Our Top Five Healthy Restaurants in London

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Our Top Five Healthy Restaurants in London

words by Stephanie Matysiak

 

London is full of fantastic restaurants; the majority however can leave you feeling unhealthy, bloated and worrying about what exactly has been put in your meal. It can be quite tricky to find healthy restaurants that serve not only really great food but also provide nutritional benefits. I have put together a few of my best finds in London, which serve delicious yet healthy meal options. Bon appetit!

Saf, High Street Kensington
Saf is a Vegan restaurant with a great concept, they do not cook any food above 48c in order to preserve the highest amount of nutrients and flavours. Saf serves gourmet foods using plant based ingredients with the majority created in house providing a wide variety of healthy meal options. Their menu includes options such as a Green Master Detox salad, Massaman curry, the Saf Burger (organic gluten free bun of course!) and a Pad Thai. Saf is conveniently located above Whole Foods on High Street Kensington so you can pop in for a healthy nutritious meal after you have done your healthy food shop!

Mildred’s, Soho
Mildred’s is a fantastic Vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Soho. Mildred’s serves delicious and wholesome meals, offering a variety of gluten free, wheat free and vegan options. Mildred’s uses organic ingredients where possible and will always try to source from local businesses. A restaurant that serves a salad named the Organic Energising Detox Salad is sure to get a visit from me! I highly recommend their Cinnamon Spiced Stew, which is gluten and wheat free.

Granger and Co, Westbourne Grove
Granger and Co brings to us a taste of the healthy Aussie way of life! Brought to us by Bill Granger, Granger and Co is fantastic for breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Situated in the very stylish Westbourne Grove, this airy restaurant is a delight to dine in. The speciality on the menu is the Sweetcorn Fritters with roast tomatoes, spinach and bacon. Avocado on the side is a must to give the dish a true healthy Aussie taste!

Ottolenghi, Islington
Ottolenghi in Islington is the hippest and healthiest place to be seen in Islington! The menu provides a variety of delicious Mediterranean inspired dishes that are fantastic to share. The only problem with this restaurant is deciding which dishes to pick, as all options are incredibly appealing. The Roasted Aubergine with feta yogurt and crispy kale salad is a must as is the Five Spice Tofu. If you are feeling naughty, the cakes and desserts are some of the best in London!

The Gate, Hammersmith 
The Gate serves fantastic seasonal Vegetarian meals with an interesting twist. The menu is influenced by the owner’s Indo-Iraqi Jewish upbringing. The Gate succeeds in serving a variety of wonderful and nutritious meal options such as Root Vegetable Chickpea Tagine and Beetroot Ravioli. Time and time again I go back here as I have yet to experience a bad meal is always served at a very reasonable price. You can always to expect to try something different, the Lavender Crème Brulee was a first for me!

Pace Yourself at Parties

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For many of us this is the last working day – hooray! Tonight party’s and celebrations will be taking place all over the UK  and I am sure many of us won’t spend much time without a drink in our hand. The other thing about this time of year is that we are all often exhausted, which makes our immune systems weak and what makes them even weaker? Booze, partying, lack of sleep and stress! It’s a recipe for illness. Which is why we’re asking you to pace yourself tonight and this weekend. Don’t go crazy and fall at the first hurdle by making yourself sick before the real fun starts. Here are a few tips we suggest will help you avoid Christmas flu:

Say No
Why do we all feel we have to do everything all the time? As if the world would stop if we just said no to drinks after work, or no to cooking a ridiculously complicated supper for the in laws or no to very early start when you know you’ll be going to bed late the night before. Say no to a few things that are going to stretch you and you’ll soon see how much calmer and content you’ll be.

Don’t be the last one at the party
We’re not saying don’t go out (that would not only be unrealistic but also incredibly dull) but we do suggest setting yourself a curfew. Decide what time you want to be in bed by and work back from there. If you decide you’d need to leave by ten pm to be in bed by eleven, then stick to it. Momentarily you may feel like your going to miss out but actually you’ll feel so smug when you wake up less bleary eyed than the others and have a much better day because of it.

Drink a glass of water for every glass if alcohol
It makes total sense – just do it. And it’s free for goodness sake. Did you know that 250ml of alcohol makes you pee out 800ml of liquid because its a diuretic? Now can you see why you wake up with a dry mouth and throbbing headache the morning after a party? Yes?. Good. Drink more water. End of.

Take your vitamins
As just mentioned – this is the time of year for catching something nasty. Try and take your vitamins regularly to keep your immune system in tip top shape. Especially as all healthy eating plans seem to go straight out the window as soon as party season arrives. Take a good multivitamin as well as some vitamin c, plus milk thistle on boozy days will help your liver out.

Three Wise Beauty Product Ingredients

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Three Wise Beauty Product Ingredients

Beauty Writer, Frankie Rozwadowska, brings you beauty in the style of the three kings

 

“We three kings of Orient are….bearing gifts we traverse afar….”. We all know how the song goes, but did you know that those rare, precious and expensive gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh make for a skin miracle? It’s true – the Three Wise Men certainly knew their stuff, for these natural ingredients hold healing properties of almighty proportions. Meet the three Kings of beauty…

 GOLD
A word synonymous with luxury the world over – Gold is more than flashy jewellery and an (annoyingly catchy) Spandau Ballet song. Cleopatra is said to have slept in a gold face mask every night over 5,000 years ago to keep her looking young and beautiful, and although that may be a somewhat expensive option – you too can reap the rewards of gold in your skincare. This precious metal has been proven to slow the ageing process, boost the production of collagen and elastin, activate cell regeneration and protect against UV damage. All this and it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties – creating a radiant complexion and skin as bright as a button. We all deserve to be spoilt at this time of year – because baby, it’s gold outside.

Gold and silk – a match made in heaven when you want to feel beautiful and glamorous. So when a cream contains them both, it can only mean good things. Chantecaille’s Nano Gold Energizing Cream (£370) contains tiny particles of gold that are bound with silk – a natural protein that’s highly moisturising and soothes stressed skin. Together, they battle UVA and UVB rays and act as a healing and preserving force, with an army of sidekicks at hand to up the ante – algae extract to tighten, Butcher’s Broom to calm irritation and Vitamin C to even skin-tone.

Omorovicza – Hungarian skincare that harnesses the power of the country’s mineral-rich healing waters. Buff yourself beautiful with the Gold Sugar Scrub (£57) – it not only rids you of dead, dry cells, but it also helps to energise and repair sensitive skin. With arjuna bark to strengthen, apricot seed oil to nourish, and natural sugars to provide a gentle and effective exfoliation – the powerful small gold particles provide anti-inflammatory and beautifying properties.

For skin that gives a golden glow – the Nourish Golden Glow Toning Soufflé (£24.95) does just that. With golden resins of frankincense and myrrh, it nourishes, firms, tones, and improves the surface of the skin whilst repairing and restoring elasticity and protecting against environmental damage. It also smells divine thanks to the addition of neroli oil, leaving skin moisturised and soft with a sun-kissed shimmer.

FRANKINCENSE
Native to plants of Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, frankincense is so much more than an oh-so-seasonal scent – it’s magic. Really. Boasting amazing skin regeneration properties, it not only prevents scars but reduces the appearance of them, be it from acne, burns or stretch marks. It is a natural antiseptic (ideal for blemishes) and as an astringent, it strengthens and tightens skin – reducing excess dryness or oiliness so your skin is back at its best.

Wash away the day with the Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Face Wash (£16.50) – a gentle creamy cleanser with nourishing apricot and jojoba oils that will leave even the driest of faces soft and supple. Vitamin and antioxidant rich, no nasties, vegan and organic – it, quite frankly, makes sense.

De-stress – it sounds all too easy as Christmas looms, presents are still to be bought and the entire family is preparing to descend upon you. But it is that easy – as with the Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil (£24.50), one sniff will leave you calmer, brighter and instantly uplifted. Frankincense has been used for centuries in medicine and meditation to clear the mind, fight off anxiety and stress and to restore energy levels. Massage into pressure points or onto the scalp for a truly calming experience (it’s a dry oil so no drama of greasy looking hair) and with nothing else added, it’s pure, 100% nature at its best.

REN have done it again. The Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream (£38) is so good, one die-hard fan reportedly had one FedExed to him after departing on a ski trip and leaving it at home. And it’s not hard to see why. Containing vitamin A to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, vitamin C to even out skin tone and provide radiance, Vitamin E to fight off free radicals and protect from damage, and boswellic acid to relax facial tissue and smooth fine lines – it’s also anti-ageing, moisturising and protective. Just massage gently into face and neck and you’re good to go.

MYRRH
Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and with antioxidants and antiseptic properties – Myrrh was used in ancient times to treat numerous skin conditions (eczema, wounds, cracked or chapped skin and even wrinkles) and is still very much a skin saviour today. It softens dry skin, prevents premature ageing and tissue degeneration, improves circulation and rejuvenates. Like Frankincense, it contains a high volume of sesquiterpenes compounds that help balance emotions, which – when mixed with its warm and woody aroma – will relax and soothe. This reddish-brown resin really is myrrh-aculous.

Particularly good for oily or problem skin, Sisley’s Tropical Resin Lotion (£52.50) is a purifier containing myrrh, plantain, incense and burdock to eliminate impurities and excess sebum – enhancing the complexion and leaving skin matte and magnificent, with its astringent effect tightening dilated pores. It can be used topically to treat blemishes and spots, and if you use under makeup it helps it stay on longer.

For drier skin, the Darphin Organic Myrrh Aromatic Care (£38) is the ultimate in essential oil care. Mixing myrrh with coriander, sandalwood, apricot kernel oil and myrtle essential oils – tight, dry skin is nourished and comforted to leave you radiant and glowing.

Or if you have normal to combination skin, the Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion (£13.95) is a lighter alternative to a thick face cream. Containing pure plant extracts of sedum, myrrh and horsetail – it counteracts fine lines, dryness and dull skin, whilst strengthening and revitalising. Cold-pressed wild rose seed oil (which smells heavenly) supports the skin’s natural protective barrier with its essential fatty acids, providing extra nourishment and care.

 

Three ways to boost energy

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Three Ways to Boost Energy

Broadcaster and adventurer, Hannah White, brings you her three tips for boosting energy

The most important thing for health, diet and wellbeing is to be clean and healthy from the inside out. Everything you put into your body has a direct impact on how you feel. Caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, sugars, are all causes of being overweight, being tired, being ill.

Hannah White gives us three tips on boosting our energy levels, and improving our wellbeing…

1.      Try a liquid only diet one day a week: I don’t mean soft drinks and coffee, but great freshly made juices, smoothies and soups. This will give your digestive system a little bit of a break to catch up on processing all the bad stuff in your body. The more good liquid in your diet, the less work the body has to do breaking it down, and ultimately the more nutrients can be absorbed. If you can manage one liquid meal a day then this is great. It will make a difference.

2.      Replace your builder tea or Coffee: Drink as much water as you can. And secondly make yourself either a hot or cold drink with water, lemon and cayenne pepper (with a natal sweetener like good quality honey or agave). You wouldn’t try and drive a car without putting fuel in it, and water is a far more important fuel than food. The spicy lemon drink is not only delicious, but it will wake up your digestive system and get you ready for the day ahead and stimulate to help digest whatever you happen to put in it!

3.      Buy powered super greens: Buy chlorella, wheatgrass, barley grass or spirulina (better still and mix it all up!) get a teaspoon or 2 of this in a small glass of water and drink it. It doesn’t taste great, but it ensures you are getting loads and loads of fab vitamins and nutrients, regardless of what you do for the rest of the day (think of a turbo-charged berocca!).

www.hannah-white.com
Follow Hannah @hannahwhiteuk.

 

 

What They’re Wishing For This Christmas

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What They’re Wishing For This Christmas

Editor, Sadie Macleod, talks hip and healthy presents for your loved ones this season

 

I don’t know about you but I am struggling slightly with gifts for my family. It doesn’t help that I have a gigantic immediate family. Four siblings (three brothers and a sister), two sets of parents (two step and two… not step) and a fiancé is no mean feat when you’ve got to think of original and thoughtful presents. I also like to give things that keep on giving – and that contribute to their health. After all, I honestly can’t think of a better present than giving something that improves someone’s wellbeing.

With that in mind, here’s my list of hip and healthy pressies to suite a range of budgets that will get all the usual and much-appreciated ooos and ahhs of a great present received as well as a few out of breath uhuhuhs, phews and exhausted sighs later down the line.

1. An iPod mini – for a nice touch upload a running playlist before you wrap. That way they can just lace up and head out. No fuss. No excuses.

2. Adidas Originals – durable, stylish and iconic. You could not want for a better trainer. They also have a slight retro feel which younger brothers and stylish dads will love.

3. A Yoga DVD – whether they are full blow lotus loving yogis or downward dog virgins – a good yoga DVD will have them engaged in a state of sweaty zen in no time.

4. Running Socks – get them from their favourite sports store and you can’t go wrong. They so have the edge on boring old socks.

5. Ear Muffs – so many people get put off exercising outdoors in winter because of the cold. If your ears are warm I find it makes a huge difference. Ear Muffs can be worn running, walking, cycling… They are what the tangoed salesman on Bridget Jones would call ‘an all rounder’.

Fake Tan Top Tips

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Fake Tan Top Tips

 

We bring you our fake tan tips

Its the heart of winter and so most of us have not now seen the sun for at least half a year! And even if we lived in the southern hemisphere, sunbathing was so last year. That leaves us wannabe bronzed babes with one option, fake tan. Reader, if I could give you one tip with regards to fake tan it would be to approach the stuff with caution. Prepare your body – exfoliate, moisturise and add extra moisture to the dry areas. Leave for about 15 minutes. Then get out your fake tan.

The Legs

Begin by applying to the legs. Spread evenly all over including the feet and go over the sides of your feet to your soles too. Then take out an old dry towel and gently brush the knees, soles of your feet, toes and behind the knees.

Tummy & Chest

Apply all over the tummy and chest including the sides and continuing on to your back area a little. Then get the towel out and brush it gently along your sides. With a small bit of tissue rub your tummy button.

Arms & Hands

Arms can be quite difficult. Again apply all over extending right down to the hands. Use the towel to brush your elbows and the wrists and hands.Wash your hands thoroughly. Nothing gives away a fake tan more than orange hands. Also brush the towel under your armpits.

Face & Neck

Apply the fake tan to your face and neck like a moisturiser. Make sure you go behind your ears and right up to your hairline. Screw up a small piece of tissue and gently brush the hairline. Take a cotton bud and remove any excess fake tan from your eyebrows and in your nostrils (trust me it gets everywhere).

 

The Ultimate Hangover Cure Smoothie

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It’s that time of year… you know it, I know it, the paracetmol in your cupboard certainly knows it…it’s party time. And whilst we are not saying – go out – get wasted, we are saying that where there’s booze there is also an almighty hangover just around the corner. We have devised the perfect hangover cure for you to whip up the morning after the night before. Nearly all hangovers are a result of dehydration,  potassium deficiency and loss of all-important electrolytes. So we’ve included ingredients that counteract this. And we’ve kept it super simple on purpose as who wants to faff around with five different herbs when your head is pounding.

Here’s whats in it (and why it’s in it):

330ml Jax Cocoa Coconut Water

Your dehydrated. That is what alcohol does, it’s a diuretic. All your lovely lost fluids have been replaced with horrid toxins and in order to feel better you have to fill your body back up with water, electrolytes and potassium. Trainer to the stars and founder of www.twentytwotraining.com Dalton Wong says “if you are feeling tired or lethargic, it might be a potassium deficiency so ditch the coffee and grab a Jax Coco water”. As coconut water is not just high in electrolytes but potassium too it helps with hangover’s no end.

1 large banana

Bananas are also full of potassium.They are also a good way to refuel and give you a bit of energy.

1 large kiwi

Kiwi’s are full of both potassium and vitamin C. You will also need vitamin c to help your body along with the detoxification process and unbeknown to most kiwis have one of the highest content of vitamin C amongst all the fruits.

1/3 pineapple

Also full of potassium… we see a pattern emerging, the pineapple is a great hangover helper. It is also packed with bromelain, which is an incredibly helpful natural anti-inflammatory that encourages the healing of bruises and swelling in the body #justsaying.

Method
Chop and blend! Then serve. Add ice to chill.

 

 

Yoga For Digestion

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 Yoga For Digestion

brought to you by YogLA founder, Nick Ryder

 

Lying Twist

Whilst one of the best seasons of the year,  Christmas can be a bit of a nightmare when it comes to remaining Hip & Healthy. Embarrassing jumpers from obscure relatives negate any form of winter style, and the obligatory mountain of food followed by a chocolate and a TV induced coma can leave you feeling less than healthy.

However, we’ve got the perfect yoga pose that will help aid your digestion, alleviate stomach pain/ bloating and help to reset any kinks/ tension in the spine from hunching up on the sofa with the family watching Her Majesty.

Start off lying on your back with your arms extending on the floor at 90 degrees to the torso. Draw your right leg into the chest and place your left hand on the outside of the knee. Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, gently move your right knee to the floor on the left hand side. Gaze out to your right hand and aim to keep your shoulders relaxed and on the floor.  An alternative if you really ate a lot and can’t face lifting your knee up is to bend the knees, leaving the feet on the floor and rock the knees from side to side – this one’s called ‘windscreen wipers’ and is one of my favourites!

Just a few points…

Let gravity do the work – don’t force it!

The depth of the twist relates to how far up you bring your knee – you can bend it slightly and roll it out to the side if you want.

Use your inhale/ exhale to relax the muscles deeper into the stretch.

Don’t be alarmed if you hear a few pops – that’s just your spine realigning (or maybe you ate too many Brussels’ sprouts)!

Nature’s Little Superheroes – Phytonutrients

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We reveal the benefits of nature’s little superheroes Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are wonderful things that live within plants to help them fight off disease. So when you eat a plant packed full of them you too benefit from their resilient ways as they continue the battle within you helping you to destroy free radicals and disease as well. Phytonutrients are, however, heat sensitive and therefore best eaten raw if you want to reap their benefits. So where can you find these special little things at Christmas? As luck would have it… Everywhere!
Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash: these all contain the phytonutrient Beta-Carotene, which your body converts into Vitamin A.
Tomatoes: packed full of Lycopene, tomatoes are a great way to ward of cancers.
Red Wine: one of the best sources of resveratrol is found in red wine, which we think is excellent news. We did a whole article on it’s benefits if you want to get a bit more clued up. If you’re not that bothered then this is the general thought: don’t raid the off-licence just yet – you should still drink responsibly but perhaps swap that glass of white wine for red and you’ll reap a host of benefits. Resveratrol is great for skin, warding of cancer and has even been linked to living longer!
Apples: a great source of Quercetin, apples help prevent heart disease.

Our Top Ten Hip and Healthy Stocking Fillers

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Kathleen Flemming reveals her top ten stocking fillers for the Hip and Healthy girl

1. Peppersmith Mints – It is always useful to have some after dinner mints in your handbag and Peppersmith boxes are perfect hand bag size. These mints contain natural ingredients and they have been accredited by the British Dental Health Foundation as being healthy for your teeth (www.peppersmith.co.uk for stockists).

2. Divine Dark Chocolate – The name “Divine” says it all. This dark chocolate is not only delicious but by eating it, you are also helping the cocoa farmers in Ghana. Divine is a truely fair trade chocolate company and it is the only fair trade chocolate which is part owned by the farmers. There are dark chocolate coins for Christmas but there is also a range of dark chocolate slabs (70% – 85% dark chocolate) including dark chocolate with raspberries and dark chocolate with fruit and nuts (www.divinechocolate.com for online shopping or buy it in Waitrose, Oxfam and many specialist food stores).

3. Satsumas – Satsumas are a classic Christmas stocking gift and perfect for a healthy stocking. Satsumas are packed with Vitamin C, low in calories and taste yummy, They are the perfect antidote to Christmas excesses. You can buy bags of satsumas cheaply from most supermarkets.

4. Mixed Nuts – Brazil nuts and cashews are my favourite but you can mix and match your nuts at stores such as Cranberry (www.cranberryuk.com). Nuts are packed with protein and good fats which help protect against heart problems. Choose raw nuts over salted and honey roasted ones.

5. Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair – This cream is amazing for tired post-party eyes. It contains naturally active ingredients including Vitamin E and soothing echinacea and it helps to reduce dark shadows under your eyes (GBP 14.25 at any John Lewis or Liz Earle store – www.lizearle.co.uk).

6. Origins Organic “Drink Up” Face Mask – After lots of late nights, eating and drinking skin becomes dehydrated. This face mask is made from organic ingredients and rehydrates tired faces (GBP 20, available in most John Lewis and Debenhams stores as well as online at www.origins.co.uk).

7. Lulu Lemon Ultimate No Show Run Socks – Socks are a classic stocking filler. For a runner’s stocking, Lulu Lemon running socks are perfect and they come in a stunning purple colour (GBP 12, www.lululemon.co.uk).

8. Yoga Matters Eye Pillow – Soothe tired eyes and enhance yoga relaxation with an eye pillow. These Yoga Matters pillows are filled with linseed and have removable covers (GBP 6, www.yogamatters.co.uk).

9. 1000 Places to See Before You Die, Patricia Schultz – Wondering where to go in the new year but need inspiration? This book is packed with ideas from Africa to the Americas as well as places in the UK for weekends away (GBP 14.99, available in all good book stores and www.amazon.co.uk).

10. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers – This book will inspire you to overcome your fears and follow your dreams in the new year. It is short, easy to read and contains many useful tips on doing what makes you truely happy (GBP 12.99, available at Waterstones book shops or online at www.amazon.co.uk).

 

 

 

Our Top Three Christmas Energy Foods

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It’s that time of year – Christmas is just around the corner – so close you can almost smell the roast turkey, and we have a million and one things to do before we actually get there. You have a personal ‘to do’ list that could rival Santa’s, and let’s not even get started with deadlines that need to be met at work. But we urge you not to throw your health compass out the window just yet as we feel that it may be the solution to get you through, unscathed, to the big day! See below for our favourite festive foods that fuel:

Chestnuts
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is the opening to one of the most commonly sung Christmas songs, and has fuelled our association with these nuts and the winter season. But there is much more to these babies than a festive song and dance. Full of the fat soluble vitamin B, that aids production of red blood cells and helps the break down of carbs, fats and protein for energy and enhances brain function. Protein packed, leaving you fuller for longer it is a great addition to your breakfast or afternoon snack. Full of Omega-3 fats (the good fats as shown on day 11) to rev your metabolism and maintain a healthy digestive system as well as glowing winter skin.

Dates
One of our favourite Christmas foods, dates, are a great way to add a sweetness to a dish without adding sugar. They have a host of nutritional benefits too. Dates are probably best known for their positive digestion effects, and are especially effected with helping relive the symptoms of constipation. This is due to the amount of fibre they contain. Fibre helps the digestive system work more efficiently and keep things moving. Increasing your fibre intake has been linked to a reduction in colon cancer and heart disease. Dates are also a healthy source of B vitamins, which is where the energy part comes in as B vitamins help turn your food into energy (which we explained a little better above).

Cinnamon
I know, we kind of bang on a bit about this wonder spice. But if cinnamon was a spice girl it would be Sporty Spice – full of energy, prancing around the stage doing high kicks and judo moves, all whilst maintaing a consistent stability, her moods don’t change, she has only had one hairstyle and I’m pretty sure one type of tracksuit. This is cinnamon. It’s scent is said to give you energy and make you alert, but its overriding health benefit is stabilising blood sugar levels. We love it and we are pretty sure Sporty Spice loves it too.

Fuel Yourself First Thing: It’s all about the breakfast

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Fuel first thing with a good breakfast

 

During the Christmas season we tend to eat more and because of this many of us decide that it would be a great idea therefore not to eat much in the morning so that when we eat later in the day we won’t feel as bad. Is this a good idea? No. It’s a terrible idea. You are setting yourself up for a fall. When you don’t eat in the morning you don’t even give your metabolism a chance – it will slow right down as you become more hungry throughout the day as it is worried about where it’s next meal will come from.

Start the day with a hot water to flush out all the toxins that your body has been busy working to get rid of over-night. Then have a good healthy and fuelling breakfast. A recent study done by the clever people at University of Alabama at Birmingham showed that mice who consumed a high-fat morning meal burned more fat throughout the day than those who ate a carb-rich dish. There are such things as healthy fats like nuts and avocado. So top your porridge with some delicious nuts or slice up an avocado with your egg. Not only will you feel fuller for longer, your blood sugar levels will be more stable, your metabolism will be happier (helping you to burn more throughout the day) but you will be less likely to snack on sugary Christmas foods that will no doubt be an arm’s length away.

If you really don’t want to sit down to a big meal first thing try our fig, lime, poppyseed and cashew smoothie. Just click here for the recipe.