READY… STEADY… RESTORA!

 

 

Now that summer is officially behind us (*hearts break everywhere*), it’s time to regroup and prepare for winter. That doesn’t mean just heading out and purchasing a few chunky knits, scarfs and Chelsea boots. It means giving our skin, hair and nails the nourishment they all need after the marvellous months of sunshine.

 

Focusing on our lovely locks, we’ve found the Restora range and are pretty pleased with the results.

 

The Protein Treatment, which is a three step process taking just 45 minutes, rebuilds damaged hair instantly and uses scientific research to figure out exactly what our sun-kissed strands need.

 

The treatment is proven to transform the internal structure of hair, reversing the damage caused by chemical processing, excessive heat styling and sunlight to give you envy-worthy locks which apparently last six weeks.

 

If you just want to test one product in the range, we’d recommend going for the Protein Treatment tube itsslf as this elixir is definitely the hero and will give you noticeable results immediately.

 

It’s available exclusively online at restora.co.uk. Prices start from £8.99 for the Restora Protein Shampoo and Conditioner, and £24.99 for the Restora Protein Treatment.

*We were gifted with the Restora range to experience

graze Protein Bites – The Perfect Afternoon Snack

graze have been the leaders in healthy and tasty snacking for some time now and their latest offering is possibly my favourite graze snack to date. With a focus on nutritional quality and value, graze are known for making snacks which are quirky and appealing as well as being nutritious and healthy and their new Protein Bites are perfect little oat squares of satiating goodness. Available in packs of four and in three delicious flavours to choose from, these little squares of joy are perfect for lunch boxes and on the go. Coming in at under 150 calories per bite, the brains behind graze have already made sure they are portion controlled, suitable for veggies and vegans and nutritionist approved which makes them completely guilt free. We tried out Cocoa and Vanilla and it’s hard to believe something so delicious can also be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Each bite contains 4.5g of protein and includes the mineral manganese which helps to generate energy from the body’s natural sources. So try this perfect to lift you out of a little afternoon slump or to give you a quick burst of protein post workout.

The range has three flavours to choose from, Cocoa and Vanilla, Honey and Seed and Banana.
graze Protein Bites are available from Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose priced from £2.50

Egg In A Cup | Snack Ideas

Egg in a cup is one of my favourite snacks, but not many people know about it. The name pretty much says it all. It is just an egg (or two) in a cup, with some butter. I had this all the time when I was growing up.

Just take two eggs, boil them for seven minutes and then peel them. Put the eggs in a cup and then take some butter and smother them in the butter. Cut them into sections of four or six and then add more butter. Mix the egg and butter well and then eat!

It really is a low calories snack (if you are economical with the butter. I never am) which you can make in 10 minutes. Try it and let us know what you think.

photo(17)photo(16)photo(18)photo(19)Egg in a cup

Oomf – The Bench Pressed Oats Review

I can’t leave the house without eating breakfast no matter how late I am running. So these cute little pots are perfect for me and the time starved. I got sent the Banana one to review. Here is what I thought:
First of all, convenience. This little pot of Whey Protein Porridge is ready in 60 seconds. You just add hot water. I never make porridge because it takes too long and cleaning the pot afterward is such a chore. So full marks for that. Next is taste. It tastes good, There is nothing artificial about it. It just tastes like banana porridge, but good banana porridge.
Now for nutrition: Oomf are great for you as each serving contains 20g of protein (that’s 36% of recommended daily allowance and equivalent to 3 large eggs!)
The little pot kept hunger at bay for hours. Whey protein, the main ingredient, is a rich source of essential amino acids and boosts your immune system, It has no added sugar and is a British brand with British ingredients.
They come in travel sized pots and all you have to do is add hot water…meaning that they can be eaten anywhere…at the gym or the office or on the go. They are great for on-the-go breakfasts or even as an afternoon snack (especially great for the cold winter mornings).
Flavours include Banana, Ginger Bread and Apple, and Sultana and Cinnamon. £1.50 from health food stores or www.giveitsomeoomf.co.uk.

Staying Motivated When Dieting

STAYING MOTIVATED

By Alison Clark, independent nutritionist and spokesperson for Europe’s no 1 healthy eating plan, Eurodiet.co.uk

The New Year is a great time to set positive goals and make resolutions, and many of us use this time as an opportunity to try and embrace a healthier lifestyle. Making these plans is the easy part but sticking to them can be more difficult! Follow these tips to stay motivated and make 2012 the year that you achieve your health goals.

1. Team up

Changing old habits that may have been ingrained for ten or twenty years can be hard and having the support of friends and colleagues will help you to stay focused.

* Share tips and test new recipes with friends, family and colleagues. Online communities can be hugely helpful here, Eurodiet has a Facebook community.

2. Get organised

Try to plan ahead, jot down which ingredients and products you need. This will make it easier for you to stick to your eating plan and less likely to pick up unhealthy options when you are on the go.

* Try cooking larger amounts and freezing portions for the days when you don’t have enough time to cook.

3. Clean out your cupboards

Having tempting foods in the house or in your desk will make it much more difficult for you to resist eating them.

* Give away any post-celebration goodies which are still lurking around the house – if they are not there you won’t be able to eat them!

4.Don’t be defeated on ‘Difficult days’

It is normal to have days where you find it more difficult to stick to your resolutions. The important thing is not to let these days get you down and stop you from continuing with your good work – draw a line and stay positive. It’s what you do most of the time that counts!

* If you have a sweet craving try one of the low calorie sweet options available on the Eurodiet.co.uk eating plan – like gooey vanilla caramel chocolate bars or apple crumble.

5.Identify your triggers

Next time you have a hard time resisting a second helping or you skip an exercise class, think about why it happened. Try to identify the feelings that triggered your behaviour, for example hunger, fatigue or stress. How could you change the outcome next time?

* Control your hunger by eating regular meals and ensure you have enough protein in your diet. Protein is essential for sending signals to the brain to say, “Thank you, I’m full”. Introduce healthy snacks if needed like cereal bars or fruit.

6.Make it fun!

Write a list of milestones you expect to pass on your journey towards your final goal and find ways to reward yourself as you reach each one. This will encourage you to stay on track and make the challenge more enjoyable too!

* Treat yourself to a massage, enjoy a spa day, take a new class, buy a new dress, try a new sport.

* Stay positive!