Health and Fitness Tip #3 - Don't sweat the numbers

Rather than being a tip on something you can physically do or change this is a tip for your mind and happiness! Ahh!

For a very long time I was fixated on the 'numbers' What I mean is my dress size and the number on the scales.  I always wanted to be a smaller size and if the scales show a number that isn't round i.e exactly on a stone or a half stone, then I would think, if I can just get to that number I would be happy.

Sometimes though its just not possible or more important healthy, to chase these things!  Again this is so obvious but something I didn't acknowledge when I was younger, but not everyone can achieve size 8, 10 or 12 etc, even if they carry not an ounce of fat, because their bone structure or body shape just won't allow it!  For example I have fairly broad shoulders that are very straight, so I need a bigger size jacket.  If I pick up the smaller size it just doesn't sit well across my shoulders and then trying to squeeze a jumper underneath would be uncomfortable and does not look good!  There is no point in me being upset or annoyed that I have to get a bigger size, it is what it is and it really does not matter!  If I lost too much weight my shoulders would stick out and make me look like a scarecrow, haha!

I used to compare myself to people of my height, thinking if they can be that slim then surely I can too.  I now realise their bodies are a completely different make up to mine!  They may be blessed with a flat tummy, I may have thinner calves!  Everyone has something that others envy and that is worth remembering!

Being healthy and sexy is not all about being as tiny as you possibly can be, attractive girls come in all shapes, sizes, heights etc!

Since making changes to my diet I have lost weight but now that is not my goal, it is simply a bonus, I want my body in tip top condition so that I have more energy, better skin, shinier hair etc, these are the things that bring out your beauty, not a size 8 dress!

There are women out there who are a size 10 but are a bit podgy or soft and then there are size 16 girls who are perfectly toned.  Neither are better, neither are worse, they are both great and beautiful!

So remember, no chasing numbers, if you feel comfortable and confident and are living healthily (no calorie restricted diets please!) then that is the perfect place for you! xx

Steak and Salad recipe - Delish!

Wowee, would you just look at what I had for dinner last night!  Now I don't like to blow my own trumpet but this was good!  

I have recently come across and added Eat-Yourself-Skinny and added her blog to my following list!  This blog is a great resource for low fat, healthy recipes which include snacks, main meals and puds! 

Kelly, who writes the blog, put up a recipe for Southwest Flank Steak with Peach Salsa, which just sounded so good!

Simon didn't fancy the salsa and I had intended to make that for me and do him something different but alas I was feeling lazy so I made the following, and just swapped the spinach on my plate for new potatoes on his! Ding dong it was good!

So in this picture we have :

 Raw spinach, which I eat at almost every meal as a little garnish or side salad, even if it is just a few leaves I can't seem to get enough and always have it! 

Mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red pepper and onions.  I cooked these in one teaspoon of  GIA Garlic Puree, which is garlic in vegetable oil.  I pick this up in the tinned vegetable aisle of Tesco and we use it in most meals.  It is convenient, saves any raw garlic from going off and I use it instead of oil.  I do sometimes have to add a smidge more oil but for this recipe I didn't bother, mushrooms will happily dry fry, as will tomatoes and the peppers and onions are nice when they go a little bit smushy and charred.  Yum!

Then to the steak! We don't often have red meat as it is more expensive and not so healthy, but every once in a while in is great to have a treat! You can have a look at the link above for Kelly's original recipe which I did follow almost to the letter but had a teeny tiny few changes, mainly as I used what was in my cupboard!

So I simply mixed together 1 tsp chilli powder, 1tsp ground cumin, 1tsp balsamic vinegar, 1tsp garlic puree, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce and 1tsp cayenne pepper.  I used far smaller quantities than Kelly but it was more then enough!  Then you just spoon the sauce over the steak and pop under the grill.  4 minutes on each side was good for us but the timings really depend on your own preference, and I am no gourmet chef to advise you I'm afraid!  Don't forget to add more sauce when you flip the steak! 

I can't tell you how yummy the whole meal was and I am already looking forward to having this again! 

I didn't count the calories but I believe the whole thing to be about 400 and definitely under 500 calories, which is fab for a main meal!  Add more if you are having the new potatoes!

I hope you like this recipe and urge you all to check out Eat Yourself Skinny for some more great ideas! 

Have you made anything especially yummy recently that you want to share? xx

Health and Fitness Tip #2 How I Avoid a Bloated Tummy

For as long as I remember my Mum has complained of bloating and being uncomfortable after eating certain food.  As children and young teenager's my sisters and I didn't really get what she meant, but now we definitely all do!  I know a handful of women who don't seem to have this problem but I think unfortunately most of us do!  Not only is it annoying to suddenly blow up and have a round stomach sticking out but it is very very uncomfortable!

Over the years I have learnt which foods to steer clear of and a few tricks which seem to help so thought I would share a few tips on things I have found that help to avoid the dreaded bloated tummy!

1) Its really obvious and well knowN but drinking enough water is key!  Water is essential to us and has so many benefits!  It helps to fill me up so I am not tempted to snack on naughty foods.  Water is also vital for proper digestion, if your body is not properly hydrated you will literally not be able to digest your food and this is what causes heartburn!  The food then sits in your stomach, eww..when it does eventually pass through it will sit for too long in your intestines, not only does this leave you constipated but your body also cannot absorb all the nutrients from the food without enough water!  As an added bonus drinking enough water will help to reduce the look of wrinkles!  There are so many more benefits to drinking water but I can't list them all!

2) I have also cut out all white, processed foods and stick to the brown versions.  I am talking foods such as pasta, rice, cous cous, and bread.  The reason that this helps to reduce or avoid a bloated tummy is that there is simply more fibre in the brown versions which again help digestion and keeping things regular!  Other benefits are that the brown versions retain more of their nutrients, which always good!  This next bit is not science, this is just me, but I have found that brown rice and pasta has more of a bite to it than their white counterparts and therefore feel more filling to me, so since making the swap I have managed to reduce my portion size by about 20%

3) I included bread in the previous tip however I tend to avoid eating any kind of bread whenever possible.  Bread is one of my worst enemies when it comes to my stomach so I only eat wholemeal or oatmeal bread as a very special treat.  Whilst I love the taste the discomfort afterwards is just not worth the 5 minutes of pleasure!

4) Reducing carbohydrates.  Again a really widely known fact but it is so true! If you cut down on carbs then you will soon see the results of a flatter looking tummy!  Potatoes are particularly bad for making me look rounder!  I believe there are different kinds of carbs so do you research and find out which ones affect you the most

5) Reduce your fizzy drink intake.  Obviously fizzy drinks are going to make you bloated, so have these as a rare special treat if you must! Personally I never drink fizzy drinks because they hold no real nutritional value and I don't enjoy the taste but I do know that a lot of people can't live without them!

6) If we are having a meal that would compliment a salad then I always cut down my portion size and have a side salad instead.  This reduces the calories, boosts my veg intake for the day and helps to keep my tummy flat!

I am sure there are lots more but for today those are my top tips! What do you do to help beat a bloated tummy? x

Health & Fitness Tip #1 Starting a new regime

Good Morning! What a lovely sunny day!  We have a shopping centre near us which is right on the water and as it is my friend's birthday we are going for a spot of shopping and lunch today! Lovely!

I thought I would share with you a good tip if you are hoping to start a healthier eating plan or increasing your fitness!  I have changed so many small habits over the years but it is really important to take it slowly.  If you change one habit at a time you will adjust to the changes more easily and be more likely to keep them up!  Whether it is adding an extra 30 minute walk into your week or adding an extra piece of fruit into your daily diet, take it one at a time and you will succeed in keeping up with your new healthier habits!

Lunch yesterday!

What are your favourite tips for keeping healthy? x