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Today’s Workout: Walk in your lunchbreak

walking on lunch

On your lunch break today – get up and move. Walking in the middle of the day really helps get the blood moving around your body and also helps you shed those pounds which cancreep on when you work an office job

We should be getting 10,000 steps in a day – so walking on your lunch break can really help boost those numbers. Fresh air and movement is also good for your wellbeing.

treadmill_heels

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Today’s Workout: Combat those inner thighs

This exercise is going to really show you where those muscles are…it really works them!

As ladies we all have it – the wonderful jibbly bit on our inner thighs – which no matter how much we run about never seems to shift! These exercises will help you tone those muscles, as well as the muscles in your butt and core! You need to take these exercises at your own pace and only do as many as you feel comfortable with! We all have to start somewhere – don’t push too hard!

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Todays Brunch: Banana and Blueberry Muffin

This weekend I had some friends over for a sparkles brunch…basically prosecco and good munch

This recipe is a combination of The Hummingbird Bakery Banana Cake Loaf and me having a fridge full of Blueberries.

To create these cupcakes you will need;

270g soft light brown sugar
2 eggs
200g peeled bananas, mashed
280g gluten free plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
140g unsalted, melted
150g blueberries

Cupcake cases and a cupcake tin (this is essential – otherwise they loose their shape)

Preheat the oven to 170°C (or 160°C fan forced)

Put the sugar and eggs in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat until well incorporated. Beat in the mashed bananas.

Add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger to the sugar mixture. Mix it thoroughly until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated into the egg mixture. Pour in the melted butter and beat until all the ingredients are well mixed.

Add the Blueberries

Pour the mixture into the cupcake cases until they reach about just over half way up the case and smooth over with a palette knife. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25minutes, or until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly on a wire cooling rack.

To make the topping you will need;

250g butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
600g icing sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 Banana
1 pot of edible sparkles (purchased at Angel Bakery in Brighton – but you can get this in most specialised baking stores)

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, a quarter at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate.

When decorating this is when your own artistic style can come in…

I sliced the banana and placed in the centre and then added a sprinkle or two of the sparkles…

All I will say…not a crumb was left…so If you want to try one…make sure you sneak it away for yourself 😉

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Today’s Coffee: The Cafetiere

Coffee! The beautiful substance that transforms us from sleeping monsters to coherent maidens. I love a good cup of coffee and London provides me with a perfect array of coffee shops to frequent on my travels around. However, there are days where I like to have a delicious long black in the comfort of my own home.

coffee

This little guide is how to make the perfect coffee in six little steps

What you need?

1x cafetiere
1x mug
1x kettle
1x bag of your favourite coffee (my flavour of the month is Climpson and Sons)

Step by Step

Step 1
Fill and boil the kettle with fresh water. Make sure your cafetiere is clean and pour in some boiling water to warm the glass.

Step 2
Open your sealed coffee and take approx 2 heaped dessert spoons and place it in the bottom of the cafetiere. It’s really important you use fresh coffee. Keep coffee sealed in air tight kilner and/or keep in the freezer.

Step 3

When the water is boiled WAIT for at least 30 seconds if not more before you pour on the coffee – boiling water will burn the coffee. Tip the water into the cafetiere covering the coffee, fill up to the natural line on the cafetiere.

Give the coffee a gentle stir.

Add the plunger back on the top but DONT plunge.

Step 4
Leave the coffee to brew for 3-4 minutes. If you have yours with milk this is the perfect time to heat up the milk

Step 5
Plunge nice and slowly in one continous motion until you reach the bottom.

Step 6
Now pour the coffee into the cups and you have yourself a perfect cup of coffee to start the day

A great book to learn more about coffee I would highly recommend

A coffee enthusiast may find little new, but even so it’s a book well worth having, giving clear and concise information on coffee itself. For a newcomer to coffee – make this the first book that you buy. For a experienced coffee maker – a delightful book, that will help you explain your passion to others.

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Today’s Lent – Step it up and stopping the chocolate

Lent is the perfect time to start a new plan. Even if you’re not religious – it gives you a set time and date to work towards something or make some changes. Every year you will hear people doing it or you may have tried but failed… do not fear 2015 is your year. Get a buddy or a support network. Set yourself small challenges or little goals along the way. You can do it! You will also get to reap the benefits come Spring/ Summer!

This year I have challenged myself to two Lent Goals

1) 10,000 steps a day.

This is the minimum amount of moving we should be doing a day. I have thought about fun ways of getting these steps in so have been using Lauren Conrad http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2012/01/shape-up-my-7-days-to-skinny-jeans-plan/ to get those steps in.

Try it out – its a sure fire way of making sure you are getting your body ready for summer.

Use HiiT, aerobics classes, powerwalking, walking to work with friends or even shopping to get those little steps in!

2) Giving up Chocolate

I know – CRAZY! I usually go vegetarian for Lent but seeing as most of my diet is made up of 90% plant based food – that was too easy. So I have set myself the challenge and here we go!

What are you doing for lent?

How are you sticking you too it?

Who is in your support network?

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Today’s Workout: What’s your supplement

In today’s world we are bombarded by chemicals, crap, hormones, added extras, pollution, tiredness and stress – it is a wonder most of us are not breaking.

We hear in the media and by doctors that we need our 5 a day and we need omega 3,6 and 9 and we need X for strong nails, Y for digestion and Z for sleep…but how many of us get all the vitamins and minerals?

I’ve been trying out a few supplements recently to see if they can help detox/retox me and make me feel healthier… so here is my top 5

1) Vitamin C tablet

I will never stop explaining how good this added dose of Vitamin C is to us everyday. For those who live in cities our vitamin c is depleted constantly by pollution. It boosts our immunity, helps the body fight off free radicals and boosts our collagen – winner. I buy mine in bulk from amazon as its cheaper than other brands but still has the same amount of vitamin C in.

Vitamin C 1000mg Effervescent Family Bundle 120 Tablet Value Pack

2) Well Woman

This little all rounder gives us girlies a little boost to make sure we are getting a little bit of what we need everyday. I try and maintain a balanced diet but when you’re running from meeting to meeting, date to date and only have time to grab a coffee – we can neglect all the little bits we need. So pop one of these into your daily routine and its like re-charging our batteries

3) Psyllium husk

This is a source of soluble fibre. It is fantastic for our digestive tract. The word IBS is thrown around all over the place these days to label anything that upsets our stomachs but in reality with all the chemicals and the richness of today’s food our gut just needs a little help from time to time. Psyllium husk draws water into the intestines helping food transit through. Add to your juice or water and give your insides a well deserved helping hand

4) Milk thistle tea

Over indulged at the weekend? Had a heavy friday? Big roast dinner? Let me introduce Milk Thistle Tea – the key to relief from those indulgent days! With Valentines on the horizon – a weekend full of chocolate, wine and fun – this Milk Thistle Tea is the perfect rest when you’ve overdone it… I bought mine from simply supplements and have been using it daily as part of my retox from the new year. I find it calming and soothing and does my tummy the world of good.

5) Dandelion, Burdock and Hawthorne Tea

I was given this tea as a freebie at the Fresh and Fit fest I went to recently. Its a tea aimed at Well-Being. Although I have not noticed any direct affects I have found it a wonderful alternative to caffeine teas and coffees. Its fruity without being over bearing and very pleasant. Would recommend for those who love a cuppa but want to cut down on caffiene

I hope this helps out any of you who have been wondering what little changes you can do in your daily routine to really boost those energy levels and bring out the best you. In today’s society we have so much going on that sometimes we forget to look after number one.

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Today’s London: Kingsman at MR PORTER

Hosted by MR PORTER, Monday night welcomed me to view the bespoke collection from Ms Arianne Phillips’ costume design for Kingsman: The Secret Service at No.11 Savile Row

Kingsmen: The Secret Service is out beginning of this year. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

So when I had the opportunity to view the Gentlemen’s closet featured in this movie – well I jumped at the chance

As we walked into the store we were greeted with champagne and canapés. We began to peruse the beautiful and eloquent designs.

Surrounded by dashing suits, detailed pocket squares and bespoke accessories the atmosphere was exquisite. Topped off by being in the mix of some of London’s best dressed men, I was in style heaven!

The impressively intricate Bremont watches sat perfectly amongst Cutler and Gross glasses and Smythson Leather notebook. A quote from the movie embossed on the leather front “Manners Maketh Man” reminds you how delightfully British this new film is.

The atmosphere was sophisticated, suave and debonair.

The champagne continued to pour as more and more of the exquisite yet eccentrically dressed men of London poured through the door. We received rounds of beautifully made canapés including monk fish, fillet of beef and wild mushroom as we perused the room.

By the end of the evening we had put together our list of our favourites from the wardrobe and left with the buzz of excitement to view the wardrobe in the up-coming film.

BLUE VELVET SMOKING JACKET WITH SILK-GROSGRAIN SHAWL-COLLAR

http://www.mrporter.com/en-gb/mens/kingsman/blue-velvet-smoking-jacket-with-silk-grosgrain-shawl-collar/481172

GEORGE CLEVERLEY LEATHER LACE-UP BOOTS

http://www.mrporter.com/en-gb/mens/kingsman/george-cleverley-leather-lace-up-boots/483071

DRAKE’S PATTERNED WOVEN-SILK TIE

http://www.mrporter.com/mens/kingsman/drake-s-patterned-woven-silk-tie-/495282

If you get an opportunity to visit – I would highly recommend. In the mean time visit MR PORTER to view the full range. http://www.mrporter.com/mens/designers/kingsman

Pictures taken from MR PORTER site and Nicolas Dagnall

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Bequia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Bequia

Bequia pronounced Bekway – is the second largest island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and in my eyes a hidden jewel in the heart of the Caribbean.

This beautiful island is hard to fault. It is small enough you can fully explore and is home to some amazing restaurants, bars, beaches and people.

We were advised by one of the Daily Mail travel writers to visit this small island, which has a population of less than 5000, rather than stay on one of the more popular Caribbean islands and my gosh I am so glad we did.

About Bequia

As Bequia is quite hard to get too, there is not too many articles written about this island.

Upon receiving the thumbs up that the flights were booked, I jumped on to Pinterest, Instagram, and all other forms online to get the low down on what to pack, where to visit, what practical and also other little gems of advice…get what…

THERE WAS NOTHING!

For that reason, I have written up this stress-free guide to this wonderful island to save you time in order that you can maximise the fun on Bequia:

How To Get There
Where to Stay, Eat & Drink
What to Pack

You also get a sneak peek at my holiday snaps too 😉

Take the Stress Out Travelling

Follow the links to share top tips for travelling in Bequia Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

For More Stress-Free Travel Guides Click Here: Travel

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Today’s Manchester: To Juice or not to Juice…

I have been trying to work out ways while I am away in Manchester to getting my 7-a-day of veggies and fruit. Fruit is sometimes easier to do as apples and bananas go so well raw – however trying to get in the green stuff can sometimes be hard.

In my first week I stumbled across The Fruit Exchange in Manchester. Opening in 2012 it is an independent Juice Bar in the heart of Manchester which cater for Juices, Smoothies, lunches and also detox juice packages.

When you get inside the interior is beautifully decorated – invites you in to all their healthy goodness.

When ordering you can choose your size, which juice (or other item you would like) and then their helpful staff juice it there in front of you. Their menu caters for dietary requirements if you are dairy free and list everything very clearly so no nasties are too be seen.

For those with a sweet tooth they also do frozen yoghurt and an array of “healthy” whole food cookies on the counter if you need something a little more jazzy that day.

My favourite is one of the top Green Juices: Wake up Call!

This consists of Spinach, Lime, Cucumber, Apple & Celery – a perfect wake up to a cold morning in Manchester. It is delicious, nutritious and has three veggies in to get those 7-a-day into your diet.

Would recommend a visit health family! x

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Today’s Office: Working on a Project

These last two weeks I have been moved from my home in London to the north of the country to the wonderful city of Manchester. Living in a hotel I am away from all my creature comforts, my kitchen and my gym. Working in the modern world – schedules change. We have to be prepared to adapt our lifestyle to meet these changes.

I am going to give a little guide to working away from home and tips on how to change your lifestyle to adapt but still keeping in control of your healthy lifestyle:

Hotel Gym – When you are booking your hotel try and always go for a hotel with a gym in. Even if you can’t get all of the equipment in your usual workout routine there is nearly always a running machine and a couple of free weights…mix it up – the body will adapt to change and it could give you a refreshing change from your usual routine

Walking – It is our blessing to have legs to walk with and this form of exercise will keep the pounds off and keep you healthy while working away from home. Find the route from your hotel to work or make time in the evening to explore your surroundings. These extra steps will have huge benefits on your overall well-being. I often use it as my buffer from transitioning from duvet brain to work brain in the morning and my way of letting go in the evening.

Lunch Options – Keep it simple. Stick to what you know. I usually prepare all my own food so was quite a shock to have to constantly buy out. The majority of lunch outlets I think are the devil – lacing all their food with sugar, sauce and well s**t. Google healthy options – find pop ups, locally sourced food and food with soul. I was lucky enough to stumble on http://www.shlurp.co.uk/ a soup bar that makes everything fresh, all locally sourced and in season. They have options from Value to Skinny, Veggie to Meat. There is an offer of soup and a salad which is perfect to cover the nice comfort of the warmth and my snack later in the afternoon.

Dining out – It comes with the territory of working away from home. Nights out with colleagues are frequent and most people have different tastes. Google the menu before you go – ask the waiter for advice – you can keep food wholesome and fun without compromising on the social side. I went to http://lucklustliquorburn.com/ for dinner one evening – a Mexican place – absolutely oozing with food. Cut the fat and naughty calories by having a burrito in a bowl – all the flavour but cutting out the bits my body doesn’t need.

Home Cooked – When travelling away from home – get in touch with long lost friends or family friends. Use it as an opportunity to catch up and reminisce. If colleagues invite you around – go. The joys of a home cooked meal will banish any home sickness and put some good nutrients in your stomach. Winter is the season of the slow cooker: the hot pot and stew! Get as many of those veggies in as you can.

Travelling away from home is hard. Don’t let your standards slip. There are ways to make the changes adapt to you. Change is unavoidable embrace it.

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Today’s London – Red Bull Cultureclash

Enter 4 crews, 1 sound system and side order of London urban kids and you’ve got yourself Cultureclash 2014

I entered Earls Court One and was surrounded by a mix of grime, fashion, sweat and style all here to listen to Boy Better Know, Stone Love, Rebel Sound and A$AP mob.

Running from stage to stage listening to the best beats, take downs and come backs from each mob made for a whirl of dutty London fun

Sorry about the photos…

Go to Cultureclash.redbull.co.uk for the highs, lows, losers and winners of 2014

Next stop…

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Today’s London – Sober October

Fancy saving £100 and 3,500 calories? Go Sober for October.

This October I am Go Sober for October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research.

Cancer is the big C the word that meanders throughout everyone’s lives and touches down when you least expect it. We should all be responsible for helping to find a cure for this devastating disease.

Alcohol is part of Western Culture and many times you can get lost between thinking in order to have fun it must be a shot of alcohol to get you in the mood. I am combining this Charity Challenge with a personal challenge to visit life without alcohol and share my experience – the good, the bad and the reality.

If you want to join or wish to donate please visit the site:

https://www.gosober.org.uk/profile/ac

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Today’s Workout – Walking to work

As Autumn descends and the nights are getting darker, we naturally feel the inclination to hibernate. Our instinct tells us to start preparing for the winter and our motivation to be outdoors starts to diminish. This may also have a significant impact on our motivation to get up early and go to the gym or pop out in the evening after work for some exercise.

This October I am challenging myself walk to work to combat my urge to remain in my duvet all the hours not in work.

Walking is proven to be the most effective form of gentle exercise the body can do which means you will not be shattered when you get to work but you are still burning those calories lost in the hours in the gym. Walking doesn’t require any fancy gym clothes – all you need is a decent pair of trainers and hat and some gloves… oh and a few tunes to keep the beat.

Walking burns on average around 250 calories in 3 miles – which is about 45-60 minute walk depending on your speed. It tones your muscles especially in the areas us girls like – the butt and the thighs and keeps your heart healthy.

We are creatures of comfort – so use the Autumn season to your advantage and keep active in the run up to Christmas

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Today’s London – Snowflake

Well Well Well Londoners – we have a new treat on our doorstep – Snowflake!

Snowflake is a luxury gelato company – taking an artisan approach to their gorgeous ice creams. They have stores in Soho and Bayswater but have now added a little pop up to the 5th floor of Harvey Nicks!

I got invited to the opening of Snowflake pop up in Harvey Nicholls and was so excited by this particular venture! Now as a few of my closest friends will know I am wheat intolerant and also try to avoid dairy. There are a number of reasons why but predominantly cold cream just doesn’t sit well in my tummy.

I was absolutely enthused to find out that this beautiful little boutique not only does Luxury Sorbetto, which is handmade using only the goodness of seasonal fresh fruits making it refreshingly delicious and fat and dairy free,

They also do Snowflake Guilt-Free Sorbetto range with no added sugar!

Now a few of you may be thinking – ice cream with no dairy – maddness, sorbet with no sugar – does it taste of dust – my oh my are you wrong.

Their owner and creator Asad Khan has put all the love and attention into making sure all the ingredients are fresh, delicious, sourced from the best farms and from the best fruits which means all this care and attention seeps into the luscious flavours of their products.

Snowflake Luxury Gelato’s also has a resident Neapolitan Gelataio who has developed over 50 luxurious gelato and sorbetto flavours in the Snowflake laboratory. These include intense and original flavours, carefully and beautifully cultivated, to fill your taste-buds with the feel of the old Italian gelatos.

The sorbetto range includes beautiful flavours such as apple and elderflower, pear, papaya and pomegranate – which means that in the warm weather you can enjoy a guilt free ice cooler without worrying about the calories!

I spent some time talking to the owner and listening to his passion. It is amazing to hear someone who truly puts his heart and soul into his work. They cater for events aswell – so anyone planning a wedding out there – he is available!

If you fancy finding one of these beautiful gelatos – you can find Asad and his team at:

Snowflake Bayswater                                                    Snowflake Soho
43 Westsbourne Grove                                                 102 Wardour Street
London                                                                           W1F 0TP      London
W2 4UA

It truly is worth the treat: half the fat, none of the guilt and they won 10 gold stars at the Great Taste Awards!

Go on treat yourself xx

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Today’s London – #RMBACARNIVAL Red bull and Notting Hill Carnival

It has been that time of the year when Carnival descends on the streets of West London bringing to life the streets with the beats, colours and tomfoolery of Carnival.

As a relative newbee to London this event is somewhat of a blend of absolute fear and entertainment at the same time. This year I tried something new…

I went to Grime Day

Yes ladies and gents – I went to Notting Hill Carnival on a Monday! Having said that is was to the Red Bull VIP event #rmbacarnival – therefore could be considered cheating!

As we headed to the event on the edge of Portobello Road – the remains of the previous days revelry could be seen throughout the streets as the revelers came back for round 2. In pure British Pride – the rain did not hold back these folk and I was going to stay true to myself and make it through the downpour.

Outfit Choice: Hunters, Jeans and Leather Jacket

Yes I know – Wellies at NOTTING HILL! What a fashion plunder – going against the grain of every rude girl to grace grimey monday! Well do you know what – they were needed! It was recorded as the wettest day on record for a Bank Holiday in August – so please forgive for the fashion faux pas.

The Music: Grime, Beats and Basement Jaxx

From the second we set first under the West Gate the room was alive with heavy beats of jungle, drum n bass, garage and the grime that really gets you moving. Sounds of various MC’s and DJs with a side order of some Carnival style dancing set the atmosphere alive.