Super Foods...Buzz Foods...The Low Down

January is a month that everyone begins fad diets to try and get back into shape ready for the Summer beach holidays...It is also a time when the words Super Food and Buzz Food pop up everywhere!

But what does "super food" mean?

I tend to use the phrase super food very loosely as I believe it is simply a marketing tool for the foods which come under this supposed umbrella. The foods are simply healthy and nutritious and can be used many different ways. 

What foods are "Super Foods"?

Chia Seeds

A member of the mint family and are the seeds of the Chia Plant. These seeds are a high source of fibre and protein, the contain omega-3 which is "super" for brain productivity. So for those of you with hard working jobs, or someone who is studying for exams then Chia Seeds could be the super food for you. 

How to use them: Chia seeds swell when soaked, so adding them into a pot with some coconut milk blended with a banana (leaving for 2 hours to soak) will give you a super tasty and healthy banana and coconut chia pudding.

Avocado

This is possibly my favourite of the lot. Avocados are great as they contain high amounts of Vitamin E which is good for keeping the skin healthy and glowing. This creamy fruit is also packed with essential fats that are important for our hearts. Eating Avocados can lower cholesterol, contributing to lowering the risk of developing heart disease. 

How to eat them: These can be eaten on toast with a poached egg, in salads or you could try making some homemade Guccamole.

Maca 

Maca is a root that belongs to the radish family and is avalible in powder form. Maca is rich in vitamins B, C and E and also provides plenty of Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium. Consuming Maca can increase energy levels and also stamina. Many athletes consume Maca as it has shown to improve overall performance. 

How to use: You can add Maca into a protein ball recipe or simply add a tea spoon into a smoothie.

Cacao Nibs

The middle part of the cocoa bean. Put simply Cacao is chocolate in its natural form, they contain no sugar ot preservatives and are high in antioxidants as well as fibre, magnesium and potassium all of which contribute to reducing the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. 

How to eat them: Raw with porridge or natural greek yoghurt or swap with chocolate chips in baking.

Quinoa

A wheat free alternative pronouced "keen-wa". With twice the protein content of rice or barley, quinoa is also a very good source of calcium, magnesium and manganese. It also possesses good levels of several B vitamins, vitamin E and dietary fibre. 
How to eat: Can be cooked similarly to rice but can also be toasted and used to make and incredible healthy and nutritious base to a salad.

You can get all of these products from most health stores or supermarkets, buywholefoods online is also a great website to order all from one place.

Frankie Says Relax

Stress is becoming more apparent in daily lives than ever before, especially around this time of year. Longer working hours, approaching deadlines and exams and social pressures are consistently putting us under pressure. Since graduating and starting a business stress has been more noticeable in my day to day life. As a result of this I have taken it upon myself to look at the best ways to help de-stress and relax during this festive period:

I read a post by Zanna Van Dijk who is a fitness inspiration of and took on board some of here thoughts and have given them ago myself and made them a little more suited to my lifestyle.

Relaxation should be part of your routine

For people who know me, I am someone that can’t do something at 10mph its always go go go. I have recently found myself feeling more tired and having a lack of energy. I have now realised that adding in a spot of relaxation to my day could help me feel a lot better. I recently read an article that suggests taking as little as 10 minutes per day to meditate, can help you control stress, decrease anxiety and also help to improve cardiovascular health. As a result of this I feel refreshed and I can work and train more effectively. 

Something that has be recommended that I haven’t yet tried is adult colouring books. Bringing out the inner child, grabbing some pencils and pens and sitting down and doing some colouring in. It makes you concentrate the mind on something else which is easy and relaxing to complete allowing you to forget about your daily stress. I think it is definitely worth the try.

Disconnect and get outdoors

In this day and age everyone has some form of technology attached to them, whether that’s a smart phone tablet or laptop. Taking timeout from social media and endlessly scrolling down news feeds can help us “connect” with those people around and also the surrounding environments. As a surfer my favourite place is the beach and its somewhere I can go to forget about all my worries. Whether its going in the water for a surf or simply taking my new puppy for walk across the sand it, clears my head completely and the fact that you can’t get any signal let alone 3G makes it even better!

Socialise

So many people these days are working until 9 or 10 in the evening, coming home and literally going straight to bed ready to wake up at 6am the following morning. Taking some time out to catch up with friends in person over a drink, meal or walk and NOT social media gives a much more positive aspect to your day. As it is almost Christmas a lot of my school friends are now coming back from University for the holidays and its the perfect time to catch up after being away from each other since summer. So schedule in a meal sit down and have a good laugh to chill yourself out! and make sure you avoid talking about work!

Jess x

A New Venture

Recently I have found myself wanting to add something new to my business and the way I use my blog.

Being in the fitness industry I am always coming across blogs that provide yummy clean eating recipes and new workouts to try. I love the idea of sharing all this however I want to take this idea and give it more of a surfers twist and also add in some rehab posts as well. 

I don’t just want to write posts about things I have researched but also things I have experienced so I will be writing reviews about places I have travelled, bikinis I have surfed in, training gear for the gym and for outdoors. Along with this I will be looking at running interviews with people I feel could inspire others to follow their dreams and be successful at whatever they wish to do.

So if there is anything you would like to see on my blog please let me know!

Jess x