Browsing Category

Health

Posted on June 23, 2015

9 foods for a flatter tum

fitness/ food/ Health

lean abs

You can do all the abs in the world, if you wanted to. But, if you don’t pay attention to what goes into your mouth, then all your hard work will most likely go to waste. “Abs are made in the kitchen,” is probably one of the most used lines by fitness fanatics,and I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but it is true – if you want to get rid of ab flab, you need to make wiser food choices.

The good news is, that there are a lot of tasty foods out there that actually encourage weight loss around your midsection, so you don’t have to confine yourself to a life of leaves and tasteless meals.

Here are some foods that can help trim down a few inches on the waist:

Salmon

Salmon, along with other seafoods such as tuna and mackerel, are a great source of omega-3 acids. These fats can help reduce a few inches off your midsection by making your metabolism more efficient. They also contain ab-friendly proteins –hello, six pack!

Eggs

Eggs are loaded with protein and filling properties. Eating a heavy dose of eggs will help keep you full which will make you less likely to overindulge on unhealthy snacks. As for the protein, eggs are highly praised by dietitians for how much protein it has (about 6 grams per egg).

Apple

Foods that have a high water content tend to take up more room in your gut. This means you stay full for much longer and consume less unhealthy foods through out the day. The hunger busting properties in foods like apples and pears can surely help you get the midsection you’ve always wanted.

leafy greens

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli help shrink your waistline because they’re low in calories and high in calcium. Calcium is needed for muscle contraction so the more greens you eat, the quicker you’ll see results.

Beans

Beans are often avoided by people because eating too much can give off gas (just calling a spade a spade here!). But, a lot of people don’t know that they help burn fat and develop muscle. The best part is, they minimise the whole “I just ate a horse” look – so it’s a win-win!

Quinoa

Quinoa has become a recent addition to my diet. This grain looks like a mix between brown rice and couscous, and is very high in dietary fibre and protein. A serving of quinoa can fend of hunger as the day progresses so it’s a good idea to have it early in the day! Oh and it’s pronounced keen-wa, in case you were wondering! 🙂

abs are made in the kitchen

Green Tea

Green tea can help fire off fat by stimulating the body to burn ab fat. Consuming green tea on a regular basis helps cause your metabolism to work at a faster weight. Since fat is stored as fuel for the body, a metabolism which consumes fat at a faster rate helps you drop a few extra pounds – guess it’s time to ditch those diet teas!

Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt contains more protein than regular yoghurt. As you probably already know at this stage, protein is essential for building muscle mass and trimming down on a few inches. When choosing greek yoghurt, be sure to go for the unflavoured kind which is full of sugar. Oh and remember, your body burns more calories digesting protein than it does digesting carbs!

Skinned almonds

Not only do almonds contain fibre and protein, they also contain magnesium, a mineral that is needed to produce energy, build muscle tissue and regulate blood sugar. Since having a stable blood sugar level reduces cravings, almonds make for a great healthy snack – just make sure you avoid salted almonds (sodium makes you retain water which puffs up the belly – that’s not exactly the aim here!).

I hope you found this useful, if you’ve started eating any foods to trim down the tum, do let me know! 🙂 xx

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 10000
    There’s nothing more annoying than spending so much time in the gym, doing calorie counts at a restaurant, avoiding all your favourite snacks and still seeing no results. Despite all your efforts and ability to maintain will-power for so long, the number on the scale doesn’t seem to want to…
  • 10000
    Summer is officially over, the New Year is approaching and you’ve already decided that one of your resolutions will be to go on a diet and stick to it - like always. However, there’s a chance you could be wasting your time and money trying to follow diet plans that…
  • 10000
    I'll be honest, I've never been big into dieting. I don't even like using the word 'diet.'  I just think that moderation is key when it comes to healthy eating or weight management, and that nobody should ever deprive their body of what it needs. So if you want to…
Posted on June 2, 2015

5 drinks every ‘dieter’ should try

Health/ Nutrition

5 drinks every dieter should try 2

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been big into dieting. I don’t even like using the word ‘diet.’  I just think that moderation is key when it comes to healthy eating or weight management, and that nobody should ever deprive their body of what it needs. So if you want to practice healthy eating habits and shed a few pounds along the way, then here are five drinks you might like to try:

Coconut water

Anyone who knows me well would tell you that I am a completely addicted to coconut water. Not only because it’s unbelievably refreshing, but because I do notice an instant boost in my energy levels when I consume it. It also keeps me pretty full on the days when I don’t have a big breakfast. If you’re looking after your weight and want something that is low in fat, calories and sugar then this is your winning ticket. I wrote a full article on the many benefits of coconut water here.

Green tea

The antioxidants in green tea have a lot of health benefits for your body. As well as stimulating the body’s metabolism and speeding up the weight loss process, they also stimulate your muscle cells to use more fatty acids when exercising.  That means your body uses carbs at a slower weight. With more carbs in your body, you can exercise for much longer time and burn more calories which helps with the whole weight loss process. I like to call it the Domino effect!

Lemon water

Poor digestion could be a reason why losing weight may be difficult for people. If your digestive system isn’t working properly, it stops your body from getting the nutrients it needs to burn fat. Drinking lemon water can help improve digestion by increasing acidity in the stomach. Lemon water is definitely my go to drink when I feel guilty about having a cheat snack, it is also a great hangover cure! (everything in moderation right?)

lemon water

Beet Juice

Beets are widely-known for helping the natural detoxification process of the body. They help toxins be excreted from the body, keeping the blood and liver purified. Beet juice can facilitate weight loss by increasing stamina. It’s been said that those who had a glass of beet juice before their workout lasted up to 15% longer. So if you’re a fitness junkie, then you might want to stack up on some of this stuff! Here’s how I make my homemade beet juice.

Cucumber water

Cucumber water is another one of my faves. Since it adds a bit of  flavour to regular water, it makes drinking 8 glasses a day a lot easier! Not only that, but cucumbers act like a natural diuretic to help get rid of excess water and bloating – hello bikini body! 🙂

Although there are several other drinks out there to help you achieve your fitness goals, I think these five are a good start!  So rather than reaching for calorie – laden beverages over the summer, try one of these instead.There’s no way you won’t fall in love with at least three of them! 🙂

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 10000
    There’s nothing more annoying than spending so much time in the gym, doing calorie counts at a restaurant, avoiding all your favourite snacks and still seeing no results. Despite all your efforts and ability to maintain will-power for so long, the number on the scale doesn’t seem to want to…
  • 10000
    You can do all the abs in the world, if you wanted to. But, if you don’t pay attention to what goes into your mouth, then all your hard work will most likely go to waste. “Abs are made in the kitchen,” is probably one of the most used lines…
  • 10000
    Summer is officially over, the New Year is approaching and you’ve already decided that one of your resolutions will be to go on a diet and stick to it - like always. However, there’s a chance you could be wasting your time and money trying to follow diet plans that…
  • 38
    I’m no professional when it comes to juicing. However,  I do feel that I’ve been juicing  for long enough to know that freshly made juice tastes better when consumed within 20 minutes, the juicing strainer can be an absolute pain to clean after using carrots, and some fruit and vegetables…
    Tags: juice
  • 35
    I always find that health shots are great for a quick pick-me- up. Being a non-coffee drinker and a complete energy drink foe, I have to find other ways to give myself an energy boost. Spirulina shots are usually my go-to, but recently I have been experimenting with a few…
    Tags: help, juice, water, body, lemon, beet
Posted on May 20, 2015

Sesame and honey bars

Health/ recipes

sesame and honey bars cover2

I have a terrible habit of eating on the go. For some strange reason, I feel like time passes quicker when I’m chewing! So unless I have some sort of healthy snack prepared with me when out and about, I just end up at a corner shop buying something that makes me feel like I’ve wasted my morning workout –my inner dialogue never stops judging me for it!

My go-to snack have always been my infamous protein bars. But I’ve decided to give peanut butter and nuts in general  a bit of a rest for a change (no pun intended!) and start reintroducing more seeds to my diet.

Sesame seeds are flat little seeds with a nutty taste. You’ve probably come across white ones in baking, but they also come in yellow, black and even red. For this recipe I will be using white sesame seeds and like most of these recipes, there is always room for variety! Once you get the swing of things, you can start adding your favourite nuts and seeds to this recipe.

For now, you will need the following ingredients to make basic sesame and honey bars –

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 140g sesame seed
  • 280g honey
  • A pinch of sea salt (optional)

 Directions:

1. Heat up the oil in a saucepan and then add in the honey. Bring to boil before adding the seeds.

sesame 1

2. Throw in the seeds and mix continuously for about 8 minutes or until the mixture begins to thicken and caramelise.

seasam seeds boil

3. Once the seeds begin to change colour, you can remove from the heat and flatten onto a lined baking tray or in this case, greased tin foil.

sesame seeds flattened

4. Cover up and put in the freezer for about an hour. Once it hardens, remove from freezer and break into parts.

sesame seeds honey

Although they are quite hard to break, these bars have quite a chewy texture. They are perfect for conquering sugar cravings without the guilt! If you want to have them for snacking on the go, wrap each bar individually with tin foil!

Hope you get the chance to try this recipe out! These bars are so simple to make and yet so tasty! 🙂

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 10000
    I’m excited to finally have my first recipe up! I know, it’s long overdue, but I guess I’ve just been a bit distracted by all the pretty makeup - you can’t exactly fault me for that, now can you? :) Initially, I planned to have an avocado smoothie recipe up for my first food…
  • 10000
    Chia seeds have been a staple food in the health and fitness world for quite some time. They are loaded with antioxidants, have a good amount of protein, and they also have a serious amount of calcium in them – gotta look after those bones! For this recipe, you only…
  • 10000
    When it comes to granola, I’ve always thought that making it at home was far better than consuming the store-bought stuff (like most things, I suppose). Ready-made granola tends to be packed with sugar, unhealthy fats/oils and unnecessary ingredients. Homemade granola allows you to have full control of what you put in…
Posted on April 22, 2015

7 reasons your ‘diet’ isn’t working

Diets/ fitness/ Health/ health benefits

moderation

There’s nothing more annoying than spending so much time in the gym, doing calorie counts at a restaurant, avoiding all your favourite snacks and still seeing no results. Despite all your efforts and ability to maintain will-power for so long, the number on the scale doesn’t seem to want to budge– mind-boggling, right?

Luckily, you don’t have to throw in the towel right away and you might even find it comforting to know that you probably aren’t the only ‘dieter’ who isn’t seeing the desired results.

In most cases, it could just be because you’ve picked up on a few small – and extremely common – habits that are preventing you from seeing the scale drop. All it takes is making a few smart lifestyle changes that will have you shedding weight sooner than you think.

dieting

Here are some of the reasons your ‘diet’ isn’t working:

#1: Calling it a ‘diet’ to begin with

I personally don’t like the word ‘diet’. To me, it implies starvation, limitation and robbing your body of what it needs to survive – ok, that’s a bit of a stretch, but you know what I’m getting at. I think it’s better to regard your weight loss goals as creating a lasting healthy lifestyle – this also promises a lot more consistency!

#2: Not knowing your eating personality

I recently wrote a piece about knowing your eating personality. Knowing whether you’re a socialiser, a binger or an emotional eater can bring you one step closer to seeing the the results you want because you will know how to go about on making your lifestyle changes.

#3: Going cold turkey

I’ve already touched on the idea that I associate the word diet with restriction and limitation. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that labelling certain foods as big no-no’s will only make you want them more. Remember, moderation is key!  If you focus on having more of what your body needs i.e fruits, vegetables and water, then you can treat yourself every now and again.

one meal doesn'tmake you skinny

#4: Trying to eat as little as you can

Don’t get me started on this one. Nothing hurts me more than hearing someone say ‘I’m starving, but I can’t eat past 8pm’ it drives me absolutely insane! Some people seem to forget that food is their body’s fuel. You need it to keep energised during the day. Eating within a healthy range of foods is not bad for you – even if it is after 8.30pm!

#5: Misreading the scale

When I first started at the gym I was 50kg, then after a couple of months, I went up to 52kg. Some people would freak out about this, but I knew that it was just all the muscle that I was gaining for working out! If the scale isn’t budging, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t losing inches. You could simply getting fitter and gaining lean muscle mass.

lean

#6:  Dieting but not exercising

If you want to see results, then you need to bare in mind that watching your diet and exercising go hand-in-hand. If you’re too embarrassed to go for a jog and don’t want to join any gym classes then there are a lot of YouTube videos that can help you achieve your weight-loss goals in the comfort of your own home- you have no excuse!

#7: Giving up too soon

Anyone can have a setback, but it takes someone with real determination to get back up and try all over again. I’m not going to lie, I have my moments when I give up completely and need a few weeks to get back on track. But when I do, I get enthusiastic about it all over again!  It all comes down to being realistic about what you can achieve in the time that you have. Remember, if you can dream it, you can do it!

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 42
    Shout out to the person who tweeted that because relationship weight is as real as it comes. In fact it is something that I am currently battling with and not because I'm rejecting it completely. But mainly because I am struggling to discern whether or not I secretly adore my…
    Tags: weight, food, gym, people, couple, will, remember, time, diet, loss
  • 40
    As hard as it may seem to believe, there are some people out there whose goals consist nothing of losing weight or finding ‘the perfect diet’. Instead, they are working towards putting on a few kilos because no matter how much they eat, they just can’t seem to put on…
    Tags: don, will, help, weight, healthy, diet, food, eating, bad
Posted on April 21, 2015

Healthy homemade granola

Health/ recipes

healthy homemade granola

When it comes to granola, I’ve always thought that making it at home was far better than consuming the store-bought stuff (like most things, I suppose).

Ready-made granola tends to be packed with sugar, unhealthy fats/oils and unnecessary ingredients. Homemade granola allows you to have full control of what you put in and how much of it you want – you are the boss here!

This recipe takes no more than 20 minutes to make and if anyone around the house is a fan of nuts and oats then most likely, you will have most of the ingredients at home!

So let’s get started….

Ingredients:

  • 200g organic oats
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 25g sunflower seeds
  • 3 tbsp seasame seeds
  • 2tbsp cinnamon powder
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 55g dried fruit

Directions:

  1. Heat the coconut oil in a large pan and then add in oats, nuts, seeds, cinnamon powder and honey. Gently stir until everything is well incorporated.granola 1
  2. Cook at a medium heat for about 8-10 minutes or until the oats are golden brown in colour.granola 2
  3. Remove from heat and allow to cool on a baking paper.granola 3
  4. Once cool, stir in the dried fruit and store in an airtight container.granola 4

Tip: Once you get the swing of things, you can switch up the nuts and add your favourite seeds – make it your own! Serve with Greek yogurt or in a smoothie bowl, enjoy 🙂

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 46
    This 3-ingredient peanut butter cup recipe is to die for! These chocolatey treats are thick and gooey (in a good way) and just melts in your mouth at every bite. They also taste much better than the store bought versions and as always, they’re much healthier too! Ingredients: 2 tbsp natural…
    Tags: tbsp, add, oil, powder, coconut, paper, minutes, recipe, twitter, facebook
  • 35
    I’m sure many of you have come across my infamous protein bar recipe.  And if you’ve tried making them at home, then you would know that they are highly addictive. Whenever I make my protein bars, they barely last four days in the house, never mind a week! My father…
    Tags: tbsp, ingredients, oats, coconut, bowl, honey, oil, making, ve, add
  • 33
    When I first heard about sugar relationships, I was rather naive about the whole concept. The notion that a wrinkled  wealthy man could financially support a young and attractive woman while asking for nothing but her presence in return was not something that set off any alarm bells. I thought,…
    Tags: sugar
  • 33
    Today was a very productive day: I made my very own Nutella.That's right, I made a thick and gooey hazelnut spread with a touch of cocoa that tastes very much like the much-loved 'breakfast' spread, Nutella itself. Now I know it doesn't look like the most appetising chocolate spread out…
    Tags: tbsp, coconut, add, sugar, remove, oil, powder, minutes, nuts, takes
  • 31
    ‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ – These are words that have been drilled into us from the very beginning of time. Yet even as adults, we manage to deprive our bodies of the fuel it needs to get us through the day. If you tend to skip…
    Tags: add, fruit, yogurt, nuts, seeds, will, bowl, twitter, things, homemade
Posted on April 15, 2015

Food cravings: What your body is trying to tell you

Health

food cravings what your body is telling you

Although people have food cravings for a number of different reasons, an abnormal craving for something is usually a sign that your body is low in a particular mineral, nutrient or vitamin.

When you crave a particular food, your body is speaking out to you and trying to tell you that you’re lacking in something important.

Here are some of the most popular food cravings and what they mean:

Sugar

Sometimes, a craving for sugary foods can simply mean that your body is under hydrated and may need some water. But at other times, sugar cravings could indicate a blood sugar imbalance or more precisely, a drop in sugar levels. However, instead of reaching for cakes and biscuits to ‘stabilise’ your blood sugar level, it’s a good idea to consume  more fibre-enriched foods to give your body the fuel it needs without spiking up sugar levels.

Suggestions: Beans, whole grains, fruit & vegetables.

Salt

Changes in stress hormone levels in the body can often lead to cravings for salty foods. So if you tend to always carry around a packet of crisps with you during exam season, this could be why. The adrenal glands, responsible for helping the body cope with stress, tend to get tired from hormone production. To support these hard working organs and to keep the salt craving at bay, add more B-vitamin foods to your diet.

Suggestions: Nuts, seeds & vegetables.

Fizzy drinks

A craving for carbonated drinks usually indicate low levels of calcium in the body. Calcium, as you probably already know, is associated with bone growth. When the body is low in calcium, it will draw this mineral from it’s bones, which could lead to health problems in the future. Instead of reaching for a fizzy drink, try including more calcium- enriched foods in your diet.

Suggestions: Low-fat dairy products or  leafy greens

Oily foods

A craving for greasy foods can often indicate  a fatty acid deficiency. Instead of having a deep fried snack, try including  more good fats in your diet. This will provide the body with essential fatty acids and may reduce cravings for unhealthy fats.

Suggestions: Omega-3 and omega -6 fatty acids and more fat-soluble vitamins E, D K & A.

Carbs

White flour based cravings can indicate fatigue, changes in blood sugar levels or insulin resistance. If you tend to crave a lot of white bread, crackers or foods that have a lot of white flour in them, then it is important to include more fibre in the diet. This will give you better blood sugar control.

Suggestions: Fibre, magnesium enriched foods like bananas or spinach  & more protein.

Fish

A fish craving can indicate low levels of protein in the body. Adding more protein to your diet usually does the job when you are craving fish in general, but when it is more specific i.e salty fish, then it may mean the body needs more sodium.

Suggestions: Nuts, leafy greens and beans.

Red meat

Cravings for red meat are usually a sign of an iron deficiency. So if you often crave steaks or burgers quite regularly then it may be time to eat some more iron-rich foods. Since vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, it’s a good idea to eat foods that are high in this vitamin along with your iron-enriched foods.

Suggestions: Legumes, dried fruit & beans.

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram


Disclaimer: This list is only an indication. Specific food cravings could mean different things for different people. See your doctor if you have any concerns.

Related Posts

  • 10000
    Let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to eat clean 100% of the time. With tempting adverts all over the media and friends and family who practically make it their job to have you drooling all over and wanting a slice of your favourite dessert, you can easily fall off track.…
  • 10000
    There’s nothing more annoying than spending so much time in the gym, doing calorie counts at a restaurant, avoiding all your favourite snacks and still seeing no results. Despite all your efforts and ability to maintain will-power for so long, the number on the scale doesn’t seem to want to…
  • 10000
    Since eating healthy can be a bit costly at times, a lot of people think it’s more trouble than it’s worth. However, healthy eating doesn't always have to cost you so much money - especially when you shop smart. With the right attitude and the a little bit of planning…
  • 34
    When I first heard about sugar relationships, I was rather naive about the whole concept. The notion that a wrinkled  wealthy man could financially support a young and attractive woman while asking for nothing but her presence in return was not something that set off any alarm bells. I thought,…
    Tags: sugar
Posted on April 11, 2015

5 runners that will motivate you to workout

fitness/ Health

5 runners that will motivate you to work out

A gym instructor once told me that the sexier your workout clothes, the more productive your workout will be. Now, I don’t know if it was just his way of getting women to wear yoga pants in his classes or not, but I do think there is some truth to this statement – especially when it comes to running shoes.

If you follow me on Instagram, you would know that I am crazy about my pink Nike runners. They’re the most comfortable pair of running shoes I’ve ever owned and when I first got them, I was so motivated to workout that I managed to do a bit everyday – even if it was just a 10 minute walk up the road, I was all game!

So if you think you could do with a bit of gym motivation then I think these runners could help transform you to ultimate fitness fanatic:

New Balance Fresh Foam Zante

new balance trainers

Photo Credit

Of course I had to start with New Balance as they seem to be everywhere at the moment! While the New Balance running shoes aren’t suede or anything fancy like the fashionable ones you see everyone wearing, they are a very firm and responsive footwear with cushioning that allows for longer runs. This shoe is also the ‘2015 Road Shoe of the Year’

RRP: $99, Newbalance.com

Nike Air Max Thea

nike air thea

I’m obsessed with the look of these runners; I think they’re the cutest thing ever! If you aren’t a huge fan of the colour (the first thing that caught my eye) then not to worry, as it comes in about a million other colours too! The Nike Air Max Thea is a lightweight shoe that is mesh at the forefoot and has perforations at the heel for breathability. It’s overall texture gives it a lightweight feel so you won’t want to stop running once you put them on!

€107, JD Sports

Sketchers Equalizer Expect Miracle

sketchers

I’ve never been a huge fan of Sketchers in general. But I must say, after I tried on a pair of their running shoes for the first time I had a new found respect for the brand. The Sketchers Equalizer has a memory foam insole, which means it molds itself to the shape of your feet with every step you take. What can possibly beat a customized fit?

RRP: €82, Schuh

Asics GT 2000

asics

Photo Credit

It might not look as pretty as the others, but the Asics GT 2000 is such a comfortable shoe that it wouldn’t even matter. I think a lot of the comfort comes from the fact that it has a DuoMax support system at the midsole which is positioned to enhance both support and stability – there will be no limits to your running with these bad boys!

RRP: €130, Elverys

Nike Free 5.0

nike free 5.0

Last but not least, the Nike Free 5.0. Not only are they stunning looking, but they are amazingly comfortable too! The Nike Free 5.0 is an extremely flexible lightweight shoe with ample cushioning. This shoe has an abundance of forefoot space, giving your toes the necessary space to move around freely. I have the Nike Free myself, and whenever I have them on, I feel like I have on slippers – love every inch of them!

RRP: €113, JD Sports

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Posted on December 26, 2014

5 ways to beat a killer hangover

Health

hangover

“I’m never drinking again” – are often the words muttered after a night of heavy drinking – which, for many of us – was last night. But how many of people actually follow through with it? Not a lot, I’m sure!

Rather than constantly lying to ourselves about never drinking again, wouldn’t it be better to just take a few precautions that would make the morning after a tad bit more bearable? I thought so too 🙂

Here are some tips that can help you have a more comfortable morning after:

Healthy fats

Apparently, incorporating healthy fats, like bananas, nuts and avocados into your pre-party meal is the way forward.  Avocados in particular are good for dodging a hangover because they’re loaded with potassium.This means you’re getting a head start on replacing the potassium lost during alcohol consumption.

Keep hydrated

As you know, alcohol dehydrates the body and drains it of vitamins and minerals. While it would be ideal to have a glass of water after each alcoholic drink – we have to be honest with ourselves – it’s not very likely that’s going to happen. So instead, drink about 1-2l of water at the end of your night to help restore your body the morning after. Coconut water does wonders – it’s high in potassium too!

Take your vitamins

I’m not trying to sound like your mother by telling you to take your vitamins here, but – take your vitamins! Drinking alcohol destroys essential vitamins in your body, particularly vitamin B. Taking some supplements in the days leading up to your big night(s) out will do your body a lot of good!

A spoonful of goodness

Taking a spoonful of olive oil may sound a bit far-fetched, but in a lot of Eastern European countries, this technique is a saviour when it comes to beating a killer hangover. Apparently, the fat in the olive oil limits the body’s absorption of alcohol in the same way as eating fatty foods before drinking does. If you can’t stomach a shot of olive oil before your big night, you could always dip some crusty bread into it and consume it that way!

Know your limits

If you know you can’t hack more than a bottle of wine, then there’s no point in trying to outdo yourself. At the end of the day, alcohol is no friend to your body so the more control you have over how much you drink, the better it is for your body!

Hope you found these tips useful for your next night out! Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! 🙂

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 10000
    We've all been in a situation where we think we're nearly finished with our makeup, then all of a sudden one of our cheeky lashes manages to make it's way into our eyes...... not the best feeling in the world is it? As much as it irritates me, I've managed to find…
  • 10000
    Sometimes, the excitement of dressing up for Hallowe'en and heading out with the girls can lead to one too many drinks. Typically, you end up waking up with a mid-blowing headache and disgustingly puffy eyes that make you look and feel like you’ve gone through hell and back. So if…
  • 31
    Let's face it, when it comes to holidays, many of our healthy eating habits go way out the window: alcohol consumption increases, lazy days out in the sun become a norm and the technique behind leg raises become a  long and distant memory. I for one know all too well about this…
    Tags: water, body, healthy, alcohol, tips, help, drinking, good
Posted on December 18, 2014

6 Dairy-free milk substitutes

Diets/ fitness/ Health

dairy free milk

There are a number of reasons why you might like to eliminate cows milk from your diet. Whether it’s due to a dairy allergy or simply because you want to make more health conscious decisions about what you consume (it’s nearly that time of year again!), you can find a couple of nutritional substitutes for regular milk that aren’t heavy on the saturated fat or loaded with calories.

Soy milk

Soy milk is probably the most widely available substitute for cow’s milk. It is full of protein & fiber, and is safe for people who are lactose intolerant. However, it has been said that soy milk is a bowel irritant and if you don’t go organic, it can be quite high in sugar too! So if you’re keeping an eye on your sugar intake, do keep this mind when consuming soy milk.

Rice milk

This is by far my favourite substitute for normal milk.  Not only is it the most hypoallergenic, but it’s also the least fattening! Rice milk has a lot of hearty goodness which can help lower blood pressure. The downside to using rice milk is that it hasn’t got as much protein as the other substitutes and it can cause a spike in sugar levels too. That aside, it tastes amazing!

Coconut milk

Coconut milk is another tasty alternative and it just seems like the benefits of drinking coconut milk are endless: it is soya-free, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, nut-free and its fat content is regarded as being ‘good fat’, since it’s easily metabolised by the body and converted into energy instead of being stored as fat – oh, and did I mention it was a vegan drink?

hemp milk

Hemp milk

I bet this photo caught your eye! 🙂 Hemp milk is full of healthy omega fatty acids as well as protein. If you have a soy or nut allergy, then this is the milk for you! Since it’s much thicker and a bit nuttier than the other milk alternatives, it isn’t to everyone’s taste so if you like the taste of cows milk, but just want to stay off if for diet reasons then remember that hemp milk doesn’t taste like cows milk by any stretch of the imagination – don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Oat milk

Since it’s derived from a plant, oat milk is free from both cholesterol and lactose. It has an abundance of the antioxidant vitamin E, but is not so high when it comes to protein. Because of its oaty flavour, oat milk works really well with hot cereals or breakfast foods. A huge drawback to using oat milk is that you have to be able to take in gluten, so if you’re coeliac then this is a big no-no!

Nut milk

From cashew milk to hazelnut milk to almond milk – there are just so many to choose from! Nut milks are generally loaded with protein and vitamin E, and are usually quite thick. Almond milk is probably the most popular nut milk and because it’s so thick and creamy, it is a natural match for making sweet desserts. The main argument against nut milk is that nuts are a common allergen for people. But if this isn’t an issue for you, then enjoy!

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Related Posts

  • 10000
    A non-dairy alternative to milk is something that a lot of people look for- let's face it, with obesity at it's high, and many "unfortunate" enough to be lactose intolerant , everyone is on the look out for healthier alternatives when it comes to food. Of course with the New…
  • 10000
    Most seasonal baked goods call for processed dairy, white sugar and all those things we try our best to avoid over the holidays, but fail –every single year. This maple pecan glaze isn’t something that will make you feel bad for enjoying: pecans are full of vitamin E and maple…
  • 10000
    Since I’m slowly getting into the holiday spirit, I thought I’d be the perfect time for me to share a warming recipe that might get you to jump into the bandwagon as well – sorry, to all the Grinches out there! This Chai latte is comforting, festive and you can…
  • 47
    Chia seeds have been a staple food in the health and fitness world for quite some time. They are loaded with antioxidants, have a good amount of protein, and they also have a serious amount of calcium in them – gotta look after those bones! For this recipe, you only…
    Tags: milk
Posted on November 18, 2014

Would you have sex with an STD carrier?

Health

Apparently having an STD doesn’t put everyone off having sex……

std

I came across an article on The Daily Mail about research conducted on young adults who admitted to having sex with someone with an STD – wait, it gets worse.

The research was commissioned by pharmacy www.UKMedix.com.  They asked over 1,200 people whether or not they’d have sex with someone they knew had an STI and around 19% answered ‘yes’ while up to a quarter said it would depend on the STI – I know, how gross!

What grossed me out more is the fact that 39% of those questioned have willingly jumped into bed with an STD carrier and didn’t even use a rubber! Most of them didn’t think that dealing with the consequences of having unprotected sex with an STD carrier was a big issue (because having an STI is soooooo normal!).

According to one of the representatives of UK Medix,

“Exposing yourself to the risk of contracting an STI is never advisable. Even though condoms can offer a certain level of protection, this isn’t the case for some sexually transmitted infections – and certainly shouldn’t be put to the test. If you really like a person, wait until their condition is treated properly before venturing into a sexual relationship with them. That way, you can ensure your intimacy is safe from risk of infection. There is never any excuse for knowingly exposing your body to potential harm in this way, particularly those who claim that they’d happily jump into bed with someone unprotected despite knowing they had an STI.”

Sarah Bailey

I totally agree with Sarah on this one. Safety first, fun later – your health is your wealth, people!

Twitter   Facebook   Instagram

Back to top
%d bloggers like this: