Starting the day right.

 

It's Wednesday morning, I'm up early , getting ready to go to work.

But to me breakfast is the most important meal.

It sets the tone for the day.

If I skip breakfast, I'll have no energy, get moody real quick, and I'll crave sweets and junk like a maniac more or less the rest of the day.(no matter how hard I try to eat right the rest of the day)

So today I made oatmeal.

Now I like my oatmeal with a bit of flavor.

Oatmeal made with water just doesn't cut it for me.(I'll post the recipe down below)

I find that when I start the day with oatmeal, I don't get hungry after just 1-2 hours.

I can go 3-4 hours.

So my oatmeal recipe:

1/2 cup quick oats

1/2 cup water

1 cup semi skimmed milk ( you can use milk sub)

1 tsp stevia powder

2 tbsp organic raisins 

Handful chopped almonds 

1-2 tsp maple syrup.

 

In a saucepan, add Oats,stevia,water and milk.

bring to a boil,and let boil (on medium heat) until the oatmeal thickens.

Stir to prevent the oatmeal from burning.

Add the raisins, pout the oatmeal into a small bowl.

add the chopped almonds and Maple syrup on top.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Please leave comments and questions below

 

 

Have a beautiful day!

 

Xoxo!

 

Mad Hippie (product review)

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It`s no secret that i`m more than average concerned about my looks (not in a shallow way of course)
I`ve used creams,potions and lotions since i was 16.(I can thank my mother for  that.)
The desire to look young and beautiful is as old as time(no pun intended.lol)
And i`m just as guilty of wanting it as anyone ....

So my review is of 2 Mad Hippie serums.

Mad Hippie Vitamin A serum:

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This anti wrinkle serum is just awesome!!
It contains 0.3% Retinyl Retinoate , a new form of vitamin A that is 2x more bioavailable than retinol,and also more stable.causing less skin irritation.
It activates the production of collagen in the skin, lightly exfoliates the skin by enhancing cellular turnover.
The packet suggest that one only use it every second day until the skin is used to it.

when i first started using this serum, i was actually a little sceptical, i`d heard that vitamin A (retinol to be exact) could mess up my skin.
No need to say,i pictured the most terrible things.lol!
But i suppose if the dose is too high,it can be damaging. (too much of a good thing can be bad)

So, when i first applied this serum, it had a tingling sensation, and almost immediately my skin had a glow about it.
I`ve used it for over a month, and i`m very pleased with it. The wrinkle between my brows has actually faded a bit.
But the main result is that my skin is smoother and even.
I have less buildup in my pores (i.e blackheads etc)
I  use this serum as a night serum, as retinol/retinyl can cause sun sensitivity.

This serum contains lots of the good stuff,such as antioxidants,peptides,AHA, and none of the bad stuff,such as SLS, Parabens, synthetic fragrance.

If you want to know more about this serum click HERE  or to buy it, HERE

Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum:

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This is my day serum, and like the Vitamin A serum, its great a great for anti age.
But it`s more daylight friendly,i.e it doesn`t irritate skin,so it can be used during the day.
I can`t say that i`ve notices as much an effect from this serum as the Vitamin A serum,
Maybe because i can`t feel or see the same immediate result.
But it`s definitely good.
My skin is less dry, and skin color is more even, smooth and soft.
Perhaps it`s the combination of the two serums that does the trick.
I will definitely buy this serum again.

The list of skin loving ingredients is long, but i thought i`d share some.
 Vitamin C to enhance collagen Production, the antioxidant helps heal sun damage,and also tighten
 the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid, plump and smooth the skin by retaining moisture.it also enhance collagen production.

If you want to now more about this serum click HERE or to buy it HERE

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Please post questions and comments below.

Have a beautiful day!

 

Xoxo!

 



Dare to dream, dare to hope

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I believe us humans are  born with a purpose in life other than to just exist.
we all come with our own personal blueprint in a way....that makes me who i am and you who you are.
But in spite of our differences as human beings,we all have something in common.
We all have hopes and dreams for our lives, for our future. (not the same ones of course,lol)

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I can only speak for myself, but i know i have dreams,longings and hopes for my life that i really want to come true.
And i must admit, there are dreams i had hoped would`ve happened already.
I`ve been heartbroken over what has not come to be.
I have let fear and anxiety get in my way.
But in spite being heartbroken over unfulfilled dreams, hope keeps me going.

Since i was a child all i ever wanted to do was to sing, i love music.
I have the talent , but i lack the confidence.
I grew up with the mentality " don`t think you`re anything special" ,If you have the talent you shouldn`t act like you know it kinda thinking.
So my ability to pursue my biggest dream has been lacking because of how i was taught to think.

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I have done a lot of singing over the years,and loved every moment of it,but it seemed it didn`t lead me anywhere.
And i wanted to go further, my dream is to sing for a living.
To live off my biggest love and passion is my biggest dream in life.
I`ve probably made some wrong decisions along the way, but that can`t mean that i can`t have my dream come true,can it?

I`m choosing to believe that as long i`m living,there is always a chance for my dreams to come true.
But i have realised,that my dreams won`t fall into my lap,they rarely do for anyone.
I have to work for them, put myself in motion.

But that is sometimes easier said than done....
I can feel totally paralyzed,unable to do anything!!
And it makes me feel desperate and frustrated.

I have also let my age be a factor as to what i can and cannot do.
But age has nothing to do with it!
If i want it bad enough,i will find a way to reach my goal.

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I wish of course i had reached them at least 10 years ago, but i have a feeling i wouldn't`ve been able to handle it as well as i know i can now.
Maturing is just as an important part of the process.
Some things just can`t be hurried (clearly!)

I have started to write songs again, and are gonna start recording some of my songs soon.
I`m fortunate to have a brother who`s also a musician and has a small studio.
So i`m in the progress, the best is yet to come i believe.

I will dare to dream and dare to hope....



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I thought i`d share one of the songs i was singing a duet on a good few years ago.( actually long ago.lol)
I was singing in a gospel choir at the time.
Hope you like it.

Click  HERE to hear the song


I hope you`ve enjoyed my post.
Leave comments and questions below.

Have a beautiful day!

 

 

Xoxo

Weight loss tip

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This blog post is not gonna be long at all.

I just wanted to share my weight loss tip with you.

 

We all know it`s important to eat healthy and be active to shed weight.

But sometimes ,at least for me, i find it hard to control my eating

i.e  not to over eat.

 

so i have started to take a very Natural and healthy "supplement"

 

 

 

Psyllium husk.

(powder)

 

It`s totally brilliant!!

I helps me to not over eat.

And i hardly ever get bloated anymore.(YAY!!)
 

I mix 1-2 teaspoons in a glass of water or in drinking yogurt ( ca 250 ml)  and chug 10-20 min before a meal. ( drink immediately after mixing,cause it swells fast)

It swells in the stomach so i feel less hungry.

I take it basically 2-4 times a day.
Before breakfast, before my first snack of the day,
before lunch and in the evening,if i`m hungry after dinner (ca 2 hours before bed)

It`s very important to drink a lot of water when taking psyllium husk, because it swells up to 20 times its own size and it`s high in fiber.

So if you don`t drink enough,you`ll get constipated rather than getting the great benefits.

So drink up buttercup!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I hope you enjoyed this post, post any questions or comments below.

 

 

Have a beautiful day.

 

Xoxo

My "diet"

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To be honest it`s not  a diet...cause i`m not dieting
 It`s a a lifestyle choice.

I have tried almost all kinds of diets to lose weight..and i have failed at them all. MISERABLY!!!
Because a diet basically has a time limit...
I have even tried to not eat... failed at that as well (thank god!!) I love food too much.

After many trials and errors....my conclusion is.... to just eat NORMAL ,HEALTHY FOOD!!!!
I eat 5-6 small meals a day.
It`s been a long process to get to where i am today,and i wish i`d known what i know now 10 years ago, but i can only change today and set the direction for my future.

I have taken a few steps towards a healthy diet,by adding/eating more of veggies and fruit, making alternatives to my favorite treats, and cutting out sodas and junk Food.

It was really hard at the start, to cut out soda.
I drank pepsi max every day..i LOVED it. But one day i just made the decision to cut it out,and i feel so much better. I will enjoy a glass of soda once in a while,but then i opt for a regular sugary soda, as the diet sodas are much worse for your body.

I am human after all, and i`ll enjoy pizza or burger now and then.....but the less i eat it, the less i crave it.
Besides my tummy really makes me sorry for the indulgence...so i prefer to make pizza and burgers from scratch.

I have one day a week where i indulge in a treat or two, usually Saturday.
I like to think of my diet as 80/20 , 80% healthy and 20% treats.

It`s not like i`ll turn down a slice of cake if i`m at someones birthday party or whatever in the middle of the week.  but as a rule, Saturday is my treat day. (but i don`t only eat treats all day)

 

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So what do i eat?

Well here in Norway, we`re very fond of our bread ,so most of the time i`ll eat bread for breakfast and lunch.
Or i`ll make oatmeal or oat pancakes.
I have a crazy sweet tooth,so i Stock up on fruit, fresh and dried.
Loads of veggies (i love roasted veggies with my dinner).
When it comes to protein Sources, i`m a carnivore through and through.
So i eat mainly chicken and Fish, and i`ll have steak once in a while ( I LOOOVE STEAK!!)

In short, i eat EVERYTHING, in moderation!!
I believe Balance is key....
But there are some foods i stay away from,or eat very rarely (cause they mess up my stomach like crazy,and i`m not a fan of the pain and discomfort they bring)

Below you`ll see what a typical day looks like for me. (of course i may eat something different for lunch or dinner)

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Breakfast:
2 Slices of Whole wheat bread with cheese,or hard boiled egg. Or Oatmeal porridge with  sliced banana, chopped almonds and maple syrup, Or Oat pancake with peanut butter and honey or jam.

Lunch:
2 Slices of Whole wheat bread with ham and cheese
and a piece of fruit.

Snack:
Chia seed pudding and a fruit / or raisins and nuts

Dinner:
Changes from day to day,
but i eat  carbs like pasta or rice (1/4 cup rice and 1/2-1 cup pasta) , veggies (half the plate) and Protein like meat,chicken or fish.(ca 100 grams)

Snack:
might be a slice of bread with cheese

If i get hungry after that, i usually drink a glass of milk and eat a fruit/nuts

So don`t forget to indulge a little, life gets so boring otherwise.
The 80/20 rule remember.....

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There is one thing i take to help me shed weight:

Check out my next blog post, i share   what i take to help with my weight loss.



I hope you enjoyed this blog post, please post any questions or comments below.

 

Have a beautiful day

 

Xoxo

 



Interval Running

 

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I am all about interval running.....i mean i just love it!
That is probably because i`m more a sprinter than an endurance runner.

I always admired people who were out running and wished i was like them,but i knew i had not the patience or endurance to go for a run.

So i decided to start running intervals......or at least try.

At the start i really sucked. lol.
But i didn`t give up, and i`m so glad i didn`t.
The progress has been amazing and really motivating.

I started out not being able to run more than 1 minute without almost dying.
And now i`m training for my first 5K race!!
(check out the Yorkville run HERE )

So i thought i`d share some of the intervals i love to do.

 

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The Intervals

 

4x4:

You run 4 minutes and walk 2 minutes. you do this 4 times.

 

Sprint interval:

I sprint for 30 Seconds and rest 30 Seconds.

I repeat that for about 5-10 rounds.

 

Hill Interval:
Set the treadmill at an inclination (i set it at 11%)
Then  run for 30 Seconds and rest 30 Seconds,
Do this 5-10 rounds.

These are the intervals i run the most, i`ll adjust and mix it up now and then.

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When you run intervals, it`s mainly about improving your fitness level (endurance, lung capacity and heart rate)
So interval running is definitively  outside the Comfort zone.
But it`s a great way to start running if you don`t have the endurance yet.
And i personally think it`s more fun.

If you`re a beginner, Don`t start too hard and fast. We don`t want any injuries...

An other great thing about running intervals is if you want to lose weight, interval training is great for fat burning.
Because you get the heart rate up and down, it gets your metabolism working.

So go run some intervals!

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Have a beautiful day.

 

Xoxo!

Post any comments or questions below.

My workout routine.

 

 

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I consider myself quite level headed  (well,more or less.lol)
And i have a healthy view of diet and training.... in my non expert opining.

I believe  that balance is key, I`m an "all things in moderation" kind of girl.
That especially applies to my eating habits and workouts.

I don`t believe in starving myself (or over eating...) and i don`t believe in any extremes in my training (either no workout or training everyday several times a day)


It`s been a looooong process, but I`m finally in tune with my own body.


So how often do i workout?
well that varies from week to week,but generally i work out 3-5 days a week.
But i try stay active 7 days a week. (i said active NOT training)
What do i mean by active?
I mean that those days i don`t go to the gym, i go for a walk,or cycle (just  easy breezy cycling)
or gardening ,any low intensity activity to keep my body moving.

So my workout routine ,how does my week look like?
I try to switch it around a little so i don`t get stuck in a pattern.

MY WORKOUT ROUTINE!



(what a typical week looks like)

MONDAY:  RUN 5K
Since i`m training for my first race,i run this distance once a week.



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TUESDAY: Arms/shoulders/back
I warm up on the treadmill for 10 minutes fast walk, or warm up on the rowing machine.
Then i select six strength moves:

Assisted pull-ups , wide and narrow ( either hang a rubber band from the rack, or hang it across on the barbell hooks)Works shoulders,triceps,delts and upper back.



The upper barbell hooks,just Place them
lower,and attach the elastic band across.
Grab the handles at the top,stand on the band and
do pull-ups .



Bicep curl (either with a hand weight or barbell)



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Tricep extension with weight,lying Down

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Lateral raises
(works shoulders and delts)

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T-bar row
works  back and arms

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Back extension with weights.           

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Wednesday: Active rest day
I usually go for a walk most of the time. preferably 3-5 km
or 30-60 min (as a minimum)

Thursday: Leg day!!
I warm up with 5 min walking, and then some intervals

My favorite Leg day moves:

Squats With barbell

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Goblet squat

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Dead lifts

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Glute bridge with weights

 

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Smith machine donkey kicks

 



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Glute kickbacks



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 Bulgarian  Split Squats

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Friday: Active rest day (same as Wednesday)

 

 

Saturday: Intervals + full body workout

 

Arms, bicep curl and tricep extension (see Tuesday`s workout)

 

Back, T-bar row and back extension ( se Tuesday`s workout)

 

Chest, dumbbell fly



 

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 Shoulders, Lateral raises ( see Tuesday`s workout)

 

 Walking lunges

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Sunday: Active rest day

 

 

So this is what my workout schedule might look like.

I do switch the workouts around a little ,or even take an extra rest day.

And i try to add new moves to my routine every now and then, to keep my workouts interesting.

 

Hope you enjoyed my post.

 

Please leave comments and questions below.

 

Have a beautiful day

 

Xoxo