Category: Lifestyle

Here in the UK, the number of people working from home is rising. As a result of further restrictions, a return to working at the office seems unattainable. Hence, the only solution is to relocate your workspace and finally do what people tell us not to do, mix business and pleasure. What is important to realise is that there are changes that you can make to improve your experience. Here are some that I recommend.

Eat healthily

Dare I say that there can be a benefit to working from home? That is that you have your whole kitchen at your fingertips. As well as having all of your appliances available, you can fill your fridge with fruits to snack on. Take the opportunity to improve your diet. You are no longer confined to the delicacies offered in the staff vending machine (no sarcasm intended!). Try to introduce one of my detox plans into your daily diet, and you will soon reap the benefits. Think of it as creating healthy habits, not restrictions. No more excuses.

Exercise in between working

As you will undoubtedly be spending more time at home, I don’t recommend working out inside. Instead, exercise should be done outside as much as possible. Spending time outdoors is good for you. The natural sunlight (although we don’t see too much of that here in the UK!) will provide you with essential vitamin D. In addition, staring at a screen for too long can result in a feeling of fatigue. Taking a walk outside will allow your body to reset and will boost your attention span.

You wouldn’t wear your pajamas to the office

Understandably, there is a temptation to wear your loungewear or PJs whilst working from home. The mantra of ‘Dress for the job that you want, not the job you have’ should apply at home as well. Subconsciously, you associate pajamas with relaxing and sleeping. To illustrate my point, you would not wear your pajamas to the office as you are not there to relax. Wearing this to work from home will result in you working slower and being less productive. Instead, get into the right mindset for work, and make the effort to dress as you normally would for the office. Imagine that any day, your manager could call you via video call. How do you want them to see you? Dressed professionally or in your favourite onesie? Impressions count.

Keep in contact – there is more to life than working

In addition to feeling like you are stuck in the house all day, you will most likely miss your coworkers. Social interaction is as important as social distancing. Often, when you work from home, you may feel like a ‘hamster on a wheel’. As humans, we are not designed to live in this way. We need contact with others. Maybe it’s the office gossip that you miss, or simply the feeling of being around other people. But the thing is, your colleagues are only a quick message or Zoom call away. After so much time spent feeling isolated, now is the time to reconnect.

A detox plan is a great way to start your new year. We may have over-indulged a little too much during the festive period. We may even have a New Year’s resolution to join the gym. One of the healthiest ways that I have found to kickstart a healthier lifestyle or fitness journey is to detox. After all of the junk food that we have binged on over Christmas, we should focus on ridding ourselves of these unhealthy habits. With this purpose in mind, I want to recommend some of my personal favourite detox secrets with the aim to flush out the stored toxins in your body.

An effective detox plan demands superfoods

To begin with, remove all of the sugar fuelled treats that you have leftover from Christmas. These cannot be incorporated into your new healthy diet. We must start afresh! For those of you who are not great meat lovers, try a vegan diet for a better digestive condition. On the other hand, if you cannot compromise with your carnivorous ways, there is no need to distress. Fill the new space in your cupboards with more green leafy vegetables, salmon, eggs, berries, nuts, seeds and any other foods which fall into the ‘superfood’ category. The more colourful the food the better. In short, I want your cupboard to represent a rainbow. Replace beiges and browns with vibrant colours and you will soon enough reap the benefits.

Dry January detox

I am sorry to do this to you, but you know that if you want to have more energy in the morning, then you need to give up the alcohol you drank the night before. Equally important as what you eat, is what you drink. Having said that, your liver is one of the key organs that will help you to detox your body. So take care of it! Intend to avoid alcohol in any event and replace with two to four cups of herbal tea, for the first few weeks. In the end, I promise that you will feel the difference. Your liver will also thank you for it too!

Undeniably, green tea should be part of this daily detox diet. Loaded with antioxidants, this will help to break down the food you eat. All in all, resulting in better digestion and boost to weight loss. Similarly, ginger tea is also high in antioxidants and will help to ease digestive discomfort. This tea is so easy to make…simply, infuse dried or fresh pieces of ginger into hot water for a few minutes and enjoy its warming taste. Using the same method, place 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground or powdered turmeric in hot water, but this time leave it to infuse longer, for around 10 minutes. Strain the tea into a mug, and add a little honey for a sweeter taste. Turmeric tea contains antibacterial properties that boost your immune system, whilst reducing inflammation.

Replace coffee with fresh juices

On the condition that you drink coffee in moderation, it’s perfectly ok to have the occasional caffeine-fuelled drink. Coffee can help to improve your energy levels. In addition, it can also help you to burn fat by boosting your metabolic rate. On the contrary, it can lead to feeling anxious, restlessness, and dehydration. None of these effects will assist you with your fitness journey. For this reason, I recommend setting yourself an aim to cut back gradually your caffeine intake. Start by opting for a carrot juice instead of your usual cup of coffee with your breakfast. Progressively reducing your coffee consumption from four a day to just one, then to an occasional intake once or twice a week, etc.

If you are searching for some juice ideas then I recommend having some fun and playing around with different fruits and vegetables. With that in mind, it is rare that you will come across a fruit that does not have some benefits for your new healthy lifestyle. Oranges will boost your immune system as they are high in Vitamin C, ginger aids digestion, whilst an apple a day keeps the doctor away! Invest in a quality juicer and experiment with your own juice creations. Wholefully provides us with some great ideas to kickstart our detox.

As I am sure you are well aware by now, most European countries are living under some form of restrictions placed by their Government due to Covid 19. Here in the UK, Boris Johnson has recently announced that restrictions will be eased from the 2nd December in certain parts of the country. This seems a little too late considering that at the moment, we are only permitted to purchase essential items. So amongst this pandemic, how can we really benefit from the offers which Black Friday brings?

Black Friday – but only for your fruit & veg

Some of you may have seen the hilarious video of the man in Whales who recently walked into a supermarket wearing only his boxers. The reason behind this stunt was because the current rules state that clothes are not considered as ‘essential’. In recent times, the press has issued articles about supermarkets removing ‘non-essential’ items from their shelves. The whole intention behind it is to discourage people from entering the store, unless it is to buy the necessary items such as food, etc.

In spite of the rationale behind this rule, I can’t help but wonder how businesses are going to suffer even further. In years gone by, Black Friday has always been a notoriously huge event. Crowds of people battled with security and other bargain hunters to get their hands on TVs, consoles, and all other kinds of gadgets. Last year, fights even erupted! Everyone wants to get hold of these incredible offers. Especially considering that Christmas is just around the corner. Why wait longer if you know that you can buy the product for half the price on Black Friday?

Friday 27 November – Save the date

The date is looming! Black Friday is approaching…except, houston we have a problem! In the UK, the high street is officially closed. For the first time ever, Black Friday will be held completely online.

It’s not all bad news though. To entice customers, businesses have launched deals earlier to entice customers. I have already started to search for the best deals now. For the reason that if I wait, all of the top deals will be gone by the time Cyber Monday arrives. Get the upper hand and make your purchases early! Already, I have seen astounding deals including £200 off the iPhone 11. These deals are unlikely to be reduced further on Black Friday. In 2020, this event no longer consists of just one day.  It’s a whole week of offers, reductions, and opportunities to spend your hard-earned cash.

Speaking of great deals, if you want an absolute steal, remember the exciting Gift Box  I told you about before where you can claim a free gift box of 5 cosmetic products. Honest Kiss has now introduced an amazing Black Friday Gift Box including free Nars, Lancôme, Givenchy & L’Occitane products. If you haven’t already taken advantage of their trial offer since my last post, head over to their website and take a look!

The best Black Friday offers available

As you all well know by now, I am passionate about staying fit and healthy. For those of you like myself, who like to knock spots off your latest step count, Argos has reduced the price of the FitBit Charge 4 from £129.99 to £99.99. A great saving to go into the new year fighting fit.

Whilst we are still in lockdown, why not try some baking? I love to create new recipes with my stand mixer. This piece pays for itself. As on the Great British Bake Off, you can be just like Mary Berry. Rustling up some delicious cakes this Christmas. BBC GoodFood highlights some of the best mixers available on the market. Stand mixers are infamously expensive. This article highlights which brand to invest your money in, depending on factors such as capacity, versatility, and most importantly, value for money. Check out which ones they recommend, and track down those offering a Black Friday discount.

During my latest trip to Georgia, it became apparent that I needed to invest in some new suitcases. However, being the penny pincher that I am, until the wheels literally fall off the thing, I will not buy another. Having said that, Samsonite’s exclusive Black Friday sale has introduced up to 70% discount off their FLUX collection. With a trusted brand like Samsonite, I can be sure that this will not simply be a purchase but more of an investment. Accompanying me on the many adventures to come. Keep checking my blog to see which destination I head to next!

Always thinking about the future, about the best we could have, we often forget to be happy. If we always try to improve things, we deprive ourselves of taking advantage of what we already have. Therefore I decided to change some habits in my life. To learn to appreciate what I already have at its true value and to put aside all the little things that don’t make me happier.

Learn to be happy, how?

To begin with, you have to start by understanding, that sometimes, it is simply necessary to change your rhythm of life to better appreciate what you have.

Changing your point of view

Live in the present and put aside the past, the future. However, it is, of course, important to learn lessons from what you have experienced, so as not to repeat the same mistakes, but what better way than to live the present moment intensely? Be happy with what you have.

Turn things around and focus on what you have rather than what you don’t. Be in contact with nature to help you be positive. Appreciate the simple things and be grateful for the things that belong to you. Every little detail counts. Each day, think of 5 things that made you happy during the day. A smell, an event, a dress, the time … take the time to think. Keep a diary, for example, if necessary, daily or weekly. Take long walks to clear your mind. 

Don’t try to compare yourself to others. Each person is different. Consequently, you cannot change things in other people, or understand every moment why they behave in such a way.

There is always someone happier than you, stronger, richer, more beautiful … There are always reasons to be jealous of others but don’t forget that others are also jealous of you, for different reasons. So stop dwelling on this and making comparisons.

If you are not in great shape, do like if everything was fine. Don’t go moping around all your friends to tell them how bad you feel. Talk about it with someone who understands and listens to you. Try to stay positive and make an effort to show others that you are happy. It will help you get back up the slope faster, happiness is contagious!

Another well-known point: money does not buy happiness. A little more money is always fun, but remember that money doesn’t make a big difference to happiness. The important thing is to have enough to support yourself. A raise will not change your happiness. Being happy is often a choice. Happy people have fewer problems.

Change your behavior

There’s no point in getting upset. Take it on the safe side. There is always a solution to everything. Anger doesn’t do anything positive and doesn’t help. Hence, think it over, let the time do it, move on. Simplify your life and be minimalist in what you need on a daily basis. 

Do what you are passionate about. Happy people do what they love. Generally, the best is to turn your passion into a profession. Be content with what you have and stop always looking for more, better. Take the time to talk with others and see your friends.

With your partner, take the time to have a real conversation and remember to please him from time to time with pretty attention. Make time for yourself as well. Without spending any money, just taking some of your time for yourself.

Make changes if you feel it is necessary. When you are no longer feeling happy, try to find out where the problem is coming from and find a solution by asking yourself the right questions.

Always try to adopt a healthier lifestyle to simplify your life and enjoy things properly.

Just be happy!

Help others. A tiny little gesture can go a long way. Help a neighbor, a member of your family, or join an association. You will be less focused on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Some don’t know it, but it is important to get to know yourself so that you can be happy on your own and then happy with others.

Understand your flaws to feel better about yourself. For instance, try new things to broaden your mind and react differently. People are often unhappy because they are tired of saying the same thing over and over again.

Freshen up your ideas. Take advantage of your failures to learn from them. Hang out with happy people! Avoid gossip. When you are happy, you don’t need to talk badly about your comrades. If it’s not to say something good, it’s best to shut up.

Exercise to be more optimistic and to feel better about yourself.  Likewise, take care of your problems, try to find a solution quickly without letting things drag on. This will relieve you, so then you can move on.

Set a goal in life.

Give meaning to your life.

Finally, remember, be happy, not perfect!

Undoubtedly, I love fitness. I’ve always been a dynamic girl and have always practiced sports: horse riding, gymnastic, pádel, football… When I started traveling, I created my own at-home workout routine. Like my fashion style, there’s no reason I would give up on it! My routine is easy and takes 20minutes tops. Every part of the bodywork: arms, abs, back, legs and of course the bum! You can give it a go, it is for every level.

My at-home workout routine

I like setting up the timer on 45 seconds on, 15 seconds off to rest. I always start with 5 minutes of complete warm-up. It is very important, do not miss it, as well as the stretching afterward. Then about the workout: pick and mix your favorite exercises! Squats, lunges, planks, bicycle, butterfly, push-ups…

For example, squats have tons of variations: jumping squats, sumo squats, frog squat, squat and walk… There is no limit to your imagination!

It is so important that you always keep a good position: train in front of a mirror at first. If you have any doubt, ask a professional.

Healthy lifestyle

Of course, an at-home workout routine alone is not enough to keep fit. It is essential to have a balanced and varied diet. The protein intake is indeed important but not only.  Make sure to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, as well as drinking at least 2 liters of water every day. Check out my advice for a good diet! Sleep enough: 8 hours a night!

Luckily, I always sleep very well, no matter where I am! On a boat, a plane, in a hostel or in a hammock in the jungle… It’s a real privilege. And try to keep the stress away: it is not good for anything. Yoga, meditation or relaxation often help.

If you follow these tips, you’ll see a big change. They are the key to good hygiene of life, hence a better body!

My at-home workout outfits

You know I love to be stylish: even when I’m working out! I like finding cute matching gym wear outfits. Short or long sleeves, gym bra, leggings… At home, I have every color! My cherished outfit is a flowery one I bought ages ago, I always travel with it. It is surprisingly still in perfect condition. Of course, make sure to wear good training shoes to protect your joints and body. A lot of online shops offer them. You only have to choose your favorites!

At-home workout routines can quickly become boring, so I recommend you vary the exercises. Watch tutorials,  and find the best music to accompany you. You can also do it with your partner, in the garden, or during a video call with friends! Choose the time that suits you best. You can combine it with cardio sessions like running, swimming or cycling. I recommend having two full days or rest every week. Indeed, your muscles need to rest as well!

What about you? Do you workout? What is your routine?

I am an unconditional fan of Harry Potter. When I was a child, I would spend nights and nights reading books. More than just books or films, it is a whole universe and lifestyle. Let me share here with you why, and if I can, convince you to check it out if you haven’t yet!

About Harry Potter

Written by the British author J.K Rowling, Harry Potter‘s first book was originally published in 1997. It is the best-selling book series in history with millions of fans all around the world. There are also 8 movies (the director split the last book into two parts).

The plot

Harry Potter is a young wizard and studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The 7 books tell his story and how he fights Voldemort, the dark criminal wizard who killed his parents. It is a fascinating whole new universe and the imagination of the author is simply out of this world! She started writing books in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The movies are available on Netflix, so one more reason why I love this platform!

Harry Potter: the universe

Harry Potter is a whole lifestyle. Kids, as grown-ups, like dressing up as a Hogwarts student. There are 4 different “houses” in the school, and everyone likes to identify themselves to the one they prefer. Harry Potter fashion is an expanding business and you can find clothes or accessories pretty much in every big shop. I have my own HP pajama and slippers, I love them! It is also possible to buy a wand, a flying broomstick, a cauldron…

Quidditch is a national magical sport. Although it is played on a flying broomstick, muggles (the term to talk about a non-magical person) have invented a similar game and several championships are held all over the world.

How it connects people

The incredible phenomenon about Harry Potter is as well the way it connects people from all around the world. No matter your nationality, age, or your sex. Conventions are held in many countries in order to meet other fans. You can also meet actors and even JK Rowling if you’re lucky enough!

Besides, there is a huge online community. Forums, websites, fanfictions… You can find pretty much everything. And it is so easy to chat with other fans.

I had the chance to spend my childhood in England. London is the famous Warner Bros Studio. Obviously, I went there 3 times. You have to go! It is awesome. You will see all the costumes, the making of, and of course the sets! An unmissable rendezvous for every fan. For example, there are all the magic wands the artist handmade one by one. You can also drink the famous butterbeer (if you want my opinion: not that great! It tastes like a very sweet vanilla milkshake)

This saga is a masterpiece and I know I will still read the books and watch the films, even when I’ll be older! I also want everyone to know the magic and the dreams it provides us with.

What about you? Do you like Harry Potter? Which ones is your favorite?

I became vegan two years ago: I watched the documentaries Cowspiracy and Earthlings after my friend’s recommendation. I’ve always loved animals but I never realized how bad were the conditions they were living in just for our pleasure. In my opinion, there’s a severe lack of education in this field. Luckily, we are starting to recognize animals as living beings, and their rights, consequently, are ameliorating. Nevertheless, you need to know a few things before starting to be sure not to make any mistake and cover all your needs. Below I’ll share my tips with you! 

Why go vegan

Nowadays, we have so many alternatives that there is no reason not to go vegan! For me, it is evidence and the only respectful diet of all lives. It’s also easier to eat healthily while traveling when you’re on a vegan diet. Plantbased food is usually easy to find and also easy to pack.

For the animals

In the first place, we kill billions of animals each year just for the food industry, the fashion industry, or even hobbies. What I find revolting is not only the numbers but the conditions: 99% of them endure terrible pain. It is important not to make a difference between a dog and a cow, a cat and a pig: they all deserve to be loved!

For the planet

It is scientifically proven that a vegan diet reduces consequently your emission of pollution, as well as your water consumption. In my opinion, this is the best reason! We know that we have to change our way of living, and it can start with what we put in our fridge.

For your health

Countless studies have proven the benefits of a vegan diet for your body: lower risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or any kind of sickness. We know as well that cow milk is not made for us. Therefore, if well followed, it provides you with a general better digestive condition. Anyway, I love the plant-based drink so much! Hazelnut milk is my favorite!

A good vegan diet

It is important to point out that vegans do not only eat salad! It is a rich diet but is important to keep a good supply of proteins. Among all, tofu, lentils, or peanuts are on my top list. Make sure also you get enough vitamin K (green vegetables). Women, more than men, are subject to iron deficiency: chickpeas, almonds, dried fruits are your best friends!

I usually take a good and rich breakfast to start the day with all the energy I need: I eat a banana with peanut butter, almonds, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Avocado toast also is a good option!

However, there is one nutrient you can not find in a vegan diet: vitamin b12. It is essential for you to take a supplement. Indeed, it contributes to the functioning of the nervous system. You can take a daily or weekly supplement.

To sum up, a vegan diet is rich and healthy. Nowadays, you can find all the information you need on the web, for example on the Vegan Society. If the transition interests you, I suggest you do it little by little. It’s good enough to start just reducing your meat or dairy consumption.

You can also try to eat organic and local food. You’ll feel way better: in your body, and in your head! Do not hesitate to contact me if you need any advice! I’ll be so happy to help.

What about you? Have you tried a vegan diet? If not, what is preventing you from doing it?

Founded in 1997, Netflix has grown at a tremendous pace and became the biggest streaming platform in the world. At first, I was not interested at all. I’ve always liked going to the cinema with friends but it’s true that it is not something essential for me. But I couldn’t stop hearing about it from travelers I met. I finally decided to give it a go. Now, I can not live without it! It’s an incredible way to keep busy during some lonely nights.

Huge selection of films and series

My favorite thing about Netflix is the choice we have. There are thousands of movies and if possible, even more series. It is easy to find exclusive content. Indeed, a lot of series are produced by Netflix itself and are only available on their platform. It is the case of most of the documents for example or biographic stories. When I travel around the world, this is the one thing that keeps me company when I need it.

According to your preferences, all the genres can be found. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of action movies, romantic or comedy. You will always find what you are looking for! I, per instance, love sci-fi and fantastic cinema.

I have watched Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings sagas at least ten times each! But I love discovering new films which I didn’t have a clue they existed. The independent one “The discovery” for example was a real punch in the face! I absolutely recommend you check it out! On a lighter note, there are tons of comic series. It is hard to make a choice, but who is going to complain? Friends is always going to be my favorite one.

You can watch Netflix anywhere

You just need to create an account. Then there are infinite possibilities. You can of course watch directly with the Wi-Fi or your data on your phone. But the best in my opinion and what makes Netflix stand out from the rest of the market is that you can watch it literally anywhere. It is very easy to download your favorite series and watch it later.

I find it so useful when I have a 20 hours bus ride through the desert for example! This offline mode is definitely a lifesaver. It is also very enjoyable to share the TV screen with all the friends you meet in the hostel. I often organize a “cinema night”! We buy popcorn and pizzas and watch our favorite TV show. It is a unique way to bond with people.

Among all the streaming platforms, Netflix is an incredible discovery. I could not imagine going back to my life without it. It is also a good topic to chat with people you meet. I can now talk about the most famous movies, actors and directors, which I couldn’t before.

If you don’t have it in your life yet, I strongly advise you to have a look at the subscription offers!

What about you? Do you watch Netflix? What are your favorite series and films?

Eating healthy food is fundamental, no matter where in the world you are. Whether you’re a full-time traveller or on holiday, a balanced and varied diet is always essential. For the last year, I’ve had the chance to gather all kind of information and tips to keep fit and a healthy diet. Let me share them with you today!

Always bring healthy food with you

I advise you always have in your bag a few items that you might need during the day. For example, I don’t go anywhere without a bag of mixed nuts. It is healthy, rich in protein and a handful (if you can resist to more) is enough to give you the energy you need when you feel a bit down. Energy bars are a good alternative too.

There are so many brands and so many flavours that you’ll quickly find your favourite one. I love dark chocolate and peanuts one. Thus, no worries if you find yourself on a desert island at lunchtime with an empty stomach! If it’s not possible for you to find it in the local supermarkets, you can take any kind of healthy snack like fruits, carrots or my all times favourite: cherry tomatoes.

Always bring water with  you

Healthy food also means running water, and it is not always potable. In my experience, most of the countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia do not have a drinkable tap water supply. I used to carry everywhere with me plastic bottles. I’ve realised what a waste it was (about 480 billion plastic bottles are sold every year) and I purchased a small stainless steel bottle: the best investment of the year without the shadow of a doubt!

There are a lot of designs and I’ve found a pink glittery one which is so cute. Now I buy a big 10 litres jar of water, leave it in my hostel room and I fill it up every morning. I’ve considerably reduced my plastic consumption and feel proud of it.

You can also buy a water filter (about 25 GBP or 30€). It lasts years and you can drink literally from anywhere.

Choose a hostel with a kitchen and a fridge

This is the first thing I check when booking a new room. It is unthinkable to me not to have a kitchen. You can cook and prepare your own food for the day. You can buy healthy perishable products and keep them in the fridge.

Although hostel kitchens are not always spotless and often busy, it gives you much more options. I try to cook in empty hours, early in the morning or late at night and choose easy recipes such as pasta with vegetables or Mexican tortillas.

Eating healthy on a day out

Healthy food in restaurants

Local food is part of the discovery and the richness of a country. You absolutely have to try the specialities! There is for all budget but I strongly advise you to make sure the place is clean. Indeed, in low and middle-income countries, the hygiene rules are not the same. It can be very hard for our digestive system to get used to it and food poisoning is common.

This is why you have to be sure food is fresh, clean, and well cooked. Avoid raw fish and meat. But eat as many fruits and vegetables you want! It is easy to find local healthy food. For example, some tropical places do the most amazing smoothies and grilled vegetables. You can also ask recommendations to other tourists or locals, they will be very happy to advise you.

Prepare your lunch box with your favourite healthy food

For me, this is the most important and the easiest way to keep a healthy diet. You can prepare your own food for the day. You can make infinite types of sandwiches, including vegan ones. Use fresh products such as grilled aubergines, mushrooms, hummus, guacamole or even peanut butter. For variations, you can use Mexican tortillas instead of bread (I know, I’ve mentioned it before, but I love it so much!). I assure you won’t be bored with your food!

Eating healthy while travelling can be a bit tricky but with enough preparation, it becomes a real pleasure. You discover new ingredients and flavours. That being said, do not be intransigent with yourself.  It is OK to try fried fish in the south of Spain or burger in the USA! Just make sure it doesn’t happen every day.

What about you? What is your favourite local food? How do you keep healthy while on holiday?