July Catchup in Pics

My latest summer snack of choice - tomato salad and
a green pepper stuffed with feta cheese



A perfect mini-detox drink - fresh ginger and lemon infusion



Fact!

If you happen to be in Portobello market look for the
coconut shack! it's amazing

 Looking for a health-promoting snack?

Here are some summer snack ideas:

Another great summer snack option - Crudites.
I usually have them with some hummus. Yum



Pistachios are an excellent source of vitamin-E, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol;contain about 23g per100 g. vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, essential for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin; offers protection from harmful oxygen free radicals.

Pistachio nut oil has flavorful nutty aroma and has an excellent emollient properties. It helps to keep skin well protected from dryness.

They are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including carotenes, vitamin E, and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds. Research studies have been suggestive of that these compounds help body remove toxic oxygen free radicals and thus, protect body from diseases, cancers, as well as infections. 

These nuts are storehouse of minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium,iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.



Anti-Inflammatory Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E travels throughout the body neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules, such as cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol.

Cancer PreventionSunflower seeds are a good source of selenium. Studies suggest a strong correlation between low selenium intake and cancer incidence.

Bone HealthSunflower seeds are particularly rich in magnesium. It’s a well-known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but magnesium is too. Most of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it helps lend bones their physical structure, and the rest is located on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to use as it needs. Copper found in sunflower seeds is vital for the function of enzymes involved in cross-linking collagen and elastin, providing strength and flexibility in bones and joints. Vitamin E also imparts anti-inflammatory properties to sunflower seeds, effective in the reduction of arthritis symptoms.



 The lovely coconut probiotic yoghurt I love
now makes a chocolate one!



Pineapple is a great digestive aid and is very helpful in weight loss and treating colds and flu.

There are many vitamins in Cherries such as Vitamin C and Cherries contain many other nutrients such as Cherries also contain high levels of nutrients such potassium, and beta-carotene. A diet that includes cherries has been proven to help decrease body fat, cholesterol, and inflammation.

Yes, if you love watermelon, watermelon loves you back!

This is the perfect time of the year to have this amazing fruit.

Watermelon has various health benefits to offer you. One of the main health benefits of it is the fact that it does consist of about twelve percent fiber. Fiber in itself can provide many health benefits. It works as a weight loss aid, helps lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels, and may even work to prevent your risk of developing colon cancer in the future. Fiber can do a whole lot for your body. The water that is found in watermelon can also help you keep your body well hydrated during the hot days of summer, which is important. The fact that watermelon can quench your thirst on a hot day in summer is the main reason that many find it to be so satisfying. Watermelon offers various other health benefits as well. Some of these include the fact that it is packed with essential vitamins, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

No one can tell you what you put into your body every day. But remember, this body is the only one you'd have in this lifetime so you better take good care of it.
A healthy body is not only a good investment for your future but also for your own children's peace of mind

Tennis is my thing at the moment...
Love my new shiny Adidas tennis trainers.

oh we're very nice when we're hungry aren't we?!:))

Addicted to those right now!

A not-so-healthy snack but oh-so-yummy!
I love the Ottolenghi's flowerless tea cake.
Highly recommended if you're craving something naughty...

Nothing compares to a catchup with your bestie on a
sunny weekend afternoon!




Beach volleyball's so much fun!

Yep! This was happening almost every night in Central London.
Who would have thought we'd be legally watching half naked people just a stone throw away from the Buckingham palace
Beach volleyball at London Olympics 2012

Just found out the other day that the food hall at the Kensington Wholefoods have introduced BBQ Ribs
Can't wait to sample them. Will report back

Bobbies tribute to Usain Bolt

If you are a Thai food fan please go to the Churchill Arms (www.fullers.co.uk) on Kensington Church street W8
Most unbelievable Phad Thai Noodles in London!

Best Phad Thai with prawns!

If you happen to be in Brixton I highly recommend you to try this cute little french restaurant called Upstairs (upstairslondon.com).

Us going there was purely incidental but we definitely were not disappointed.

Small menu that changes every month. Little gem hidden away in Brixton

My latest succesfull pasta  experiment:)

Bolognese Rigatonni

Chipotle - Organic Mexican fast food

I admit I've never been a huge fan of Mexican cuisine.

...Or am I missing something in not falling in love with overcooked meat, refried beans, soggy peppers and sour cream, all served up in a greasy giant corn crisp?
In fact, I cringe when our friends invite us to go to Mexican restaurants. I go anyway, and I usually have margaritas while eating only a small appetiser.

However I recently found out I only like fake Mexican food, like the burrito bowl at London's Chipotle.

Chipotle is built for speed, not for comfort – metal-topped tables and disposable plates and cutlery. In fact, it's quick- casual in the same way that McDonald's is quick-casual.

I opted for pork burrito bowl- pork, brown rise, lettuce, pinto beans and tomato salsa. I also added a scoop of fresh guacamole (which was amazing by the way).

TIP: Ditching sour cream, cheese and tortilla will save you over 300 calories and 20 g of fat.

I will give Chipotle points for a couple things:

1. In a world where many fast food places have about 100 offerings - most of which they should never even attempt - Chipotle keeps the menu pretty neat and simple....
I think that for the most part this is the way to go. Do a select set of items and do them well, instead of 10 good items and 90 mediocre ones. The question for this review is, did Chipotle do it well?

I'd say Yes

2. The burrito bowl portion  is HUGE and the meat is free from antibiotics or added hormones. Also all produce is local and organic. All ingredients were fresh, fresh, fresh...
To me this was a major selling point.

Would I Buy It Again?

Yes. Chipotle’s fresh ingredients took center stage and I was left happy and full.

Chipotle

101-103 Baker Street
London, Greater London
020 7935 9881

114-116 Charing Cross Road
London020 7836 8491

185 Wardour Street, Soho,
London, W1F 8ZA
020 7494 4156

London Spa Girl x

 

Mr. Brainwash pop show

I've been MIA lately and I apologise. I just moved house and it's taken me a while to acclimatise to the changes ...and the piles and piles of clothes:)

Last night I went to a gallery show for Mr. Brainwash aka Thierry Guetta. He apparently is an international art star wrapped  in several layers of ambiguity. His biggest claim to fame is a starring role in the 2010 Oscar-nominated, pseudo-documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop.

Despite the abundance of scepticism in the media and art world, Mr. Brainwash appears to still have his devotees. Apparently as early as Wednesday some of his supporters formed a huge queue outside the building, vowing to be the first people to see the show. Or were they paid "fans" hired by Mr. Brainwash himself? Or by Banksy? Are we tired of the games yet?

I definitely don't understand his art and haven't seen the film just yet and to be honest until last week I didn't even know who Mr. Brainwash was but the party venue sounded exciting, J likes him a lot and David Guetta was DJing so I said 'why not?'

Great fun for a Wednesday night.

Have a look for yourself if his pop art is appealing to you...

For more on Mr. Brainwash, visit his site here: http://www.MrBrainwash.com

J monkeying around

with J's pretty friend Zara

Dancing with Mr Micky

David Guetta DJing

Mr. Brainwash chatting with Zara Martin

London Olympics 2012

I was extremely excited to be able to visit the Olympic village last week to watch the swimming at the Aquatic centre.

It did NOT rain that Saturday. Contrary to the predictions of the BBC (and others) there were NO thunderstorms, NO hail, NO lightning. The temperature was balmy. The visibility was perfect.

Boris Johnson was the first of the  famous faces we spotted as we was entering the village. The queen showed up anannounced in the middle of the 400m swimming qualifications which caused quite a stir. All and all it was a day full of excitement and pride to be a Londoner right at this moment.

Just wanted to point out that the military are doing a fantastic job. Colossal numbers of people are being moved through the search areas and into the park – speedily, efficiently, and with great friendliness.

Everywhere I went I saw volunteers who were caught up in the excitement of the biggest thing this city has done in our lifetimes. They are happy and proud – and so, by the way, are all the spectators I have met so far.

Boris chatting with tourists early in the morning

London Spa Girl x