Balance

Balance

Using your Senses to relieve Stress: Clarified Designs

Life is full of stress. From the moment we wake up BOOM goes our alarm we are on edge throughout the day. If you live in a city you have to deal with noise, traffic, people, coffee, work, meetings, exercise, emails, telephone calls… the list goes on.

Finding daily ways to calm yourself to keep stress at bay is imperative to make sure you keep balanced. Having an internal toolkit to help you bring your levels back to Zen is key to remaining calm in all situations.

Your senses are key to calmness and clarity. Think about when you visit home and the smell of your mum – that relaxation it sends through you. When you taste that herb that takes you back to when you first tried it. The feeling of your favourite sweater soft against your skin. Your senses can transport you to a place of calm and it is this technique that I want to share with you today.

I recently received my beautiful blend from Clarified Designs. An elixir of essential oils in a beautiful necklace to help balance me out. The smell is divine and provides the reminder to take a few minutes in stressful times to stop and effectively smell the flowers.

I wanted to find out more about this wonderful company so I got in contact with their founders to find out more about this inspiring idea.

When was Clarified Designs Founded?

Clarified Designs was founded in our (Rachel and Francesca) joint household in Brisbane August 2015

What was the inspiration behind its creation?

Rachel first introduced me (Francesca) to essential oils in 2014 when we met.

It was about September 2015, where I started becoming more aware of the spiritual and magical properties of the oils while reading at work. (Francesca)

I came home to Rachel explaining how the vibration of oils worked just like crystals, except we could interact with them on a different level (smell) which made them so much more present and permeating to me. I told her how wonderful it would be to wear the oils all day! She had tiny little bottles in her room which she had bought at a craft store a few weeks ago because she thought they were cute!

Coincidence or alignment?

From there the idea was born, we started wearing necklaces and all our friends and family around us wanted to wear them as well!

What attracted you to essential oils?

For both of us it is definitely the luxury of smelling such a potent plant oil. I felt instantly better when I smelt the right oils, and I think on a soul level, I always knew how magical they were.

Essential oils are such a gentle and instantaneous way to soothe your soul, mind and emotions, let alone all their physical benefits as well

Which oil is your favourite?

Francesca: Rose, because I feel she is the queen of all essential oils. She balances a woman’s entire reproductive system, soothes her heart, and instils her with passion, love, patience and elegance.

Rachel: Geranium, because it is extremely balancing and smells floral and herbaceous at the same time.

Internally it calms me down and allows me to embrace everything with positivity.

How important are essential oils for young women in stressful jobs?

We would say that essential oils have a lot to bring women in stressful jobs.

Not only can they calm the central nervous system, they can help a young woman come to understand her true nature, desires and life purpose.

They will fuel her fire, increase drive, motivation and desire to attain fulfilment.

What blend would you recommend for those trying to balance work stress and life stress?

We could recommend our Shakti blend
This is designed to balance all energies in our body.

Including masculine/feminine energies, hormonal system, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. The Shakti blend calls on the divine masculine and feminine to achieve balance within the body. If you are feeling stagnant or lacking direction the vibrational qualities of the oils in this blend will attract inspiration, movement and energy to you. This blend will help your body listen to its own truth, for without balance we are unable to live to our full potential.

The blend includes the Certified Organic Oils of Atlas Cedarwood, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium and Clary Sage.

It has an incredibly refreshing scent likened to the natural scents of the forest and the earth. Balance yourself with this blend to achieve holistic equilibrium.

What advice would you give to people new to essential oils?

First of all it would be to follow your nose.

Head into a trusted aromatherapy company and let your nose lead you to your very first essential oil or blend.

Next step would be to read about how that oil and blend affects you to see if it correlates with what you need in your life.

Letting your intuition guide you to oils can be an amazing experience.

Essential oils are an excellent and non-invasive way of treating physical symptoms, altering your mood and lifting your spirits.

Head on over to their Clarified Designs for any questions you may have about their blends. They now ship across the world so you can order your own personalised blend to bring some balance into your day to day lives.

I keep mine loose around my neck in order that I can bring it out and Zen whenever the weight of the world gets too much. Cute, simple and effective.

Balance

Stress Management: Walking Meditation

Stress and stress management is important.

Hands up whose feeling a little stressed out? Mind is racing, to do list is growing, have that cold or ache that won’t go away! These things can really get you down.

The reality is people are becoming more and more stressed. This could be down to a number of factors: Work, Diet, Lifestyle or imbalances in our bodies which are creating symptoms that are bringing us down.

Stress can take many forms:

From mental stress such as: memory problems, inability to concentrate, anxious or racing thoughts, irritability or short temper, feeling overwhelmed

To physical stress such as: Aches and pains, stomach problems, nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, eating more or less, sleeping too much or too little, procrastinating , using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

We all have our own ways of dealing with stress but sometimes it can get the better of us and that is when you need to put the steps in to take care of yourself.

Our lives will always be stressful so creating your personal toolkit to deal with it is important.

You may go online and google help and hear people talking about meditation (which instantly makes you think of someone sitting cross legged in harem pants saying “om”) and think…its not for me.

Ever thought of Meditative Walking?

There is such beauty watching the sunrise.

Rising with the sun and walking; finding the time to breathe, get in the zone and re-connect helps me to re-establish where I am right now in the world.

I have never been one to sit still and “om” and I find that walking helps me achieve the inner peace needed to meditate when the world seems a little heavy on my shoulders.

Rising with the light, getting some fresh air, exercise and stillness in this busy world can really change your outlook for the day.

Even in the busy cities you can find solace in the morning ours.

Meditative walking allows you to have some time on your own, moving the blood around your body and taking in the world.

The movement can distract you from thoughts and take your mind into being consciously active.

Stress can creep up at any time – therefore establishing a form of relaxation while physically removing yourself from the situation can allow you take some time out and bring the zen back into your world.

If you are trying meditation out for the first time this could be the way to start. Here are my tips to getting the best out of your walk.

1) Start by breathing: Long breaths through your nose and out through your mouth
2) Silence: Try and do this without music and take in your surroundings
3) Peaceful: Try your best to go somewhere away from the hustle and bustle
4) Time: Don’t rush – set yourself a time in the day to do this
5) Mindful: Listen to your thoughts. how do you feel?

You are never alone in this world when you are stressed and never be embarrassed to reach out to those around you when you feel yourself being overwhelmed. You may not know you’re stressed and just feel like something is just wrong (akin to “i just don’t feel like me”).

With the right management and personal toolkit you will find the perfect way to tackle your worlds stressed your way.

Camera:Olympus Pen E-PL7 – Coat – Zara – Leggings – H&M – Boots – Palladium

Balance

Tips for Succeeding in an All Day Meeting

All Day Meeting

We have all been there. The dreaded all day meeting.

Training
Clients
Workshops
Sooner or later you will have to endure the lengthy meeting.

These meetings can take their toll on you mentally as well as physically.
Sitting down for a long period of time in a dimly lit room staring computer screens and being fed by platters of carb loaded sugar inducing crap that catering have provided.

Before you know it you have taken less than 200 steps all day, your body is dried out from filter coffee, your blood sugars have been on a rollercoaster and you feel like a little bit of your soul was left behind.

Well these are my tricks for smashing a meeting, keeping your a-game, keeping healthy and still have enough energy to get home

Catering

Plan ahead for this one. Most companies that offer catering will come in price brackets and the cheapest is usually the worst ones for you.
For this reason take your own food.

Grab a porridge or eggs on your way in to the meeting.
Take snacks such as fruit, nuts and seeds to keep your energy up.
Bring in some tupperware and have a delicious home prepared meal.

I have been in meetings before when I came in and was greeted with Croissants.
Next break biscuits
Lunch Sandwiches and Crisps
Cake

This is a danger zone. You blood sugars will be going up and down as your energy will.
How can you possibly try and engage in a meeting when you a flying from passing out to bouncing off the walls.

If you are the one organising the meeting – think outside the box.
Many external caterers are sometimes cheaper, healthy and ten times more delicious than in house.
Give people regular breaks and suggest healthy options nearby.
If you can pick up a big fruit platter with nuts and see if you can expense.

The level of activity and engagement you will get from the yourself and the people in the meeting if catered correctly can improve your productivity.

Hydration

Keep hydrated through these meetings.

There are always jugs of middle range filter coffee which if you drink too much of will lead you to go into flight or fight mode, de-hydrate you and leave you feeling exhausted.

I always carry with me herbal teas. Water is only fun for a while so finding an alternative to keep hydrated is always good.

My go to is Pukka Tea

They have green and pure herbal so you have the option of a caffeine kick!

Move

However way you can.

If you are presenting stand up to present.
If it is a workshop stand up and listen – there are no rules about sitting down.
If you get a break go for a walk – get some fresh air and move.

Sitting down is literally killing people. As humans we are natural hunter gatherers and designed to be mobile.
Stretch your legs, get the blood moving and get some fresh air.

You will return to the room with a clear head, more energy and ready to be productive.

The Wellness in the Workplace

Wellness at work is crucial and we all have a responsibility to take. You spend the majority of your working life there you should make sure that its benefitting your health not taxing on it.

People worry about suggesting new ideas but many managers or leaders out there just haven’t thought about the idea.

Next time you are running a meeting or you have a regular all day meeting make the positive suggestions to make these sessions healthier.

Don’t let the All-Day Meeting Drain you – make the small changes to get the positive results.

Balance/ Stress Free Style

Changing Seasons Style

This Autumn I have a new addition to my Fall Wardrobe

Timberland 6″ Classic Boot

Timberland once known for being workman boots are now defined as a timeless Style staple.

They have an ability to give any style an air of nonchalance. Worn by Men and Women, these boots bring a certain look to an outfit while being applicable to a plethora of looks. Just take a glance at Cara Delivigne or Rihanna – effortlessly cool in their dress down wear – these boots bring the casual joggers and baggy top a type of definition which is hard to come across in any other boot.

Paired with jeans, skirts and dresses: the classic Timberland can really bring a degree of edge to your fall wardrobe while elongating your legs as the chunk of the boots brings a clear contrast in size to your pins.

As the nights draw in and the days become cooler layers will become a necessity. A strong and stylish pair of boots will allow you to layer on those chunky knits without making yourself feel like you’ve given up style for practicality.

These boots are also great for those Winter walks through the beautiful parks to see how the seasons are changing.

I got mine from Footlocker who have the range of Timberland styles from Classic to the Glastonbury to the Sneaker Look

Encourage yourself to get outside and make sure you get out and enjoy what is left of the day in order to get those daily endorphins and limited amount of Vitamin D. Fitness is equally important in the Winter as it is in the Spring/Summer as Root vegetables come into season and the warmer drinks are the ones that seem more desirable.

How do you style your boots? What are your Winter essentials? I would love to hear! Comment below with your links to your pics! Or @ me on in instagram @cyntra,city

This post is in collaboration with footlocker but all opinions and style choices are my own. #approved

Balance/ Recipes

Q&A with Pollen + Grace

Making lunches can be so difficult when you are trying to eat healthy. Sometimes you open your lunch box and you have a bit of kale and quinoa looking up at you and you start to feel slightly depressed…

Well let me introduce you to Pollen + Grace this beautiful little company that serves gluten free, dairy free and free from refined sugar beautiful lunches to keep our stomachs happy and full of flavour.

I wanted to find out more about this wonderful company so I met with Steph the founder to have a Q&A

1) How was Pollen + Grace born – where did the idea come from?

Pollen + Grace came foremost from a love and passion for cooking healthy, delicious food but secondly from the frustration of never being able to find a healthy, free from lunch option when working in London and having to prepare lunch each night.

2) What makes you passionate about Pollen + Grace, did you start by eating that way and became a passion…?

Pollen + Grace was such a huge risk to take, but it was something I(Steph) had to do as I felt it was what I was meant to do. I started eating this way due to gluten and dairy intolerances, then learnt how exciting it was to make delicious options that actually made you feel good.

3) Who was your first customer?

Our first customer was the brand events office, but our first customer who found us without being a friend was Amanda Cauldwell – she would order 3 lunches a day from us, one for her lunch then two for dinner (one for her and one for her daughter)!

4) Where was your first pop up?

The Old Street pop up has actually been our first, but we definitely plan on doing more now!

5) Where are you based – how big is your team?

Our kitchen/office is based in clapham junction and we have a full time team of 6 now – 3 office and 3 kitchen!

6) What is your favourite product?

This one’s easy, definitely our paleo banana bread, it’s delicious!

7) If you could give people one piece of health advice – what would it be?

Focus on eating delicious wholesome food that makes you feel great, but learn that it’s also about balance – if you want the ice cream, eat the ice cream!

If you have a bit of time at lunchtime and you are near Old Street Station you must pop on down and meet the lovely Steph and try out her delicious food.

If not check out their beautiful website over at Pollen + Grace

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Tips to Let it Go and Live Happier

All for one and one for all?

Do you ever feel like you need to have control of everything?

Does everything have to be Perfect?

Do you feel weak when someone offers help?

Do you feel you never have time for yourself or for activities?

Or just letting someone take care of you when you usually do the caring?

This life is a stressful one and sometimes you can programme your mind to make you want to be in control of everything.
Even if you aren’t a control freak – relying on other people doesn’t cross your mind and you sometimes feel completely responsible for things that could be shared?

You get it into your head that if you don’t do it – it will never get done?

You feel you have to fix all the problems

You feel you have to help everyone else before yourself

You want to make everyone happy

If any of the above applies to you: these are my tips for letting go

Perfection is always Perfect

Making sure that everything is done to perfection can actually push you further away from a perfect situation.

When you are tired from work and you can’t be bothered to cook but you know that it’s healthier if you make it yourself and have you had your 5 a day and what about the sugar content... Head Explodes.

You spent ages putting together that event at work, every last details was planned and it was going to be perfect and last minute it got cancelled as something else came up…Devastated

Listen: Sometimes its ok to just be OK

Living a life the 80/20 allows you to live life how you want but allow for those moments when you aren’t perfect you are real. Sometimes the expectations you think people have of you are just your own expectations you put on yourself.

Living imperfectly allows you to be flexible. It frees up your energy to be happier. When things go wrong it doesn’t impact as much as your haven’t put so much effort into making everything just so.

Stop being your harshest critic and start living a life

Allow People to do things for You

I know what it feels like to do something nice for someone else. Its that warm fuzzy feeling when you see a smile on their face and you see their gratitude.

Remember that time you gave a cupcake and coffee to your friend who was having a stressful time at work?
Or cooked dinner for your flatmate as they were working late?
You helped your manager organise the dinner out as they were up to their eye balls…

Allow people to have that same feeling by letting them do it for you.

Sometimes when you stop and just take a back seat you will be surprised what nice things people have been waiting to do for you.
When you let someone else cook dinner, or organise a night or just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Allow someone else to have that feeling…

Time: Don’t Fill It

Don’t fill your day, week and weekends – give yourself time.

Life is busy enough with work, relationships, friendships, family and other activities to constantly make yourself busy.

The greatest thing you can give to anyone is time so make sure you don’t exhaust it by giving it out to everything.

If you make time for something stick to it but if you have free time let yourself relax.

Let yourself be ok with not having a full diary

You cannot be good at Everything

The beautiful thing about this world is that people are born with different strengths. What makes a great team is when you can bring in different people who all have different skills so you can make the ultimate A Team.

Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in having to do everything yourself that when you cannot do something or you don’t do something well you see it as Weakness.

STOP!

I’m going to tell you a little story and I’ll use my parents as an example
(and as my mum is my number one reader – apologies for what I am about to say)

My Mum can’t cook. She tries but it is not her strength. She can put together a fish pie and just about master a cremated chicken kiev but culinary skills she was not blessed with.
My dad on the other hand is a great cook. He can master a curry like an native, throw together a meal from the fridge and makes an incredible truckers breakfast.

Does this make my mum a lesser person – NO – because now I am going to show her strengths.

My mum does all the food shopping. She has an eye for deals and works out how to save, gage, and buy appropriately. She identifies what ingredients are needed, sources the best deals and will make sure we are never over budget. She also is a damn good washer upper!
My dad… well if he did the food shop…he would come back with just enough items for that one meal, probably with some added extras that were on sale and would be scratching his head to how he managed to spend £50 on just one meal. He wouldn’t notice the pan he cooked dinner in 3 nights ago was still there.

Be good at what you are good at and let others help you in areas where you are not.

Life is stressful in the hustle and bustle of this busy world.

Don’t let yourself get on top of yourself. The ultimate goal in this life is to be happy and if that means letting go a little bit. Then do it.

Sometimes your imperfections are what makes you perfect to all of those around you.

Live life freely and with love and stop taking on too much.

If you have liked this post please comment below. Feedback is key.

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BOXING: Work Out like Gigi Hadid

GIGI HADID

Right…who hasn’t heard of Gigi Hadid? The beautiful blonde with legs up to the heavens who turns her middle finger up to those who fat shame!

This gorgeous goddess – daughter of Yolanda Foster – is the focus for this blog post.

One of the things that is inspiring about Gigi is that she is not your average model. She walks high end fashion runways and is a Victoria’s Secret Model yet she sports a curvy lean physique with strong thighs.

Hell Yes – a real woman!

This world is full of images that lead us to believe that our shape isn’t good enough. Unrealistic images are pumped into our day to day lives. It is refreshing to see someone strong bold and well relatively normal – storm the top runways.

So I dug a little deeper and looked into what this young lady is doing to look so gorgeous yet remain lean and strong

The answer: BOXING!!!

Boxing as a sport requires a high level of athletic prowess: strength, speed, agility, hand-eye coordination, endurance, nerve, and power, just to name several required attributes.

Gigi trains with a boxer to burn through calories, shed excess fat, and remain agile which all leads to her lean physique.

Boxing can be off-putting as it is deemed a male sport – but this empowering exercise really can attribute to some serious body changes!

Here are some reasons why you should try out boxing

Total-Body Strength

All that punching, kicking, and jumping requires a surprising amount of strength. Think about it – most professional heavy bags weigh at least 100 pounds. During a boxing workout, you may punch or kick a bag hundreds of times, requiring your upper body, lower body, and core to engage as you make contact with the bag.

Cardio

You hear it all the time: You need to do cardio to protect yourself from heart disease, burn calories, and lose or maintain your weight. But “doing cardio” doesn’t have to mean hopping on a treadmill to log your required minutes – how boring is that?

The whole point of cardio is to place a moderate amount of stress on your heart and lungs so that they’re challenged enough to make beneficial physiologic adaptations to support the higher level of physical activity. As long as you keep your heart rate up during your workout, there’s no reason you can’t punch, kick, and jump your way to a healthy heart at your local boxing gym.

Body Composition

Boxing is great for improving body composition – and some might say it’s great for weight loss. The technique means you are pushing your body burning up to 13 calories a minute!

Less Stress

Almost any form of moderate to intense physical activity can decrease stress. Exercise increases endorphins, boosts mood, works as a form of meditation, and improves sleep, all of which help reduce stress.

Boxing is a great outlet for stress! You can literally fight your way out of the stress zone!

It’s a win win situation!

Be inspired by the strong women in this world and learn from their tricks. If she can do it so can you.

Go and find your nearest boxing centre or get into the gym find those gloves and get practising!

Speaking of BOX – ing… I am very excited to open my new FITTY London box!

Packed to the brim with Healthy Goodies to start February the right way!

From Spiralizers, to coconut oil to delicious superfoods to sprinkle on my breakfast. This perfect little box never ceases to surprise me. So chic and beautiful – its really does give you that monthly buzz to keep on track!

Delivered to my door every month (along with my Vogue) its like my birthday happens every month!

Happy February!

Check out Fitty London here

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The Importance of Micro Goals

HAVE YOU MADE YOUR MICRO-GOALS?

We are drawing to the end of January. January the time for new years resolutions. Big Goals like “Save Money” “Lose Weight” “Be Healthy” are thrown around… yet people forget how profound the small little goal is.

Save Money – How?
Are you just going to retire your bank card?

Lose Weight – How?
Stop eating?

Be Healthy – How?
Spend your life savings on every healthy eating fad out this 2016

Today I sat at an event hosted by Green for All Seasons founder Victoria who discussed with her panelists the concept of micro-goals and how they help us achieve the small goals for big wins

Victoria the founder of Green for All Seasons started off with some of her advice. Her website advocates introducing the green way of life. For example: replacing your skincare products for organic and natural products. She scared us by saying an alarming 11% of products out of the 10,000+ deemed safe for use by humans have actually been tested. Now this may ring alarm bells (as it did with me) but she said…and this is the important bit… Start to change your products to the green version but do it step by step. When one runs out – replace it with a greener product. By doing this micro-goal you are making the small changes without drastically changing anything.

Are you starting to see the logic?

(beautiful nibbles from Green for All Seasons)

We then moved on to the delightful Chessie King

She is such a positive ball of light – saying that her attitude to health is her attitude to happy.
Its how it makes her feel – no pressure – no force – just what makes her smile

“Take yourself of an adventure everyday”
Instead of seeing exercise as a chore – on your lunch break get up and explore your surroundings… what’s down that alley, whats behind that door – get out and explore.

This small micro goal turns a Big Goal like LOSE WEIGHT or EXERCISE MORE into a small achievable fun thing that you and a colleague could do everyday

My colleague and I adventure ended up walking into a make up store and trying on the latest matte lipstick (gaining 3000 steps in the process!)

(YSL – lipstick)

Chris Sandel (author or The Health Trap) spoke next

Chris spoke passionately that health and wellbeing is about looking at the person in front of you. No one person is the same. Something that one person swears by may not be what works for someone else. Small wins that make you feel great is what is important.

Keeping your micro goals personal

Dana Elemara the founder of the brand arganic – specialising in 100% pure argan oil.

Raised in a healthy mediterranean household: she never realised how healthy her food was as it was abundant.

Her mother would fill her plate full of colours and only use good meat.

She was very passionate about her cause: She inspired me to really think about what I put in my body.

“It doesn’t have to hard to be healthy”

Her micro-goals are ones that I am pinching

Always eat colourful foods

ONLY EAT WELFARE MEAT

Perfect.

Finally we met Ed Foy one of the founders of PRESS

This hyper-active passionate individual spoke of his life changing moment of experiencing meditation.

He was miserable even though his life was happy and full of healthy products

By taking 15 minutes a day to meditate: it game changed his view on life.

“Happiness is chemistry not circumstance”

“Giving time is the only way to achieve anything”

You can spend all day thinking about being healthy, doing more exercise, practising meditation, and engaging with the ones you love but until you give them time – the thoughts are redundant.

So to conclude this wonderful talk.

You can have many different goals in life but until you break them down into small bite-size steps – you are just going to stress yourself out and worse… feel like a failure.

If Eating Healthy is your goal start by something small…
“I will have an apple instead of crisps with lunch”

If Exercise More is your goal start with something small…
“I will walk to work”
“Take the stairs”
“Get 10,000 steps a day”

Don’t make your life any harder than it needs to be. Start small to make big wins

Throughout this talk we sipped on Tea by the amazing PositiviTea

Who provide teas that invoke your chakras and focus on the nurture your body may need.

For all those people running around stressed in the office or at home… find your perfect tea to re-engage and let go.

Balance/ Recipes

Boxing Day Treats: Fitty London

The big day is over and Boxing Day is here…

But the gifts have not finished.

Today I got a little surprise in the post from Fitty London

fitty london: the new fitness box fuelling the city’s sweat game.

Fitty is an exciting new brand delivering hand-packed boxes, bursting with a surprise selection of fitness foods and workout products, delivered right to your door. All the best new brands, fitness trends, and accessories that come perfectly packed to you…it’s like Christmas all over again!

From protein powders and superfoods to resistance bands and skipping ropes, the boxes feature much-loved brands fresh off the health shop shelves, as well as up-and-coming startups and under the radar discoveries.

I cannot stop myself drooling over the Coconut Almond Butter…PASS ME THE RYE BREAD!

This month I got the Blake Box containing…

Neat nutrition protein powder: Started by two ex GB athletes, Neat creates high quality protein without any of the CRAP.

Wunderworkshop Turmeric Powder: A wonderful company providing sri lankan 100% organic turmeric. Anti-Inflammatory and a powerful anti-oxidant and you can literally put it in everything

Beefit Biltong: Developed with the Harlequins rugby team, BEEFit biltong is made from 100% british beef and has 21.6g per bag!

Wyldsson Promix: A beautiful mix of flavours to add to your morning porridge or smoothie

Pip and Nut Butter: OMFG coconut and almond butter…

Cano Water: Stylish water in environmentally conscious packaging.

Bounce Ball: Yummy Mint Cacao Ball – I think this just blew my mind.

Resistance Bands: These bad boys are great for adding resistance to any exercise and really getting in there with those small muscles!

The company, which prides itself on its bold and sassy personality and sleek design, launches in January 2016, with a soft launch throughout December. Boxes will be sold exclusively through their website as an ongoing subscription for £29 per month, and a limited number of one-off boxes will be available for £30.

Happy Boxing Day – Get your box ordered from http://fittyldn.com/collections/subscriptions

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Seasonal Styling: Workout gear to strut into the New Year

This week I have been updating my Workout Wardrobe ready to start the New Year with a bang!

There is nothing like hitting a new workout, new plan and new goals with a wardrobe to support. It inspires you and it motivates you to get up and move.

Gym clothes should be treated with the same level as your work clothes. They need to be suitable, supportive, stretchy and stylish!

There are lots of places on the internet where you can get new clothes but here are my seasonal suggestions

My new garms consist of:

Wellicious:

This cute catsuit is perfect for yoga, stretching and jogging.
Launched in 2009 by Heike Schnell, a passionate yogista and mother of three who found it difficult to find clothes for her yoga class that combined fashion, comfort and the eco-friendly aspect. Wellicious was set up with a mission to create eco-premium performance apparel for the growing number of individuals interested in sustainable, healthy living and being active but who do not want to sacrifice style for practicality.

The team who work at Wellicious are great so if you have any questions just shoot them a message.

Fabletics:

So chic – I love this!

Fabletics is great. Its chic, Stylish and has clothes for every type of workout.

You can go online and put in your size, likes, colours and needs and leave it up to Fabletics to put you outfits together!

Kate Hudson is the co-founder of a great company where you can order gorgeous clothing. It holds you in so makes you feel slim, strong and sexy. You can use their VIP but remember to skip or you will get charged £44 a month!

This whole outfit: Leggings and two tops came to £76

NOW THAT IS A STEAL

Footlocker:

These are my favourite shoes of 2015. Not ideal for working out in but if you are running from work to the gym – they can style a suit and a workout outfit and give you swag!

Footlocker have every style to meet your need so head online or instore and grab the creps you need!

So tell me: What are you wearing this season?

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Last Minute Stocking Fillers Right From Your Office!

Its not long left till Christmas is here!

You’ve been super organised but there are just those little extras still outstanding…

Here is my little gift guide for those presents that you can get online without the mad rush in the shops

For your BFF

This beautiful book is the perfect addition for a friend who’s looking to start 2016 with a nutritional bang!

For your Man

Lifebox do cute boxes filled with Mens Health nutritional goodies. Tasty, nutritious and delicious. This is the perfect addition to the stocking this year!

For your Mama

Every nurturing lady deserves to be nurtured throughout the day. Check out Clean and Lean Tea Infusions to find the perfect blend. This really is a great addition to show you really care.

For your Dad

For the number one man in your family’s life… add that little extra with Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum. A blend of gentle, hydrating botanicals that possess skin-calming properties allow a close shave without assaulting or aggravating skin.

and finally for the furry little friend…

Look after your woofer this Christmas with Aesop Animal. A gentle cleanser for the furry-er of friends…This mild skin and fur wash gently cleanses and deodorises and has been tested to the same standards as the human products.

Well that is it for my additional stocking fillers! Any more suggestions please comment below

Don’t let Christmas raise those stress levels. Hop online, beat the crowds and let the post man do all the running around for you.

The countdown is on!

Balance

Exercises to Slim for Office Christmas Party!

Christmas party season is well and truly in the throws! Drinks here, meals there and the after party.

So what is the trick to get ready for that little black dress?

Here are my tricks to slim down for the slinky black dress.

80/20

It is all about nutrition to beat the bloat. Cut out white carbs, sugar, alcohol (unless at the party), reduce salt and UP THOSE VEGGIES.

The above can lead to that little bulge that pops out in the lower stomach… the dreaded bloat. By upping your veggies and reducing the list above you can wiggle straight into your dress and feel as confident as ever

8 minute abs

This video is my go to! You get results in days and you can really feel it working. 8 minutes before your morning shower is nothing! So get crunching

Eat more protein

Protein fills you up and doesn’t make you bloat. Make sure you don’t go hungry: load up with eggs in the morning, salad and protein at lunch and in the evening keep on track with lots of veggies and more protein.

Eating Out

Tis the season to be jolly after all. When eating out with friends make wise choices. You can’t really go wrong with asian especially Japanese. Stay away from sugar loaded cocktails and stick to champagne and prosecco.

If you do drink a little too much…don’t succumb to the late night munch – drink a pint of water and get yourself to bed

HIIT

If you really want to look super strong, trim and lean – get those hiit sessions in. 3 times a week will really make the difference.

The Body Coach is my favourite. He is such an inspiration and really nice guy – so get in the know!

Sleep

Sleep, sleep and sleep as much as possible. When you’re properly rested you make better decisions. It also helps with recovery for muscle building and keeping your stress levels down.

If in doubt – go and have a nap

Wishing you all the fun in this festive period

Balance

Girl Boss Breakfast on the Run: Raw Gorilla

A day in the life of a 9-5’ver…Alarm goes. In the Shower. Get Changed. Run to tube. Prep for meeting. Meeting till 2pm.

Does this sound like your morning routine?

Do you read about the latest article telling you how the key to slimming is having a good breakfast? That breakfast is the most important meal of the day? You see all the beautiful pictures of fellow Londoners sitting down and instgramming their beautiful creations…Yet in your reality breakfast is that distant meal that your mother used to prepare for you when you were a child or something you schedule at the weekend with the girls?

The articles are not wrong

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Kick starting your day right gives you the energy to get up and achieve great things. It feeds your muscles and your brain meaning that you are alert and energized not tired and hangry. Those who eat breakfast generally eat better throughout the day as they do not suffer from onset cravings.

Are you thinking “I don’t have time for breakfast”

That’s completely legit. I barely have dried hair by the time I am running out the door! Usually forgetting my headphones or shouting to my boyfriend to remember to take his lunch!

The kitchen at work isn’t quite equipped for me to make avo-toast with poached egg… So I am at the point where its seek or starve… until I discovered Raw Gorilla. Raw Gorilla was born in Stoke Newington, London in 2014. The creators were crazy about breakfast and raw food in general, their creator..“Fraser wanted to add a twist to regular sugary and wheaty cereals such as coco pops and rice crispies and sugary snacks and turn them into raw nutritional powerhouses.”

Yes yes and yes!

Raw Gorilla key focal points are: Raw, Gluten free, Vegan, Paleo, No refined anything, No additives or preservatives or colours, hand made feel, organic, no grains just wholesome delicious products blended with amazing superfoods like raw cacao, lucuma & maca.

Ingredients are 100% raw/ alive, full of sprouted wholesomeness, no gluten, no dairy no nasties at all!

Perfectly packaged for me to slip into my bag on a Monday and keep in the cupboard at work. This natural breakfast is a great for anyone on the run but wants to stay healthy, slim and vibrant at work.

No-one wants to be suffering with low energy, with the temptation of the sugary snacks people bring into meetings, while trying to concentrate on targets and strategy.

To be a BOSS you need to fuel.

Balance

5 tips to Stop Being a People Pleaser

Are you a people pleaser?

Or let me put this another way…

Do you put the needs of others before yours?

See if you answer Yes to any of the below…

Are you the go-to person for family and close friends?

Do you avoid conflict and confrontation?

Do you agree to help others even when you don’t really have the time or resources to do so?

Does your relationship or friendships feel one-sided, that you do most of the work?

Do you feel taken advantage of?

Quite a few? Well chances are you are a people pleaser.

You may not even notice you are doing it. You may only do it to certain people in life… Your loved one, your best friend, your manager or your parents. Either way…this behaviour is making you ill.

It took me a long time to realise that I am a people pleaser and my god it was a harsh reality.

It dawned on me when someone said that I apologise for the actions of others? I thought to myself… do I? I was noticing I was making excuses for everyone in my life at the sacrifice of my own happiness. Thoughts like “if I don’t do the washing up, then no-one will, then there will be tension and I don’t like tension”… sounds crazy but welcome to my head.

I took a good look internally and tried to track back… I had been doing this for quite a while

It was becoming my natural response to put the needs of others above mine. Apologising for the actions of others? Taking responsibility for things that had nothing to do with me. Laying down horizontally to keep the Peace.

Saying No was no longer a top response in my vocabulary.

I was putting myself out, taking the blame, doing things for the sake of others, not being appreciated for the efforts and becoming internally resentful.

When you do things in life to meet the needs and expectations of others you need a reality check!

Now I am not saying that being selfless and thoughtful are bad traits but sometimes in life you need to listen to your inner self.

What do you want?

Does this action make you happy?

Are you putting your true self aside for another human being?

If you can’t put yourself first – how can you expect anyone else too.

Here are some tips for helping you re-connect with your inner self. It may go against the grain of your personality but over time the strength of the connection to the real you and your real thoughts, opinions, loves and passion will be the best feeling.

1. Realise you have a choice: Start simple and think before immediately saying yes. When someone asks you to do something pause and ask yourself “Do I want to do this?”

2. Don’t apologise – its not your fault: Your partner didn’t have a good nights sleep? There isn’t any milk in the fridge? You don’t have enough money for a big night out? Stop apologising its not your fault. Its not your fault someone didn’t sleep (well unless you’re a chronic snorer) It is not your purpose in life to make sure there is always milk in the fridge. Next time you feel yourself about to apologise – STOP

3. Don’t be scared of falling out: Life is full of confrontation. Problems arise, people vent, people calm down and life moves on. Don’t be scared of being in a conflict. Live with people who never clean? You find yourself as the free cleaner? But you’re too scared to kick off as you want to keep the peace? well guess what! Everyone wants a free cleaner. If people think they can get away with it they will. Think back to when you were a kid – and your mum would say “I am not your slave” but in the back of your head you kinda knew dinner would be on the table, your washing would be done and eventually she may clean your room? Well guess what don’t be someone else’s mum until you choose to take on that responsibility! People get over arguments more or less as soon as they start. Stand your ground, be clean, calm and collected. Don’t be the first to bow down. The best relationships are built from differing opinions and strength of conviction.

4. Learn to walk away from toxic relationships: Can you identify someone in your life that you are trying to please yet never receive the same behaviour back? This may be the toughest of them all – but it may be time to walk away from that friendship, relationship or job. Toxicity in your life brings about all sorts of negative health impacts. It may be hard at first but clearing out the toxicity in your life may be the best place to start.

5. Realise you cannot give a 100% to everyone: My mother once told me “If you try to please everyone you will end up giving 50% to one person and 50% to the other, thus you end up exhausting yourself at 100% but only really achieving 50%”. People will feel like you are only giving them a small part of your attention as you are too pre-occupied with trying to please everyone. People will respect you more if you say “no” when you cant give them your full attention and find a time when you can dedicate all your attention and love to them.

It will take time.

People pleasing is a personality type. It is a behaviour. It will take time and training but the benefits will lead to you being in touch with who you truly are and what you want to achieve from life.

I would love to hear what you think about this article. Are you a people pleaser? Were you a people pleaser? How did you change your behaviour?

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