Changing Minds, Changing Bodies

Sharing informative stuff on all things good for you, helping you create a better body and mind.

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Post workout meal last night. Turkey stir fry with butternut squash noodles cooked in coconut oil. Lots of ginger and coriander. Ginger is said to reduce muscle soreness and DOMS, also an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. #yum #allgone #healthyeating #healthyrecipes

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

So today I learnt that during pregnancy and just afterwards your gut bacteria changes. So what does this mean? Well, these changes in gut bacteria could change a pregnant woman's metabolism. Two changes that happen during pregnancy are an increase in the amount of body fat, and reduced sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. The changes help the fetus to grow and prepare the mother's body for the energy that will be needed during breast-feeding. Recent studies have found that consuming probiotic supplements beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy and continuing their use through at least the first six months of exclusive breastfeeding can help women lose weight after the birth of their baby. Supplements with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were linked to less central obesity (defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more). So that's the extra weight you might carry around your middle! Probiotic use can be especially important if you need to take antibiotics for any reason in the postpartum period (which I did). When mamas consume probiotics, the health benefits also find their way into breast milk and are passed on to baby. Breast milk is actually the source of our first immune-building 'good' bacteria. Since baby’s gut bacteria continues to culture throughout the breast feeding period, it is great for mamas to continue taking probiotics in the postpartum and as long as she breastfeeds. #probiotics #health #postpartum #antenatalbioflora #healthymummybrigade 💪🏼👶🏻

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Foodspiration from @thebodycoach omelette this morning. So I copied, but forgot the avocado and used feta not goats cheese. Who's do you think looks better? 😀 #foodporn #thebodycoach #omelette #creatednotcopied #ithoughtoutsidethecerealbox #wheresmyprize #onionbreath @lucybeecoconut

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Happy Boxing Day! 👊🏽 Cleaning the pipes out 🍋🍋 before I hit the gym this morning and attempt to rid myself of yesterdays filthy food fest 🙊 #lemonwater #oops #theyrepips toomuchchristmasfood #feelingdirty #atetoomuch #christmas #spinning #boxingday

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Thanks Mr Postie. Received my #OmniOne and Tumeric Lozenges to try this morning. These Omni One capsules are little miracles and have already helped several people with various illnesses. Their age old ingredients are why... And I'll be taking them to benefit both me and my baby whilst breastfeeding. Omni One is a unique botanical nutritional supplement. There is no other product with these combined ingredients. Omni One’s anti-oxidant and adaptogenic properties improve the body’s natural defence mechanism through acting as anti-inflammatory as well as triggering the fibrotic reparative processes. It reduces inflammation, improving overall health and wellness of the body. @omnicuregroup #ayurvedic #omnione #omnicure #health #wellness #fitness #postpregnancygoals #lifestyle #healthandwellness

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Grub! Prawns, walnuts (randomly) but surprisingly worked, garlic, chop choi, broccoli, chilli, coconut oil, and some other greens... A party in my mouth! #moregreens #greenday #stirfry #throwthecontentsofthefridgein #eat #healthyrecipes #healthy #postpregnancygoals

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

No more reaching for the custard creams. 😁 I fell off the bandwagon a bit whilst I was pregnant and allowed myself 'treats' here and there, and since welcoming my little man 👶🏻 into this world found myself still reaching for those 'treats'. Breast feeding has left me feeling I could eat my arm off some days, and my sweet tooth has grown horns! Often it's easier and quicker to just to grab a biscuit or two (or three!) but then I'm left feeling guilty and unhealthy. I can't detox till I've finished breast feeding but I can clean up my diet, and this will also be of great benefit to my milk quality and supply, and benefit my baby. So today @nutribulletuk to the rescue! 💪🏼 I'm opting for a Almond milk, banana, maca, chia seed, organic honey and organic sprouted flax seed smoothie. 😋 And it took less than 5 minutes to make and it took even less to drink and enjoy! My snack will be these yummy raspberries. #fibre #omega3 #omega6 #omega9 #protein #clean #breastfeedingmom #healthy #greentea #cleaneating #foodporn #newmom #nutribullett

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Not got dressed all day, slept most of the day, and now in the bath 👑 A little 'me' time never hurt anyone #beingaprincess #rest #sleep #newmomma #pamper #epsomsaltbath

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Saturday night feast with extra Udo's Choice Oil Blend. It goes on anything 😋. All our cells need protein, water, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega 3 and 6 to operate at their best. The body cannot produce EFAs, so we must source them in foodstuffs and oils. However, our diets tend not to provide the right quantity or balance of essential fats required by the body. Most of the Omega Oils we obtain from our diets are damaged by food processing or by exposure to heat, light or oxygen, all of which degrade the nutritional value of Omega 3 and 6. Ultimate Oil Blend provides a natural source of unprocessed, undamaged Omega 3 and 6. I'm not selling it! 😀 I just swear by it. #tryit #loveit #protein #healthy #udoschoiceoil #omega3 #foodporn #foodie #foodgasm @udoschoiceuk

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Breakfast at my desk this morning. Okay it might not look pretty, but it tasted pretty good! Greek yoghurt, blueberries, lots of cinnamon and manuka honey, walnuts and almond nuts. I'm not feeling very well at the moment, and because I'm pregnant can't take anything, so I'm opting for natural remedies. Manuka honey (15+) is a great way to boost your immune system, an antibiotic and helps soothe a sore throat and combat viruses. I've also not made it to the gym for a couple of days, and holding off till I'm feeling 100% so really watching my diet. Cinnamon is a great way of flavouring your food, even out blood sugar levels, curb cravings and improve weight loss results. I'm not trying to lose weight whilst pregnant, just maintain. But if this is your aim. Cinnamon should be a staple in your diet. Sprinkle it into smoothies, soups and oats for a big boost and flat tum! #cinnamon #greekyoghurt #blueberries #honey #honeymonster #yum #breakfast #food #foodporn #breakfastonthego #easyandquickrecipes #healthrecipes #healthy #health #body #pregnancy #nutrients #weightloss

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Pomegranate, blueberries, chia seeds and Acai smoothie. Acai berries are considered one of the top superfoods, generally due to their incredible antioxidant properties, and said to have numerous other health benefits. #nutribullett #smoothie #superfood #antioxidant #drink #acaiberries

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

The 10 foods that HALVE the risk of Alzheimer’s and the 5 that harm the brain: Stock up on berries, salad and wine - but avoid cheese, pastries and sweets. Taken from the Daily Mail

#healthy #youarewhatyoueat #diseaseprevention #livelonger #alzheimers #healthyfood #wholefoods #naturalfoods #meditaraniandiet http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3017920/The-10-foods-HALVE-risk-Alzheimer-s-5-harm-brain-Stock-berries-salad-wine-avoid-cheese-pastries-sweets.html

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Exciting new read! Now all I need to do now is book a holiday to make sure I read it. What you eat matters more than how much you eat.

Clean Cuisine, developed by Andrew Larson, M.D. and certified Heath Fitness Specialist Ivy Larson, is scientifically proven to reverse diabetes, improve cholesterol and blood pressure, and ease the symptoms of other inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, asthma, allergies, and arthritis.

Broken down into eight easy steps, spread over the course of eight weeks, Clean Cuisine aims to help transform your body one meal at a time by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet and choosing unrefined foods in their most natural, whole state.

With guilt-free recipes and a workout program that has been proven to deliver substantial results with just three 30-minute sessions a week, Clean Cuisine is the long-term answer to eating for optimal health, disease prevention, weight loss, vitality, longevity, and good taste. #bookworm #cleancuisine #healthy #healthyeating #cleanse #8weekchallenge

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

After leg day and a cuppa with the lovely @leahh4tch #gym #legday #weights #food #fuel #loveeggs #yum #fitfam

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Hot lemon and lime water #cleansing #detox #hotlemon #healthy #masonjamjar #fit #body #livelonger (hopefully)

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

Maca root powder praised as a superfood. Heath benefits include relief of migraines, improving memory, aiding circulation and boosting immune system. All good reason to include a scoop of this superfood powder in your smoothies everyday! #macaroot #health #superfood #healthy #smoothies #fit #body

[sarahsbestkeptsecrets]

I sent my PT a food diary last week and his feedback, in short was that I don't eat enough. So I am determined to get my food back on track and get it right. After all it's 80% what you eat and 20% in the gym. They say abs are made in the kitchen! So one of the things he has suggested is two slices of 90% dark chocolate with one teaspoon of coconut oil pre-workout. I have been training on an empty stomach, practicing fasted cardio. But I've now started a body building type programme as I can't do high impact stuff anymore because of my back, so he's adapted what I can do. At first I was worried how I'd feel cutting out sprints, burpees and box jumps. The high impact stuff always made me feel like I was blasting away that fat, but my new programme has left me suitably knackered and sweating each and every time. It works on your lactic acid threshold which ultimately leads to fat loss! I'm only two weeks in, but I'm really enjoying it. Looking forward to seeing some results and getting used to eating chocolate first thing!