'The Conversation'

A few years ago, when starting on my 'healthy lifestyle journey', I definitely got some funny looks and cheeky remarks when starting 'The Conversation' on healthy living. I call it 'The Conversation' because it is clearly pretty controversial depending on where you fall on the spectrum of living a healthy lifestyle! I'm sure some of the funny looks etc were due to my total lack of knowledge and understanding yet still being totally impassioned that this healthy-lifestyle-journey-thing was the way forward. Most likely it was very annoying for people at the time! A few years down the line and I feel I have a morsel more knowledge and understanding and a thimble full more experience, but remain ever as certain that we NEED to treat our bodies well if we are to live life to the full. 

Over the past few months a friend and I have been exchanging interesting and controversial articles on healthy living via email and it's been fascinating. The thing that's struck me the most is that more and more people are entering into this conversation, this 'healthy living malarkey' (as it has often been referred to in conversations I've had with people!). I love that there is more emphasis being put on it all, particularly from the Government - they certainly haven't got it right yet (aren't we all in that place though?!) but it's more in the forefront than it has been and traditional ways of thinking are definitely being challenged. 

Less and less do I get funny looks when broaching the subject (although I think I will always get some!) and more and more people are starting the conversation for themselves. I love it! I love it when people have revelations, when they feel different, when they start to love a different way of living and find they can join and find their place on the journey of living well. It feels like there is a new openness to 'The Conversation', something I am enjoying and making the most of! 

I pray that this conversation gets bigger and bigger, reaching further and wider into all areas of society. My hope is that it doesn't become about a set of rules, about what we CAN and CAN'T do but about looking at the individual whole person and helping each of us to live well and love it.

    

                                  

For anyone interested, here are a few news articles that make for some interesting reading. DISCLAIMER - I do not necessarily agree with all of these! Interesting all the same ;) 

http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/9049971/the-battle-of-the-bulge/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24625808

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24402163

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21517863

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18461228

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24563590

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24626969

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21082629

Homemade 'eat natural' bars

After deciding that buying bars like 'Eat Natural' bars or 9 Bars regularly was going to get reasonably expensive I decided to make my own. Here's my recipe for those of you that like this kind of thing - a great pre/post workout snack or treat.

Makes a baking tray full once spread out (approx. 30cm x 20cm)

In a mixing bowl combine:

8 tbsps rice crispies

5 tbsps unsalted peanuts

5 tbsps hazelnuts (crushed with a rolling pin)

5 tbsps almonds (crushed with a rolling pin)

3 tbsps sunflower seeds

4 tbsps raisins or sultanas

3 tbsps dried cranberries

3 tablespoons honey

2 or 3 tablespoons maple syrup

(If you're not keen on one of the types of nut, try another for example walnuts).

Once it's all combined spread out in a baking tray and press down as firmly as you can. This helps it to stick together as a bar. Put in the fridge over night to set. I find that it is more likely to stay stuck together 24 hours later once it's had a good amount of time in the fridge. I store it in the fridge to help it stay that way! 

(Even though this recipe includes more naturally occurring sugars, it's still sugar, so try not to overdose on them - theyre pretty good!)

A recommendation...

For those sports/exercise enthusiasts amongst you - I'd really recommend signing up to the SportPursuit website (link below). They have great deals on a huge range of sports and exercise equipment and clothing, with the guaranteed best price. The stock is the end of season stuff, so unless you're bothered about having this seasons specific style or colour then its the place to get great deals particularly on branded clothing that would otherwise cost a small fortune. Walking, climbing, running, cycling, swimming, skiing...you name it at some point, they'll sell it :) 

Recommend someone to the website and if they purchase something you'll get £10 off your next order too...can't be bad :) Genuinely haven't got an ulterior motive for posting this at all (although they definitely owe me for this!), I've just benefited from using it and thought others might find it useful too. 

Anyway have a nosy and see what you think - new offers and sales come up every few days so check it regularly for their newest stock and if you see something, get in there quick! It doesn't last long! 

Happy browsing (and maybe shopping!).

http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales

The joy of...chickpeas!!

Lately I am loving chickpeas for many reasons!

1) They are a great source of protein, containing a similar amount to meat which is great for vegetarians and can also be a cheaper option to buying meat. They also don't contain the saturated fats that meat does.

2) Protein keeps you fuller for longer so adding chickpeas into meals can help you avoid snacking on less healthy options later on.

3) Being full of fibre they are great anyway but especially for anyone with digestive problems.

4) They contain a high amount of iron - especially good for those at risk of anaemia and those who do a lot of exercise.

5) They have a low GI value - meaning they don't shoot your sugar levels up which stabilises your appetite.

6) They're really easy to use in lots of cooking! Either add them in to a meal or salad with meat or substitute them for meat.

7)...AND my husband GENUINELY said he prefers them to chicken and he LOVES his meat! That's a winner in my eyes!

Here's a really simple recipe I've used them for recently, as a supplement for chicken in Thai green curry.

Ingredients: (based on 2 people)
1 Onion
Mushrooms
Chickpeas (pre soaked in water)
Pepper
1 small tin Sweetcorn
Broccoli cut into small pieces (salad size)
1/2 tin Chickpeas
Thai green curry paste
Cream cheese
Milk
Rice

Put the rice on to boil. Chop all the vegetables and fry together in a pan. Drain the chickpeas and add to the mix. Add 3-5 teaspoons (depending on how strong you like it) of Thai green curry paste and stir in. Add 2tbsps cream cheese and about 200ml milk - or enough to make a sauce. Let the cream cheese melt and stir together. If the sauce doesn't thicken combine a tablespoon of cornflour with a few drops of water and whilst the curry is bubbling stir it in. Drain the rice and serve.

Almondy protein bar/dessert

This is a recipe I have slightly adapted from a blog I read recently. It definitely has a distinctive flavour but if you're wanting to cut down on refined sugar but still have a sweet craving I would recommend it - anyway you need to try things a few times before you decide you don't like it so don't give up straight away! ;)

I would recommend making it and then trying it the next day - I wasn't keen on it the day I made it but by the next day it had seemed to sweeten over night and I think it tastes like a less sweet banana cake. If it really is far too unsweetened for you maybe try adding 1tbsp of honey or 1tsp xylitol to it.

Ingredients: (obviously double/triple for a bigger batch, this will make about 8slices)
1-2 bananas
1 egg
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Pinch salt
130g almond flour
60g frozen or fresh blueberries or cranberries.

In a bowl whisk the egg and oil together. Add in the mashed banana. Then add the dry ingredients and mix together. Spread into either a cake tin or a glass dish (as pictured below) and sprinkle the berries over the top. Bake at 180C for about 25 mins or until the top is browned.

Motivation

Sitting here at my dining table eating a large ramekin full of yogurt looking at the rain pouring outside, it's hard to remember how beautifully sunny it was this morning. For the first time in what feels like a long long time the sun was out and it actually felt warm! I couldn't wait to get outside and enjoy it, so off I went for a run. So glad I did - looking outside now I definitely made the most of it.

It made me think - some days motivation to exercise is much easier to find than others. This morning the sun did all the motivating for me! But other days when the rain's pouring and I'm feeling worn out from the day it takes all the energy I've got left just to get my kit on! But I always feel so much better and more alive for it and as soon I'm back I wonder what all the fuss was about!

We all need motivating or to motivate ourselves in different ways. I've definitely learned to identify when my motivational tools are not great - running because I've had a 'fat day' or because so and so looked thinner than me today or because I've got to be better at running/training than the next person is NOT healthy for me or a good reason to workout. These motivations just highlight insecurities in me. Over time I've become quicker at recognising these things in myself and making sure I'm doing it for the right reasons - far from perfect yet though!

Enjoying being outside, fresh air, building a strong healthy body, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, being with friends, knowing how much better I feel afterwards...these are some of my motivational tools these days :) These things keep me going on days when I'm tired or my body won't do what I want it to and keep it all in perspective. Sometimes a good song (namely 'Greyhound' - Swedish House Mafia - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRKSIj2tMc) gets me through a good old spin class or a sunny day lures me outdoors when I'm tired and wakes me up again.

We've all got our own ways of motivating ourselves - what are yours?

A thought...

Been thinking about how much of my identity is tied up in my fitness. I feel I am definitely still on a journey of not just being healthy in my body but having a healthy mind too in the way I think about healthy lifestyle and fitness stuff. I'm on a journey of knowing my motives for doing things too - I feel like Gods definitely helped me to be motivated in this stuff for good and healthy reasons but know deep down there are other motives that still need weeding out.
Anyone else find this?!