12/03/2014
BRUNCHCRUSH RECOMMENDS | KIN CAFE FITZROVIA
Honest, fresh and healthy food in a
friendly and comfortable environment. That was the promise. I wasn't disappointed.
I stumbled upon KIN in Fitzrovia in a
bid to both explore a new area of London and find a place for a lunch date. I
loved this place so much that I really wanted to share it with you. Initially,
I didn’t plan to blog this, so the photos (taken on my iPhone) really don’t do this place justice.
I believe that KIN is relatively new. It
offers a changing daily menu including vegetarian and vegan dishes with a gluten-free
offering. There are also fresh juices, coffee, teas and sweet treats.
I’d describe the environment as fairly
minimalist, but still relaxing with utility/ rustic décor. Reminiscent of my
beloved kiwi cafes coupled with background dub, the chilled atmosphere really made for a
lovely relaxed lunch experience. It started to get quite busy when we arrived,
so I suggest getting there early to ensure you get a table (although takeaway
is an option).
As I didn’t plan on reviewing this café, we
both chose the same delicious dish of savoury baklava made with warming beets, root
vegetables and brazil nuts with a crispy almond topping (one with salad too) and
we both chose the #1 blackboard juice made from kale, apple, celery and broccoli. I loved that the juices are served in cute glass milk bottles as food presentation
is key for me and it made all the difference.
There was definitely a service with a smile and they were also keen for feedback. We felt really welcome, and they took
the time to provide an overview of each dish and gave us recommendations when
we asked. It was just a shame that we were not there long enough to try some of
the other options and give more of a comprehensive review, but I’ll definitely be going back.
 |
| Daily Salads |
 |
| #1 Kale, Broccoli, Celery and Apple |
 |
| Savoury Baklava |
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| Sweet Treats |
Coffee is a major passion of mine, but
after having just had my second double espresso of the day, I didn’t try the coffee (this
month from Notes). Check out
their coffee blog here though. They rotate the coffee monthly, so let’s hope
they get AllPress (not biased at all) on their list soon.
In my opinion, another big plus is that
their business is fuelled by their environmental and social sustainability
beliefs and they actively support other start-ups and small businesses too.
Vegetarian food isn’t for everyone, but since
my meat-loving kiwi husband both survived a completely meatless meal, enjoyed it
and even raved about the kale juice, this place can’t be bad. Brunchcrush gives
KIN a thumbs up and I strongly recommend you check this place out today.
11/18/2014
CHAT | Ways With Coconut | Beauty Tricks
Coconut oil is hotly debated in many a food forum. A large majority argue that coconut oil delivers plenty of health, beauty and medicinal benefits. In this mini series, I’m exploring the topic further and sharing a snapshot of the many ways that I've started to include coconut oil in my everyday life, starting with beauty.
I love my beauty products, but sometimes natural products do the job just as well, and in many cases better. The skin is our largest organ and it absorbs most of a product through the skin layers first and eventually into our bloodstream, so its just as important to consider what we put onto our skin as it is what we put into our body. It therefore makes sense to consider natural and non-toxic beauty alternatives. Coconut oil contains no nasty chemicals and is gentle on the skin. It contains vitamins and other micronutrients, is antibacterial and antifungal and can boost skin collagen.
Here are some of my tried and tested, affordable ways you can incorporate coconut oil into your everyday beauty routine.
An intense moisture boost
Coconut oil contains naturally anti-aging properties and may soften fine lines, sun damage and age spots. The oil can be used straight from the jar to soften and nourish dry skin from babies to adults. It can be used on elbows, as a lip salve or a rich (very rich) moisturiser. Although solid at room temperature, the oil turns to a liquid texture with heat which makes it easy to absorb if you simply add it to your bath. For a post-exercise and detoxifying treatment, I like to add Epsom salts to the oil bath to sooth muscles.
Coconut oil contains naturally anti-aging properties and may soften fine lines, sun damage and age spots. The oil can be used straight from the jar to soften and nourish dry skin from babies to adults. It can be used on elbows, as a lip salve or a rich (very rich) moisturiser. Although solid at room temperature, the oil turns to a liquid texture with heat which makes it easy to absorb if you simply add it to your bath. For a post-exercise and detoxifying treatment, I like to add Epsom salts to the oil bath to sooth muscles.
Nourish your hair
For a tropical scented hair conditioner, rub the ends of dry hair (not the roots) with coconut oil and wrap the hair up in a towel for your desired length of time and rinse out. You may need to double cleanse your hair afterwards, but the silky and smooth results will be worth it.
Remove stubborn eye make up
Coconut oil really gives any eye make-up remover a run for its money. You add a little to a cue tip and gently buff away stubborn mascara or eyeliner, or do what I do and massage it across all across the eye with a cotton pad. This really works well with waterproof products and doubles up as an eye cream. Although it felt a bit strange at first, I was shocked by how great the results are.
Reduce marks and banish blemishes
The coconut contains antibacterial properties, and the oil can be used on its own, or mixed with tea tree oil to help heal wounds and small blemishes. Some of my friends swear by coconut oil as a natural and effective way to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy and to soften existing marks and scars.
Scrub away dead cells
This is a winner. You simply add sugar to the oil and buff those dead cells away. This is great as a step in a pedicure routine! The sugar will wash away and the fatty acids in the oil lock moisture in. As you massage it in to the feet (or hands), as the oil acts as an emollient and it will absorb into the nail bed quickly and help your pedicure or manicure look better for longer.
Smell sweeter
Coconut oil can (I've been told) be used as a chemical-free deodorant as it contains lauric acid which doesn’t deodorise, but can help get rid of some of the smell. I’ve not tried this (and I'm not sure I will just yet), but you simply wipe the oil under each arm and you’re done! If you’re feeling brave, try this DIY deodorant formula.
Support beauty sleep
Bonus tip! Everyone knows that one of the best ways to ensure fresh skin is by getting a good night’s sleep. Some research suggests that as coconut oil can help regulate the body, so adding this to a hot drink before bed, may help relieve some insomnia.
Bonus tip! Everyone knows that one of the best ways to ensure fresh skin is by getting a good night’s sleep. Some research suggests that as coconut oil can help regulate the body, so adding this to a hot drink before bed, may help relieve some insomnia.
I must admit, I’m not sold on the deodorant just yet, but for now, coconut oil is definitely a staple product in my bathroom cabinet.
As with anything quality is key and all coconut products are definitely not created equal. This post isn't sponsored, but my favourite coconut oil at the moment is from Lucy Bee. It is made from organic raw coconut oil and is fair trade, and for me that's a pretty good start.
As with anything quality is key and all coconut products are definitely not created equal. This post isn't sponsored, but my favourite coconut oil at the moment is from Lucy Bee. It is made from organic raw coconut oil and is fair trade, and for me that's a pretty good start.
11/06/2014
The Edit | 4 Blogs For Gluten-Free & Coeliac Lifestyles
My father was recently diagnosed (after a very long process and
misdiagnosis) with coeliac disease and although I’m not coeliac, I also tend to
feel much better by avoiding gluten where possible.
For those of you who don’t know, coeliac disease is caused by a reaction
of the immune system to gluten, causing a wide range of symptoms from bloating
through to weight loss, osteoporosis and skin rashes. Dermatitis herpetiformis
can also occur, which is the skin manifestation of coeliac disease. Once
diagnosed, you treat it by following a completely gluten-free diet.
I’ve made a huge effort to cook without the grain, and I’ve discovered
some amazing alternative foods devoid of the added fat that free-from foods sometimes use
to bind the ingredients together.
It’s so easy these days to prepare dishes that are free-from gluten and
there are really no excuses, in my opinion, for not providing an alternative
gluten-free option in all eateries. However,
many places still don’t offer this and equally don’t know what's in their dishes if you
ask them.
I LOVE eating out, but I find that it’s just as easy to
prepare delicious alternatives to all your meals yourself. In addition to some
of my own recipes, I often turn to the many food bloggers out there who prefer
the gluten-free lifestyle and whom I find are excellent and inspirational
starting points for anyone who is starting the gluten-free lifestyle, or who
has a gluten-intolerant family member. Here is my edit of my top 4.
Featuring great photography and delicious baking, Karina’s blog is a
great starting point for any gluten-free novice. My favourite (watch the waistline) recipe is Karina’s Wildly Rich Chocolate Cake.
This is a blog for “experimental cooks”. With a fantastic name and
equally great content, Sarah’s blog is well worth a read, especially for those
based in Bristol. My favourite recipe is Gluten-Free Strawberry Sangria Ice Lollies.
This US-based blog provides a good combination of facts, chat and
gluten-free meals. Check out this new (to me) Banana Flour.
What’s for dinner this week? This blog shares simple stand-by dishes and
hosts a menu swap initiative for busy families. Check out the simple, yet
delicious Thai Chicken Wraps.
To find out more about this really quite debilitating disease, the
symptoms, diagnosis and the treatment and support available, check
out www.csaceliacs.org (US)
and www.coeliac.org.uk.
10/27/2014
The Edit | My Top 5 Healthy Food Instagrams
I love a good food story, and these
Instagram accounts provide beautiful photographs and deliciously inspiring
meals and really encouraging quotes. It was really hard to narrow
these accounts down to just five. True Foodspiration.
This is the account of Ella Woodward. Her
diet is free from gluten, dairy, meat and added sugars and is the creator of
deliciouslyella.com. Everything on her page looks delicious.
The IQS programme is a relatively new (for
me) concept that makes total sense. The realisation that even basic tomato soup
contains about 16 grams of sugar (4 teaspoons) is a real eye opener. This
account follows Sarah’s journey and provides some good programme tips.
Sister duo Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley show
us the Art of Living Well through their nourishing recipe ideas and tips. Their sound advice and basic guidelines for
good health are easy to follow and nutritious. Their bone broth is a winner.
Madeleine’s a holistic health coach, yoga
expert and a chef. Madeleine always shares such beautifully composed images of
her meals and drinks. I love the styling of her dishes. I don’t know how she
manages to make cauliflower pizza look so good.
A firm favourite, Honestly Healthy follows
the alkaline principles. HH is both a healthy food and juice delivery service
and a recipe book. Check out their raw chocolate mousse make with their secret ingredient avocado! I’ve tried it, you’d
never know.
I’m now off to do some cooking.
8/11/2014
CHAT | What I Eat For Breakfast
With a blog called brunchcrush, you can rightly assume that I love my breakfast. Maybe I'm getting older, but a good breakfast or brunch beats any other meal of the day. If I'm at home, I really try to breakfast well and follow the guiding principles of James Duigan's Clean and Lean programme where possible.
Recently, I've tried to include some form of good fat such as avocado or nuts, lean meat, fish or eggs and plenty of steamed greens (typically spinach, kale or broccoli) for breakfast and after a workout. I do try to limit refined carbs and wheat and lactose don't always agree with me, so this is a perfect balanced (for me) way to start to the day. These meals taste delicious, look really appetising and are really filling. I have also tried to include hot water with lemon and nettle tea alongside my mandatory coffee each morning.
Brunching out is also a favourite treat of mine and I tend to treat myself to a more substantial and decedent meal when I do. For now, here are a couple of my favourite at-home breakfast meals.
Gluten-free toast, egg and egg whites and avocado
LA Slim Whey Protein Shakes with chia, maca, berries and almond milk
Scrambled egg whites, smoked salmon and spinach
Smoked salmon, egg whites with sumac and spinach in coconut oil
Folded egg whites with a small portion of feta, asparagus and spinach
Grilled turkey and asparagus cooked in coconut oil
A good old almond or soya Flat White
I hope this gives you some inspiration for some great breakfast cereal alternatives.
8/08/2014
The Edit | My Top 3 Go-To Fitness You Tube Channels
I love the gym, but I've gained a lot of additional inspiration and guidance from fitness You Tubers/bloggers. Here is my edit of the very best. Enjoy!
Carly Rowena
Subscribe to Carly for her excellent fitness tips, especially strength training techniques and routines and her no-nonsense and (sometimes TMI) chat.
Try her upper body and lower body routines.
XHIT Daily
Energetic and motivational daily workouts delivered by the very funny and energetic Kelsey-Lee and Rebecca-Louise. Workouts range from short 5 minute ab routines to 20 minute HIIT workouts. There is so much variation in these workouts so you'll never get bored. I'm a regular gym goer, but these workouts consistently deliver that extra bit of (good) pain you need.
Try Ab Workout: Walk The Plank and Inner Thigh Exercises for Inner Toning.
FitnessBlender
This couple rock. They have the largest and most professional selection of workout videos I've been able to find. Again, this is no-nonsense stuff. No music, just simple and effective killer workouts for all goals including strength, HIIT, Pilates and Yoga. There is also great insight into common training myths and Q&A. I love the countdown timer and the estimated calorie burn. Beware of those burpees!
Check out their website here.
Try Plyometric and Cardio HIIT for Legs and Fast HIIT Cardio Workout to Boost Metabolism.
7/23/2014
Hot or Not | Smooze Fruit Ice
Smooze Fruit Ice jumped at me in Wholefoods as I literally stumbled over the point-of-sale stand at the checkout. It seemed really similar to my all-time favourite coconut pineapple water, and also because
it is free from gluten.
It's a freeze-to-eat product,
containing only all natural ingredients and comes in four different flavours
including Simply Coconut, Mango Coconut and Pineapple Coconut and Pink Guava Coconut.
Smooze
seems fairly efficient as it has a long shelf life at room
temperature so you only need to freeze as many as you need. If your
ice starts to thaw out, and you don’t use them, you can simply refreeze them again.
The packaging is fun. It's clearly marketed as a children’s product, but I find children’s snacks are
often great as portioned-controlled healthy treats for adults. This is no
exception. Smooze has rapidly become one of my go-to sweet fixes and here’s why.
What’s in
it? The nutrition panel
Smooze is made with
pressed coconut milk, fruit juice and purees. It promises not to use
concentrated juice and contains:
- Fruit Pectin: a natural dietary fibre found in a variety of fruits, which blends the juices and purees with the coconut milk
- Citric acid: found in citrus fruits, a natural preservative
- Ascorbic acid: a natural preservative otherwise known as Vitamin C
- Natural fruit flavours
- Natural cane sugar: 40% less sugar than other frozen treats and naturally occurring sugars only.
Quick fact: Did you know that sweetness is measured in BRIX? Smooze is approximately 4g, which is (according to the company) low
compared to the most frozen treats in the market. Smooze is an Australian brand, so I’m not sure whether they mean in the Australian market here. Smooze has also been profiled in Diabetic Living Australia
magazine as an “exemplary” treat.
Smooze is 100% vegan and basically free from
everything. It claims to be free from artificial colours and flavours, preservatives, dairy, soy, nuts,
Cholesterol (more on this in an upcoming post), GM, trans fats (the nasties)
and it's even Halal and Kosher Certified.
How does it
taste?
Although
free from everything, Smooze in my opinion, is not free from flavour. To me, the
pineapple version (my favourite) is reminiscent of a pina colada – no lie. I’m
sure it lends itself well to a not so healthy vodka “adult” cocktail (for another post). All the flavours taste really fresh, unprocessed
and as coconuts are packed with naturally occurring potassium, really thirst
quenching.
This comparison of Smooze Fruit Ice and vanilla ice cream was really interesting.
I wouldn’t
say Smooze tastes like ice cream, and I’m not sure anything really replaces that,
but the creamy texture makes it taste much more indulgent and smooth than a
standard fruit ice for sure. In my opinion, for big kids or little kids, Smooze will satiate
any sweet tooth on a hot day, so you should definitely give it a go.
7/11/2014
Hot or Not | Juice Detox
All the rage with
health-conscious celebrities, a raw juice or liquid detox often promises quite literally a new
you. In just 3 days is that possible? I decided to give it a go. As a bride to be with a thirst for glow,
I’m willing to try pretty much anything.
There are many
programmes available, the leading players seem to be rawtodoor, noshdetox, and radiancecleanse.
For the purpose of this “experiment” I chose the Organic Green Vegetable Cleanse Programme from NOSH.
Why NOSH? NOSH was
founded by Geeta Sidhu-Robb. She’s widely profiled and I admire her story and her dedication to her brand. It’s also London-based and boasts a high
number of A-list celebs on its books. How could I fail?
In my opinion, for the
average person, juice/smoothie programmes seem overpriced. I find it hard to
justify the cost since vegetables and fruit, albeit organic, can’t cost all
that much can they? However, I’ve been known to clock up a good tab lunching at Itsu and post-work dining, so maybe it's value after all.
A friend referred me
to a more reasonable new client offer on the NOSH website and with their
promise that and I quote "you’ll feel lighter, brighter and
happier" (can you put a price on that?), I was sold and set to go.
The good stuff
I couldn’t fault the service. My stylish package arrived punctually the night before. Each package was labelled by date and contained all the juices numbered by the order you take them. There are even cards with tips to keep you on track. You just take the smoothies and juice as instructed. Easy.
Each day you get (as described by NOSH):
- Ginger and Lemon tonic - kick start your digestion in the morning.
- Spinach, avocado, mango, apple - anti-inflammatory to boost your energy.
- Kale, celery, banana, mandarin - powerhouse of super greens to replenish and restore.
- Broccoli, parsley, avocado, peach - cleansing, healing, clearing.
- Courgette, pineapple and mint - surprisingly delicious, sweet and tart and full of vitamin C and digestive enzymes
|
| The daily menu |
 |
| The delivery |
 |
| Just juice |
Anything else? I had a cup of organic black coffee a day and 3 litres of water. I also spent every night soaking in a hot Epsom salt bath to extract toxins as recommended.
The experience
Having mentally prepared myself for a tough three days, it really was a breeze. I definately felt like I had increased energy levels, but I did go to bed quite early on these three days and I found the generous portions filling and tasty. I typically eat Clean & Lean (a firm follower of James Duigan’s programme) and I try to prioritise nutritious foods, however not in the quantity and concentration of ingredients found in this programme.
What I didn’t
prepare myself for was the pain. From day one, I encountered pretty
consistent and severe cramping and bloating. Not what I bought into. Detox
symptoms aside (if that’s what they were), I think I should have stopped the
programme at that point, frozen the juice and supplemented my already healthy
diet with the odd juice to sense check my tolerance level before continuing.
The curious side of me needed to see this though, so ever hopeful that I'd pull
through, I did.
Hot
or Not?
Overall, this was a mixed experience. Having all the bottles to hand, made the process
really easy and convenient - fantastic for the time poor. NOSH as a support
network were fantastic, ready to support at the other end of the line and via daily emails. Also, the convenience of having everything prepared means
that for the time poor this is a great option.
In my
opinion, the intensity of raw ingredients beyond the natural “detox” effect may take its toll on anyone with a sensitive digestion. Although supplying the body with fast nutrients, it could be a
case of too fast too soon for some.
For the other burning
question: did I lose weight? Well I’m not sure. Not one for weighing myself often, I imagine that I probably did given the self-estimated calorie count.
Above all, this
programme has shown me that I definitely turn to food to
counter emotion, especially boredom and stress. I’m definitely an
emotional eater who can confuse thirst with hunger. These few days have
taught me the difference between cravings, actual hunger and thirst and I'm now more informed to manage this.
So what about
you? Have you tried juice cleanses before? What was your experience?
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