Find Your Fitness

by Olivia Cartwright,

Getting outside and exercising can be really hard this time of year. Gone is the momentum of New Year's Resolutions and it’s still dark and cold out. The best advice we can give to maintain consistently with your exercise regimen is to find things that don't feel like exercise to you. 

In life we need to understand that there is no one size fits all. Just as there is no one optimal diet for all, there is also no one superior workout. Life is personal and since following my own likes and dislikes I have transformed my approach to exercise. 

I have had an ongoing struggle with exercise since I left school, I was a very active child with very dedicated (and organised) parents forever running me from ballet, to gymnastics to swimming. Fast forward to university where I was first introduced to the gym. I have had countless expensive gym memberships in the 10 years since and never managed a routine that resembled any kind of consistency. In fact, said membership, would frequently remain dormant for months at a time. The gym has, and probably always will, feel like the ultimate chore to me.

This past year has been the first time in my adult life that I can say that has changed and I actually look forward to exercise. 

Two things have shifted:

1. I stopped looking at exercise as punishment and deeming it as necessary in order to change my body. Instead I started using it as a tool for my mental and physical health and started relishing in how good movement actually feels!

2. Finding something that I love to do was a big game changer. I needed to find an activity that was a bit out of the box and perhaps a little unusual that I found fun. This took some trial and error and can feel uncomfortable but it is worth it. My favourite activity of the week is now my contemporary ballet class.

In finding something that doesn’t feel like a chore and that I actually look forward to, I have managed to exercise 3x a week for 6 months without any struggle or stress.  For me that looks like swimming on a Saturday, a dance class on a Tuesday and 90s yoga on a Friday. There are so many quirky and fun classes available to us now, that you are bound to find something that lights you up!

Do some research and see what you find. Where do your likes and dislikes take you? You don’t have to be doing regular HIIT training or running marathons to have a good relationship with fitness. Some of the classes we love are @silverlinings @moveyourframe @psycle and @barrecore.  Share with us your favourites and your new finds.  We'd love to hear how you get on.  

 


Our favourite chocolates for Valentine's/Galentine's Day

by Clare Ward, , link

We are suckers for good quality organic, dark chocolate.  So whether you're showing yourself some love, gifting to that special someone or treating a treasured friend, here is our pick of some of the best around.  And as life is about balance, remember, there's no need for any guilt...

Montezuma's is one of our go-to brands for chocolate.  Interesting flavours and bold packaging. We love the look of these Lots of Love Dark Chocolate Jar of Hearts.  Delicious and in a reusable glass jar.  

Another of our all time favourite brands is Booja Booja.  These were the first vegan fine chocolates truffles we discovered, and they are still one of the best out there.  We love the variety of the Truffle Selection No.2.

Love Cocoa truffles

Love Cocoa has beautiful packaging, delicious chocolate and a mission to disrupt the commercial chocolate industry.  They select the finest cacao beans, not purely for flavour but based on sustainability and social impact too.  They also have a 'buy one plant one tree' iniative and have planted over a million trees.  This really is one chocolate brand you can buy from knowing that it's doing good whilst tasting amazing. 

 

 


Dark chocolate truffle recipe

by Olivia Cartwright, , link

If you are anything like us the way to our heart is through our stomach.  So if you're looking for a treat for yourself or want to make something for a loved one, then we'd recommend these deliciouss truffles.  Dark chocolate has proven health benefits, it's high in antioxidants, is a source of manganese, copper, magnesium and iron.  So a little bit of indulgance that is doing  you good. Enjoy.  Just perhaps not immediately after a cleanse!

Ingredients:

  • 240 ml light coconut milk
  • 300 g dairy-free dark chocolate
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
  • 1 handful of desiccated coconut
  • 1 handful of mixed nuts , such as pecans, hazelnuts, macadamias
  • 2 tablespoons quality cocoa powder

Method:

  1. Pour the coconut milk into a small pan over a low heat and heat through.
  2. Snap the chocolate into a bowl, add the coconut oil, then pour over the coconut milk and stir gently to combine – it’s important not to mix too quickly.
  3. Stir in the vanilla, then cover the bowl with clingfilm and place in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours.
  4. When the truffle mixture is almost set, toast the desiccated coconut in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly golden, then tip onto a plate.
  5. Return the pan to the heat, scatter in the nuts and toast for 2 minutes, or until golden. Leave to cool for a few minutes, then finely chop and place onto a second plate.
  6. Spread the cocoa powder over a third plate.
  7. Using a teaspoon, scoop out little balls of the truffle mixture and roll in the palm of your hands, placing them onto a tray
  8. It’s up to you how you decorate them – roll the balls in the toasted coconut or chopped nuts, or for a simple finish, roll them in cocoa powder. Return the decorated truffles to the fridge for around 10 minutes to firm up, then serve.

 

 



Established London 2009
100% Organic Cold-Pressed
Delivered across the UK