Seeing Clearly thanks to Specsavers

I would have had no idea my eyes were overdue a test if it wasn't for Specsavers getting in touch to remind me... and then again to refresh that memory when I still hadn't booked in....!! Considering how long I spend sitting in front of a computer ( and my passion for specatular frames) you would think checking my eyes were in tip top health would be my top priority but with everything going on I just kept putting off getting it booked. It took an AMAZING event with Specsavers to get me giddy again for sorting myself out. The whole evening was wonderfully organised and not only had really amazing wall to wall frames on show (and the absolutely best buffet a blogger could ask) but it was also all nestled into the fab surroundings of the Bo Concept store.

Having pored over the new collections from Love Moschino, Max & Co, Specsavers and the new Cath Kidston range. I knew it was time for a change. At the event I had picked out a whole handful of new potential frames so I was itching to get in store and try them on properly. I used the super handy online booking system to sort out a visit to the Sauchiehall street for my free eye test and was so surprised at just how busy first thing on a Sunday morning could be! I headed along a little early with ally to take a look at frames before my eye test as I knew my indecision meant it would take me an age to narrow down the wide choice and I am glad I did as you are so spoiled for choice in there.

Taking in all the technology in store, that is the back of my actual eye!!

I had no idea having an eye test could be so fun, but what a lovely bunch they are in the Sauchiehall Street store. I actually learnt a whole lot with the optometrist as she explained what she was doing and why, I felt totally relaxed and comfortable as we went through the various tests and it was fun seeing how improved my vision was as various lenses were tried. The whole thing is over pretty quickly and when she showed me my new final prescription that was a change from my current one, I was so surprised how much clearer everything was! 

With the new prescription all set up it was time to actually make a choice on my frames and lucky for the staff my earlier playing around meant I had it narrowed down to oh...... 6 pairs!!! The assistant in the shop was so so nice and assured me people always get stuck at this point and was amazing help with giving me her honest opinion and handily it was the same as Ally's ( who is a  demon when it comes to being able to read face shapes weirdly!) so the deal was done. With so much competition it was super tough but I settled on a beautiful blue Cath Kidston pair with the coolest floral legs and  I couldn't help but splash out on an additional plain blue tortoiseshell pair as my back up pair for the house which was from Specsavers own frames and a bargain at £69 including the lenses. I was told it would take a week to arrive and I was down there 7 days on the dot to pick them up as I was just too excited! The same lovely assistant got the fit just perfect and even tightened up my sunglasses that were giving me grief ( which reminds me, this is definitely the year I finally get prescription sunglasses!!) and I walked out absolutely delighted not just with the look but with my renewed sharper vision!!

accidentally matching my amazing new frames!

I really enjoyed my Specsavers experience and much like their branding says, I  really do 'love my glasses'. If you have had bother with your eye sight or are just putting off getting an updated test, now is the definitely the time to pop in and put it right. You won't be disappointed!

Introducing; Predator Nutrition

I am always on the look out for a decent site to order some of my staple treats such as PB2, Walden Farms syrups, and Meridian nut butters, so it is a bonus for me when I find somewhere that stocks them along side good new protein options, supplements like the Fish Oil I use and brands I am used to ordering from the US like Now Nutrition.  Based in Leeds,Predator Nutrition's owner Reggie clearly puts the work in to stocking the site with hard to get health and fitness products that you usually have to pay huge shipping on as well as making sure they are always adding new and upcoming exciting products.

I follow a lot of health and fitness types on instagram and It seems like I can't go a day without seeing some of the US based ones posting pics of delicious sounding Quest Bars and I had been itching to see what all the fuss was about. With a whopping 20g of Protein but only 1g or so ( they all vary slightly) of sugar per bar alongside being gluten free, these certainly looked to be many peoples go to snack of choice or post workout fix but were they actually any good? Lucky for me the Predator Nutrition team sent me a super exciting parcel with a whole load of flavours to try out and so far so tasty! I have only tried a couple of protein style bars before and always been pretty much underwhelmed by their taste, often just chewy and either flavourless or super synthetic sweet tasting. I hadn't found anything that could actually get me looking forward to eating one ( or happy to shell out the £'s for).

Straight off the bat, before I had eve finished reading all the flavours in front of me, I ripped open the strawberry cheesecake option to tuck into. My eagerness means my first go was a little disappointing, it was a nicer flavour than ones I had tried before but it still was a little too chewy and powdery tasting. Colour me disappointed! UNTIL I remembered that on instagram I always see people talking about having them heated and let me tell you that changed everything for me. I got home and cut up the cinnamon swirl option as I knew it would float ally's boat, and with 20 or so seconds in the micro we had a tasty, soft and almost brownie like situation going on that was super tasty, filling, and definitely hit my sweet craving spot. From here on in I have tried them all warm , not heated up is still perfectly fine for a snack on the go but warm actually excites me and has me looking forward to having one after dinner on gym days. The ones I have used so far have been amazing like cookies and cream, peanut butter supreme and  I am in love with the coconut cashew. Next up I am definitely firing into the smores and the cookie dough ones! I am usually a fan of trying to meeting my proten needs in the form of whole food sources as often as possible but often at weekends I find myself not getting enought so these are totally perfect for keeping me going and being a darn tasty snack too. People often eat nowhere near as much protein as they need ( especially if exercising), so these are a fantastic option for meeting those levels easily. At £2.79 a go, they aren't cheap but these fill me up so much better than any other cereal bar I would usually be swayed by and if buying in boxes on the site you can get them for nearer £2 each, plus I would always keep my eyes peeled for deals.

With my whole workout in mind, the team also sent me some sachets of Optimum Nutrition Pre -Workout  powder to try which I am surprised to say seem to make a difference for me. I had my reservations but so far this has helped me with my workouts, very possibly due to the caffeine content ( alongside  creatine and B vitamins)and that I hit the gym pretty early in the morning. These have made me feel far more alert and up for working hard, and I have actually managed PB's  the first day I tried it so  it has been an interesting experiment for me. 

Predator Nutrition has been a really useful find for me getting most of my goodies from one site and is well worth checking out, I love that they stock a decent mix of products and brands and I am a fan of the loyalty points system too. Now if I could just get Reggie to stock my favourite liquid stevias I would be all set!

If you are interested in trying out Quest Bars I just noticed they are selling some short dated stock right now so you could pick up a mixed box of flavours for £16.99 or a few flavours for only 11.99 which is a fab deal, I have just ordered my next bundle ( which arrrived the next day!) and I happened to notice the handy code QUEST10 will get you 10% off that too- bargain! If you take advantage of the handy deal would love you to use my refferer code at the checkout 6650028 and I earn a few of those loyalty points to my next order. Happy Healthy Shopping!

Glasgow Reviewed; AG Fitness Training

This is one of the hardest posts I have ever tried to write, not because it is about to be a terrible review but the total opposite in fact, I just have SO many good things to say that I don't even know where to start! If you missed my intro post about Andy from AG Fitness training you can catch up here, this post is the promised full review of his 6 week personal training package that I have just finished up and I have been so excited to sing his praises. To refresh, I have wanted to get into weight and strength training for ages as cardio bored me to tears and I walk 7 miles a day Mon-Fri so I feel that is more than enough.  My problem with weights in the past was that I had no set structure and absolutely no correct form what so ever so I was keen to try out a package like this to make sure I was starting off with someone in the know leading the way.

From the outset I knew Andy just 'got' it. He understood where I was now, why I was at this point and where I wanted to get to- which made setting out on this journey together so much easier. He was quick to gain my trust which I think is so important when taking on a new approach to fitness, I felt completely at ease with him and with his plan for getting me to where I want to be. As I mentioned in my intro post it is his approach to nutrition that just blew me away and throughout the 6 weeks this has continued to be an outstanding commitment on his part. Having his clients track their eating on my fitness pal- he monitors and advises you as you go to ensure your diet is in the right place for achieving your goals. He is in regular contact with you to either make suggestions or tweaks or just offer a big well done for keeping on track which is fantastic motivation and helps really build a good relationship. He is always on hand to answer questions which in my case has been millions, he takes time to provide you with any answers you need to keep you on track and strengthen your understanding of how nutrition and fitness work hand in hand and how they affect one another which is something I don't think you can get from a lot of PTs. On top of him monitoring your diet and being on hand to answer questions, he posts handy links and info on his facebook and twitter and also helpfully posts really useful pieces on his blog which are fab for expanding your knowledge.

Nutrition aside, his knowledge and passion for weight training is incredible. Having a solid education in what he is teaching is so important as it again solidifies the trust that I think you need when placing your fitness in someone elses hand. He knows the science behind why things work the way they work and how to then improve on them which is a huge help for me- I love to understand why I should be doing something in order for me to want to continue doing it. Andy is incredibly patient in teaching you good basic form for exercises to ensure you are not going to give yourself any injuries, and so that you are getting the most from every move. He sets you up with a plan so that you can train out side of your sessions and it was no problem at all when I asked him to  make me an additional one to get some exercise at home when I don't have time to get to the gym. As the weeks have progressed we have worked on a variety of important compound moves using different equipment and learning about them has been genuinely good fun. It doesn't matter what you are capable of when you start out Andy makes sure you get going without any embarrassment or intimidation, he is a total joy to train with and manages the perfect mix of patience and encouragement. It has given me the motivation and confidence to then hit the gym on my own to work on what I have been learning and it is amazing just how much I have loved it. I was so over and done with cardio that having a good set routine for the gym that I then building on is actually exciting and  it is incredible just how much more confident it actually makes you feel. Weight loss is not the number one goal here ( although it can be for some) in my 6 weeks I have started to see little muscles grow which were never there before, my clothes fit so much better while my weight has gone down a little but that actually hasn't mattered to me at all as I am finding the fit of my jeans far more motivating. Without a doubt my stomach is the flattest I have seen it, and no jokes- there is a wee proper bum starting to form- the excitement!! I have even been getting up earlier some mornings to fit a quick trip to the gym in before work which is a HUGE change for a sleep lover like me, but I have enjoyed my little sessions so much I have actually been excited to get in- what a turn around!

Andy has been cheering me on every step of the way and I really look forward to our sessions to see what else I can learn and improve on with him leading the way. I haven't hesitated in booking myself in for another course of sessions and neither has Ally who has been just as delighted with the service with AG Fitness as I have been. He is a total gym-phobe normally, before Andy it was a proper battle to get him to come and spend any time in one but now he is gutted when his work shifts means he can't get along to work on his lifting- he will be a beefcake in no time!

If you have been looking to get your fitness and nutrition in line this year I cannot recommend getting in touch with Andy enough, I am gutted I didn't sort out something sooner as I could have saved myself lots of horrible forced cardio! His prices are just fantastic for the level of service you can expect and he is really flexible in working out the best package to suit you. Even if you just want to know more about how a PT session can benefit you just send him a tweet or email- I guarantee you wont be disappointed. I am so excited to see where all Andy takes his business in the coming months, he has some really fantastic ideas for videos and online content alongside ways to expand his training so if I was you I would get in there now and book some space before it is all gone!

You can contact Andy on 07961 085921 or email him at andy@agfitnesstraining.co.uk

Introducing; AG Fitness Training

 I have slowly and gradually lost weight over the years with lifestyle changes and a real interest in nutrition generally and I am happy enough with the size I am (most of the time!) but what still bothers me is my fitness and in particular, my strength. I am well aware that as the scales have gone down my body fat percentage has risen which has made me that 'skinny fat' way that I am now ready to tackle. I have dabbled with weights and lifting in the past but like many I have not been approaching it properly and it has just left me not really committing to it or keeping any kind of routine, which is why this year I had decided it was time to find someone to help me out! I am looking to develop good form, establish a proper routine and set some goals to work towards.

I have been looking to sort out some sessions with a personal trainer for such a long time so timing was pretty perfect when an offer of a little taster session with Andy of AG Fitness Training came in recently so I was quick to bite his hand off to say hello at the charing cross gym he is working from. Specialising in muscle gain and fat loss, Andy has studied for three years to get himself thoroughly equipped to be an effective personal trainer. One thing I had noticed when I had started looking into local people to help me, was the massive variation in qualifications and for me I wanted someone who really knew their stuff. On top of this Andy has a huge interest in nutrition so is working towards qualifications in that area too so that he can give his clients a total package towards their health and fitness. Before our appointment I had taken a look at his blog on his site and was really impressed with some of his pieces on the nutrition aspect of training, It was this combination of interests that totally sold his services to me and I was really excited to hear more.

Andy is a really lovely and approachable person who is truly committed to every aspect of his services and is constantly educating himself to improve his personal training. I think one of things that had put me off actually sorting myself out with a trainer (aside from costs) was that I actually find the ones I see in my usual gym as quite intimidating, and seeing as I can currently only lift a sizeable glass of wine in a decent number of reps, I didn't feel confident enough to approach one. Sitting down with Andy however took away all my concerns, he understands his clients from where they are now to what they want to achieve and he really listens. I set my other half up with a quick appointment with him too and he was delighted when he took into consideration the climbing he does and has taken time to research good exercises to work together on that will not only increase his general strength but improve his climbing too. Ally was so impressed with that he has signed up right away to start one of the AG fitness packages which is praise indeed from someone who likes to save his pennies for computer games and burgers!

I am starting a six week package starting tonight so I will be back with a full review, and of course I might not be as nice once he has me working hard, but for now I can say I am actually excited to get going-which is not something you would usually hear me say when it comes to exercise so he must be doing something right! I will be back with a full review of the package when we are done but I know a lot of people on my social media have been chatting about this recently so I wanted to get this up now for anyone looking to get started. It is the perfect time to give it a go as Andy already offers really good prices for his training but if you mention the blog you can also enjoy a 15% discount which is amazing!

Keep up to date with my progress on my twitter and instagram, and you can contact Andy direct on andy@agfitnesstraining.co.uk or chat to him on twitter.

Pushing myself with Scottish Power and Cancer Research

The Scottish Power High 5 Wave tent

I was determined that 2014 would see me push myself further than I have in recent years, from saying yes to things more often, to trying new foods or accepting new challenges. I have actually managed to stick to this resolution quite well so far and it inspired me when I got an email only a few days before the big Cancer Research Race for Life in Glasgow, asking if I would like to take part...

Ally and I getting our high 5's in!

Scottish Power were willing to donate £250 to the charity on my behalf if I ran the race for them and where I might have once shied away, I was quick to say yes and get my running shoes on for such a good cause. They were one of this years sponsors for the event and hoping to raise as much awareness as they can  by inviting people to take part in their High 5 Wave campaign. All you have to do to help them reach their target of 50 000 high 5's and a donation of £30,000 to Cancer Research is upload a snap of you high fiving on their campaign website which you can visit here. It is so quick and easy to take part in this fun campaign and do your bit for Cancer Research and the incredibly important work they do. 

Getting ready to give my all

My own experiences of this awful disease affecting family and friends inspire me to push myself more and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible and I am really thankful to Scottish Power for inviting me to do this run. I didn't think I could run 5 yards never mind 5K so I really surprised myself when i managed to run the whole way and in 25 minutes too and shock horror I actually enjoyed it too! The whole morning was such good fun, running in a crowd of  15 000 ladies all decked in pink and cheering each other on was amazing, and reading all the dedications on the backs of the running tops was so touching and served as the perfect reminder of who we were all running for and to push ourselves harder.

Chuffed with myself for finishing!

The support stealing the runners finish line treat!

Please do take a minute or two today to upload your high 5 today and keep the wave going for Cancer Research!

Glasgow Reviewed; Infinity Yoga

From the second I walked into the Infinity Yoga studio in Glasgow, I knew I was somewhere special. Greeted by warmth both in temperature and atmosphere, I was totally put at ease on my first visit by the owner Collette. I have done a few yoga and pilates classes in the past but never tried doing any of them 'hot' and certainly didn't know my baby dragon from my swan or my ashtanga from my bikram. A week on and thanks to three amazing, detailed sessions and I feel I have learnt not only a lot  about different styles of yoga but about myself and what my body is capable of.

With over 10 years of yoga experience under her belt, Colette is just a complete breath of fresh air. She has such an electric presence and energy about her that you can't help but smile when around her. On the flip side she is also one of the most soothing people I have ever met but don't let that powerhouse of enthusiasm fool you-she will absolutely work you hard in that room when the class calls for it. She absolutely radiates yoga and balance with a beautifully toned physique that I have literally never seen before from someone in the flesh and her ability to both relax you and energize you is magical. Nestled within an old railway arch on Osborne street in the Merchant city, I was welcomed right into the Infinity studio and was settled on a mat in the warm room before I knew it. Armed with a towel and bottle of water I really did not know quite what to expect...

The first class I tried was hot pilates, which was something I didn't even know could be done in hot conditions! I have preferred Pilates over Yoga in past experiences but the added hot element made this class one hell of a challenge to my not so flexible self. Colette was a master at guiding you through the positions with very minimal fuss, making adjustments to people where needed while keeping the class on track without disruption all while continuing to push people to achieve what they are capable of.  I was in positions I didn't think possible and working muscles I don't even think my body knew existed!The heat wasn't overwhelming to start with at all but as we worked through positions you really felt the heat- I cannot remember the last time I put my body through an intense workout like this and although it felt tough at the time. I felt AMAZING for it afterwards and I know going back I would only build on what i had learnt in one session. I have done pilates in a quite a few different places in the past but absolutely none were anywhere near as good as this, the level of care Colette takes with each member of the class is superb and makes a total difference to what you then achieve. The class was attended by a variety of people of all ages, shapes and sizes and  I completely recommend this class to anyone looking to push themselves and achieve new goals, it is a fantastic challenge that brings a whole range of benefits. 

The following night with a spring in my step, I was back at the studio for my next class. Yin Yoga was something I had never even heard of before and I was really intrigued to learn more after reading up on it on the Infinity site. Described as a 'quiet practice originating in the east via the disciplines of kung-fu' the class is said to improve concentration and improve flexibility. I was looking forward to this one a lot as I knew that without a doubt I need to learn to relax and unwind more and allow myself more quite stillness in my life. Typical of so many people nowadays I struggle to switch off, if I am not constantly checking my phone or on the computer, my brain is always whirring and there is no such thing as sitting down and taking it easy. Thanks to this frantic lifestyle my sleep is badly affected and I sleep very little so I had high hopes that a class of Yin Yoga might introduce me to a new approach to relaxation. A smaller class than the night before due to needing more space for positions, I walked into a very calm studio. Low lighting and soft candle light with soothing music lilting in the background, I lay on my mat whilst others filtered in, just enjoying the warmth and trying to bring my focus to the class and forget the outside world. The class was again ranging in abilites and ages ( there was even an adorable 6 year old next to me giving it her all!) and Collette gave us an fantastic introduction to Yin Yoga and the background to the practice which was really fascinating and helped the class really connect with what we were about to do. A slow style of  yoga  with poses that are held for longer periods of time  to apply moderate stress to the connective tissues, it is designed to help the flow  of energy through the meridian pathways  of the body which according to Chinese Medicine can help organ health, immunity and emotional well being. This class was a totally different pace from pilates and I adored it. The moves were achievable and you were once again expertly guided through them by Colette who gave fantastic insight to why each position was beneficial whilst also keeping the tone of the class soft, relaxed and very balanced in feeling. I didn't even really notice 90 minutes fly by and for once I didn't spend the whole time thinking of shopping lists and emails but instead had my focus on myself and class. This presence that she manages to bring out in you is testament to her years of training and why these classes are so popular. I have never met someone with such a breadth of knowledge and passion for yoga and what it offers so it was really fascinating to see her demonstrate these different styles. Yin Yoga is a seriously perfect class for anyone looking to relax while still working their body, I felt really at peace after it was over and for once- slept like a baby!

So my last and final class of the week was Hot Yoga ( in this case a blend of Astanga and Bikram) I was prepared for the heat thanks to the previous pilates class and was determined to do a little better in this one. A super busy class with men and women of all ages and abilities our teacher this time was Jamie who instead of demonstrating the positions, talked us through moves clearly and concisely while offering alternatives for the more advanced and also for us newbies. I thought it would be difficult to keep up but it was all so well described that it was fairly straight forward ( the execution not quite so much!) but I knew when to not push too hard and allow the more experienced in the class to hold their poses for what seems like super human lengths of time! The flexibility and construction of the bodies of some of the class just make you realise what these classes can do for you, toned and strong is definitely achievable here! We moved through many positions both standing and on the floor in the 90 minutes and it was a real workout that again had you sweating in the heat and working every muscle you have. I really enjoyed the class and felt really worked out by the end but also very calm and controlled also.

As Colette mentioned in Yin Yoga it is all about finding the right practice for you and trying each of these has been a real eye opener. Infinity Yoga really offer something for everyone and deliver each class with an incredible knowledge, professionalism, patience and positivity that I have never experienced in a studio before. The strong sense of community here is apparent from the moment you walk through the door, it is obvious that you get much more than a standard workout by being a part of it. I have adored my week of firsts with Colette and the team and can't urge you enough to give one of the classes a go, push yourself and learn something new- who knows where it will take you!

Prices start from £7 for off peak drop ins and they even offer student discounts. There is an amazing deal on right now with the first three classes only costing £15 for beginners which is the perfect way to give the different styles a go! You can contact the Studio on 0141 552 6378 and follow them on twitter and facebook.

Glasgow Reviewed; The Green Cleanse from Juice Warrior

My mega box of cleansing juices

So if you have not read my first post on Juice Warrior and their one day skin boosting Cleopatra Cleanse, then you catch up HERE.

Following my successful first day it was time to move on to a slightly more 'advanced' plan. The Green Cleanse is a strong juice pack aimed at those who prefer veg juices over fruit and is a more experienced cleanser who is looking for a challenge. I was definitely a little apprehensive after such a nice light day full of fruity goodness on the Cleopatra cleanse but I do love my veg so was ready to get stuck in. After speaking to the very knowledgeable Megan from Juice Warrior and reading through the info pack I received with the cleanse, I knew I had the choice of having no food and giving my digestive system a complete cleanse or enjoying the juices as part of a healthy raw diet. I do enjoy testing myself and have completed a full cleanse before but decided on this occasion to add in a couple of things over the two days. I incorporated my normal Saturday and Sunday breakfast smoothie ( spinach, banana, flax, chia, blueberries and some peanut butter) and also had an apple in the afternoon on both days. Other than that I only had the juices, some water and herbal teas to keep me going. I found having my usual smoothie first thing really helped me feel full for a long time and gave me the energy boost I needed for a busy day volunteering on the Saturday.

Following the Cleopatra cleanse I slept really well and woke up feeling sprightly, not at all lethargic or hungry like I feared. I started off the day with a shot of Chlorella from the Green cleanse which I was ready for after trying it the day before, I left it ten minutes then had my usual smoothie and went about my business until I was ready for my first juice about 3 hours later.  Juice one was the Evergreen that I had already tried and enjoyed, a good start to the pack it is not at all offensive or too 'green' just fresh and appetising and nicely filling. It actually tasted so much sweeter to me today than yesterday which is probably thanks to a good amount of hours being sugar free. I then moved on to Green Powerhouse which tasted very green but not at all in a bad way. It was just less fruity than some but tasted incredibly healthy and by now I was feeling a little peckish so I was totally ready for it and very much enjoyed it as my body was obviously craving lots of greens!

I was feeling full of energy all day which was great, I tucked right into my third drink which was the beetroot one I had sampled on the Cleopatra Cleanse. I actually enjoyed it so much more today, definitely might be coming round to the beetroot blends- hurrah! The next juice was Green Spice and it was the one Megan had warned me was 'VERY STRONG',so I was a little nervous... This was by far the only drink I actually had to force down, it was not the prettiest tasting but I knew it was loaded with goodness (one of the most alkalising, healthful drinks they produce) so I got on with it. I had pals over to watch a film at night and managed fine as they enjoyed some tasty snacks sitting out which is testament to how filling I find the juices. My last drink of the evening was Broc on which was so nice in comparison to the last one that I guzzled it down! Bright and refreshing, it was a nice end to the day and I loved that it had broccoli in it- one of my very favourite vegetables!

going mad for fruit and veg for post cleanse

I woke up pretty early the next morning due to the 'cleansing effect' kicking in... I wasn't sure what to expect but certainly the Green Cleanse is one to clear the pipes out with ( sorry, gross but necessary) The juices were obviously doing their work! The rest of the day was fine however, I took my juices in the same pattern as yesterday and all ( bar the Green Spice) went down a treat and kept me going. I wasn't feeling particularly hungry or drained and just enjoyed a nice lazy day which felt the perfect end to my cleanse.

I woke up on the Monday feeling properly on top of the world and invincible following the 3 days. My body was clearly thanking me for everything good I had put in and I didn't want it to stop so I was really organised and planned to spend this week eating as raw and clean as I could. I have been enjoying my favourite weekend green smoothie every single morning for breakfast, tucking into huge raw salads for lunch and keeping dinner jam packed with veggies too and I am happy to still be feeling totally amazing 5 days after finishing.

tasty lunchtime salad 

I can highly recommend both the products and the service provided by the dynamic duo at Juice Warrior who have been a huge help throughout the process. I find their passion for what they are doing so admirable and encouraging and they have inspired me to keep up my new good habits! Before long they will be adding in raw snacks such as kale chips, nut butters and dehydrated fruit packs into what they offer which is super exciting for those trying to keep healthy in Glasgow City Centre and I can't wait to try them out.

You can contact Megan and Daniel by emailing juicewarriorglasgow@gmail.com or follow them on twitter  or facebook 
  

Glasgow Reviewed: Juice Cleanse with The Flavour Co

From my post last week you will have seen that I have just started having a play around with home juicing. I have had loads of fun trying recipes out but after reading a lot on the subject I was interested in going the whole hog and jumping in with a full juice detox. Now you can of course do these yourself at home but without the right equipment, ingredients and know how you wouldn't get the maximum results and benefits that a juice cleanse can bring so I decided to  leave it in the hands of the professionals. The Flavour Co have a lovely shop on Great Western Road where you can go for  delicious homemade soups and snacks alongside some amazing fresh pressed juices and smoothies but alongside this they now also offer juice cleanses to around the UK.

The arrival of my first 3 days of Juices

The Flavour Co offer a 3 or 5 day cleanse that floods your system with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants while helping you detox from caffeine, refined sugar and processed foods. Natalie from the company explained that there are two options when doing their cleanses, you can opt to do their original cleanse or the lean green cleanse. The original cleanse is a good option for those not used to juicing as it is more colourful in that it incorporates more fruit so this option is quite low in fibre and higher in natural sugar. The lean green on the other hand are high in fibre and lower in natural sugar as they are more packed out with veg and  contains three green juices and two green smoothies a day ( as opposed to just juices on the original option) I think for many the original version would be the best place to start as the flavours might seem more appetising sounding and therefore help to commit to the detox fully but I love me some greens and liked the idea of having smoothies so opted to go lean and green for the whole 5 days!

What ever option you go with the idea is to have no food except your juices and additional water and herbal tea if needed, you are advised if you are finding it hard not eating you could snack on something clean such as raw carrots or fruit such as bananas or apples, can be added without disrupting the cleanse too much. I was so nervous going into it, I get pretty light headed if I don't eat regularly and I have a MASSIVE appetite but I am so pleased to report that my body was getting so much from the juices I felt much better than expected...

The Drinks

Juice 1- Melon, celery, cucumber,kale, greens+optional additions of chlorella or spirulina

Juice 2-Apple, cucumber, kale, greens wheatgrass

Juice 3-Smoothie- Kale, Greens, Banana, Mango, Apple, Orange

Juice 4-Smoothie- Kale, Greens, Banana, Mango, Apple, Orange

Juice 5-Carrot, Apple, Kale, Greens, Fennal, Lemon, Ginger

Juice 6-Banana, Hemp, Date,Vanilla extract, Cardamom

(greens include kale,spinach, spring greens and chard)

The Diary

Day One- I was actually nervous to get started this morning, breakfast in bed with a coffee is a total routine of Ally and I's and it is genuinely a highlight of my weekends! This first drink was much more palatable than I had told myself it would be but not my favourite most likely due to the cucumber in it (I know- I am weird!) but it was absolutely refreshing because of it and I finished it no problem.  The Second drink tasted similarly 'ground-like' when I had it mid morning, again because of the cucumber I imagine.Wolfed it down however as I was starting to feel a little peckish. Volunteering in the shop today so struggling a little in the quiet spells as I would usually be snacking on some veg and enjoying coffees but not as hungry as I thought I might be. Decide to crack on with the first of the smoothies early afternoon, excited to try these as think the texture will be more appealing to me than the green juices. Feels substantial as it is thicker ( but not super thick) tasty and appetising and looking forward to my next identical one all ready! Starting to feel a little 'foggy' no doubt from the lack of caffeine- glad I was out in the shop though which provided good distraction. The drinks definitely took a 'cleansing' effect very quickly today - be prepared to be visiting the loo!

Evening was a little tougher, I realised how much of my eating comes from boredom and routine. Getting in the door and not throwing on a meal and putting the kettle on for hot sweet tea felt very alien and I was definitely hungry for something, also felt fairly tired. The first juice of the evening was definitely refreshing and quite tart- I don't normally love fennel but this blend tasted lovely and 'botanical' and I sipped it slowly over a little while. I was so excited about big drink number 6 as it was the one that sounded right up my street that I had it far too early after drink 5, I just couldn't resist! It was just as delicious as I had hoped for and I guzzled it ridiculously quick. It was such a moreish delight I was already counting the hours until I could have it again! I had deliberately planned a very quiet night in anticipation of being grumpy, tired, hungry and all round rubbish company and I am glad I did ( although in some ways a Saturday night in with rubbish TV, and no wine/tea or food was pretty painful!) I took my tired self to bed really early to relax, although I was sleepy the last drinks left me feeling full enough and I felt better than I thought I would- nervous to wake up on day two as I feel I  have gotten away lightly today!

Day 1 Drink 1 and ready to go!

Day Two- I slept better than I thought I would and didn't wake up feeling ravenous. Absolutely amazed at my breakfast juice- although the morning ones were my least faves yesterday this morning they tasted completely different, my mind was blown! It's like my palette was totally reset- instead of just tasting like strong cucumbery earthy flavour, it actually tasted sweet and completely appetising and delicious. I couldn't stop going on about it I was just so shocked! Surprisingly I have so much more energy than I thought I would and I couldn't believe when I looked in the bathroom mirror how white eyes my are, they look bright and crystal clear- I guess around 30 portions of fruit +veg over the day does wonders! Polished off drink two mid morning and once again the taste was totally transformed to me- I loved it!

I Had my thicker smoothies while out at the shops and managed totally fine. Don't get me wrong I couldn't  run a 10k but I am in better shape than I predicted. It's weird how what you are craving is more veg and healthy food- instead of closing my eyes and wanting a mega burger literally all I want, because I miss chewing, is a beautiful grilled chicken breast with red peppers and hell maybe an egg too! Totally surprising myself. Not craving tea nearly as much today but I did crash out a little around 3ish and just felt v tired and blue for a couple of hours. Took myself to the couch though and just  let it pass. Picked right back up again after drink 5 and got a load of house work done with the energy then wolfed down delicious number 6 at 8 and that was me for the night. 

Day Three- I slept soundly and for long time which was amazing ( I am a terrible sleeper!) felt a little foggy all day but was ultimately fine. I was hungry when I smelt all tasty food but all entirely manageable and didn't drive me mad as each drink worked so well to keep proper pangs at bay. Went to cinema which was good distraction (still find evening In front of TV hard to break habit of mindlessly snacking) and I felt full of energy by bed time. It is strange, I am noticing that I  feel very calm and much more peaceful than normal which was not expected but a very pleasant surprise.  I guess I just feel more 'aware' of myself if that makes any sense. When you are an (over) eater like me you spend all your time thinking of what you are eating next and when and it was liberating that instead of spending all my time thinking of food it was the total opposite. I went to bed really happy with doing the first 3 days, impressed at how it much easier than I thought it would be and was excited to be carrying on for the next two days.

Day 4- I was amazed at my energy level this morning didn't have my first drink till half ten ( after walking 3.5 miles to work!) and then the drinks were staggered through the work day but I wasn't hungry at any point which was amazing! Really was scared of being unfocused and a riot at work but needn't have worried. I actually got more done than I have in forever!!  I had decided not to go to the gym at the start of the cleanse but honestly today I totally could have today- I am just bouncing off the walls. Really enjoying all six of the drinks and exploring different herbal teas over the day time and still feeling incredibly calm and together, which I am loving.

Day 5- I was actually sad waking up today and thinking it was my last day- I have become super attached to these green beauties! Day was as smooth as day 4, full of energy, very satiated, clear skin and eyes and feeling very focused. I even cooked dinner for my friends and managed just fine. I am actually surprised how much being around food hasn't bothered me really, I figure the juices must be doing such a good job of giving everything my body is after that it just isn't an issue. Go to bed genuinely a little sad I am off the drinks tomorrow and have to go back to fending for myself. Vowed to stay off caffeine for the nest few days at least as well as booze, meat, refined sugar etc as I just don't want to throw all this feeling good away! I couldn't resist using my juicer to make a little apple, pear and celery number to enjoy with my porridge in the morning.

The evening line up

So there you have it,I honestly can not believe this has gone as well as it has. Not to get too deep but it genuinely feels an almost spiritual cleanse- not constantly thinking about food and what I should and shouldn't be having was incredibly soothing to me and really helped me wind right down. I felt peaceful and incredibly calm through out this and it felt a real achievement to keep going. The first couple of days weren't without their ups and downs but it was completely worth it, I am definitely aware that it is different for every person though. I might have gotten off lightly as my diet currently ( due to some pesky IBS) is most of the time pretty good. I know others who have a lot more caffeine in a day ( I have 3-5 cups of tea with sweetener, and 4 or so cups of green tea a day) might suffer a bit more from headaches from the withdrawal. I wasn't looking at the cleanse as a long term sustainable weight loss method but yes you do shed a few lbs after it. I lost 5.5lbs over the 5 days which I didn't really notice during, I was just over the moon with how completely un-bloated I was and not struggling with my usual IBS niggles was a big blessing.

So would I do it again? IN A HEARTBEAT. I absolutely adored the whole process and found it taught me a lot about myself and my eating habits. It has definitely brought my attention to what it is in my diet that puts me on a bit of an energy roller coaster throughout the day and how much more I could be doing to get even more fruit and veg in my diet and what benefits that could bring. It has let me prove to myself what my body is capable of and when it is fed right that it can go a lot longer than I thought without snacking. I am so guilty of eating from boredom that this has helped me become so much more aware of it and hopefully fix it. Similarly with my insane sweet tooth I am glad I have given my body a proper break from it and I am going to keep it up and hopefully get it in check in the long term. I loved that The Flavour Co include 6 drinks in their cleanses and found this a perfect amount for stretching out over the day- it has definitely kick started a habit for me of stopping eating and drinking after around 8 or so at night as long as I have had a good healthy filling dinner and how much better I will sleep if I do. I also really like that each day is the same with this detox, you become pretty attached to each drink and actually crave each one as its due so I am glad they remain they don't change ( lets face it I would just NEVER give up drink 6!)

Feeling thrilled with how my skin looks ( thin layer of CC cream and cream blush) by day three!

Top tips I would pass on to anyone considering it- remember if you are to opt for a lean and green version that the drinks are designed to be cleansing on the system and because of it you might find yourself at the loo a lot in the first couple of days. Natalie advised that if you eat a typical stodgy western diet it is probably best not to go  straight on to this particular cleanse without trying green juices or smoothies first as otherwise that 'purging' effect might be pretty uncomfortable! If you are used to eating fruit and veg however and have tried drinks like these before you shouldn't have any problems. For anyone worried about the taste I found taking the drinks out the fridge to get them room temperature and enjoying them with a straw makes them much easier to enjoy in the beginning. Talking of the fridge- make sure you have space! If doing the 5 days you get the first 3 days in one batch and then the last two later so you will need room to keep the bottles fresh. I found keeping myself busy and focused on other things a good help in the early days but it is advisable to start at a weekend or a day off so that if you do start to feel a bit ropey as your body adjusts, you can be at home taking it easy. One thing you might want to avoid ( although it really didn't bother me at all ) is instagram. If you are feeling hungry staring at lots of snaps of other peoples dinners might not help...

Natalie from The Flavour Co has been a complete godsend throughout the process, her knowledge and passion for what she is doing is amazing and she answered my thousand questions before and throughout,  and has been behind me all the way. One thing I know many would be hesitant with when considering a cleanse, is the price. A 5 day Green and Lean cleanse like I have just done is £172 (including delivery) if you are in central Glasgow and £214 for the rest of the UK or for 3 days it is £106/£132. You can opt to go for the original cleanse instead which is cheaper at £95 for 3 days in central Glasgow or £158 for 5, or £121/£200 for the rest of the UK. It is worth noting that if you don't live or work in central Glasgow but aren't too far away you can contact Natalie on info@flavourshop.co.uk to see if a cheaper delivery option is available for you.

 Now this is a lot of money to shell out, but when you consider to try and put one together for yourself you first need a decent machine, time and ingredients ( and some good know how on amounts and benefits of the right ingredients) then I can see why using a company such as The Flavour Co can make it a much better experience. Now that I have completed the cleanse I can absolutely see why it is worth having someone like them organise and arrange it for you, plus when you think of what you save in not eating, drinking or buying coffees over those 5 days then the cost can be easier to stomach (terrible pun...sorry!) For me the huge benefits and results I have felt from the cleanse have been absolutely worth it and I will definitely be putting pennies aside to do one again.

To speak to the lovely Natalie about organising a cleanse for yourself you can contact the shop on 0141 339 5967  or email info@flavourshop.co.uk with any questions.
 

Cleanse given gratis for review, as always opinions are 100% my own

Gym and Juice with Currys

As most readers will know in the years since I have started this blog, my appearance has changed quite a bit. I have actually lost just under 4 stone in these last few years, it has been slow and steady just making gradual changes to my once over excessive diet ( hello allllll the booze and hangover foods!) It has led me to develop a big  interest in health and nutrition, if you follow me on instagram you will often see my pics of attempting healthier dinners and snacks and I love reading up on the changing technologies and different ingredients on offer. I love trying out new forms of exercise and was enjoying dabbling with making smoothies at the weekends already when the team at Currys wanted to set me a little healthy challenge which sounded right up my street.

Ready to burn some cals in Nuffield's super pretty changing area

I was tasked with heading to my local Nuffield Health Centre to try out a class of my choice and man was that a difficult one- I had never used one of their gyms and turns out they have LOADS of amazing classes on offer. I was totally torn between trying my hand at the Power hoop class to shaking my stuff at a Sh'bam class and in the end settled for my first ever experience at a good ol' legs, bums n tums class. I headed along after work and checked out the facilities before the class and I was thrilled, they have everything you could want- excellent equipment, a beautiful pool,  and a great workout studio. I am so glad  I went for something I hadn't actually tried before as it was a fab work out, the instructor was great ( I was really impressed at how he managed to pick out all the newcomers in a  busy class) and made it easy to follow while still being an excellent work out- I was absolutely shattered afterwards! Although it was hardcore it has given me a real kick up the bum for getting properly stuck into exercise and working up a sweat.

The next part of my challenge was to create my first ever juice which after an intense workout I really needed! Now juicing is something that I have been reading a lot into and was already keen to try my hand at it when this challenge came along. I was super excited to try out my new Philips HR1863 from the Viva Collection and rushed to Tesco after work to get my ingredients for my first attempt. With so many juice combinations out there I decided to whip up my own special blend- I give you the Ruth Boost, containing apples, pears, celery, sweet potato,clementines ( and a bunch of left over carrot sticks which you don't need to add but I add them left over from the week!) Together these offer a vast wealth of vitamins and minerals while helping lower cholesterol and blood pressure, boosting your immune system and giving me that much needed energy boost after my work out. Refueling with these ingredients are great for balancing any fluids and electrolytes lost in a sweaty gym sesh and the sweet potato is fab complex carb to help restore the body's glycogen level.

The juice maker was a dream to use, strong and sturdy and incredibly fast and quiet- it blended my ingredients in seconds and was a breeze to clean. I love that the feeding tube on this model is extra wide so you don't even have to waste any time chopping, you simply feed in and away it goes!This bad boy can make up to two litres of juice all in one go and the parts are even dishwasher safe which is a dream for busy families. I already use a Philips Smoothie maker in the house to make greens smoothies at the weekend and it performs really well so it was great their juice model was just as impressive. To give you a better idea of our drink making adventure- here is my co chef Ally to show you how it was done....

I adore experiencing new things so thanks so much to Currys for setting me such a fun challenge- I have absolutely loved getting to grips with juicing and have a new found passion for exercise thanks to my visit to Nuffield. If the Ruth Boost doesn't tickled your fancy, you can read up on the team at Curry's ideas for a the perfect post workout smoothie here. So many tasty recipes- I can't wait to try them out. After making my first juice I couldn't help but whip up the left over apples, pears and celery straight away for an extra treat!

This isn't the last you are going to hear about my adventures in juicing, next up I am going to share my journey on my first juice cleanse- look out for a full review coming up soon.

Juicer and class provided gratis for the challenge. As always all opinions 100% my own.