Balance

Balance

Today’s Clean Eat – Food Preparation

This is my food prep for the week 🙂

Planning is key to being healthy – if you don’t plan its easy to forget to bring food which will result in poor choices – as most food readily available is processed and full of chemicals

To start the day – my favourite – a boiled egg – one or two of these little delights set anybody up for the day – easily transported and if cooked right – delicious!

Next healthy snacks. Fruit is a perfect snack in the morning but should not be consumed in quantity after 2pm as fructose turns into sugar which then turns to fat if not burned 🙂 Carrot sticks and homemade beetroot and mint dip, hummus or tzatziki are perfect afternoon snacks – if you can add a bit more protein even better!

Lunch for me is simple: Prepare 100g of lean white meat or fish, 1/2 cup of complex carbohydrates (sweet potatoes are best) and cup of vegetables and salad.

I prepare up to 4 days in advance so I do not even have to think when I am rushed off my feet at work.

In a good fridge they will keep well and if you add fresh lemon to chicken and basil – the flavours infuse even more

Enjoy xxx

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Today’s London – Marocchino

One word: Marocchino

Where can I get it: Carter Lane Coffee House, St.Pauls, London

This little delicious caffeine delight was made by my favourite Italian baristas!

Every morning they great me with the loudest and happiest buongiorno!

A little happiness in the morning can change the rest of your day – spread the love xxx

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Today’s London – The Lounge – Brixton

Brunch time! Brixton is my home and becoming an ever popular place to come for light bites, pop ups and new restaurants.

Nicolas and I decided to visit The Lounge on Atlantic Road for Brunch. I had just done a gym session with my personal trainer on an empty stomach so was ready to mange!

To start I needed a cappucino and nicolas opted for this sweet little number – Mango, Orange and Strawberry smoothie – once the drinks had arrived we were ready to scan the menu

Nicolas went straight in for the full english – which came with choice of eggs, optional extra hash brown and tea/americano. I went for poached eggs and bacon toastie. The bread ciabatta which was delicious. My eggs weren’t as runny as I like (but I am a poached egg snob 😀 )

As you can see we were both so hungry – we started before I got a chance to snap!

Finished off breakkie with another dose of caffeine and I was ready to rock!

The atmosphere was relaxed and chilled. The waitresses were attentive and regularly bought water and took additonal orders. Brixton is really becoming the new place to spend for brunches and weekend fun…if you head south definitely check this place out…

We had a bit of a food envy of the next table who had a chicken burger…perhaps a lunch time visit maybe in order!

Price 4/5 Food 3/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Service 4/5 – great place for friends

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Today’s Workout – The sign of a good workout

The sign of a good workout is when you go in looking like this…

and come out looking like this…

Last night I went to body conditioning and Brixton Recreation Centre… the warm up started with jungle drum and bass – imagine the pace!

We did a combination of HIIT, cardio and conditioning exercises!

Do not think I have ever perspired so much in a class before!

Highly recommend it! xxx

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Today’s Office – London Working Girls!

Here is a little snippet of what I eat at work!

keeping slim in an office environment is hard – especially if you get hungry and cannot concentrate – this is what I eat to maintain and lose weight and keep full and healthy

Breakfast – Boiled Egg and Fruit pot

Lunch: 100g Chicken baked with lemon and basil, 1/2 cup of brown rice and salad

Afternoon Snack – small pot of hummus (60g) and carrot sticks

In the morning I will keep fruit by my desk in case I want a snack – if you are hungry nibble on fruit and vegetables – if you keep saying no – you may end up snacking on crap instead of just having a banana or orange

Enjoy xxx

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Think, Make, Do x

My gorgeous friend Nicole is running these classes in Kingston

She is starting a new project at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. It is aimed at all ages young to the old – so if you want to have a fun experience with your family, friends or relatives – this is the one for you

Please get in touch xxx

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Today’s Workout – Keep a Fit Journal! x

I cannot explain enough how a fit journal will benefit your results!

This week I have lost a kilo! Maintenance, awareness and logging really make you accountable for you decisions!

Come on – make a decision! Keep that diary that is just for you!

xxx

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Today’s London – A little dirty martini

A week of celebrating our anniversary – Nicolas and I started our night with a little dirty martini. Situated in the heart of Covent Garden this cocktail bar is the perfect start to anyone’ night

Reaching the bar our eyes alive with the sight of delicious cocktails everywhere – we were given the cocktail menu to peruse! The barman told it was happy hour – winning!

We had…

Pear & Rosemary Martini
Absolut Vodka shaken with Xante pear
liqueur, pressed pear juice, lemon juice
& a splash of rosemary syrup

Mango & Chilli Martini
Absolut Mango Vodka, shaken with
a hint of chilli, Crème de Mangue
& fresh mango juice

Passion Fruit Martini
Beefeater Gin shaken with Passoa,
fresh passion fruit & passion fruit juice

St Clements Martini
Absolut Vodka shaken with muddled
oranges & lemons, fresh mandarin juice,
Aperol & Orange Curacao

For the grand total of £17 british pounds – we left dirty martini’s with a twinkle in our eyes and spring in our step as we ventured out to play with the London Nightlife

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Today’s Office – Back to work x

After a beautifully long festive break this week its all back to work. Swapping my comfy’s for work gear was a change as I have grown quite fond of my sweater and sneaker combination this rainy Christmas.

Here’s my little guide to keeping the festive comfort while still dressing to impress at work:

Heels – heels transform any outfit from casual to smart. if like me you walk to work – pack them in your handbag and wear flats. Walking in heels for a long distance is not good for you and will cause pain later in the day from tired feet
Blazer – today I am wearing plain black trousers with a long sleeved top but the white blazer on top sends a message that I am ready, willing and able to own this day
Accessorize – worn with the right accessories you can make the comfiest of casual outfits work ready within seconds. ZARA, New Look, Top Shop and Primark offer amazing jewelry that low price and means you can change it up frequently without breaking the bank

Hope all of you are enjoying your first day back – apologies if you went back to work last week! I am super excited as breaking in my brand new Jimmy Choos today! http://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/401443?cm_mmc=ProductSearch-_-gb-_-Pumps-_-Abel&gclid=CKiA0MTY6bsCFQjlwgodQ3IA5Q Delicious!

Peace xxx

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My Inspiration x

Thought I would be a little bit soppy and talk about my inpirations to work out. Leading a healthy lifestyle has been a passion of mine for the last 5 years. Most people are truly supportive and really motivate me to do better. In the past I have dated guys who will do absolutely anything to make my healthy life challenging – until I met this boy.

Nicolas is a dream, he is my man, my inspiration but has also joined me in the healthy life! A former sweet tooth baby – he has dropped the candy and reached for the protein. We train together with our personal trainer on Sunday and its a pleasure to have the support of my closest mate.

We hit our personal training session and believe me in the world of PT no-one cares you have had two weeks off over Christmas! 1 hour of weights and HiiT has left one of us unable to physically walk the stairs and the other unable to lift arms above elbow height!

After such a long session though – we did treat ourselves to a Mango and Papaya Smoothie (recipe in previous post) which soothed the initial ache

What is your inspiration?

xxx

PT workout:

Squats – low 4 sets of 10 – starting weight 20kg moving up to 40kg each set (plus bar)
Deadlift – 4 sets of 10 – starting weight 20kg moving up to 40kg each set (plus bar)
Ab raises – 4 x 20 lifts. Hands on bar and raise knees to either side
Dangling press ups on bar – hold bar on smith machine with back to follow and put feet out straight in either corner and pull yourself up – 4 x 10
On ball backwards leg raises – 4 x 10
On ball leg roll in plus press up – 4 x 10
Chest, bicep and tricep exercise – on ball- 3×10 of each at 4kg dumbell
Abs on ball – 4×40
Lower abs on box 4×30
Speed skater lunges – 4×20

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Today’s London – Sticks and sushi – Covent Garden

It was my two year anniversary this weekend so we ventured out on the hunt for new restaurants in London to celebrate the occasion.

We stumbled across sticks n sushi – and what a fantastic stumble it was!

Sticks n Sushi is a Danish restaurant. It is sleek, with the perfectly designed interior which gives it a very Scandinavian feel. The black interior is stylish and works perfectly with the sushi dining experience. It is set on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden and is the perfect escape from the buzz from the square!

The menu is perfect for both sushi and non sushi lovers as they also provide sticks which are ordained with delicious meat and vegetable delights. Nicolas and I are anything BUT sushi lovers – so let the banquet begin!

We started off with a bottle of bubbles which our delightful waiter Adres T served us – (perfect waiter) all the staff were especially friendly, welcoming and looked after all our needs – including me being a little fuss pot and getting our table changed 🙂

We started off our evening with Spicy Edamame, Maguro Tataki and Ebi Bites. Delicious, crisp and served to perfect – every bite was heaven

Spicy Edamame

Maguro Tataki – (the sauce for this is to die for)

Ebi Bites

Following our starters – we then delved into some sushi and some sticks.

I am – unfortunately very allergic to avocado – which by the looks of the menu was going to prove a problem – however the lovely Adres overheard me saying this and let me know that the chef will make any sushi I want without it in – as it is all made fresh to order – now that was FABULOUS!

So we went on to order Hells Kitchen rolls, Soft Shell Crab in rice paper and Goats cheese with dried ham.

Hells Kitchen Rolls and Soft Shell Crab

Goats Cheese and Dried ham

The sushi rolls were incredible. Perfectly crafted and each bite full of flavour. The Goats cheese was an ordering mistake on our part – it just didn’t go!

Finally as our night drew to the end… we were presented with a little gift from Sushi and Sticks. Andres T had over heard us toasting our 2 year anniversary and presented us with this beautiful sweet present as a gift…

It was a Marcel Chocolate Cake

It was chocolatey, crispy, popping and delicious and definitely left both of us with a sweet souvenir taste in our mouths.

Atmosphere: 4/5, Food 5/5, Price 4/5, Experience 4/5 – absolutely perfect for dates and intimate dinners with friends

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Today’s Workout – Workout Skins x

Today I will mostly be wearing these!

My new adidas workout leggings are making me pump harder, lift heavier, run for longer and strut my exercising strut

Wearing proper gym gear can really make you step up a gear when in the gym! Invest and reward yourself with you new years resolutions

Happy workout! xxx

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Today’s London – Brixton Kitchen – Brixton East

Unlike most Sunday nights where I find myself tucked up in bed watching Homeland – Sunday the 1st of December was going to be a night like no other.

BRIXTON KITCHEN

Alice and Anna have set up a wonderful idea of hosting supper clubs in Brixton from their very own Brixton Kitchen. They create simple, wholesome, nutritious and delicious food that quite honestly is fabulous. (www.http://brixtonkitchen.wordpress.com)

I arrived at Supper Club held at the beautiful venue of Brixton East. Upon arrival I was handed a welcomed warm and spicy mulled wine as I walked into the architectural delight that was chosen as the venue.

Mingling among friends and nibbling on chili cardamon popcorn – we took our seats as the supper club began

We sat around the table – approximately 20 of us – and within minutes our beautiful starter of Pickled pear, Gorgonzola, chicory and caramelized walnuts. The pear melted in the mouth and the Gorgonzola set of the flavours in such a way it was like a romance on my tongue

More conversation and the BYO policy was in full swing – we were brought our next course Venison Caserole with juniper and chestnuts, sauteed sprouts and fresh homemade bread. The rich game meat, with the texture of the chestnuts and the juniper flavour was the perfect dish for the cold nights we are entering into. The sauteed sprouts added the vegetables factor and matched the game casserole brilliantly.

As our bellies began to fill – I took the opportunity as the wine was being poured to take an exploratory trip around Brixton East. It is a beautiful venue, a converted barn which has been beautifully crafted into the perfect venue for partys, weddings and a number of other gatherings…

Our next course arrived – my goodness – Spiced citrus almond cake and vanilla ice cream – one word – Insatiable!

Dessert was followed by Fresh mint tea, filter coffee and fig chocolate. The perfect finish to a wonderful supper

The suggested donation for these wonderful nights depends on the venue and night. The beautiful chefs gently and without notice place mugs – that at your own will – you can donate for the beautiful food, the wonderful venue and the perfect evening. Subtle, kind and without a word…

If you would like to get yourself involved in one of the wonderful evenings – go to the girls facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BrixtonKitchen or their blog www.http://brixtonkitchen.wordpress.com/ and follow the girls to find out more dates.

Wonderful food, wonderful venue, wonderful evening

xxx