by Mollie Millington | Jul 18, 2016 | eating, product review
There is so much going on in my life right now- big project deadlines looming at work, teaching group ex classes, training for my big endurance events, being a wife, taking care of Oldland and squeezing in a good night’s sleep. All this leaves little time for food prep, planning my meals, or packing healthy snacks. Luckily, I have had opportunities to try some new food products on the market. I thought I would let you know which ones I have tried.
Primal Pantry bars– If you have been a long time reader, you know that I have dabbled with Whole30. Primal Pantry bars are grain-free, vegan and lack added sugar. I tried 3 different flavors during a long bike ride around Reading. They were all really yummy, didn’t upset my stomach and seemed to give me enough energy to keep up with the boys.
Men’s Health Kitchen frozen meals– These have been a Godsend for me. We were able to try all 12 flavors. Each was absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors and foods were very hearty and filling (quinoa, lentils, rice, etc). The portions didn’t seem very big but I was never hungry after finishing one. Plus they retail at only £3, which is a bargain compared to a drink, sandwich and crisps.
Ugly Drinks– For the record, I am not a sparking water kind of girl. I do like pop though, so I thought I would give the Lemon-Lime and Pomegranate flavors a try. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like them, perhaps because the flavour wasn’t very strong (as it would be with soda pop). My co-workers tried Ugly Drinks too and had the brilliant idea to use Ugly Drinks as a mixer.
Dr Zak’s nut butters and high protein bagels– I am obsessed with Raspberry Peanut Butter (in particular, putting in Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream). When I first saw it as a flavor, I thought it would be really weird. More so than Apple Cinnamon, which was the other flavor I was able to try. But Raspberry PB was also good on plain bagels and bananas. I really liked Apple Cinnamon on toasted Cinnamon and Raisin bagels. When I had this for breakfast, I felt full all morning. These products are something I would keep in my desk at work for a quick post RUNCH snack.
Yokebe protein drink– This drink is marketed as a weight loss drink, but I was using it as a protein recovery drink. I followed the directions to mix it with milk and vegetable oil. The powder smelled like vanilla pudding my grandma used to give me as a kid so I had high hopes. It wasn’t very sweet but I prefer the drink mixed with only milk. It is pretty filling and another good think to have in your desk drawer.
Seriously Summer at Costa– Costa has launched a new menu for the summer which are great if you need to pick up something on the go. I tried a falafel couscous salad wrap and grape/watermelon/strawberry (Red Super Day) smoothie. Both were delicious!
So these are some foods you can have on hand to help you fuel when on the go. What new foods have you tried lately that you would recommend?
Please note I was sent samples from all of these brands. As always, opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | Jul 18, 2016 | eating, product review
There is so much going on in my life right now- big project deadlines looming at work, teaching group ex classes, training for my big endurance events, being a wife, taking care of Oldland and squeezing in a good night’s sleep. All this leaves little time for food prep, planning my meals, or packing healthy snacks. Luckily, I have had opportunities to try some new food products on the market. I thought I would let you know which ones I have tried.
Primal Pantry bars– If you have been a long time reader, you know that I have dabbled with Whole30. Primal Pantry bars are grain-free, vegan and lack added sugar. I tried 3 different flavors during a long bike ride around Reading. They were all really yummy, didn’t upset my stomach and seemed to give me enough energy to keep up with the boys.
Men’s Health Kitchen frozen meals– These have been a Godsend for me. We were able to try all 12 flavors. Each was absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors and foods were very hearty and filling (quinoa, lentils, rice, etc). The portions didn’t seem very big but I was never hungry after finishing one. Plus they retail at only £3, which is a bargain compared to a drink, sandwich and crisps.
Ugly Drinks– For the record, I am not a sparking water kind of girl. I do like pop though, so I thought I would give the Lemon-Lime and Pomegranate flavors a try. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like them, perhaps because the flavour wasn’t very strong (as it would be with soda pop). My co-workers tried Ugly Drinks too and had the brilliant idea to use Ugly Drinks as a mixer.
Dr Zak’s nut butters and high protein bagels– I am obsessed with Raspberry Peanut Butter (in particular, putting in Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream). When I first saw it as a flavor, I thought it would be really weird. More so than Apple Cinnamon, which was the other flavor I was able to try. But Raspberry PB was also good on plain bagels and bananas. I really liked Apple Cinnamon on toasted Cinnamon and Raisin bagels. When I had this for breakfast, I felt full all morning. These products are something I would keep in my desk at work for a quick post RUNCH snack.
Yokebe protein drink– This drink is marketed as a weight loss drink, but I was using it as a protein recovery drink. I followed the directions to mix it with milk and vegetable oil. The powder smelled like vanilla pudding my grandma used to give me as a kid so I had high hopes. It wasn’t very sweet but I prefer the drink mixed with only milk. It is pretty filling and another good think to have in your desk drawer.
Seriously Summer at Costa– Costa has launched a new menu for the summer which are great if you need to pick up something on the go. I tried a falafel couscous salad wrap and grape/watermelon/strawberry (Red Super Day) smoothie. Both were delicious!
So these are some foods you can have on hand to help you fuel when on the go. What new foods have you tried lately that you would recommend?
Please note I was sent samples from all of these brands. As always, opinions are honest and my own.
by Mollie Millington | Jun 28, 2016 | books, product review
Although I don’t have much time for reading these days, I do like to have a book with me on the tube or when I am on holiday. Usually, I aim to read one book at a time because it is hard for me to focus, while my husband will be reading a few different books at a time. Somehow, I have found myself with a little pile, so I thought I would share what I is on my nightstand and Kindle:
Your Holistically Hot Transformation– Written by fellow IIN alum, Marissa Vicario, this book is s fun read if you are looking to get your eating back on track. She offers simple but effective tips while telling you her story and what habits she has overcome. It is designed to be read one chapter at a time, after which you go off and implement the tips suggested by Marissa. It is a really fun read and great for a little boost.
The Diet Myth– KCL lecturer Dr. Tim Spector gave a lecture about how microbes are more unique than finger prints to each individual’s gut. These microbes are best suited to process different types of foods and that is one of the reasons why one diet regime doesn’t work on everyone. You can even send his lab a sample of your stool to find out which microbes your gut possesses.
Like The Wind Magazine issue #9- When it arrived in the post, I was so excited to see I could color in the cover. How cool is that? LTW is about art, running, and everything in between. Published quarterly, articles are submitted by the running community and amazingly illustrated. You can order back issues or check out these stockists.
Natural Born Heroes- I was lucky enough to meet Chris McDougall last year at a ‘lecture’ about this book. I say ‘lecture’ because Chris has unfortunately lost his voice. Even without a voice, his energy and passion for running and storytelling radiated throughout the crowded running shop. This book looks into English residents of Crete who would literally run messages from camp to camp during World War II, creating a running style form similar to parkour.
I am eager to finish these as I have some awesome books being sent to me in the post:
I am always looking for new books, both fiction and non-fiction. Please comment below if you think I should read your favorite.
Please note this post contains affiliate links, which add no cost to the purchaser but does help to maintain this site. Also, I was provided with ‘Your Holistically Hot Transformation’ and LTW but all opinions are honest and my own, as always.
by thinkmarsh | Jun 28, 2016 | books, product review
Although I don’t have much time for reading these days, I do like to have a book with me on the tube or when I am on holiday. Usually, I aim to read one book at a time because it is hard for me to focus, while my husband will be reading a few different books at a time. Somehow, I have found myself with a little pile, so I thought I would share what I is on my nightstand and Kindle:
Your Holistically Hot Transformation– Written by fellow IIN alum, Marissa Vicario, this book is s fun read if you are looking to get your eating back on track. She offers simple but effective tips while telling you her story and what habits she has overcome. It is designed to be read one chapter at a time, after which you go off and implement the tips suggested by Marissa. It is a really fun read and great for a little boost.
The Diet Myth– KCL lecturer Dr. Tim Spector gave a lecture about how microbes are more unique than finger prints to each individual’s gut. These microbes are best suited to process different types of foods and that is one of the reasons why one diet regime doesn’t work on everyone. You can even send his lab a sample of your stool to find out which microbes your gut possesses.
Like The Wind Magazine issue #9- When it arrived in the post, I was so excited to see I could color in the cover. How cool is that? LTW is about art, running, and everything in between. Published quarterly, articles are submitted by the running community and amazingly illustrated. You can order back issues or check out these stockists.
Natural Born Heroes- I was lucky enough to meet Chris McDougall last year at a ‘lecture’ about this book. I say ‘lecture’ because Chris has unfortunately lost his voice. Even without a voice, his energy and passion for running and storytelling radiated throughout the crowded running shop. This book looks into English residents of Crete who would literally run messages from camp to camp during World War II, creating a running style form similar to parkour.
I am eager to finish these as I have some awesome books being sent to me in the post:
I am always looking for new books, both fiction and non-fiction. Please comment below if you think I should read your favorite.
Please note this post contains affiliate links, which add no cost to the purchaser but does help to maintain this site. Also, I was provided with ‘Your Holistically Hot Transformation’ and LTW but all opinions are honest and my own, as always.
by thinkmarsh | Jun 2, 2016 | class review, product review, recovery, yoga
My experience with yoga is infrequent. I only make it to a class when there is a special offer or a unique workshop on for runners. For a few weeks last year, I made it to the class offered at work but my days are so full on right now, I barely have time to eat lunch. Which is all the more reason I should be going to yoga!
The lovely folks at Fierce Grace Yoga invited me over for a class to experience what they have to offer. With six studios throughout the city, it was easy to find one that fit into my commute (the Old Street location, just a short walk north of the station). They also have lots of classes offered throughout the day, making it even more accessible to fit around anyone’s schedule. I chose the Fierce Grace signature class and hoped it wouldn’t be above my level.
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| Note how red my face is. |
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| Busy timetable at Old Street |
The few times I have tried hot yoga, I found it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t breathe and it irritated my skin allergy. At Fierce Grace Yoga, I loved being enveloped by the warmth of the studio. I did start to struggle to breathe a bit after about 60 minutes, but I think that might have been more due to fatigue. I was quickly making my way through my water bottle and completely soaked with sweat. The instructor encouraged us to take breaks as needed and I did just that towards the end of class. Who doesn’t love a little Child’s Pose?
Some of the moves during class were too advanced for me, but I just grabbed a block to help me find a better position. Most of the attendees seemed capable of completing all the sequences which was very impressive!
Fierce Grace yoga is perfect for those who enjoy hot yoga (obviously) and those looking to get leaner and stronger. It would also be good for people training for events in hotter climates, such as Marathon de Sables. They are also very reasonable in price/class, considering the length of the classes. I would recommend bringing your own mat and at least two towels (one for class and one for a shower) although you are able to rent both at the studio. Also, there are lockers in the studio for your valuable but the womens’ changing room only has shelves and coat hooks.
By the time I got home, I needed more water STAT. Luckily I had a bottle of the new For Goodness Shakes coconut protein water. They had invited me along to a special HIIT class where I was able to learn more about the water and, of course, fit in some exercise. Normally I don’t like coconut water, but I did like this stuff. Each bottle contains 20g of whey protein, which, according to Claire Baseley, registered nutritionist, is more than enough for a cardio session, such as spinning or aerobics. Consuming protein during a workout allows the muscles to start repairing immediately. It helps for those long sessions too, which my 90 minute yoga session was for me (I should have packed the protein water!). If you are taking part in a resistance set, you will need more protein for your recovery because the muscles are damaged by lifting weights.
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| For Goodness Shakes coconut water =delish! |
Whey protein is very digestible and rapidly dissolves in water, making it super absorbent into your body. If you are not allergic to milk, definitely give it a try. However, if you are slightly intolerant to milk products, you will need to try a little bit first.
I spotted For Goodness Shakes protein water in Asda, so it shouldn’t be hard for you to find when you are out and about. The flavour is refreshing and light as a post-workout treat after a workout in the summer (as opposed to a milk-based protein shake). Plus, it is only 86 calories per bottle, has zero sugar and zero fat. Score!
How do you re-hydrate after a hot yoga class? Let me know in the comments below!
Big thanks to Fierce Grace and For Goodness Shakes for allowing me to try their products. All opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | May 18, 2016 | product review, technology
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| MZ-3 shown without the chest strap |
Heart rate monitoring is thought to be another tool athletes can use to tailor their training to their individual needs. Depending on your session goals, the program design will be to get the heart to beat at a certain rate. In order to monitor this, you will need to wear a heart rate monitor (HRM). My Zone recently released the MZ-3, which is a Bluetooth chest strap that works with an app in your phone that gives you real time feedback and logs your session info for future reference.
The HMR charges with a USB plug and the Bluetooth capability turns on when you are wearing the device. In order to prolong battery life, it is recommended to keep the transmitter detached from the strap when not in use so you need to be careful to keep the transmitter and chest strap in the same place so they are not lost. I had to wet the connector bit before wearing in order for my heart beat to be connected (I can assure you I am alive) which is often the case with HRMs. The app then displays your heart rate continuously throughout your session to help you stay on target. Usually, I prefer a wrist HRM, but I wore the strap below my sports bra on my chest and wasn’t bothered by it during my run or indoor cycling classes.
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| My heart rate profile during my trail marathon |
Wearing the strap on your chest (rather than wrist) captures your heart rate more accurately which will in turn help you make a more informed decision about effort levels during a training session.
I keep my phone out of sight when I exercise, so I downloaded my workouts after I got home from the gym. To do this, you need to put the strap on and sync via Bluetooth to the app. The app keeps a training log for you and has a social aspect that allows you to link with friends. Another fab feature is a food log, which I have yet to try.
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| All the cool features of the app |
If your gym uses My Zone equipment, you can earn Bounts (www.bounts.it) points too (my referral code mmillin1695). Unfortunately, you cannot sync My Zone to Bounts as an individual.
The MZ-3 is a small piece of kit that you can keep in your gym bag in expedite your results in the gym. Your heartbeat tells you a lot about your body’s reaction to a workout so use the MZ-3 to take note and help you monitor your progress.
If you are interested in receiving a free MZ-3, contact Health Rewards about their amazing insurance plans and quote PTMollie for more info. Health Rewards offer you a free activity tracker (from selected list) when you sign up, which also earns you additional benefits with each healthy action you take, such as free cinema tickets, Starbucks, discounts on travel and more.
I was given this product to try out. All opinions are honest and my own.
Seriously Summer at Costa– Costa has launched a new menu for the summer which are great if you need to pick up something on the go. I tried a falafel couscous salad wrap and grape/watermelon/strawberry (Red Super Day) smoothie. Both were delicious!
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