We all admire those strong, powerful women we see on TV or even in our daily lives. But only certain women can do that right? No. You can feel more empowered too. It’s all in your mind and actions. Others will try to stop you, but the ones who matter will support you. Empowerment is something every woman should experience. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as feeling truly confident about who you are. Exercise more. Exercise isn’t just about your body. It’s about making you

Very low-calorie diets – What does the NHS actually recommend! There has been a lot in the media lately, about the VLCD – the 800kcal diet it has been inferred that the NHS actually support it, This is what they actually say ·       A very low-calorie diet (VLCD) is a clinically supervised diet plan that involves eating about 800 calories a day or fewer. ·       The diet usually involves replacing normal food with low-calorie shakes, soups, bars, or porridge containing milk. 

Many nutrients are absolutely essential for good health. It is possible to get most of them from a balanced, real food-based diet. However, the typical modern diet lacks several very important nutrients.     1. Iron Deficiency Iron is an essential mineral. It is a main component of red blood cells, where it binds with haemoglobin and transports oxygen to cells. There are actually two types of dietary iron: •          Heme iron: This type of iron is very well absorbed. It is o

Eggs are one of the few foods that should be classified as "Superfood." They are loaded with nutrients, some of which are rare in the modern diet.   Here are 9 health benefits of eggs that have been confirmed   1. Incredibly Nutritious Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. A whole egg contains all the nutrients required to turn a single cell into a baby chicken.  A single large boiled egg contains ·       Vitamin A: 6% of the RDA ·       Folate: 5% of the RD

You know exercise is good for you. It keeps your weight in check, makes you stronger, and keeps you feeling youthful and staying active into old age. But did you know that exercise also releases the same chemical and feelings of happiness and contentment that being in love does? So when you work out and stay active on a regular basis, it's not just a coincidence that you feel less stressed out, less anxious, and generally happier just as you do when you have a partner, Is it

New Year, New you right? While you might have a chart already tacked up to your fridge with healthy dinner recipes and lunch choices, chances are that in your heart of hearts you know the resolution won't last. While it feels good turning down the office birthday cake and going a solid week without ordering Chinese food, unless you see this new diet as a lifestyle change, you're just counting calories until something derails your journey. It doesn't have to be that way! If yo

When it comes to weight loss, that number on the scale seems to hold a lot of power. If it's not budging, frustration might set in. But sometimes the number on the scale isn't the best way to measure progress. If you're losing inches, but not weight, with your diet and exercise program, you're losing fat and gaining muscle, which is a good thing. Building Muscle with Exercise When you're working out to lose weight, whether it's aerobic exercise or strength training, you're no

Winter blues set in? You’re not alone. This time of year, shorter days, less sunlight and heavier foods combine to create a less positive outlook. Eating regularly is important to keep blood sugar levels stable (no more “Hangry” moments); and including the top nutrients needed to combat seasonal doldrums such as omega-3s, complex carbohydrates, vitamin D, B vitamins, protein and iron, are simple and effective ways to give you that summer smile even on the coldest winter day.

33% of people make a new year’s resolution to lose weight and 38% say they will exercise more. That’s a lot of people. So it’s no surprise many turn to fad diets or other extreme measures in attempt to kick-start their weight loss. Unfortunately, while doing so may produce quick results, they rarely last. Evidence shows that people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1–2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping weight off. This slow-and-steady mentality is mo

Goals that take just 10 extra minutes a day (or less), and can lead to big improvements in your health and happiness Does the New Year mean a new you — or another failed New Year’s resolution? Probably the latter for most of us, psychologists say, because thinking the flip of a calendar is enough to motivate us to axe all of our bad habits and behaviours is actually really unrealistic.   We typically make resolutions around our most challenging habits, such as losing weight,

Lose weight? Start exercising more? Stop smoking? It can be daunting when your list of New Year’s Resolutions is as long as your Christmas shopping list. In addition to the post-holiday slump, not being able to keep your resolutions by February, March or even late January may increase your anxiety.   When your holiday decorations are packed up and stored away, the frustration of an unused class membership or other reminders of failed resolutions can make the later winter mont

As Christmas approaches, our world fills with twinkling lights, gift lists, and holiday shopping and stress. But beneath the rush of shopping bags and deadlines lies a quieter truth: the most meaningful parts of Christmas have nothing to do with what money can buy. The gifts that stay with us long after the wrapping paper is gone and isn’t found in the shops—they’re felt, shared, and remembered. Here are 10 priceless things money can’t buy this Christmas , yet they’re worth m

We all have them, the Christmas left overs, and as our shopping bills seem to get more expensive, we want to make use of every last scrap.   So here are a few ideas for things to do with them. Most of them do not have exact measurements, they are to taste or ratios you would prefer   Cheeseboard fondue Whisk 1 glass white wine and 2tsp cornflour together in a shallow pan, bring to the boil whisking all the time, then add 200g grated or crumbled cheese. Stir until cheese has m

Here are a few cocktails idea for your Christmas, along with a Mocktail version for the drivers or those who just don’t partake   Classic mulled wine Serves 6 750ml bottle red wine 1 large cinnamon stick, or 2 small ones 2 star anise 4 cloves 2 strips lemon zest, pared using a vegetable peeler 4 tbsp caster sugar   Put the red wine, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, lemon zest and sugar in a large pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins. Remove from the heat and cool, leaving to infu

Dinner parties are back! So here are a few ideas to help them run smoothly, Maybe even help with Christmas day!   5 Thrifty ways to be a good host Warm through shop bread bought in oven before serving, and put out small dishes of butter to soften Serve tap water in a pretty jug, or a glass bottle with slices of citrus fruit, Keep a supple of ice to hand. Prepare a playlist that will last long enough to cover the whole evening – nobody wants to hear the same song over and over

Losing weight can be tricky business: When you’re insanely busy, it can be tough to focus on your goals in a healthy, sustainable way, let alone work towards them at all. It’s easy to fall into pitfalls, but hey, knowledge is power—when you know the traps you’re most likely to fall into, it’s easier to steer clear. Here are 10 weight loss mistakes 1 . FOCUSING ON WHAT YOU CAN’T EAT So many people embarking on a weight loss journey focus on what they can’t have—such as no suga

How can mindfulness improve your fitness? There is a lot of talk at the moment about mindfulness and meditation. This week we look at it in relation to our workouts What is mindfulness? “The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.” Or  “A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique” Mindful exercise is about

Looking through generations of family photos, you may notice it’s not just facial features that seem to be inherited — in many families, body shape and weight seem to get handed down just as easily as hair colour or height. But if you’re from a family where steady weight gain seems the norm, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. Genes may play a part in terms of weight and obesity — particularly when it comes to abdominal fat — but they’re not the only factor

Pulses include beans, lentils and peas. They're a cheap, low-fat source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and count towards your recommended 5 daily portions of fruit and vegetables. A pulse is an edible seed that grows in a pod. Pulses include all beans, peas and lentils, such as: baked bean red, green, yellow and brown lentils chickpeas (garbanzo beans) garden peas black-eyed peas runner beans broad beans kidney beans, butter beans, haricots, cannellini beans, flage

Every October and January people all across the U.K give up alcohol for a month. Congratulations if you are just finishing “Sober for...