Wednesday 26 February 2014
Thursday 20 February 2014
Countdown to sunshine
British summer time officially begins on the 30th
March – that’s less than six weeks away. Despite a shift in temperature feeling
like an impossibility at this moment in time, I am hopeful that we’ll have as
an amazing summer as we did last year. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a few
of my favourite warm weather pics to inspire the sun to show its face…
Wednesday 19 February 2014
This is me: Madeleine Shaw, Nutritionist
Joie talked to nutritionist Madeleine Shaw to find out how she lives a joyful life...
What do you do for a living and how did you get into this
field of work?
I am a nutritional health coach and food blogger. I used to
work in a cafe in Australia cooking and fell in love with the wellness industry
so thought - why not make it my career?
What does a typical day look like for you?
It varies time-wise dependant on when I see clients. However
it always involves, warm water and lemon first thing, a good proper breakfast
like eggs and smoked salmon, then checking my emails, and seeing clients…I try
and do yoga most days. I am always running around London for different
appointments and pick up lunch at Wholefoods or Natural Kitchen. I see most of
my clients in the afternoons and evenings. If I get an early finish I’ll go out
for dinner or cook something yummy at home.
What do you do in the way of exercise, and why? What do
you enjoy about it?
Yoga. I am doing my yoga teacher training so I am really
dedicating myself to it, I used to hit up the gym quite a bit and want to get
back into it again.
Do you have any mottos/ affirmations that you live by?
‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you
imagined.’
‘There is only one me.’
What does happiness look like to you?
A good chinwag with my girlfriends, good food and any moment
spent with my boyfriend.
How would you spend the perfect Sunday?
I always spend Sundays with my boyfriend. It usually is a
sleep in, I love to dive into yoga mid- morning then it is a brunch of eggs,
smoked salmon and avocado then maybe go back to bed. I love watching cartoons.
However, I often do emails and work, I am trying to ban myself from work at
least one day a week though.
What are your top tips for incorporating healthy habits
into a hectic London lifestyle?
Be kind to yourself, no one is perfect, take one new habit
on at a time.
Breathe! Meditate if even just for a minute. Don't busy your
schedule too much.
What is your favourite recipe at the moment?
Pumpkin soup or Thai green chicken curry, anything spicy,
warm and filling.
How has focusing on wellness/ nutrition enhanced your
everyday life?
I feel happy and healthy every day. I am able to be the best
version of myself; I have more energy and passion for life.
Check out www.madeleineshaw.com for more information
Pure and Simple: Beauty Brands I Love
I adore beauty brands that are mostly natural and organic. People are becoming more and more aware of the fact that what you put on your skin ends up inside of you so it's really worth giving some thought to the cosmetics you use. There are so many wonderful brands that adhere to this philosophy, but these are just a few of my more recent discoveries...
Antipodes
This amazing range of organic skincare hails from New
Zealand. I’ve tried a number of the products, but my favourites include the
Aura Manuka Honey Mask and the Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream. Everything I’ve
used smells absolutely amazing and delivers really impressive results. Super
gentle yet really effective products make this range a must try.
Mio
With the philosophy ‘Strong is the new skinny’, Mio is a
brand after my own heart. Designed for use in conjunction with exercise, the
range includes an Invigorating Muscle Gel and Firming Body Oil. My personal
favourite is the Liquid Yoga Restorative Bath Soak. Aside from having an
amazingly irresistible name, this luscious blend of Epsom salts and Arnica is
perfect for soothing aching muscles after a long Vinyasa Flow class.
One Love Organics
As well as having the prettiest packaging around, One Love
Organics’ gorgeous range prides itself on taking a simple approach to skincare.
This delightful brand is pure enough for even the most sensitive of souls. The
standout product here is Brand New Day – a 2in1 micro derma scrub and mask.
Skin feels seriously silky after just one use.
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare
This lovely brand works by helping to manage the levels of
inflammation within the skin. Their star product? The Miracle Cleanser. With a
name like this, you expect results…and you get them. Skin feels soft, clean and
calm with every use. Another highlight is that the enclosed muslin cloth is the
softest and gentlest I've ever used.
This is me: Nadia Narain, Yoga Teacher
Joie talked to yoga teacher Nadia Narain to find out what leads her to live a joyful life...
What do you do for a living and how did you get into this
field of work? What do you love about it?
I teach yoga. I dont know how I got into it… it was a long
time ago and my teacher sort of pushed me into it. I think she had a plan for
me before I did!
What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake up early, eat breakfast, some mornings I go for an hour
long walk in Regents Park ... it’s a great way to start the day, or a
meditation practice at home if it’s raining. I start teaching at 9am and am usually
teaching all day. I try and come home for lunch and if I’m lucky one or 2 days
a week I get to be home before 7pm!
What does your exercise routine look like?
I love walking… one day a week I go to a barre ballet exercise
class at heart core in Hampstead and 1 day a week I get to a yoga class.
Do you have any mantras/ affirmations that you live by?
Breathe, love, laugh, be kind and be grateful is my motto. I
try and throw forgiveness in there to myself and to others - we are all human
and are constantly messing up.
What does happiness look like to you?
It changes but it’s generally a feeling that I’m flowing
with life. I wake up and I’m excited by the day - all the bits of the day are
magical with laughter and love and bedtime is full of gratitude. It always
starts on the inside and usually will translate into the day.
How would you spend the perfect Sunday?
I love Sundays! I’ll usually go to marylbone farmers market,
sometimes have a late breakfast at The Fromagerie, come home and cook and
arrange flowers…then I’m on the sofa all afternoon with movies, books, the
papers. Sometimes I’ll have an early dinner with friends and then an early
night.
What are your top tips for incorporating healthy habits
into a hectic London lifestyle?
You have to pay attention. It’s easy to get caught up in a
busy lifestyle...but it’s also important to slow down, to rest when needed, to
be in nature as much as possible and to take care of stress loads. It gets
stressful in the city, we need to take time out!
Please could you tell us a little about your new range of
candles and what inspired it?
I was always being given candles that were very perfumed and
I noticed this black soot in the glass when I was burning them. The smells
seemed nice until I starting burning them and then I got headaches and they
were overwhelming so I wanted to create candles that used a natural plant wax
with natural aromatherapy oils, no paraffin and no perfume but that also looked
cool. Each one has a word that should resonate with the person burning it. They
are nice for yourself or a lovely gift if you want to share the sentiment.
To purchase Nadia's beautiful candles visit www.nadianarain.com
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