The Christmas Tag

31 Days, 8 Hours, 24 minutes and 5 seconds until Christmas as I speak. 

Any one wetting themselves yet?

What is you favourite Christmas drink?

It's actually not a Christmas drink, but if you've ever had a Chai Latte, I'm sure you'll agree that with all the cinnamon and spices, it's like a little sprinkle of Christmas in a cup. And I can have them all year round, so woohoo! I haven't had one so far this festive period because I'm trying only to drink green tea and water, so I've been having peppermint tea's as a kind of in between treat. 

What is your favourite Christmas smell?

I'm absolutely loving the salted caramel candle from Yankee Candles which I brought back in October. As I can't stand the salted caramel drinks at Starbucks, or the taste of millionaires shortbread, it's so nice to find something caramel that I actually love.

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

I can't go a Christmas without watching Elf. I just can't.

What's the one thing you really want to get from Santa this year?

There's this carry-on bag from Kurt Geiger with a crocodile print that I'm eagerly eyeing up. Might ask for the matching passport cover too - oh I do like to being matching.

Have you ever built a gingerbread house?

I haven't! I feel like such a deprived child, until this year I had never carved a pumpkin or built a gingerbread house. But I'm going all out with my gingerbread house this year, trust me.

Who is your favourite person to buy presents for?

Probably my Mum, anything to with cake-baking and she's over the moon. 

What is your favourite Christmas song?

This is like asking me what my favourite disney song is, I just love them all. I'm particulury parcial to Rocking Around The Christmas tree.

What is the weirdest gift you've ever received?

I can't actually remember receiving any weird presents.

Do you like to get dressed up on Christmas Day or stay in your PJ's?

Getting dress up of course!

Hope you're all getting your festivities on too! xo

On That Hype

I've turned over a new leaf. 

Love it or hate it, I've jumped on the bandwagon. Green Tea - a medicine that originated from China, and now used widely across the whole world. It is packed full of amazing, organic chemicals - anti-oxidants and poly-phenols (yes, I had to look that one too) - that do wonders for your body and mind. But how on earth can something that doesn't smell of much, and really does not look appealing, be so good for you?

And be prepared, I'm about to go all scientific on you.

It is made from the same leaves as any 'normal' tea. Normal tea is made through a process that allows for fermentation, where as green tea is not and because of this it retains the maximum amount of that good stuff - B Vitamins, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium, Caffeine, amongst various anti-oxidants. 

Benefits?

Weight-loss - The poly-phenol found in the tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate that the body turns food into calories. English? It increases your metabolism. Hurrah!

Diabetes - By regulating your glucose levels, it prevents high insulin spikes and fat storage.

Depression - The amino acid Theanine found in all leaves is said to provide a much more 'relaxing' and 'tranquillising' effect. So defiantly great on those busy monday mornings.

Ageing - Because of the tea's anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, it helps to prevent wrinkles and obvious signs of ageing.

Tooth Decay - It contains an anti-oxidant called 'Catechin' which helps to destroy bacteria and viruses that may lead to tooth decay. Because of the tea's amazing, bacterial fighting properties, it means that bacteria that causes bad breath can be fought off. 

Cholesterol - It helps to maintain a healthy ratio between good cholesterol:bad cholesterol.

The tea also helps to lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and whilst it is believed to help those with cancer, it still isn't proven. 

But how much is not enough?

How many cups of green tea should we be drinking to actually receive these benefits? 1 cup a day, 2, 5 or even 10? If like me you drink it more socially rather than to combat any of the benefits mentioned above, than 1 to 2 cups is more than sufficient, but if you're really trying to combat any thing mentioned above, you may be more beneficial by taking green tea supplements. And for those of you who are pregnant, or have low levels of iron, I suggest not drinking the tea. It decreases the amount of iron and folic acid absorption. 

Happy drinking.

New Kicks

And yes, I'm rocking them.

For months and months I have been telling myself that I need to buy new running shoes, even my physiotherapist was telling me I need to! And yet, every time payday came around, so did a new skirt or dress. I was getting to a point where I couldn't finish my workout because I was in pain, I was even waking up to sharp pains in my legs - so finally I gave in (shin splints, you little bugger). 

I went for a pair of Nike Free Run 2's. They were £50, and I managed to sneak them from the children's section! They are designed to give you all the range of motion possible, whilst still cushioning your feet on hard surfaces, almost as if you were running barefoot. I went for the grey colour as I wanted them to go with everything. Oh if only I had an extensive, unnecessary gym wardrobe. Nike does suggest that you get used to these shoes gradually as you're muscles are demanded to do a little work than usual.

(My new favourite blog, The Skinny Confidential in the backgound there).

What kicks do you rock in the gym?