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5 Ways To Stop Mindless & Emotional Eating

Stress-Free Lifestyle Tips

You’re sat at your desk and all of a sudden your inbox is full to the brim, that colleague of yours is constantly asking questions, your boss is putting pressure on you… not to mention all the washing, chores and other odds and sods waiting for you at home.

5 Ways To Stop Mindless & Emotional Eating

StressBrain

You thought this week would be the week you start eating healthy and ditching the crap. You’ve realised you skipped breakfast for the caramel latte and all of a sudden its 11 am and you’re stressed, hungry and about 10 seconds from hitting the vending machine!

STOP!

Here are some top tips of how to stop emotional and mindless eating at work.


Say “No” and Supply Alternative

Stop yourself.

Pause and say to yourself – will this sugary sensation help?

Will it get me closer to getting my jeans to feel comfortable?

Will it make my day less stressful?

Saying no means sometimes eating what you know will make you happy later on even when you really want chocolate cake now. 

Fill your bag and desk full of healthy alternatives. Pull out those carrot sticks and homemade hummus.

Go and get a glass of water or make a cup of tea. Get up and go for a walk. Distract that pang and focus on what will truly make you happy.

5 Ways To Stop Mindless & Emotional Eating

Healthy office snacks

Chocolate Won’t Make Stress Go Away

The sweet sensation of sucking on a piece of chocolate may make you have a few minutes of taste but this will be followed by a sugar rush.

You will have a brief period of increased energy followed by a severe low.

You may even go through the guilt cycle of “I shouldn’t have had that” “I was supposed to have a healthy week” etc etc.

Sugar is never the answer to a stressful situation – in fact, it can make it a thousand times worse.

Find out what is triggering your stress at that moment. Pause. Take 5 minutes to deal with it. Acknowledge the want for the chocolate and then let it go.

5 Ways To Stop Mindless & Emotional Eating

Spinach

Don’t want to eat like a rabbit? Then don’t!

Unless you love salad, in which case, crack on, however, if you’re like the majority of the human race, we associate eating lettuce leaves with “being on a diet” and that automatically makes you feel restricted.

Instead, fill your lunchbox with some delicious whole food recipes. Try new things. Find out what you like and try out something off the wall. Get some new recipe books in and have a research.

5 Ways To Stop Mindless & Emotional Eating

emotional-eating-21

Love Your Body Its The Only One You’ve Got

Right now is your prime! This second is the youngest you will remember.

You will look back at photos and look at this time and wish you still had that youth. When mindlessly eating or feeling stressed out and grazing… think about the future.

avocado

You are what you eat and you will want your body to be full of the most nourishing foods out there.

Think skin: avocados

Think hair: coconut

Think body: lean protein and these triggers will guide you

Think Cellulite… yes vending machine I am looking at you!

Pip N NutGet Support From Your Friends

Making the right choices can sometimes be hard if people around you are not making the same choices. Share with a friend.

Make yourself accountable to someone at work… someone who can stop you mindlessly reaching for the 3 pm biscuit tin, or when you’re out for coffee saying the no-way to the Hazelnut Latte!

5 Ways To Stop Mindless & Emotional Eating

Beetroot Hummus


For More Stress-Free Lifestyle Tips Click Here: Balance

Balance/ Recipes

5 Easy Ways to Get Sun Kissed Skin While Stuck in the Office

The sun is shining outside as we enter into August. Now unless you have kids and firmly in the middle of school holidays… many of us will be gazing out the window longing for our lunch breaks to get a few minutes in the sun. Well I am going to share with you some of my little tricks for getting that Sun Kissed Glow on your skin without having to put in the hours outside.


1) Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out.

To get radiant beautiful skin you need to make sure you are supplying your body with all the vitamins and anti-oxidants it needs to glow. My little trick for getting all the good stuff in me with none of the hassle is to pick up some Pack’d Smoothies and throw the ingredients in the blender to get a tasty smoothie with minimum faff and maximum impact.

When your skin is nourished you naturally glow.

2) Scrub, Scrub and Scrub

To get that beautiful baby soft skin that looks stunning in a summer dress you need to start buffing your beautiful skin with a body scrub. My favourite is a home recipe and if you love coffee your are going to like this:

Coffee Sugar Scrub:

  • ¾ cup solid organic virgin coconut oil
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup dry ground coffee

Use the whisk attachment on your mixer to blend sugar and coffee grounds together – about 2 minutes until it’s fluffy. Then add ¾ cup solid coconut oil and whip mixture together for another 1-2 minutes. Press down in a tupperware or kilner jar.

You now have a beautiful and natural scrub which used in the morning will bring that great smell of freshly made coffee straight to your shower.


3) Get Organically Tanned

I love having a tan! It makes everyone just look that extra bit healthier. However the sun rays can be harmful to your skin. Even more harmful when the only time you have to top up is at lunch time when the rays are most harmful. My little trick is to use Tan Organic. It is by far the most natural looking (and smelling) tanning lotion I have ever come across. The results give you that natural sun kissed look which makes you feel that extra freedom when wearing a dress and showing off your pins.

As its naturally certified you know it isnt harbouring any nasties.

Get Organic with your Skin – both inside and out.


4) Hydrate

Everyone looks better when hydrated.

You eyes sparkle, your skin glows and your energy improves.

In Summer you naturally lose more water from hot commutes and general rise in temperature. For this reason you need to make sure you stay hydrated.

Jazz up your daily water by adding strips of cucumber or slices of strawberry.

Detox your water by adding some lemon and cayenne

Ice up your water for that extra coolness.

Whatever way you like it just make sure you are getting plenty of it.


5) Top Up on Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Turmeric has been known to contain numerous antioxidants as well as antibacterial properties. Giving you amazing benefits for your skin, hair and health. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., at Schweiger Dermatology Group. “Studies have also shown that ingestion of turmeric helps protect against the aging effects of sun-damage UV radiation and the formation of wrinkles and dark spots.”

Whether you sip it in a beautiful tea like Pukka Tumeric Gold Tea Bags, supplement it in a capsule Pukka Tumeric LifeKind or incorporate it in your cooking using delicious spiced from Wunder Workshop Golden Turmeric Powder get this beautiful spice into your skin to have gorgeous, glowing and protected skin.

Below is a recipe for my favourite way to cook with Turmeric:

Ingredients

  • 2 medium organic butternut squash
  • 7 cloves organic garlic, chopped
  • 6 inches fresh ginger, grated or finely chopped
  • 6 medium organic onions
  • 2.2 – 2½ litres homemade chicken bone broth
  • 500g organic red split lentils
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 bar organic creamed coconut
  • 2 tsp or more turmeric
  • Organic baby spinach (you can also use cabbage/seasonal greens) sliced
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 small limes or 1½ large lemons, juiced
  • 150g (or 4 large handfuls) fresh coriander, washed well

1. Peel the squash and dice into 1 inch chunks

2. Place the garlic, onion, ginger and squash into the pan with the creamed coconut and cover with just over 2 litres (8 cups) of water or homemade bone broth

3. Put the lid on and bring to a medium simmer.

4. 10 minutes later, add the red lentils, black pepper, turmeric and chilli if using, stir and let simmer on medium for a further 15-20 minutes until the lentils are soft and the squash is tender. You might wish to add the extra 200ml (1 cup) of water during cooking – it depends if you like your stew thicker or thinner.

5. In the last few minutes, add the sliced cabbage/greens and stir through. If using spinach, just add when you turn off the heat so it wilts

6. Turn off the heat, add the sea salt and pepper, the juice of the lime or lemon and check for seasoning and consistency – it should be like a thick stew – add more water if needs be.

7. Stir through the roughly chopped coriander and ladle into shallow bowls to serve.


There you have it. My top tips to glow this Summer without all the extra heat and hassle. What are your tips for sun-kissed skin? Any family tried and tested tricks? Please share with me below!

Recipes

Green Goddess Smoothie

Green Goddess Smoothie

Green Goddess Smoothie

Green Smoothies are the perfect way to start your day. Beside the ‘green hype’ the benefits of starting your day green really do pay off. The Western Diet doesn’t provide as much fruit and vegetables to meet our daily needs. We have all been guilty of having eggs for breakfast, nuts mid-morning, chicken and quinoa for lunch and then some protein and veg for dinner. That means with even the healthiest of diets there is a significant lack of fruit and vegetables.

Green Goddess Smoothie

Due to the high fructose content of fruit, it is recommended not to have fruit post 3 pm and source only vegetables post this time. That means starting your day with a Green Smoothie can give you the head-start of getting your 7-a-day.


Green Smoothies

Green smoothies are not only great for digestion and weight management but also your skin. The skin is one of the largest organs of the body protecting us from the outside. It is the best indicator of what is going on inside…

Are you feeling dull, look tired and have dry skin?… and none of the expensive creams you buy is working? Perhaps its time to go a bit further than skin deep and have a look on the inside.

The ingredients in this smoothie give you a huge boost of those wonderful vitamins and good fats it needs to thrive.

Apples give you a boost of vitamin C, while the skin of a cucumber is full of nutrients that nourish you from the inside out. The celery and Kale give the body some good fibre and vitamins that allow greater digestion and glow. Dried spirulina contains about 60% protein. It is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids and it also contains..

  • Protein: 4 grams.
  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 11% of the RDA.
  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 15% of the RDA.
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 4% of the RDA.
  • Copper: 21% of the RDA.
  • Iron: 11% of the RDA.

So… have I convinced you yet?


Green Goddess Smoothie

Green Smoothie Ingredients:

1 apple

2 sticks of celery

1/4 cucumber

handful spinach or kale

Half an avocado

knob of peeled ginger

3 tablespoons of lemon juice/juice of a lemon

1.25 cups of coconut water

1 teaspoon of super green powder (chlorella, spirulina etc)


We blend the greens and fruit for easy digestion, your body is able to absorb more of the vitamins and minerals without working so hard

  1. Add coconut water and chopped vegetables. Blend at a low speed until smooth.
  2. Add rest of the ingredients (except lemon and spirulina), and blend at high speed.
  3. Add spirulina
  4. Finish lemon
  5. Too make cooler add a handful of ice

For More Stress-Free Nourishing Recipes Click Here: Nourish

Explore/ Recipes

Home Grown – POP Brixton

So who hasn’t heard of Pop Brixton?

The newest addition to the vibe in the South. Pop Brixton is an amazing new space created for the local community to showcase independent start ups and businesses in Brixton.

It has been creating such a buzz with different areas quite literally “popping” up within the vicinity. As I live in Brixton I venture down to this new addition quite regularly. The vibe is great, the food is delicious and the concept fantastic.

One of my new favourite stalls has got to be Home Grown

Born at Pop Brixton and managed by Jocie and Gabriella – the girls are working to introduce the local community to Juices, fresh homemade salads and alternative coffees.

Alongside their beautiful stall they are also doing yoga and pilates first thing in the morning to start the day right!

So this is bloomin amazing as far as I am concerned! Health and nutrition slap bang in the middle of one of Brixton best hang out places…AWESOME!

So lets take a look around…

Cute, beautiful and welcoming; I explored Home Grown while chatting to Gabriella I sipped away at a Coconut Flat White. The stall offers all kinds of alternative milk – not just the average soy – from Oat to Coconut. Dairy-Free is definitely the way the world should be moving too. It is often hard to pick up a coffee where the non-dairy alternatives are available so this is a breathe of healthy fresh air

The stall is brimming with healthy produce which is used in the fresh juices and homemade salads. Juices and Salads are key to Spring and Summer lifestyle as they are light and packed full of nutrients key to making your skin and body glow.

From Immune Boosters to Green Power Home Grown caters for every juice need. For those who are members of the local Brixton Recreation Centre – this is the perfect place to pick up your post workout re-boot. It is important when doing any kind of exercising be it to pack on muscle or strip back fat – you need to get all your nutrients.

With a combination of juice and salad deals these little store really is making steps forward to bring healthy eating down to Brixton. All you lunch time needs for £8!

Get yourself down to Pop Brixton and Homegrown to try out their juices and yoga/pilates session

At the moment they have an offer… for £20 you can get un-limited classes for a week with a juice of your choice!

Otherwise drop in classes are £10

Remember to bring a mat – I use this one as its tucks away nicely in my room with no extra space taken…Perfect

Check out www.popbrixton.org for all the information about upcoming events

 

 

 

Balance

Today’s Workout: Fasted HIIT Workout

HIIT is a big craze right now – but in reality I don’t think it gets all the credit it is worth!

HIIT is effectively completed in 25 minutes by pushing yourself to your max in intervals. I personally mix my HIIT based on how my knees are feeling. In general the running machine can be a pain on the old joints and sometimes I can really feel it there if I go to hard.

HIIT Workout

5 mins warm up and walking pace

1 minute – 16kmph 

30 seconds – PAUSED

and repeat this until you have completed it for 20mins

Follow this with a 5 minute cool down

(If you, like me, ever find that the treadmill is just too hard on those knees or hips – try the elipitcal machine or bike and practise the same routine using the settings on the bike)

I have been doing HIIT for a few years but recently have been practising Fasted HIIT – effectively eating after my workout rather than before. My logic behind this is that the body will draw it energy straight from my resources rather than topping up before they are empty. Sleeping doesn’t really use that much energy – therefore all my gorgeous energy from my dinner the night before is still ready to be used.

The effects of doing fasted cardio have also made a change visually. Now I am no model – so please be forgiving while I share these photos

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I see that my abs are starting to grow stronger. I see a firmer and more toned stomach starting to appear.

The strength allows me to see how the HIIT is allowing my abs to grow stronger while beginning to break down the fat that sits on top of them. I have only been doing this for 6 weeks – so imagine what the future possibilities could be.

I am feeling more confident and comfortable in my skin each day goes on – which really gives me the boost I need. Having just celebrated my birthday I can feel this smile is going to last…

Pusey and I

If you make one change to your morning routine – Make fasted HIIT it!

Recipes

Todays Clean Meal: Coconut Scrambled Eggs

Love creamy scrambled eggs but want to get rid of the cow’s milk?

Why not try these Coconut Scrambled Eggs.

Very simple and very tasty and full of great fats and protein to start your day.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Eggs
  • Coconut Milk (2 tbsp)
  • Coconut Oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Drop of water

Method:

  • In a skillet – heat a knob of coconut oil till hot.
  • Meanwhile beat the eggs, coconut milk and seasoning. Add a drop of water
  • Turn the heat OFF on the pan and add the eggs
  • With the heat of the pan fold the eggs till cooked all the way through – the heat generated should cook the eggs all the way through

And voila – a nutritious and delicious breakfast ready to go