Focus Friday: Boost Yourself

Today's Focus Friday is about ways to give yourself a boost of energy when you need it the most!

We've all had it, does the midday slump ring any bells?
Well I'm here to give you some handy tips on what do and eat to help counteract those stale hours throughout the day that make you want to sleep under the counter (or desk).
A quick disclaimer here to state that I would always recommend visiting a medical professional or your GP if you suffer from fatigue and tiredness on a regular basis, as there could be an underlying cause that I am not qualified to diagnose.

My personal top tip is to have a healthy and varied diet that consists of lots of fruit and vegetables, protein and fibre. Things like broccoli, bananas, mushrooms and blueberries.
Green leafy vegetables, eggs, lean meat and whole grains are full of fatigue fighting B-Complexes. Alongside that,green veggies are full of iron which helps with the transportation of oxygen round the body (be careful with toxicity levels of iron in children).


Another tip is to take a good multivitamin that contains Ginseng, Ginseng may help keep you alert as it has a slight stimulant effect, it is also an adaptogenic, helping the body cope with stress.
If you suffer from Migraines then I would advise speaking to your GP before taking Ginseng. So making sure you are getting your daily nutrients is very important, but what about sleep?

We need 8 hours sleep for optimal performance, now for some people that is easily said than done. Get into bed mode by switching off any white back lit electronics a few hours before you nod off, this is because the white light blocks the hormone Melatonin, and Melatonin helps you sleep. You can also help induce sleep by having a hot shower or bath before and add a little lavender to the bath for a soothing aroma.

My final tip for energy gains is keep hydrated, get that water bottle out of the cupboard from last years yoga classes and keep it filled up and ice cold throughout the day. No slacking.












Focus Friday: Antioxidants



Focus Friday will be my new sub genre of this blog, with topics of focus from all parts of life such as food, mood and cats!
That's if I remember to blog every Friday...
Todays topic is Antioxidants!

Let's start with the basics
According to Google the almighty, the definition of an antioxidant is "A substance that inhibits oxidation".

Ok so in what? 
Food and our bodies.

In layman's speech our bodies weak cells split sometimes and we are left with what we call free radicals which contribute to various illnesses and ailments, this is accelerated by pollution in the environment, UVA rays from the sun and smoking (amongst others).
This is where antioxidants come in to the equation, they interact with these naughty free radical 'cells' and connect with them, stopping the damage of other vital molecules in the body.
So they may help to protect us from these factors mentioned before.



(Psst they also help with premature ageing caused by sun damage, just take a look at Sir Patrick Stewart back in the day and now.)

Where can I find Antioxidants?
Good question, now Antioxidants are pretty common in many everyday foods and vitamins. For a start foods rich in vitamins A,C and E are abundant in them so if you like citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and bell peppers the chances are you are getting a good dose already.
Other sources are:

  • Goji Berries
  • Wild Blueberries
  • Pecans
  • Kidney Beans
  • Tomatoes
  • Green Tea
  • Grapeseeds
  • Pomegranite
  • Matcha Green Tea
  • Acai Berry


So maybe swap that third cup of tea at the office for a cup of green tea? or the next time you reach for the milk chocolate  swap it for the darkest you can find.
I'm sure our bodies will thank us for it.

Ok so that concludes this weeks Focus Friday, if there's anything you'd like me to go into depth about next friday then feel free to drop me a message or email on leeaaronharley@gmail.com.
Keep it clean!




Credit
normsfarms.com 
boldsky.com




Bucket List 2017


 Good Morning 2017

Where have I been hiding? I hear you ask.

Well I shall tell you, I, like many minions on this rather blue earth, have suffered from a large dose of no motivation.
5 years of blogging and then suddenly having to be an adult and work lots zapped my brain of all creativity ( or what creativity I had left) and I fell into the routine of rise, shine and sleep.

Now I have risen like the phoenix (club) and am raring to go!

Which moves me gently on to the subject of bucket lists for the year, I love bucket lists, they give me a sense of purpose and aim. I work an enjoyable retail job but sometimes even a job you enjoy can make you feel like "I need to experience somethinnggggg". Some people are right daredevils though, xtreme sports and death defying jumps FML. 
We all focus so much on status and material things in life that we forget to enjoy the moment wether it be alone or with the people we love, for example hands up who's guilty of holding up their phone at a gig for almost half the set list for most part of having a memory in hard copy and to shout out to the peasants on social media " LOOK WHERE I AM"?
I'm not saying keep your phone away from gigs, but you get me right?

Anyhow, back on track, this is my bucket list of experiences I wish to encounter this year. Whether or not I encounter them all is another matter, but they can roll on to next year no?


My main experiences up top are first priority, but I also have a short list of minor experience I wish top participate in:
  • Go to more than 1 food festival
  • Visit a new Christmas market
  • Start jogging again
  • Go to more gigs
  • Read more books
  • Support local events more


Tell me your list for the year, where do you want to go? Music Festivals, gigs? hell even BBQ's!

If you are interested in finding out what's going on around you, or want to organise your own shindig check out Eventbrite.co.uk

Pinterest Nail-FAIL


Today I thought I would give the 'Tape Art' Pinterest trend a go, and being honest, its more faff than it's worth. Although I'm not saying its ugly, you've just got to have a steady hand and the right tools, here's my attempt.



NYX BUYS: Lip Cream

Delving into the world of NYX starting with my new matt lip creams, from left to right starting with Amsterdam, Ibiza and finally Abu Dhabi.
I like the fact each tube is named after a city, god knows why.
I must admit Abu Dhabi is the shade I wear the most as it goes with almost everything and then Ibiza would be my second favourite as it is not like any pink I already have. 
        They dry fairly quick and last a while but they do tend to feel like they're peeling a bit on the inner part of the lip which makes you re apply, even though the colour looks solid.
One thing that does bother me though is after a few uses they start to feel like they're empty, and you don't get much product on the applicator in the beginning, and they're around £6 each.

All in all I would buy other colours from the range because they do look pretty on and they fit easily into your day/evening bag.

My Top 10 Instagrammers


In no specific order, here is a list of my favourite 'grammers.


1.@ABEAUTIFULMESS
A Beautiful Mess is a wonderful women's lifestyle blog run by sisters Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, their blog is a visual party for the eyes that offers crafting tips, DIY and scrumptious recipes to show off to your friends! Don't pass this blog by if you are a nifty lady who loves a bit of up-cycling.


2.@BONTRAVELER
This is a travel blog run by a girl named Jessica Wright, her page is full to the brim of various locations from around the world displayed in an a bit of a hipster fashion, think @socialitybarbie.
It certainly gives me the travel bug!


3.JUSTINICK_PGH
Why two semi naked men you ask? 
Because they're the cutest couple on Instagram of course!


4.@DOLLSKILL
A funky online boutique home to brands such as Wildfox, UNIF and O-Mighty.
You wont find any plain Janes here.


5.@Maisonmargiela
Home of the French House of Maison Margiela.


6.@iamlilbub

Lil Bub, the special needs kitty from a far away galaxy (Bloomington, Indiana).
Bub has captured the hearts of the world with her uniqueness, that cute tongue and even has her own show!


7.@LILY_VANILLI_CAKE

I have been obsessed with Lily Vanilli for years now, such a talented lady. From floral wedding cakes to blood dripping hearts you name it, this lady can bake it!


8.@BLEACHLONDON

One of the funkiest salons in London co-owned by Sam Teasdale and Alex Brownsell, specialising in every colour of the rainbow the team here can brighten up your day whatever tone you fancy!


9.@TRUCVERT

Truc Vert in Mayfair, I visited here for lunch around a year and half ago and it was such a treat. A quaint but stylish establishment with an air of elegance. 

10.@BUTLIKEMAYBE
What every female thinks.