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-

New Year's Resolutions for 2013! -Uudenvuoden lupaukset 2013!

I have never really made New Year's resolutions but this year i thought about it and came up with a whole list of things I want to do in 2013.

1. Have more social life
The hectic lifestyle in New York and the endless "To Do" list has definitely made me have too little social life this year. 2013 will be different. I love spending time with my friends, they make me laugh and give me energy.
2. Try Crossfit
I have wanted to try crossfit for the longest time, but still didn't make it to my first class. I'm sure I would fall in love with it, it looks so much fun!!! In 2013, I will try cross fit, hopefully in January.
3. Explore New York
There are so many places I've never been and so many things I haven't done in New York. I live here!!!! It's ridiculous how I haven't seen anything. In 2013 I want to see or do something new every week.
4. Don't spend money like it grows on trees
I know I am not the smartest person when it comes to spending and saving money. I don't over spend or spend money that I don't have, but do use it too much. In 2013, I will not stop buying the foods I want to (which is my biggest expense) but will be smarter with it. I also want to start an investment.
5. Love more
I love my life already and I love the people around me. In 2013 I want to make sure to keep it that way, and remember to share love and good energy every day.

En ole oikeastaan koskaan tehnyt uudenvuoden lupauksia. Tana vuonna sainkin vastaavasti oikein listan aikaiseksi! Tassa ovat minun viisi uudenvuoden lupausta vuodelle 2013:

1. Enemman sosiaalista elamaa
Kiireinen elama New Yorkissa ja loputon tehtavalista on aiheuttanut sen, ettei minulla ole laheskaan niin paljoa sosiaalista elamaa kun haluaisin. Toiden jalkeen on lisaa toita, jota seuraa jooga tai lenkki ja sen jalkeen onkin jo ihan valmis rauhottumaan kotona. Vuosi 2013 tulee olemaan erilainen. Rakastan viettaa aikaa ystavieni kanssa. He tekevat minut onnelliseksi ja antavat lisaa energiaa.
2. Kokeile Crossfittia
Oon jo niin kauan halunnut kokeilla crossfittia, mutta en vielakaan mennyt ensimmaiselle tunnilleni. Olen ihan varma, etta se olis just mun juttu! Vuonna 2013, aijon kokeilla crossfittia toivottavasti jo tammikuussa.
3. Nää enemman New Yorkia
On niin paljon paikkoja ja asioita mita New Yorkilla on tarjota ja mita en ole kokenut. On itseasiassa naurettavaa miten vahan olen nahnyt. Vuonna 2013 haluan tehda/nahda jotain uutta joka viikko.
4. Älä tuhlaa rahaa niinkuin olisit miljonaari
Tiedan, etta minulla jos jollain on paljon opittavaa rahankaytosta. En jaksa oikein stressata rahasta ja usein kaytan sita ihan kuin se kasvaisi puussa. Vuonna 2013 aijon oppia! 
5. Rakasta enemman!
Nautin ja rakastan elamaani, ja ihmisia ymparillani. Vuonna 2013 haluan pitaa huolen siita etta kaikki sailyy ennallaan, seka jakaa positiivista energiaa ja rakkautta joka paiva kaikille minua ymparoiville ihmisille

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

-e-

Raw Baking: The best Chocolate Cake

This Raw chocolate cake is not too expensive and definitely easy to make. You can easily make it for the next day or eat it in an hour after freezing. It is not a low calorie cake (coconut oil, almonds and walnuts) but all the ingredients are natural and clean. It is a great dessert to serve for a group of health conscious  people or people who are skeptical for eating Raw foods. This will change their minds.

Chocolate Cake

base:

80g Almonds

20g Walnuts

70g dates

sea or Himalayan salt to taste

Filling:

1 1/2 avocados

70g raw cacao

50g coconut oil

100 g raw honey or raw cane sugar

1 vanilla bean or natural vanilla

pinch of sea or Himalayan salt

Soak the almonds and walnuts for at least 6 hours then drain and dehydrate them. This way they are easier to digest. Add dates and salt and blend until you have a dough. Press the dough into a small cake pan and place in the freezer while you make the filling.

Place all the filling ingredients in a food processor then blend everything until smooth. Pour the filling over the base. Set in the freezer for 1 hour or to the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. 

Raakasuklaa kakku

Pohja:

80g manteleita

20g saksanpahkinoita

70g taateleita

ripaus merisuolaa tai himalayansuolaa

Tayte:

1 1/2 avocadoa

70g raakakaakaota

50g kookosoljya

100g raakahunajaa tai ruokokidesokeria

1 vanilijatanko tai vanilijaa maun mukaan

ripaus meri tai himalayansuolaa

Liota manteleita ja saksanpahkinoita vahintaan 6 tuntia ja kuivaa ne. Nain ne ovat helpompi elimistolle sulattaa. Lisaa taatelit ja suola ja blendaa kunnes seoksesta muodostuu taikina. Painele taikina pieneen vuokaan ja laita pakastimeen  taytteen teon ajaksi. 

Laita kaikki tayteainekset tehosekoittimeen ja sekoita kunnes tayte on kokonaan pehmeaa. kaada seos pohjan paalle ja laita kakku pakastimeen tunniksi. Voit myos laittaa kakun jaakaappiin yon yli.

ENJOY!

-e-

5 Tips on How to avoid over-bloating on Christmas

I am a big fan of food, cooking and Christmas, but not a fan of feeling completely over-bloated and gassy.  Average American gains 10 pounds during Christmas. I will give you five tips on how to avoid this.

1. Plan ahead
If you know that you will have a big Christmas dinner tonight, eat a light breakfast and lunch with lots of vegetables and fruits. Also, try to avoid snacking that day. Serve the dinner from smaller plates than normally, that way you eat less.
2. Move
Just because its Christmas, you don't have to stop working out. If your gym is closed or you don't have time to go there, go for a 30-45min walk and get some fresh air.
3. Hydrate yourself
Drink a lot of water during the day. A lot of times we think we are hungry when our body is really just dehydrated. Make sure you drink enough water and have 2 glasses of water 20 minutes before the big dinner.
4. Wear fitted clothes
Wearing loose clothes make you feel like there is enough room for over bloating. If you wear fit clothes, it's more likely that you won't eat as much.
5. Socialize
Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones, sharing stories and laughing. Remember that Christmas is not all about food and chocolate, even though it is a big part of it. Enjoy your favorite foods by eating them slowly and tasting every bite. 

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you all can enjoy it with your favorite foods and loved ones!

My lovely Friend and Coworker Annika.

Healtier Holiday :)

I got a great idea from my client to write a post about healthier christmas foods. I'm not truly against all animal foods but I do think the amount of pigs and turkey we grow just for the holidays is nowhere even close to being human. That's why I think it's good to give some vegetarian ideas for the holidays. This way we don't have to feel bad for the animals, feel completely bloated and gain 5 pounds in two days.
I have to be honest. I have never cooked a vegetarian christmas dinner. Actually I have never even cooked a whole Christmas dinner, BUT I will this year. I will share some ideas and links for recipes that I have comen up with.

Appetizers:
Curried red lentil soup with sweet potatoes
Stuffed mushrooms with tofu and herbs
Green salad
Dinner:
Oven roasted sweet potatoes
Roasted red onions with olive oil, balsamic and honey
Herb cheese stuffed eggplant steaks
Dessert:
Raw Pecan Love pie
Vegan Eggnog

Recipes:
Vegan eggnog:
Ingredients
2 cups almond milk
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
(1/3 cup brandy)
2 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
Directions:
Blend all ingredients together in a pitcher. Serve your delicious vegan eggnog over ice and dress with a sprinkle of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick for the perfect festive touch.


Oven roasted sweet potatoes:http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2011/11/22/how-to-enjoy-a-thanksgiving-dinner-without-gaining-weight/
Curried red lentil soup:http://vegan.sheknows.com/2010/11/01/curried-red-lentil-soup-with-sweet-potatoes-and-greens/
Stuffed mushrooms: http://vegan.sheknows.com/2010/12/02/stuffed-mushrooms-with-tofu-and-herbs/
Roasted red onions with butter, honey and balsamic: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-red-onions-with-butter-honey-and-balsamic-vinegar-recipe/index.html
Herb cheese stuffed eggplant steaks: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/herb-cheese-stuffed-and-fried-eggplant-steaks-with-braised-radicchio-fennel-and-escarole-recipe/index.html
Hearty vegetable pot pie: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/everyday-meals/contemporary-casseroles/hearty-vegetable-pot-pie/

TRY IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW! :)

-e-

When does eating healthy get too serious?

Someone asked me a long time ago to write about my thoughts about Orthorexia Nervosa and eating healthy. So finally here we go:
Shouldn't we all try to eat healthy? The answer is YES, but like with everything else, we shouldn't go too far with it. Yes we all should try to avoid artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Your diet shouldn't count on unhealthy fats, refined sugar or meat grown with antibiotics and hormones. But taking it further than that might not be necessary. 

I've had a couple times someone asking me if I am orthorexic, since I don't eat meat and really don't want to drink a completely artificial juice with 20 different ingredients that no one even understands. I also prefer organic fruits to avoid some of the pesticides and try to avoid processed foods. I don't think that makes someone Orthorexic. The line between healthy eating and having Orthorexia Nervosa is very difficult to draw. My opinion is that if eating healthy starts making you sick in stead of healthy, something could be wrong. Or if you can't go out to eat in any restaurant because you can't see the ingredients they put in your food, you might have a problem. 

Orthorexia nervosa is a serious disorder. It indicates an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy food. It is believed to be a mental problem that can cause a severe malnutrition or even death. Compared to Anorexia nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa, this one focuses on the QUALITY of food in stead of the QUANTITY. The term orthorexia comes from the Greek, literally meaning a correct diet. 
The obsession for healthy foods can come from family habits, society trends, economic problems, recent illness, or even just hearing something negative about a food type or group, which then leads them to ultimately eliminate the food from their diet. 

If eating too healthy gets obsessive it is important to talk to someone and seek professional help. There are so many delicious foods available and we all need to be able to fully enjoy them!

Aztec Salad, Candle Cafe NY.

-e-

Every man's dream:Banana Cake/Banaanikakku

My blog is supposed to be full of healthy foods and tips, but I think if you don't allow yourself to enjoy some chocolate and homemade banana cake every once in a while, you are being too strict to yourself. It is always better to bake your sweet treats yourself than buying the cookies and cakes from the supermarket, so you will know exactly what's in it and there. This Banana cake makes both my step dad and my boyfriend go crazy. 

Ingredients:

3 bananas (2 mashed, 1 sliced)

4,5 dl flour (you can replace 1dl with buckwheat flour)

2,5 dl brown sugar

2 eggs

150g organic butter

2 tl baking powder

2 tl vanilla sugar

1 tl baking soda

2 dl cream or sour cream 

cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients with a big spoon and set aside. In a large bowl, mix sugar and butter. Add eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream and the dry ingredients. Don't use a blender, stir it just enough to make it smooth. Pour into a pan and bake in the oven for about an hour.

Happy thanksgiving to everybody!

Banaanikakku

Tiedan, etta blogini pitaisi olla taynna vaan terveellisimpia resepteja ja vinkkeja. Joskus on kuitenkin myos herkuteltava, tai muuten homma menee liian vakavaksi. Tama banaanikakku on seka isäpuoleni että poikaystavani suosikki, ja naista jalkimmainen pystyyksin syomaan koko kakun paivassa. 

Ainekset:

2 kananmunaa

2,5 dl ruokokide sokeria

2 banaania muussattuna, 1 viipaloituna

2 tl leivinjauhetta

1 tl soodaa

2 tl vanilliinisokeria

2dl kermaviilia

150 g voisulaa

4,5dl vehnäjauhoja (yhden desin voi hyvin korvata tattarijauhoilla)

kanelia maun mukaan

Sekoita ensin voi ja sokeri, seka kuivat aineet keskenaan. Lisaa taman jalkeen kaikki ainekset yksitellen voi-sokeri seokseen, viimeisena kuivat aineet. Taikina on hyvin kuohkeata ja löysähköä. Voitele ja korppujauhota vuoka, kaada taikina vuokaan ja paista 200 asteessa n. tunti. Anna kakun jäähtyä kunnolla ennen kumoamista. Kakku on parasta jäähtyneenä ja maku paranee seuraavaan päivään mennessä.

-e-

HomeMadePesto/Kotitekoinen Pesto

Mama's delicious pesto!

First, I will give you a warning. This pesto sauce makes you addicted. It makes you never eat the pesto sauce from the supermarket anymore and makes you wanna eat rye bread all the time. The ingredients are clean and nutritious, but i still don't recommend for you to eat it all in one day.  It is easy and quick to make.

Ingredients:

1-2 handful of Fresh basil 

1 dl olive oil

1 dl pine nuts (you can also use almonds or cashew nuts)

Parmigiano or Grana Padano cheese to taste

1 glove of garlic

himalayan salt

black pepper

add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth. Add some olive oil if needed. Pesto gets even more tasty after a couple hours or a day.

Äidin Maukas Pesto

Ensinnakin haluan varoittaa, tahan pestoon jaa koukkuun. Et enaa halua koskeakaan supermarkettien pestoihin, haluat syoda enemman ruisleipaa ja jaakaapissasi pitaa olla tata kokoajan. Taman reseptin ainekset ovat puhtaat ja terveelliset, mutta suuren oliivioljy ja pahkinamaaran takia en kuitenkaan suosittele koko annoksen syomista paivassa tai kahdessa. Resepti on nopea ja helppo, tarvitset vain monitoimikoneen tai blenderin.

Ainekset:

1-2 ruukkua basilikaa

1 dl oliivioljya

1 dl pinjansiemenia (myos mantelit tai cashewpahkinat kayvat)

parmesan tai Grana Padano juustoa

1 valkosipulin kynsi

himalayan suolaa

mustapippuria

Sekoita kaikki ainekset monitoimikoneessa, kunnes seos on tasaista. Voit lisata oliivioljya tarpeen mukaan. Pesto tekeytyy jaakaapissa ja on jopa maukkaampaa muutaman tunnin jalkeen.

ENJOY!

-e-