Get Trimmer 2012 (Final Week)

SORRY!

I had a very busy couple of weeks but I'm settled again :)

How's everyone doing? How was the month of May for you? Yes, I know there was lack of support from my end and I can't apologise enough!

My month went very well - I didn't have any chocolate, ice-cream or chocolate covered brazil nuts. Unfortunately, my Aunt came over from Nigeria with my favourite Plantain Chips, I just HAD to have some! I was good until last week so I tried ;)

Please let me know if you have any questions or any good news to share :) I still have a prize to hand out!

Someone emailed me asking for some links to help with fat loss with exercise & nutrition, I replied with these links (Thanks to Fitter London!!):

• Top 5 Fat Loss Tips
• 15 Minute Body Blitz
• Five Fat Loss Mistakes People ALWAYS make

The thing about the above links is: most of us have heard them before (especially the nutrition ones) but always find excuses NOT to make changes. When you're ready, you just know it!

Follow Fitter London on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitterlondon and 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitterLondon

PS Look out for my next challenge... it's a personal one but the more, the merrier. Details will be up soon.

A Requested Natural Hair Video... *6 Must-Haves*

I hope someone finds this useful:
 


Please let me know any blog/video requests you have :)

 Happy Friday :)

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• HealthyDury
• NaturallyDury

Get Trimmer 2012 (WEEK FOUR)

Hello! How have you been this past week?

Very Quick "success-in-action" story to share:
I have a friend who asked me for advice on how to lose weight. This friend is male and had tried a few things but because he hadnt focussed on his diet, things weren't working out. He gained muscle mass but didn't lose any fat so he looked "hench" (He didn't use that word but I think that's a funny word!).
Anyway, I gave him a few pointers which you've heard (read, even) me go on and on about on this blog:

• Eat more meat, fish, chicken, eggs, etc (protein) 
• Less rice, pasta, yam, etc 
• No pastries, pizza, burgers, etc
• More vegetables, especially greens (spinach, kale, lettuce, etc)
  and
• Incorporate interval training in his routine instead of spending an hour on the treadmill, bike or cross trainer.

Well... he's already gotten back to me on how things are working for him so early! I tried not to sound too smug ;) 

We all know this: when you set a goal and have the right tools to reach it, commitment is what brings it all together! Nothing should be holding you back :)

B shared a day's food diary in last week's (barely there, I'm so sorry!) post, thank you!

Monday:-
Breakie:  Coffee with fat free milk with truvia
snack dry sour cherries
Lunch: subway grilled chicken sandwich on wheat bread, spinach, cucumbers, lettuce, green peppers with lite mayo
a cup of unsweetened apple sauce
hot passionfruit tea with truvia
Dinner: grilled salmon with spinach
camomile tea with truvia
chocolate vitamuffin :-)

My feedback: Try to eat something for breakfast, a piece of chicken, a boiled egg + some nuts, something quick and easy that requires no preparation, if you don't have the time.
What's the apple sauce? Where did you get it?
Nice dinner :)
I've never tried the Vitamuffin or anything from Vitalicious, that's a nice low calorie snack. And it does contain some protein ;) Maybe have that earlier in the day next time?
Do you exercise?

Get Trimmer 2012 (WEEK THREE)

Hi!

I'm so sorry i never got back to updating this week;s post, i've had a very busy week so far1 Sorry!

Hope you're all well...

Could you please post your most recent food diary in the comments section?

See ya!

Oil Cleansing

I first heard about this cleansing method in 2006 when I was all over the internet for haircare tips. I tried it and was happy to see it worked for me. It was also during this time I also learned about using oil as a makeup remover.

This is an all natural method and I haven't used anything branded 'Makeup Remover' since then and my skin's been thankful for it.

The theory behind Oil Cleansing is that oil (applied) binds with oil (from the skin) and impurities and helps with cleansing (ridding the skin of excess oil and impurities).

Will this work on Oily skin?

I believe so.

BUT while I was doing my research, I found that some experts didn't 100% approve of this cleansing method.

BUT BUT(!!!) I know people with oily skin that this works for as well, I'm not trying to dismiss what experts have said but my belief is you should try it at least twice to see how your skin responds to it. My thoughts are:

• The oil cleansing method the experts were not in support of didn't have the final step I include(which I learned about): Cleaning the skin with a warm towel. This helps extract the excess oils from the skin and pores.

Watch the video below and let me know if you have any questions:

Have a nice weekend!

Life Without Maggi... and The Joys of Stock

I'm Nigerian and I grew up with Maggi cubes being a key part of almost every meal! It just had that magic touch and could make ANYTHING taste good.

Now that I'm more health conscious, I'm shying away from additive, preservative laden seasonings and trying to go all natural with  them too. Read this old blog post (particularly the comments!) ---> Maggi Salt (Primarily)

Side-note: This doesn't mean I wouldn't eat food cooked with Maggi or Knorr cubes, I never say no to good tasting food. So no one should think about withholding any future invites ;) Yes I love food... *sigh*

Seriously though, it took me a while to find a way to season my food perfectly without craving the 'Maggi touch'. After months of trials and research... okay OKAY it wasn't that deep, I found the right combination... whoop!

My simple combination is: Rock Salt, Mixed Spice (Curry, Ginger, Coriander, Garlic, etc Depending on the brand), Mixed Herbs (Thyme, Oregano, Basil, etc Depending on the brand) and sometimes I might add chilli to make it a little spicy. Other seasonings I use, depending on what I'm cooking, include Parsley and Ginger. Trust me, this works very well.

Before

After (This was a rush job, hence the tender roaster chicken.
I prefer broiler/boiler chicken)

Look at all that tasty STOCK. If you know me, you'll know how much I value chicken/meat stock. It is the foundation of most of my tastiest meals. I've always used stock for it's flavour and the opportunity to use less oil in my foods (stock also contains animal fats) but now thanks to this blog post from Fitter London, I'm even more appreciative of it :)

READ: Get on The Stock Market | Benefits of Stock & More

Hope everyone taking part in the challenge is doing well :) Don't forget to take a look at this week's post --> Get Trimmer 2012 (Week Two)

Get Trimmer (2012): WEEK TWO

Monday again! Hope you're all doing well :) My week (and weekend) flew by.

I cooked a big pot of Efo with Fish for the week. I hope to have time to cook Chicken Curry and I'll probably have omelettes (normal or scrambled) most evenings. When an omelette goes wrong and breaks apart, I just try to salvage it and call it a scrambled omelette ;) Looks something like this:

Scrambled Omelette: Might not look great but still tastes yummy!

'In the Midst Of Her' sent me a few pictures of her meals earlier this year. They are in line with the main focus this week and I also think they are great for inspiration on meal ideas: 

Beans, beef, spinach and 'ata'

Ila-asepo (okra) with chopped baked chicken

1/2 cup rice with mixed veggies, baked chicken, spinach and stew

Spinach Wrap: 3 slices of turkey, carrots, lettuce, etc

This week the emphasis will be on bulking up your meals with vegetables! Vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and they also contain carbohydrates (much less than our usual heavy carbohydrates).

• It's easy to fall back on frozen vegetables but whenever you can, eat fresh greens eg spinach, lettuce, kale, etc.
• Frozen vegetables don't have to be the usual Mixed Vegetables (corn, carrots, peas), try frozen broccoli or frozen cauliflower.
• Mushrooms are great in stir fries
• Like ITMOH did above, bulk up your usual carbs with vegetables: beans, rice, pasta, potatoes, yam, etc

This week's workout video will be posted tomorrow :)

Remember to: Post any updates or questions anytime!

Photo Credit: In The Midst of Her

Get Trimmer (Week One)... How's Everyone Doing?

Hi!

I've had to add something else to my list - dark chocolate covered brazil nuts.

I usually buy them as a Friday treat after teaching my lunchtime spin class to celebrate the early start to my weekend. I have to admit sometimes I buy much more than I need so I'm giving them up this month too! I'm going to miss them :'(

How are you all doing? Has anyone tried the workout (except Daddy's Girl, thanks for your feedback!).

I hope to post a recipe this weekend... most likely on Sunday. For all recipes so far ---> RECIPES

Photo Credit: Ludlow Nut Company

Workout Video: Floor Jacks and Plank

Finally(!), my first exercise video :)

Try this at least twice this week and please let me know how it goes.

I intend to post one workout video every week.

Remember to keep commenting in this week's 'Get Trimmer' post --> http://www.adura-odesanya.co.uk/2012/04/get-trimmer-2012-week-one.html

Make sure you warm up before you do the above. I haven't posted a warm up video yet but this should help for now:

Enjoy.