Getting in shape in a week.

6 tips for getting in shape in no time

...Ok bad news is that unfortunately it's not possible to actually get in shape (OR luckily to get out of shape either) in a week. Its more about getting rid of toxins, making sure you won't be bloated the next weekend and feeling  GREAT. We are going to my bf's best friend's wedding next Sunday and the dress I will be wearing will show if there is any extra around my waist. I don't feel like doing a juice cleanse or anything super extreme but I do want to feel extra good in my dress.

I wanted to share my 6 tips (or rules) that I will be following this week to feel great 

1. Super anti-inflammation Anti bloating drink Every day.

This drink includes:

2 lemon

1 tbsp ginger

1 tbsp turmeric

1/2 tsp cayenne

some stevia to make the taste a little less extreme.

2. Workout every day. 

These workouts will include running 30min, abdominals and yoga (yoga at least 4 times).

3. Mainly Raw foods.

I am actually trying a mainly raw food diet (90% raw) for the next month. I won't go 100% since i might want to eat some warm soups and drink teas (and coffee sometimes). I also might have steamed veggies, mushrooms or lentils every once in a while.

4. NO snacking

This is mainly the only thing that is different from my every day life and can give me a real challenge. I love snacking and eat fruits, nuts, seeds, and whatever i feel like eating many times throughout the day. This week I will be focusing on eating my meals, chewing them well and only drink liquids in between the meals.

5. Sweating it out in Sauna. 

Sweating detoxifies your body and Sauna makes you sweat. I also love sauna so I could sit there everyday anyway. I will be enjoying the sauna at least 4 times 20 minutes this week.

6. Staying hydrated.

It is super important to stay hydrated. When you exercise and use sauna you need to pay extra attention on drinking enough water. I will drink 2 big bottles (3 liters) every day to make sure I am hydrated.

Let me know if you have a special event coming up where you want to feel great. I can help you get there!

-e-

5 reasons to invest in Sleep!

First, I want to apologize of not writing for a long time. I have at least 10 texts that I've started but was never able to finish. I love my blog, and I need to give it the attention it needs :) 

I have been asked about my sleeping habits so I wanted to give you a little overview of my daily routine and sleep. I love sleeping. It's one of my favorite things to do. For me its not hard to sleep enough, since I simply cannot sleep too little. If I try to stay up when my body tells me its time to sleep my eyes start going twisted and I can't stay up anymore, no matter where I am or who I am with. 

I am one of those boring people who wants to go to sleep at 11pm and wake up at 6:30am with FULL energy. I have been like this ever since I was a little girl and was waiting for my best friend for 4 hours to wake up in the mornings. During the weekdays I usually go to bed around 10:30pm or 11pm and I am in deep sleep at 11:30pm. I wake up around 6:30am not being tired at all anymore.

On weekends, I usually try to stay up a little later. I still go to sleep around 12 or a little after and wake up around 8am.

I try to avoid caffeine after 5pm and I don't like to exercise after 7pm. I also usually eat my last meal around 6pm and if I'm hungry after that I can drink a smoothie or eat a banana with almond butter. 

My sleep is not always perfect. If I am stressed or something is bothering me, I start waking up at night and can't go back to sleep. These times its best to spend the last hours of the day doing the things you enjoy the most and try to keep your mind there when going to sleep.

I know there are many people who are suffering from too little sleep. It's usually either caused on purpose when staying up too late is more fun ,or because of stress or work overload. There are people who are the opposite of me, they have the most energy in the evenings but they still need to wake up 6:30am when their eyes are the twisted ones.

I believe that we all are either morning or evening people. But I am almost sure that you can change your sleeping habits and get into a routine that fits your life the best. And you should. Let me know if you need help with it, I would love to help!

This is why its important to invest in sleep.

1. Weight control and metabolism: Sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite. Not only you are more likely to crave unhealthy foods but you are also more likely to skip the exercise.
2. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain accept new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.
3. Mood and social life: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
4. Healthy heart: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.
5. immune system: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

African style rice

Make it your way.

This African style rice a la Essi is a good for making a big portion at once. This way it is easy to take it for lunch the next day saving time and money! I made up this recipe and this was the first time I actually tried it, but it ended up being delicious! You can use different veggies, spices you like and different types of rice. You can also make it with chicken or shrimp if you like. Make it your way!

Ingredients:

2 cups long grain rice

a little over 3 cups of water

2 tsp salt

1 onion

Spinach

3 tomatoes

broccoli

mushrooms

cayenne pepper

lemon juice

fresh cilantro

2 garlic gloves

olive oil

cumin

black pepper

paprika

Chop the tomatoes and the onion. Clean and chop the mushrooms. In a sauce pan, fry the onion with some olive oil. Before the onion starts turning brown, Pour rice, salt and water into the pan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add water if needed. Add the tomatoes and red pepper with chopped garlic. You can also squeeze some lemon juice and add the fresh chopped cilantro. Add all other veggies along with the seasoning and cook until rice is soft (about 10 minutes).  Enjoy!

-e-

Take a vacation!

Five things you need for a perfect relaxation and charging your batteries:

1. SUN

2. crystal clear water

3. People you love

4. Beach

5. Fresh fruit

I had the most amazing time in Jamaica with my best friend in the end of February. I truly believe that taking a vacation and getting away from your normal routines is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. When I look back at myself before the vacation, I don't even know the person I was. And I don't want to. I had totally lost my inspiration on everything, didn't feel like doing anything but sleep (not even cooking!!!), felt like it was dark 24/7 (which is almost true heh) and I wasn't able to think positive about anything. I am totally a summer person who needs sunlight and brightness for being happy.
Now I feel totally amazing! I have been cooking every day since I came home (the normal me). I have energy, ideas and inspiration to express myself and nothing feels impossible. And I only needed a week to achieve this. So my lesson to all you readers is; TAKE A VACATION! 

ps. I have so many recipes I need to share with you, You will get the first one tomorrow!
-e-

Super oatmeal!

Challenge day #20

I am happy to say that I have completed 2/3 of my Bikram Yoga 30 days challenge. It hasn't been as hard as I seriously thought it would be, my body actually feels amazingly good! I have definitely improved all the postures and sweat all the possible toxins from my body. 

It has been extra cold in New York for the last couple of days, so my body has been craving warm and spicy foods instead of cold smoothies etc- so that's what I have tried to do.

This morning I had oatmeal with organic blueberries and a lot of super healthy seed. It was really fulfilling and tasty.

Super oatmeal

half cup of steel cut oats

water (maybe a cup)

dash of himalayan salt

1/2 tbsp hempseed

1/2 tbsp chiaseed

1/2 tbsp flaxseed

1/2 tbsp sesameseed
1 tsp coconut oil

Organic blueberries

raw honey

(almond milk)

*Soak the seed in water overnight if possible

Add water, oats and salt to a pot and cook until oats are soft. Add seed, honey and blueberries and eat it with almond milk if you like. 

Stay warm!!

-e-

DAY #7 and a Green Smoothie with a kick!

I have now accomplished the first 7 days of my challenge! My body feels great and I feel very motivated to continue. I really believe that setting yourself a goal makes you more motivated! Me and my best friend just booked a trip to Jamaica (BEACH!!!!!!!) one day after my 30 days challenge, that's my reward for myself (and a birthday gift). 

This morning I felt like having a kickstart for my day. So I made this special Green smoothie:

(serves 2)

1 cup water

2 handful baby spinach (can be kale or any leafy green)

2 celery stalks

1 organic pear

1 small frozen banana

1 small lemon (juice)

a piece of fresh ginger (about one centimeter)

1 tbsp hemp seed

1 tbsp flax seed (soaked or grounded)

1 tbsp chia seed

fresh parsley

Cayenne pepper!!

-e-

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

30 days challenge

Sometimes it's good to really challenge yourself. To set a goal that motiavates you to get where you want to be. My goal for January is 30 days challenge with Bikram Yoga. It means that I will practice 30 classes in 30 days. 
Today is my fifth day and I feel good! 
How do you challenge yourself?

-e-