Adventuring into a New Exercise Routine with Off the Eaten Path and Chiara Pellegrino
03 October 2017
As we get older, it's so easy to slip away from the fitness realms. We worry about 'not fitting in', 'not being young or hip enough' or not being able to find something we are able to do, or enjoy, OR can afford!!
But that shouldn't be the case. Exercise should be about adventuring down a new path - one that makes both our bodies and minds happy. That no matter what age or fitness level we are, there are exercises which will truly benefit us.
I was lucky enough to be invited to a barre class with personal trainer, fitness instructor and lifestyle coach Chiara Pellegrino who has teamed up with new vegetable snack Off The Eaten Path, to encourage the nation to step away from the mundane and be adventurous with our exercise routines and to find something that we truly love. Whether that's grabbing a friend for a long afternoon walk, or signing up solo to a new class there is always something new and exciting to do.
Chiara has always been one of my #fitspo inspirations. She is a bundle of energy and joy and always dedicated herself to encouraging others around her that no matter what their age, to get up, try something new and to be adventurous with their fitness programmes.
"Age is irrelevant when it comes to trying different exercises" Chiara chants while we are stretching for the class, her smile beaming.
She carries on by saying that: "I can assure you that I can find it just as uninspiring being at the gym sometimes, and that's why I am constantly looking for new classes, such as a barre class and exercises which are slightly more adventurous."
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| Photo Credit: Off The Eaten Path and Anna Rachel Photography |
Sticking to a routine is 10x easier when you enjoy it. But it's just as easy to get stuck in an uninspiring rut and to feel unmotivated to go... So why not try something outside of your comfort zone once in a while in a new and inspiring way to ensure that we are feeling good. When you're active, endorphins are released which make our bodies feel fantastic.
Chiara finishes the class by commenting that she is: "So delighted to have teamed up with Off The Eaten Path on this project - the brand new, and delicious snack has been made with real vegetables created with the free-spirited and adventurers alike. Perfect for those who prefer to discover the path less travelled, and the absolute perfect snack to refuel after a fitness class"
We were all able to tuck into some gorgeous Off The Eaten Path snacks after the barre class, with my favourite being the Sour Cream and Black Pepper Chips and we even got some extra to take away with are now my go-to snack whenever I'm on the go.
Chiara even kindly shared with us her top 5 tips for adventuring into a new fitness routine:
1. Pick an activity you enjoy.
If you do not like the exercise you are doing, it is hard to keep it up. Think about the activities you enjoy the most, like walking, exercising with a video, dancing, biking, or taking a class. If you are already active, think about what types of activity sounds fun to experience. Kayaking or rock climbing … It’s time to let your adventurous self-come out!
3. Start slowly
If you have never been active and you want to start with 1 hour a day every day - It’s unlikely that will work and you will burn out very quickly.
Start with 30 minutes of exercise per day, 2/3 days a week. Make sure you warm up and cool down properly every time to avoid injuries that could lead you off track. Add a daily 15-minute walk during your lunch break or after dinner.
2. BE ADVENTUROUS!
Try a new activity each day, even things that you never considered you would be good at, like dancing or gardening to find out what you enjoy most. There are more and more fitness boutiques opening in London with new and fun class formats. Get adventurous and explore different things each week.
3. Make it social
You can make your fitness schedule an excuse to be more social! Involve your friends in physical activity to have fun, spend quality time together, and stay on track.
Meet a friend for workouts or to book together such as a charity walk or jog, that you need training for. Join a class or sports club where people count on you to show up.
4. Reward yourself
Set goals for yourself on a regular basis and reward yourself for hitting them! Think of rewards that may motivate you to do even more, like taking a relaxing hot bath or shower, enjoying a snack such as Off The Eaten Path, joining a new exercise class or getting yourself new active wear. Or just having tasty snacks to hand every time to refuel after your workout.
Organic Food has seen an incredible surge of popularity over 2017 with a huge proportion of the nation claiming they now opt for organic produce when it comes to both their own and their families meal times. Supermarkets have seen this need and want for organic produce and are finally giving their consumers what it wants - with independent stores, cafes, restaurants and home delivery box schemes the following suit.
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| Photo Credit: The Soil Association and Maddock's Farm |
But what exactly is Organic?
According to The Soil Association (The UK's leading charity in organic food and farming) "Organic, is food as it should be - it means whenever you see the organic symbol you can be sure what you buy has been produced to the very highest standards"
... and how can we get more Organic into our diet?
A lot of people worry when it comes to buying organic. They believe it's going to be super expensive, difficult to find and have no clue what to do with the products once they do have them. But organic produce is just everyday food. It's your fruits and vegetables, your milk, tea, yoghurt, pasta and even your meats too!
You are probably already buying organic without realising as popular brands such as Clipper Tea and Yeo Valley yoghurt are organic accredited and have been gracing our shelves (and cuppa's) for years with no extra cost - in fact, the majority of organic products are the same price OR cheaper than their non-organic counterparts.
Shop in Season:
Buying organic fruits and veggies when they are in season gives you the best value, quality and taste for your money. Organic fruits and vegetables have fewer pesticides and chemicals and also contains more key antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Get Down to Basics:
Swapping to Organic may seem scary, but take it one step at a time and just strip it back to the basics. Milk, for example, is a brilliant place to start because not only does it give you a lot of benefits but is also widely available. Organic milk has around 50% more omega 3 fatty acids and ensures a good return for British farmers.
Stock Up:
Organic store cupboard essentials can be a great asset. Items like organic baked beans, pasta and canned tomatoes can often be found for the same price as the same non-organic items.
Deal it Out:
Bag a bargain on a variety of organic foods, or bulk buy!
Try a Different Cut:
Eating less, but better meat is not only good for our health but also for the planet. Trying lower cost organic cuts such as shoulder or belly can make a huge difference to your wallet - but they also have so much more beneficial nutrients. Try popping into your local butcher for advice on cuts of meat.
6 EUROPEAN STEREOTYPES AND THEIR REACTIONS
13 June 2017
Written by Marc Lamberts
Britain
What Europe said: Drunken
semi-clad hooligans or else snobbish, stiff free-marketeers
What Britain replied: “How can Britons simultaneously be both
self-controlled and prone to rip our
clothes off in a drunken haze?”
France
What
Europe said: Cowardly, arrogant, chauvinistic
erotomaniacs
What
France replied: “When it comes to our sex life,
studies put us in the middle of the pack; but after the DSK affair our
neighbours are unable to listen to this argument without cracking a smile”
Germany
What
Europe said: Uber-efficient, diligent, disciplined
and prone to steal the best sun loungers on holiday.
What
Germany replied: “It’s all true… we have highly
efficient, diligent and disciplined about ensuring the proper upkeep of these
clichés.”
Italy
What
Europe said: Tax-dodging, Berlusconi-style latin
lovers and mama’s boys, incapable of bravery
What
Italy replied: “Our worst defect is something
you’ll have picked up while reading this article: it’s smugness.”
Poland
What
Europe said: Heavy drinking ultracatholics with a
whiff of anti-Semitism and an extreme dexterity for plumbing.
What
Poland replied: “These stereotypes of Poles are
true but only partly. Poles drink average amounts of alcohol, they are Catholic
but not really bothered by what the church says and they dislike Jews just
slightly more than the average European.”
Spain
What
Europe said: Macho men and fiery women prone to
regular siestas and fiestas, so that nothing ever gets done.
What
Spain replied: “The pictures Europeans have of
Spain in their photo albums may be souvenirs of a country visited on holiday.
But what happens there the rest of the time? The statistics tell us that there
are Mondays too.”
These stereotype are over the top and can
be somewhat offensive, but they are a reflection of what people think.
What do
you think?
Have you ever experienced dealing with a stereotype?
Let us know!
5 PODCASTS YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE
06 June 2017
Written by Marc Lamberts
I’m always looking for things to read, watch or listen. So imagine me being late to the podcast party, I’m actually a bit cross with myself for it. Anyway, for me it was amazing to experience so much goodness in the world called podcasting. Podcasting hasn’t really been popular back here in the Netherlands, but we do listen to many British and American podcasts. So here are the 10 podcasts I listen to regularly!
Of course I have to start with the man
himself, Daily Focal writer Mike. He has an amazing podcast where he discusses
mental health with guests and it’s one of the most honest and educating things
I’ve come across on the internet. I have learnt a lot about mental health,
mental illnesses and how to deal with it, it’s all down to Mike. It’s honestly
inspiring and you should definitely check it out.
I’m guilty of a few things in my life and
listening to this podcast is one of them. I find this podcast really relaxing
and thought provoking because they talk about anything and everything. This
could be talking about the horrible form Arsenal FC are having, the elections,
the NHS attacks or how society is shaped nowadays. The reason why I like it so
much, is because it’s so diverse.
Okay, I think y’all know that I’m a
football addict. I’m not even sorry. But if you are a football fan and want to
discuss the pureness of the beautiful game, I suggest you listen to the Non
League Football Show. This shows discusses a variety of topics concerning Non
League Football. From the very top to the bottom, the FA Trophy & FA Vase
and England C. It tells the story of you and me, the raw emotion and fantastic
world that is called Non League.
Bill Burr is in my humble opinion one of the top comedians active. Bill Burr has made
art of the comical shouting into a mic and his podcast is just plain
brilliance. This podcast has two episodes every week and whatever happens, this
is one of my absolute highlights in my week. It gives an insight into American
society, NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB and politics. And more. I love this podcast and I
suggest you listen to it, if you want to laugh your eyes out of their sockets.
This is legit the first podcast I listened
to and it has entertained me my travel to and from Marseille back in 2015. The
podcast is by comedian Mike Falzone and his girlfriend Zoja, and I think I
might have found the perfect comedy couple in podcast land. Mike and Zoja often
offer advice to those in need of it, but make so much fun doing it and get
funny anecdotes into the episodes. It makes me smile a lot and times may seem
dark, but there’s always Mike & Zoja, who will never disappoint you.
Do you listen to podcast?
Which ones are
you favourite?
Let us know!
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