Snack attack

It's that time of day you can't function in the office anymore unless you have some cake or chocolate. Temptation takes over and the urge to eat anything containing an obscene amount of sugar becomes almost impossible to suppress.

Most days I experience the ‘afternoon slump’ and it’s usually between 3-5pm, a significant drop in my energy levels is apparent. This is the time I crave a sweet snack.

“Sugar cravings, as they are commonly referred to, can be defined as the physiological drive to eat sweet, carbohydrate-containing foods, as well as the psychological programming to seek out sweet foods when you feel tired, bored or unhappy.”

Undeniably our brains and bodies need a boost in the afternoon. However sugary foods are the worst option, because food containing refined sugar will spike your energy levels and you won't feel so energetic after. Don't give in, instead try my healthy suggestions below, trust me your body will thank you for it. 

Organic Cashew Nuts

Nuts are a great way to curb cravings. My favourite are organic cashews, they taste fairly sweet, are high in protein and aren't as high in fat as other nuts. 

Fruit

If you’re going to the gym after work opt for a banana to give you energy. It's also a great brain booster.

Blueberries and natural yogurt are a perfect combination for satisfying your sweet tooth. 

Peanut butter with Rice Cakes 

Peanut butter is high in protein and rice cakes are low in fat and high in fibre. Top with some fruit for a sweet kick.

Protein Shake 

I swear by protein shakes to help tone, feed and recover muscles. A chocolate or strawberry protein shake will curb your sweet craving and help you feel fuller for longer. I use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Shake Powder because it only has 1 gram of Fat and only 1 gram of Sugar and 3 grams of total Carbohydrates per serving.

How do you get over a snack attack? I would love to know. 

Monday's Miracle - Water

Water is by far the best beauty product on the market – it’s natural, cheap and already stored in the human body, there’s no beauty brand on the shelves that can compete.

Despite brands trying to contend by introducing water based products, irrefutably chemicals are used to create these products. Next time you reach for your ‘water-infused’ beauty product, grab a glass of water too. Not only is water good for your external appearance, but also vital for internal health and a functional brain.

Why is water the best beauty product?

1.        If you want clear skin water is the answer. Drinking water flushes out the toxins that sit inside your body, eliminating these encourage clear skin.

2.        Your body naturally fills cells with water to make them firm and tight. When the cells are filled with water they become bulged and push against your skin from the inside, and this can help to reduce cellulite and wrinkles, helping you look younger too.

3.        Drinking water hydrates hair. Yes really! Drink more water for naturally soft and silky locks.

4.        Rinsing your hair with cold water after washing your hair adds shine and locks in moisture.

5.        Did you know it helps you lose weight? Our brains confuses hunger with thirst sometimes. Drink a glass of water before a meal and it will stop you over consuming food. It also helps eradicate cravings, thus helping you to lose weight. Add a few slices of lemon for a detox drink and it will also boost your metabolism.

6.        Want a flat stomach? Water prevents fluid retention, because your body won't try to retain water if it's getting enough.

My daily routine consists of drinking at least two litres of water together with herbal teas. If I go a day without drinking my usual intake of water the texture, glow and appearance of my skin is noticeably different.

I’m lucky enough to have problem skin (sarcasm intended) I've been fighting a loosing battle with my skin for as long as I can remember. Spots, dry cheeks, oily t-zone and scars are just a few of the difficulties I (quite literally) face, thus my skin care routine is very important. I have trialed and tested many expensive and inexpensive brands to help my badly-behaved skin. Nothing had worked. 

Until now. All thanks to reading a magazine and a top beauty journalist said she only used water on her face at night. What…Water? Surely you need to do more than that to clean your face? Or is that what we have been lead to believe? This is when it occurred to me how many chemicals I was putting on my face daily. Twice a day I would use a cleanser, moisturiser and spot treatments as well as applying my daily makeup.

A few months ago I decided to use fewer products on my face and opt for water with a warm flannel at night and it’s worked! My skin has never been better and I have days when it looks fairly clear. I still use face wipes and a good moisturiser at night, however I've come to think if you drink enough water your skin should be hydrated, what you put inside your body is reflected on the outside.

The moral of the story... water works wonders! The fewer chemicals you slather on your face the better your skin will be. Call it an oxymoron but it’s the best beauty product out there. If there’s anything to start this Monday, it's drink more water. 

Monday’s Miracle!

 

“I don’t have time” is probably the most common excuse used not to workout. But surprisingly these people find time to sit on the sofa and watch Eastenders of an evening or socialise over a glass of wine. And I’m not suggesting for one minute you shouldn’t be able to do these things, but if you’re consistently doing them and avoiding exercise not only your waistline will suffer, your health will too.

The NHS recommend “at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days that work all major muscle groups.”

If you can’t possibly find the time to commit to this amount of exercise a week, an app called ‘Daily Workouts’ is perfect for busy people who don’t have the time. You can exercise in as little as five minutes, the first level is free and you can workout wherever you go. Try getting out of this one...

The app has six exercise options; Ab, Arm, Butt, Cardio, Leg and Full workout. You have the choice to workout for 5, 7.5 or 10 minutes. Alternatively if you wish to increase the length of your workout, I suggest doing each exercise option for 10 minutes giving you a total body workout.

There are three levels to choose from. Level one consists of basic moves and is perfect for beginners. However if like you’re a gym bunny like myself you will have to purchase level 2 and 3 for tougher exercises. If you’re already hitting the gym after work, this is a fab way to tone target areas and feel an immediate effect.

This app has been part of my daily morning routine. As much as I feel inclined to stay in bed for an extra 10 minutes, I decide against it and instead do 10 minutes of exercise. Thanks to this app I don’t feel like I’m dragging my arse up the tube escalators.

Everyone has a spare 5-10 minutes a day and I guarantee you it will lift your mood on a Monday morning. Start the week positive and download the app today!  

Do you use this app? How do you workout if you don't have time? Let me know below...

You can find out more about this app here: http://dailyworkoutapps.com/dailyworkoutapps/Daily_Workouts.html