Health and Wellness Archives

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY WITH KATHERINE ORMEROD

This weeks #WellnessWednesday features Katherine Ormerod, when we first met I felt an instant connection with her because of her genuine interest in and support of women.

Editorial Director and Brand Consultant Katherine Ormerod is behind workworkwork.co, a digital destination for women to share their challenges and triumphs both in and out of the office. The site intends to add a dose of reality to the social media conversation and operate as an anti-perfectionism platform.

How would you describe your lifestyle?

Highly varied and fulfilling.

2. What’s your favourite food? Naughty or nice.

It’s always going to be naughty in the moment and nice on reflection!

3. Do you exercise and if so what do you do to keep fit?

I do a lot of Reformer Pilates and hot yoga. Until recently I did a lot of cardio too— abs & ass, trampolining etc – but have calmed that down as Im trying to conceive. The focus is cortisol reducing not enhancing exercise for me at the moment.

4. How do you find balance in your day-to-day life?

It’s never easy and it takes discipline. I have acupuncture twice a month and really try and take at least 3/5 lunch breaks — ideally taking a 40 minute walk without my phone. Over-scheduling is my real out-of-balance downfall, so it’s about being really strict about how much I put into my calendar and prioritizing things that really matter.

5. How do you manage stress in your life? Do you meditate? Have you ever tried it?

I do a lot of night time meditation to help me sleep if my mind is spinning –I often wake up at 3am-4am and I find sleep meditation is the only way I can drop back off.

6. People often set goals or intentions as they go through life. Is this something you do?

I’m a huge fan of manifestation and am highly goal orientated. In fact, I’m trying to be more spontaneous and less fixed in my path. I have however, always believed that you can only manifest and focus on one thing at once — it cant be find a new boyfriend, get a promotion, buy a flat… You have to take your journey one step at a time and ensure all decisions you make go back to that one solitary goal instead of splitting your energy across multiple targets.

7. How do you unwind after a busy day?

I cook and iron. I know that sounds regressive, but I find doing domestic tasks very relaxing and just love being at home. I am out with work around three nights a week, so ironing in front of the TV or chopping veg is an amazing way for me to shut my brain down and just do repetitive actions.

8. It’s the weekend, what do you do for fun?

An early morning class then brunch with girlfriends. I’ll then come home for a rest — either a lazy nap or TV with my boyfriend. We might do some home improvement then we’ll mosey down to Notting Hill and meet friends for drinks and dinner. Sunday morning always starts with cinema at the Electric and a cinnamon bun from Fabrique. We’ll then head to Queen’ Park Farmer’s Market and get some fresh veg and flowers and invite friends over for a Sunday roast. Weekends are calm and open ended — if we’re not abroad or away with family, it’s all about relaxation.

9. What’s your top health tip for our readers?

To give yourself a break. I have been incredibly, incredibly productive at times of my life and held myself up to impossible standards. I think it is very easy to become competitively busy and you can always do more. I could post more on my site or pick up extra clients to make more money, but I choose to prioritize my free time and keep things on an even keel.

10. Finish the sentence – Being complete for me means…

accepting myself for my both my failures and success.

To keep up with the latest from Katherine follow her below:

Website

Instagram

September 13, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Newsletter, Nutrition, Parenting

IS SUGAR REALLY AS BAD AS WE THINK?

Sugar was exposed on Monday night on RTE for the true demon we all know it is but we don’t want to admit to it because it’s so tasty. Well sorry my friends as we saw on ‘Sugar Crash’ tasty or not it’s killing us. Many doctors and experts have predicted that this generation could be the first to die before their parents if we don’t get a grip on this and soon!

I used to live on sugar, the lower I felt, the more I ate. I never joined the dots between the two until a few years ago when I became determined to get to the root cause of my problems without the pills. One of the first things I did was dramatically reduce my sugar intake and along with that the fog started to lift and there was no denying that sugar was one of the strong links to my mental health issues, low moods and energy levels.

Knowing this and having returned to college to study nutrition I was determined to do my best and encourage a healthy diet with my son. This was a breeze until he went to school and started going to birthday parties. Don’t get me wrong he’s allowed have treats but not every day. There are three golden rules in my house: no sugary cereals, no fizzy drinks and no fast food joints like McDonalds. Needless to say this doesn’t make me very popular with some parents. I would go far as to say that fizzy drinks and sugary cereals should be banned. They have absolutely no nutritional value and are harming our kids.

An excess of sugar over time has been shown to cause liver damage, heart attacks, stroke, dementia, kidney disease, blindness, amputation and depression. Is this really the future we want for our children? Worst of all this is totally preventable.

Teething biscuits, follow on milk and juice all day long are just some of the culprits that have contributed to this problem. We are one of the highest consumers of sugar in the world and a lot of it is hidden which is why we need to educate ourselves.

I know we are busy and most mornings we just want to get the kids fed and off to school but the bad habits we ingrain in them during their formative years will be setting them up for a lifetime of bad eating habits and health issues. Surely we want our kids to live a life of vitality and health? As a parent you are making that decision for your children right now!

As a nation we are on target to become the fattest nation in Europe by 2030. Low fat foods have a big part to play in this because the fat they take out is replaced with sugar for taste and as we now know its sugar not fat that’s the real problem.

I have some very simple tips:

Eat Wholefoods, which are foods that are as close to nature as possible so tomatoes not tomato sauce. Bascially foods that have been unchanged from their original form.
Stay on the outskirts of the supermarket which is in most supermarkets I have been too where the fresh produce is.
Stay away from processed/packages foods as much as possible
If you can’t pronounce the ingredients on the label you should not be eating it
Children up to two years of age should have NO sugar or added salt in their diets!
If you are time poor which leads you to eat convience food. Cook in bulk and freeze for the week
Eliminate fizzy drinks, juices and sugary cereals from your families diets

And be careful just because you’re kids are not overweight does not mean they are not being affected. These diseases are slow burners and are damaging our internal organs, which is something simply not visible to the naked eye. As parents we all need to take responsibility not only for our own kids but for all kids. We need to respect other parent’s wishes and make an effort to keep all kids healthy.

Follow me on

FACEBOOK for healthy tips and daily inspiration!

Ali xxx

January 15, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY WITH MODEL THALIA HEFFERNAN

This week I’m chatting to model Thalia Heffernan who I’ve known since she started working as a model six years ago. I always knew she’d be a star as she has incredible presence and grace and I’m really excited to see what 2016 has in store for her.

She started modelling at the age of fifteen and managed school and her career until completing the leaving certificate in 2013.

Since then, she’s travelled to places like London, New York, Germany and Australia and has more exciting projects to come in 2016. She has four international agencies representing her with more to come in the coming months but just how does she balance work, rest and play?

How would you describe your lifestyle?

I love to keep fit, and train regularly with my trainer Sophie Kavanagh at No. 17. I try to get into the gym 3-5 times weekly, but between work it can be difficult! I haven’t got much routine as jobs vary day to day.

What’s your favorite food? Naughty or nice.

McCambridges brown bread. It’s my favourite. Taste of home! Even better with some sausages on top!

Do you exercise and if so what do you do to keep fit?

My trainer keeps me on track! Sophie is amazing at alternating my workouts to get the best results and train every part of my body equally. So we change it up daily to keep it fresh and exciting. My favourite exercises usually consist of ab work, but I also love training legs.

How do you find balance in your day-to-day life?

I find balance in my day to day life by keeping true to myself and allowing myself time to do the things that I love to do. I enjoy cooking, playing piano, listening to music and many other things. I’ve also found that meditation, particularly at night before I go to sleep can help even out the thoughts in my head and help me to achieve the balance that I need.

How do you manage stress in your life? Do you meditate? Have you ever tried it?

I try to have a positive outlook in life, and that alone helps to alleviate stress. But of course, being human, it can still get on top of you. I try to just give myself a minute to remove myself from a situation and look at it from an outside perspective. I take in everything that’s going on and try to understand why. By doing this, logically your mind can find comfort in understanding. I find meditation great to calm the mind and help eliminate any stress.

People often set goals or intentions as they go through life. Is this something you do?

I think it’s important to set goals so that you have something to look forward to and strive towards. It can be hard having motivation when you don’t know where you’re going or what you’re doing. I would say that I set goals: Sometimes loosely and then sometimes very intentionally. As I’ve grown up I’ve learned that subconsciously I’m always striving towards something, and recently I’ve learned to put these things on paper and make them a more solid thing that I want to achieve.

How do you unwind after a busy day?

I listen to music, take a hot shower, lie on my bed or on the sofa, make dinner and prepare meals for the next day or week ahead. Sometimes I knit; I find it very therapeutic and it helps me to switch off too. I try to play my keyboard daily, which is in my room, and that definitely helps me to unwind.

It’s the weekend, what do you do for fun?

It depends on how busy my week before was!! But I always find time to spend with my friends, go for a few drinks, dinner, whatever! I’m a pretty relaxed person, I don’t usually make huge plans for the weekends ahead, I prefer to play things by ear and see how it goes. I often spend time with my dad on the weekends, Sundays in particular. We usually go for walks out in Howth or Portmarnock and get some lunch while we’re out there.

What’s your top health tip for our readers?

Drink plenty of water!!! It’s so important to keep yourself hydrated. Water is key to keep every part of you healthy, it affects your skin, hair, mental state, everything.

Finish the sentence – Being complete for me means…

Being happy in life, myself and to surround myself with people who contribute to that and strengthen me as a person.

FOLLOW THALIA ON:

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT:

MORGAN THE AGENCY

January 13, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Alison TV, Be Beautiful, Newsletter, Nutrition

HOW TO MAKE MATCHA TEA

The benefits of matcha green tea are endless from weightloss, to better skin hair and nails. Its a potent anti-oxidant and is fantastic for people who suffer with anxiety

Check out www.koyumatcha.com for more information and put in the code”ALI” at the checkout for a discount!

Happy Tea Time
Shine Bright,
Ali xxx

January 12, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Beautiful, Healthy body

MY TOP 6 TIPS FOR BETTER DIGESTION

GET MOVING AND STRETCH

No better way to get your digestive system going than to get your body moving. So make sure to at least get a walk in every day. Stretching is also a great way to help move things along and both can help to stimulate your small intestine and get things moving in your colon!

SIMPLE STRETCH: Lie on the ground and stretch your arms up and legs as long as they can go. Then hug your knees into your stomach and start a cycling motion with your legs just like you would when you are trying to help a baby ease tummy troubles and wind. Yoga is also fantastic for getting a full body stretch combined with breathing as its helps you to tune into your bodies needs.

DRINK MORE WATER!

I start every day with lemon water as it helps to kick start your digestion but it’s also important to keep sufficiently hydrated throughout the day, which an awful lot of us don’t do. Dehydration is actually one of the main causes of chronic constipation because water helps food to move through your intestines and if your body doesn’t have enough water your stools will be hard and difficult to pass. Check your urine to see if you are dehydrated. The lighter in colour the better!!

EAT MORE FIBER

Fiber is something most of us don’t get enough of and its important as it keeps our gut healthy, digestive system running smoothly and it can actually help to control hunger as it keeps us feeling fuller for longer. Eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds like chia and flax, brown rice, wholemeal bread, quinoa and oats.

INCREASE YOUR GOOD GUT BACTERIA WITH PROBIOTICS

Probiotics are live bacteria or yeast that are great and essential for a healthy gut and digestive system. This is actually one of the most researched areas in medicine at the moment and what we are starting to realize is that the gut and the good bacteria that live there are far more important to our overall health than we realized with some people referring to our gut flora as “The Forgotten Organ”. Most of us are in what’s called dysbiosis in our gut and that’s when we have more bad than good bacteria in our gut, which is caused from things like poor diet, lifestyle and antibiotic use. So to help rebalance the bacteria try and eat less sugar, processed foods and reduce your alcohol intake. Increase foods like unsweetened live natural yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, kefir and kimchi. I also take The Terranova Probiotics €26.79 BUY HERE which contain a blend of “friendly” bacteria that are normal inhabitants within the intestinal tract.

DE STRESS

I know instantly when I’m getting stressed as I get knots in my tummy! Ever heard the term “gut wrenching”? Well that’s literally what stress does to your gut. Too much stress is bad full stop so try to eat mindfully, not in front of the TV, in a rush or in front of your computer and chew your food well. These little tips will help you to digest your food easier and better!

PEPPERMINT ANYONE?

Nothing like a nice peppermint tea after a meal to help ease digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramps or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) due to the peppermints anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties. I also use a little peppermint essential oil under my tongue from Doterra too (you need to make sure they good quality oils and also oils you can ingest) (To buy oils email Caroline@honestabouthealth.com))

So here’s to a happy tummy,

Shine Bright,

Ali xx

January 4, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter, Yourself

THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DUMP IN 2016

NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

If there’s one thing you do in 2016 give up beating your self up about everything big and small. I spent most of my life doing this and let me tell you its painful, a waste of time and gets you no where so take it easy on yourself and always think: Would I talk to someone I love this way? You’ll probably find that the answer is no so please don’t do it to yourself.

RUNNING AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEMS

Another one of my many talents! I worked hard at running away and became very good at it. I also had an awesome job as a model that helped make it even easier. The day I stopped running was the day I started really living though. The longer you run the harder it will be to catch up with yourself but it’s never to late to stop. Dealing with your problems can be really hard but in the end its so worth it to breathe easy and live freely.

PLACING YOUR HAPPINESS IN THE FUTURE

If you are not happy with what you have right now you will never be happy with what you want in the future. Right now is all there is. So for 2016 quit being a “when I get..” or “When That happens..” I’ll be happy person. Be happy with and grateful for what you have right now. Stop focusing on the end game all the time!

PROCRASTINATING

If you constantly think about what you have to do and get anxiety because of it 2016 is the year you need to just get up and get things done. Procrastinating does nothing but cause unnecessary worry and fear. So stop thinking and start doing!!

LETTING YOUR PAST DEFINE WHO YOU ARE

Make forgiveness a part of 2016. Start using the ‘F’ word for yourself and start healing! Your past does not define who you are today or in the future. Don’t listen to people who tell you that you can’t change. The ability to change for the better is within us all. Be the best You that you can be and live your truth.

So just do the best that you can do every day and have fun along the way. What are the top things you’re letting go of for 2016? Leave your comment below!

Shine Bright,

Ali xxxx

January 1, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY WITH LISA FITZPATRICK

This week i’m chatting to Lisa Fitzpatrick who is one of Ireland’s most loved Fashion Stylists and is well known for her regular slots on TV3’s Ireland AM and Xposé. Lisa is also a best-selling author with two books, ‘Enjoying Style and Fashion’ and ‘Diet SOS’. Lisa is married to Paul and they have two gorgeous kids Sophie and Dalton and she tells me that she’s learnt a lot since her 30’s and the confidence she has now she definitely didn’t have then.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR RESPIRATION

The breathing process is one of the most basic functions of the body and one that we often take for granted. A simple head cold and blocked nose can make a person feel dizzy and miserable. Sinus problems in particular can cause a lot of pain and leave people suffering with headaches, migraines and sleep loss due to congestion. Essential oils can be of great help to the respiratory system and effectively assist in clearing airways and easing congestion in a natural way.

JOIN ME FOR ‘KEEP GOING’ MONTH THIS NOVEMBER

So today is the 1^st of November, most of the leaves have fallen off the trees, the weather is changing and the evenings are becoming shorter. We are also starting to see and hear Christmas creeping in to our daily lives already!!! When Christmas creeps in we tend to shift our minds away from our goals and self-care, which inevitably means that stress, pressure and bad habits start creeping in.

What I really love about autumn is that it’s a visible sign of change. It’s Mother Nature’s way of showing us not to fear change and that everything must die to make way for the new possibilities and opportunities. Just look at the stunning autumn colours, the yellows and burnt orange before they turn brown and fall to the ground. Every stage of their life and every stage of our life and our journey’s are beautiful and we need to realize that and enjoy every moment of every day.

Just imagine if leaves could talk and on one particular oak tree all the leaves were enjoying their lives. Like babies they were born in Springtime, fresh and full of life and then they moved into the wonderful summer months where they grew, matured and developed into older leaves. As they came towards the end of the summer they started to feel tired, but most of them were welcoming the change that was on its way and they were ready for it, as they needed the rest. But there were some leaves on the tree that spent their entire short lives never being content and happy and when the other leaves asked why they would always reply that they wanted to be bigger, greener and better that they were at that moment.

They always hoped that those things would come to them and they were sure that when they did it would make them feel happier and more content. Every day they were irritable, distracted and unfocused. They felt a void in the little leaf veins that they simply couldn’t fill. As the autumn time approached and they saw themselves turn from green to yellow and orange they became very upset and panicked because they had never felt green enough and now they would never be green again. By the time they realized this it was too late.

So don’t be like an old oak leaf and wait to be happy. The time to be happy is right now. The oak leaf was perfect all along and the only person that couldn’t see that was the leaf itself.

There is still 1/5 of the year left so a HUGE 20% of a full year to fulfill your goals, dreams and to get back on track and stay focused. So think back to January of this year:

What hopes and dreams did you have for 2014? List them now. What have you ticked off?

What could you realistically still achieve if you put your mind to it?

Whether you would like to work on yourself, your career, your family life or anything else for that matter NOW is a great time to start. Maybe it’s something as simple as getting up when your alarm goes off every day or eating a healthier breakfast.

Every second of every minute of every day is a chance to start again. Life is not about being perfect it’s about just being you. So join me for “Keep going” month in November.

The first thing I want to you to do is start every day the right way. Create a morning routine that energizes and prepares you positively for the day ahead. Follow me on FACEBOOK where I will be posting daily inspirations and videos including my morning routine and life lessons that have helped me to get to where I am today which is a very happy, grateful and lucky lady. I feel blessed to be on this path. We all have it in us and we are all capable of much more that we imagine.

I’m not saying it’s easy but I am saying it’s worth it!!

Ali xxxx

November 1, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

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