It is a value instilled in most of us at quite a young age: Green Food = Ergh! But with green being the new black and the way forward we should not let our childhood aversion to greens inhibit us from enjoying a delicious green snack; green foods can be awesome too. Lets not limit the green love to being eco friendly to our planet - let's treat out bodies too. Green is healthy, in fact, if you are feeling a little zapped of energy, in a constant haze of the dreaded three thirty-itis, adding greens to your diet can benefit you greatly as green vegetables ”help support the energy-producing cells and systems of the body” (source: NutriCoach). Your body will love your for indulging in a little green! So, without further ado why not try:
How do you have your greens?
Labels: food and health, why not wednesdays
Midweek Mayhem Cured With A Sugar Rush
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It’s Wednesday and it seems that the world is in a worse mood then it was on Monday despite being 2 days closer to the weekend. What better to get your heart pumping, blood rushing, fingers typing, feet tapping … then a sweet treat? Introducing – sugar rush Wednesday - where we are kicking back with a delicious tribute to old school kids parties with these top treats to get you through the afternoon at work and well into the Thursday eve! Sound good?
One of the best parts of getting invited to your best mates 10th birthday was that you knew there was going to be a game of Pin the tail on the donkey, followed by some yummy treats like lollies & cocktail franks just to ensure energy levels weren’t too depleted to later enjoy a game of Duck Duck Goose.
Join TL as we pop on our bike pants and care bear tshirts for a jaunt back in time to the land of kiddie party central…. & smile – you’re half way to the weekend already!
Iced Milk Arrowroots (click)
1. Whip up a batch of icing and pop in a few droplets of your favourite food dye (pink, red, blue?!).
2. Ice the base of the Milk Arrowroot biscuit.
3. Decorate with lollies! Try adding a couple of smarties as eyes and a nose and raspberry liquorice or a jellybean as the mouth… pop on some 100’s and 1000’s (sprinkles) for hair and hey presto!
Fairy Bread (click)
1. Grab yourself some white bread, decrust if you fancy.
2. Butter the slice.
3. Cover it in rainbow sprinkles/100’s and 100’s.
4. Enjoy! (& do not utter a single word about calories)
Butterfly Cakes (click)
1. Whip up a batch of your favourite cupcakes
2. Once baked, using a knife, cut a small circle out of the centre of the cake – about 1cm in diameter.
3. Taking the circle cut out – slice in into two halves (this will be used later).
4. Fill the cut out section on the top of your cupcake with either your favourite frosting or some jam & cream.
5. Place the two halves into the frosting/jam&cream – at an angle to bear resemblance to a butterfly’s wings!
What is your favourite kids party treat? And will you be treating yourself to fairy bread instead of a salad sandwich is happy humpday?
Labels: food and health, life in general
Simple Body Overhaul Tips You Need Now
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Cut out all the crap (yes, all)
Go a week without all the extras you usually indulge in. This will allow you to gauge what you miss most and sort out sufficient sized portions to decrease the need to snack on chips & chocolate in between meals. If you still need your snacks, replace the bad stuff with stuff that’s less bad. After a week, reintroduce the indulgent foods you really truly enjoy – and reintroduce them in QUALITY & MODERATION. For example, if you love love love your chocolate, that’s great, but instead of a family sized dairy milk, try a few blocks of dark chocolate.
Replace indulgent snacks
A big mistake a lot of people make when detoxing, dieting, changing food habits – whatever you would like to call it – is that they try and cut certain meals out all together. If your body is used to having a mid morning snack each day, it’s not going to be easy to just skip this mini meal altogether. What should be implemented is recognition of what is a better type of food to have as a snack. Food high in fats, sugars or salts should all be eaten in moderation – so having potato chips every single day is going to have less of a positive effect on your body then say if you were to eat a banana. Try replacing your snacks with some of these healthier options:
Handful of cereal (try Special K, not Fruit Loops)
Piece of fruit or handful of dried fruit (bananas or apricots are a good option)
Sultanas
Crackers (eg. Saltines or Vita Weats) with vegemite
Unsalted Nuts
Greek Yogurt
Strawberries (!! Delicious)
Start carrying a bottle of water everywhere you go
We all carry enormous carry all style bags with us on a daily basis, don’t we? Why not make good use of space and make sure you have a bottle of water with you for when you’re on the go. This way you’ll think to get into the H20 every time you rummage through your hand bag & this will decrease your chances of allowing your body to get to the point of dehydration and which is really great, because when you’re body is dehydrated it can often mistake this for craving food when what it actually requires is a good pint of water. So, more water, less unnecessary snacking – and that’s got to be a good thing on the hips & purse, right?
One Wine, One Water, One Wine, One Water
Lets face it, our generation is a generation of binge drinkers. We are straight laced and fabulous career men & women during the week, but come 5pm Friday the cork is popped and the hair is let down for a good 48 hours. This kind of drinking really takes its toll on our bodies and contrary to popular belief, the calories in our beer, wine and cocktails DO count.
Introduce Incidental Exercise Into Your Day
Exercise by accident! You don’t necessarily need a gym membership to get a decent workout. General consensus is that we should be working out at least 3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes. Ideally we should all be getting active every single day, but so many of us work behind an office desk and spend 8 + hours sitting. So how can we find the time to fit in some exercise?
First of all, forget all your excuses. We are all busy, we are all tired – but if we ignore our bodies, we will all be obese. So pull up your schedule and check out your daily routine… Get the bus? Try walking instead. If its too far to walk the entire way, walk half way and then get the bus for the rest of the distance. You need not do it morning and night, just pick one and start today.
Another great incidental exercise for us office dwellers is to make use of the fire exit stairs. It’s so simple to say we are in a hurry but how much longer does it take for you to climb a few flights of stairs? (Those of you with offices on the 23rd floor are excused – but you could apply the bus principle – walk half, lift half). And as a bonus, it will give you plenty of ‘walking in heels’ expertise, which most of us need, right?
Cut the caffeine down
Like any other city worker, I understand there is no better way to start the day then with a deep breath of the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But let’s leave it as a kick start to our days and give our bodies a rest from then on. Our bodies get energy from everything we eat, not just the coffee we chug!! Try a banana smoothie instead.
Alright, over to you- what does your body need right now? Labels: food and health
How Cleaning Your Environment Could Help You Regain Life
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Existing in an unorganised environment can be linked to how we look and act. Professional organiser (and decluttering extraordinaire), Peter Walsh, backed up this particular theory recently when he said "I do not believe you can separate how you live with the vision of who you are", he went on to went on to explain this school of thought in saying "...how you live is who you are ... in terms of your mental outlook". This theory comes from realising that despite being made up of a number of aspects of self (emotional, physical, lifestyle) you are only a whole person when considering all parts, realising that they are inextricably linked to create who you are and acknowledging that you can not simply compartmentalise your life.
The concept of linking a cluttered physical environment to a less than fabulous existence is not a new one, it could even be considered common sense. The difficulty is in accepting that you are still going to be you with or without your "stuff". In a lot cases, that "stuff" you are hoarding is not exemplifying the best version of you. Depending on the type of stuff you are harbouring, it can be anchoring you to your past and distracting you from making the most of being truly present in everyday.
Recognising The Two Types Of Clutter
Peter says there are two types of clutter: "I might need it one day clutter" and "Memory clutter ... stuff that keeps you in the future or the past ... [meaning] you can't live right now ... [and] you can't imagine what it is like to get back into the present". Most of us will have clutter of both varieties. It is important to recognise why you have the stuff you have as this can help you break the ties with that stuff. Most women have a particularly hard time decluttering & letting go of pieces from their wardrobes, simply letting them expand exponentially until the built in wardrobe has turned into walk in closet encompassing what was once a bedroom (with only one third of what exists within ever actually seeing the light of day). Throwing out old shoes does not mean you will forget the memories of your favourite nights on the town in those heels just as parting with that too small little black dress will not be something to regret if you ever return to that dress size. In the spirit of acceptance and moving forward, recognise that we are blessed in that we have access to whatever we could possibly want or need almost whenever we want or need it (& yes you will find another fabulous LBD that actually fits).
Personal Chaos Threshold & Clutter Mentality
It is also important to recognise that each of us have our own person 'chaos threshold'. The point at which we can allow the mess to get to before we overhaul with a mini spring clean. To use our wardrobes again as a metaphor; for some, the chaos threshold is reached when there are more then 3 pairs of shoes that have been thrown aside rather than placed on the shoe rack, for others it is coming to the realisation that they are down to the last pair of clean knickers and the remainder of their wardrobe is now dirty and making itself at home on the bedroom floor. However, being used to living like this should not be used to excuse an untidy environment. You may feel accustomed to living in a bit of a squalor but that does not mean you need to keep accepting it! You should also be able to recognise that you have the potential to flourish when your surroundings are in line with you personal vision for your most marvellous self. Don't confuse a routine of mess with what is best for you; take a stand and be critical of your environment. Remember that everything you do in the practice of decluttering is not to punish yourself; it is to push you towards a better place, one where your environment can reconcile with your ambition to be the best you can be.
Affirmative Actions To Declutter & Gain Life
Here are a few points to get you started on decluttering your environment:
Start in your wardrobe. Be brutal. Pull everything out onto your floor. You now have 3 minutes to go throw and pull out only the things you are absolutely certain you want to keep, use your first instincts, if you have to weigh up the pros and cons then it stays on the floor. Next go through and make a pile of anything you've not worn in the past 6 months, it's gone (this is a perfect example of "I might need it one day clutter" - you haven't needed it & you won't need it!). Anything that doesn't fit can go in the 'gone' pile too, saving jeans as inspiration to drop a pants size very rarely leaves you feeling positive when you spot them, they might have once been your favourite old faithfuls but times change & so it is time to adios the old and accept that YOU WILL find a new favourite pair, that fit you just as you are. Got the general idea? Remember not to literally throw any of your old clothing out, take it all down to your local charity store and revel in the fact that you have not only helped yourself but you've also done a good deed for charity!
Organise papers & trinkets such as payslips, receipts, journal notes, pens, accessories & costume jewellery and notebooks into old shoe boxes. Decorate the shoe boxes with your favourite photos or cut outs from newspapers and magazines. It's cheap, easy, fun & will make you want to keep your important bits and bobs organised. Use a labeller to help remind yourself which box is which.
Overhaul your work environment. If you work in an office, clean out your in tray (yes, even that pesky invoice that you've been putting off for the last 3 weeks). Resolve to have an empty in tray when you walk out the door at the end of each day. A good way to do this is by adopting a fantastic little tip into your mentality: Touch each piece of paper/email once only. Action everything as soon as it falls into your hands, putting things off is what creates clutter & backlog (& subsequent work related stress)!
Don't try and be perfect: allow yourself a 'junk drawer' to throw bits and pieces into every now & then (you know you have one!). Just don't allow your junk drawer to become a junk bench, or junk room! Also do a regular clean out of the junk drawer, file away the important stuff and chuck, recycle, ebay or thrift the rest.
Take photos pre clean up & another post clean up. Notice the difference and pin up the photos to remind yourself of where you were and how far you've come - it will help you get a realistic sense of your own progress and maintain a clutter free environment.
Use personal affirmations. Scrawl them in your journal, write them on your wall, chant them to yourself, do whatever it is that floats your boat. Make reinvention an affirmation. Another great affirmation to create is about the real importance of the things you own. Don't mourn the loss of your stuff when you declutter. Be present in your life: enjoy your relationships & events. Accept that the physical stuff in your home, office, wardrobe will all come and go and that is okay. You are still you with or without red heels, 5 year old size 8 jeans, emails & txts that have made themselves home in your inbox for the last year and those once quirky, now kitsch, deck chairs you once found for cheap in a yard sale but have never come to use.
Bookmark Peter Walsh's website and take note of his Tip of the Day section, you'll thank yourself for it!
Also see this great poster over on Zen Habits: Life Laundry Day.
What is cluttering your environment? How do you declutter? What benefits do you achieve as a result?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
How to Develop Body Love
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Loving your body is cultivated through developing a deeper respect and love for yourself as a whole. While physicality certainly is not everything when it comes to who we are, it is a big part of how we see ourselves and of course how others view us too. In a world where first impressions are pivotal, projecting your best you on the outside could not be more important. This does not mean losing site of who you are on the inside to focus merely on wearing the right clothes, best makeup or striving to be the skinniest/curviest/sexiest. It's more about ensuring you are content with the version of you that you are putting out there each day. Accepting and developing a confidence that will be evident in your demeanour and physicality. Respecting and loving your body can be ascertained through eating the right foods, getting active several times a week, accentuating your best features and allowing your inner beauty to shine through in your physical self expression (be it with makeup, jewellery, style or simplicity!). Body love is about correctly channelling our ambitious energy to create a physical self that fills us with joy and excitement every day!
Every day we put up loads of barriers to stop us from reaching a place where we can say that we truly love and respect our bodies, just as they are. Our barriers can range from the stock archetypal excuses that we apply to everything we haven't quite yet achieved: I don't have time, It's too hard, I don't know where to start! But lacking a love for your body we've been blessed can run a little deeper than than these simple excuses we apply when posed with the question of why we have yet to start our university assignment. When it comes to loving the our body we also come up against inner emotional conflict that we may be harbouring such as low self esteem levels and a lack of self respect.
In order to break down these barriers we need to recognise them in ourselves and decide that we want better than any sort of negativity that exists in ourselves. Ask yourself how you will be able to demand respect from those around you if you don't give respect to yourself. Remember that while respect is so much to do with characteristics other then simply our physicality, a portion of how we view ourselves certainly DOES comes from what we see when we look in the mirror, but this does not have to be a negative thing! It's about actualisation of body love goals and acceptance of the body you are rocking, after all it is the only one you'll ever have. When it comes to yourself, settling for mediocrity is not okay! You have just one chance to live this life the way you want to live it. You have just one body to get you through, why not make it your best possible? You wouldn't by a beat up 25 year old car & attempt a road trip from LA to NYC, would you? Then best not attempt to get from okay to fabulous with an unhealthy body & battered sense of self love - you know you won't make it.
The first step towards cultivating any sort of affirmative action towards body love is recognising whatever it is you consider your flaws. So open up the moleskine and get writing. Make a list of all the things you are unhappy with. Done? Ok, divide your list into two columns- "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" and "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Some of the sorts of things you might have on the first list could include: hair style, size of thighs (collective sigh?). One your other list will be stuff like: height, size of nose (!), dimples, freckles.
For each item on your "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" list, make a plan of action, it doesn't need to be much, just a simple sentence will do. For example, if you are unhappy with your hair colour you could resolve to pick up a box of Loreal colour next time you're at the supermarket or get your hairdresser to suggest a new style of cut. Perhaps, as so many of us tend to be at one stage or another, you are unhappy with your current weight. Think about what you are doing in your current lifestyle to ensure you are at your body's "happy weight": are you eating right most of the time, exercising a few times a week? If you are already doing these things then you are already on your way - put this one on the other list (do it! you don't need a plan, you need acceptance & respect). If you aren't doing the best you can in this regard, you plan might be to add more fresh foods into your diet or go for a jog on the weekends with a bunch of girlfriends.
Moving onto your second list, "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Quite aptly named, the goal of this list is for you to recognise these characteristics of yourself as quirks that are special and make you YOU, rather then negative aspects that detract from your ultimate self. Big nose, freckles, dimples, big shoulders, too skinny, too curvy and so forth. First comes realising that you are not alone in your nose, freckly, dimple, shoulder, weight loathing battle! Second of all, you need to stop beating up on yourself and accept that this is the way you were made and you should be making the most of it- not criticizing it. You could find yourself some positive role models that share your features, look at how they work it to their advantage and adopt their sunshine outlook.
Another fantastic way to develop a greater sense of acceptance is by learning the serenity prayer (you don't necessarily need to be religious to find meaning in this gem!). recite this to yourself, pin it on your fall, jot it in your journal and remind yourself that you are a fabulous person.
Grant me the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other.
Another point of action is to realise any negative habits that are halting your progress towards a happy & healthy body. Some of these habits might include smoking, eating lots of fatty or sugary foods, abusing illegal drugs, binge drinking or self harm such as cutting. Recognition of these habits as detrimental to your overall self as well as to your body is the first step to giving them the kick. Seeking support and assistance from friends, family or professionals can often be the most effective path to overcoming these sorts of behaviours as sometimes it is not as simple as stopping the action (ie. to stop smoking/drinking) - it is important to also understand why you made these behaviours an acceptable part of your routine. It is also pivotal to not see overcoming these actions as giving something up, as you are not giving up anything, you are taking back your health. However, by continuing these sorts of behaviours you are giving up your right to a healthy body and ultimately a great body image.
Remember to channel all of your energy positively. Don't judge others out of jealously- compliment them. Don't wish for better clothes or a skinnier or curvier frame: love what you have and make the most of it.
Acknowledging that body image is not just about your WEIGHT!
Time for another list. This time it's about what you love about you (and no, you do not get to write 'Nothing'!). Keep this list someone safe & easily accessible, like your journal, handbag or pin board in your bedroom. Every time you are feeling down read over the list and remember that you are a fabulous individual!
Think about the songs that make you most happy. Put together a play list for those times when you are stuck in a bit of a self loathing rut and need to reach a more positive and self affirming frame of mind. A TL favourite is Mika, he is one fabulous fellow that certainly knows how to do positive!
Journal any compliments you get, no matter how trivial they seem. Use this as another reflection page for those moments of self doubt.
Recognise that it is absolutely okay to covet things & people but remember that you are an individual. You love others for their funky style, but becoming a carbon copy is not the right way to go about actioning your admiration! You must make peace with your body and do what works best for you!
How do you achieve body love? What is your favourite part of your physical self and why is it so great?Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
Celebrating Bastille Day
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Bastille Day is celebrated each year on July 14. It's the national holiday of France, commemorating Fête de la Fédération. But you don't need to be a Parisian princess or a fabulous french fellow to get into the Bastille Day spirit. Why not use this day as an excuse to indulge in french cuisine, festivities & style? Enjoy all the joys of French living; here are a few ideas to celebrate in style:
Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast with your girlfriends.
Have a tipple of a delicious French liqueurs such as Cognac.
Head to the bakery & pick up some French bread & buttery croissants.
Dine at a French Restaurant. Give snails a go! (or don't!)
Put together a picnic basket & enjoy in the park. Pack it with gourmet french goodies, like a cheese platter, breads and some wine.
Dress up: french colours are blue, white & red are the nation colours.
Don some Parisian style: a beret, classic red lips, trench coat ("french trench"!) & pashminas will get you started.
Learn French! Join a class to learn a new skill or brush up on what you learn back in high school. If joining a class is not your thing then jump online and learn a few neat new words & phrases.
Treat yourself to a french manicure.
Look to some french icons for inspiration: Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot.
Head to your local department store & spritz some classic french perfume, like Chanel.
Grab your moleskine & jot down all the things you want to do when you one day travel to Pareeeee!
Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty, travel
Party Treats: Baileys Chocolate Mousse & Jelly Shots
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Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.
Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!
Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!
Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
It’s Wednesday and it seems that the world is in a worse mood then it was on Monday despite being 2 days closer to the weekend. What better to get your heart pumping, blood rushing, fingers typing, feet tapping … then a sweet treat? Introducing – sugar rush Wednesday - where we are kicking back with a delicious tribute to old school kids parties with these top treats to get you through the afternoon at work and well into the Thursday eve! Sound good?
One of the best parts of getting invited to your best mates 10th birthday was that you knew there was going to be a game of Pin the tail on the donkey, followed by some yummy treats like lollies & cocktail franks just to ensure energy levels weren’t too depleted to later enjoy a game of Duck Duck Goose.
Join TL as we pop on our bike pants and care bear tshirts for a jaunt back in time to the land of kiddie party central…. & smile – you’re half way to the weekend already!
Iced Milk Arrowroots (click)
1. Whip up a batch of icing and pop in a few droplets of your favourite food dye (pink, red, blue?!).
2. Ice the base of the Milk Arrowroot biscuit.
3. Decorate with lollies! Try adding a couple of smarties as eyes and a nose and raspberry liquorice or a jellybean as the mouth… pop on some 100’s and 1000’s (sprinkles) for hair and hey presto!
Fairy Bread (click)
1. Grab yourself some white bread, decrust if you fancy.
2. Butter the slice.
3. Cover it in rainbow sprinkles/100’s and 100’s.
4. Enjoy! (& do not utter a single word about calories)
Butterfly Cakes (click)
1. Whip up a batch of your favourite cupcakes
2. Once baked, using a knife, cut a small circle out of the centre of the cake – about 1cm in diameter.
3. Taking the circle cut out – slice in into two halves (this will be used later).
4. Fill the cut out section on the top of your cupcake with either your favourite frosting or some jam & cream.
5. Place the two halves into the frosting/jam&cream – at an angle to bear resemblance to a butterfly’s wings!
What is your favourite kids party treat? And will you be treating yourself to fairy bread instead of a salad sandwich is happy humpday?
Labels: food and health, life in general
Simple Body Overhaul Tips You Need Now
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Cut out all the crap (yes, all)
Go a week without all the extras you usually indulge in. This will allow you to gauge what you miss most and sort out sufficient sized portions to decrease the need to snack on chips & chocolate in between meals. If you still need your snacks, replace the bad stuff with stuff that’s less bad. After a week, reintroduce the indulgent foods you really truly enjoy – and reintroduce them in QUALITY & MODERATION. For example, if you love love love your chocolate, that’s great, but instead of a family sized dairy milk, try a few blocks of dark chocolate.
Replace indulgent snacks
A big mistake a lot of people make when detoxing, dieting, changing food habits – whatever you would like to call it – is that they try and cut certain meals out all together. If your body is used to having a mid morning snack each day, it’s not going to be easy to just skip this mini meal altogether. What should be implemented is recognition of what is a better type of food to have as a snack. Food high in fats, sugars or salts should all be eaten in moderation – so having potato chips every single day is going to have less of a positive effect on your body then say if you were to eat a banana. Try replacing your snacks with some of these healthier options:
Handful of cereal (try Special K, not Fruit Loops)
Piece of fruit or handful of dried fruit (bananas or apricots are a good option)
Sultanas
Crackers (eg. Saltines or Vita Weats) with vegemite
Unsalted Nuts
Greek Yogurt
Strawberries (!! Delicious)
Start carrying a bottle of water everywhere you go
We all carry enormous carry all style bags with us on a daily basis, don’t we? Why not make good use of space and make sure you have a bottle of water with you for when you’re on the go. This way you’ll think to get into the H20 every time you rummage through your hand bag & this will decrease your chances of allowing your body to get to the point of dehydration and which is really great, because when you’re body is dehydrated it can often mistake this for craving food when what it actually requires is a good pint of water. So, more water, less unnecessary snacking – and that’s got to be a good thing on the hips & purse, right?
One Wine, One Water, One Wine, One Water
Lets face it, our generation is a generation of binge drinkers. We are straight laced and fabulous career men & women during the week, but come 5pm Friday the cork is popped and the hair is let down for a good 48 hours. This kind of drinking really takes its toll on our bodies and contrary to popular belief, the calories in our beer, wine and cocktails DO count.
Introduce Incidental Exercise Into Your Day
Exercise by accident! You don’t necessarily need a gym membership to get a decent workout. General consensus is that we should be working out at least 3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes. Ideally we should all be getting active every single day, but so many of us work behind an office desk and spend 8 + hours sitting. So how can we find the time to fit in some exercise?
First of all, forget all your excuses. We are all busy, we are all tired – but if we ignore our bodies, we will all be obese. So pull up your schedule and check out your daily routine… Get the bus? Try walking instead. If its too far to walk the entire way, walk half way and then get the bus for the rest of the distance. You need not do it morning and night, just pick one and start today.
Another great incidental exercise for us office dwellers is to make use of the fire exit stairs. It’s so simple to say we are in a hurry but how much longer does it take for you to climb a few flights of stairs? (Those of you with offices on the 23rd floor are excused – but you could apply the bus principle – walk half, lift half). And as a bonus, it will give you plenty of ‘walking in heels’ expertise, which most of us need, right?
Cut the caffeine down
Like any other city worker, I understand there is no better way to start the day then with a deep breath of the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But let’s leave it as a kick start to our days and give our bodies a rest from then on. Our bodies get energy from everything we eat, not just the coffee we chug!! Try a banana smoothie instead.
Alright, over to you- what does your body need right now? Labels: food and health
How Cleaning Your Environment Could Help You Regain Life
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Existing in an unorganised environment can be linked to how we look and act. Professional organiser (and decluttering extraordinaire), Peter Walsh, backed up this particular theory recently when he said "I do not believe you can separate how you live with the vision of who you are", he went on to went on to explain this school of thought in saying "...how you live is who you are ... in terms of your mental outlook". This theory comes from realising that despite being made up of a number of aspects of self (emotional, physical, lifestyle) you are only a whole person when considering all parts, realising that they are inextricably linked to create who you are and acknowledging that you can not simply compartmentalise your life.
The concept of linking a cluttered physical environment to a less than fabulous existence is not a new one, it could even be considered common sense. The difficulty is in accepting that you are still going to be you with or without your "stuff". In a lot cases, that "stuff" you are hoarding is not exemplifying the best version of you. Depending on the type of stuff you are harbouring, it can be anchoring you to your past and distracting you from making the most of being truly present in everyday.
Recognising The Two Types Of Clutter
Peter says there are two types of clutter: "I might need it one day clutter" and "Memory clutter ... stuff that keeps you in the future or the past ... [meaning] you can't live right now ... [and] you can't imagine what it is like to get back into the present". Most of us will have clutter of both varieties. It is important to recognise why you have the stuff you have as this can help you break the ties with that stuff. Most women have a particularly hard time decluttering & letting go of pieces from their wardrobes, simply letting them expand exponentially until the built in wardrobe has turned into walk in closet encompassing what was once a bedroom (with only one third of what exists within ever actually seeing the light of day). Throwing out old shoes does not mean you will forget the memories of your favourite nights on the town in those heels just as parting with that too small little black dress will not be something to regret if you ever return to that dress size. In the spirit of acceptance and moving forward, recognise that we are blessed in that we have access to whatever we could possibly want or need almost whenever we want or need it (& yes you will find another fabulous LBD that actually fits).
Personal Chaos Threshold & Clutter Mentality
It is also important to recognise that each of us have our own person 'chaos threshold'. The point at which we can allow the mess to get to before we overhaul with a mini spring clean. To use our wardrobes again as a metaphor; for some, the chaos threshold is reached when there are more then 3 pairs of shoes that have been thrown aside rather than placed on the shoe rack, for others it is coming to the realisation that they are down to the last pair of clean knickers and the remainder of their wardrobe is now dirty and making itself at home on the bedroom floor. However, being used to living like this should not be used to excuse an untidy environment. You may feel accustomed to living in a bit of a squalor but that does not mean you need to keep accepting it! You should also be able to recognise that you have the potential to flourish when your surroundings are in line with you personal vision for your most marvellous self. Don't confuse a routine of mess with what is best for you; take a stand and be critical of your environment. Remember that everything you do in the practice of decluttering is not to punish yourself; it is to push you towards a better place, one where your environment can reconcile with your ambition to be the best you can be.
Affirmative Actions To Declutter & Gain Life
Here are a few points to get you started on decluttering your environment:
Start in your wardrobe. Be brutal. Pull everything out onto your floor. You now have 3 minutes to go throw and pull out only the things you are absolutely certain you want to keep, use your first instincts, if you have to weigh up the pros and cons then it stays on the floor. Next go through and make a pile of anything you've not worn in the past 6 months, it's gone (this is a perfect example of "I might need it one day clutter" - you haven't needed it & you won't need it!). Anything that doesn't fit can go in the 'gone' pile too, saving jeans as inspiration to drop a pants size very rarely leaves you feeling positive when you spot them, they might have once been your favourite old faithfuls but times change & so it is time to adios the old and accept that YOU WILL find a new favourite pair, that fit you just as you are. Got the general idea? Remember not to literally throw any of your old clothing out, take it all down to your local charity store and revel in the fact that you have not only helped yourself but you've also done a good deed for charity!
Organise papers & trinkets such as payslips, receipts, journal notes, pens, accessories & costume jewellery and notebooks into old shoe boxes. Decorate the shoe boxes with your favourite photos or cut outs from newspapers and magazines. It's cheap, easy, fun & will make you want to keep your important bits and bobs organised. Use a labeller to help remind yourself which box is which.
Overhaul your work environment. If you work in an office, clean out your in tray (yes, even that pesky invoice that you've been putting off for the last 3 weeks). Resolve to have an empty in tray when you walk out the door at the end of each day. A good way to do this is by adopting a fantastic little tip into your mentality: Touch each piece of paper/email once only. Action everything as soon as it falls into your hands, putting things off is what creates clutter & backlog (& subsequent work related stress)!
Don't try and be perfect: allow yourself a 'junk drawer' to throw bits and pieces into every now & then (you know you have one!). Just don't allow your junk drawer to become a junk bench, or junk room! Also do a regular clean out of the junk drawer, file away the important stuff and chuck, recycle, ebay or thrift the rest.
Take photos pre clean up & another post clean up. Notice the difference and pin up the photos to remind yourself of where you were and how far you've come - it will help you get a realistic sense of your own progress and maintain a clutter free environment.
Use personal affirmations. Scrawl them in your journal, write them on your wall, chant them to yourself, do whatever it is that floats your boat. Make reinvention an affirmation. Another great affirmation to create is about the real importance of the things you own. Don't mourn the loss of your stuff when you declutter. Be present in your life: enjoy your relationships & events. Accept that the physical stuff in your home, office, wardrobe will all come and go and that is okay. You are still you with or without red heels, 5 year old size 8 jeans, emails & txts that have made themselves home in your inbox for the last year and those once quirky, now kitsch, deck chairs you once found for cheap in a yard sale but have never come to use.
Bookmark Peter Walsh's website and take note of his Tip of the Day section, you'll thank yourself for it!
Also see this great poster over on Zen Habits: Life Laundry Day.
What is cluttering your environment? How do you declutter? What benefits do you achieve as a result?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
How to Develop Body Love
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Loving your body is cultivated through developing a deeper respect and love for yourself as a whole. While physicality certainly is not everything when it comes to who we are, it is a big part of how we see ourselves and of course how others view us too. In a world where first impressions are pivotal, projecting your best you on the outside could not be more important. This does not mean losing site of who you are on the inside to focus merely on wearing the right clothes, best makeup or striving to be the skinniest/curviest/sexiest. It's more about ensuring you are content with the version of you that you are putting out there each day. Accepting and developing a confidence that will be evident in your demeanour and physicality. Respecting and loving your body can be ascertained through eating the right foods, getting active several times a week, accentuating your best features and allowing your inner beauty to shine through in your physical self expression (be it with makeup, jewellery, style or simplicity!). Body love is about correctly channelling our ambitious energy to create a physical self that fills us with joy and excitement every day!
Every day we put up loads of barriers to stop us from reaching a place where we can say that we truly love and respect our bodies, just as they are. Our barriers can range from the stock archetypal excuses that we apply to everything we haven't quite yet achieved: I don't have time, It's too hard, I don't know where to start! But lacking a love for your body we've been blessed can run a little deeper than than these simple excuses we apply when posed with the question of why we have yet to start our university assignment. When it comes to loving the our body we also come up against inner emotional conflict that we may be harbouring such as low self esteem levels and a lack of self respect.
In order to break down these barriers we need to recognise them in ourselves and decide that we want better than any sort of negativity that exists in ourselves. Ask yourself how you will be able to demand respect from those around you if you don't give respect to yourself. Remember that while respect is so much to do with characteristics other then simply our physicality, a portion of how we view ourselves certainly DOES comes from what we see when we look in the mirror, but this does not have to be a negative thing! It's about actualisation of body love goals and acceptance of the body you are rocking, after all it is the only one you'll ever have. When it comes to yourself, settling for mediocrity is not okay! You have just one chance to live this life the way you want to live it. You have just one body to get you through, why not make it your best possible? You wouldn't by a beat up 25 year old car & attempt a road trip from LA to NYC, would you? Then best not attempt to get from okay to fabulous with an unhealthy body & battered sense of self love - you know you won't make it.
The first step towards cultivating any sort of affirmative action towards body love is recognising whatever it is you consider your flaws. So open up the moleskine and get writing. Make a list of all the things you are unhappy with. Done? Ok, divide your list into two columns- "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" and "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Some of the sorts of things you might have on the first list could include: hair style, size of thighs (collective sigh?). One your other list will be stuff like: height, size of nose (!), dimples, freckles.
For each item on your "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" list, make a plan of action, it doesn't need to be much, just a simple sentence will do. For example, if you are unhappy with your hair colour you could resolve to pick up a box of Loreal colour next time you're at the supermarket or get your hairdresser to suggest a new style of cut. Perhaps, as so many of us tend to be at one stage or another, you are unhappy with your current weight. Think about what you are doing in your current lifestyle to ensure you are at your body's "happy weight": are you eating right most of the time, exercising a few times a week? If you are already doing these things then you are already on your way - put this one on the other list (do it! you don't need a plan, you need acceptance & respect). If you aren't doing the best you can in this regard, you plan might be to add more fresh foods into your diet or go for a jog on the weekends with a bunch of girlfriends.
Moving onto your second list, "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Quite aptly named, the goal of this list is for you to recognise these characteristics of yourself as quirks that are special and make you YOU, rather then negative aspects that detract from your ultimate self. Big nose, freckles, dimples, big shoulders, too skinny, too curvy and so forth. First comes realising that you are not alone in your nose, freckly, dimple, shoulder, weight loathing battle! Second of all, you need to stop beating up on yourself and accept that this is the way you were made and you should be making the most of it- not criticizing it. You could find yourself some positive role models that share your features, look at how they work it to their advantage and adopt their sunshine outlook.
Another fantastic way to develop a greater sense of acceptance is by learning the serenity prayer (you don't necessarily need to be religious to find meaning in this gem!). recite this to yourself, pin it on your fall, jot it in your journal and remind yourself that you are a fabulous person.
Grant me the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other.
Another point of action is to realise any negative habits that are halting your progress towards a happy & healthy body. Some of these habits might include smoking, eating lots of fatty or sugary foods, abusing illegal drugs, binge drinking or self harm such as cutting. Recognition of these habits as detrimental to your overall self as well as to your body is the first step to giving them the kick. Seeking support and assistance from friends, family or professionals can often be the most effective path to overcoming these sorts of behaviours as sometimes it is not as simple as stopping the action (ie. to stop smoking/drinking) - it is important to also understand why you made these behaviours an acceptable part of your routine. It is also pivotal to not see overcoming these actions as giving something up, as you are not giving up anything, you are taking back your health. However, by continuing these sorts of behaviours you are giving up your right to a healthy body and ultimately a great body image.
Remember to channel all of your energy positively. Don't judge others out of jealously- compliment them. Don't wish for better clothes or a skinnier or curvier frame: love what you have and make the most of it.
Acknowledging that body image is not just about your WEIGHT!
Time for another list. This time it's about what you love about you (and no, you do not get to write 'Nothing'!). Keep this list someone safe & easily accessible, like your journal, handbag or pin board in your bedroom. Every time you are feeling down read over the list and remember that you are a fabulous individual!
Think about the songs that make you most happy. Put together a play list for those times when you are stuck in a bit of a self loathing rut and need to reach a more positive and self affirming frame of mind. A TL favourite is Mika, he is one fabulous fellow that certainly knows how to do positive!
Journal any compliments you get, no matter how trivial they seem. Use this as another reflection page for those moments of self doubt.
Recognise that it is absolutely okay to covet things & people but remember that you are an individual. You love others for their funky style, but becoming a carbon copy is not the right way to go about actioning your admiration! You must make peace with your body and do what works best for you!
How do you achieve body love? What is your favourite part of your physical self and why is it so great?Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
Celebrating Bastille Day
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Bastille Day is celebrated each year on July 14. It's the national holiday of France, commemorating Fête de la Fédération. But you don't need to be a Parisian princess or a fabulous french fellow to get into the Bastille Day spirit. Why not use this day as an excuse to indulge in french cuisine, festivities & style? Enjoy all the joys of French living; here are a few ideas to celebrate in style:
Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast with your girlfriends.
Have a tipple of a delicious French liqueurs such as Cognac.
Head to the bakery & pick up some French bread & buttery croissants.
Dine at a French Restaurant. Give snails a go! (or don't!)
Put together a picnic basket & enjoy in the park. Pack it with gourmet french goodies, like a cheese platter, breads and some wine.
Dress up: french colours are blue, white & red are the nation colours.
Don some Parisian style: a beret, classic red lips, trench coat ("french trench"!) & pashminas will get you started.
Learn French! Join a class to learn a new skill or brush up on what you learn back in high school. If joining a class is not your thing then jump online and learn a few neat new words & phrases.
Treat yourself to a french manicure.
Look to some french icons for inspiration: Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot.
Head to your local department store & spritz some classic french perfume, like Chanel.
Grab your moleskine & jot down all the things you want to do when you one day travel to Pareeeee!
Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty, travel
Party Treats: Baileys Chocolate Mousse & Jelly Shots
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Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.
Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!
Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!
Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Cut out all the crap (yes, all)
Go a week without all the extras you usually indulge in. This will allow you to gauge what you miss most and sort out sufficient sized portions to decrease the need to snack on chips & chocolate in between meals. If you still need your snacks, replace the bad stuff with stuff that’s less bad. After a week, reintroduce the indulgent foods you really truly enjoy – and reintroduce them in QUALITY & MODERATION. For example, if you love love love your chocolate, that’s great, but instead of a family sized dairy milk, try a few blocks of dark chocolate.
Replace indulgent snacks
A big mistake a lot of people make when detoxing, dieting, changing food habits – whatever you would like to call it – is that they try and cut certain meals out all together. If your body is used to having a mid morning snack each day, it’s not going to be easy to just skip this mini meal altogether. What should be implemented is recognition of what is a better type of food to have as a snack. Food high in fats, sugars or salts should all be eaten in moderation – so having potato chips every single day is going to have less of a positive effect on your body then say if you were to eat a banana. Try replacing your snacks with some of these healthier options:
Start carrying a bottle of water everywhere you go
We all carry enormous carry all style bags with us on a daily basis, don’t we? Why not make good use of space and make sure you have a bottle of water with you for when you’re on the go. This way you’ll think to get into the H20 every time you rummage through your hand bag & this will decrease your chances of allowing your body to get to the point of dehydration and which is really great, because when you’re body is dehydrated it can often mistake this for craving food when what it actually requires is a good pint of water. So, more water, less unnecessary snacking – and that’s got to be a good thing on the hips & purse, right?
One Wine, One Water, One Wine, One Water
Lets face it, our generation is a generation of binge drinkers. We are straight laced and fabulous career men & women during the week, but come 5pm Friday the cork is popped and the hair is let down for a good 48 hours. This kind of drinking really takes its toll on our bodies and contrary to popular belief, the calories in our beer, wine and cocktails DO count.
Introduce Incidental Exercise Into Your Day
Exercise by accident! You don’t necessarily need a gym membership to get a decent workout. General consensus is that we should be working out at least 3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes. Ideally we should all be getting active every single day, but so many of us work behind an office desk and spend 8 + hours sitting. So how can we find the time to fit in some exercise?
First of all, forget all your excuses. We are all busy, we are all tired – but if we ignore our bodies, we will all be obese. So pull up your schedule and check out your daily routine… Get the bus? Try walking instead. If its too far to walk the entire way, walk half way and then get the bus for the rest of the distance. You need not do it morning and night, just pick one and start today.
Another great incidental exercise for us office dwellers is to make use of the fire exit stairs. It’s so simple to say we are in a hurry but how much longer does it take for you to climb a few flights of stairs? (Those of you with offices on the 23rd floor are excused – but you could apply the bus principle – walk half, lift half). And as a bonus, it will give you plenty of ‘walking in heels’ expertise, which most of us need, right?
Cut the caffeine down
Like any other city worker, I understand there is no better way to start the day then with a deep breath of the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But let’s leave it as a kick start to our days and give our bodies a rest from then on. Our bodies get energy from everything we eat, not just the coffee we chug!! Try a banana smoothie instead.
Alright, over to you- what does your body need right now?
Labels: food and health
How Cleaning Your Environment Could Help You Regain Life
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Existing in an unorganised environment can be linked to how we look and act. Professional organiser (and decluttering extraordinaire), Peter Walsh, backed up this particular theory recently when he said "I do not believe you can separate how you live with the vision of who you are", he went on to went on to explain this school of thought in saying "...how you live is who you are ... in terms of your mental outlook". This theory comes from realising that despite being made up of a number of aspects of self (emotional, physical, lifestyle) you are only a whole person when considering all parts, realising that they are inextricably linked to create who you are and acknowledging that you can not simply compartmentalise your life.
The concept of linking a cluttered physical environment to a less than fabulous existence is not a new one, it could even be considered common sense. The difficulty is in accepting that you are still going to be you with or without your "stuff". In a lot cases, that "stuff" you are hoarding is not exemplifying the best version of you. Depending on the type of stuff you are harbouring, it can be anchoring you to your past and distracting you from making the most of being truly present in everyday.
Recognising The Two Types Of Clutter
Peter says there are two types of clutter: "I might need it one day clutter" and "Memory clutter ... stuff that keeps you in the future or the past ... [meaning] you can't live right now ... [and] you can't imagine what it is like to get back into the present". Most of us will have clutter of both varieties. It is important to recognise why you have the stuff you have as this can help you break the ties with that stuff. Most women have a particularly hard time decluttering & letting go of pieces from their wardrobes, simply letting them expand exponentially until the built in wardrobe has turned into walk in closet encompassing what was once a bedroom (with only one third of what exists within ever actually seeing the light of day). Throwing out old shoes does not mean you will forget the memories of your favourite nights on the town in those heels just as parting with that too small little black dress will not be something to regret if you ever return to that dress size. In the spirit of acceptance and moving forward, recognise that we are blessed in that we have access to whatever we could possibly want or need almost whenever we want or need it (& yes you will find another fabulous LBD that actually fits).
Personal Chaos Threshold & Clutter Mentality
It is also important to recognise that each of us have our own person 'chaos threshold'. The point at which we can allow the mess to get to before we overhaul with a mini spring clean. To use our wardrobes again as a metaphor; for some, the chaos threshold is reached when there are more then 3 pairs of shoes that have been thrown aside rather than placed on the shoe rack, for others it is coming to the realisation that they are down to the last pair of clean knickers and the remainder of their wardrobe is now dirty and making itself at home on the bedroom floor. However, being used to living like this should not be used to excuse an untidy environment. You may feel accustomed to living in a bit of a squalor but that does not mean you need to keep accepting it! You should also be able to recognise that you have the potential to flourish when your surroundings are in line with you personal vision for your most marvellous self. Don't confuse a routine of mess with what is best for you; take a stand and be critical of your environment. Remember that everything you do in the practice of decluttering is not to punish yourself; it is to push you towards a better place, one where your environment can reconcile with your ambition to be the best you can be.
Affirmative Actions To Declutter & Gain Life
Here are a few points to get you started on decluttering your environment:
Start in your wardrobe. Be brutal. Pull everything out onto your floor. You now have 3 minutes to go throw and pull out only the things you are absolutely certain you want to keep, use your first instincts, if you have to weigh up the pros and cons then it stays on the floor. Next go through and make a pile of anything you've not worn in the past 6 months, it's gone (this is a perfect example of "I might need it one day clutter" - you haven't needed it & you won't need it!). Anything that doesn't fit can go in the 'gone' pile too, saving jeans as inspiration to drop a pants size very rarely leaves you feeling positive when you spot them, they might have once been your favourite old faithfuls but times change & so it is time to adios the old and accept that YOU WILL find a new favourite pair, that fit you just as you are. Got the general idea? Remember not to literally throw any of your old clothing out, take it all down to your local charity store and revel in the fact that you have not only helped yourself but you've also done a good deed for charity!
Organise papers & trinkets such as payslips, receipts, journal notes, pens, accessories & costume jewellery and notebooks into old shoe boxes. Decorate the shoe boxes with your favourite photos or cut outs from newspapers and magazines. It's cheap, easy, fun & will make you want to keep your important bits and bobs organised. Use a labeller to help remind yourself which box is which.
Overhaul your work environment. If you work in an office, clean out your in tray (yes, even that pesky invoice that you've been putting off for the last 3 weeks). Resolve to have an empty in tray when you walk out the door at the end of each day. A good way to do this is by adopting a fantastic little tip into your mentality: Touch each piece of paper/email once only. Action everything as soon as it falls into your hands, putting things off is what creates clutter & backlog (& subsequent work related stress)!
Don't try and be perfect: allow yourself a 'junk drawer' to throw bits and pieces into every now & then (you know you have one!). Just don't allow your junk drawer to become a junk bench, or junk room! Also do a regular clean out of the junk drawer, file away the important stuff and chuck, recycle, ebay or thrift the rest.
Take photos pre clean up & another post clean up. Notice the difference and pin up the photos to remind yourself of where you were and how far you've come - it will help you get a realistic sense of your own progress and maintain a clutter free environment.
Use personal affirmations. Scrawl them in your journal, write them on your wall, chant them to yourself, do whatever it is that floats your boat. Make reinvention an affirmation. Another great affirmation to create is about the real importance of the things you own. Don't mourn the loss of your stuff when you declutter. Be present in your life: enjoy your relationships & events. Accept that the physical stuff in your home, office, wardrobe will all come and go and that is okay. You are still you with or without red heels, 5 year old size 8 jeans, emails & txts that have made themselves home in your inbox for the last year and those once quirky, now kitsch, deck chairs you once found for cheap in a yard sale but have never come to use.
Bookmark Peter Walsh's website and take note of his Tip of the Day section, you'll thank yourself for it!
Also see this great poster over on Zen Habits: Life Laundry Day.
What is cluttering your environment? How do you declutter? What benefits do you achieve as a result?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
How to Develop Body Love
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Loving your body is cultivated through developing a deeper respect and love for yourself as a whole. While physicality certainly is not everything when it comes to who we are, it is a big part of how we see ourselves and of course how others view us too. In a world where first impressions are pivotal, projecting your best you on the outside could not be more important. This does not mean losing site of who you are on the inside to focus merely on wearing the right clothes, best makeup or striving to be the skinniest/curviest/sexiest. It's more about ensuring you are content with the version of you that you are putting out there each day. Accepting and developing a confidence that will be evident in your demeanour and physicality. Respecting and loving your body can be ascertained through eating the right foods, getting active several times a week, accentuating your best features and allowing your inner beauty to shine through in your physical self expression (be it with makeup, jewellery, style or simplicity!). Body love is about correctly channelling our ambitious energy to create a physical self that fills us with joy and excitement every day!
Every day we put up loads of barriers to stop us from reaching a place where we can say that we truly love and respect our bodies, just as they are. Our barriers can range from the stock archetypal excuses that we apply to everything we haven't quite yet achieved: I don't have time, It's too hard, I don't know where to start! But lacking a love for your body we've been blessed can run a little deeper than than these simple excuses we apply when posed with the question of why we have yet to start our university assignment. When it comes to loving the our body we also come up against inner emotional conflict that we may be harbouring such as low self esteem levels and a lack of self respect.
In order to break down these barriers we need to recognise them in ourselves and decide that we want better than any sort of negativity that exists in ourselves. Ask yourself how you will be able to demand respect from those around you if you don't give respect to yourself. Remember that while respect is so much to do with characteristics other then simply our physicality, a portion of how we view ourselves certainly DOES comes from what we see when we look in the mirror, but this does not have to be a negative thing! It's about actualisation of body love goals and acceptance of the body you are rocking, after all it is the only one you'll ever have. When it comes to yourself, settling for mediocrity is not okay! You have just one chance to live this life the way you want to live it. You have just one body to get you through, why not make it your best possible? You wouldn't by a beat up 25 year old car & attempt a road trip from LA to NYC, would you? Then best not attempt to get from okay to fabulous with an unhealthy body & battered sense of self love - you know you won't make it.
The first step towards cultivating any sort of affirmative action towards body love is recognising whatever it is you consider your flaws. So open up the moleskine and get writing. Make a list of all the things you are unhappy with. Done? Ok, divide your list into two columns- "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" and "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Some of the sorts of things you might have on the first list could include: hair style, size of thighs (collective sigh?). One your other list will be stuff like: height, size of nose (!), dimples, freckles.
For each item on your "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" list, make a plan of action, it doesn't need to be much, just a simple sentence will do. For example, if you are unhappy with your hair colour you could resolve to pick up a box of Loreal colour next time you're at the supermarket or get your hairdresser to suggest a new style of cut. Perhaps, as so many of us tend to be at one stage or another, you are unhappy with your current weight. Think about what you are doing in your current lifestyle to ensure you are at your body's "happy weight": are you eating right most of the time, exercising a few times a week? If you are already doing these things then you are already on your way - put this one on the other list (do it! you don't need a plan, you need acceptance & respect). If you aren't doing the best you can in this regard, you plan might be to add more fresh foods into your diet or go for a jog on the weekends with a bunch of girlfriends.
Moving onto your second list, "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Quite aptly named, the goal of this list is for you to recognise these characteristics of yourself as quirks that are special and make you YOU, rather then negative aspects that detract from your ultimate self. Big nose, freckles, dimples, big shoulders, too skinny, too curvy and so forth. First comes realising that you are not alone in your nose, freckly, dimple, shoulder, weight loathing battle! Second of all, you need to stop beating up on yourself and accept that this is the way you were made and you should be making the most of it- not criticizing it. You could find yourself some positive role models that share your features, look at how they work it to their advantage and adopt their sunshine outlook.
Another fantastic way to develop a greater sense of acceptance is by learning the serenity prayer (you don't necessarily need to be religious to find meaning in this gem!). recite this to yourself, pin it on your fall, jot it in your journal and remind yourself that you are a fabulous person.
Grant me the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other.
Another point of action is to realise any negative habits that are halting your progress towards a happy & healthy body. Some of these habits might include smoking, eating lots of fatty or sugary foods, abusing illegal drugs, binge drinking or self harm such as cutting. Recognition of these habits as detrimental to your overall self as well as to your body is the first step to giving them the kick. Seeking support and assistance from friends, family or professionals can often be the most effective path to overcoming these sorts of behaviours as sometimes it is not as simple as stopping the action (ie. to stop smoking/drinking) - it is important to also understand why you made these behaviours an acceptable part of your routine. It is also pivotal to not see overcoming these actions as giving something up, as you are not giving up anything, you are taking back your health. However, by continuing these sorts of behaviours you are giving up your right to a healthy body and ultimately a great body image.
Remember to channel all of your energy positively. Don't judge others out of jealously- compliment them. Don't wish for better clothes or a skinnier or curvier frame: love what you have and make the most of it.
Acknowledging that body image is not just about your WEIGHT!
Time for another list. This time it's about what you love about you (and no, you do not get to write 'Nothing'!). Keep this list someone safe & easily accessible, like your journal, handbag or pin board in your bedroom. Every time you are feeling down read over the list and remember that you are a fabulous individual!
Think about the songs that make you most happy. Put together a play list for those times when you are stuck in a bit of a self loathing rut and need to reach a more positive and self affirming frame of mind. A TL favourite is Mika, he is one fabulous fellow that certainly knows how to do positive!
Journal any compliments you get, no matter how trivial they seem. Use this as another reflection page for those moments of self doubt.
Recognise that it is absolutely okay to covet things & people but remember that you are an individual. You love others for their funky style, but becoming a carbon copy is not the right way to go about actioning your admiration! You must make peace with your body and do what works best for you!
How do you achieve body love? What is your favourite part of your physical self and why is it so great?Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
Celebrating Bastille Day
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Bastille Day is celebrated each year on July 14. It's the national holiday of France, commemorating Fête de la Fédération. But you don't need to be a Parisian princess or a fabulous french fellow to get into the Bastille Day spirit. Why not use this day as an excuse to indulge in french cuisine, festivities & style? Enjoy all the joys of French living; here are a few ideas to celebrate in style:
Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast with your girlfriends.
Have a tipple of a delicious French liqueurs such as Cognac.
Head to the bakery & pick up some French bread & buttery croissants.
Dine at a French Restaurant. Give snails a go! (or don't!)
Put together a picnic basket & enjoy in the park. Pack it with gourmet french goodies, like a cheese platter, breads and some wine.
Dress up: french colours are blue, white & red are the nation colours.
Don some Parisian style: a beret, classic red lips, trench coat ("french trench"!) & pashminas will get you started.
Learn French! Join a class to learn a new skill or brush up on what you learn back in high school. If joining a class is not your thing then jump online and learn a few neat new words & phrases.
Treat yourself to a french manicure.
Look to some french icons for inspiration: Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot.
Head to your local department store & spritz some classic french perfume, like Chanel.
Grab your moleskine & jot down all the things you want to do when you one day travel to Pareeeee!
Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty, travel
Party Treats: Baileys Chocolate Mousse & Jelly Shots
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Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.
Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!
Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!
Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
The concept of linking a cluttered physical environment to a less than fabulous existence is not a new one, it could even be considered common sense. The difficulty is in accepting that you are still going to be you with or without your "stuff". In a lot cases, that "stuff" you are hoarding is not exemplifying the best version of you. Depending on the type of stuff you are harbouring, it can be anchoring you to your past and distracting you from making the most of being truly present in everyday.
Recognising The Two Types Of Clutter
Peter says there are two types of clutter: "I might need it one day clutter" and "Memory clutter ... stuff that keeps you in the future or the past ... [meaning] you can't live right now ... [and] you can't imagine what it is like to get back into the present". Most of us will have clutter of both varieties. It is important to recognise why you have the stuff you have as this can help you break the ties with that stuff. Most women have a particularly hard time decluttering & letting go of pieces from their wardrobes, simply letting them expand exponentially until the built in wardrobe has turned into walk in closet encompassing what was once a bedroom (with only one third of what exists within ever actually seeing the light of day). Throwing out old shoes does not mean you will forget the memories of your favourite nights on the town in those heels just as parting with that too small little black dress will not be something to regret if you ever return to that dress size. In the spirit of acceptance and moving forward, recognise that we are blessed in that we have access to whatever we could possibly want or need almost whenever we want or need it (& yes you will find another fabulous LBD that actually fits).
Personal Chaos Threshold & Clutter Mentality
It is also important to recognise that each of us have our own person 'chaos threshold'. The point at which we can allow the mess to get to before we overhaul with a mini spring clean. To use our wardrobes again as a metaphor; for some, the chaos threshold is reached when there are more then 3 pairs of shoes that have been thrown aside rather than placed on the shoe rack, for others it is coming to the realisation that they are down to the last pair of clean knickers and the remainder of their wardrobe is now dirty and making itself at home on the bedroom floor. However, being used to living like this should not be used to excuse an untidy environment. You may feel accustomed to living in a bit of a squalor but that does not mean you need to keep accepting it! You should also be able to recognise that you have the potential to flourish when your surroundings are in line with you personal vision for your most marvellous self. Don't confuse a routine of mess with what is best for you; take a stand and be critical of your environment. Remember that everything you do in the practice of decluttering is not to punish yourself; it is to push you towards a better place, one where your environment can reconcile with your ambition to be the best you can be.
Affirmative Actions To Declutter & Gain Life
Here are a few points to get you started on decluttering your environment:
What is cluttering your environment? How do you declutter? What benefits do you achieve as a result?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
How to Develop Body Love
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Loving your body is cultivated through developing a deeper respect and love for yourself as a whole. While physicality certainly is not everything when it comes to who we are, it is a big part of how we see ourselves and of course how others view us too. In a world where first impressions are pivotal, projecting your best you on the outside could not be more important. This does not mean losing site of who you are on the inside to focus merely on wearing the right clothes, best makeup or striving to be the skinniest/curviest/sexiest. It's more about ensuring you are content with the version of you that you are putting out there each day. Accepting and developing a confidence that will be evident in your demeanour and physicality. Respecting and loving your body can be ascertained through eating the right foods, getting active several times a week, accentuating your best features and allowing your inner beauty to shine through in your physical self expression (be it with makeup, jewellery, style or simplicity!). Body love is about correctly channelling our ambitious energy to create a physical self that fills us with joy and excitement every day!
Every day we put up loads of barriers to stop us from reaching a place where we can say that we truly love and respect our bodies, just as they are. Our barriers can range from the stock archetypal excuses that we apply to everything we haven't quite yet achieved: I don't have time, It's too hard, I don't know where to start! But lacking a love for your body we've been blessed can run a little deeper than than these simple excuses we apply when posed with the question of why we have yet to start our university assignment. When it comes to loving the our body we also come up against inner emotional conflict that we may be harbouring such as low self esteem levels and a lack of self respect.
In order to break down these barriers we need to recognise them in ourselves and decide that we want better than any sort of negativity that exists in ourselves. Ask yourself how you will be able to demand respect from those around you if you don't give respect to yourself. Remember that while respect is so much to do with characteristics other then simply our physicality, a portion of how we view ourselves certainly DOES comes from what we see when we look in the mirror, but this does not have to be a negative thing! It's about actualisation of body love goals and acceptance of the body you are rocking, after all it is the only one you'll ever have. When it comes to yourself, settling for mediocrity is not okay! You have just one chance to live this life the way you want to live it. You have just one body to get you through, why not make it your best possible? You wouldn't by a beat up 25 year old car & attempt a road trip from LA to NYC, would you? Then best not attempt to get from okay to fabulous with an unhealthy body & battered sense of self love - you know you won't make it.
The first step towards cultivating any sort of affirmative action towards body love is recognising whatever it is you consider your flaws. So open up the moleskine and get writing. Make a list of all the things you are unhappy with. Done? Ok, divide your list into two columns- "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" and "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Some of the sorts of things you might have on the first list could include: hair style, size of thighs (collective sigh?). One your other list will be stuff like: height, size of nose (!), dimples, freckles.
For each item on your "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" list, make a plan of action, it doesn't need to be much, just a simple sentence will do. For example, if you are unhappy with your hair colour you could resolve to pick up a box of Loreal colour next time you're at the supermarket or get your hairdresser to suggest a new style of cut. Perhaps, as so many of us tend to be at one stage or another, you are unhappy with your current weight. Think about what you are doing in your current lifestyle to ensure you are at your body's "happy weight": are you eating right most of the time, exercising a few times a week? If you are already doing these things then you are already on your way - put this one on the other list (do it! you don't need a plan, you need acceptance & respect). If you aren't doing the best you can in this regard, you plan might be to add more fresh foods into your diet or go for a jog on the weekends with a bunch of girlfriends.
Moving onto your second list, "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Quite aptly named, the goal of this list is for you to recognise these characteristics of yourself as quirks that are special and make you YOU, rather then negative aspects that detract from your ultimate self. Big nose, freckles, dimples, big shoulders, too skinny, too curvy and so forth. First comes realising that you are not alone in your nose, freckly, dimple, shoulder, weight loathing battle! Second of all, you need to stop beating up on yourself and accept that this is the way you were made and you should be making the most of it- not criticizing it. You could find yourself some positive role models that share your features, look at how they work it to their advantage and adopt their sunshine outlook.
Another fantastic way to develop a greater sense of acceptance is by learning the serenity prayer (you don't necessarily need to be religious to find meaning in this gem!). recite this to yourself, pin it on your fall, jot it in your journal and remind yourself that you are a fabulous person.
Grant me the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other.
Another point of action is to realise any negative habits that are halting your progress towards a happy & healthy body. Some of these habits might include smoking, eating lots of fatty or sugary foods, abusing illegal drugs, binge drinking or self harm such as cutting. Recognition of these habits as detrimental to your overall self as well as to your body is the first step to giving them the kick. Seeking support and assistance from friends, family or professionals can often be the most effective path to overcoming these sorts of behaviours as sometimes it is not as simple as stopping the action (ie. to stop smoking/drinking) - it is important to also understand why you made these behaviours an acceptable part of your routine. It is also pivotal to not see overcoming these actions as giving something up, as you are not giving up anything, you are taking back your health. However, by continuing these sorts of behaviours you are giving up your right to a healthy body and ultimately a great body image.
Remember to channel all of your energy positively. Don't judge others out of jealously- compliment them. Don't wish for better clothes or a skinnier or curvier frame: love what you have and make the most of it.
Acknowledging that body image is not just about your WEIGHT!
Time for another list. This time it's about what you love about you (and no, you do not get to write 'Nothing'!). Keep this list someone safe & easily accessible, like your journal, handbag or pin board in your bedroom. Every time you are feeling down read over the list and remember that you are a fabulous individual!
Think about the songs that make you most happy. Put together a play list for those times when you are stuck in a bit of a self loathing rut and need to reach a more positive and self affirming frame of mind. A TL favourite is Mika, he is one fabulous fellow that certainly knows how to do positive!
Journal any compliments you get, no matter how trivial they seem. Use this as another reflection page for those moments of self doubt.
Recognise that it is absolutely okay to covet things & people but remember that you are an individual. You love others for their funky style, but becoming a carbon copy is not the right way to go about actioning your admiration! You must make peace with your body and do what works best for you!
How do you achieve body love? What is your favourite part of your physical self and why is it so great?Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
Celebrating Bastille Day
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Bastille Day is celebrated each year on July 14. It's the national holiday of France, commemorating Fête de la Fédération. But you don't need to be a Parisian princess or a fabulous french fellow to get into the Bastille Day spirit. Why not use this day as an excuse to indulge in french cuisine, festivities & style? Enjoy all the joys of French living; here are a few ideas to celebrate in style:
Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast with your girlfriends.
Have a tipple of a delicious French liqueurs such as Cognac.
Head to the bakery & pick up some French bread & buttery croissants.
Dine at a French Restaurant. Give snails a go! (or don't!)
Put together a picnic basket & enjoy in the park. Pack it with gourmet french goodies, like a cheese platter, breads and some wine.
Dress up: french colours are blue, white & red are the nation colours.
Don some Parisian style: a beret, classic red lips, trench coat ("french trench"!) & pashminas will get you started.
Learn French! Join a class to learn a new skill or brush up on what you learn back in high school. If joining a class is not your thing then jump online and learn a few neat new words & phrases.
Treat yourself to a french manicure.
Look to some french icons for inspiration: Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot.
Head to your local department store & spritz some classic french perfume, like Chanel.
Grab your moleskine & jot down all the things you want to do when you one day travel to Pareeeee!
Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty, travel
Party Treats: Baileys Chocolate Mousse & Jelly Shots
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Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.
Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!
Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!
Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Loving your body is cultivated through developing a deeper respect and love for yourself as a whole. While physicality certainly is not everything when it comes to who we are, it is a big part of how we see ourselves and of course how others view us too. In a world where first impressions are pivotal, projecting your best you on the outside could not be more important. This does not mean losing site of who you are on the inside to focus merely on wearing the right clothes, best makeup or striving to be the skinniest/curviest/sexiest. It's more about ensuring you are content with the version of you that you are putting out there each day. Accepting and developing a confidence that will be evident in your demeanour and physicality. Respecting and loving your body can be ascertained through eating the right foods, getting active several times a week, accentuating your best features and allowing your inner beauty to shine through in your physical self expression (be it with makeup, jewellery, style or simplicity!). Body love is about correctly channelling our ambitious energy to create a physical self that fills us with joy and excitement every day!
Every day we put up loads of barriers to stop us from reaching a place where we can say that we truly love and respect our bodies, just as they are. Our barriers can range from the stock archetypal excuses that we apply to everything we haven't quite yet achieved: I don't have time, It's too hard, I don't know where to start! But lacking a love for your body we've been blessed can run a little deeper than than these simple excuses we apply when posed with the question of why we have yet to start our university assignment. When it comes to loving the our body we also come up against inner emotional conflict that we may be harbouring such as low self esteem levels and a lack of self respect.
In order to break down these barriers we need to recognise them in ourselves and decide that we want better than any sort of negativity that exists in ourselves. Ask yourself how you will be able to demand respect from those around you if you don't give respect to yourself. Remember that while respect is so much to do with characteristics other then simply our physicality, a portion of how we view ourselves certainly DOES comes from what we see when we look in the mirror, but this does not have to be a negative thing! It's about actualisation of body love goals and acceptance of the body you are rocking, after all it is the only one you'll ever have. When it comes to yourself, settling for mediocrity is not okay! You have just one chance to live this life the way you want to live it. You have just one body to get you through, why not make it your best possible? You wouldn't by a beat up 25 year old car & attempt a road trip from LA to NYC, would you? Then best not attempt to get from okay to fabulous with an unhealthy body & battered sense of self love - you know you won't make it.
For each item on your "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" list, make a plan of action, it doesn't need to be much, just a simple sentence will do. For example, if you are unhappy with your hair colour you could resolve to pick up a box of Loreal colour next time you're at the supermarket or get your hairdresser to suggest a new style of cut. Perhaps, as so many of us tend to be at one stage or another, you are unhappy with your current weight. Think about what you are doing in your current lifestyle to ensure you are at your body's "happy weight": are you eating right most of the time, exercising a few times a week? If you are already doing these things then you are already on your way - put this one on the other list (do it! you don't need a plan, you need acceptance & respect). If you aren't doing the best you can in this regard, you plan might be to add more fresh foods into your diet or go for a jog on the weekends with a bunch of girlfriends.
Moving onto your second list, "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Quite aptly named, the goal of this list is for you to recognise these characteristics of yourself as quirks that are special and make you YOU, rather then negative aspects that detract from your ultimate self. Big nose, freckles, dimples, big shoulders, too skinny, too curvy and so forth. First comes realising that you are not alone in your nose, freckly, dimple, shoulder, weight loathing battle! Second of all, you need to stop beating up on yourself and accept that this is the way you were made and you should be making the most of it- not criticizing it. You could find yourself some positive role models that share your features, look at how they work it to their advantage and adopt their sunshine outlook.
Grant me the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other.
How do you achieve body love? What is your favourite part of your physical self and why is it so great?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty
Celebrating Bastille Day
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Bastille Day is celebrated each year on July 14. It's the national holiday of France, commemorating Fête de la Fédération. But you don't need to be a Parisian princess or a fabulous french fellow to get into the Bastille Day spirit. Why not use this day as an excuse to indulge in french cuisine, festivities & style? Enjoy all the joys of French living; here are a few ideas to celebrate in style:
Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast with your girlfriends.
Have a tipple of a delicious French liqueurs such as Cognac.
Head to the bakery & pick up some French bread & buttery croissants.
Dine at a French Restaurant. Give snails a go! (or don't!)
Put together a picnic basket & enjoy in the park. Pack it with gourmet french goodies, like a cheese platter, breads and some wine.
Dress up: french colours are blue, white & red are the nation colours.
Don some Parisian style: a beret, classic red lips, trench coat ("french trench"!) & pashminas will get you started.
Learn French! Join a class to learn a new skill or brush up on what you learn back in high school. If joining a class is not your thing then jump online and learn a few neat new words & phrases.
Treat yourself to a french manicure.
Look to some french icons for inspiration: Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot.
Head to your local department store & spritz some classic french perfume, like Chanel.
Grab your moleskine & jot down all the things you want to do when you one day travel to Pareeeee!
Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty, travel
Party Treats: Baileys Chocolate Mousse & Jelly Shots
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Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.
Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!
Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!
Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?
Labels: food and health, life in general, style and beauty, travel
Party Treats: Baileys Chocolate Mousse & Jelly Shots
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Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.
Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!
Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!
Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Stumble It!
Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Stumble It!
Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...
Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.
If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!
For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.
Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!
Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka
What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?
Labels: food and health, style and beauty
Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast
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Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
Identify your reason for not being a breakfast person & work out how you can combat this.
Add breakfast foods to your shopping list and keep a stash of quick & nutritious breakfast foods in your house or if you prefer, work.
Keep it interesting: breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. Like any other meal you can mix things up and cater to your liking. If you have a sweet tooth, add some strawberries to your cereal or a small spoonful of honey to your porridge? Savouries more your thing? Try a small portion of baked beans on toasted brown bread.
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
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Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Monday to Friday has snooze buttons across the city being given their daily workout as office dwellers try in vein to put off the inevitable crawl out of bed & rush into work. Snooze three, four (five!?) times, stumble out of bed, realisation of increasingly short period of time to make transformation from bed hair to corporate glam, end up running out of apartment with dodgy makeup and still half asleep. Sound familiar? There are not a lot of people who will readily raise their hands and admit to being a morning person (especially not before they’ve hooked themselves up to their Starbucks IV), most of us fall into the ‘i’m-just-not-a-morning-person’ category.
While there are not a lot of things that will help that initial struggle that is crawling out from under the warmth of your doona, there are some ways to have a more positive and production once you have woken up. Including breakfast in your morning routine is one way.
Creating any sort of change is about knowing what you want to achieve and creating a plan to succeed in achieving your best personal outcome. If you don’t make time for breakfast as part of your daily routine, identify the reasons for this. What are your excuses? Combat your excuses with proactive choice & a workable plan going forward.
I’m just not hungry in the morning. Ok sure, so you’re probably not really ravished and craving a steak when your first open your eyes but your body does need some sustenance. You find yourself snacking mid morning, right? Beat the snack by giving your body what it wants before you hear tummy rumbles - start small: a pot of yogurt, handful of muesli or a piece of fruit.
I don’t have time. Make time. It only takes 10 – 15 minutes to prepare and eat a bowl of cereal or some toast. You don’t need to prepare a cooked breakfast each day (and your best not to!). Whether you commit to hitting snooze only once (instead of twice!) and getting up a little earlier, or taking a piece of fruit to eat while you commute or keeping a stash of breakfast food in your desk at work.
I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t need to add another meal to my day. Losing and maintaining weight is about calorie consumption (energy in vs energy out), not necessarily how many meals you have. You should adjust your daily eating plan to include breakfast. Whether you make the allowance through decreasing the portion size of another meal or through minimising snacking throughout the day. Eating breakfast will give your body increased energy and therefore cut down on your need to snack.
Making the move
Any decision you make to create a change in your daily habits requires some amount of planning in order to have a smooth transition and adding breakfast to your diet is no exception. Here are some very simple ways for you to become a breakfast person:
What’s in it for me?
To put in simply: It’s good for you. It has been proven that people who eat breakfast and thus get a lot of their calorie intake at breakfast time tend to have a lower BMI and gain less weight than those who don’t eat breakfast, preferring to eat more later in the day.
Food is your bodies fuel so it makes perfect sense to up the intake earlier in the day – you wouldn’t go for an 8 hour drive without first putting petrol in your car so why start an eight hour work day with your body running on empty? Traditionally, most of us enjoy our largest meal at the end of the day, so it can be difficult to retrain your mind & body in this respect. Small steps will get your diet to where you need to be and you’ll discover what portion sizes work best for your body. For example, it would be quite difficult to go from nothing in the morning and a big meal at night to a huge breakfast and small dinner. Try introducing a small breakfast and gradually decreasing your calorie and nutrient intake at dinner time to maintain balance.
So start your day right, 15 minutes additional sleep may feel good at the time but in the long run the time is best spent loading your body with the nutrients it requires for the day. Your body needs fuel and energy to get you through the day and while that caffeine burst you get from your coffee will get you through the morning, it’s not lasting energy. That’s not to say you shouldn’t enjoy your daily latte, but it should be in addition to breakfast, not as a replacement. Make the choice & start tomorrow, one day at a time, towards a healthier body!
Labels: food and health
Why Tea Shouldn't Just Be Something Your Nana Drinks
|
|
Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.
There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Coffee is the incentive that drags most of us out from under our warm doona's and into the crisp morning air during the winter months. It's that precious cup that gets us through our mornings and, more often than not, acts as our replacement breakfast. Unfortunately, aside from it's ability to give you that caffeine boost you so often feel you require in the early AM, there aren't too many other benefits of drinking coffee - which is why it's super fantastic that there is such a delicious and simple alternative - Tea.There are tons of reasons why tea is such an awesome drink but lets start with the obvious fact that it tastes so much better than a cup of instant coffee. There are endless options in way of flavours when it comes to tea; a tres lola favourite is peppermint with a teaspoon of honey. Of course, there are your regular run of the mill English Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, which are just fine, but why not try blackcurrant black tea or cinnamon apple? Stop by your local supermarket and check out the range- you'll be surprised at the creativity!
Tea also has it's health benefits- it contributes to your fluid intake, bringing you closer to that coveted '8 glasses a day' rule and so ensuring your body is hydrated. It contains antioxidants, they protect your body by building up your immune system. It can also be a no calorie drink - or at least significantly low calorie drink depending on the type of tea you choose and whether you add sweeteners such as milk, sugar or honey.
Same goes for caffeine intake, dependant on what type of tea you choose, it contains far less caffeine than coffee and often times it contains no caffeine at all. & believe it or not, no caffeine IS actually a good thing. Caffeine might give a short boost of alertness by causing your blood sugar level to spike, the downfall is that this heightened level of energy doesn't last and so in the long run you end up feeling tired and induce the dreaded "caffeine headache". Caffeine is also a diuretic meaning it can rob your body of the fluids and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While we are on the negative attributes of caffeine, it is worth mentioning that it can contribute to dehydration which will also cause a lack of energy which is almost certainly the opposite of what you were aiming for when you whipped up that cup of coffee, right?
Another convenience of tea is that it is super affordable. It costs only a few dollars for a pack of 20 or so tea bags and with countless flavours to try out, you're bound to find one just perfect to become your new favourite cuppa.
While tres lola isn't suggesting kicking your Starbucks habit all together- we appreciate that a good coffee is the indulgence every girl needs here and there, but we should all remember it is just that, an indulgence. Look at it the same way you would do with enjoying a some chocolate or having a take out meal. Enjoy it in moderation.
So next time you head to the kitchen for a 'tea break', make it just that, forget the instant coffee that tastes about as good as soggy weetbix - get into some tea!
Labels: food and health
Five Things To Avoid On A Night Out
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1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
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Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
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Stumble It!
Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Stumble It!
Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
1. Carbonated drinks: they bloat you. Stick to juices, orange juice and pineapple juice tend to make for great mixers.
2. Smokers: bad for your health and your clothes- no one wants to smell like an ash tray.
3. Cover Charges: go early & get your stamp, avoid queues and charges later!
4. 3am kebabs/burger: they're never as good as you think they'll be and you will regret it in the morning (unless we're talking about Fergburger @ Queenstown, an exception to the rule, a marvellous exception).
5. Wardrobe malfunctions: use tape up top and take a lesson from our
contemporaries over in the Hollywood Hills & always wear knickers.
Labels: food and health, life in general
Fact Sheet: Depression
|
|
Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
|
|
Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
|
|
Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Depression; The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will be the second biggest health problem in the world by the year 2020. Depression can affect anyone and it does. About one in every eight women* can expect to experience clinical depression in their lifetime. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Knowledge really is power when it comes to managing this illness and avoiding the risk factors, so we've got it covered. Arm yourself with the facts...
Symptoms
Depression can be characterised by a number of symptoms that vary from person to person, some of these include:
- "Empty" mood or consistent feelings of unhappiness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, anger or fear
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Inability to enjoy or withdrawal from activities you once would have enjoyed, eg. sports, theatre, social events, sex etc
- Loss of confidence / Low self-esteem
- Continual tiredness
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite or excessive eating
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Suicidal thoughts
Causes
While it is difficult to pin point exactly what causes depression, we are able to outline a number of contributing physical and emotional risk factors:
- Age: certain ages groups are more vulnerable to developing depression.
- Relationships: depression is more prevalent amongst those who are unhappily married, divorced or experiencing separation issues.
- Heredity: those with relatives who have experienced clinical depression or bipolar have a greater chance of developing the illness themselves.
- Persistent/Ongoing Stress: it is important to maintain balance and avoid any kind of ongoing stress; be it work, financial or otherwise related.
- Childhood Factors/Abuse: exposure to abuse or violence can cause undue emotion stress and lead to depression.
- Major Life Change: change of any sort can have a strong impact on a person and in some cases can lead to depression.
Treatment
The most common ways to treat depression are:
- Antidepressant medicine
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- A combination of the two
Avoiding the Risk Factors
There are a few ways that you can work towards avoiding the risk factors of depression, such as:
- Sleep: most people need at least 8hrs a night
- Exercise: not only does it keep you in top shape but it allows your body to produce endorphins which make you happy!
- Healthy Diet: a balanced diet is important irregardless but there are a number of foods, including lobster, asparagus & bananas, that have high levels of tryptophan (an amino acid, that the body converts into the feel-good chemical serotonin). Sound complicated? Basically, it can improve your well being.
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs: Alcohol is a depressant and drugs artificially alter your mood- not good!
- Enjoy life, find healthy activities that allow you to experience a positive life experience
- Spend time with people who make you happy: family, friends
- Keep busy
- Balance
- Remember that happiness is your responsibility, not others
- Have goals to work towards
- Remember the "big picture"
* (National Institute of Mental Health, USA, 1999.)
Labels: food and health
What Marijuana Is Really Doing To Your Brain
|
|
Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
|
|
Subscribe via RSS |
Send Email |
Stumble It!
Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Marijuana aka Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Grass, Weed, Hash.
Marijuana, it's one of the most common drugs abused by young people. Because it's such a common drug, it's a belief widely held, that marijuana has little detriment to our bodies; this, simply put, is not the case. So what is Marijuana, exactly? It is a green / brown mix of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plant. The main chemical in marijuana, and the one that has the greatest affect on the brain, is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana can be smoked from a cigarette called a 'joint' or pipe called a 'bong and it can also be mixed into food (such as 'hash brownies').
Short Term Effects
- Difficulty thinking & problem solving
- Memory & Learning problems
- Distorted perception & senses
- Loss of coordination
- Anxiety & Paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Dry mouth & throat
Long Term Effects
- Higher cancer risk because marijuana contains some of the same cancer causing compounds as tobacco.
- Psychological dependence.
Effects On Your Brain
- Marijuana can cause poor judgement & diminished ability to make decisions by altering the blood flow to the prefrontal cortex
- It can effect your cerebral cortex making problem solving difficult & dull senses of touch, smell etc
- Your limbic system is affected most by pot: this part of your brain affects emotion, learning and memory. This is why pot can make you paranoid, depressed and even suicidal.
- Marijuana also interferes with the hypothalamus. This is the part of your brain that effects thirst and appetite- thus the reason people get the "munchies" after smoking weed.
- The cerebellum is also affected. This part of the brain helps you with coordination as well as how you perceive time. Watch this, kind of funny, but it's a real example of how severely this drug can effect your brain & how embarrassing the outcome can be.
Did You Know?
- Marijuana will stay in your system for around 30 days (dependant on your metabolism).
- Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
- According to the British Lung Foundation, 3-4 marijuana cigarettes are as dangerous to the lungs as 20 tobacco cigarettes a day.
Labels: food and health
7 Healthy Snack Ideas
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Stumble It!
Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a great way to keep your energy levels up between meals as well as ensuring you get sufficient nutrients and balance in your diet. The key is to avoid snacking on foods that have a high fat or sugar content.
Fruit
This is an obvious one and it doesn't have to be boring. Apples, oranges and bananas are easy choices but why not chop up some watermelon and pop it into a tupperware container for a snack during the day? Dried fruits such as banana chips and dried apricots are also top choices.
Cereal
A handful of a healthy cereal can easily be popped into a reseable lunch bag or container for a quick snack on the go. Some of my favourites are Uncle Tobys Plus, Sultana Bran, Special K and Cheerios - but most anything works, just check the sugar content on the box to make sure your choice is of the 'healthy' persuasion.
Raw Vegies
Carrot sticks with a low-fat dip like hommus are tasty and healthy. Celery is also an option and while its not everyones cup of tea this snack also works well with low-fat dips.
Yogurt
There is a huge range of low fat natural yogurts in most supermarkets and these are a tasty way to fill yourself up in between meals. If you're not a fan of natural yogurts, most brands have a 'diet' version of their regular range.
Unsalted Nuts
Mix 'em up and snack on the go - try some almonds, cashews & pistachios.
Tuna
It's a great source of protein as well as being low in fat and cholesterol - but try to stick with tuna in springwater, rather than oil.
Fruit Juices & Smoothies
Who says snacks have to be solid food? These drinks can be super tasty & nutritious too- give a banana & honey smoothie ago (easy on the honey!) or freshly squeezed apple & carrot juice.
Labels: food and health
Style & Beauty x Life in General x Food & Health x Important Stuff x Career & Work x Travel
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