sweet snack

As mentioned a few posts ago, I have given up sweets and sugar for lent! It was hard at first and while it is still hard trying to resist it, it is getting easier. One of my problems was before I was snacking on a lot of sweets and chocolate. They have now been substituted for Sultanas. They were always my favourite when I was little and now I'm rediscovering them.

sweets and sugar

This year for lent, I have decided to give up sweets and sugar treats like treats and all the amazing kinda things you get out of vending machines. The only exception to this rule of course being my chocolate milkshakes. With a week to go before starting, I am cramming in as much sugar as I can, but at the same time easing myself into it. Yes I am eating lots of sweets but I am finding tasty substitutes instead like bananas instead of a chocolate bar, or a smoothie instead of a hot chocolate. Little things like this, so yes, while I will be taking them out of my diet, I will be putting in their place foods that are a lot healthier for me. Even something like homemade sugar free lemonade is amazing for you. Yes it is just lemon water but its pros greatly outweigh the cons when it doesnt have sugar in it.  

Every week (hopefully) I will be sharing one little thing I have learnt that week that is good for me, whether it be a food, habit or drink, my plan is I will be learning and growing. 

This week I am starting with Super Foods. 

Foods like berries, nuts, and avacardos are really good for you. Not only do they help clear the skin and leave you with healthy looking hair, but they also help you to focus. They contain lots of vitamins and berries are full of antioxidants too. So its a win win! 

day off

Since starting College in September, it has been a pretty busy couple of few months for me. Firstly the extra work load, then my Nanny became very ill and sadly passed away a few weeks ago. My older sister and her boyfriend, then dropped their travelling, and flew home from Australia. There were then living with us for 2 weeks, which, if you know my sister, was guaranteed to be loud and busy; it was. On top of all that, I was also balancing two jobs and looking for a permanent job. So it has been busy to say the least. Which is why, I am so relieved it is now half term and I can enjoy a day all to myself with no plans and no intentions of putting make-up or clothes on. Bliss.
In order to make the most of my day however, I still like to do a few things so it doesn't feel a total waste of a 24 hours.

Chilling in my leggings, tie-dye tee and woolly cardi.

1. Comfort. How are you supposed to have a relaxed and chilled day if you are still in your super tight jeans and fancy top? Slap on your leggings or running bottoms, oversized tee and a comfy cardigan or hoodie. 
2. Hair Wash. Basically, I don't do it. I just leave my hair alone, no chemicals or dry shampoo, just a brush and a plait. People have conflicting views on whether this is good or bad. I come from the view that less is more and that your hair really needs a day off where you don't wash it, or touch it.
3. No Make-up. My excuse for this one is that my skin needs to breathe. This one is true and non-debatable. If we clog our pours up with make-up everyday, it can't breath and this means it can't circulate air into the pours which would other wise help clear our skin of things like spots and blackheads. 
4. Health Foods. It is shown the foods we eat actually do have an impact on our health. So on my lazy days, I like to eat foods full of fibre and vitamins. Breakfasts like Wetabix and All Bran with strawberries are the best for fibre. Green Tea, Cranberry Juice, and Fresh Lemon Water ( heres how to make it - http://thisislobarker.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/lemon-water.html) are all in big supplies, as they are great foods and drinks for helping retox and refresh your body. Having said this, I love unhealthy foods too like pizza and nuggets, so I like to follow the 80/20 ruler. 80% Healthy : 20% Indulgence
5. Chill. Do things you love doing. Its important that you don't forget who you are and what you love. Whether it be blogging, watching movies or (for the OCD's) cleaning, do it. These days are all about you, and being selfish. 

I love having these days because they feel like a rewarding detox after so much. They also need to be used in moderation. Once a month or so, it the best way to make the most of these days, without over-doing it.

you are what you eat

When I hit college, I indulged. Big time. Lunch time was heaven with pizza and curly fries and vending machines full of sugary sweetness. After a summer of healthy eating and never having any of this at my school before, I loved it. But in a matter of days, my skin became dull with more breakouts of pimples than I have had in a long time! 

I took a step back and examined what I was doing to make my skin like this. My diet was the only change. This had to be the problem.

I did of bit of reading and discovered this.

1. You are what you drink. 

The frizzy drinks aren't doing my teeth or much skin. Drinking these caffeinated drinks dehydrate us which makes our skin a lot more dull and when we are dehydrated our skin cannot return to its natural place and losses it elasticity. This happens naturally as we age, so in other words, we look older. 

The ideal drinks to drink are ones with lots of antioxidants in like green tea which is really beneficial in hydrating and providing our bodies with lots of Vitamin E which has anti-aging properties and is really good and helping to heal skin. 

However drinking too much of certain beverages can have a negative effect. For example, milk is a great source of calcium and vitamin D, but in excess it can cause unwanted pimples. It also contains growth factors and hormones (regardless of organic status) that increases oil production and therefore means blocked pores. Drinks high in sugary content can also cause the skin to block pores and increase oil production which also means increasing acne breakouts. 

2. You are what you eat. 

Easier said than done, but a balanced diet is so important. You need the right mix of carbs, protein, fat, dairy and plenty of fruit and veg to help maintain a healthy inside and outside. Food with Vitamins A, B, C and E are all contained in fruit and veg which help keep the skin elastic and protect it from damage. 

Foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, strawberries, plums, and pecans are really good at helping to fight off damage to the skin and stop the skin from aging prematurely. 

So basically, all those sugary sweets and drinks may be really tasty, but really have a big impact on your skin and the health of you in generally. Everyday, I try to think 80% good for me , 20% indulgence. This is the right combination to keep you healthy and looking good as well as enjoy the foods you eat. 

How to sleep

The most important and first part to a healthy life is to get the right amount of sleep. Most people need between 7-9 hours every night and it is very important you get that sleep time. Falling asleep for most people is very easy, but for people like me who suffer from insomnia it can take up to 7 hours some nights before I fall alseep - which trust me sucks. 

Insomnia isn't just not being able to fall asleep, it is things like keep waking up during the night and not being able to reach that state of deep sleep every night. Insomnia is also quite dangerous as it can lead to things like cancer, diabetes and depression, so it is important you get it sorted out quickly so you can go back to that blissful sleep. It often steams from having lots of stress or anxiety which stops you from sleeping.

Before you go to doctors about it there are a few things you can try at home which should be able to help you. 

You have to treat it like jet-lag. So if you aren't waking up till about 10 o'clock every morning, you have to try and force yourself to wake up earlier and this should make it easier when it comes to sleeping the next night. 

Cut out the amount of caffeine you consume during the day. Caffeine is a common substance in coffee and tea, and is often found in chocolate too. 

Finally if you still cant sleep try herbal remedies Valerian root, Passion Flower, Chamomile and Lemon Balm are the most recommended to help you sleep. If you have found that you still can't sleep after trying all of the remedies above then visit your doctor and see what they suggest. 

Fitness Abs

This summer for me is about getting fit and healthy and achieving the abs everyone dreams of, and having the stamina to do all the exciting things I have planned. And it would be nice to keep up with my boyfriend on our bikes too...

For me, there is only one way I am doing this -workouts. I use this great DVD called 'Yogalosphy' by Mandy Ingber, and it is great as it help combines the traditional yoga poses with exercises like sit-ups and press-ups. It sounds like scary stuff but you get introduced to it gradually and you can feel the difference in your step after just one session. It helps strengthens your muscles in a way that doesn't exhaust them and is great for your core muscles like your abdominal muscles. But if yoga isn't your thing, there are other smaller ways to achieve your summer body in a few small steps.

1. Sit-ups. Sets of 10, repeat 10 times.  The more you do, the easier they become. When I first started, I struggled to do 10 without stopping, now I can easily do 30-40 without stopping. It is about doing the right amount for you and not pushing yourself. If you have to break for 10 minutes in between sets, do it. The best key is for any and all workout like these is to listen to your body and do what it says.

2. Water, Water, Water. With whatever you do always make you your drink plenty of water. The worst thing you can do for your body is dehydrate it. Always make your have a full bottle of water with you where ever you. Your skin and your body will love you for it. Avoid sugary drinks between meals too as this will make it harder for your body to digest the food down when you eat.

3. Walkies. Have you heard of people saying that they are only skinny because they never take the lifts and always take the stairs. Well to a degree this is true, but it will need a lot more than that! If you need to go to corner to buy bread and milk, don't drive - walk. This is the easiest thing you can do and it will really help. Try and go for a run at least once a week. A 30 minute run or a power walk for an hour will help reap in the benefits and you will feel so much better for it too.

4. Eat well. In order to really the maximum amount of benefits your possibly can there is one final trick, simple trick to help you achieve your perfect abs. Eat plenty of fruit and veg and protein. These are the best food groups for you as they help you gain the most amount of energy possibly. You need to eat balance though so do eat carbs but keep them minimal and keep the fatty and sugary foods to even smaller minimum.

Whatever exercise regime your choose keep it balanced and work at your own pace, don't push your self too hard and moderate the amount of physical exercise you do as it can not only become unhealthy but your body can exhaust itself too much which will make you more unhealthy than fit. Just be careful!

How to be...

       1. A toned body. Combining exercise with the right diet is the best way to shape up your body. But don't push yourself too hard. Do what feels comfortable to you. If you can do 100 sit-ups a day, do it, but if it is too much, don't do it. Do what feels right for your body. But aim to do some exercise at least 3 times a week and combine this with lots of healthy snacks.
       2. Drink lots of Water. If you are exercising lots, you need to keep your body hydrated and there really is no better way than water. It detoxes you inside and makes yours skin look a lot more radiant on the outside.
      3. Sit up straight. Sitting up straight will draw attention to you and make you look confident and relaxed. Keep your shoulders down and back; it is sure to catch everyone's eyes.
      4. Little Black Dress. Every since Coco Chanel made the little black dress and essential to every wardrobe, it has been the most versatile dress ever. Dressed up or dressed down. the little black is sure to work on every single woman ever!
      5. Mini Mani. The perfect manicure has been the first on womans 'to-do's' lists for years now. They make you look more sophisticated and well looked after.
      6. Skin Care. It is now easier than ever to have perfect skin. With remedies from doctors, super markets, and even home facials, there is more choice than ever. 'Sugar Scrubs' are a great exfoliator and really help clear the pours out. Mix some sugar with a small amount of olive oil and a fragrance of your choice (I love the vanilla and peppermints essences) and use once a week for best results.
       7. Smile. Without smile and confidence, the others simply can not work. So smile because you look great and have confidence in yourself!
                                                                     

Green Tea

Aloha! 

I have done two post today and they seem to be on a similar theme of drinks-that-good-for-you. This one is on green tea which a personal favorite of mine if you add a bit of lemon too it! 

Once you are used to the quite unusual  taste of the tea, it has benefits beyond your understanding!!

• Great for healthy looking skin as it clears the pours and gives you a glow 
• Fights Cancer
• Lowers Cholesterol
• Prevents cavities (something to do with your teeth)
• Protects against Heart Disease
• Speeds Metabolism (which is great if you are athletic)
• Prevents Diabetes
• Works as an antiviral
• Strengthens tooth enamel
• Reduces plaque and bacteria in your mouth
• Prevents Dementia 
• Full of antioxidants (don't ask what they are I just know they are good for you)
•  Prevents Food poisoning
• Prevents Bad breath
• Detoxifies 

So even though I know it tastes quite yucky at first it is great for you and will have so many benefits! 

Lemon Water

Aloha!
I am drinking this with a glass full of freshly made lemon juice in front of me which I am sipping away at. There are many benefits to drinking a glass of lemon a day.
It hydrates the body which leaves it feeling refreshed, revitalized and energized!
It is also very cleansing and helps to maximize enzyme function according to NaturalNews.com.
Not only that but it is also a great aide to digestion and relieves indigestion.
Also It tastes great and is such a summery feeling.
If you don't know how to make the perfect combination for Lemon Water it very easy. You need half a lemons juice, and some boiled water. Mix them together and you can either hot or refrigerate it. The boiled water helps extract all the natural goodness, and so once you have squeezed all the juice out if put the skin the hot water it will help extract even more goodness! If it is too bitter and sour for you though, add the smallest amount of sugar or sweetener to make it easier to drink.

Fruity

Aloha!
Anyone else get cravings for fruit? It so fresh and summery and maybe its just me that feels like this? But either way it isn't a bad thing!
Fruit is possible the nicest way to get healthy, and there are so many different types of fruit to try too, and they all taste different, so whatever your flavor there is something to try. I even tried a fruit called Mangosteen the other day round my boyfriends. Its a really funny fruit and looks a bit like an alien, but it was so juicy and super tasty.
Thats a pretty good thing about fruit too, it almost like an adventure in your mouth trying something new!
This was actually quite random I realize, sorry!
See you later peeps x