing us and we want to share the nutty love with you! So get your new activewear ordered, get it on, get moving and refuel with your handy Pip&Nut nut butter sachet this August!

PS. If you or the person your buying for has a nut allergy please do let us know by emailing [email protected].

By Annabel Armitage


HEALTHY CHOCOLATE NUT-BUTTER CUPS RECIPE


 


How much do you really know about blood sugar?

‘Sugar’ is the taboo word of the moment, with people becoming ever more interested in its effect on our day-to-day functioning. If this is you, you’ll likely already know how this highly processed ingredient affects your complexion and waistline, but how much do you know about its impact on blood sugar levels? (Hint: it’s the secret to a better mood and sleep cycle!)

Regulating your blood sugar levels is something of a balancing act, and while our bodies are pretty well-equipped to keep it in check, not getting the nutrients we need can throw our blood sugar equilibrium off-kilter. According to nutritional therapist and co-founder of Wild Nutrition, Henrietta Norton, there are some fundamental giveaways to knowing if your blood sugar levels are fluctuating more than they should.

Revealing how anxiety, poor sleep, low energy, irritability and a feeling of being ‘over-stimulated’ are all potential side effects, Henrietta adds that blood sugar imbalances have been shown to make us feel hungrier too. This can be the culprit for bad food choices and sugar cravings; which feed this unhappy cycle even more.

Explaining the biology behind it, Henrietta describes how foods containing sugar rouse the pancreas to release insulin, which pushes the sugar into our cells; spiking blood sugar levels and giving you a burst of energy. However, if the food you’ve just eaten is particularly high in quick-releasing sugars, the insulin panics that there is too much for your body to handle, and removes the sugar only shortly after pushing it into the cells. This ‘sugar high’ followed by the ‘sugar low’ can lead to feeling hungry again sooner (particularly for sugary foods), as well as fatigue and the dreaded mood swings.

But it’s not all doom and gloom! The Wild Nutrition co-founder sheds light on how to counteract these effects and keep your blood sugar levels stable. Unsurprisingly, a balanced diet that includes all the essential macro and micronutrients is key. Why? Because sugar is hiding in more foods than you may think.

“Be vigilant about checking snack food labels for glucose syrup, dextrose syrup and high fructose corn syrups,” advises Henrietta. “These types of sugars will cause blood sugar levels to soar.”

Need to sweeten a drink? She suggests a little maple syrup, natural stevia root powder, Manuka honey or coconut sugar, but cautions, “Avoid sweeteners, as even these have been show to affect blood sugar levels. The sweet taste still signals insulin production in the body.”

And in case you needed another reason to forgo white flour products, did you know they release glucose quickly into the bloodstream, and are a prime example of causing the ‘sugar low’ mentioned before? Brown rice, quinoa and buckwheat are all great alternatives; helping to sustain your blood sugar and prevent those unhelpful spikes.

Thankfully for those of us loving the summer influx of strawberries and cherries, Henrietta does not believe fruit should be avoided when trying to manage your blood sugar. However, she does suggest sticking to 2 servings per day to limit your fructose intake, and favours the lower-sugar options such as pears, apples, plums and berries. “To slow down the release of sugar, combine fruit with nuts and seeds,” she says, revealing her top tip. “For example, you might eat an apple alongside four almonds and a small handful of pumpkins seeds.”

She adds, “Dates have become enormously popular with healthy recipes, but they are very sweet so you only need a few – not 10 or 20!”

As for vegetables, while Henrietta believes strongly that “all vegetables are great”, she does advise you to “moderate your intake of starchy vegetables such as parsnips and pumpkin, and ideally eat them with plenty of protein and healthy fats.”

She continues, “All meals should include protein and healthy fats, as these food groups take much longer to break down in the stomach and provide a slow and steady source of energy – imagine a dripping tap of sugar rather than a tap turned on full blast!”

Her final tips – get to bed on time and keep those stress levels down! Research shows getting enough sleep can improve how effective our body is at using insulin.

“When our adrenal glands produce stress hormones such as cortisol, our liver also releases stored glucose called glycogen,” Henrietta explains. “This glucose circulates in the blood stream and is likely to be converted into unwanted fat in the body. Supplementing your diet with magnesium and adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, as well as practicing calming exercise such as yoga or Pilates can be very supportive for de-stressing.” To the studio we go!

Henrietta Norton is a London based Nutritional Therapist and co-founder of Wild Nutrition www.wildnutrition.com – Henrietta’s new book ‘Your Pregnancy Nutrition Guide’ is out 8 Aug (Vermilion) £8.99.

Words by Zoe Louise Cronk


 HOW TO: STOP SUGAR CRAVINGS IN THEIR TRACKS


 


H&H Natural Beauty Favourites

If summer hasn’t reminded you how beautiful and restorative nature is, let these beauty products! The power of plants, natural oils and skin-glowing goodness is unmistakable inside these charming tubs and tubes. What we put on our faces and skin, is just as important as what we choose to fuel our bodies with – so for those of you yet to explore the world of natural beauty, here we show you our favourite products that you’ll enjoy using and your skin will love.

MOA Daily Cleansing Ritual

This daily cleansing ritual is perfect for any girl with an on-the-go lifestyle that wants to keep her skin looking super refreshed. Within the handy tube that this clever cleansing ritual is contained within, you receive MOA’s infamous ‘Green Balm’ packed-full of nourishing oils and a luxurious soft bamboo towel. The oils in this balm make for a great natural makeup remover, whilst encouraging improved circulation to the cells on your face to help you get that healthy glow! If you’ve been considering switching to green beauty for a while now, make the transition with this 100% organic cleanser.

Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser

Here at Hip and Healthy, we love coconut in all its guises, and this Odylique Creamy Coconut Cleanser is no exception! With ingredients like rose, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil, this intensely nourishing cleanser is superfood for your skin at its finest! This cleanser is wonderful for removing makeup and any ickyness from the day that your skin has picked up. If you struggle with sensitive skin, the natural oils in this gentle cleanser will soothe and restore skin back to its optimum state.

Skin & Tonic Brit Beauty Oil

This East London based brand is a firm favourite of ours and this product is up there amongst our all time faves. Featuring a whole host of wonderful omega rich oils and antioxidants to improve cell regeneration – with ingredients like chia seed, thistle and sunflower oil you can rest assured these ingredients are just as good for you on the inside out. It doesn’t hurt that it’s non-GMO, vegan, organic and made right here in the UK too!

Oskia Get Up & Glow

This water-based gel has the most smoothing and soothing quality to it that makes it one of our current obsessions. Featuring twelve beauty-boosting actives that will leave you feeling like a super model post-application, this skin booster provides a skin plumping affect to ensure you have a gorgeous youthful glow all year round. We are exposed to tons of free radicals in our environments and in the foods we eat, but this product works as a barrier to protect our skin from the damage these can cause in the long term – what’s not to love?

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil

Not only do we love this product for its lovely colour and hypnotizing smell, it also reaps so many benefits! This organic vegan friendly serum is fabulous if you have any scars, stretch marks, or even fine lines that you want to eradicate in the most natural way possible. All thanks to the host of miracle worker ingredients such as- Trans-Retinoic Acid, to aid in the skin’s natural repair by targeting the deepest layers of your skin and Vitamin A – to give your skin a natural, beautiful glow. Not only is Rosehip fabulous for repair and restoration, it is also known to increase firmness and skin elasticity, so if you had a little too much fun over the weekend no need to worry, this product is awesome as an all-natural damage control.

VOYA Get Glowing Illuminating Marine Face Mask

Our newest obsession – let nature work its magic with this all natural illuminating face mask that will leave you with a glowing and revitalised complexion. This purifying and brightening face mask blended with rosemary, patchouli and mineral rich hand-harvested seaweed deeply detoxifies and leaves skin feeling soft and radiantly renewed.

By Isabella Stelle 

Image: Seafolly


THE BEST NATURAL WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR HAIR



The Hip & Healthy Yoga Retreat Guide

Jivamukti or Restorative? English country pad or Mediterranean agroturismo? Go solo or take a friend? Choosing a yoga retreat can be overwhelming and time-consuming – not what you need when you’re craving some stress-free time out. Here founder of Stretching the City and regular yoga retreat organiser, Sally Lovett shares her top 5 Yoga Retreat tips.

1. Do your research and pick a yoga style that resonates.

Assess your intentions for wanting to go on a retreat. Do you want to build your pratice with a strong and dynamic style, or are you craving a much-needed rest with some restorative yoga? Find out who the teachers are and what kind of style of yoga they teach. At the same time, be open to exploring other styles you might not have tried. On Stretching the City yoga retreats we have a super relaxing yin yoga class on the Saturday night, which is often our guest’s first introduction to yin yoga, and for many of them, their favourite class all weekend.

2. A yoga retreat isn’t just about yoga

On a typical yoga retreat day you’ll have two classes- one in the morning and another in the evening. Whilst yoga plays a prominent part on the retreat timetable the retreat experience is inevitably so much more than the twice daily classes. The location, nourishing healthy food and like-minded company also make up the magic of the retreat. So make the most of it by exploring and soaking up your retreat surroundings, mingling and making new friends and squeezing the most of the time between classes.

3. Pack wisely

Irrespective of the location and climate of your retreat, I’d suggest taking a good book for indulgently relaxing afternoons, some cosy PJs or loungewear and slippers to make yourself feel right at home and a notebook for some self-reflective musings. Try and leave your phone alone. You’ll undoubtedly want to take some snaps of the instagram worthy food that’s served up, but try and hold off posting until your return home. A couple of days away from your online world will leave your mind feeling much clearer.

4. Everyone is welcome

If you’re worried about being the only bloke, coming on your own, or even with your other half, there’s no need! Admittedly, there is usually a majority of female guests, but we have male guests too. In fact, it works well for the group dynamic to have guys and girls. Solo retreats are the norm and will be teamed up to share rooms with others travelling solo and we also warmly welcome couples, groups of friends, siblings and parents and offspring.

5. The retreat doesn’t have to stop at home time.

Often at the end of retreats we see our guests leaving feeling inspired by new recipes, raring to get on their mats every morning, or simply leaving with a spring in their step. Even the best intentions can be a challenge to keep when we’re back in your home routine, so at the end of retreat, write down 3 things you want to take from the retreat and do your best to stick with them. It might be making a new recipe, or making a commitment to meditate every morning. Whatever they may be, committing to a regular practice will keep your post-yoga retreat glow in tact for weeks to come.

by Sally Lovett, founder of Stretching the City & Wellness Coach. Sally runs yoga retreats through her company Stretching the City and 1-on-1 wellbeing consultations. Visit www.stretchingthecity.com/retreats and www.sallylovett.com.

Image: lululemon


 H&H GUIDE TO STOCKHOLM | H&H GUIDE TO PARIS 



Zesty Bulgar Wheat & Watermelon Salad

Lifestyle blogger and actress Áine Carlin prides herself on making vegan cooking easy for everyone. Focusing on whole foods and fresh seasonal ingredients, the much anticipated release of her first cookbook, Keep It Vegan, a colourful array of recipe ideas and veg-spiration will be sure to leave your taste buds happy like it has ours! Now over to Áine before we make ourselves too hungry…


Bulgar wheat is often guilty of being a little bland, but this salad shows that all it requires is a little gentle coaxing to bring out its deeply nutty flavour. And whilst watermelon may seem like an odd choice in a savoury dish, it really does work fantastically well in balancing the zesty lime dressing with the spritely radish and spring onion add-ins. With summer in full swing, this is the one recipe you’ll be pulling out of your sleeve time and time again… just you wait and see.

Ingredients 

  • 250g bulgar wheat
  • grated zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 30ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 6–8 radishes, finely sliced
  • 2 spring onions, finely sliced
  • 1 small celery stick, finely sliced
  • 1/2 watermelon, deseeded and cut into small bite-sized pieces
  • 30g pumpkin seeds, toasted
  • 15g mint leaves, chopped
  • salt
  • large handful of China Rose radish
  • sprouts, to garnish (optional)

Method

  • Place the bulgar wheat in a large bowl along with the lime zest. Lightly season with a little salt and stir to incorporate. Cover with 250ml of freshly boiled water and place a plate or clingfilm over the bowl. Allow to stand for at least 10 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool, uncovered, for at least 15 minutes.
  • For the dressing, whisk together the lime juice, oil, agave nectar, cider vinegar and a pinch of salt until it emulsifies. Set aside.
  • When the bulgar wheat has cooled, add the radishes, spring onions and celery. Stir and pour over the dressing, stirring again to ensure everything is coated. Toss in the melon, toasted pumpkin seeds and finally the mint. Taste for seasoning and scatter over the China Rose radish sprouts, if using. Serve.

Taken from Keep it Vegan by Áine Carlin. Published by Kyle Books, priced from £14.99. Photography by Ali Allen.


HONESTLY HEALTHY BIRCHER MUESLI 



If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Take Your Yoga On Holiday

Here at Hip & Healthy, when it comes to working out – convenience is key. As much as we love attending the latest fitness class and gym session a few times a week – to keep things consistent we rely on more accessible workouts that we can easily fit in to our busy days. For us, the same goes for when we travel. We’d much prefer to see the sights than be cooped up in a gym. With this in mind, on our most recent Hip & Healthy trip to Stockholm, we decided to try out the latest online fitness studio to crop up on the scene and lets just say, we were impressed! Read on for why you should take your Yoga on holiday with Yoogaia this Summer…

Take Your Yoga Anywhere

Yoogaia is the first live online yoga studio that brings yoga, pilates, core and barre classes to wherever you may be in real-time. Whether you’re travelling for business, pleasure or a bit of both, Yoogaia makes it easy to factor in a daily workout from your hotel room at any time of day. As long as you have an internet connection, you will be able to participate in a range of ‘live’ and recorded classes wherever you are!

Stick To Your Own Schedule

When time is tight whilst travelling, planning your workout around your travel plans is key, not the other way around! Whilst rushing off to a fitness class or yoga session in a new city can take hours out of your day – attending a yoga class at the click of a button can see you out the door and enjoying what your travel destination has to offer uninterrupted.

You Make The Rules

Gone are the days of having to participate in a yoga style that you’re not so keen on due to time restraints, Yoogaia offers a whole host of live classes to suit all levels and stylistic preferences. From curvy girl yoga to yogic sleep express, stretching for runners to Broga – there’s something for everyone available at any time of day.

Virtual Guidance

Whilst other online workout videos offer a non-interactive fitness platform, our favourite thing about Yoogaia is that your teacher is there to give you specialised help via webcam  if you require. With an option to allow your teacher to watch and guide you as you practise, the personal guidance available is especially beneficial for beginners and those recovering from injuries who require adjustments and corrections whilst in more challenging postures.

Design Your Own Practice

Here at Hip & Healthy we love to mix up our workouts! On our most recent trip to Stockholm, we enjoyed a daily 30 minute Yoogaia Yin yoga class – the perfect way to wake up! Followed by a 45 minute core class to pump us up for our day. In addition to this, we finished each day with a 30 minute Yoogaia yoga stretch class which was pure bliss after a busy day touring Stockholm by foot.

To celebrate the Travel with Yoogaia campaign, we’d like to offer 3 x 4 month Yoogaia passes, meaning you can take yoga with you wherever you go this Summer!  Simply email [email protected] with the subject YOOGAIA COMP for a chance to win.  Winners will be notified next week.

By Zsa Zsa Vella

Image: lululemon


H&H GUIDE TO STOCKHOLM 


 


Hip & Healthy Guide to Stockholm

Whilst the Swedish are well known for their dreamy interiors, fabulous fashion and clean aesthetic – what is not so commonly recognised is their love and appreciation of all things health and wellness. For Swedes – living well, eating clean and working out is no unattainable feat, but a way of life for the majority who reside in this beautiful country. Last week, the Hip & Healthy team took a weekend trip to Stockholm to uncover the best spots to dine, relax, workout and explore. Read on for the lowdown…

EAT

Matapoteket

A sweet little cafe on the outskirts of our favourite suburb in Stockholm, Matapoteket is the perfect spot for those seeking delicious raw food at its best. The menu is filled with vegan tapas, raw pizzas and the most delicious range of guilt-free sweets – the mint and cacao energy balls are a must try!

Bondegatan 6, 116 23 Stockholm

Urban Deli

One of our favourite Stockholm finds – Urban Deli is a must-go for health conscious and artisanal foodie lovers alike. Featuring a deli and restaurant, this Hip & Healthy favourite boasts an impressive range of traditional foods from mostly small local producers – we loved the range of salads that we enjoyed daily accompanied by the most delicious and dark fresh rye bread – our favourite Swedish staple!

Nytorget 4, 116 40 Stockholm

Doctor Salad

Hungry from a day of travelling, we arrived at Doctor Salad eager to see what it had to offer. Treated to a selection of colourful salads, we decided to go with the raw vegan ceaser featuring an assortment of raw veggies and the most incredible cashew cheese. Other highlights include the raw strawberry cheesecake and ‘green’ chia pudding – our favourite breakfast whilst in Stockholm.

Sibyllegatan 29, 114 42 Stockholm

Paradiset

Stockholm’s version of Wholefoods – Paradiset is the place to go for all your healthy and organic goods. If you’re staying in town for a few days – be sure to stock up on fruit, veg and healthy snacks from the enormous selection of organic produce available at this double story paradise! If you’re weary from your Stockholm wanderings, be sure to treat yourself to an organic ice cream from stikkinikki upstairs. With options for vegans too, the ‘feel good ice cream made from love’ on offer will get you pepped up for more exploring! We love!

Brännkyrkagatan, 62-64, Stockholm, Södermalm

EXPLORE

Swimming in Lake Mälaren

Often described as one of the most romantic baths in the city – this clear freshwater lake is just outside Stockholms city centre. If you’re worried about water pollution, fear not. Lake Malaren is cleaner than the sea! The perfect day retreat right in the heart of Stockholm, during the Summer, Lake Malaren is awash with swimmers cooling off in its idyllic waters. True bliss!

Cycling in the city

Our favourite way to sightsee – some cities are best taken in on two wheels and Stockholm is definitely one of them! Visit the Rent A Bike shed at berth 25 at Ångbåtsbryggan and get excited to tour the city in true Scandinavian style.

Ångbåtsbryggan, Strandvägen 18

RESTORE & REJUVENATE

Yoogaia

Whilst there are some fantastic places to workout within the capital, when your travelling it’s always nice to be in charge of your own schedule, especially when you’re visiting somewhere new and have a never-ending list of places to see and things to do! With this in mind, we tried out Yoogaia, an online yoga studio that you can take with you on your holiday. Whilst our days were choc-full of moving and exploring, we always woke up to one of their live morning flow sessions and finished our day with a relaxing yoga stretch class. Holiday goers – we highly recommend.

Sturebadet Spa

We could have spent our entire weekend away in this luxurious 17th century pool and wellness centre. Featuring a luxurious day spa where you can book in to a whole host of pampering treatments, this opulent destination features pools, saunas and an impressive gym so you can get your move on before your pampering session.

Sturegallerian, 114 46 Stockholm

By Zsa Zsa Vella 


H&H GUIDE TO IBIZA | H&H GUIDE TO PARIS


 

 


Afresco Dining – Our Favourite Outdoor Brunch Spots

You know what warmer weather means – outdoor dining! And whilst we love a good picnic in the park, these are the alfresco brunch spots in London we can’t get enough of this summer…

Tanya’s Cafe

Nestled away in the backstreets of Chelsea, since it’s inception onto the healthy foodie front, Tanya’s has been our go-to for all things raw, vegan and yummy. With a menu featuring a taste-bud tantalising selection of sweet and savoury meals and snacks, we love their refreshing breakfast options that taste best enjoyed in their newly opened light and airy terrace, perfect for the sunny season.

What we eat: The Floral Chia is a firm favourite of ours. A mixture of juicy dates, creamy coconut milk, Lucuma, stevia leaf powder, banana, fresh mint and calendula flowers to top it all off – this beautiful breakfast (arguably the prettiest in London) keeps us energized and refuelled after our morning workout and into our day.

The Modern Pantry

Modern pantry is the perfect name for this innovative healthy haven offering traditional brunch with a nutritious spin. Make a morning of it and invite along all of your friends – The Modern Pantry has something for everyone including loads of gluten free and vegetarian option which are best enjoyed from their spacious outdoor terrace on sunny St. John’s Square.

What we eat: It is hard to stray from the mouth watering combination of toasted oat, buckwheat, puffed wild rice, sour cherry, fennel seed & pecan muesli topped with raspberries and coconut yogurt. Pair this with a side of their fruit salad with rose and lime syrup and you’re good to go!

Brew, Putney

Head to Brew if you’re looking for an amazing atmosphere that serves up only the freshest foods. Brew isn’t known for catering to a specific diet or lifestyle, but they are famous for making almost everything in house; from their wood-fired sourdough bread to their sweets and pastries. We love their light and airy terrace – the perfect place to chill out with friends and indulge in some seriously good food.

What We Eat: If you’re plant based or simply fancy a great egg alternative – opt for the pan-fried field mushrooms on toasted sourdough drizzled in aged balsamic and pesto. This is a wonderfully simple dish that really packs a flavorful punch.

Grain Store

The Grain Store prides itself on its innovative and sustainable menu that is sure to please veggie lovers and meat lovers alike. Keeping their menu creative by featuring techniques of fermentation, sprouting, pickling, smoking, and garnishes of edible flowers and colourful herbs – the unique and interesting dishes on offer will please even the pickiest of foodie aficionados. Perfectly complimenting the food is the always-sunny outdoor seating area, just metres from the canal that runs through Kings Cross – just be sure to pack your walking shoes for a lovely hike along the canal post-breakfast.

What we eat: For a savoury twist on yogurt and granola, try the quinoa granola with olive oil and fennel pollen served over goat’s yoghurt for an interesting take on a breakfast classic.

Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings

Whilst not actually outdoors, for those days when the weather is warm but not so nice that you’d want to spend a morning alfresco, the light and airy Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings is your go to. You can enjoy your scrumptious meal amongst their festive jungle themed décor featuring banana leaf print chairs and vine covered potted plants. As well as being one of our favourite new brunch spots, this place is interiors inspiration at its finest.

What we eat: To really get the jungle feel, we love to tuck into the Clerkenwell cocktail made with seasonal fresh fruit, along with the homemade granola served with a seasonal fruit compote and almond milk – Yum!

Image: Tanyas Cafe Chelsea

By Isabella Stelle


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