My Perfect Timings

To get my metabolism going as soon as I wake up, I like to have a cold glass of water when I get out of bed.

Afterwards I like to do my workout. I prefer to workout in the morning just because it gets it out of the way and leaves me feeling"pumped" if you will for the rest of the day.

As soon as I've finished my workout I like to have my breakfast. Breakfast should be your biggest meal of the day so to counteract the number of calories I intake I eat straight after my workout because I am still burning calories. 

Fact: If you exercise with weights, you burn calories 

for a longer period of time after you stop working!

During and after my workout I tend to drink 1 and a 1/2 glasses of water to keep hydrated.

For breakfast I always have a cup of green tea because it helps to boost your metabolism.

Throughout the day I have around 8-10 glasses of water. I make sure to drink a glass of water before each meal.

At 11:00am I have a piece of fruit to keep my metabolism going.

At 1:00pm I have lunch.

At 4:00pm I have a snack - usually carrot sticks, I love them so much!

6:00pm - dinner 

Interesting Theory: Apparently your dinner should be the size

 of YOUR handful. (for me incredibly small)

Before I go to bed I have a cup of mint (herbal) tea to help cleanse my senses - I get really bunged up and coldy around this time of year.

When I have a day like this I feel energised and rejuvenated but it's hard to get it perfect all the time!

When do you like to do what? 

Should I change up what I'm doing?

A Quick Message

Just a quick message to everyone on the quest for the hot summer body --->

Losing weight and becoming healthy is 80% diet and 20% exercise. If you are looking to be healthy you need both, unfortunately it doesn't make a difference if you are on that treadmill for hours on end; if what your putting in your body is bad, you won't get the results you want.

Eating a balanced diet will help your weight loss, health and skin so why wouldn't you do it? 

I know it's difficult to beat those chocolate craves (you're talking to Mrs. Sweet-Tooth) but that toned and slim physique won't come unless you make the change.

Are you ready to make the change?

Stop Counting

I used to be a big fan of apps like My Fitness Pal as you could type in almost anything you've eaten that day and find out exactly how many calories were in it and how good or bad you've been that day. 
But now I realise this is not what is important.
Of course you have to have a reasonable amount of control over the number of calories you intake each day however I now realise that it is the volume of sugar you consume throughout the day that really matters.

Why am I telling you this?

So many of my friends are obsessing over how many calories they eat whereas they should be worrying about all the crap that enters their bodies along with the majority of those calories.

Sugar has been a hot topic recently, people are beginning to realise how dangerous it really is and I couldn't agree more. Sugar is in almost every food you can think of.
Now as I've said before not all sugars are bad but the amount we are consuming nowadays is what is slowly killing us all. 

Unfortunately there is no app that tells you how much sugar is in every item you eat and ingredients on labels can be confusing as there are over 40 different names for sugars.
However you can help your health (and weight loss) if you monitor your sugar intake by eliminating the volume of processed foods you consume.
Sounds dreadful but leaves you feeling so much better and of course your treat day can allow you to have that M&S chicken pie or dairy milk chocolate bar you crave.

What's the point of this post?

All I want is for people to be better educated about their health and how they can improve it. If this means I have to invent an app to do it, so be it (may take 20 years as technology is most definitely not my thing). 

Give it a go, look at your sugar intake rather than calories and see if you notice any results.

Sweet Potato and Butter Nut Squash Soup

This soup is perfect for those cold wintery days we've been having in England at the moment. It's filling, so you won't go hungry throughout the day, and "souper" yummy (see what I did there).

Ingredients:
- 1 butternut squash
- 2 sweet potatoes (or 1 large)
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- olive oil
- vegetable stock
- salt & pepper

Recipe:
Peel then cut butternut squash and sweet potato into large chunks, put in a roasting dish, drizzle with olive oil and roast at 180 degrees for 45-60 mins (until soft). Take out and leave to cool.

Dice the carrots, celery, onion and garlic (I crush the garlic), season with salt & pepper place in sauce pan, cover with olive oil on low heat and sweat for 20 mins.  

Add to pan butternut squash and sweet potato, add 1litre of vegetable stock, bring to boil then simmer for 30-40 mins (or until veg is soft).

Place ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Serve in bowl with yogurt or creme fresh and if really hungry have with toasted bread.

Enjoy x

10 Tips for a Healthier and Happier you

Follow these tips for a healthier and happier lifestyle:

1. Drink 2 litres of water a day

2. Have a fruit infused drink a day to flush out your toxins (place frozen fruit in water)

3. Get at least 8 hours sleep a night

4. Meditate at least 5 minutes every day for time to think and breathe

5. Eat your 5 a day - try eating fruits earlier in the day and vegetables later in the day

6. Cut the junk - "Your body is a temple"

7. Dress up everyday because when you feel good you look good

8. Drink herbal teas (green tea is particularly good as it also helps to boost your metabolism) to flush out toxins

9. Have at least one makeup free day a week to give your skin a break

10. Exfoliate your face and body twice a week and moisturise everyday for healthy skin

*images from google

Healthy Upside Down Cheesecake

This is a healthy breakfast idea that puts a fun twist on cheesecake and takes less than 5 minutes to prepare.
Perfect to help you feel refreshed and motivated on a Monday morning.

Ingredients:
- Fruit
- Greek/natural yogurt
- Granola/bran flakes
- Drizzle of honey

Place fruit on bottom and dollop yogurt on top. Crumble to granola/bran flakes for a crunchy texture and if like me you're not the biggest fan of plain greek yogurt drizzle some honey on top to add some sweetness.

My favourite is mango but you can do this with almost any fruit.

With Mango

With Raspberries

Light Healthy Lunch

A quick easy salad that requires cutting only one ingredient, I know pretty incredible haha! This is for those of you like my mum who love beetroot and bread so enjoy!

Ingredients:

- 2 pieces of rye bread (or any bread that doesn't contain sugar)

- Rocket (about 2 handfuls)

- 3 diced beetroot 

- Olive oil

- Crumbled goats cheese (1/2 ball)

Recipe:

Not hard at all, butter bread place rocket, diced beetroot (I do 1/4s), drizzle olive oil over the top and crumble goat cheese over the top.

Done!

*sorry for pictures running into sidebar but they look better bigger

6 Week Detox - Sugar Free

I don't know about you but I have definitely over-indulged this christmas and new year. The best way to cleanse your body is with a healthy detox and this is my fave.

For the next 6 weeks I will be cutting all bad sugars (processed foods and more) from my diet 
- note: not all sugars as cutting food groups out is bad.
This detox is great as it cleanses the body which leaves you feeling clean and healthy and makes you realise that there are other foods that can replace your unhealthy craves.

I love it because it turns into a lifestyle rather than a detox which is perfect if you are on the road to becoming healthy.

The hardest thing about this detox is it's fairly long and there are no cheat days. Now of course you can give yourself a cheat day or do it for a shorter amount of time like a week (trust me you will notice results in just a week) but for the optimum results and to test your will power/dedication 6 weeks is perfect. 

This really helps to loose the belly fat we all hate and find more enjoyment from fruits rather than chocolates. After two weeks on this detox you will understand what I mean just from the sweetness of one grape.

One thing I will mention is during the first two weeks you may feel a little headachy simply because your body is not used to having only good sugars in it but persevere and I promise afterwards you'll feel and look better.

Link to the plan is here.
Link to recipes here.

I really hope you enjoy this detox it's a great start to the year and really does make you feel better.
Let me know in the comments if you'll give it a go and good luck!!

Sunday Soup

So if you haven't noticed yet I post on Mondays (health and fitness) and Fridays (beauty). As two blogs a week isn't a lot this will be my third blog each week. I will most likely post soup or Salad recipes for you to try every Sunday.

One promise I make to you, all the soups will be healthy and hopefully you'll find them as scrummy as I do!!
Now on with the blog...

Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 celery sticks
• 1 large carrot
• 1 small onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 leak
• 1/2 savoy cabbage
• 2 large tablespoons (tbs) tomato puree
• Salt and pepper
• Mixed herbs (fresh and dried)
• 2 litres vegetable stock
• 1 tbs olive oil

Instructions:

1. Chop up all the vegetables
2. Put olive oil in a pan
3. Put the onion, garlic, carrot and celery in the pan over a high heat and stir making sure the olive oil coats it.                                                                                                                                           Once it begins sizzling turn down the heat and then leave to sweat - translation: put the lid on and leave - for 10-20 mins (dependent upon how much time you have and how soft you like your veg)
4. Season with salt and pepper
5. Add herbs
6. Add stock, bring to the boil and then bring down to a simmer.                                                         Leave to cook for 15 mins
7. Add tomato puree, leaks and cabbage
8. Stir, boil then bring down to a simmer again
9. Leave to cook for 20-30 mins
10. Serve with a side a rye bread to keep your calorie intake low ;)

*If you wanted to add pasta, to keep this soup healthy it would have to be brown whole wheat pasta, you would put it in after 15 mins of step 9 and leave for 5-10 mins.

Prep Time: 10 mins approx.
Cooking Time: 60 mins approx.
Serves: 6 approx.


Slim Tip:
You can make soups out of almost anything - stray away from potatoes and white pasta/rice (carbs) to keep it clean.