KEEPING IT HEALTHY!

Happy Friday everyone!

How has your week been?

Mine has been super busy with trying to get back to normal having been away last week.  Catching up with clients and work projects as well as getting the house organised and getting on top of the dreaded laundry….the price to pay for taking time out!

Talking of the 'price to pay'….although I like to think we have a very healthy lifestyle here at home, holidays are undoubtedly a time when many of us overindulge just a little bit!  All those delicious meals, local wines and lazing about…but hey, isn't that all part of the fun?!  

Well, Mr SH and I arrived home last weekend, full of resolve, ready to take on a stricter week, and try and lose the inevitable couple of pounds or so that can shockingly creep up on us when there have been one too many treats.  I was also keen to get back to the gym for some classes and kick start a particularly nutritious regime that would give us some much needed energy, to take on what is looking like a very busy Autumn for us.

I may be a little late to the whole 'Nutribullet' craze, but for any of you who have not heard of this amazing gadget, I can honestly say that I am absolutely hooked, and loving it!  Having heard rave reviews, I decided to invest in one not long ago, and it has now become an addictive start to our early morning routine.

Perfect for creating ultra delicious and nutritious smoothies and juices, the Nutribullet claims to be unlike any other blender.  Because of its unique blade, it breaks down pulp, skin, seeds and stems of the fruits and plants we eat, in to tiny particles, extracting every ounce of goodness.  

When I first came across recipes for 'green' smoothies….especially for breakfast….I admit I didn't find the idea overly appetising!  Always one to give things a go though, I stocked up on ingredients such as 'chia seeds', 'spirulina' and 'hemp powder' and also bananas, which give smoothies that perfect texture as well as being such a healthy start to the day. With plenty of flavour packed and nutritious berries, spinach, kale and chard in the garden, I was ready…

Ok….it doesn't look the most appealing of drinks first thing, but I promise you, it is absolutely delicious!  If you really can't face the 'greenness', just leave out the Spirulina!

It's a good feeling to know that you have started your day with a power house of vitamins, minerals and plant proteins…after just a week of getting back in to our new daily ritual, we are feeling the benefits….great for glowing skin and energy levels too. Amazingly more satisfying than toast or cereals with no hunger pangs all morning!

I have been mixing up all sorts of different combinations of fruits, with greenery,  but here is a favourite recipe to try:

Green smoothie

1 banana

Mixed frozen or fresh berries 

(I love blueberries, red currants and raspberries)

Handful of green leaves (spinach, chard or kale)

1 tsp Spirulina powder (blue/green algae that is a great source of protein, essential amino acids and minerals)

1 tsp Hemp powder (rich in protein, minerals and omega fats)

1 tsp Chia seed (rich in protein, Omega 3 and fibre)

Water, fruit juice, coconut water or natural yoghurt to dilute)

In a hurry in the mornings?  In less than the time it takes to boil a kettle, you can whizz up this powerful start to the day, so super quick and easy.

So, if you haven't got in to making your own nutritious smoothies yet, are you tempted to give it a go?  Perhaps you have been creating these healthy starts to your day for a long time?  

Either way, I would love to hear from you and perhaps you smoothie officionados out there would like to share your favourite recipes and combinations?

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Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, whatever you have planned….ours will be spent now trying to get on top of new overwhelming weeds and jobs in the garden.  

What did I say about 'a price to pay'?!

Sophia xx

PS. If you would like some more 'fruity' inspiration, check out my latest guest post on the Sarah Raven website's blog 'Garlic and Sapphire' entitled 'This year's fruity addition to the garden', by clicking on the link.

THE BELGIAN DINING ROOM

All pictures via: Pinterest

                    

Monday evening, and what a busy day it has been!  I had a mountain of accounts and paperwork to get through......so it's been fun, fun fun! Good to feel on top of things though....

This morning, instead of punishing myself by going straight to my desk, I started the day very early with a 'Body Combat' class.......yes, readers of a post earlier this year will remember that I have embraced a fairly full on fitness regime.....and am pleased to report that I am

sticking with it!  They say that it takes eight weeks to make something a habit, and it is true for me.  I feel stronger, healthier and more energetic than ever and am also having a lot of fun.   Perhaps dare I say.......a little addicted too?!

*****

Hope you like the beautiful images above of Belgian 'Dining Room' interiors - a style that I love.

I adore the subtle, understated use of colour and beautiful contrasts of texture.

Do you have a favourite amongst these?  I would love to know.

Wishing you a happy and productive week ahead...

Sophia xx

NEW YEAR REGIMES.....AND OF COURSE, A BIT OF PAMPERING.

At the start of this month, like a lot of people,  I embarked on a bit of a regime. A regime involving lots of exercise and reigning in the eating and drinking, with the aim of getting super fit and lose a few pounds.  Not a very original idea for this time of year I know, but let's face it, we all like the start of a New Year to provide us with a clean slate to get focused.

I like to think we are pretty healthy in our household, enjoying walking each day with the dogs, cycling often at weekends and eating on the whole really quite healthily. However, Christmas and socialising had taken its toll on the delicious food front, we were finding ourselves partial to rather too many glasses of wine, and although the dog walking still happened every day, the cycling had taken a back seat because of the dreadful weather. I had also had a desire for some time, to become fit.....not just averagely fit, but really fit.  Perhaps it is an age thing, or the fact that my children have recently all left home and you have the time and realisation to look inwards at your own self,  but I suddenly had the desire to be as fit and strong going forwards in life, that I could possibly be.  A sense of ones longevity suddenly comes in to question and you are panicked in to doing everything you possibly can to help the process. I wanted to live a long time, I told myself!

 Early days, but after four weeks I am very pleased to report back that, it has been really quite successful. I came to the conclusion that many people enter in to a New Year with good but overly strict intentions and then find the whole thing far too boring and self depriving, and give up at the first hurdle.  Instead, a measure of moderation is far more sustaining and enjoyable.  Do activities you enjoy, eat healthy but delicious food, and above all, have the occasional treat which in my case would be a nice glass of something cold and white, of the grape variety.

Thinking that I would loath the gym, as I used to, I decided to join only for a few weeks while the weather was so bad.  Thought I would grin and bare it, and go just a couple of times a week and get it over and done with as soon as possible!  Instead, I have had a surprisingly great time, and after just four weeks, it is becoming an almost daily early morning habit that I am loving.  The secret for me has been to intersperse the independence of the gym with group classes of Spinning and Body Combat - both great fun, with an enthusiastic and friendly bunch of strangers who are now getting to know one another.  I can assure you that the latter of a dance style routine involving aggressive kick-boxing and punching is very alien to my feminine self, but really very liberating, and boy does it promise results........once you get over the pain barrier the mornings after!

We have loved cooking delicious low calorie healthy recipes and combining this with my rekindled love of serious exercise, I can honestly say that I feel fab!  Without sounding too smug, I am losing my unwanted pounds, feel glowing, have had a lot of fun and have a renewed energy and enthusiasm to embark on exciting new projects for my business this coming year - this blog being one of them.  Surprisingly, I have no intention of giving up my newfound activities either.

The trick has been to keep it fun, interesting and varied.....ok, a bit of determination and focus has been required also.....and of course, the odd treat.........I'm off for a relaxing glass of wine in the bath.......I think I've earned it!

photo: Sophia Home

Treats also extend to a bit of pampering.......and to reward yourself, there's nothing like some

 Jo Malone to feel relaxed and pampered....

Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia Body Cream.....heavenly...

Jo Malone Bath Oil - Grapefruit, one of my favourite...

Hope you are having a healthy, active and above all fun start to the year so far......with a good dose of treats too!

Sophia xx

FRIDAY FLOWERS.......

Beautiful white tulips to brighten a cold snowy January day........

*****

Don't you just love Fridays?  I appreciate that there are those that have jobs which involve working over the weekend, but for most, it marks the end of the week and we can all look forward to two days of fun, hobbies, socialising....or just to chill out and relax with family and friends or just in peace and quiet.

Started my day super energetically with a new exercise class - 'Body Combat'.......OMG is all I will say!  A high intensity martial arts style workout routine, involving a lot of kick boxing style moves and lunges, which promises to kick your body in to shape in record time!  I liked the sound of that, which inspired me to go in the first place.  It did not disappoint!  Although a tough hour, it leaves you feeling fantastic - a real natural high.  I shall return next week!

A fun weekend is planned, with eldest son and girlfriend visiting and a Sunday birthday lunch party at close friends.  Menu all planned - seafood pasta tonight and pheasant casserole tomorrow (recipes to follow!) - delicious.

The snow has started this afternoon here in Kent with freezing temperatures.  Definately a weekend to cosy up indoors and get on with projects.   Wishing everyone a happy weekend, whatever you have planned.

Sophia xx