tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71834732046843623752024-03-13T06:49:06.482+01:00Healthy Beautiful LivingTips, tricks, recipes and more for a happy and healthy lifestyle, making you beautiful inside and out.HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-47202994128521056002012-01-16T19:08:00.002+01:002012-01-18T20:41:34.230+01:00Spiced oats and date cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Cookies.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After my workout today, I felt like having a little something sweet, without actually having something decadent or <i>sweet</i>, you know? I remembered my first batch of <a href="http://sunitabhuyan.com/?p=2590">these</a> spiced oats and dates cookies and decided they would be a perfect post-workout snack, which I am currently enjoying with a steaming cup of green tea, lightly sweetened with agave syrup. Wow, I sound like a total health junkie! I guess I am, yet I am not: I'm very much into health (Did the name of the blog tip anybody off? No?), but because of the way I was brought up and where I live, many "health junkie" staples are unavailable or unattractive to me. Molasses are impossible to find in France, and I've yet to understand what nutritional yeast would be sold as here, if it were available. So, that being said, I go for <i>available</i> healthy food choices. And these cookies are just that: an easily available alternative to a "normal" sugar loaded cookie. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is quite openly adapted from the recipe above by <a href="http://sunitabhuyan.com/">Sunita Bhuyan</a>, and you could adapt it even more freely if you so desired. In the mean time, below you can find my version of this delicious cookie. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>(Vegan) Spiced oats and dates cookies</b></u> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">15 dates, stoned and chopped (or the equivalent weight of date paste, I used half and half)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 cup to 2/3 cup of milk, traditional or alternative* <i>(see note)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 tblsp sunflower oil (or other neutral oil of your choosing, canola or coconut would work great)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tblsp honey (molasses could work, but I haven't tried)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 tsp vanilla essence </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/3 cup oats</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 cup whole wheat flour (or flour of your choosing)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2/3 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 tsp ground ginger</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/8 tsp nutmeg</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/8 tsp cloves</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tsp flax seeds (ground if possible, whole is fine too)<br />
Pinch of salt </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some brown sugar for rolling the balls in (optional)<i> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>* note: original recipe calls for less milk and more oil. I brought down the oil to 3 tablespoons instead of 4 as I found my first batch a tad too "shiny", but you need to adjust the liquid/dry ingredients ratio accordingly.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Also, you can obviously adjust the spices used and their quantities according to your personal taste.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, you'll want to preheat your oven to 180°C (gas mark 6). <br />
Then, purée the dates with the milk as finely as possible. If you're using whole flax seeds, add them in, too. Add the oil and honey (in that order, to avoid the honey sticking to the spoon), pulse a couple of times, add the vanilla essence, pulse again and set aside. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients: flour, oats, bicarb, salt, spices and flax seeds (if using ground ones).</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a well in the center of the flour mixture, pour the date mixture and mix with a fork. When combined, mix lightly with your fingers. <i>(Original recipe calls for an hour's chilling time for the dough at this point, but seeing as these are not ordinary cookies, in my opinion they don't need to be chilled to avoid spreading.)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shape just under a heaped tablespoon of mixture per portion into a little ball, roll in the sugar if desired, then flatten lightly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Given that the mixture is pretty dry, cracks may form down the sides, that's fine. The recipe should make 15-18 cookies, depending on portion size. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Place the tray in the center** of the pre-heated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cookies are slightly golden. They will be tender at first, but harden a little upon cooling while remaining ever so slightly chewy in the center. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>**If you've rolled your cookies in the sugar and, like me, you have a gas oven that only heats from the bottom, you may want to place your cookies a little above the center to avoid burning the sugar on the bottom of the cookies.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't be put off by the seemingly long directions, it's just due to differences in recipes. These cookies come together really quickly and taste divine. They are not overly sweet, but pack some good nutrition with the dates and honey (plus, they're under 100 calories each, making 2 of them a perfect snack!).</div><br />
<br />
What's <i>your</i> favorite healthy cookie recipe? I'd love to know!<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i></i></div>HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-47603287956828337152012-01-04T12:47:00.003+01:002012-01-05T16:41:45.457+01:002011 In Review<b>Q: What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?</b><br />
A: I graduated my Masters with 110/110 points and finally took up a near-daily exercise routine at home to build strength and to show myself I could do it if I set myself to it. Still going strong!<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Q: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for the next year?</b><br />
A: I don't really make resolutions. I think I "resolved" to get my Masters with the best possible mark and to be able to do 10 "real" pushups by the end of the year. I got my Masters, but unfortunately am still unable to do real pushups even though I have been working out at home regularly for most of the year.<br />
This year, I would like to further increase my strength and fitness level, continue to eat and think healthily and, most importantly, lessen my incredibly strong powers of procrastination as I think it's what has most hindered me this year.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Q: Did anyone close to you die?</b><br />
A: Thankfully, no.<br />
<b><br />
Q: What countries/states did you visit?</b><br />
A: I went to London for 3 weeks in February, South Africa in April-May and Brussels in November. I also went to Paris and Turin a few times but those are usuals =)<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?</b><br />
A: More self-discipline and more confidence. A job, and therefore moolah ;)<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was your biggest failure of the year ?</b><br />
A: Not getting a job within 6 months of graduating. I know it's a crap economy/time etc, but I'm the last of my close friends to not have found a job after graduating, and it's starting to weigh on me.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was your biggest achievement ?</b><br />
A: Probably getting top marks in my Masters, I never thought I would manage in the Italian system, but I did!<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was the best thing you bought?</b><br />
A: A ticket to South Africa: those two months allowed me to see my country in a way I'd never seen it before, and I was also able to rediscover the fantastic people there as well as my incredible friends. I am so grateful for what those two months brought me.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: Whose behavior merited celebration?</b><br />
A: No one close to me that I can think of, and newsworthy events from the year are escaping my memory right this moment, so I wouldn't know.<br />
<b><br />
Q: Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?</b><br />
A: Humanity on the whole? Drama aside, reading the news every day has the sad effect of making me aware of all our shortcomings as a species, and I wish there were more caring, love and help and less selfishness and carelessness. I think we would all do much better with more community-based decisions and less "me" thinking.<br />
<b><br />
Q: Where did most of your money go?</b><br />
A: Travels, and I don't regret a single cent I spent travelling!<br />
<b><br />
Q: What did you get really, really, really excited about?</b><br />
A: My job interview in November. It was my first as a real-deal job seeker, and I felt really good about how it went. Pity I lacked some unmentioned skills, but hey. Also, being in South Africa and having a friend over in August to go exploring with, that was awesome!<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What song will always remind you of 2011?</b><br />
A: "I had the time of my life", the Black Eyed Peas version. Not my style at all, but it reminds me of the months spent in SA, and that is always a good thing.<br />
<b><br />
Q: Compared to last year, are you:</b><br />
* happier or sadder ? Sadder, mainly because I don't have a job and it's getting to me.<br />
* thinner or fatter ? Thinner, and definitely fitter.<br />
* richer or poorer ? Poorer, due to aforementioned lack of a job.<br />
<b><br />
Q: What do you wish you’d done more of ?</b><br />
A: Sending out CVs. And taking advantage of the time I had to travel more, see more people, do more things. <br />
<br />
<b>Q: What do you wish you’d done less of ?</b><br />
A: Procrastinating...<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was your favourite TV programme ?</b><br />
A: Probably True Blood, although I'd be hard pressed to choose a definite favorite.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?</b><br />
A: No, but I rediscovered some very important people in my life and am ever so thankful for that!<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was the best book you read?</b><br />
A: I had quite a lot of free time, so I've done a lot of reading and don't remember all the books I've read.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was your greatest musical discovery?</b><br />
A: Volbeat, altough it predates 2011.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What did you want and get?</b><br />
A: My first trip to SA in 4 years, the longest ever I hadn't been.<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What did you want and not get?</b><br />
A: A job =)<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What one thing would have made you year immeasurably more satisfying?</b><br />
A: Getting my first job within the same year as my graduation would have definitely made this past year more satisfying, but it's no use crying over spilled milk!<br />
<b><br />
Q: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?</b><br />
A: The usual: stylish comfort. I like looking good, but I like feeling good even more. I don't wear something if it makes me feel silly or uncomfortable, either physically or psychologically, because I know I won't feel and therefore look my best. For me, "fashion" should be like makeup, a way to enhance one's natural features, make one feel good about oneself and thus project a positive image to others. Being "out there" is great, too, and come be fun sometimes if it's taking you out of your comfort zone but, ultimately, I like simply enhancing what I believe to be my best self.<br />
<b><br />
Q: What kept you sane?</b><br />
A: Working out, at least 4 times a week. The routine it brought to my otherwise wonky life was really grounding, and I enjoyed the feeling of bettering myself every day, one burpee at a time!<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What political issue stirred you the most?</b><br />
A: There are a lot, unfortunately, but lately it was the state secrecy act in South Africa which removed all press freedom and made my heart bleed for my country.<br />
<b><br />
Q: Who did you miss?</b><br />
A: My friends, scattered around the world. But that just means I have more places to travel to!<br />
<b><br />
Q: Who was the best new person you met?</b><br />
A: Nobody in 2011, but 2012 will change that!<br />
<br />
<b>Q: What was a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011</b>?<br />
A: Procrastination will get you nowhere: if you don't work for yourself, no one else will do it for you. If you don't support and promote yourself, no one is going to do it for you. If you don't love yourself, no one is going to love you, either. It's simple, really: do unto yourself what you would like others to do for you. You'll be that much more charmed when they happen to do it, too ;)HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-7206635169327206682011-12-15T22:17:00.002+01:002011-12-16T22:49:57.587+01:00How to: stay healthy during the holiday seasonWhether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice or nothing at all, the holiday season is usually the time of year for indulgence in all its forms. Chocolates, luxurious roasts and sauces, sweets and all other delicacies are a-plenty in shops and people's homes, and it can be difficult to entirely bypass the "Christmas spirit", especially if you don't want friends and family to call you The Grinch for the next 2 weeks.<br />
However, there are a few ways for you to indulge without going over board or feeling guilty and without compromising all the good work you've done so far with your food and exercise.<br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> I'd say that your most important key to survive the holiday season is "<b>moderation</b>". You like chocolate? Then go ahead, have a piece! But stop at one. In the end, what we like about treats is the taste, so once it's hit our taste buds for the first time, there really is no need to continue fishing in the packet for more. Enjoy that first taste, relish in it, savour it, and then just let it go (until the next time, which better not be 10 mins later!). By indulging with moderation, you are ensuring that you don't start hating the holiday season for all the delicious things you can't have and that you don't suddenly go chocolate crazy and have the entire box to make up for your abstinence. <br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> Don't forget to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>exercise</b></span>. I know it's probably cold and miserable outside (not here, it's still 14°C and sunny for some reason...), but that's no excuse to suddenly go back to being a couch potato. Everything I said about exercise <a href="http://healthybeautifulliving.blogspot.com/2011/11/healthy-beautiful-exercise-101.html">here</a> is still valid, now more than ever. If you continue with regular physical activity over the holiday season, not only will you not feel sluggish from all that over-eating and under-exercising, but you will also be a step ahead of all those people who wait for the New Year to take fitness resolutions. When they will be taking their first painful baby steps towards a better lifestyle, you'll already be fit and healthy and living your best life. Doesn't that sound like something you would want for yourself? That post I linked to also has a slew of ideas on how to exercise when the weather is being inclement, so no more excuses, get crackin'!<br />
<br />
<b>3.</b> If you're not the one doing the cooking and you don't really have a say in what goes into your mouth at meal times, consider making<b> <a href="http://greenmonstermovement.com/?page_id=39">green smoothies/juices</a></b>. You can get your daily dose of greens, vitamins, minerals and even protein (depending on what you blend up) in just one serving and all you need are fresh fruits and vegetables and a blender (or a juicer if you're being fancy). Anything else you may want to add is according to taste so let your imagination and taste buds guide you. A few ingredients that are always good to put in one of these are: baby spinach, kale, fresh ginger, fresh or frozen berries, bananas (they give a great creamy consistency without the added fats, you can even make <a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/07/24/one-ingredient-ice-cream-recipe/">ice cream</a> <a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/09/22/peanut-butter-ice-cream-recipe/">with</a> <a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/07/27/pumpkin-pie-ice-cream/">them</a>!), flax seeds, nuts (in moderation as they have high oil content, even if they are healthy oils) and any other "<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/02/10/diet-challenge-1-superfoods/">superfoods</a>". So go get blendin'!<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> As well as being the season to indulge in food, the holiday season is also the time for indulging in yummy beverages. Be it alcohol, egg nog or hearty hot chocolate, these beverages all taste delicious (I'm not speaking for egg nog here, I've actually never had it) but they also contain quite a lot of unnecessary calories. Again, moderation is key: a glass of wine a day has been linked to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_wine">health benefits</a>. Dark chocolate, milk and eggs are also healthy foods on their own, but it's the addition of sugars and fats which make these treats exactly that: treats to be enjoyed from time to time, without excess. <br />
So in order to not drink too many of your calories every day, remember to drink <span style="font-size: large;"><b>water</b> </span>regularly. In winter, we don't feel the need to drink as often as we do in summer, but that doesn't mean the body needs less water. We're 70% water, and by the time you feel thirsty, it means your body is already dehydrated: the feeling of thirst is the body's way of saying "hey, drink up, we're drying out here!". Also, often times when we feel "hungry" it's actually dehydration, so drinking a glass or two of water before you eat may ward of that sensation of hunger, thus making you eat less.<br />
Ideally, an average adult should be drinking about 1,5L of water a day. If you don't like it straight up, try drinking teas or infusions instead. Green tea, white tea, herbal tea... they are all a great alternative to heavier beverages, keep you just as warm and, depending on your choice of blend, can taste just as decadent! Just beware if you tend to drink sugar in your tea as this has its incidence, obviously.<br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> If you're the cook in your house, consider making<b> <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/12/12/the-12-days-of-healthy-dinner-recipes/">super healthy meals</a> </b>to make up for all the less healthy ones you'll be having outside or on occasion. <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Oh She Glows</a> is an amazing source of healthy (vegan, but can easily be made vegetarian or omni depending on what rocks your boat) meals which usually don't require much more that what should readily be available in your pantry. Cooking healthily doesn't have to be expensive or less tasty or even super time consuming, it simply requires a little organisation and advance planning so that you never need to resort to that pre-packaged meal that you keep in your freezer "just in case". If you've got a <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/20/by-request-five-essential-crock-pot-recipes/">crock pot</a>, cooking amazing meals that cost little, taste great and don't take a lot of time is even easier so just scour the web for some great recipes, and start chopping!<br />
<br />
<b>6.</b> I know this may sound a little ironic to some, but try and get as much <b>sunshine</b> in winter as you possibly can. The sun's rays are our body's main source of Vitamin D, which helps fixate calcium on the bones, thus avoiding brittle bones. Also, sunshine minimises (and can even entirely get rid of) Seasonal Affective Disorder (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder">S.A.D.</a>), meaning you won't feel so dreary, depressed and tired. If you live in a place that only gets a couple of hours of sunshine a day in winter, then you may want to look into lights that mimic the sun's rays. They exist as alarm clocks for a gentle wake up call in the morning, but also in the form of light bulbs that you can fix into any of your existing light fixtures and get your daily dose of "sunshine".<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> If all else fails, make sure to integrate a high quality, high potency <b>multi-vitamin</b> in your daily routine, preferably in the morning. Winter foods tend to be rich stews, roasted meats and veggies, soups... All great things, but the lack of fresh fruit and veg may impair your vitamin and mineral intake which, in turn - with the cold dreary weather outside and the flu people are coughing up on you at work and on public transportation - may very well cause your immune system to suddenly fail on you. Nobody likes having a cold in winter, and having a multi-vitamin with your morning tea/coffee/juice is just another way of avoiding that cold, as long as possible.<br />
<br />
<i>Is there anything that you feel really helps you fight the winter blues? Please share in the comments, as I'm sure we would all like to avoid it if at all possible!</i>HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-85992436922431012342011-11-25T13:10:00.003+01:002011-12-05T10:10:13.864+01:00Pancakes - original and "healthier" recipes<div style="text-align: justify;">So, yesterday was a bit of a breakdown palace kinda day. The day before yesterday I made another batch of delightful <a href="http://healthybeautifulliving.blogspot.com/2011/11/scones-original-and-healthy-versions.html">scones</a> (successfully edited to 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup regular flour and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, with some cheese thrown in), but it was late when I made them so I nibbled on a piece of one, thinking I'd have a wonderful breakfast to come down to the next day. Lo and behold, yesterday morning I came down to... an empty kitchen. Ok, so it wasn't "empty" empty, but it was empty of scones. My parents had left me the sum total of... half a scone. Now, I was <i>not</i> a happy kitty, because I was really looking forward to a scone, lightly warmed in the toaster, buttered with salt butter and slathered in Marmite. And from there, my day just went downhill with the whole "no job" thing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But then, I decided to take my future into my own hands, and what better way to do that than with some more baking and face-stuffing with deliciousness? So I brought down my handy dandy little recipe book (I don't know why, this is another one of those recipes I could whip up with my eyes closed), and set to the oh-so-arduous task of making myself pancakes. The advantage of pancakes is that you have to cook each one on the spot for maximum freshness and "yum" factor, so my parents don't bother stealing those. Below I'm going to list the original recipe, the one I used yesterday, and a potentially vegan-ified version which I have not tested and therefore am not guaranteeing results for. You're forewarned!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>Original fluffy American pancakes</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b> </b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b> </b></u>135gr flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 teaspoon baking powder</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tablespoons sugar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">130ml milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 large egg, lightly beaten</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tablespoons melted butter, cooled</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla essence </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now comes the easy part: mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, baking powder) together. Beat wet ingredients then add to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a fork until all nicely combined and homogeneous. You should have a batter that is liquidy, but not too much so. It should be thicker than crêpe batter, and much thinner than cake batter, m'kay? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">For best results, I've found it works to heat a pan on a small burner on the highest flame (you following?). Once pan is hot, put a lick of butter and turn the flame down to medium/low. Put 1/2 soup ladle's worth of batter in your pan, and let it be. When bubbles start to appear on the surface (about 2 mins), flip your pancake and let it cook for another 30 seconds to a minute until golden brown on both sides. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enjoy with Marmite, maple syrup or anything else of your liking! Remember though, pancakes themselves aren't the devil, it's the toppings that tend to be unhealthy, so use your brain and moderation!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>"Healthier" whole wheat pancakes</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">70gr whole wheat flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">75gr all purpose flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 teaspoon baking powder</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tablespoons sugar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">140ml milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 large egg, lightly beaten</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 tablespoon melted butter, cooled</div>Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla essence<br />
<br />
For instructions, see above. You can vary the amount of whole wheat flour according to your liking, but it has a strong nutty flavor that can be bitter for some, so try it out and see what works best for you. I've found that half and half works for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Vegan-ified (non tested) pancakes</b></u><br />
<u><b> </b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">70gr whole wheat flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">75gr all purpose flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 teaspoon baking powder</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tablespoons sugar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">130ml alternative milk (nut milk, coconut milk, soy milk... whatever works for you and is liquid enough)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flax meal + 3 tablespoons water, see <a href="http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2011/10/how-to-make-a-flax-egg-for-vegan-baking-the-right-way/">here </a>for detailed instructions) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter substitute, cooled</div>Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla essence <br />
<br />
Mixing instructions as above. Again, keep in mind I haven't tried this one, but as soon as I do I'll post an update with modifications if there are any. I'll also add a picture as soon as I've taken one of this afternoon's batch of pancakes!<br />
<br />
What's your favorite pancake topping? Share some ideas!!HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-35359913700022158972011-11-21T17:47:00.004+01:002011-12-11T16:24:37.111+01:00Scones - original and "healthier" versions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xQs8XIWrYwgjOGyMYi78WdaV5yenQcCVxGjMCGMIN0PqlB2pE6V3dWE3dJvKT8cXbQFE208ssUUvgXA4I3OsnM2G277nARwqhw-rn9ovA2bH3pWEeQKtRHZIY5_xdfS-U3WK8gbEevs/s1600/Scones1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xQs8XIWrYwgjOGyMYi78WdaV5yenQcCVxGjMCGMIN0PqlB2pE6V3dWE3dJvKT8cXbQFE208ssUUvgXA4I3OsnM2G277nARwqhw-rn9ovA2bH3pWEeQKtRHZIY5_xdfS-U3WK8gbEevs/s320/Scones1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Aside from a friend of mine who shall go by the name Zorro (and maybe you, M.), I have yet to meet anyone who does not like a good warm scone fresh out of the oven with some steaming tea. North Americans may call it a biscuit, but, let's face it, it's a <i>scone</i>. At 4pm, when hunger pangs strike and your will to live is directly and inversely proportionate to the amount of time you still have to spend at work, nothing is quite as comforting (to me) as a warm scone with melted butter and Marmite and a cup of strong black tea with a dash of milk. Unfortunately, when at work, these babies are pretty hard to come by, so I guess it's lucky for me that I am so far unemployed, or I'd also be without a scone in this instant! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, there are two recipes here: one for the "traditional", no frills English scone. And one for the healthier yet oh-so-tasty version. Now I say "healthier" and not healthy because of the healthy (ha!) dose of butter involved in this recipe. But hey, if it tastes this good, I'm all for it! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've made these scones so often in the past 2,5 years I could make them with my eyes closed, my hands tied behind my back and my feet behind my head! And they always turn out delicious, they <i>never</i> disappoint (just make sure your oven is fully preheated or they won't rise and will end up being pretty dense).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>Traditional English Scone</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b> </b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 cups flour</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 tablespoons sugar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 teaspoon baking powder</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 tablespoons butter (salted or not, your choice)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/4 - 1/2 cup milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 egg</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This recipe is really simple and takes only about 20 minutes from when hunger strikes to when it is fed, so it's as close as you will get to instant gratification with home-baked goods. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Start by mixing the dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar and baking powder). I use a fork for this (and most of my cooking/baking) and it works perfectly fine. Then add in the <i>cold</i> butter. Don't melt it as this will ruin the lovely flaky texture of the scones. Cut it up into small chunks and then use the heat of your hands to mix/melt it into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beat egg and 1/4 cup of milk, add to dough and mix with the fork. If the dough is too dry, add milk a tablespoon at a time. The dough should be homogeneous yet not sticky at all. When the fork stops being of use, knead with your hands <i>as little as possible</i>. This is key to obtaining a flaky scone! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and squish (yes, that is the technical term) to about 1,5cm thickness. Use a knife to cut diamond shapes or a glass to cut out round ones like I did. When you re-knead the leftovers, be sure to do it as little as possible. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Put in a <b>preheated </b>oven at 180°C and bake for 12-15 minutes. Your scones should be lightly golden brown on top and baked through.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>"Healthier" wholewheat and oats scones</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 cup firmly packed oats</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 cup wholewheat flour</div>2 tablespoons sugar<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">1 teaspoon baking powder</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 tablespoons butter (salted or not, your choice)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1/2 cup milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 egg</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mixing directions are the same as above. You will likely have to use a tad more milk than with the traditional scones as the oats absorb a lot of it pretty fast. Flatten your dough to about 2cm thick as it will rise less than normal flour scones would. Bake in <b>preheated </b>oven at 180°C for 12-15 minutes and enjoy!<br />
<br />
Whichever recipe you decide to follow <i><b>DON'T PEEK!</b></i> Scones are only fussy once in the oven and need a constantly hot temperature to rise properly (like most baked goods). Use your oven light or your nose to figure out when they're ready! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I like my scones best with either salted butter and Marmite or mascarpone (in lieu of clotted cream) and strawberry jam, but the possibilities are endless for both the toppings and the scones themselves! I've successfully made cheese scones and maple syrup and oats scones and topped the first with freshly-made pesto. Seriously, the combinations are limited only by your imagination and taste buds! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What's <i>your </i>favorite combo? Let me know!</div>HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-52920810162682835402011-11-21T16:38:00.003+01:002011-12-16T23:03:42.927+01:00Healthy Beautiful Exercise - 101<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt1d2Vroj2VWEKBj0fyVgTRtPQIYqAHqecZ3YU7D01OJY2WDM0MA8ccTWjW-OaLaDa6u0gkEZabbGIuTuX0pmlZfC3p4ruO7OUACe5n_CBZ5F-ejVRdCSbSs3Rv6ssPpHCMyMwEoPmdo/s1600/Capoeira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt1d2Vroj2VWEKBj0fyVgTRtPQIYqAHqecZ3YU7D01OJY2WDM0MA8ccTWjW-OaLaDa6u0gkEZabbGIuTuX0pmlZfC3p4ruO7OUACe5n_CBZ5F-ejVRdCSbSs3Rv6ssPpHCMyMwEoPmdo/s320/Capoeira.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">From aiding with weight loss to improving your sex life and everything in between, exercise if somewhat of a "miracle cure". Indeed, it has been proven to (among other things): </div><ul><li>Control weight</li>
<li>Combat physical and psychological health conditions (including but not limited to: depression, certain cancers and dementia)</li>
<li>Improve mood and help with stress relief</li>
<li>Increase metabolism and energy levels</li>
<li>Promote better sleep </li>
<li>Improve endurance and sex life</li>
<li>Etc.</li>
</ul>Now, I could natter on about the benefits of regular physical exercise, but I believe most of you know that, in essence, it's good for you on many different levels. However, I also believe that many people don't exercise regularly or at all because of the flawed idea that "I don't have time/I don't have the money/I don't have the equipment/add your favorite excuse here". Getting a healthy and regular dose of exercise in your life doesn't have to be ANY of those things. <br />
Case in point: it can take as little as <a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/11/16/you-da-one-workout/">12 minutes</a> to get in a full body workout that will have you gasping and on your knees, yet will bring you all the benefits of hours of training at the gym. You can easily get in your daily exercise from home, without spending a single cent and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Your-Own-Gym/dp/0971407614">using only your own bodyweight</a> (Although I would advocate buying an <a href="http://www.gymboss.com/">interval timer</a>: they only cost $20 and are invaluable in High Intensity Interval Training. That was my best investment ever in my health.) Also, if you make sure to practice exercise which you enjoy, it doesn't have to be a form of modern torture!<br />
<br />
Think of all the fun physical activities there are out there. Capoeira! Dance! Martial Arts! Walking your dog around the block! Playing with your kids! <i>Wait, what? Yes, absolutely!</i> Any form of physical activity counts on the meter, and it doesn't have to be a synonym of strapping on some fluorescent leg warmers and doing jumping jacks until you lose all will to live. Besides, you know that "runner's high" people sometimes talk about? It's not a myth! When you exercise, your body releases endorphins and they are its natural drug: you effectively "get high". So when you've been exercising intensely for a long period of time and you suddenly stop, you get for-real withdrawal symptoms. Now, that need not scare you as it takes a lot to get there, but you WILL get the natural high after going for a run or participating in a challenging <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira#Roda">roda</a>. <br />
<br />
The most important thing here is to do what you love, and not give up. If your favorite thing is running around the block but you then get -40°C weather in winter, find something else that makes you smile and gets you sweaty, don't just start staying home when winter swings by! It's always a good idea to alternate your exercise anyway so that you hit all the main muscle groups and exercise strength as well as endurance, so have a rotation of activities you enjoy. Maybe you like running with your dog in the morning, hitting your "at-home gym" after work or going for a swim at the beach. Or maybe your thing is kicking people's butts at karate, biking to work and playing with your kids in the yard when you get home. As long as it feels intense to you, that's all that matters. Whatever floats your boat, go for it. No restraint!<br />
<br />
The only moderation I would advise is, obviously, if you have a pre-existing health condition. Always be aware of your physical limitations (asthma, broken bones, weak heart...) and don't go overboard. But you may want to try and push yourself just that little bit extra as you'll be amazed at the results on your overall well-being! Even if you're heavily physically impaired, try and find a form of exercise that works for you as the benefits you will reap from regular activity will far outweigh any negative ideas you may have. A 10 min walk or a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ETF_9hnPr0">7 min yoga session</a> are both better than being a couch potato!<br />
<br />
Bottom line is: find something that works for <i><b>you</b></i>, your motivation and your schedule and HAVE FUN! <br />
If you don't like the physical activity you're engaging in, you'll be much more likely to stop and fall off the wagon. If you need to, find a workout buddy to help motivate you and keep you on track like a friend or a family member. There are tons of great online resources for all types of exercise from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube </a>to the <a href="http://www.c25k.com/">C25K</a> running program and, my personal favorite, <a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/">BodyRock.Tv</a>. Exercising doesn't have to be boring and expensive, I promise!<br />
<br />
<br />
What are your favorite go-to forms of exercise, and how often do you indulge?HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-62059072560484648542011-10-13T16:22:00.004+02:002011-11-21T15:27:27.656+01:00Healthy Beautiful Diet - 101<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am going to prelude this article by saying, once again, that by "diet" I don't mean "drastically (and sometimes nonsensically) changing your eating habits on the short term to lose/gain weight". "Diet", whenever the term is used on here, means eating habits, as a whole: the food you eat day to day to fuel your body and (hopefully) help with your health and fitness goals. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now, with that being said, there's another premise which has to be taken into account: I am going to assume that, if you're reading this, your goal is to become (or remain) healthy, thanks to eating habits which promote physical and psychological well-being. Also, I am writing here about "regular" eating habits, not those which some people may use to gain a lot of muscle, for example for bodybuilding. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Diet-cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Diet-cherries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I was ten, we found out that I had an autoimmune disease which has some pesky side effects, including slowing down my metabolism and converting ingested calories into fat rather than energy. I was lucky enough that my mother had always cooked meals based on real, whole foods with very little fat or sugar. However, I still had to make certain adjustments to the way and foods I was eating and, trust me, no ten year old likes hearing that they are different and can't have a 10am snack anymore like everyone else in the school yard! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The principles I will be laying out in this article come from the advice I have received over the years and from what I have experimented with and found to work for me. It is not specific to having an auto-immune disease, and I firmly believe that everyone can benefit from them, however, once again, I am not a doctor nor am I a nutritionist so if you have specific conditions, please consult a specialist. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
First of all: <b>fruit and veg</b>. There's a reason many Western governments have, in recent years, come out with recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables (usually between 5 and 10). That is because fruits and vegetables are a great source of vitamins, fiber, minerals and a whole other bunch of essentials nutrients which your body needs to function optimally. I will go more in depth on this later, but leafy and cruciferous greens (spinach, kale, brocoli, cauliflower...) are especially rich in nutrients and low in calories. You can pretty much allow yourself an unlimited (within reason) amount of vegetables per day, and fruits' nutritious benefits tend to outweigh their sugar content although you may want to go a little slower on more sugar-heavy fruits like bananas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Protein</b> is another essential part of a healthy diet, be it plant or animal-based. Although it is true that it may be a little harder for vegetarians/vegans (v*gans) to find a constant supply of protein, it is not true that being v*gan makes it impossible to ingest enough protein. Whichever way your little heart balances, you will want to prefer lean protein: white meats, lean beef cuts, fish, eggs, quality dairy, beans etc. Now it may seem obvious but I'm going to say this anyway: choosing a lean cut of meat and then lathering it in thick cream based sauces is not going to get you anywhere near "healthy". The way you cook/prepare your meals is <i>essential</i> in remaining on the healthy side of things. Again, more on that soon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ahh, the ever ubiquitous <b>carbs</b>! We love to hate 'em, don't we? How many times have you been told to "lay off the pasta" or that eating bread with your salad will make it go straight to your hips? If you're like me, too many, I'm sure. While it may be true that excessive amounts of carbohydrates can lead to all kinds of unpleasant health issues (<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133215.htm">heart disease</a>, <a href="http://www.fitwoman.com/support/fitbriefings/insulin-resistance">insulin resistance</a>, gluten allergies...), it is also true that carbs remain one of the easiest sources of food for your brain and muscles. Indeed, to function, your brain can only feed on glucose and that is basically the sugar found in "fast" and "slow" carbs. Fast carbs are pretty much plain old sugar, in whatever form. Slow carbs are found in things like pasta or bread and mainly derive from all manner of grains. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The recommendation I was given aged 10, and have been following since, is to consume carbs generally for breakfast or lunch, and no later than 4pm. The reason for this is that, as I said earlier, carbs convert to glucose (fast energy) relatively quickly. Now, if that energy is not used up within a few hours, say going to the gym or walking home for example, it is stored in the body and converted to fat "for later use". But this "storage" was useful when we were hunter/gatherers, never sure when the next meal would come along. Today, we eat consistently 3-6 times a day, and it is very rare (in developed/Western societies) to ever go hungry. So that "emergency fat" accumulates, rarely if ever being used, and leads to weight gain. A final word on carbs: try to privilege whole grains (whole wheat vs. white bread for example) and, as a rule of thumb, prefer "dark" carbs: brown rice, whole wheat/other whole grain pasta, etc. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This leads us to <b>whole grains</b>: whenever possible, prefer these to more processed grains which have been stripped of their good nutrients. Be aware though, when using whole grains, that some may need to be <a href="http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/03/nourishing-practices-soaking-grains-2.html">soaked</a> in order to rid them of the phytic acid which makes them less digestible, thus not bringing you all the nutrients you're hoping to get from eating said hole grains. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fats</b> are another one of those things we love to hate. However, a certain amount of healthy fat is necessary for the body to function properly. This doesn't mean having fried food once a day to get your dose. Rather, it means using a tablespoon of olive oil to make a salad dressing, for example. Or using coconut oil to sauté onions. Eating a small handful of nuts or a portion of fatty fish like salmon is also another great way of getting those essential Omega oils and fatty acids into your body. Keep in mind, when portioning oils/butter/etc that a serving of just one tablespoon contains 90 calories, so that can add up really quickly if you're not being careful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, <b>avoid all processed foods</b>. Processed foods tend to contain a lot of salt to enhance their taste after re-heating, but also more oils and sugars than are really needed. Besides, have you ever read the side of pizza box and wondered how to pronounce some of those ingredients? Yeah, me too. And if I can't pronounce it, I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't be eating it. If it doesn't occur naturally in the environment, you're better off not eating it, at least not on a daily basis. Besides, if concern for your health weren't enough, think of how much more expensive pre-packaged and processed foods are: for the price of that 3 euros frozen pizza, you can make a couple of <a href="http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/03/13/a-guide-to-making-inexpensive-and-delicious-homemade-pizza/">home made pizzas</a> with none of those unpronounceable chemicals, and take pride in knowing that you're eating the fruit of your (easy) work!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bottom line is this: prefer <b>fresh produce</b> to any other food when you're shopping, eat <b>whole grains</b> (soaked when necessary) whenever possible, make your daily portions of <b>protein lean</b>, <b>avoid carbs after lunch</b>, stay <b>away from processed foods</b>, <b>ration your fats and sugars</b> and try to keep to healthy versions (try putting honey, stevia or agave syrup in your coffee next time, works a treat!). As for organic, if you have access to it and the cash to spend on it, go for it. However, if you need to choose, it's more important to go <a href="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/332/the-new-dirty-dozen-12-foods-to-eat-organic-and-avoid-pesticide-residue.html">organic</a> on foods that have no thick protective skins - like leafy greens or berries - than it is for fruits likes oranges with thick skins that you peel off (unless you're using the rind, in which case you may want to go organic on those, too). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whatever you do, remember that food should remain a source of <i>pleasure </i>and <i>satisfaction</i>: if you are frustrated or unhappy with what you are eating, it will be harder for you to keep to a balanced diet and you will be much more tempted by that chocolate bar at the till. Be creative when you prepare and cook your food, there are so many great resources online for recipes (and I'll be linking some of my favorite food blogs soon, so look out for that)! Unless you know you are unable to restrain yourself, my advice is: don't forbid yourself anything, try everything. Having a square of chocolate from time to time isn't going to kill your efforts, but eating the rest of the slab that same day will. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Moderation + portion control = keys to a healthy, beautiful diet.</b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What eating guidelines do you guys follow, and why? </div>HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-18904733046385687992011-10-06T21:23:00.002+02:002011-10-13T17:14:08.915+02:00What is "healthy, beautiful living"?<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Healthybeautifulliving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Healthybeautifulliving.jpg" width="216" /></a></div> <br />
Please bear with me as this introductory post is a tad on the longer side. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a very personal concept as beauty can obviously be as much internal as it is reflected on the outside. We all know this, we keep hearing about it day in and day out, and yet we all too often obsess over numbers on the scale or our reflection in the mirror. These things obviously have their importance, but it should not be over blown. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for health, it is maybe less subjective as I'm pretty sure we all agree that eating fresh produce is healthier than stuffing ourselves with fried foods, yet your diet (as in eating habits) will not be the same if you are trying to lose weight or if you are trying to build muscle. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, despite the subjectivity of these matters, certain traits seem to remain generally the same: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Confidence </b>is more often than not perceived to be "beautiful". Because confident people carry themselves taller, they occupy the space around themselves, and make use of it to put themselves to their best advantage. Have you ever noticed how, when you wear that power suit of yours, or those kitten heels, you feel more confident and you tend to walk prouder and see the world from a different perspective? That's what confidence will do for you, and people around you notice that, and respond to it in a (usually) positive way. Confident people are admired, we try to be their friends and/or emulate them. And we all like being liked, right? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Happiness </b>is something else which we feel on the inside and gets reflected on the outside. When you are happy, your whole demeanour is more positive: you smile at people, you are more forgiving, more willing to help someone, etc. A number of <a href="http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/happiness/smiling-happy.htm">studies </a>have actually demonstrated how the simple act of smiling (and trying to make it genuine) actually acts upon your brain and makes you <i>feel </i>happier. A smile is like a yawn in that it's one of the most contagious things in the world. Try it and see: genuinely smile at a stranger when you're out one day, see them smile back, and feel good in the knowledge that they will be spreading that smile around!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <b>Fitness </b>is another important marker of healthy beauty. And by fitness I don't mean "being 1m75 and weighing 45kg". I mean something as simple as being able to run to catch a bus and not feel winded after 200m. I mean being able to go on a daily hike with a friend or partner and not have to stop every 20 minutes to take a breath. I mean feeling confident that your body will not let you down at the slightest effort. You can be <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1066937,00.html">5 ft. 2 in. and weigh 200 pounds</a>, and be healthy and fit as an ox. Or you can be <a href="http://www.memsaab.com/2008/11/26/fat-healthy-vs-thin-unhealthy">thin but have dangerous visceral fat</a>. Although your <a href="http://www.bmi-calculator.net/">BMI</a> is a good preliminary tool in assessing whether you are overweight/underweight and, thus, potentially in danger, how much you weigh for your height is <u>not </u>a measure of your fitness level. Someone who is fit and confident in the knowledge that their body is there for them 100% is more likely to feel confident about themselves and, therefore, happier and more beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, but if you've made it this far, I invite you to keep reading a little while longer. Confidence, happiness and fitness as well as all health and beauty related issues are intrinsically linked to <b>diet</b>. Once again, by "diet" I do not mean one of those fad diets that tell you to do crazy things to lose weight fast - I mean eating habits, and preferably healthy ones. Your diet should support - not hinder - your fitness, beauty and health goals. Studies still disagree as to whether eating a lot of fat or sugar causes acne, but they all agree that unhealthy eating habits lead to weight gain (and other medical complications) and that the quality of the food you ingest matters just as much as - if not more than - the quantity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Working hand in hand with your diet is your <b>exercise </b>routine. Exercise acts on your body, but also on your mind as it releases your body's natural "feel good drug", endorphins. So while you're breaking a sweat and working on those abs (which will make you feel great as you start seeing results), you're also releasing endorphins which will have a lasting effect on your happiness. Exercise = psychological + physical well being. Two birds, one stone people!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, you've broken a sweat, slurped up your <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/13/classic-green-monster/">Green Monster</a> and you're celebrating your achievements by going out with friends, good on you! But after all that effort put into feeling and looking great, you don't want to hide it all under a baggy sweater and ill-fitting pants, do you? Enhancing your appearance, and what you like most about yourself, will lead to you feeling good, and this will be fed by the compliments you get on that daring red lipstick you're wearing or that fabulous frock you're sporting. Every girl (and boy!) loves a compliment, right? So choose your <b>clothes </b>and <b>makeup </b>accordingly!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ultimately, healthy, beautiful living is all about doing things that make you look good and feel good about yourself, in as natural and healthy a way as possible. Diet, fitness, clothes and the likes are to be adapted to each and every person, according to their physique and personality. No two life routines should be the same, and that is the beauty of healthy, beautiful living! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What does healthy, beautiful living mean to you? Is it more the inside, the outside, or a mix of both? </div>HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183473204684362375.post-83579424224569588642011-10-06T17:26:00.002+02:002011-10-06T22:20:57.366+02:00Hello and Welcome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/demonic_vampyr/HealthyBeautifulLiving/Welcome.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Hello to anybody who's out there!<br />
<br />
I hope you are having a wonderful day! And if that is not the case, and you stumbled upon this page in the hope of finding some help, I hope that you will not be disappointed.<br />
I am still figuring out Blogger as I was used to Wordpress before, so the look of the blog may change quite a bit in the near future as I learn more and devote more time to it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This little blog is only but a newborn, but I have high hopes for it. I would like it to become a platform where a person can find help for all sorts of questions, ranging from diet (intended as a "way of eating" not a "way to lose weight") to sports and clothing all the way through inspirational posts and daily life tips. In time, my little corner of the web will have healthy recipes that satisfy you and help you with your health and fitness goals as well as general "tips" for healthy eating. There will be articles on exercise, as no diet (or way of living) is complete without it, and we all want a healthy mind and body, don't we? I also hope to build a small library of motivational posts, either images or articles which inspire and motivate me (and which I hope will do the same to you), or articles of my own. These can related to your professional life, your personal life, your emotional well-being, and more. Finally, I will be touching our outer aspect: being beautiful on the inside is obviously important, but if it isn't reflected on the outside, many of us will lose hope and believe it useless. Clothes, makeup, posture and more are an integral part of our outer image, and should not be relegated to a back corner as "superficial" and "meaningless". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An important part of this endeavour I'm launching into is the fact that beauty is NOT universal, objective or set in stone. Different cultures have very different beauty ideals, and so does each and every individual. So at no point in time do I wish to be expressing a judgement or criticizing other people's views. This blog will have the sole purpose of trying to help people, and in thus is the expression of my personal beliefs. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also important is the fact that <a href="http://healthybeautifulliving.blogspot.com/p/dislaimer.html">I am not</a>, nor do I claim to be, any of the following: a nutritionist, fitness instructor, dietician, physician, makeup guru, fashion expert or anything else. I simply have accumulated some knowledge on the different topics I will be touching on, and believe that knowledge may be of use to others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Without further ado, I shall start publishing and crossing fingers! Any and all questions are welcome by the way!</div>HealthyBeautifulLivinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12522452257343324028noreply@blogger.com0