Discover Your Slope Style With Our Ski Lookbook!

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Perfect Moment Imok Pant – £223

Ski (or snowboard!) loud and proud in these bright and bold performance pants from Perfect Moment! They’re sleek, figuring flattering and offer low-volume insulation that will keep you perfectly cosy without feeling hot and sticky. Nobody wants that! Perfect Moment recognize that comfort is key so they’ve made sure these pants have a stretch brushed tricot waistband so you can slide (and sometimes slip) with ease (maybe not grace though!).

 Catch Me Legging:Neon Pink:Front:£46:www.everysecondcounts.co.uk

Every Second Counts Catch Me Seamless Legging – £46

Every girl needs a dash of pink in their wardrobe so these awesomely bright and cheerful leggings will make the perfect thermals to don under your ski gear! Totally seamless and incredibly lightweight, these neon babies feature a 4-way stretch fabric for support, moisture-wicking technology and engineered zones for ventilation. Pretty snazzy right?

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Sweaty Betty Anon Ski Goggles- £80

When it comes to hitting the slopes, safety should always be a priority. H&H love these super chic ski goggles from Sweaty Betty – they may look stylish, but they certainly match up in the function department too. Featuring anti-fog and scratch resistant materials whilst offering protection for your eyes with their 100% UV protective lenses, you can feel confident as you slalom down the mountain!

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Perfect Moment Polar Hat – £32

Who doesn’t love a cute bobble hat to keep you head and ears warm and protected? We think this polar bear hat from Perfect Moment is super cute, especially with its festive red colour! Featuring an inner headband to provide extra comfort and stability, we think this will make the perfect stocking filler for any mountain obsessive!

 Take Your Time Hoody:Front:£109:www.everysecondcounts.co.uk

Every Second Counts Take Your Time Seamless Hoody – £109

Pair with the ESC Catch Me Leggings and you’ve got yourself a winning, seamless combo! Light as a feather and superbly sweat-wicking, you can wear it underneath your ski jacket or slip it on après ski while you toast marshmallows around the fire. We love the chevron knit pattern and the pink accent zip!

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Hurraw SPF Sun Balm – £4.49

We’re crazy about SPF and we never leave our chalet without it on our lips. It’s easy to disregard SPF on cloudy, winter days but sun exposure can still cause cellular damage even through the thickest of clouds! We love this organic, raw SPF Sun Balm from Hurraw due to it’s delicious tangerine, vanilla flavour and it’s handy, compact size. Slip it easily into your skipass pocket and touch up all day long!

words by Molly Jennings

Main image: Perfect Moment

Winter Workout Wears!

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Here at Hip & Healthy, we laugh in the face of harsh winter weather, and let nothing stand in our way of a good, energizing workout. So, if you’re like us, you’re always on the lookout for the best activewear to support and protect yourself from the outdoor elements. By dressing correctly for your activity, you give yourself the best chance of performing to your optimum active ability, which allows you to reap the benefits of all those pleasure-inducing endorphins that exercise enables.

But this is precisely where the problem lies: sometimes it is not the lack of motivation that prevents us from working-out outdoors; it’s actually our lack of adequate gear that prevents us from venturing beyond our regular gym studio.

But this is where Cotswold Outdoor comes in…

Starting up in 1974 by selling a range of basic camping accessories from a small outbuilding in the Cotswolds, four decades of subsequent experience in outdoor retail has enabled the company to grow and prosper into an award winning, multi-channel retailer with stores throughout the UK. Evolving from the heavy, sub-standard outdoor kit on offer from the 70s, in the present day, Cotswold Outdoor supply the most cutting-edge products, from an impressive selection of over 250 internationally recognized brands. Presenting collections from Berghaus, Osprey and Regatta to name a few, Cotswold Outdoor really do live and breathe all your outdoor needs and desires by providing a unique retail site to set the foundations for your outdoor adventures and pursuits.

But don’t just take our word for it – check out the products for yourself. We love the women’s Ashford 3-in-1 Parka from Jack Wolfskin. With Texapore technology to keep you dry and warm with a clever, practical and detachable faux-fur hood to protect your head, face and ears through extreme weather conditions, this is a must-have if you love skiing or hiking – their really ‘ain’t no mountain high enough’ when wearing this brrrriliant Parka (see what we did there?)

But whilst Cotswold Outdoor pride themselves on the newest, most innovative technology (they have tents that weigh less than 1 kilogram, watches that can navigate and ultra-warm jackets that fold into their own pockets!), what hasn’t changed is their absolute passion for the outdoors. Offering expert advice, kit-talks, personal fittings (and not to mention the countless partnerships with other outdoor organizations, race teams and sponsored expeditions!) it is clear to see that the brand is truly passionate about outdoor products, people, and places.

Here at H&H HQ, it is this passion that sets Cotswold Outdoor apart from other outdoor-wear companies. We all know that living a healthy, active lifestyle promotes the very best version of you, therefore wearing the correct gear for your desired activity, indoor or outdoor, is crucial for achieving your goals, and promoting overall happiness and wellbeing. And so, when deliberating as to whether you wish to get your jog on in the snow, or snuggle safely on the sofa, take a moment to glance at Cotswold Outdoor – and your decision will be made for you, as if by magic.

Visit www.cotswoldoutdoor.com for more info.

words by Olivia Murphy

Perfect Paleo – We Check Out Notting Hill’s Newest Health Haunt, Pure Taste!

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We’ve all heard of the “Paleo” diet and in case you haven’t, it is the one where you eat like a caveman, where grains are a no no but you can gobble plenty of fish, eggs and almonds (read more here). The Paleo lifestyle has millions of followers globally including some hot bods like Megan Fox and Jessica Biel (clearly, there is something to it). So it is not surprising that London is now home to the UK’s first Paleo restaurant, where we can eat out like cavemen (well, almost).

Pure Taste opened this month in Notting Hill, West London, funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. Clearly investors believed that the Paleo style of eating is more than just a fad. The brain behind Pure Taste is that of Holly Redman, a chemistry graduate turned nutritional therapist, nutrition lecturer and chef extraordinaire. Holly believes firmly in the Paleo way of living and as a coeliac, she has noticed the difference it has had on her health as well as the health of many of her nutritional therapy clients. As a result she wanted to show the world that Paleo doesn’t have to be bland and you can eat a lot of very yummy things, even chocolate tart.

The menu at Pure Taste is carefully put together, nutrient dense and delicious. And fear not, every single thing on the menu is coded so you know whether or not it is Whole 30 compliant, egg-free, nut-free, FODMAP compliant, vegan, low-carb etc. Oh, and in case it wasn’t obvious, everything is gluten-free and dairy-free. In short, there is something for everyone and it certainly isn’t just a place for the girls. They have grass-fed steaks and organic chicken plus their take on sticky toffee pudding is enough to win over those healthy food sceptics. Hip and Healthy also loves the fact that there are even petit-fours to have with your coconut milk coffee if a big pud is too much – mini healthy salted caramel and pecan brownies anyone? Yum!

As well as being a free-from heaven, Pure Taste is a fine dining experience. A lot of healthy eateries serve homely, wholesome dishes – the sort you would probably make at home – but Pure Taste presents exquisite, fancy-restaurant style plates (the sort you probably wouldn’t have time to whip up at home!). The restaurant even boasts biodynamic wines, gluten-free beers, superfood cocktails and mocktails.

At this time of year, when cheap chocolate, puddings and booze are aplenty, Pure Taste is a haven away from the stodge. Pure Taste leaves its diners feeling comfortably full, energised and quite virtuous – not a common sensation after a three course restaurant dinner in December.

Pure Taste is open 6 days a week (closed Mondays) for lunch and dinner. Bookings can be made online here or by phone 0207 727 5000. The website also has some interesting information about the Paleo diet, a few delicious recipes and the menu for those who like to browse yummy food before their dinner (who doesn’t love looking at a good menu!).

words by Kathleen Fleming

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Tame Your Green-Eyed Monster!

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Nestled deep within our emotional spectrum, lays an untamed wild beast, waiting silently behind the scenes to expose itself and destroy our serenity. It’s one of the most common and unsettling emotions, revealing the absolute worst in us, even when most of us know better. When triggered, it’s uncontrollable and leaves a trail of destruction in its path, throwing your rational thinking out the window. It’s unattractive, it’s painful and it’s damaging. Girls, it’s time to take action and tame your green-eyed monster.

Picture this, you’re having a quiet night in watching X-Factor and your new boy has a “mate-date” with his bestie. Except his bestie goes by the name of Lucy, is a gorgeous blonde with kissable rosebud lips, sapphire-blue twinkly eyes and is the one all his mates want to date. You tell yourself: “It’s all good, they’re just hanging out”, but you can’t escape that niggling feeling that something could happen. Slowly and steadily the desire to compare yourself to luscious Lucy creeps in, and a couple of wines later you’re imagining your boy curling up to Lucy in front of a crackling fire after a 3-hour romp. They’re whispering sweet nothings to each other and snogging endlessly, covered by a cashmere throw…

Finally, your poisonous visions are interrupted by your phone bleeping. A text from your man, checking in. Your response is short and bittersweet, no kiss. He calls to find out what’s up, but you don’t answer. You’re too pissed off and you want to make him suffer. Let the games begin!

Jealousy is an ugly emotion, a destructive cocktail of possessiveness, suspicious rage and humiliation. It sneaks up uninvited like a silent assassin (especially after a few wines) and before we know it we’re in too deep, over-powered by our alter-ego who wants to lash out, cause trouble and behave irrationally. We become consumed by it, it undermines our self-esteem and it can destroy the very thing we’re jealous of.

A big part of jealousy is comparison. Comparison is a nasty habit that we’re sure you can identify with. Someone has a nicer body or a better job or more money and instead of being happy or supportive, we compare and feel instantly inadequate. When we compare we get hooked on the belief that we’re better or less than someone else. Comparing creates jealousy, resentment, animosity and competition – a toxic mixture!

Now it’s time to ‘fess up, meet your monster head-on and heal. We have some tried-and-tested techniques to help you begin. As you work through them, our advice is to remain open to trying each one. It might be uncomfortable at first, but we promise you they work.

Here’s how to do it:

 

Accept your jealous side.

Know that at times, everyone is jealous and it’s human nature to experience these emotions. Rejecting your jealous side is rejecting a part of yourself. Trying saying out loud “I accept myself with compassion” and repeat until you feel accepted.

 

Be grateful for the jealous situation.

Shower a challenging situation with gratitude and it immediately transforms the way you feel about it. Say to yourself “I choose to be grateful for (insert the situation) as it’s helping me grow / heal.

 

Acknowledge your light.

Choose to know that the uniqueness (or light) you’re seeing in someone else is a reflection of your own inner light. Say to yourself “The light I see in them is a reflection of my own inner light”. This might feel strange at first, but give it a go and see what happens!

 

Why are you jealous?

Get clear about why. Make a list of people who you’re jealous of and why you feel jealous of them. Is there a common theme? Write it down.

 

Set yourself free.

Work through the list and imagine each person in front of you. Open your heart and send them love and gratitude. This can be very powerful!

And finally, but most importantly:

 

Find your uniqueness.

Learning to value, appreciate and love yourself is your jealousy medicine. Start a daily practice of writing down 3 things you value and appreciate about yourself.

We hope you use these techniques to find peace and harmony and tame your monster. He just wants to feel the love. Good luck!

 

Words by Jody Shield

Jody is an Alternative Therapist, Meditation Practitioner and Inspirational Speaker on Alternative health and wellbeing topics with a residency for London’s Soho House group. She practices globally with private clients and groups, using powerful healing techniques, life-changing coaching and psychological insight. Straightforward, contemporary and aware of the everyday issues you face, Jody believes self-help and inner healing should be available to all and has been referenced as an emerging leader in self-help and healing for the new generation. Visit her website here!

Silver Island Yoga Retreat – Reviewed!

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We travel to experience life from different angles and to open ourselves to new experiences. A lot of us are hoping to find something, to ‘find ourselves’ perhaps, and in our constant searching, what we invariably find are places and people which alter who we are forever.

I’ve spent my year travelling without a destination or a plan in mind. It’s been fun, sometimes painful, exciting, incredible and ultimately life-changing and wonderful in every way. I’ve also had a love-hate relationship with myself and with my yoga practice this year. It’s been one of those on again, off again things, every time I do it I know I am doing something extraordinary and wonderful that is changing the very fibre of my being. Then I get lost in some trivial pursuit that takes my attention away from having to focus on myself and my personal growth, because this single minded focus is uncomfortable, difficult and painful, and whatever I have found to distract me must be more important than the self-development I know I am supposed to working on.

I found something in all the travelling though. It happened in stages; it started on a moonlit beach in Thailand and it ended over dinner on a private Greek island paradise – both experiences, strangely, included swimming in bioluminescent plankton – the only two times I’ve ever even seen plankton! I’ve spent 20 days sitting in silent meditation in a Thai monastery trying desperately to escape myself; I’ve spent several hours standing on my head in front of 50 eager students trying to convince myself that this is where the learning was and that this was where I was meant to be. I placed too much emphasis on trying, and not enough on just learning to ‘be’. It sounds easy enough, all this talk of just being, resting and finding ourselves in the silence, and I’m sure it is simple, but we are human and therefore have a tendency to complicate things beyond recognition, making the simple act of just being quite challenging.

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We spend so much time fighting ourselves, instead of simply accepting where we are. It was only when I finally let go of every expectation I was holding that I found myself truly learning. It was in the moments when I found myself amongst new friends, or alone under an oak tree with the ocean breeze gently kissing my skin, that I really found what I was searching for. It was at the end of a long road that I ended up on Silver Island, an idyllic Greek rock that is home to a small cluster of beautiful white buildings and two wonderful hosts who made our time here more than magical. I felt at home from the moment I stepped onto the jetty, I felt at peace and somehow I stopped trying and just let myself soak it all up. Maybe it’s because I was too exhausted to keep trying, but I think it has a lot to do with the people around me, the place I was in and the quiet comfort of being so well looked after during my time here.

Silver Island Yoga Retreat is as private and exclusive as the unspoilt Greek Island itself. Hosting only 10 guests at a time, this is a holiday of peace and rejuvenation, where mindful living, appreciation, gratitude and a magical sense of wellbeing becomes the sole purpose of your stay. Enjoy the healing benefits of yoga, one two hour class at dawn, and a second at dusk, and experience the serenity of the surrounding beaches, coves, rolling hills and olive groves throughout the sunlight hours to really feel at one with nature, and above all, yourself.Typically rustic and yet wonderfully refined, this island paradise has moved me beyond words.  Lissa and Corne, our wonderful hosts, along with Lissa’s sister Claire, who coordinates all their admin from her home in South Africa, have created a unique, once in a lifetime experience; a space which is lends itself perfectly to the healing and nurturing of the human spirit. This is not a “yoga retreat” and it is so much more than a holiday destination – it is a brief glimpse into a way of life that allows time to stop and the body to be forced into a state of rest. It is rehabilitation for the busy mind and the restless soul, and it is from being here that I somehow feel whole again, as though I can now take the love I have cultivated for myself during my time on Silver Island, and with newfound strength and clarity, share it with the world.

Thank you to Lissa and Corne, Claire and Ernest, for everything you do and have done. You are a winning team and I wish you all the best with the future of your magical Island Paradise. I’ll be back soon, of that I have no doubt.

 

For bookings contact [email protected]

Visit http://silverislandyoga.com/

 

Bircher Muesli – Honestly Healthy

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Make up a batch of this on a Sunday night so you are prepared for the week ahead. This is one of the most nutritious ways to start the days it includes almost all of the key food groups – protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and fibre, all for slow release energy.

 

Ingredients

120g gluten free rolled oats

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

20g coconut shavings

2tbsp raw sunflower seeds

1 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds

7g raisins (or substitue chopped dried figs, dates or apricots)

420ml warm water

 

Method

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl

Simply add the warm water to the dry ingredients and give the mixture another good stir. Leave to soak for a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge.

If it’s really sticky after 2 hours add a splash of extra water to loosen up the muesli; some oats are super absorbent and others aren’t, so it’ll depend on the type you use.

Top with fresh fruit of you choice and enjoy!

Recipe from Honestly Healthy

IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS WEEK: PIMP YOUR PORRIDGE

 

Winter Workout Style

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Baby it’s cold outside… so get warmed up with a wintery workout in these super stylish wears

Stylist: Chloe Waller

Photographer: Claire Brand

kalindi leggings

KALENDS BLUE LAGOON COMPRESSION LEGGINGS, £65

sukishufu shooting star

SUKISHUFU LEATHERBACK LEGGINGS IN SHOOTING STAR, £85

sukishufu

SUKISHUFU LEATHERBACK LEGGINGS IN UNIVERSE TAUPE, £85

alo yoga

ALO YOGA ILLUSION CAPRI, £59.95 AND GODDESS BRA, £38

YAS

YAS LIQUID TANK, £28 AND LIQUID LEGGINGS, £45

Quinoa Salad With Capers & Cranberries – Purple Balance

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Ingredients 

2 cups of quinoa (cooked)

3 tbsp of capers

1 handful of pecans

i bug handful of parsley

1 red bell pepper (diced)

1 bunch of arugula leaves

1/2 cup of cranberries

 

Dressing:

1/3 cup of cold pressed organic olive oil

1/4 cup of organic apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp mustard

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1/4 tsp cardamon

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

 

Method

Cook the quinoa for 15 minutes and let it cool off. Once cooled, combine with all the other salad ingredients and the dressing sauce. Finally scatter the capers and cranberries! It’s as easy as that!

Recipe by Purple Balance 

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Stay Fit Through Winter!

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Does the thought of winter make you want to reach for the duvet only to re-emerge once the cheek biting frost, dark mornings and January blues have passed? You’re not the only one. Colder-times- are-a-coming, question is, are you ready for them? No, I’m not talking about a winter coat and an 11.5 tog duvet – though they do help – what I really mean is, are you prepared to keep up your current fitness routine through the coldest, darkest months of the year? Listen up, Hip & Healthies, now is the time to form a plan because when things get freezing, you sure are going to need one.

First things first, be positive. There are many, many benefits to working out in winter such as a faster metabolic rate as your body works harder to counteract the cold and maintain its core temperature, not to mention glowing skin as a result of increased circulation. What’s more, you’re fending off that sluggish feeling we often experience in January when a month of festivities finally catch up with us. Have a list of positives to hand to keep you motivated.

Just can’t face the cold? Online classes might be your saviour. Head to Barrecore for a great selection of online videos. Each class costs £4 but you are guaranteed to feel the burn without leaving the house. Otherwise, your body weight is all you need for an effective, at-home workout; think burpees, press ups, lunges, lateral hops – YouTube has a wealth of material you can access for free!

Combat winter blues with dance. We all know that smiling can instantly lift our mood and chances are that when you’re dancing- however unsuccessfully- you’re smiling too. Zumba is a good place to start or, if you’re feeling extra brave, why not try a Beyoncé themed twerk class by All Twerk and No Play? Head to www.wearetbc.com for further details.

Get walking! As much as we love a high intensity workout, brisk winter walks have an added air of romance this time of year (cheesy, I know). Why not gather everyone together for some collective leaf crunching underfoot. Wellies recommended.

Lift your workout and your mood with fresh winter gear. If you keep reaching for the same pair of leggings time and time again, now’s the time to treat yourself to something new as a way of spicing up a workout. The brighter the better so you’re easier to spot when the sun goes down. Shop our wide selection of activewear right here on Hip & Healthy! 

Take care of yourself both inside and out. Arm yourself with the following winter care kit: lip balm, moisturiser with an SPF (those pesky UV rays still pass through clouds you know) and hand cream as well as the essentials: gloves, a hat and scarf and maybe even a vest or two. You also want to make sure you nourishing your body with lots of natural, vitamin enriched foods to help boost your immunity.

Get some vitamin D. Known as the sunshine vitamin, it’s no surprise that most of us are deficient this time of year. Dr Emma Derbyshire reports that “The option of using sunlight to create vitamin D  is practically non-existent for five months of the year  – and limited to just four to five hours each day in the summer” – eek. Worry not as there are various ways to up your intake, either with supplements or with good quality, locally sourced red meat.

As the saying goes, failure to plan is planning to fail. Print off a monthly calendar and note down your exercise routine for the whole month – whether it’s a full body workout or a five minute session – head over to Sweaty Betty’s get-fit-4-free for heaps of ideas. Good luck!

words by Alexandra Salisbury

The Hip & Healthy Christmas Gift Guide!

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Don’t let last minute, frantic Christmas shopping rob you of your sanity this season… Take a chill pill and look no further than our Christmas gift guide! Every year we find great pleasure in sourcing the best healthy, indulgent and life-enhancing gifts that we think you, your family and your friends will love and cherish. We wanted to make sure there was a perfect gift for everyone; from fitness freaks to bookworms, beauty obsessives to healthy eating devotees!

Radiance Fitness Box centred

Radiance – Fitness box, £90

Know someone who deserves to look beautiful on the inside and out this Christmas? Radiance certainly know their cleansing facts, but this year they’ve gone the extra mile and have teamed up with Dalton Wong, Founder of Twenty Two Training and personal trainer to Jenifer Lawrence to create the perfect juice cleanse to feed all fitness fanatics! Specially created to provide you with natural fuel before your workout and amazing nutrients to feed your muscles post-workout, we think it’s the perfect training partner!

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Neom – Perfect Night’s Sleep Kit, £29.95

The festive season is always full of Christmas parties and late night cocktail get-togethers, which can sometimes wreck havoc on our sleeping patterns! In case you didn’t know, we’re huge fans of Neom Organics as all their gorgeous products are 100% natural and ethically sourced. This Perfect Night’s Sleep Kit contains scents of lavender and jasmine in the form of a Tranquility Travel Candle, some relaxing Tranquilty Bath Foam and a Tranquility Pillow Mist to help you sleep soundly and peacefully.

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Nurture With Nature “The Everyday Hamper”, £30

Nurture With Nature, the new healthy kid on the block, provides perfectly healthy and delicious hampers that can be delivered right to your door! Their aim is to inspire people to live a truly healthy and happy life by eating natural, un-processed foods that will nourish the body as well as the mind. Filled with goodies like Inspiral Kale Chips, Jax Coconut Water and even Ombar Raw Chocolate Bars, these hampers will make perfect gifts for your sugar free friends and are also great for filling up your pantry with guilt free snacks for the week ahead!

 Argan and Kale Hand Cream high res

Nourish – The Kale Trio, £50

The mighty Kale strikes again, this time, in the form of skincare! Who’d have thought? Nourish, the all natural skincare brand, have combined three of their best Kale products (a deep exfoliating cleanser, a moisturising anti-aging hand cream and eye cream) into a brilliant Christmas gift to provide all beauty lovers with a little bit of green goodness to their skin!

 Wellness Bag, open

Technogym – Wellness Bag, £304

A tad pricey yes, but this is the gift that will last a lifetime for those who love to keep up their fitness regime whilst travelling the world! Featuring four types of resistance bands and other savvy accessories, this wellness bag will allow you to perform all kinds of exercises to tone and define your muscles. Small and compact, you can conveniently pop it in your carry on or overnight bags for those spur-of-the-moment weekend trips!

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Tara Stiles – Make Your Own Rules Diet Book, £18.99

Our favourite yoga rebel, Tara Stiles, has excitingly brought out a new book called Make Your Own Rules Diet! In this book, Tara explains how to introduce new and fun ways to bring yoga, meditation and (seriously mouth-watering) recipes into your life. The Strala Yoga Founder stresses the importance of practicing yoga with ease and leaving discomfort and tension behind. You’ll discover how to create your own rules that make you happy and you’ll also learn to recognize when something just isn’t working any more. We think this is the most perfect guide for 2015!

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Kalindi Yoga Lightening Bolt Leggings, £65

These are not just black leggings… Electrify your workout wardrobe with these stunning leggings from Kalindi Yoga! They feature a clever four-way fabric that provides compression to give the appearance of slimmer legs and their high waisted band will help smooth and support you tummy even if you’re doing anti-gravity yoga! 

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Y.A.S Liquid Hood Jacket, £45

This hooded jacket from Y.A.S will be a runner’s best friend, especially if your the kind to run early in the morning (when it’s freezing)! Not only is it super light weight, but it also features a special sweat wicking fabric and a short zip down the front to help you workout with extra comfort and breathability. 

words by Molly Jennings

Spiced Christmas Smoothie From Purple Balance!

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How delicious does this sound?! A yummy smoothie that you can enjoy for your breaky that has a festive touch! We love the wonderful people over at Purple Balance (if you don’t know who they are and what they do, click here!), and we are so happy to share with you their awesome recipe! Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 Banana (Frozen)

1 tbsp Purple Balance’s Raw Omega

1tbsp Coconut Pal Sugar

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Cardamom

Pinch of Clove

400ml of your favourite dairy free mylk

Method

Blend….blend some more… and voila!

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Recipe by Purple Balance

Fitspiration – Lucy Mecklenburgh

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What inspired you to create your programme and site, “Results with Lucy”?
Growing up as a teenager in Brentwood, I was always slender and I think it’s easy to take that for granted because I wasn’t super fit and healthy, I was just fortunate. As I got older I started to notice cellulite developing on my bum and upper legs and I realised although I was still slim, somehow I was carrying excess fat.

Thankfully I decided to do something about it. I realised regular exercise was the ONLY way to achieve the body that I wanted – toned, strong and flexible but without looking like a female weightlifter.

When I started exercising regularly, I would occasionally tweet about my workout, how much I enjoyed it and how great I felt afterwards and this is where Results with Lucy started.

 

On training days, how do you alter your diet to ensure you maintain your energy levels and aid muscle recovery?
It’s really important to fuel your body, both before and after working out.  I always start the day with a balanced breakfast.  I love scrambled eggs with salmon and tomatoes on rye bread.  Post workout, I enjoy a wholefood protein shake.

 

Here at Hip & Healthy, we aim to inspire people to be the best versions of themselves. What inspires you to be the best version of you?
Knowing how good I feel when I eat right and exercise, I never want to go back to being lethargic and tired all the time.

 

What’s a breakfast that you can’t stop making right now?
I really enjoy omelettes; they are so easy and quick to make and you can keep it interesting my mixing up the ingredients you put in.

 

If you could advise someone to take up just one healthy habit today, what would you advise?
Definitely to start working out; even 10 minutes a day can massively lift your spirits and get you on the right path.

 

Do you have a favourite style or way of working out?
I think the key is to keep workouts varied and fun so I don’t get bored.  Hula-hooping is great fun and dance is really diverse. Also, my RwL trainer Liam’s 360° workouts are amazing; simple moves that get maximum results…

 

If you could return to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give?
That’s a tough one… I’d probably advise myself to take good care of my body. I was lucky enough to be naturally slim but it’s easy to take advantage of how kind your body has been to you. It’s important to realise we only have one body…we need to take good care of it.

 

As a young girl, who was your role model? Is your choice different now?
Growing up, I loved Darcy Bussel and still do. She is so talented, graceful, and aspirational. A hard working lady who has accomplished so much in life.

 

Can you give us your three go-to beauty items that you couldn’t live without?
Coconut oil – it has so many uses like a luxurious hair mask, a moisturiser and it smells amazing…the smell reminds me of lazy days on the beach! I also love Sunkissed gradual tan. It builds a really lovely tan that lasts and it’s inexpensive. My last beauty essential would have to be Ellnett hairspray – I always have a mini can in my bag on a night out!

 

You have to go on holiday tomorrow…where would you go?!
I’d probably re-visit Rome. I did a recent shoot there and it was so beautiful. I really wanted to look around a bit more and experience it, but the trip was only a short work trip.

Check out Results With Lucy here!