Over the last few weeks, I have been training for The London Marathon and with that came a myriad of emotions.  26.2 miles is no easy feat even if you choose to run, jog, walk or wear a costume!

I am writing this blog post marathon and I made it through to the other side!!  I have to say that there definitely comes a time in the race when it becomes a psychological battle. When muscles one by one begin to tell you that they have given up, it is very tempting to just stop.  BUT, I am so thankful for the support of family, friends and general spectators who can see the anguish on your face and keep encouraging you all the way.  To actually here your name being called on route definitely was an energy boost in itself.

As we come to the end of the 40 day vegan series, it is a good time to reflect back to Day 1 and think about your original goal - was it to explore a plant based lifestyle (whether it was just for one meal, one day or one week)? or to become more physically active?  I am sure that you were met with challenges on the way and also tempted with opportunities to give up, but you made it to Day 40!!

I hope you have found the tips and ideas useful along the way?  Watch this space, we will definitely be adding some more helpful features of the Inspired by Vu site!!

Vusi xXx

Restaurant Review!!

I always get excited when I come across hidden vegan gems by way of restaurants!  Introducing Vantra Vitao!

Now this is the first buffet restaurant I have been to since becoming a vegan which had 100% vegan, organic, wheat and gluten free options which tasted AMAZING! There was an array of slow cook curries (I LOVED their Tomato Chick Pea Curry with their creamy mashed potatoes), vibrant salads and guilt free desserts - Silken Mango Cheesecake!!! (Yum!!).  They had a number of raw cookies and brownie bites on display too.

You don't have to be vegan to love this place, even my daughter who can be a vegan-skeptic was going up for seconds!! 

The prices were definitely affordable.  For less than £5, you can sample a range of dishes and be completely full, so it was definitely nutritionally balanced.  Why not pop in for a visit and let me know what your fav dish was!! 

Happy Ab Friday!!

This weeks ab exercise is a little different from the ones I have shared to date.  I guess I am bringing back my passion for the Hula Hoop!!  Strangely enough, when I was at school, I was not so great at ball sports, but GREAT at the more rhythmic activities - namely the Hula Hoop.

The Hula Hoop is FANTASTIC for working your core muscles, as you need to be able to engage these in order to keep the hoop up.  So  your challenge today is to purchase a hoop and see how long you can keep it up.  The other day, I kept that hoop going for 45mins (and then I was interrupted!!) but the world record was for around 72hours or so!! (How did they use the loo??).

Watch this space, as I will be posting some Hula Hoop Inspired workouts, as there are MANY things you can do with your hoop to help whittle your waist down and keep you trim!

XXX

Hi Everyone!!

I was at the Virgin London Marathon Expo and came across these DELICIOUS Chia pods, so I had to write a blog all about it!  Chia pods are made with just 3 simple ingredients; Chia Seeds, Coconut Milk and fruit of choice (I chose the Mango Pod).

What is so great about Chia

Well Chia seeds are part of the family of "Superfood Seeds" as they packed with all the Omega-3 (so great for improving your cholesterol levels) and high fibre (so it sure keeps your bowel movements "regular") benefits.

If you are a fan on Bubble Tea (that tea with the chew tapioca balls that you can get in all sorts of flavours), then I think it will like it, as it reminds me of it in a way and with the Chia pods, there are LOADS  to choose from.  Even my kids LOVED it and were asking me to buy the seeds so I can make some at home!!

So check out Chia Pods or better yet, buy the seeds and make your own.  Chia seeds swell once added to liquid, so a great addition to soups, smoothies and energy drinks!  


xXx

 Hi Everyone!!

Last week, I promised that I would share an update on water based workouts (or WBW).  After experiencing mobility limitations whilst pregnant with my son a few years ago (I suffered from severe pelvic pain - symphysis pubis dysfunction), I was officially signed off from my usual crazy workouts as I could barely walk.  It was so hard because as much as I wanted to recover, I still wanted to workout as it is a part of my life!!


Then came WBW


My midwife introduced me to the concept of aqua natal sessions - The opportunity to get fit in the pool whilst feeling light as a feather!  That probably wasn't the greatest analogy, as I felt so heavy at the time being pregnant and in pain!!  However, to my surprise, being in the water was the only place where I didn't feel the strain on my pelvis and could actually be physically active.  So it served as a fantastic low impact workout and I was able to cool off at the same time.


More recently, I ventured back into the world of WBW and was inspired to try an aqua circuit class!!  It was certainly challenging (you try sprinting across the water and using weights under water!!) and goes to show that you can get a great workout both on land and in the water.


What's more, you don't even have to be an amazing swimmer at all!  I certainly wasn't at the time, but don't worry must classes operate in the shallow end of the pool.  You try everything from Aqua Zumba to Aqua Jogging!!


Why not visit your local swimming pool and see what they have on offer.




Vusi

I LOVE Shaun T's Insanity workout!!  In fact, I loved it so much that I have completed the 60 day program at least 3 times!! (Even my kids are familiar with some of the moves).  So this weeks Stairs Workout has some Inspired by Insanity moves so DIG DEEPER!!


The Stairs Workout 4 
(If you are unfamiliar with some of these moves, you can just google or You Tube them!!)


  
                                                      Run up and down the stairs 10 times

                                                      30 Diamond Jumps

                                                      Run up and down the stairs 8 times

                                                     30 Push Up Jacks

                                                     Run up and down the stairs 6 times

                                                     30 High Knees

                                                      Run up and down the stairs 4 times

                                                      30 Ski Abs

                                                       Run up and down the stairs 2 times

                                                       30 Diamond Jumps

                                                       Run up and down the stairs once

                                                      30 Mountain Climbers

                                                       Run up and down the stairs once

                                                       30 Plank Punches

Happy MFM!

Even though April is typically the month for showers, I want to turn up the heat though my barbecue inspired post!  I had an amazing lunch the other day with my in-laws who happen to be in the food industry and I was welcomed to the aroma of Cajun veggies roasting on the grill! (There is something about those coals which really adds to the flavour!)



 BBQ's are not just for burgers, chicken and pork ribs!!  Choose your favourite veggies, season up and hit the grill!  Don't forget that Seitan (Wheat Meat) or Tofu is great for absorbing flavours too, so mix it up and have a go.


xXx

What makes you hopeful?  Success? Realising your goals? Good health? A new job? A happy home?  Too often, we are bombarded with news or images of hopelessness and this can make it harder to find "Reasons to be Cheerful" like Ian Dury highlights in his song.  
I have been reading a powerful book called "The Present" by Spencer Johnson.  I won't spoil it for you, but one of the lessons I learnt was that we can create our own present by what we give our attention to.    Sadly, society seems to have alot of time for negativity and dwelling on mistakes.  We all make mistakes, but we can choose to either stay there and complain or do something about it.

I love the song by Pharrell Williams "Happy".  Sometimes we have to remind ourselves what makes us happy and work towards it.  So clap along if you know what happiness is to you.


Happy Soulful Sunday x

This may shock some of you, but I LOVE cakes!!!  As a health professional, I will be the first to put my hand up and say that we are NOT perfect - We all have our guilty pleasures and this would have to be mine!

For me, the toughest thing about going vegan was the thought of not being able to eat cakes anymore!!!  I love baking and my first attempt at a vegan sponge cake turned out to be an EPIC FAIL!!!  That was until last year, when I met my Vegan-Baking-Idol Mellissa Morgan aka Ms Cupcake!

After popping into her unique bakery in the heart of Brixton, I was fascinated that there were an array of red velvet, chocolate chip and vanilla cupcakes in the window that were VEGAN!!!  After sharing my baking disasters with Ms Cupcake, she shared with me a few handy tips through her book The Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in town.  Since then I have mastered the art and have even introduced a few vegan skeptics to the concept of vegan baking!  I remember at my birthday party last year, I had a number of friends saying "wow, it actually tastes like a cake" (I guess they were expecting a slice of pureed broccoli covered in cauliflower frosting!!).

Why not pop into Ms Cupcake next time you are out and about in Brixton or if I have inspired you with the baking bug, check out Ms Cupcake's book on amazon 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ms-Cupcake-Naughtiest-Vegan-Cakes/dp/0224095587

The Hollowman!!

...No not the scary movie, but a killer exercise for those core muscles!

Start out on your back and pull your belly button towards your spine
Use your stomach muscles to lift your legs a few inches off the floor.  You also want to lift your head and shoulders off the mat at the same time.

The goal is to maintain this position for up to a minute!!  You might be shaking alot on your first attempt, but just gradually build up the time and you will be fine. 


Happy Ab-Friday x