Our New Workout Legging Obsession: Hey Jo

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This just in: workout wear doesn’t have to be boring. We have fallen head over heals for boutique active leggings brand, Hey Jo, and think you will too. Not only do they come in an array of rainbow colours (you have to be fairly bold to pull off the orange) but the leggings don’t fade and are durable too. Detailed with gold zips, my favourite of their two styles is the Cassini, which has both a useful but discreet pocket on the bottom (perfect for keys, credit card etc.) and a zip at the bottom of the leg. Although they don’t have a huge choice on style, what Hey Jo do, they do well. The leggings are not just for work-out time but for play time too, so you can literally go from sweating to socialising in a matter of minutes. But we do suggest showering first.

Visit http://hey-jo.co/store/ for more info

Health Speak with Olympic Heptathlon Athlete, Katarina Johnson Thompson: Find out how she stays so focussed

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Hip & Healthy chats to the gorgeous olympic athlete, who can run, jump, throw, train five days a week and still keep a balance in life, and she’s only 20… Rising star? We think so…

Talk us through a normal training day/week for you?
Because my event is the Heptathlon there are seven disciplines to train for, which means every day is different. Monday I do a gym session, then the rest of the week I work through each event from shot put, to running, long jump then high jump, as well as a sprint sessions.

What inspired you to forge out a career in athletics?
I got into athletics when I was young and really took to it. When you are good at something as a child you just want to continue to work at it, because you enjoy it and so you can get better and better. I decided I wanted it to be my career only last year after the Olympics. It was my first major competition and competing in front of a large home crowd made me realise it had to be my career.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Definitely the London Olympics, it is inevitable for any athlete that the Olympics is the pinnacle of their career and it being a home Games made it even more special.

What do you find hardest about your training?
I find it hardest when I am injured and actually not being able to train, particularly in the summer throughout the competition season. Out of all of my training I find running sessions the hardest.

What is your diet like? Strict? Relaxed? Talk us through a day in the life of your food habits!
I have a plan but it isn’t strict, I just try and eat the right things and ensure everything I eat gives me value to help me in my sport. Moderation and balance is really important.

What keeps you focused?
Music when I am competing. When I am in the warm up area I have a set playlist I listen to, the same one every time and in the same order, I don’t ever put it on shuffle. I have a system, fast songs when you are warming up and slow when you are stretching.

My goals keep me focused and they make it easier to train hard and put your body through pain if you know what you are doing it for. I think everyone finds this, whether you’re a professional athlete or not. The Nike Training Club App for example is great because it gives you targets to work towards and rewards you when you hit them.

The right training kit also helps me to keep focused I am currently wearing the Nike Dri FIT Knit Tank. It’s made of a seamless knit fabric that allows me to move more with no distractions as it is really comfortable and moves with me as I move.

Do you ever have off days?
I train 4 – 5 days a week, the rest days are very important to me to ensure I recover post training.

What are you training for at the moment?
The European Under 23s in Finland in July and the World Championships in Moscow later this summer. Both are really important for my development this year and are in the back of my mind all the time when I’m training.

How does it feel to be so successful in your career at such a young age?
It was very hard to get through the Olympic qualifiers in the Heptathlon, as you have to be strong across seven events. Last year I pushed myself because I knew competing in a home Games was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It definitely what pushed me to be successful.

What is your moto?
When competing I think ‘you can’t be nervous, you just have to give it the best you’ve got’. I always take one event at a time and focus on the present.

How do you relax?
I spend time at home with my family and have regular DVD boxset marathons. At the moment I am watching Breaking Bad as I just finished the entire series of Lost.

Image: Katarina trains in Nike Dri-FIT Knit, a new apparel innovation which features seamless knit fabric for zero distraction. www.facebook.com/NikeTrainingClubUK

Raw Fig Tart Recipe: Not to be missed

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Raw Fig, Orange and Lime Tart with a Coconut Cashew Crust

For the crazily good crust:

1 cup cashews (soaked overnight or for atleast 4 hours)

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

4 medjool dates (soaked in warm water)

 

Filling: 

6 fresh black figs

1/2 an orange segmented

juice of 1/2 lime

1/4 cup cashews (soaked overnight or for atleast 4 hours )

Method
Blend all ingredients for the crust. Line a springform baking tin with parchment paper and press the crust mixture in to a medium circle, moulding from the sides up.

Then blend all the ingredients for the filling. Pour evenly into crust and place in the freezer to set, overnight or until the filling is solid. Remove, let thaw for 10-15 minutes and dish up much to your guests’ delight.

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Healthy Seasonal Rhubarb & Strawberry Fool with Creamy Cashew Yumminess

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Serves 4

Rhubarb compote:
2 cups rhubarb, diced
1 cup strawberries, chopped
Juice 1 orange
2 tbsp agave syrup/ honey
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup water

Method: in a saucepan combine the rhubarb, water, agave, vanilla and orange juice. Add the rhubarb and place on medium heat for 5-8 minutes to allow the rhubarb to stew. When you can feel it has softened, add the strawberries and continue to cook for another 3 minutes. Transfer into a large bowl and allow it to cool.

Cashew Cream:
1/2 cup cashews, soaked
1 cup water
3 medjool dates, soaked if hard

* If you don’t have time to soak your cashews, boil a kettle and pour over the cashews, let sit for 60 seconds and drain.

Method: Add all ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth.

To compile:
Simply place 1/4 of the compote mixture into each serving dish or glass, top with 1/4 of the cream mixture. Scatter with cinnamon and strawberries to garnish.

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Eat Your Way to Healthy, Glowing, Holiday Skin

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Eating healthily can change our bodies drastically, including the health of our skin. Hip & Healthy recently interviewed Amanda Ursell, a qualified nutritionist with a postgraduate in dietetics, about how we can eat our way to goddess-like glowing skin. In addition to our daily skincare routine; using a good moisturiser, spf and cleansing regularly, Ursell argues that “eating well can be a compliment this. What you eat is vital for promoting a healthy body and mind, and skin is part of this equation too. We chat more to Ursell about what we should be eating to give our skin a helping hand.

Vitamin C
Ursell tells us that vitamin C is especially important for the quality of our skin,  “our bodies need it to make collagen, the protein that helps to keep our skin looking bouncy and youthful.”  Vitamin C is not only vital in the production of collagen; it also participates in the production of scar tissue that allows the skin to repair itself. If that wasn’t enough, recent studies done by dermatologist in the US have discovered that vitamin C may also contribute to the neutralisation of free-radicals (unstable molecules that damage collagen and can cause skin cancer).
Sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, apples, pears, and bell peppers.

Vitamin E
Similar to vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin. It is one of the most powerful of the antioxidants, and like vitamin C, your body cannot produce it. Consumption of vitamin E can prevent premature aging and damage to cells.
Sources: Avocados are great sources of vitamin E as well as nuts like almonds and hazelnuts (just another reason why we love almonds!).

Beta-carotene
Not only is beta-carotene an antioxidant, additionally it enhances the efficiency of sunscreen. Enough beta-carotene in your diet can even give your skin a healthy glow. “Foods rich in yellow, red and orange pigments seem to help the most, they protect our skin from the damaging rays from the inside out,” says Ursell, “but it is still essential to use SPF protection creams and be sensible about the time you expose your skin to the sun.”
Sources: Carrots, pumkins and sweet potatoes are all full of the stuff!

Skincare no-nos
Ursell makes sure to note that it is equally important to avoid skin irritating foods, “sweets, cakes, biscuits, puddings, fried and fatty foods and alcohol are the things that inevitably are the ones best to avoid.”  These foods are very high in sugar and far that are associated with the aging of skin.  (To learn more about sugar see: http://www.hipandhealthy.co.uk/sweet-nothings-sugar-substitutes).

Easy skin-happy snacks: Almonds, apples, apricots

So what can you do to improve skincare? In addition to snacking on apples and oranges, we’ve created a smoothie that incorporates some skin glowing essentials.

Skin Glow Smoothie Recipe:

1 cup water

1 bunch kale or spinach

1 Apple and/or pear

1 cup orange juice (fresh if possible)

1 banana

Agave nectar to taste (optional)

Blend water and greens until smooth, add apple, pear, banana and juice, blend until smooth. Pour and enjoy!

Image: Swimwear from a selection at Seafolly. Click here for more information or to buy.

words by Jennifer Marie

Dairy-Free Aubergine Parmigiana Recipe (yes – you read that right!)

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Dairy-Free Aubergine Parmigiana

2 Aubergines, halved lengthways

Ingredients

1 tin chopped tomatoes

2 tablespoons minced oregano

4 tabslespoons minced basil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 Red onion, minced

and for the ‘parmesan’

1/2 cup cashew nuts

4 tbsp nutritional yeast

salt to taste

Method

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees. Slice your aubergines and place on a baking tray with a drizzle of olive or avocado oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile prepare the sauce by adding all ingredients to a saucepan and simmering until the onions are well cooked. For the ‘parmesan’ process the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Once the aubergine has baked, remove from the oven, spread with sauce and scatter with 1/4 of the parmesan on each half. Put back in the oven and bake for another 5 minutes (or until parmesan starts to brown).

Serve with a green salad and balsamic dressing.

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Happy Baby Pose: Mummy & Me Yoga

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Happy Baby Pose: Mummy & Me Yoga

Yummy-mummy, Louisa Parker-Bowles, was elated to find that there was something other than walks in the park that she could enjoy with her babe

mummy and me yoga

As someone who stayed very fit during pregnancy, I was desperate to get back to the gym as soon as possible after my little treasure (finally) arrived (10 days late). I had images of a maternity leave filled with leisurely trips to the gym (with time for a steam after, obviously) and long lazy lunches in the sunshine. The reality of life as a new mummy hit me in the face as harshly and unexpectedly as the hail when we left the hospital to bring our darling daughter home (Easter Sunday, but Spring had certainly not sprung).

Through the fog of sleep deprivation even the most everyday tasks can seem challenging. Getting the buggy up and out the door with both baby and mummy fully dressed and neither of us crying was an achievement. Waitrose became a terrifying assault course of obstacles and many of my favourite haunts are now out of bounds thanks to prohibitively steep steps / smooth floors (she won’t sleep in the buggy unless the ground is bumpy. Gravel is the dream) or narrow aisles. There’s no denying it, life has changed, and so, too, has my work-out regime.

I signed up for the 20 day unlimited pass for £20 and braved my first ‘Mummy and Me’ yoga class at Triyoga on the King’s Road (www.triyoga.co.uk/chelsea-location/) when my daughter was six weeks old. Initially hesitant, I was delightfully surprised by every aspect of the experience. There is a lift for buggies and the serene, welcoming faces of the staff are the perfect antidote to the constant look of angst I had been modelling. As I walked into the bright, warm studio I was enthusiastically greeted by Cat who calmly gathered the necessary kit for me and explained that ‘anything goes in this class’.  After a brief round of introductions, we began working through various postures – some for Mummy, some for baby and some for both together – with Mummies feeding, changing and tending to their babies as needed. It was an excellent bonding experience for my daughter and me and very enlightening to discover an activity that the two of us can enjoy equally together. Plus Cat’s evident knowledge and passion for Yoga at all ages and stages of life is inspiring.

The benefits of ‘Mummy and Me’ yoga are numerous. For babies, yoga encourages development and awareness of their new little bodies, as well as helping with digestion and sleeping at night (thank God). For Mums the exercises help with recovery post-birth, improve posture and promotes a sense of overall well being and calm. Plus there is a real sense of camaraderie throughout the class. It is a lovely reminder that you are not the only one getting to grips with it all. I left the class (after a quick pit stop for a delicious juice at the café) feeling completely elated, enthused and energised and my darling daughter slept more peacefully that night than any night before. ‘Mummy and me’ yoga really is the gift that keeps on giving!

 

 

Liposonix Reviewed: Our resident Beauty Editor finds out what it is all about…

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promo logo

With summer now here (apparently), my ears pricked up when I heard about the new Liposonix treatment available at the prestigious 111 Harley Street Clinic – home of über-skincare brand, 111 Skin founded by renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Yannis Alexandrides.  A non-invasive fat busting procedure that promises to make you a dress size smaller in just an hour – it sounded too good to be true. So of course I had to find out more, and after being invited to try it for myself, it didn’t take much convincing… bikini season here I come.

The technical bit:
So what exactly is Liposonix? Well, it’s ground-breaking ultrasound technology that has been developed over 10 years by leading scientist and ultrasound experts to reduce fat from the waistline area without an invasive procedure or scary surgery. It’s the perfect solution for those who struggle to rid themselves of ‘stubborn’ areas and find that exercise and diet don’t help. Which, let’s be honest – in today’s hectic lifestyle seems to happen to the best of us. The ultra-sound device works by heating the fat cells found beneath the skin (without harming it) which ‘melts’ fat and allows the body to naturally process and remove the tissue over 8 to 12 weeks. Once destroyed, fat cells in that area can never reform – meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Clinical studies have shown that just one hour’s Liposonix treatment results in an average waist circumference reduction of 1 inch. And with research showing that 62% of women are most uncomfortable with their tummy/love handles and 75% would give up clothes shopping for one year to lose an inch – it seems as though Liposonix has found an answer the female population’s prayers without us having to give anything up. It’s about time.

The Experience:
Having never had anything like this done before, I have to confess I was somewhat nervous prior to my appointment with Dr. Yannis Alexandrides at the 111 Harley Street Clinic. There are a few consent forms and scary documents to sign, which of course set my imagination into overdrive, however upon chatting to Dr Alexandrides and his assistant – my mind was totally put at ease. Being a leading plastic surgeon who has pioneered his own facelift procedure – it’s safe to say you’re in the best possible hands. He’s also rather handsome which makes the experience that little bit more enjoyable…

After discussing what stubborn area I wanted rid of (lower tummy) I was marked up with pen a là Nip Tuck, measured, weighed and left in the care of Dr. Alexandride’s assistant who carried out the treatment. Lying back on the bed, the area is sprayed with cool water to slightly numb and de-sensitise before the ultrasound device passes over points of the stomach where it remains for a minute each time. Depending on your pain threshold, different strengths of frequencies are used. I was a bit over ambitious and started quite high, but it had to be turned down as I did find it quite painful. It feels like tiny little pricks are piercing your skin followed by a strong heat – which is good as this is what kills the fatty tissue, but it can get a little intense at times. When this happened, she kindly stopped – turned down the frequency – and continued. Perhaps the super brave could grit their teeth and bear it – however I would recommend starting off at a lower frequency and seeing how you go.

Aftercare:
Although there is no downtime and it is said that you can continue on with your normal routine following the procedure – there are a few things to be aware of. Don’t do what I did and go on a Friday, as they advise you not to drink alcohol for 24 hours post treatment so your body doesn’t get dehydrated. You are also advised not to eat spicy or bloating foods (as your tummy does swell a bit for a few days after) or have hot baths/expose the area to heat. This is due to the fat cells under your skin retaining the heat of the ultrasound for some time after the Liposonix has finished, and although that’s a good thing during the treatment – it is not something you want to increase at home. I was told I might experience some bruising and tenderness, which I did – but this did pass after a few days.  Some clients apparently go to the gym the very same day – it’s all down to the individual. I felt as though I had done a lot of sit-ups – and hopefully it will leave me looking like I have!

The Results:
Watch this space in 8 – 12 weeks and I’ll let you know…

For more information visit http://111harleystreet.com/about/our-team/dr-alexandrides/

Are you ready for GRIT?

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Samantha Whitaker takes on the work out of her life when she trials GRIT for Hip & Healthy

LES MILLS fans listen up: you know when you do a class and there’s one track that leaves you feeling like you might collapse? GRIT™ is half an hour of those tracks! But don’t let that put you off. For our time-poor generation, this explosive hit of exercise – which fits snugly into the precious pre-work or lunchtime hour – is exactly what we need.

Following the global trend for High Intensity Interval Training – or HIIT – GRIT seriously pushes you to the next level. It’s incredible how much your body can adapt to even the toughest training: I suddenly felt like I hadn’t worked out since sometime last year – and the shock pushed me to give my absolute all.

I’m not going to lie: there were points when I felt nauseous. But it was at those moments that the instructor was right next to me, counting down the seconds until the end of the rep, so there was no way I could give up. Because that’s what GRIT is all about: high-impact movements to great music, with inspirational trainers who are there doing it with you, harnessing the power of the team. There’s lots of whooping and high-fiving, but I can see why it’s addictive. ‘The workouts are demanding, but they’re over quickly,’ says Marcus Benson, a LES MILLS GRIT Series trainer. ‘Each 30-minute session mixes short bursts of high intensity with recovery periods, which is the best way to increase fitness, tone muscle and lose fat.’

There are three different classes in the GRIT Series. GRIT Strength uses barbells and plates to blast the major muscle groups and stimulate the metabolism to keep burning fat for hours. GRIT Plyo is based on the principles of plyometrics to build an agile, athletic body by transforming muscle fibre and increasing stamina. GRIT Cardio, which I tried, is a fast, fat-burning combination of explosive power moves and body-weight exercises. All three promise non-stop action and big results, fast.

At GRIT Cardio, the small class (of around 15) stood either in a circle or in two groups facing each other. From the start, it was fast and intense: short reps of shuttle runs, ladder climbs, push-ups and burpees. As always with LES MILLS classes (such as BODYPUMP and BODYATTACK), there are lower-impact options – which is good because GRIT™ has been designed to attract those who might not traditionally be into the idea of group workouts (men, in other words). And with three classes, and new routines every three months, there’s no way you’ll get bored.

The GRIT Series is being rolled out into gyms right now, so keep an eye out. And if your workout is in need of a shake-up, this half-hour attack is 100% what you need. For more information, or to find the nearest participating club, visit www.lesmills.com.

Cheeky Chocolate Pudding with Creamy Almond Butter (dairy- and sugar-free)

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The sweet potato brownie phenomenon hit the vegan food world by storm and shows no signs of waning. We love to turn these simple orange root vegetables into a gorgeous gooey chocolate mess! With the sweetness of sweet potato, creaminess of almond butter, distinct caramel tone of medjool dates and rich raw cacao, this oh so healthy dessert is to die for! Share with your friends and get them to guess the ingredients, we assure you they never will!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 Sweet Potatoes

1/4 cup Raw Cacao

3 Tbsp Almond Butter

3 Medjool Dates

2 Tbsp  Honey/ Agave Syrup (can omit in place for 3 more dates)

1 Cup Rude Health Oat milk

Method:

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees. Roast the sweet potatoes in there skin for 25-35 minutes (until soft). Peal and place in your blender, pulse until pureed. Add in all the other ingredients and continue to blend until super smooth. You may have to stop the blender and mix with a long spoon if the mixture gets stuck underneath the blade. Pour into your bowl, martini glass, champagne flute or whatever takes your fancy – the more glamourous the better and serve.

 

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How to Stay Hip & Healthy on Holiday

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Holiday’s are wonderful but they can also be the ultimate healthy regime disrupter. It can be very tempting to throw caution to the wind and indulge in everything going – this is your well-deserved break after all. But do you want to arrive home looking and feeling even worse than when you got there? Probably not. And although a tan will hide all manor of sins, it will soon fade and then what (wrinkly skin is what!). Why not return feeling rested, relaxed and vibrant? Full of health and vitality? Here are some simple easy-to-implement ways you can stay healthy whilst also indulging in a little of what you fancy…

Exercise
Despite what you may think, holiday is the perfect time to exercise. You don’t need to set aside much time but do it in the morning and get it over and done with. If running is your thing, make sure you put your running clothes on before anything else and you will find that half the battle is just getting yourself out the door. Prefer yoga, then do an online class or if you are a ballet barre fan then log on to www.sleektechnique.co.uk where you can take part in live barre classes. Or why not take full advantage of the pool and get 30 lengths in before breakfast. This does not need to be done every day but if you can manage it 3/4 times over the week you will notice the difference!

Rest
Now, I know I have just harped on about exercise but rest is just as important. Get as much sleep as you can and wake up naturally – don’t set an alarm. Leave the curtains open and the light will wake you up if you want to wake up early. Also, spend some time enjoying doing nothing – then you will feel truly rested when you get back. If you’re into it, also try some meditation to relax the mind. Find a quiet space and concentrate on your breathing and try and shut out all other thoughts – really try not to think about the work you have to do when you get back. This is your time to chill and you have earned it.

Food
Holidays present the perfect chance to eat healthily. If you’re by the sea take advantage of the fresh fish on offer. Landlocked? Then visit local markets to grab fresh fruit and vegetables. If you are in a villa it is much easier to eat healthily because you are in charge of what goes into your meals and you can stock up on fruit and nuts for snacks. However, when staying in a hotel, choose the catch of the day and ask for it in oil rather than butter, have fresh salads for lunch, there is normally always Salad Nicoise on the menu and this makes the perfect balance meal – tuna, potatoes and lots of leafy greens. Stay away from anything deep fried or fast food-y and you should be ok.

Skin
Less stress, fresh food, resting and, of course, a good dose of vitamin D will see that your skin improves over your holiday. There really is nothing like the sun to give you a healthy glow. Having said that we do also have to be very cautious and treat the sun’s strength with respect. Always wear suncream. Know your skin’s limitations and don’t push it – there is nothing more annoying than having to spend the rest of the holiday indoors because you took it to far on the first day. Be aware of things like pigmentation and moles and make sure that you put a block on them for extra caution. Where a hat. And moisturise well after sun exposure as your skin will be very dehydrated. Take note – your standard moisturiser may not cut it. We love ESPA’s Cellular Hydration Intensive Serum, £38.

 

If you only do one thing this week… Eat Like a Tennis Pro

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If you only do one thing this week…

Eat Like a Tennis Pro

 sweaty betty tennis

 

Go Gluten Free Like Novak Djokovic
This number one tennis star found that his wheat-intolerance was actually impacting his breathing. Some say that his tennis career was transformed when he went gluten and wheat-free. Not only did his breathing dramatically improve (important when you spend your life darting around a tennis court), but his energy levels and fitness started to show signs of getting much better. Dr. Igor Cetojevic, who worked with Djokovic for a year up until his Wimbledon triumph in 2011 said in an interview with CNN “I knew from my experience that asthma was not the boy’s problem but rather it was reflecting a symptom of something that was going on with his digestion, it was his sensitivity to gluten that was compromising his lungs.”

Eat Vegan & More Raw like Serena Williams
In support of her sister Venus, who adopted a vegan diet after she was diagnosed with an immune disorder known as Sjogren’s syndrome, Serena has cut back on chicken and fish and upped the raw food in her diet. What have the effects been? Well, it seems that this new way of eating has helped Serena slim down and speed up.

Have a Fueling Breakfast like Maria Sharapova
Sharapova puts her energy on the court down to a fantastic breakfast and good hydration. So what does she eat the morning of a big match? Apparently an egg white omelet, some oatmeal, and berries are the order of the day. And if she fancies an extra boost she will slurp back a super-food packed smoothie too.

Cut out Alcohol, Sugar and Processed foods like Andy Murray
When Andy followed in Novak’s footsteps and went gluten-free he actually found he lost a lot of weight and strength. So he switched his diet to protein centric meal times and cut out all refined sugar, alcohol and processed foods, instead opting for lots of fresh sushi, pasta and chicken before games, and protein shakes whilst training. Interestingly he also does Bikram Yoga to build up his strength and stamina.

Image: Matchpoint Tennis Dress, £80, Sweaty Betty