If you've been following this blog for a while now you will know I only promote things I truly believe in and use myself. I have never run a competition or paid for likes as I want to keep this as honest, open and true as possible. You can read more about how hesitant I was about starting a blog in my first ever post HERE.
So you can trust me when I say you HAVE to try this FLOAT experience in Penrose Warf, Cork. It was pure bliss and the ultimate way to nourish your body, mind and soul in only 1 hour. In this hectic world we live in we need to find efficient and effective ways to repair, heal, de-stress and relax and this sure does all that and more. You can find out all about it on their website here,Facebook page or Instagram page. Here's what they have to say.
Flotation Therapy is essentially a way of achieving deep relaxation by spending an hour or more lying quietly in darkness, suspended in a warm solution of Epsom salt. Float tanks are also known as isolation tanks, sensory deprivation tanks & REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) chambers.
I can honestly say from start to finish the whole experience was just so comfortable and relaxing. The rooms are large and comfortable so if you don't like small spaces it is not an issue. The process has been designed for ultimate enjoyment for you the customer and at very affordable prices too!
I could go on and on about the benefits (listed below) and how much I enjoyed it but just book a session and see for yourself. I promise you won't regret it and tell them Jeanie sent you!
Take some time out this week for you. If you don't look after yourself you can't look after others. Simple.
These are just a few of the conditions known to be improved by floating:
Smoothies have been around a long time now and at first I wasn't that convinced by them. They seemed packed with sugary foods that taste good but weren't actually that good for you.
However, I have slowly come around to them as a way to pack a lot of nutrients into one meal or as a way to mask some not so tasty ingredients that you know are just so good for you! So long as you make them yourself and don't add too much fruit or lots of fruit juices they are just fine as part of a balanced diet.
This is especially useful for children. I know parents are constantly trying to get as much nutrition into kids as possible without them realising what they are eating is healthy! I was the fussiest eater when I was a kid and I know my mum used to tear her hair out trying to get veggies into me! If you sell these to your kid as a treat, something exciting and fun like a milkshake then they won't even notice you are nourishing them from the inside out! Put them in a fun glass with a cool straw and they will love it.
So I've put together a few smoothie recipes here for you to try out. If you aren't a morning person then these can be made the night before and stored in a sealed container in the fridge. However, like most things in life!, these are best served fresh.
If you don't have a blender or Nutri-Bullet (which I don't so hint hint family! Christmas is coming!) then you can get relatively cheap hand held blenders in most shops and trust me it is worth the investment!
Black Forest Smoothie:
Ingredients:
1 Banana
Handful of frozen spinach Handful of frozen berries 1 teaspoon of Spirulina 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon 1 teaspoon of Raw Honey Milk (dairy or non diary such as Almond, Rice milk etc) or water/Coconut water added to achieve your desired consistency.
You could also add protein powder if desired to make a great pre or post work out shake.
Or if you are on an intense work out programme or just started exercising and have very sore muscles then some cherries or cherry extract would not only taste delicious but also aid with that muscle pain! You can read more on how cherries aid muscle recover here.
Method:
Blend and enjoy!
Storage instructions:
This will keep for about 24 hours in the fridge in a sealed container. But it is best eaten fresh.
Dietary Benefits:
Full of iron, potassium, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
Good for the skin, nails and hair.
Gluten Free
Sugar Free
Dairy Free
Paleo
Vegetarian
Vegan
Raw
Breakfast Berry Delight
Ingredients: 1/2 avocado
1 banana Handful of berries Handful of spinach 2 table spoons of chia seeds 1 teaspoon of cinnammon Coconutwater or water/milk/almond milk etc added until you reach your desired consistency.
You could also add protein powder if desired to make a great pre or post work out shake.
Method:
Blend and enjoy!
This is a great one for kids as it's naturally sweet and looks like a strawberry milkshake but is packed full ofgreensand goodness. You could even make it the night before and have it ready to go for the morning school dash! You or your children could drink this in the car on the way to work/school in the morning.
Storage instructions:
This will keep for about 24 hours in the fridge in a sealed container. But it is best eaten fresh.
Dietary Benefits:
Full of iron, potassium, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
Good for the skin, nails and hair.
Gluten Free
Sugar Free
Dairy Free
Paleo
Vegetarian
Vegan
Raw
So there you have it Jeanies. I'd love to hear from you if you have another super smoothie recipe and I will feature it on the blog. Stay healthy.
So after the success of last week's change about Stop Saying Sorry (you can read it here) I've decided to pick another challenge that I myself find really difficult. I did manage to not say Sorry too much over the last week and was feeling quite proud of myself. However, just this morning someone moved away from me to cough and I said sorry! Ha! Was I apologising for being near her when she needed to cough? Who knows it just came out of my mouth. But what was good was I was aware of it and aware I shouldn't have said it so that's at least progress!
So another thing I struggle with is eating food slowly. I'm someone who adores my food, it's my favourite part of the day and it's what I think about between meals. Maybe for this reason I tend to wolf down my food when it comes and rarely leave much time in between mouthfuls. I'm not sure is it because I'm afraid the food will run away or that someone will take it from me I'm not sure. All I know is I eat way too quickly.
I already have a slow metabolism and having partially chewed food sitting in your belly does not help this at all. The more you chew the less work your stomach and organs have to do to process the food and so it moves through your system quicker leading to a whole load of benefits including reduced bloating, discomfort and a slimmer waistline.
So this week I want you all to take your time when eating and this counts for all meals, snacks and drinks. Even take 5 seconds before you eat to think about what you are eating, appreciate you have readily available food and decide to focus for the next few minutes on what it tastes like, the textures and chew slowly and methodically.
There are so many benefits to doing this. Check out some of these reasons right here from Zen Habits
Lose weight. A growingnumber of studies confirm that just by eating slower, you’ll consume fewer calories — in fact, enough to lose 20 pounds a year without doing anything different or eating anything different. The reason is that it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to register that we’re full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we’re full. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize we’re full, and stop on time. Now, I would still recommend that you eat healthier foods, but if you’re looking to lose weight, eating slowly should be a part of your new lifestyle.
Enjoy your food. This reason is just as powerful, in my opinion. It’s hard to enjoy your food if it goes by too quickly. In fact, I think it’s fine to eat sinful foods, if you eat a small amount slowly. Think about it: you want to eat sinful foods (desserts, fried foods, pizza, etc.) because they taste good. But if you eat them fast, what’s the point? If you eat them slowly, you can get the same amount of great taste, but with less going into your stomach. That’s math that works for me. And that argument aside, I think you are just happier by tasting great food and enjoying it fully, by eating slowly. Make your meals a gastronomic pleasure, not a thing you do rushed, between stressful events.
Better digestion. If you eat slower, you’ll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. Digestion actually starts in the mouth, so the more work you do up there, the less you’ll have to do in your stomach. This can help lead to fewer digestive problems.
Less stress. Eating slowly, and paying attention to our eating, can be a great form of mindfulness exercise. Be in the moment, rather than rushing through a meal thinking about what you need to do next. When you eat, you should eat. This kind of mindfulness, I believe, will lead to a less stressful life, and long-term happiness. Give it a try.
Rebel against fast food and fast life. Our hectic, fast-paced, stressful, chaotic lives — the Fast Life — leads to eating Fast Food, and eating it quickly. This is a lifestyle that is dehumanizing us, making us unhealthy, stressed out, and unhappy. We rush through our day, doing one mindless task after another, without taking the time to live life, to enjoy life, to relate to each other, to be human. That’s not a good thing in my book. Instead, rebel against that entire lifestyle and philosophy … with the small act of eating slower. Don’t eat Fast Food. Eat at a good restaurant, or better yet, cook your own food and enjoy it fully. Taste life itself.
So that's it for this week guys. Focus on what you are eating, how long you take to eat it, are you distracted when eating it? Are you appreciating what you are eating? Are you actually enjoying eating it?
I have no doubt when doing this you will eat better food, enjoy it more and be more healthy.
This week's change has so many benefits I don't even know where to begin! It might sound crazy me telling you to just breathe as part of your weekly change but the importance of breathing, and correct breathing at that, can really change how you feel and how your body works.
You need your breath for life itself, like the beating of your heart it is so important your body just does it for you, unprompted. This is testimony to just how important it is. Without having to think about it, you breath!
If any of you have been lucky enough to ever attend a yoga class you will be familiar with that 'Yoga Stoned' feeling at the end where you just float out of the class. Why is this? Why is it so different to other fitness classes? Well for one you focused on correct breathing for the entire class and so your body, mind and soul leaves in tip top condition!
This week's change will only take 10 minutes a day and is best done first thing in the morning. However, it is beneficial at any time and can even be done on your lunch break or right before bed.
It is fantastic for anyone who suffers from anxiety, stress, depression and many other physical illnesses. It can really help if you suffer from allergies or congestion on a regular basis and is excellent for sinus or migraine sufferers.
So how do you do this wonderful breathing technique? Check out this simple and informative video.
If it doesn't play for your right away the link is here.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the benefits of this breathing technique courtesy of The Healthy Living Lounge
1: Revitalizes you:
A few rounds of alternate nostril breathing is a quick pick me up if you are feeling flat, tired or even stressed. It provides your body with a much needed dose of extra energy.
2: Improves brain function:
When your mind is dull – concentration and clarity is poor. Alternate nostril breathing brings equal amounts of oxygen to both sides of the brain for improved brain function. Five minutes of alternate nostril breathing before an exam or interview is a great way to access your whole brain for improved performance. Remember the brain loses hydration first so drink water as well.
3: Cleanses your lungs:
A daily five minute practice morning and night of alternate nostril breathing is great way to remove stale air and impurities from the bottom of your lungs.
Focused alternating nostril breathing allows more clean, nourishing, oxygen to enter your system fuelling performance, aiding muscle movement, increasing fitness and overall lung capacity. If you are training for a marathon, race, competition or just trying to increase your overall fitness you will find this technique so beneficial.
5: Calms an agitated mind:
I’m prone to worrying. A few minutes of focused alternate nostril breathing is helpful (for me) in calming my “over thinking” and “over-doing” mind.
The ancient yogis believe that if you can regulate your breath, then you can control your mind.
6: Merges the left “thinking” brain and right “feeling brain:
Alternate nostril breathing optimizes both sides of your brain so you can access your whole brain, and all the benefits that go with it.
Try it out next time you need to drive your car. Cover your left nostril with your thumb and breathe only through your right nostril for one minute. This should keep you more alert when driving.
7: Encourage a calmer emotional state:
In times of emotional distress and upset, a few rounds of mindful nostril breathing will soften the intensity of over reactive emotional states. The longer you practice, the more stable your thinking, and the calmer your emotions will become.
8: Improves sleep:
If you can’t sleep at night lay on your right hand side, gently close your right nostril with your right thumb and breath through your left nostril. This will activate your parasympathetic nervous system which will calm you down and slow your heart rate. Left nostril breathing is cooling, calming and nourishing for your whole being.
9: Soothes your nervous system:
By focusing on your breath and deepening it, your brain will register this message and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system. You have effectively switched your nervous system from a stressed response, into a relaxation response. Single left nostril breathing (by closing your right nostril) will direct the flow of oxygen and energy to the right hemisphere of your brain, allowing once again, for the parasympathetic nervous system to be switched on. Gosh, your breath and nose is very clever.
10: Regulates the cooling and warming cycles of the body:
Left nostril is feminine, nurturing, calm, receiving and cooling. Right nostril is masculine, heat, competitive, doing, active and force. Favouring one nostril more than the other can effect the heat or coolness of your body.
11: Cleanses the blood.
It oxygenates your blood and allows the energy (prana) in your body to be strong and flowing. It encourages the cleansing of toxins from the blood and purifies your system for optimum function.
Now I really don't think you need any more convincing than that! This will really help you in almost every aspect of your life. It may take some time to get used to and you will have to be dedicated to setting aside the time to do it each day but once you start I just know you'll love it and reap all the rewards!
This week's change has so many benefits I don't even know where to begin! It might sound crazy me telling you to just breathe as part of your weekly change but the importance of breathing, and correct breathing at that, can really change how you feel and how your body works.
You need your breath for life itself, like the beating of your heart it is so important your body just does it for you, unprompted. This is testimony to just how important it is. Without having to think about it you breath!
If any of you have been lucky enough to ever attend a yoga class you will be familiar with that 'Yoga Stoned' feeling at the end where you just float out of the class. Why is this? Why is it so different to other fitness classes? Well for one you focused on correct breathing for the entire class and so your body, mind and soul leaves in tip top condition!
This week's change will only take 10 minutes a day and is best done first thing in the morning. However, it is beneficial at any time and can even be done on your lunch break or right before bed.
It is fantastic for anyone who suffers from anxiety, stress, depression and many other physical illnesses. It can really help if you suffer from allergies or congestion on a regular basis and is excellent for sinus or migraine sufferers.
So how do you do this wondering breathing technique? Check out this simple and informative video.
If it doesn't play for your right away the link is here.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the benefits of this breathing technique courtesy of The Healthy Living Lounge
1: Revitalizes you:
A few rounds of alternate nostril breathing is a quick pick me up if you are feeling flat, tired or even stressed. It provides your body with a much needed dose of extra energy.
2: Improves brain function:
When your mind is dull – concentration and clarity is poor. Alternate nostril breathing brings equal amounts of oxygen to both sides of the brain for improved brain function. Five minutes of alternate nostril breathing before an exam or interview is a great way to access your whole brain for improved performance. Remember the brain loses hydration first so drink water as well.
3: Cleanses your lungs:
A daily five minute practice morning and night of alternate nostril breathing is great way to remove stale air and impurities from the bottom of your lungs.
Focused alternating nostril breathing allows more clean, nourishing, oxygen to enter your system fuelling performance, aiding muscle movement, increasing fitness and overall lung capacity. If you are training for a marathon, race, competition or just trying to increase your overall fitness you will find this technique so beneficial.
5: Calms an agitated mind:
I’m prone to worrying. A few minutes of focused alternate nostril breathing is helpful (for me) in calming my “over thinking” and “over-doing” mind.
The ancient yogis believe that if you can regulate your breath, then you can control your mind.
6: Merges the left “thinking” brain and right “feeling brain:
Alternate nostril breathing optimizes both sides of your brain so you can access your whole brain, and all the benefits that go with it.
Try it out next time you need to drive your car. Cover your left nostril with your thumb and breathe only through your right nostril for one minute. This should keep you more alert when driving.
7: Encourage a calmer emotional state:
In times of emotional distress and upset, a few rounds of mindful nostril breathing will soften the intensity of over reactive emotional states. The longer you practice, the more stable your thinking, and the calmer your emotions will become.
8: Improves sleep:
If you can’t sleep at night lay on your right hand side, gently close your right nostril with your right thumb and breath through your left nostril. This will activate your parasympathetic nervous system which will calm you down and slow your heart rate. Left nostril breathing is cooling, calming and nourishing for your whole being.
9: Soothes your nervous system:
By focusing on your breath and deepening it, your brain will register this message and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system. You have effectively switched your nervous system from a stressed response, into a relaxation response. Single left nostril breathing (by closing your right nostril) will direct the flow of oxygen and energy to the right hemisphere of your brain, allowing once again, for the parasympathetic nervous system to be switched on. Gosh, your breath and nose is very clever.
10: Regulates the cooling and warming cycles of the body:
Left nostril is feminine, nurturing, calm, receiving and cooling. Right nostril is masculine, heat, competitive, doing, active and force. Favouring one nostril more than the other can effect the heat or coolness of your body.
11: Cleanses the blood.
It oxygenates your blood and allows the energy (prana) in your body to be strong and flowing. It encourages the cleansing of toxins from the blood and purifies your system for optimum function.
Now I really don't think you need any more convincing than that! This will really help you in almost every aspect of your life. It may take some time to get used to and you will have to be dedicated to setting aside the time to do it each day but once you start I just know you'll love it and reap all the rewards!
This week's change is FRESH AIR! This might seem like the simplest of ideas and it's one everyone knows is good for them. But how many of us actually get to do it?
Between the commute, the office, dinner, TV, exercise and bed how much time do we actually spend outdoors? Whether you live in the most populated city or in the middle of the country you should always aim to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside in fresh air. Ideally surrounded by nature. A park or the beach or even in your garden.
I know the weather might play a factor in how long you spend outdoors but once you have a good coat and a good pair of shoes no weather should stop you. It's so invigorating and refreshing to be outside and breathing fresh, clean air.
Here are some benefits of fresh air:
Fresh air is good for digestion.
Improves your blood pressure and heart rate.
It makes you happier.
Strengthens your immune system.
Fresh air cleans your lungs.
You will have more energy and sharper mind.
Improves your sleep quality.
You must remember that feeling as a kid when you spent all day playing outside. You came in, ate your dinner and had the best, most satisfied sleep. Refreshed and ready to do it all again tomorrow! Wouldn't you love to have that feeling again?
Here are some tips to spend more time outside, no matter the weather, no matter your location.
- Go for a walk. It really is that simple. Do you really need to watch that re run of the Kardashians? Seriously will that improve your life?
- Park further away from the entrance. Whether it's in work, the supermarket or a friend's house, park as far away as you can and enjoy a leisurely stroll to the door.
- Eat outdoors. When weather permits, eat outdoors. You don't have to have lots of room or fancy garden furniture. Just a mat/blanket, some cushions and tasty, healthy food.
- Exercise outside. Be it a run, a cycle or even some body-weight exercises in your garden. It will leave you feeling exhilarated! There are lots of local boot camps running that are based outside and even some outdoor yoga classes. For those in Cork check out Himalaya Yoga Valley's Yoga in the Park.
-Take meaningful breaths. It sounds silly but how many times a day do you actually stop, take a deep inhale and exhale where you are consciously aware of your breath? So even if you can only spend a short amount of time outdoors make it your priority to really focus on the quality of your breath. Maximize the time you do have, get that fresh air deep into your lungs.
- Play with the kids outdoors. Take them to the park, the swings and slides, the river or lake. Play with them in the back garden or a green. I remember countless hours playing with a dish of water and some different size containers as a kid. You don't need to spend a fortune to entertain them. Not only is it good for you and them I bet they sleep better that night too!
- Go for a Picnic. If the weather permits then plan a picnic. What a lovely way for the whole family to relax and eat some lovely food. Check out this lovely picnic with friends I had last year. (Shout out to my friend Peter who makes THE best Cosmos!)
-Go to the sea. If you are fortunate enough to live
near the ocean try and get there as many times as you can. The salt air is so
good for banishing any negative energy and blowing away the cobwebs. Take a dip
if you are feeling brave enough. Cold water never hurt anyone. Hey we even went
for a swim in Dingle Bay on the 29th December on the morning of our wedding!
It really is that simple this week guys. Summer is not over yet! So get out there and throw your head back, open your lungs and get some lovely fresh air into you!
I recently bought some new exercise leggings. I squealed when I received a beautifully wrapped box in the post. I felt like a kid on Christmas Day opening it. Inside was an electric blue, waved, tissue paper sealed with a lovely sticker, wrapped around my wonderful, new leggings!
As a yoga instructor and lover of all things fitness, exercise clothes take up a massive part of my wardrobe. What do I look for?
Durability
Comfort
Style
Value for Money
and most importantly no
Camel Toe, no See thoroughness and no Losing their shape.
I've tried and tested them all from Pennys/Primarks finest to high end famous brands. I've learned one thing - Cheap ones fade, become baggy and worst of all get see through! No one wants to squat in those! It's one thing if you are down the back of a studio in your local gym but a whole different story if you're up the front being the teacher and people are staring at your crotch for the majority of the class!
I was delighted with my Jamica print leggings from Elle Belle Fit. This company was founded by Kate, an Irish girl from West Cork, who moved to Australia 4 years ago and developed a passion for all things health and fitness. She has always loved fashion and fell in love with the beautiful fitness brands in Australia. She made it her mission to bring these beautiful designers to the very fashionable ladies of Europe as she firmly believes you can look great when you work out and quality is QUEEN! All the brands on ElleBelle Fit are handpicked by her for their beautiful designs and amazing technical performance. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and drool over the stunning styles and range of fitness clothing.
You can buy a pair of these leggings yourself here for the great value price of €60. People often comment that this is expensive but when you think about it if you are anyway into fitness you will wear these at least twice a week and so to me that is a bargain! The online shop is also packed full of other wonderful leggings, shorts, tops, sports bras, jackets and much, much more. Check it out here.
As you can see from the pics I thoroughly road tested these leggings. From teaching in them to jogging, cycling, going to a fitness class and even during my own personal yoga practise. I have washed them at least 20 times and they are still as good as new. Here are some benefits in summary:
Never see through
Don't slip down - no tugging at the waist
Style of the print is fun and unusual
Lightweight and very breathable - perfect for warmer days or in warmer climates
Dry quickly after the wash
So comfortable - like a second skin
Value for money
They hold their shape - no sagging
The only negative I can think of is as they are so lightweight and breathable they may become see through eventually. As I've said I've washed them numerous times and still no fade or sign of going that way so I'll just have to wait and see. I'll keep doing the squat check in front of my husband and report back if they do!
From the professional service, lovely packaging, value for money, wonderful designs and comfort and durability I can highly recommend not only these Jamaica leggings but also Elle Belle Fit and all their staff.
