Our main man this Winter!

OK so I mentioned there on Sunday that throughout this week, I was going to chat about some of the supplements that I think are going to really help battle the temperature drop in relation to our immune system.

OK, so first of all, the problems we all run into in Autumn/Winter revert from respiratory problems!

Aloe Vera Gel = keeps the immune system in good shape :)

This beautiful yellow bottle works wonders in helping many things but I would be here all night talking about all of it's properties so I'm just going to give you pointers on how it's going to help you throughout the cold seasons.

It is bio-available (this means that your body recognises it and all of this amazing properties. This is a big MAJOR point. If you go out and buy some really expensive supplements and it's not bio-available, you are just going to excrete it. What a waste of money, so the fact that this gel is recognised by our bodies is a BIG help!

Aloe vera is a long chain sugar (polysaccharide) this basically effects our cytokine system (which are the chemical messengers of the immune system). This then acts in a way that balances our system = aloe vera gel is a immunomodulator.

Some of the main minerals & vitamins NATURALLY found in aloe are;
- Calcium
- Sodium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Copper
- Zinc
- B12
- Vitamin A
- B group vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Folic Acid
- 19 out of 20 amino acids
- 7 out of 8 essential amino acids (our body cannot make these ones!)

How much to drink?

Adults 100 mls minimun per day (older adults and children need less)
(one shot in the morning - before you eat anything & one shot around 4pm OR at night before bed)

Tomorrow... More on the respiratory system helping supplements!! :)

Remember if you want to order your bottles, have a root in my Shop :)


(ps. remember I am not a doctor, facts from this blog are ref. from Dr. Peter Atherton, but all tips are what I do and since they work for me and my immune systems over the past few winters, hopefully they'll help you. #preventionratherthancure)

Change your thinking, change your life

Good morning girls, 

Cold Autumn Sunday morning - love them :) 

So throughout the week, i'm going to be posting up all the best defences now for coming into the Winter months. We have a lots of different problems in Winter compared to Summer like;

1. Our immune system is what we need to hit to stay healthy.

2. Our skin, because it's going to react with the cold windy air. 

3. The Winter Blues can be a problem for some people (Seasonal Affected Disorder = SAD)

So i'm going to post my favourite supplements and little tips up throughout the week on that :)

For this morning though, I want to share with you this little clip. I just LOVE it. Like I want to cry every time I watch it because I feel so motivated and ambitious afterwards. I've actually started to watch it every night (for the past two weeks I have). I like going to bed feeling positive, feeling excited, feeling happy about my life and my future; this clip ticks all the boxes. 

In the past two weeks I've received LOTS of exciting news… Which i'm going to be announcing very soon. News in relation our gym #tfa The Fitness Agency. So watch this space because it IS very exciting!!!

Happy Sunday! 

And remember, the only person who is stopping you achieving ANYTHING that you want in life. Is you… So move out of your own way! 

Love Erica xx

Home-made Protein Balls

One thing I'd like to point out. I really love baking BUT if I bake, I eat everything... SO I don't bake.

So during the week, I did a little baking experiment which turned out GREAT :)

So I made little yummy protein balls.

Ingredients:
Forever Ultra Lite Aminotean Protein Shake (1.5 scoops)
Organic Peanut Butter (1 tablespoon)
Almond Milk (30 mls)
Organic Porridge Oats (1/2 mug)
Mixed Seeds (half a mug)
Dried fruit (small handful)
Flaked almonds (2-3 tablespoons)

 Method:
Put all the ingredients into a bowl
Mix together with a wooden spoon!
Make small little balls
Pop onto a tray and into the oven (Gas 4 (160 degrees))
Turn after 5 minutes and leave in the oven for another 5

They taste awesome and are a superb snack or breaki!!! Absolutely delish with a cup of herbal tea :)

Good morning girls :)

Okay as we all know water is a necessity to keep our bodies healthy BUT most people don't drink nearly enough!

You have got to drink water on its own, tea does NOT count. 

If you don't like water - get over it & drink it!

Here's some reasons;

- It helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite (yahoo)

- Water leads to increased energy levels. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration.

- Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease.

- Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer.

- Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.

- Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation.

- For a majority of sufferers, drinking water can significantly reduce joint and/or back pain.

- Water can prevent and alleviate headaches.

- Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.

Oh and eh it is COMPLETELY essential to the human body’s survival (a person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water)

Eh in a nutshell... Drink more water!

(Bottled is better than tap & make sure that your bottles are BPA free... But that's for another day!!)

It's what's inside that counts!

"Don't worry pet, it's what's on the inside that counts" proclaims mother

"PEOPLE CAN'T SEEEEE MY INSIDES!!!!" yells angry teenager

This saying, of course makes sense, but let's be honest; at some point in your life... it's not what you want to hear. But, the thing is... it IS what's on the inside that counts... because the outside of your body (your skin, the body's largest organ) is a reflection of what's going on inside of you (your gut health).

You have to view your face and body as a screen, a screen that reflects your insides. If you have something that bothers you, you need to start from the inside!

Checklist:
Q:  Is your immune system good? (A: Yes, I never get sick and rarely get stressed)
Q:  Is your digestive system in good condition? (A: Super, my tummy is in good nick)
Q:  Are you absorbing your nutrients? (A: Yes, my digestive tract is clean)
Q:  Are you lacking any vitamins or minerals? (A: Nope, if I lack anything, I supplement)
Q:  Are you happy? (A: Apart from when life throws you curve balls, yes :))

These are all vital questions that if are not in order, your external features will suffer.

If you want to help some area ( I know mine is always my skin ) Please look at how to address the situation on the inside first.

Happy Sunday Girls, Bella sends her love :)

Spinning makes you sweat!

Spinning is awesome. 

Spinning is just an excellent workout! I would recommend spinning once or twice a week, it's great cardio workout and it'll leave you looking like a smiling tomato. Spinning is a sweaty session that you just feel amazing after! The music is pumping, your legs are moving so fast and every stress in your life just flies out the window!

Don't forget water and a sweat towel!

My fav aspects of spinning:

• A 45 minute spinning class burns around 500kcal - woo hoo
• If you keep good posture when spinning you'll give your abs a good session
• Spinning is low impact, which means no pressure on your knee's or joints!
• You can spin in Winter! 

Other joy of it: 

• When you pedal fast = you burn fat 
• When you pedal slow = you isolate your muscle group 
• Spinning focus' on your core muscles, thighs & bums!
• Reduced risk of injury when you spin in comparison to other cardio workouts
• You can adjust your resistance! 

If you like cycling, you'll love spinning! It's an indoor version. 

The best thing about cycling is the view, the best about spinning is the music! 

I'm a nervous pervous cycling on the road... only my mother can make me do it! 

Check out some of my spinning classes here 

See what makes you smile!

Mindset makes a difference. This is true. 

Scenario: You wake up, the sun is shining, the dogs didn't pee in the kitchen & the countertop is clean from last nights dinner - yippee - it's going to be a great day! You go up & get dressed, check yourself out in the mirror, you're looking good!

The the next thing, your boss rings & that's never a good sign... You put down the phone & you're annoyed now!

You go back to brush your teeth & you now "look like s**t".
(If this has never happened to - you're a lucky duck!)

The ONLY thing that has happened is that your good mood turned bad... BECAUSE YOU LET IT! You feeling upset/bad/annoyed whatever the circumstance may be, makes no difference to the existing problem, it only makes a difference to you!

You look EXACTLY the same as you did ten minutes earlier, you just FEEL different. However, the only difference was your mindset! So find a solution to stop this happening.

Soooo pick something you like, something that you love (I love flowers) and when you see it - feel grateful & happy. I keep flowers in my kitchen, in the garden, when I drive, there in other people's gardens, they're outside shops, they're everywhere - they're my constant reminder of everything I have to be grateful for.

Choose whatever you love and let it be a trigger to remind you of all the things in life that your love!

This is a long topic which ill tap in & out of over time!

Have a happy evening girls :)