MONDAY MOTIVATION | WORKOUT CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment in my "monday motivation" series! For last weeks post i shared my go-to Spotify playlist, which was filled with a lot of the music that i listen to when it comes to working out. Which made me think for this weeks instalment i thought i would share selection of my favourite workout clothing/accessories, because as well as having music to listen to when working out you also need clothes to wear whilst doing just that (unless you are sometimes an at home in your underwear kind of person)...

When it comes to buying workout clothing/accessories just like normal shopping in general, you don't have to break the bank to do just that. So before i get into sharing some of my favourite pieces, i thought i would add a few tips for when it comes to shopping for workout pieces.

- always look for discount codes before ordering online

- when looking for a specific item shop around for the best price first

- a lot of high-street stores do great more affordable alternatives to larger brands

- shop sales

- only buy what you feel comfortable in

1. primark sports wear | click to view |

If you are looking for something super affordable yet still great quality, then Primark is your place to go for workout clothing this year. I have picked up a selection of things since last month and i am so surprised how great they are, as well as how many different cool patterns/styles they have. Personal favourites for me are the sports bras which start from just £4.

blush sports bra | blush crop top | black sports bra | stripe sports bra 

2. amazon limited edition fitbit versa fitness tracker | click to shop |

Next up for me a personal favourite for when it comes to actually tracking not just your steps and fitness but also your sleep/day-today activity. I have the white and rose gold FitBit Versa, which is an exclusive to Amazon edition. I love how sleek the watch it, as well as the fact it goes with anything i wear. My favourite features (which you can keep a track on via the app). FitBit's are a lot less expensive than investing in an Apple Watch, but you can also get cheaper alternatives to both brands.

3. adidas three stripe performance tights | click to buy |

When it comes down to actual clothing/leggings for workout, i am an Adidas fan as i just feel like the fit me perfectly more so than other bigger brands. You can shop Adidas and other larger brands like Puma and Nike also for less at places such as Sports Direct, where they have sales on regular as well as mix and match for so much offers and this is both online and in-stores.

4. hydrateM8 water tracker bottle | click to shop offer |

Working out or doing any form of exercise always makes you feel dehydrated, plus you should always drink a larger amount of water every single day if you want to stay on track health-wise and it has so many benefits. For me personally a HydrateM8 water tracker has helped me keep on top of how much i am drinking and i always drink three of these full per day. At the moment HydrateM8 have a special Valentine's Day off on, where you can pick them up on a buy one, get one free offer. Whether you want to pick up two for yourself, or go halves with someone you know, this is such a great deal not to pass up.

5.  adidas three stripe bra | click to buy |

Another Adidas piece i love is this particular sports bra, as i do love a good co-ord/matching set even when it comes to my workout clothes. You can also shop Adidas bra's/other pieces on Surfdome, which i mentioned in my previous post, where i shared my february must-buys.

6. puma core overhead hoodie | click to shop offer |

Finally we have a hoodie which i picked up last month, the reason being is it is so cold at the moment you need to layer up before and after workouts. I love this particular hoodie, although i would recommend sizing up one if you like things a little more oversized. It is currently on offer on the JD Sports website for just £30 instead of £45 and comes in black or grey. 

Catch up on my previous "monday motivation" post: here

xo.

MOTIVATION MONDAY | MY CURRENT GO-TO WORKOUT PLAYLIST

Hello everyone and welcome back to a new Motivation Monday series! As i mentioned in my previous series last year, for me music plays a huge part in staying motivated especially when it comes to working out or even just going for a walk. With that in mind to kick things off, i thought i would share my go-to workout playlist...

As i have mentioned before when it comes to listening to music, i always listen either on my phone, computer or TV via Spotify so all links will direct straight to Spotify.

1. FYT (feat. french montana) Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign

2. New Level - Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign

3. Ride It - Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign

( i am obsessed with the whole Mih-Ty album, can you tell?)

4. Talk To Me (feat. rich the kid) - Tory Lanez

5. Sicko Mode -Travis Scott

6. Taste (feat. offset) - Tyga

7. Swish - Tyga

8. Stargazing - Travis Scott

9. Clout (feat. 21 savage) - Ty Dolla $ign

10. Sad! - XXXTENTACION

11. Keep In Touch (feat. bryson tiller) - Tory Lanez

12. Champion (feat. travis scott) - NAV

13. Not A Love Song (feat. ma$e) - Eric Bellinger

14. On The Regular - The-Dream

15. Rambo - Bryson Tiller

16. No Stylist (feat. drake) - French Montana

17. ZEZE (feat. travis scott + offset) Kodak Black

18. First Off (feat. travis scott) - Future

19. Crushed Up - Future

20. God's Plan - Drake

21. If You Ever (feat. 6lack) - Nao

22. Shootin Shots (feat. ty dolla $ign + tory lanez) - Trey Songz

23. Switch - 6lack

24. Times 10 (feat. lil baby) - Sammie

25. 2AM (feat. tory lanez + davido) - Casanova

26. Dirty - Tank

27. East Atlanta Love Letter (feat. future) - 6lack

28. I Got (feat. trey songz) - Birdman, Jacquees

29. Good Company (feat. swae lee + quavo) - Tone Stith

30. Night Thang - The-Dream

Catch up on my previous "motviation monday" post: here

xo.

THE BEST HEALTHY "FAKE"AWAY RECIPES

Hello everyone! I know i am not on my own when i say that they love a good takeaway from time to time, but don't love the calories that they contain. Ever since switching up my lifestyle and the way i eat, i barely eat takeaway or eat out in general and since doing so i have discovered a ton of different recipes on Pinterest, that are great healthy alternatives to our favourite takeaway food choices. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of my favourites, as they are not only a lot better for you but they also work out a lot less expensive in the long run than getting a takeaway would...

1. pizza

Pizza is one of my favourite foods ever and it just something i can't go without having on a regular basis, whether that be eating out or at home. Pizza can be super calorific (especially a naughty Domino's or Pizza Hut) but this doesn't have to be the case, so much so i have been having homemade pizzas at home for years now and i enjoy them so much more.

vegan caprese pizza - click for recipe

three ingredient sweet potato pizza base - click for recipe

easy healthy tortilla pizza - click for recipe

2. burger

Second close favourite in cheat meal favourites for me is a good burger and fries, especially if it contains cheese. It is quick and easy to head to McDonald's and get a heavy in calorie burger that won't fill you up but it won't be as satisfying as making your own at home for more than half the calories and will keep you full up for longer.

mushroom burgers with chickpeas - click for recipe

sweet potato quinoa burger - click for recipe

halloumi burger with sticky chilli sauce - click for recipe

3. indian and thai food/curry

I love nothing more than a good Indian takeaway from time to time and for me the spicier the better, but i do also love the classic tikka masala with a yummy naan bread to dip. Just like pretty much all restaurant/takeaway foods even these run high in calorie, which can be avoided by making your own at home.

chicken tikka masala - click for recipe

thai butternut squash red curry - click for recipe

thai noodle salad - click for recipe

sweet potato, chickpea and spinach curry - click for recipe

4. mexican

A restaurant favourite of mine (Italian food aside) is definitely Mexican food, anything from fajitas to enchiladas and burritos which all happen to include tortilla wraps. Tortilla wraps if eaten more than one at a time can bump your calories up a fair bit, as most contain anything from 90-150 calories each. That being said limiting yourself to one or two over four, is a lot better.

shrimp sheet fajitas - click for recipe

mexican street style corn stuffed peppers - click for recipe

one pan mexican rice - click for recipe

cilantro lime shrimp tacos - click for recipe

xo.

AUTUMN RECIPES | HEALTHY DINNER IDEAS

Hello everyone! So when it comes around to this time of year, there is nothing better than having something warming yet delicious to eat for dinner. That being said just because it isn't summer anymore and you are going to want something a lot heartier, it doesn't mean it can't be healthy still because it can. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite healthy dinner ideas for autumn...

1. butternut squash and chickpea curry

So i recently picked up a copy of the October Slimming World magazine, not because i follow Slimming World unlike i know a lot of people do but because i have seen so many people create yummy syn friendly/free meals created by Slimming World and i wanted to give them a go. One recipe from the magazine that really caught my eye, is this delicious butternut squash and chickpea curry. Curry is a favourite of mine as i love anything spicy and it is perfect for autumn time, with some wholegrain rice or even lentils/bulgur wheat.

2. squash, spinach and walnut linguine

Next up is another squash inspired dish and actually a recipe from a blog post of mine from almost two years ago, still a firm favourite of mine during autumn/winter. This recipe is super simple yet super tasty and packed full of all the good stuff, the only thing i would say is if you are following a certain strict diet switch the olive oil up for a tiny amount of spray oil (which is what i now do also). 

3. one pan healthy sausage and roasted vegetables

This is a recipe that can be done with regular sausages or vegetarian sausages and definitely a favourite of mine, all year round not just autumn time. This can literally all just be thrown into one pan or a baking tray and be left to roast in the oven until cooked, not many dishes to wash afterwards either. Roasted veggies always have this beautiful taste to them, unlike when you would just boil them or steam them which makes them a lot more enjoyable to eat therefor you can get more veggies inside of you. 

4. sicilian-style salmon with garlic mushrooms

Fish dishes are another one of those perfect for autumn time, especially this salmon dish from the BBC food website which is paired with autumn style veggies and yummy garlic mushrooms. This dish is super quick to throw together, doesn't contain many ingredients but is still full of beautiful flavours and full of goodness. 

5. sweet potato + kale chilli

Just like curry to me chilli screams warming/hearty autumnal food, especially this delicious sweet potato and kale chilli inspired from Pinterest. I love how full of autumnal colours this dish is, with the orange of the sweet potatoes, green of the kale and deep red of the kidney beans. This is another one of those dishes that could be either served alone, with some rice or bulgur and if you have any left overs eaten alone is perfect for lunch time.

6. broccoli pasta bake

Two things i love to eat a lot are pasta and anything cheesy and i definitely limit the amount i have so much more than i would of in the past. That being said if you do cut down the amount you eat, a little once in a while will do you good as you do need some of the benefits from the two. Broccoli pasta bake is such a simple yet delicious meal that can be made/tweaked to your own specific diet. Cutting back of cheese and adding maybe some nutritional yeast as a substitute or even just bread crumbs, or a mixture is a great way to cut back on the calories yet you are still getting the same crusty topped effect. 

Want to finish your evening off with a low calorie/syn friendly snack/dessert? Catch up on my recent blog post sharing some of my favourites: here

xo.

LOW CALORIE/SYN FRIENDLY SNACKS/DESSERTS (UNDER 100 CALORIES)

Hello everyone! So in a few different food related or Motivation Monday posts, i mentioned that i switched out higher calorie/naughty snacks for things that are a lot lower in calorie. At the moment there are so many yummy and new low/lower calorie snacks, in a wide range of flavours both sweet and savoury. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite bought snacks at the moment...

1. fibre one 90 calorie chocolate brownie bars 

(87 calories, 3.0g fat, 1.8 saturated, 7.3g sugar, 0.25g salt)

I am pretty sure that these Fibre One brownie bars are the original line from the brand, as until recently you could only find the square bars. These are perfect if you are a brownie/cake lover as they aren't too big, they are under 90 calories yet they still taste as if you are being naughty. You can also pick up the square bars in Lemon Drizzle, Salted Caramel, Cinnamon and of course Chocolate Brownie which is my personal favourite.

2. fibre one 90 calorie peanut butter popcorn bar

(90 calories, 4.3g fat, 1.7g saturated, 4.2g sugar, 0.13g salt)

As i mentioned in my recent what i ate in a day post, Fibre One bars are a must-try bar and i mentioned how this particular one is my favourite out of all of them. This is perfect if you still want something dessert-like but maybe a little more savoury tasting, as it is filled with a peanut butter flavour and of course popcorn. Another good thing about these Fibre One bars is as it suggests in the title, they are filled with fibre rather than sugar and bad fats. If peanut butter isn't a favourite but popcorn is, you can also pick up these bars in a Chocolate Popcorn flavour.

3. fibre one 90 calorie carrot cake bars

(90 calories, 3.3g fat, 1.8g saturated, 5.8g sugar, 0.23g salt)

Finally from Fibre One i couldn't not mention the newest edition to the product line, which is of course the Carrot Cake bars and the Triple Choc Cake bars. These are apparently a little harder to track down but if you do come across them, i definitely recommend giving them a try as they are just as delicious. That being said personally i love the Carrot Cake bar more, as the Triple Choc Cake bar tastes very similar to the brownies.  

4. asda blueberry muffin fibre bar

(86 calories, 2.3g fat, 1.1g saturated, 7.2g sugar, 0.16g salt)

Sticking on the fibre bar theme, ASDA recently started selling their own range of fibre bars which come in this delicious Blueberry Muffin flavour, as well as their own version of the Chocolate Brownie flavour. These bars are definitely worth picking up if you are on more of a budget and the Fibre One bars are currently full price, as they are more affordable at just £1.25 for 5 bars.

5. yushoi sweet chilli + lemon pea snacks

(88 calories, 3.0g fat, 0.3g saturated, 0.9g sugar, 0.3g salt)

If you are one of those people who loves crisps as a snack or just in general but you don't want to being eating them daily as of course they are filled with fat, as well as being super high in calorie. A great alternative are these baked pea snacks by Yushoi, they give you that crunch that you are missing from a crisp as well as the savoury taste. These are also gluten free and vegan friendly, as well as being free of artificial flavourings and MSG. 

6. kettle bites mozzarella + pesto lentil curls

(97 calories, 3.1g fat, 0.5g saturated, 0.6g sugar, 0.4g salt)

Another good one and so much better for you than crisps, in fact i think i enjoy these more and that is lentil curls. You can pick these up by so many different brands now (supermarkets even stock their own brand versions) but a favourite of mine is definitely the ones by Kettle, as they have so many more unique flavours such as this Mozzarella and Pesto flavour and also my favourite Sweet Chilli. Just like the pea snacks, these are also gluten free, free of artificial flavourings and MSG.

7. skinny whip chocolate snack bars

(94 calories, 2.3g fat, 1.8g saturated, 10g sugar, 0.04g salt)

Back to something sweet/dessert-like this time something you can pick up in Home Bargains, i am pretty sure this is the only place you can get them anyway. These are just like the Fibre One bars is the way that they taste super naughty yet they are low in fat and calories. These bars are available in boxes of 5 for just £1 a box, they also come in three different flavours Double Chocolate, Toffee Chocolate and Strawberry Chocolate.

(In order to stay on track keep snacks to a minimum, such as one snack per day and of course mixed in with a healthy diet of three meals a day, never skipping breakfast) For more Motivation/Lifestyle tips, catch up on my motivation monday series > HERE <

xo.

MOTIVATION MONDAY #6 | MOTIVATION ROUNDUP

Hello everyone and welcome to the final instalment of Monday Motivation! Every single Monday in July i posted a bunch of different motivational focused posts and just in-case you missed them first time round, so for today's post i thought why not give you a little roundup/recap...

| monday motivation #1 | simple tips on how to stay motivated |

So first up was obviously post number one and this post i wanted to kick start the series, by sharing some simple tips on how to stay motivated. By knowing some simple tips on motivation just when you are starting/wanting to start living a healthier lifestyle, really helps you not only learn physically but also mentally.

| read the full post from July 2nd | here |

| monday motivation #2 | gym/workout makeup |

For post number two in the series, i really wanted to talk a little bit more about confidence when going to the gym/working out, especially when it comes to not feeling confident wearing no makeup. You honestly don't have to feel like that and i talked about some of the products i like to wear, that give you that confidence boost but doesn't appear like you are wearing a full face of makeup and of course comfortable for you to wear.

| read the full post from July 9th | here |

 | monday motivation #3 | my ten go-to healthy breakfasts |

For post/week number three i really wanted to touch of the subject of how true it is what they say and breakfast is in fact the most important meal of the day, as well as you don't have to spend a bunch of time preparing something healthy/yet delicious when you are in a rush. I get a lot of meal/breakfast recipe inspiration from Pinterest, so if you are ever stuck just have a browse as there is literally a recipe for everything.

| read the full post from July 16th | here |

| monday motivation #4 | workout/gym music |

Another gym/workout related post for instalment number four and a topic of my personal biggest motivation, especially when it comes to working out. In this post i decided to share a lot of the music on Spotify that are on my workout playlist, a lot of them are super up-beat and definitely spur you on during a tough session. 

| read the full post from July 23rd | here |

| motivation monday #5 | what i ate in a day |

So for the final instalment of Monday Motivation, i decided to share my first "what i ate in a day" post ever since switching up my food/lifestyle choices. In this post i really wanted to go into a little more detail about counting calories and limiting the amount of snacking, as well as how to keep things interesting so you are less likely to "fall off the wagon" so to speak.

| read the full post from July 30th | here |

I hope that you have enjoyed this monthly series focusing on Motivation and a more healthier lifestyle, i would love to know if there is anything else you would like me to cover in a future monthly series. You can either tweet me @iamkatiee_ or message me on Instagram @katiebeautyshake

xo.

MOTIVATION MONDAY #5 | WHAT I ATE IN A DAY

Hello everyone and welcome to another instalment of "Motivation Monday" on my blog! If you have been keeping up and read #1 in this series, then you will probably remember me saying to stay tuned for a What I Ate In A Day post in this series and post #5 is the one. I have not shared one of these posts for so long now (i'm talking last year/early this year so long) and i really want to get back into sharing them more often, as they are also one my favourite videos or posts to read and watch. As i have mentioned during this series, i have actually been counting my calories which i will add at the end to share what calories are in each meal...

7:00AM: On a regular week day i always tend to have my breakfast at around 7-ish after i have done a workout, which i always do first thing in the morning. So for breakfast whilst the weather has been super hot i have been loving having yogurt, with either fruit or granola. The yogurt i am having is the Muller Light Fruitopolis Greek Style Cherry (no added sugar) topped with Homemade Granola, which is just Oats, Almonds, Walnuts, Raisins, Puffed Wheat, Flax Seeds and Coconut. Then as well as water i am having a regular tea with one Whole Earth 0 Cal Stevia and a little bit of Unsweetened Almond Milk. Total Calories: 144

1:30PM: So for lunch i like to switch things up pretty much everyday, just to keep things interesting. That being said this specific lunch has been one of my favourites for so long now and i have shared it in this style of post before, as it is such a great way to have that Avocado on Toast type meal but if you are like me and hate Avocado it is a great alternative. Of course the alternative i am talking about is Smashed Peas on Toast, which is literally just one slice of Wholemeal Farmhouse Bread Toasted and Peas cooked and Smashed, then topped with Chilli Flakes. You can also do this with Broad Beans or Edamame. Total Calories: 163

4PM: So in the first Motivation Monday post, i mentioned how i used to have an afternoon snack and one in the evenings but no i just have one or the other, never both. On this particular day i had a snack in the afternoon and i try to keep them as healthy as i can, so i usually opt for some type of low-ish calorie and low fat bar seeing as i had already had Yogurt for breakfast. I love, love, love these Jordan's Frusli Juicy Blueberries bars and i first tried these after seeing Anna Saccone-Joly have these on her What I Ate Wednesday's, they are honestly so delicious. I also like to have a Masala Chai Tea, which is also so yummy and it really suppresses that biscuit-y craving we can all probably get from time to time. Total Calories: 114

6PM: Finally we have dinner and this is probably one of my favourites at the moment, as it is super yummy and healthy also. This dinner is basically a bunch of different veggies roasted like Red Pepper, Orange Pepper, Squash, Sweet Potato and Red Onion, then you basically just mix it into some Bulgur Wheat (which is so much lower in calories than rice). I had my topped with some Halloumi, which was just coated in spices and then i also added some Chilli Flakes on top. Total Calories: 343

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

MOTIVATION MONDAY #3 | MY TEN GO-TO HEALTHY BREAKFASTS

Hello everyone and welcome back to the third instalment in my "Monday Motivation" series this month! When it comes to trying to stay on track/stay eating healthy, one of the key steps to maintaining this is to ALWAYS eat breakfast. By starting your day off eating breakfast, you are not only going to have more energy to stay motivated during the day but you are also going to less likely snack/eat foods that are not necessarily good for you. With that in mind for this weeks instalment, i thought i would share my ten go-to healthy breakfasts...

1. good grain puffed wheat or multigrain cheerios with almond milk

Cereal is such a quick and easy breakfast but a lot of cereals tend to have a ton of sugar in them, so if you are trying to be good make sure you check the sugar contents on the box before hand. Two of my go-to's are the Good Grain puffed wheat, which is high in fibre, low in sugar and calories. The other cereal i love is the plain multigrain cheerios, unlike the honey/chocolate ones, the multigrain ones are lower in sugar and are super high in fibre. I always have unsweetened almond milk with mine or sometimes coconut milk, as i don't have cows milk.

2. overnight oats

Overnight oats are another great quick and easy breakfast to have, as it literally takes five minutes if that to make the night before and leave it in the fridge until you are good to go. Oats are a really good fat burner, as well as keeping you fuller for longer. I actually have a full blog post on my blog already with lots of different overnight oats recipes/toppings, which you can catch here.

3. porridge

As well as overnight oats another oat-y breakfast i love is regular porridge, some people see porridge as boring but you can add so many different things to it and make it a lot more interesting/tasty. My current favourite is oats, unsweetened almond milk, a tablespoon of PB2, cinnamon and a tsp of organic honey.

4. yogurt and fruit

Another quick and easy breakfast, which i am all about in the morning is yogurt and fruit on top. My favourite is a fruit-y muller light yogurt with some peaches sliced up on top. You can do this with so many different fruits/flavoured yogurts, you can also add a drizzle of honey or agave nectar over the top if you wish. 

5. alpro plant yogurt with homemade/granola topping

Another great yogurt breakfast, this time completely vegan/dairy-free is some of the Alpro plant based yogurt, either the vanilla or almond flavour topped with some homemade granola. The homemade granola we have is literally just dates, dried fruit, different nuts and oats baked in the oven and it is delicious.

6. coffee protein smoothie

This particular breakfast is what i always tend to have if i am not feeling particular hungry when i get up, but i still have breakfast so you don't skip a meal. The smoothie couldn't be easier to make either as it is simply just four tablespoons of rolled oats, two tablespoons PB2 either plain or cocoa, one tablespoon coffee or espresso powder, almond milk and ice.

7. scrambled egg on toast

It is not often that i have toast for breakfast anymore but i do tend to more so on the weekend, yet unlike before i only ever have one slice and it is always wholegrain/seeded. Then to top it off i will have one large egg scrambled, with a splash of water added to it and this allows them to go super fluffy and then i always like to have a drizzle of chilli sauce over top.

8. homemade beans on toast

Another great weekend breakfast on toast is homemade baked beans, which is literally just any canned beans you want, onion, garlic, chilli and tinned chopped tomatoes cooked on the hob. Then just like the egg once cooked, i place some over top of one slice of wholegrain/seeded toast. I also don't have butter or butter substitute on the toast, as i just prefer it without but that is totally up to you.

9. smoothie bowl

Another smoothie one but this time in a bowl with toppings on top, when it comes to the smoothie itself i opt for frozen mixed berries mixed with almond milk and then topped with some nuts or the homemade granola. You could also top it off with some more fresh fruit, or even all of the above all depending how hungry you are.

10. homemade baked oatmeal/granola bars or squares

Finally this is definitely one of those good for both breakfasts or a snack when on the go, as you can make a tray up and keep them stored all week. You can pretty much make your oatmeal bars whatever flavour you want, a good one is blueberry and coconut. You can find a ton of different recipes on Pinterest.

Catch up on last week's instalment HERE...

xo.

MONDAY MOTIVATION #1 | SIMPLE TIPS ON HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED

Hello everyone and Happy July! So over the past 4-5 months i have actually completely changed my lifestyle and i have become a lot more motivated/healthy by changing my diet and exercising a lot more. With that in mind and seeing as i haven't really spoken much about it, i thought why not share with you some of the simple tips i have found work well for me when it comes to staying motivated. I thought i would combine this post into a series of Motivation Monday posts, for the whole of July...

1. do NOT say you are on a diet.

Maybe you do want to shift a few pounds but do NOT ever call it a diet, because diets are always associated as a temporary fix/solution. By calling it a lifestyle choice, it becomes the way you live every single day and your brain is more likely to allow you to stick to staying motivated.

2. you have to do this for YOU and nobody else.

Another number one rule is always do/make your own lifestyle choices for YOU and nobody else, never let anyone else dictate to you what to do and when to do it. You are your own person, you do you boo (one of my favourite sayings right now) because at the end of the day it is your life so it is your right to choose to do and be who you want to be. Only let someone be in your corner to keep you motivated, rather than someone put you down!

3. watch what you are eating.

Some people might not agree with calorie counting but for me personally this has helped me stay on track without any slip-ups, as i have been within my daily calorie budget every single day for well over 100+ days now. I use the app on my phone called Lose it!, it is free, easy to use and has official nutritional of pretty much any food item/product (as well as restaurant nutritional values). The thing i also love about this app is that you can add your own food/meals to the app, say if you have cooked a recipe from a website or book that has all the nutritional values you can simply add them in. The app is set to the calorie budget according to your height, weight and how much you want to lose per week or you can choose to stay the same.

4. cut down on snacking and never skip a meal.

The way those extra calories add up is when you snack a lot in-between meals, which was a slight downfall of mine and quickly got that under control. Now i only have one small healthier snack either in the mid-afternoon or the evening, but never both like i would before. Another huge tip to stay on track/motivated is to NEVER skip a meal, especially breakfast. It is true what they say breakfast is the most important meal of the way, as it increases your energy levels allowing you to stay motivated through-out the day. (stay tuned for a what i ate in a day during this month's motivation monday series).

5. exercise/workout first thing in the morning.

What i have found as worked for me, is doing a workout first thing in the morning, this way i am not only starting my day off right and it is simply out of the way. A lot of people make the excuse by saying "i don't have time" when you do have time if you make time, get up 20-30 minutes sooner than you usually would and even if you only do a quick 10 minute workout you have still done something. 

6. walking.

It is super easy to just jump in the car to go five minutes down the road, but it is just as easy to get your steps in by walking down the road also and this way you are not only fitting more exercise, you are also getting fresh air (this will help improve your mood). If you are lucky like i am to live not too far from a park, just take 30 minutes out of your day to go for a walk which can burn up to 190 calories. 

7. constantly set yourself new goals.

Always set yourself new goals, whether that be week by week or monthly just set yourself a goal to reach and work towards. Then once you have ticked that goal off, create another one and challenge yourself. When it comes to working on achieving goals (not just fitness or diet) the number one rule is to remember to believe in yourself and believe you can push through and do it, as long as you reach your goal eventually at least you have reached it and you can then move onto the next goal.

8. stay hydrated.

Whatever you are doing or whatever lifestyle you live, one that is the most important for your well being is to stay hydrated and drink as much water as you can every single day. Especially now it is summer, it is important to stay hydrated even more in the heat. Drinking lots can help detox your body constantly by flushing out any toxins etc. Talking of liquids, something else that i have been doing pretty much all year is not drinking alcohol. I'm not saying i haven't had a drink here and there because i have, but i haven't been drinking every weekend as i was before. I tend to stick to something like a gin and slimline tonic, which has less calories. 

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

QUICK, EASY + HEALTHY PINTEREST LUNCH IDEAS

Hello everyone! So last week i shared with you some of my favourite/go-to quick, easy and healthy Pinterest breakfast ideas which have all the time and you can catch up on that post here if you didn't already. With that in mind i thought why not keep the ball rolling and share with you some of my favourite lunch ideas from Pinterest, which are also quick, easy and healthy to make (fun fact some of them are a healthy spin on some yummy yet naughty/not so good for you classics).

1. tortilla vegetable pizza (wallflower kitchen, blog)

If you are like me and are obsessed with pizza, then you are going to love a quick tortilla pizza for lunch and you can make them from as little as 200 calories (all depending on the calories on the tortilla wrap). You can either stick to your usual pizza toppings or go healthy by skipping the cheese and adding veggies, you can either meet in the middle adding a little of both. I have this lunch quite frequently and it only takes around 5 mins prep, before popping under the grill for a further 5-10 mins.

2. smashed peas/broad beans on toast/bruscetta (recipe: my little larder, blog)

If you have read any of my "what i ate in a day" posts previously, then you will probably remember me mentioning how much i love smashed peas or broad beans on toast, especially with some garlic and chilli. This is such a good alternative if you want an avocado on toast type of lunch but don't like avocado, which i don't. There are so many different things you can have which are quick, easy and healthy for lunch on toast, such as mushrooms, scrambled or poached egg or even a homemade/healthy version of baked beans.

3. baked sweet potato fries (live eat learn, blog)

By simply chopping some sweet potato up into thin strips before placing on a tray and adding a little salt, before baking on the oven is perfect for when you crave one of those "snack-y" type lunches. You can skip feeling guilty about having fries for lunch, as the sweet potato fries are baked and not fried therefor using a lot less oil (you probably only need a teaspoon if that). One of my favourite things to dip mine in is either sriracha hot sauce or sweet chilli dipping sauce, so yummy!

4. butternut squash, kale, butter bean pesto salad (cupful of kale, blog)

If lettuce isn't your thing but you want to up your intake of veggies at lunch time, then this butternut squash, kale and butter bean pesto salad is perfect for doing just that. Not only is this salad packed full of vitamins and goodness, it is also going to fill you up for longer than a regular salad would. This one is also great for having either hot or cold and is one that could be easily made in a larger batch for meal prepping.

5. cabbage, kale and potato rosti (delicious magazine, blog)

  I love anything potato, so rosti's are a favourite of mine and another great way of getting your intake of veggies up, without feeling like that is what you are eating. Delicious magazine has so many great recipes from lunches, dinners to desserts and this recipe also happens to be another one perfect for meal prepping and helping you save time in the long-run.

6. stuffed mushroom and halloumi pittas (olive magazine, blog)

Finally we have a quick and easy twist to your regular sandwich, by using pitta rather than bread and also pitta is lower in calories than bread. This recipe is actually one of my favourite things to grab at Nandos, so it is a great one to re-create at home also and it only takes 15 mins. You could stuff your pitta with any filling of your choosing and to suit your taste/preference.

Have a great weekend!

xo.

FIFTEEN FOODS/OILS FOR HEALTHY SKIN + HAIR

Hello everyone! There are so many great different skin/hair products available that you can spend a lot of money on to help your skin and hair look/stay healthy looking, when it doesn't always have to be that way. Of course i am not saying ditch all of your products, but there are actually so many foods/oils you can be eating/using that are naturally good for your skin, hair and even nails. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you twenty of my favourite foods/oils which are great for achieving glowing skin and hair naturally...

1. oats

Oats are a filled with a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants and great for repairing any breakage to your hair. Oats also have a lot of health benefits to, such as aiding weight loss, lowering blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

2. walnuts

Walnuts are filled with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which helps keep in moisture, giving your hair that healthy looking shine. The protein helps boost the follicles of the hair allowing your hair to look fuller and stronger. Walnuts are also a great source of brain food and also just like oats are said to help with weight loss.

3. spinach

Spinach is not only a great source of iron to give your strength, it is also a great natural anti-ageing as it is packed full of vitamin A. Spinach is also another great food for helping with the skins moisture.

4. red peppers

A fun fact (something i didn't know until recently) that red peppers actually contain more vitamin C than oranges do, who would of thought that? Vitamin C is a great antioxidant, aiding your skin to look more radiant and glowing.

5. kale

Just like spinach, kale is also the perfect anti-ageing/wrinkle reducing food but fun fact, kale is actually filled with more antioxidants than most greens. Kale is most definitely a win-win vegetable, as it has so many health benefits for both the inside and outside of your body. I also think it tastes delicious.

6. pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds not only taste delicious, they are also packed full of zinc for helping with your skins natural oils which help to protect and repair your skin. It is also said that pumpkin seeds can aid the natural growth process in your hair, as well as fighting against acne and boost your immune system.

7. lentils

Lentils are a great source of getting protein and iron into your system, especially if you aren't a meat eater. By eating lentils you can also boost the thickness and fullness in your hair, as well as being packed full of vitamins perfect for aiding with producing collagen in the skin.

8. coconut oil

Coconut is not only the perfect ingredient for adding/keeping moisture in your hair and skin, it is also a natural antibacterial. Coconut oil can be used for so many different things from dry ends of your hair, dry hands, a natural cleanser to break down makeup and you can even use it to shave your legs with.

9. macadamia oil

Macadamia oil just like coconut oil is a great way to keep your skin/hair looking and feeling moisturised, but it is also said that macadamia oil is also a great natural ingredient proved to help sooth and reduce inflammation.

10. jasmine oil

Jasmine oil can be used in so many different ways, either as a calming remedy or to give an instant shot of moisture to dehydrated skin. Jasmine oil is also proven to help fade any scars/imperfections to the skin such as stretch marks and acne scars.

11. garlic

Garlic is apparently one of natures best medicines, to help keep cholesterol and blood pressure low as well has helping with preventing brain diseases. That being said for the beauty side of things, garlic has been proven to help prevent breakouts and maintain clearer looking skin. 

12. eggs

Which ever way you prefer to eat your eggs, you are going to be helping your hair, skin and nails out tremendously. The nutrients that is jam packed into one small egg, is going to help not only reduce the size of pores, it is going to tighten the skin, add shine to your hair and strength to your nails.    

13. berries

Berries are a strong antioxidant and are jam packed with vitamin C, by eating berries they are not only going to help hydrate your skin/hair, they are also going to give you a healthy glow, boost collagen and they are also a natural anti-inflammatory.

14. tea

Tea is not only one of those things that taste good, it is also giving your skin a helping hand at the same time. Green, black and red teas are not only like berries rich in antioxidants and anti-ageing, they are also a great way of helping you to get a clear your complexion. By drinking tea it is also said to help reduce puffy eyes, dark circles and help prevent blackheads.

15. dark chocolate

Last but not least probably one of the most surprising foods, as usually anything containing dairy is said to be bad for your skin. Although it is said by just having a small amount of dark chocolate can help your skin fight against sun damage, anti-ageing and skin discoloration. Chocolate also releases brain endorphins making you feel happy, so naturally when you feel happy you'll look good.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

BEAUTY HACKS I SWEAR BY | PART ONE: MAKEUP + SKIN

Hello everyone! Through-out the years we have all discovered a hack or two that comes in handy and we have also learnt the hard way, that some don't work as well if not at all. That being said, after trying so many different hacks/tricks myself, i have found the ones that work well for me personally and i swear by using them on an everyday basis because they actually can make a huge difference. So for today's post i thought i would share part one to a little "beauty hacks i swear by" series, kicking things off with makeup and skin...

1. LINE UPPER LASH LINE TO MAKE LASHES APPEAR THICKER

If you are having one of those days where you either can't be bothered, don't have the time or don't want to wear false lashes but you still want your lashes to stand out. You can still achieve this quick and easily by simply applying some eyeliner or eyeshadow with an angled brush close to your upper lash line, it not only makes the lashes appear thicker but also makes your eyes pop more.

2. USE POWDER FOR A FAUX LASH EFFECT
Another great tip for creating that false lash look without actually wearing falsies, is to firstly curl your lashes before applying one coat of mascara. Next you are going to want to apply some translucent powder to your lashes before going in with another coat of mascara, by doing this is creates  thicker, fuller and longer looking lashes. I don't know how but i just know that this works so well!

3. DO YOUR EYESHADOW BEFORE YOUR CONCEALER

I have always done my makeup in a specific order, i like to do my foundation first before i do my eyeshadow, rather than going straight in with concealer and finishing my base before moving onto my eyes. By doing this you have created an even base but you can still go in with concealer to fix any mistakes or fall-out that might of occurred, as you haven't placed any powder yet on your face and therefore your makeup won't appear cake-y from placing a liquid on-top of a powder.

4. USE BRONZER FOR A QUICK EYESHADOW LOOK
Talking of eyeshadow a great alternative to applying eyeshadow, especially if you want a quick and easy eye look is to use your bronzer what you plan on using as part of your base makeup. I do this all the time, even more so if i am travelling that way you don't have to pack a ton of products. I always tend to take a bronze, blush and highlighter palette, this way everything is in one place and a lot more compact.

5. HOW TO GET GLOWING SKIN
Towards the end of last year i posted a similar type of post in the form of a beauty tricks that actually make a difference and in that post i touched on how to fake glowing skin. Through out the years we have probably all needed a helping hand with this now and again, me included and liquid highlighters, facial oils and strobe creams will definitely be your best friends. That being said you can also achieve glowing skin naturally, by following a few easy steps that i swear has helped for me. First of all make sure you are drinking 2+ litres of water a day, if you aren't a huge fan of plain water switch things up and add a little non sugar squash to the water. Next of all getting vitamins into your system is key, whether that be in tablet form, from fruits and vegetables. You could even kill two birds with one stone by getting your water intake and vitamins in one, in the form of a berocca which is full of b vitamins and folic acid.

6. CREATE A THERMAL FACE MASK IN SECONDS

Always heard that the benefits for your skin from a thermal face mask are amazing? but don't have a thermal designed mask in your collection or price range. You can create your own in seconds with one you already have, simply place the amount of product you would normally use into a microwave proof bowl and heat for 20-30 seconds making sure it doesn't over-heat or dry-out. Apply the now thermal face mask with an old yet clean foundation brush, sit back/relax and feel like you have taken a trip to the spa from home. 

Catch up on my previous blog post HERE...

xo.