Stop Dieting and live a healthier Lifestyle!

Wouldn't it be the best if someone told you to stop dieting?????

The key answer is just eat right. Do your research and know what suits your body. Now a days with all the technology we have it is so easy to find out what foods are healthy and what foods are not.

Going on a silly diet will only make you more hungry and when that weight comes off I guarantee you it will come back on. The trick is to just eat healthy balanced meals. No big portions and exercise daily. Doing this will allow your body to lose the weight that it doesn't need and keep it off.

There are so many people who will try gluten free or very low carb diets, and lose the weight but the moment they start eating these foods again they will put the weight back on. The reason for this is because they think that they have lost the weight and can eat what ever they want again. Well that's not the case. If you want to keep the body you have and look good then you need to adapt a healthy lifestyle and stick with it.

Now for sure there will be days where you just need to eat that piece of chocolate cake or have that burger. It is absolutely fine but do not do it on a daily basis.

Previously I posted a flat belly guide. It is just a guide and if it is followed you will eventually get that flat belly, but keeping that flat belly is a struggle, especially when you decide to re-introduce those foods into your diet again. If you do wish to do that then re-introduce them slowly and gradually.

The Real Diet Story is that if you lose the weight and then go back to eating the rubbish you use to eat, you will end up back to square one or even worse. Thats the truth and the Real Diet Story.

Getting that body that you have always wanted is really not that difficult if you are mentally ready to make a lifestyle change and to keep it.

JUNK FOOD VS HEALTHY FOOD

I get asked so many times what do I feed my girls. So many people look at them and think I am starving my kids because they are slim and petite. The truth is I am a balanced mum. I feed my kids the same way my mother would feed us, a balanced diet.

This is a sample of what our desserts look like every night

The majority of candy we see in the grocery stores are full of artificial colours and flavours

So here are a few simple rules that I follow:

• I don't allow any artificial food colours or flavours 
• No candy, chocolate or crisps on week days
• No juice to school only water
• we always have dessert after dinner
• dessert is always fruit
• treats and sweets are for the weekends
• my kids don't eat chicken nuggets unless they are freshly made or chicken breast
• no Mcdonalds, KFC, Burger king, Hungry Jacks or anything that I think is made of rubbish
• and finally yes I do allow my kids some artificial junk but only on the weekends if we are at a party or event

These are a few of the foods that I limit for my kids

I am not one of those crazy mums, but I try to do the best for my kids. Now my best might not be the best but its what I know. So this might not suit everyone, but at least it is working for me.

I see so many kids eating so much rubbish and what surprises me is that its the parents giving it to them. I don't blame the parents at all, because the majority of them don't even know what the hidden dangers  are inside these foods. 

When it comes to nutrition, education and understanding whats in our foods is so important.

5 SECRETS TO A FLAT TUMMY

How many times have you heard this??

• A quick pill
• A magic pill
• 5 minute abs
• 20 min workouts to a flat tummy 
• etc

Well the truth is there is no magic cure for losing weight and having a flat tummy. You need to work your heart out to achieve these goal. Sure there are so many teas and drinks out there that will help you achieve results faster but you still have to do the hard work.

Now how hard is it to get your gear on and just do 30mins of an intense workout everyday. If you really think about it, its not that long.

So to help you jump start your weight lose journey there are 5 very important things you should consider implementing into your new lifestyle:

1. No sugar
2. Low salt intake
3. No wheat
4. Low carb intake
5. Increase your cardio workouts

Looks crazy right? Well why not try it just for a month and see how you feel and look. The first couple of days will be challenging but then your body will adapt and you will become addicted to the results. 

Once the month is over, do not think you can indulge in the above because what ever weight you lost you will put it straight back on. Be smart and eat a balanced diet after that first month. 

Goodluck 

All different shapes and sizes

Yes we are all created equally and we all have different shapes and sizes but why is it that some of us women love to look after our bodies and others really don't care.

I walk around the mall and the schools and see so many women, who all I want to do is give a hug, and tell them that I know exactly how they are feeling. Because like it or not us mums and women pretty much all feel the same way at some point in time. 

• ANGRY
• HAPPY
• EXHAUSTED
• EMOTIONAL
• OVERTIRED
• OVERWORKED
• PMS
• BORED

                                                                  and the list goes on.

So what goes through my mind is why do some women let it get the better of them while others do something about it. Now when I say get the better of them I mean they eat to compensate for the way they are feeling. 

Just something to think about.

NO MORE DIETS

I DON'T DIET!!!

 I EAT HEALTHY AND IN MODERATION

I get asked so many times about my diet. The answer is always the same, I DON'T DIET

I just eat healthy and in moderation. If I feel like a chocolate I will eat it but knowing that the rest of the day its healthy eating. It has become a habit for me that I love.

I try hard to enforce this on my clients and help them understand the way to a healthier lifestyle. I don't give out diets because I don't think they work in the long run. Those that go on all these different diets are the ones that will lose the weight but will later put it all back on and a little extra.

So my advice to all those mums trying to lose weight is, learn to eat healthy and in moderation. It is the key to a healthy skinner you.

I have had a few requests of what my daily eating habit is, so I'll try and give you an example of what my day is like. I hope I don't bore you too much.

6am till 7:15am: wake up and make breakfast for my kids. Then I prepare their lunch for school. Giving I have 3 beautiful daughters, this takes me around 20mins. Then its dress my little one and do all 3 girls hair for school. I usually have my warm lemon water at this time of the day

7:15 till 8am: school drop off

8am till 9am: I try and have 2 dates before my workout or a piece of fruit. Then I do my home workouts and if my maid is not here its house clean up time.

9am till 12pm: training clients.

12 till 1:45: running around doing errands. I try and fit in lunch sometimes around here, and that will include something light, like a soup or salad.

2pm is school pick up. After my school pick up I'll have a small Mocha to help me go to the bathroom, otherwise I don't like coffee and can't stomach it.

Anything between 3pm and & 7pm is always homework with my girls or after school activities. I try and get some green tea in and drink plenty of water. This part of the day is the hardest for mums, because its the snacky time of the day. If I get hungry I'll have a piece of fruit, or 2 dates.

Dinner is usually at 6:30pm then its shower, dessert and bed time for my girls. My dinners are usually my heaviest meals. I know its not the answer you were hoping for but its the truth. Its our main meal, where we all sit on the dinner table and eat together as a family. I try and keep my meals small and low carbs. I cook all my meals with either coconut oil or olive oil. I never use butter or margarine unless its to butter my kids toast.

8:30 is my chill time with my husband until I fall asleep on the couch. lol


So after all that, I hope you can see that following a diet is not a long term solution. You need to sit down and really assess what your eating and try and find a happy balance in your eating plan. That can be to incorporate carbs and sweets, but just keep in mind that you should always balance it with healthier options and exercise.

MORNING SMOOTHIE

I love making smoothies in the morning especially when Im in a rush to get somewhere and don't have time to sit and eat breakfast.

This morning I made this amazing smoothie before rushing to the fruit and vegetable market in Dubai.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium size banana

1 punnet of raspberries 

3/4 cup of almond milk

1 cup of water

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon acia berry powder

Blend away

HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT AS MUCH AS MY LITTLE ONE DID

GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE

My little munchkin and I made the most amazing Gluten Free Chocolate cake on the weekend. It was so easy and simple and all gluten free ingredients.

CHOCOLATE CAKE

2 cups of flour (gluten free)

2 cups of sugar

3/4 cup cocoa

2 tsp Baking powder (gluten free)

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp espresso powder

1 cup of milk

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

mix all the ingredients then add

1 cup of boiling water and mix

Bake for 45 mins on 350

Let the cake rest in the oven for about 30mins before you take it out, making sure to leave the oven door slightly open.

FRESH HERBS

The one thing I love doing in the morning is running my hands through all the fresh herbs and smelling them. They are so fresh and great to use in all meals including a detox smoothie.

I have grown a bunch of things including, mint, parsley, oregano, thyme, basil and rosemary.

HEALTHY FOOD

Eating healthy and clean eating can sometimes be challenging especially when your on vacation. 

Every night I give my kids dessert after dinner and most nights that dessert consists of fresh fruit.

I have posted a few pics of some of the foods that I love 

 I love cooking tradition Lebanese food for my family. This pic is green beans with mince meat in a tomato based sauce. Next to it, some white rice 

 I always allow myself to indulge on a some sweet stuff from time to time.

Eating out while on vacation.... there are always healthier eating options even on vacation

INFO AND MOTIVATION

I love instagram for the reason that you can always find interesting facts and motivational quotes to help you get through the day.

Here are just a few that I enjoyed. 

Hope they motivate you.

SIMPLE EATING

EAT CLEAN

I love how the simplest things are always the healthiest and best for you.

Just a quick post on how to make easy and healthy dry mint

I love mint and I use it almost everyday in my cooking. So to make sure I always have a fresh batch at home, I buy about 10 bunches of mint, wash them and take them off their stems then leave them in the sun to dry. Once they are dry, you can grind them with a machine or I just use my hands. Once its all been crushed you will have yourself  dry mint herbs. 

It tastes amazing in salads and in your cooking. Plus its so healthy for you.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS EAT CLEAN 

COCONUT BALLS

HEALTHY COCONUT BALLS

Ingredients

1 c. oats

3/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 c. raw almond butter

3 tbsp. flax seed meal

1 tbsp. chia seeds

1/4 c. raisins

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 c. light agave nectar

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well mixed.

Scoop tablespoons into your hands and shape into balls. Then coat with coconut.

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Ladies these are healthy but high in good fats so don’t go snacking on them all day. Have 2 or 3 with your green tea 

HEALTHY BREAKFAST

What's more healthier than eggs for breakfast. I love eating healthy and more importantly I love feeding my girls healthy food. Part of living a healthy lifestyle is including those that you love as well.
I've met so many fit and healthy mums out there but their kids are over weight. Try and educate your kids and the ones you love about the importance of healthy eating and clean eating.

Just a quick pic of our typical friday breakfast.

I love mixing passionfruit with orange juice, it tastes so delicious

HELLO AGAIN

It has been a while since I last posted something. Things have been so crazy around my household that I really haven't had time to sit down and do anything that is for me.
Hopefully with the kids back at school I'll be able to post more healthy tips.

For now I'm posting a bunch of pics that I have put on my instagram page, which vary from healthy food choices to exercise tips.

 Not too sure what the fascination is these days with big Butts, but Im kinda content with mine at the moment

 All you need to have a great workout is the correct attitude and a few simple things

POST WORKOUT BREAKFAST

Hi everyone, hope your all having a great start to the week.

Just sharing this amazing post workout breakfast with you guys. You can have this anytime of the day. Tastes amazing and is super healthy for you.

INGREDIENTS

• Organic yogurt with 
• Fresh organic strawberries, 
• Toasted muesli and 
• Milled flax, sunflower,pumpkin,sesame seeds and goji berries.

 Enjoy 

SUGAR FREE BANANA BREAD AND SMOOTHIES

Yesterday was one of those days that I spent in the kitchen. 

While my girls were out in the pool I decided to make them a smoothie and some banana bread with it. This time I used my usual banana bread recipe but gave it a little twist. I decided not to add any sugar and to make it gluten free. WOW! I was shocked that it turned out so yummy and without any sugar. 

Here is the recipe if anyone is interested in trying it out.

BANANA BREAD

120g of butter

3/4 cup of natvia 

1tablespoon of agave syrup
2 eggs

4 medium bananas

2 cups of self raising gluten free flour

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda

2 tablespoons milk

Now I don't do anything fancy, I just whip all the ingredients into my Kitchen Aid and let it do the work. Once it's mixed I add the mashed banana in and mix it with a spatula.

Then place it in the oven on 180deg celsius for 40 minutes

It tastes so good and the kids will love it.

My finished product. I wanted to add an icing but my girls refused and said they loved it without any icing.

natvia is 100% natural sweetener with no artificial rubbish in it. Its a great substitute for sugar

I love using Melindas gluten free products 

Another substitute for sugar... I use this in my smoothies sometimes

Once that was done I made the girls a smoothie and as usual I add a little spinach in it as well

For this smoothie I added: 

• Rasberries
• Blueberries
• Frozen strawberries
• bananas
• spinach
• a cup of cold water
• a teaspoon of agave syrup

Blend away and enjoy

GLUTEN FREE MINI - PANCAKES

I posted this a few days ago on my instagram account. 

The most fun thing to do on a weekend morning is to make pancakes with my girls. They love the mini one as well.

Being gluten free I just substitute normal plain flour with store bought gluten free flour and follow the instructions the exact same way. 

You can use any of your favourite pancake recipe to make these. They don't have to be gluten free

It all about a balanced lifestyle 

So easy and tastes delicious.

Bought this cute mini pancake maker from target in Australia. Absolutely love it

I always give my girls some kind of fruit with their pancakes and of course a dash of cream......

The finished product... Made my little jasmine the letter J using the mini pancakes

JUICE

Grabbing a fresh juice is a normal thing for me to do when I'm out and about. Now I'm not saying that I eat greens and fruits all day long but I would rather fuel my body with something healthy then grabbing a chocolate or crisps or a delicious Frappacino. Yes I know what your thinking...... I love grabbing a Starbucks Mocha as well, but for the days that I feel sluggish and tired I grab a shot of wheat grass and a energising juice.

Fuel your body with Super Foods 

So the next time your out and about why not try grabbing a juice instead of a sugary drink. Most of the malls around Dubai have a juice station, so the next time your at the mall look around for it and fuel that body with the good stuff.

Juice station at Mall of the Emirates Dubai

Not sure what's going on with my facial expressions here. 

About to throw down a shot of wheat grass

Getting my mum in on the juicing....

THINGS TO KNOW

I find that I am constantly learning new things and the most thing that I love reading about is Health and Fitness.

So I thought I would post this little pic for a quick read.

Hope you enjoy.

Don't just educate yourself on being healthy and fit educate your children. Give them water to drink at school instead of juice.

 How important is water!

Love snacking on SUPERFOODS.

 Snack as much as you want and don't feel guilty about it.

REMEMBER EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN ON HOW TO EAT AND LIVE HEALTHY