Health Do’s: Tired of giving things up? We reveal what you could be adding to your life that will make a difference to your health

Tired of giving things up? Sometimes its better to add some healthy things in, says Charlotte Newnham… we reveal what you could be adding to your life that will make a difference to your health

It’s February and perhaps those New Years resolutions, set in such good faith a month ago, are starting to hit shaky ground. When it comes to what we eat, resolutions are all about what we shouldn’t, can’t and must not consume and all this denial just makes us feel like wretched weaklings when we give in.  So I hereby propose a new happier way of feeling better and healthier. Here are five little things to add to your diet (and your bath) that will make you feel fabulous without any self flagellation in sight.

Linwoods milled nuts and seeds. What a brilliant invention these packets of goodness are. The finely ground up seeds and nuts come in a myriad of different concoctions. My favourite is flaxseed, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts and Q10. A couple of spoonfuls are easy to sprinkle on cereal or yoghurt for a mini shot of essential fats, fibre and vitamins. So easy in fact that you’ll be in danger of not noticing how healthy you’ve been.

Inner Me. At last! A range of supplements that look gorgeous enough to sit on your bathroom shelf nestled amongst the perfume bottles. Pop one of their Super Strength Omega 3 for a mega dose of healthy fats.  Could be just the ticket to add shine back into lacklustre winter locks and skin.

Epsom Salts. Once a week treat yourself to a 30 minute wallow in a bath with these wondrous salts. The salts are magnesium sulphate which can be absorbed by the skin as you lie there. Magnesium is often lacking in our diets due to eating processed foods so it’s useful to find ways to sneak more in. Start off slowly with a tablespoon and over a few weeks build up to a cup. Their benefits are endless but the one that keeps me coming back is the quality of sleep afterwards. They truly zonk you out so worth checking the alarm clock is working before you climb into bed.

Sprouts. Clover, mung bean, alfafa, broccoli – whatever your sprout of choice, these little things pack a punch on the nutrition front. They contain all the nutrients and energy required for them to grow into a plant and this is why they are such an excellent source of protein, vitamins, enzymes, minerals and bioflavanoids. You could even go one step further and buy your own sprouter. Now, that really would be impressive.

Apple Cider Vinegar. While I admit this isn’t to everyone’s taste, substituting balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar is a tick in the box when it comes to alkalising your body. It is also famed for fighting infections so either adding a spoon to a mug of warm water in the morning or putting a small cup in your bath will work wonders.

If you liked this article we think you’ll like Charlotte’s other article: Three of the Best (and Healthiest) Snacks


Spot Solutions: Skincare expert, Su-Man, shares her tips on beating breakouts

Su-Man, one of the country’s leading facialists, shares her tips on how to beat breakouts and stop spots in their tracks

More and more women and men in their late twenty and early thirties are complaining about regular spots and adult acne. This rise in cases of bad skin can be down to a number of different reasons, pollution, make-up, skincare, nutrition, health or even stress, the list goes on. As someone who has diligently taken care of her skin all her life, Su-Man understands the body and how the smallest of changes to your daily life can lead to the biggest transformations to the body and the face. Here she suggests some easy and natural ways to avoid getting breakouts and how to treat spots when they do rear their ugly heads!

Wonderful Wheatgerm
Wheatgerm facial wash is a simple and natural way to cleanse blemished skin. The flakes of the wheatgerm gently exfoliate the skin but also provide enough protection because they contains essential fatty acids. Bear in mind, you do need to wash your face close to the sink as it is a bit messy and not that convenient but if you persist it’s worth it! Mix one table spoon of wheatgerm with warm water in your palm then massage all over your face for a minute or two then rinse off with warm water.

Acne Oil
Pure Sea buckthorn fruit oil (you can buy it from www.summerbee.co.uk) can really calm breakouts and keep them to a minimum. It’s great for acne. My teenager daughter and my husband are living proof of its effectiveness. Apply small amount to affected areas. Massage in very lightly.

Don’t Overdo It
Never over wash your face as it can often cause your skin to react and cause more breakouts. Twice a day is more then enough and if you do need to wash the third time then wash without soap, just use water.

Exercise with a Fresh Face
Do not exercise with make up on as it can block the pores and lead to further breakouts

Watch Where you Spray
Avoid hair spray getting in contact with your face, particularly if you have a fringe. I make sure I put a hair band on to sleep if I’m not going to wash my hair before bed.


If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Boost your Mood with Food

Long nights with the wrong types of food can lead to long faces. Lots of people still don’t make the link between mood and food, but when you think about it how can the brain not be affected by what you put in your mouth. After all, the brain and neurotransmitters are derived from nutrients and therefore completely effected by what you eat and drink. These three foods are a great way to stay happy and healthy any time of the year, but are especially needed in winter.

Eat more Salmon: Omega-3s (found in Salmon) are incorporated into the cells, making their membranes (the cell wall) more fluid so that they can communicate with one another. This then allows for the feel-good neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, to get in and out of the cell more easily, translating to a better mood. In fact, Omega-3s themselves are also currently being studied for their positive effect on depression. Watch this space.

Finish the day with Turkey: You may feel as though you have had your fair share of Turkey in the last few months, but don’t rule it out as just a Christmas food as it can be one of the best suppers you give your body. Often described as nature’s Prozac – turkey is rich in tryptophan, which is what your body uses to make happy hormone, serotonin, that helps boost mood and lower sugar cravings. Why for supper? Turkey also has sleep inducing properties.

Snack on Bananas: Bananas contain high levels of magnesium, which has been found to improve sleep and reduce anxiety. As well as this, they also contain tryptophan – essential for the body to be able to produce happy hormones.


Jeepers Creepers, Where D’ya Get Them Peepers: Top Tips for Optimum Eye Health

words by Rebecca Fairbrother 

It’s all well and good spending a small fortune on gym memberships, anti-aging creams and the like but without our eyesight all of these luxuries (and arguably necessities) would pale into a dark vortex of insignificance (literally!)

It is sometimes easy to forget and take for granted our eyesight as it is something we use everyday. However it should not be overlooked that our eyes are wonderful things and deserve the utmost respect and care. They take us through almost every second of our waking hours and are a hugely complex, wondrous and enchanting feat of natural engineering. Follow these quick and easy tips to ensure optimum eye health:

Exercise
If maintaining weight, improving cardiovascular function and circulation, as well as boosting levels of happy hormones like Serotonin are not good enough incentives to motivate you to partake in regular exercise, then throw eye health into the mix and that should definitely be enough to get you to that yoga class. Taking regular exercise is one of the sure-fire ways to maintain long-term health. The health benefits of exercise really are endless. Exercise is paramount to maintaining optimum eye health. As our eyes require good blood circulation and oxygen intake in order to function properly, give your eyes a boost with regular exercise which stimulates both of these things.

Quit Smoking
Ditch the cancer sticks! In all honesty, smoking has no redeeming features. Not only does it increase your risk of certain cancers, notably lung cancer, it also prematurely ages us and fills our bodies with lots of nasty toxins such tar and carbon monoxide. Smoking as a young adult can vastly enhance your risks of developing a cataract.

Diet
Research has shown that people whose diets are depleted of antioxidants are considerably more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration than those who regularly eat foods with high antioxidant levels. A diet rich in leafy green vegetables, oily fish, eggs , nuts, beans, pulses and fruit (in particular citrus fruits) will definitely stand you in good stead for protecting your vision. Not only will a well-balanced diet help you to maintain a healthy weight, this is turn will lower your risk of developing type 2 Diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.  A whopping 45% of people with diabetes go on to develop diabetic retinopathy which is seriously detrimental to our sight, whilst having diabetes puts you in significant danger for glaucoma and cataracts – all fatal diseases which affect eyesight.

Eye Test
It has been approximated that around 5 million Britons have not had an eye test in the last decade. We should all treat our eye health as we would any other part of our body. We go for annual trips to the dentist, visit osteopaths and chiropractors for back pain but regularly our eyes go unnoticed. All it takes is one eye examination every two years to keep on top of any underlying issues which might arise. A regular visit to your opticians is the best way to detect if you have a serious eye problem. Most serious eye problems like open angle glaucoma for example have no obvious symptoms.

Sunglasses
The Sun can wreak havoc on our vision. Protect your eyes in sunny conditions or when you are in high-glare areas which include being in close proximity to snow or water. Invest in a pair of sunglasses to ensure your health are properly protected from the sun’s damaging UVA or UVB rays.


Director’s Cut: We Speak to Caroline Rowland about directing First, the official film of the London Olympics

Director’s Cut

We speak to Caroline Rowland about directing First, the official film of the London Olympics that follows the stories of 12 first time olympians

What inspired you to direct First?
I became increasingly preoccupied with making the Official Film of the London 2012 Olympic Games after making the films for London’s successful bid.  It took an eternity to secure the rights and the challenges of raising the finance meant the film teetered on a knife edge until the very last moments. In hindsight though, there was probably never any doubt that this was the film I was destined to make. I’m passionate about the drama and humanity of sport and my persistence in trying to make the film was entirely driven by the stories I knew would lie at the heart of young athletes – and at the heart of every one of us.

What challenges did you come across in making the film?
Trying to be in 3 places at once!  Firstly across continents in the six weeks leading up to the Games and then directing 3 film crews scattered across the Olympic Park and off-site Olympic Venues!

Have you always had a passion and interest in sport? If so, why?
Yes, absolutely!  I was an elite swimmer with Olympic aspirations in the late eighties, my dad was a UK decathlete in the 50’s and I grew up with a love of all sports.  I ride horses, ski, run, play golf, still swim from time to time and will give any sport a go!  For me, sport is representative of what it is to be human!  It is the most visceral reflection of the pursuit of victory and defeat over oneself (and others).

In the film you follow the lives of 12 first time olympians – did you find yourself really liking any particular one?
It’s impossible to have favourites!  They all inspired and elated me.  Their challenges have been different, their personalities contrasting, their talents varied – but every one of them shares the single-minded commitment to being the best they can be.  And that’s what I love about all of them!

How well did you get to know the athletes?
In the 6 weeks leading up to the London Olympic Games, I was lucky enough to spend time with the athletes in their home environments in Britain, Ireland, the US, South Africa, Kenya, India and Australia. They were all incredibly generous about letting me get under the skin of their stories. I really feel as though I went on a journey with the young athletes towards (and through) the Games, experiencing the drama with them from their initiation into the most significant sporting ‘family’ in the world.  I’m delighted to continue to be in touch with several of them and feel privileged to count them amongst my friends.

What surprised you the most about the athletes?
The incredible athletes in the film are an inspiration – but they are also just normal people, plagued by the same emotional conflict and drama that every other teenager encounters on their journey to adulthood. It’s when you hear and see the events that shape the characters of the cast of Olympians that one can truly appreciate the value of finding the special talent or characteristic that inspires us to achieve our potential.

The film is very emotional. Did you find you became attached to the athletes when watching them compete?
I felt like I had a dozen children competing at the Games.  I laughed, cried, cheered and punched the air at every event – it was incredible!

Did you learn anything from the athletes you were filming?
I’m not sure words can adequately describe the profound nature of the things I learnt from these young people.  They are heroic, but vulnerable and at the intersection of those contrasting characteristics lies the truth of humanity.  I will carry that thought with me for the rest of my life.

Buy the film on amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Official-London-Olympic-Games/dp/B009T44K68/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359471140&sr=8-1


A Treatment A Day Keeps the Doctor Away: Three of the best treatments in London that are easy, affordable and effective

Well perhaps not every day, but introducing massages and facials into your life can make a difference to your health, here are three we recommend, says Sadie Macleod

Having lived in Hong Kong, I took it for granted that out there that you don’t need to book months in advance to have a massage, facial or any other wellbeing related treatment for that matter. In fact, you needn’t book at all. Quite often I would wonder into the well-known spas and after being offered a green tea I would be whisked off for some of the best massages of my life. There was a no-fuss, no-frills approach to these treatments that sat really well with me as sometimes when you need a massage, you need it now. Coming back to the UK, I had forgotten that the only way to get a treatment like this was to either book two months in advance or be put on a waiting list and wait for a cancellation. I have once even been told that one particular spa was booked up till Christmas – I was calling in July – and their waiting list was full… And don’t even get me started on the prices. Since when was it ok to charge £3 a minute for a massage?

I truly believe that massages, facials, and other relaxation techniques are as important for the body as they are for the soul and contribute to our wellbeing in a big way. Hong Kong, and much of Asia, has known this for a long time. They see massage as a form of medicine (one with only good side-effects). And it seems that the UK is only just beginning to catch on… and it is about time to. Here are three of our top places to grab a beauty treatment on the go.

Spa and Massage
This trend is clearly evident in the emergence of Spa & Massage. With five spas across London, Spa & Massage a “no-appointment necessary” approach to massages. The spas are clean and fresh and each of the wonderful masseurs are knowledgeable, experienced and incredibly friendly. The range of treatments are extensive and the spas stay open until 11pm meaning that the after work massage is now possible. It is the perfect place for a post-work massage to wind down after a stressful day and has recently become my new Friday-night hangout! And the best part? It’s totally affordable. So not only are you making a much better decision for your body by going for a massage rather than heading to the bar but it is also the best choice for your wallet! www.spaandmassage.co.uk

Elemis Retail SpaPod Therapies
An innovative approach to beauty; mixing Spa with shopping, the brilliant Elemis have set up ‘SpaPod’s’ in some of the UK’s favourite shopping centres. Finding ourselves in Debenhams on Oxford street on this particular occasion, we were delighted with the prospect of being able to step off the shop floor, straight into a tranquil haven making us forget the hustle and bustle for a blissful 30 minutes. Before we were allowed across the threshold for our facial however, an expert therapist performed a procedure called ‘face mapping’ so that she could see exactly what part of the skin needed attention, whether that be too many open pores, not enough exfoliation or even too much sun damage so that she could recommend a cream with a high SPF to further protect skin in the future. This process, although slightly daunting at first, was fascinating and the bespoke ‘mapping’ immediately gives you absolute faith in both the therapist and the treatment to come. The pod itself is small but welcoming, and most importantly relaxing. You are placed into a massage chair for the duration of the treatment, now, we know that a massage chair can be wonderfully soothing for many people, however, we would recommend for this treatment that you forgo the massage function of the chair and just focus on the expertly performed facial – sometimes it can be hard to truly relax when you have too many things going on at once. At just 30 minutes per treatment, these really are perfect for a speedy pick me up while shopping or even in your lunch break. Choose the power boosting facial to help you look and feel re-energised and rejuvenated – ready to face the crowds. http://www.elemis.com/spatherapies/retailspapodtherapies.aspx HC

The Organic Pharmacy Purifying Urban Facial
This treatment from The Organic Pharmacy (a firm fave at the H&H headquarters) is the perfect post- work pick me up. Because its just 45 minutes long it means that you are unlikely to fall into a massage induced coma but it is still long enough to make you feel relaxed and like you have had a proper treatment. Starting with a double cleanse and then mask and exfoliator, the skin is cleaned at a much deeper level than achieved at home. The facial massage is a brilliant way to relieve any jaw tension to, and if you are anything like me, you’ll go a whole day clenching your jaw without realising it. Each if The Organic Pharmacy’s product are packed full of active natural ingredients that give off the most delicious scents and you’ll continue to smell like something good enough to eat long after the treatment has finished. I am not sure I’d want to go back to work after this facial as it would be a shame to out make up back on and I did somewhat glow (read shine) on my journey home praying I wasn’t going to bump into anyone I knew.  But for the busy girl who wants who can’t find the time to shave her legs let alone take a whole hour for a facial this is the perfect antidote to a busy and sometimes stressful life. Book one of these a month and you’ll definitely save a wrinkle or two in the long run. www.theorganicpharmacy.com

 


Meditation for Beginners: Reduced stress levels, increased immunity, more happiness… the benefits are endless so what are you waiting for.

words by Janet Murray

How many of you have got ‘learn to meditate’ as one of your New Year’s Resolutions? And yet, despite your best intentions, and having read loads of articles about all the benefits of meditation, you’re still not quite sure how to start. Your reluctance might not just be pure procrastination (it might not be, but let’s not rule it out!) Or it might be that you’re a bit baffled as to where to start. After all, the word ‘meditation’ is as broad as the word ‘sport’. It covers a lot of different approaches.

And there are a lot of strange ideas about meditation – here are a few that you might have heard:

  • that you need to be a vegetarian
  • that you have to be able to sit in the lotus position
  • that you need special equipment
  • that you need to go to classes
  • that you have to be able to empty your mind
  • that you have to become a Buddhist
  • etc, etc

There are probably as many misunderstandings about where to start with a meditation practice as how to start training for a marathon. So here’s the news: You just need yourself and your breath. The breath is the base of all mediation practices and you don’t need any fancy equipment, cushions or bells to do it. You might want to get a few of those things later, once you’ve developed a practice and find them supportive, but you absolutely don’t need anything to get started except willingness and commitment.

Here are my top ten tips to beginning a mediation practice the fastest, easiest, cheapest and simplest way:

  1. Start today, not tomorrow.
  2. Schedule no more than 5 minutes of meditation daily to begin with. Make it as easy peasy as possible or you’ll find a way not to do it.
  3. Sit down on a hard chair or the floor. You can sit in any position you like as long as your back is comfortably straight and not leaning against anything. If you’re sitting on the floor, you might like to wedge a cushion under your coccyx as it helps to keep you upright without straining too hard. If you’re sitting in a chair uncross anything (arms, legs) and put down anything you’re carrying or which is in your lap.
  4. Set an alarm for 5 minutes.
  5. Close your eyes (if you’re feeling sleepy, you might want to keep them slightly open and unfocussed).
  6. Focus your attention mentally on the tip of your nose.
  7. Observe your breath:  breathe in, “count one” and breathe out, “count one”.
  8. Repeat: breathe in, “count two”; breathe out, “count two”.
  9. Repeat for ten breaths and then start again at ‘one’ until the alarm goes off
  10. Each time you notice that your thinking has wandered away, bring it back gently to the tip of your nose and your breathing and start the cycle again from breath “one”.

If it sounds simple, it is. If it sounds easy, it is. But you might be surprised how rarely you get to ‘ten’ at first.

Your mind is like an excitable puppy bouncing all over the place. It’s your job to housetrain it. And you don’t housetrain a puppy by yelling at it, telling it ‘it’s stupid’ or losing patience with it. That’s how to demoralise and upset a puppy, not train it. Start treating yourself with gentleness, precision and patience. Consciously doing this can be as transformative as the meditation itself, because you’re learning how to be a more compassionate human being. And it’s surprising how many of us who are kind to others are actually really very unkind to ourselves. If you’ve never done any mind training before (which is what meditation is, just as all sports are a form of body training) you can’t expect to be an expert immediately. The trick, like all training, is to start small, do it regularly, keep your commitments and seek the company of others to help you with your motivation.m Meditation can sound very esoteric, very weirdy-beardy. But ultimately it’s just about you, sitting down to train your mind to stop yapping. The benefits are measurable as well as immeasurable.

JANET MURRAY BA, DipM Master Prac NLP :

Janet is a Master NLP practitioner and inspirational coach who is passionate about working individuals and teams to help them fulfill their potential personally and professionally. The author of two books on relationship strategies and the mother of two teenage sons, Janet combines her intuitive and practical wisdom with her corporate background as an international trader with Shell UK. She’s also a successful entrepreneur having co-founded and launched her own training delivery and publishing business that was successfully sold and which continues to thrive today. An inspirational leader, entrepreneur and communicator, Janet is passionate about helping people to create and achieve the life they desire. www.janetmurray.com

 

 


Miss MoneySavvy: Get Your Finances in Order and Make 2013 the year to save money!

Miss MoneySavvy: Get Your Finances in Order and Make 2013 the year to save money!

We are full to the brim with New Year Resolutions, so adding another to your list (especially when it is the last day in January) is not going to be high up on your to do list. But don’t give up on this post just yet, as reading it could help you save a bit of your hard earned cash… and here’s why.

Why should we be saving?

It is a good question, but one that is easy to answer: To plan for a better future for ourselves and our family. And another good reason, saving a small amount of money now will amount to a much bigger saving down the line. So what are you waiting for…

How To Plan

One of the best ways to plan for the future is by looking at your past bills. Work out what your fixed monthly costs are and total that up. This is the amount of money that will remain the same each month and will include things like rent. Then take a look at your variable costs (these are bills that fluctuate in cost depending on certain factors, for example, your heating bill). When looking over these costs work out what you could be spending less on and even maybe do without. Often heating bills go up in winter as we all switch our heating on, perhaps you could just simply alter your heating by turning it off an hour earlier each night (just make sure you wear an extra pair of socks in bed). Also, your food bill is another place where you can look to save money. All these variable costs can be altered and even the smallest changes can make a big difference further down the line.

Once you have done this, set yourself a realistic budget. And then for the hard part… stick to it. Be disciplined. This will sometimes involve saying no to things, which can make you feel quite boring. So instead, organise fun low-cost social get-togethers like movie nights at friends’ houses, or dinner parties where each guest contributes something. Planning your finances and being clever about money can actually be quite fun.

Three Top Tips for Saving

1. Use your commute as your exercise for the day. Buying a bike for your journey (check out whether your work has a cycle scheme as many do) or signing up to the Boris Bike scheme are both brilliant ways to not only save yourself the money you would spend on travel but they are eco-friendly too. Not that keen on cycling? Why not run? One of the best investments you can make for your health and in order to save money in the long run is to buy a light-weight rucksack to transport all the things you need to and from work. It often just takes a bit of forethought as to what you need to pack for the day ahead.

2. Avoid a high-interest loan at all costs. Instead, if you are in great need of some extra money whether it is for improving your home, something serious to do with you health or anything else that is important to you, take a sensible loan that is both affordable and well-thought through. Never rush into a loan that you do not fully understand in terms of its repayments strategy or that you have not worked out how you are going to pay back.

3. And lastly, bring in your own lunch. The mark up on sandwiches and salads that you buy in cafes and other lunch spots is huge and you will instantly save yourself a notable figure by just cutting out all store bought lunches. Instead, make delicious sandwiches at home. A favourite combination is rye bread with humous and left over roasted vegetables, followed by a small handful of cashews plus an apple and accompanied by a large glass of tap water. Buy teabags to have at your desk so that you make tea rather than buy it. And stock up on lovely fruit from a local farmers market (seasonal stuff if possible as it will be fresher and cheaper) to snack on stopping you from caving in at 4pm and splurging on a bag of overpriced crisps at your office canteen.

Clydesdale Bank’s instant decision loan offers an APR representative of 5.1% on all loans between £7,500 and £15,000 (subject to conditions). http://www.cbonline.co.uk/personal/loans/personal-loan

 


The Hip & Healthy guide to Hong Kong

words by Samantha Organ

Electric and energetic. Just two words which describe one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities in the world, Hong Kong. With its vibrant atmosphere and never ending social scene, Hong Kong is known as the city that works hard but plays harder, as the cocktails continuously flow and the broad scope of indulgent local and international cuisine never lose their appeal. But all is not lost in this city of sins, as both the local and ex-pat community see health and fitness as an integral part of their daily routine. Gyms including Fitness First and California Fitness can be found throughout the city, whilst if you know where to go, you can find the healthiest places to eat without feeling deprived of the “decadent authentic food” experience. Here are the top three reasons as to why you should not only visit Hong Kong, but how to stay hip and healthy during your visit to one of the world’s most luxurious cities…

FOOD

Life Cafe is natural, organic and ideal for vegetarians. Starting off with a fresh apple and mint juice, I could immediately tell that alfresco dining was an experience I would be coming back for. With a vast array of dishes to choose from, the sumptuous filo pastry is a must. Containing broccoli, herb roasted potato and feta cheese accompanied by mixed baby greens, I was left feeling super healthy and my hunger, perfectly satisfied. With food options starting at just $105.00, it’s perfectly reasonable too. (That’s a cheap and cheerful £8.45). For me, the sweet roof top terrace sealed the deal! 10 Shelley Street, Central | www.lifecafe.com.hk 

Furthermore, located just a few hundred yards away from the hustle and bustle of the central district is Oolaa. A coffee lounge, fine wine corner and full dining experience that ticks all the boxes. The menu encompasses western food including your standard margarita pizza, perfect for the strong hold Brit, whilst the shared Meze platter of cured meats simply goes down a treat. Think relaxed yet soulful, as this popular hangout spot perfectly masters the transition from daily coffee to evening cocktails without losing the buzz and vibe that is Hong Kong. Bridges Street, Central |www.casteloconcepts.com 

Having won numerous accolades, Peking Garden is known for serving what is considered to be the best duck in the whole of Hong Kong, and, having tried it, I was not surprised by its excellent reputation. The chef demonstrates just how perfectly the duck is cooked by gently slicing through the succulent yet crispy poultry, as the fresh aroma of out-of-the-oven pancakes quickly get your food senses tingling. As a bonus, duck fat is the healthiest of all animal fat, enabling you to enjoy this dish guilt free! Featuring oriental decor, Peking Garden is the place to go to for a full authentic dining experience and located in the popular shopping mall of Pacific Place, it’s an easy to get to location.  Admiralty | tinyurl.com/bkunduk

SPAS

Where there’s a ying, there’s certainly a yang at I-Spa and as the only spa known for its ‘feng shui’ philosophy, it’s certainly worth a visit. For guaranteed health induced bliss, I-Spa at The Intercontinental delivers. With its friendly beauty therapists, relaxing oriental music and calming decor, each guest is treated like royalty and welcomed with a heart warming ginger tea upon treatment arrival. The perfect treatment for a paradise escape? The Organic Aroma Stone Massage, renowned for its healing powers for the mind, body and soul. Warm and smooth volcanic basalt stones are gently massaged into the muscles with the spa’s exclusive blend of organic aromatherapy oil. Lasting a full 90 minutes, it’s hard to stay awake in such a luxurious setting. Each treatment room is accompanied by a marble jacuzzi, sauna and steam room for ultimate relaxation. And the view? Simply step outside and be greeted by one of the most spectacular sights overlooking Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon | hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

FITNESS

You name it, Hong Kong has it. I’ve already found myself catching the ferry and completing the four hour trek up Lantau Mountain. Exhausting? Yes, but totally worth it! Once at the top, the stunning views over the city and Hong Kong’s Tian Tan Buddah (known to you and I as ‘Big Buddha’), are breathtaking and sights that absolutely must be seen when hiking in Hong Kong. Dragon boat racing on the other hand is far from relaxed and taken very seriously across the island. For the hardcore fitness fanatic, this is your sport as it works the whole body through a series of movements using the core, arms and legs – the ideal workout for overall body sculpting.

For the more relaxed fitness fads, yoga and Pilates can be found at any gym, such as Pure Fitness and in individual classes throughout the city, such as The Yoga Room. With over 1,000 classes throughout Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei, Pure Yoga (the yoga branch of Pure Fitness) practices a range of different yoga styles from Hatha and Hot Yoga to Ashtanga and Satyanda yoga, providing a style for everyone. As a result, inner strength, clarity and peace are instilled when in the heart of the city. The Yoga room, as well as providing professional Yoga classes from Vinyasa to Candlelight Yin Yoga, holds a series of Pilates classes designed to strengthen the core and straighten the posture whilst creating a sense of balance and vitality. Both Pilates and yoga are the perfect way to start the day, encouraging a central focus and positive outlook through the art of mediation and the fluidity of movement. For those who are unsure, both Pure Yoga and The Yoga Room offer a free session so you can see which style suits you best. No excuses not to give it a go! www.pure-yoga.com | www.yogaroomhk.com 

So relax … pack your trainers … and enjoy the pace!


Top Five Healthiest Teas in London

Whether it is a cup of English breakfast, green or a herbal infusion, who doesn’t love a good brew? Approximately 165,000,000 cups are drunk each day in the UK so it is a relief to know that tea has been proven time and time again to have an abundance of health benefits. These benefits can vary from heart and oral health, lowering cholesterol to providing hydration, anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins to the body. And if for no other reason than this, a cup of tea always has the power to put the world to rights!

Browns Hotel, Mayfair
The very stylish Browns Hotel in the heart of Mayfair serves every woman’s dream… Afternoon ‘Tea-tox’! Served in The English Tea Room, their award winning Afternoon Tea has a healthy spin. Who needs naughty finger sandwiches when you can indulge in delicious Smoked Chicken and guacamole on spelt bread? Followed by flourless Chocolate cake and sugar free deserts on a tea-stand? I sampled the finest White tea I have ever tried followed by Brown’s own created English tea. This Afternoon ‘Tea-tox’ is a truly virtuous and yummy treat. (www.brownshotel.com)

TeaSmith, Spitalfields
Prop yourself up at TeaSmith’s impressive ‘Tea Bar’ and select one of their many healthy tea options. The knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you choose a tea and explain the correct way it needs to be infused whilst they prepare it in front of you. I sampled the delicious Long Jin Green tea. Whilst brewing, the staff explained why the water temperature had to be at a specific point for each tea to fully enjoy the delicate flavours and benefits from the leaves. I enjoyed three infusions from my one pot. Some teas can be infused up to ten times, lucky if you pick one of those! (www.teasmith.co.uk)

Camellia’s Tea House, Carnaby Street
An artisan tea company, Lubna one of the owners is a qualified homeopath and has used her knowledge to develop the UK’s largest range of health teas, which can be enjoyed in the Tea Room or purchased to be taken home. I enjoyed the delicious ‘Beautiful Skin Tea’ made with dandelion, chickweed, herbs and flowers. This tea is said to improve circulation, have anti-inflammatory effects and will also detox your system. Camellia’s Tea House takes you away from the hustle and bustle of London whilst drinking in this relaxing, cosy Tea Room. (www.camelliasteahouse.com)

Postcard Teas, New Bond Street
Described as the ‘connoisseurs in tea’, Postcard Teas has established tea provenances by putting the maker or estates name on every tin of tea they create. You can sample one of their many teas for £2.50 which can be taken off the price of a caddy if you decide to purchase. A healthy Black and dark ginger tea made with ingredients from Vietnam caught my eye. You can literally post a Postcard tea to someone by selecting a tea that goes in a sealed bag with a postcard attached which is designed by the owner! (www.postcardteas.com)

Yumchaa, Soho
You are guaranteed to find one of the healthiest teas in London in Yumchaa, Soho. These guys serve only loose teas that contain essential oils. They use purified high quality water when brewing one of their own crafted teas that never come from a tea bag. Yumchaa have created a super healthy tea named the ‘Gentle Giant’ made from white tea, ginseng root which provides energy and jasmine flower to soothe stress. Their aim is provide truly yum ‘chaa’ (tea) experience! (www.yumchaa.com)

words by Stephanie Matysiak

 

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If you only do one thing this week… Quit Hidden Sugars

Now, Im not just talking about table sugar, Im talking about all the hidden sugars in processed foods.  As a whole it seems like everyone is on a diet, trying to go to the gym, yet we seem to be getting bigger every year.

I was at the supermarket the other day and thought it would be nice to buy a soup, I usually make my own from scratch but I was feeling a bit lazy and thought it would be nice to let someone cook for me. I grabbed one of the healthiest looking soups from the shelves and found to my horror they had added in sugar, rancid vegetable oils and refined salt. This is common for pretty much all processed foods even the ones you deem healthy choices.

Of course this is a small amount of sugar but it adds up. Today we eat more than a kilo of sugar a week. Just 150 years ago we ate next to none.

Facts About Sugar:

The really nasty sugar is fructose! Ever molecule in our bodies has a hormone that responds saying ‘thank you – we are full now’ when you have reached your required dose, every molecule except when it comes to fructose. Your body has no limit in terms of how much fructose you can eat, that is why is is so easy to wolf down sugary desserts and copious amounts of sweet fruit. So by reducing and cutting out sugar you will find yourself reducing the amount of overall food you eat, because you wont be craving more fructose and your body will naturally know its limit for other molecules. Even Agave is 90% fructose, so although it does not raise your G.I levels as much, use it sparingly. It is also sweeter than sugar anyway so you only need a touch if you want to sweeten something.

When fructose is digested in our body is not used as upfront energy instead it gets directly converted into fat, which is stored in our body (usually around our waists). It also clogs our arteries, which can be the start of cancer forming cells.

Quitting hidden sugar is hard and I recommend that you do it slowly. Read labels carefully. It really is all about taking the time to check what has been put into your food. Even some labels say no added sugar but have disguised sugar in another form. Or even better – make things from scratch. My food philosophy is if your grandmother couldn’t make it in her kitchen, don’t eat! Lets get back to basics.

FUEL YOURSELF WITHOUT SUGAR: To see some of our favourite sugar-free snacks that will give you energy click here.

words by Nutritionist, Madeleine Shaw