Thursday 29 December 2016

NutriBullet - money to extract or retract?



Of recent I decided to ask for a slightly unusual Christmas gift, (but still love all my other presents from different family members and friends), which yes you have guessed to be that of a NutriBullet. I would just like to make it clear before you read any further, that I am not a dietitian or a nutritionist myself but am giving you honest feedback about my user experience of the NutriBullet so far.

Why did I actually ask for this? 
One -  to be honest because I had been thinking about buying one for the last 2 years so it was hardly an impulse buying thing. Two - I think sometimes the majority of us struggle a bit to get all the nutrients we should be receiving in one day even if we're close, so if you can start your day off with a fair few, you're closer rather than further away from receiving all the minerals and vitamins your body requires to function effectively. Three - yes I am trying to lose a bit of weight and am going to utilise this in day to day life as part of an on-going plan (not a yo yo dieter). 

What does the NutriBullet actually do and what sets it apart from other juicers/blenders? 
The NutriBullet prides itself on the 600 watt motor and its bullet cyclonic action, which sets this piece of equipment apart from your typical juicers and blenders. Add the turbo extractor blades which run at 20,000 RPM and it's a game changer for your daily requirements as it can crack open seeds and nuts, pulverise pulp, crush ice quickly, and makes eating several veggies not a large chore in one go.

Is a NutriBullet easy to use?
Most definitely yes! Everything you need besides the ingredients are in the box so you make a recipe the day of your purchase with relevant ingredients you have in the house.
1. Plug in your NutriBullet to the power socket (but do not turn on).
2. Take your short or tall cup and pop in the given fruits/greens/nuts and seeds noted for your recipe or adapted to your personal taste.
3. Add water or some people like to use almond milk, then fill this between the middle up to the max line depending on how thick/thin  you'd prefer your drink to be.
4. Screw the extractor blade lid on the top of your cup and place down into the power base.
5. Power on, then hold the cup down and press it slightly left so that it moves just under the catch and stays processing until you like the consistency and flick it back right to release the cup, bringing it back out of the base to put on your worktop.
6. You can add the lip ring to your holder if you don't mind drinking it straight from the mix or pour it into another cup and maybe add some ice if you fancy.

Benefits
Although I have been using the NutriBullet for just under a week myself I have noticed my nails becoming shinier, some spots had gotten worse before it got better, helps to start your day off with a boost of goodness! Longer term users of the NutriBullet however have reported: improved sleep, better digestion, higher absorption of nutrients, weight loss results, increased energy and least although not last speedier recovery from workouts. 

My breakfast recipe below is very simple as a starter recipe to use: 

  • 1 chopped banana
  • Half a packet of mango
  • 2 handfuls of spinach
  • 2 tsps of flax seed 
  • Water


So there we have it, it's only a few simple steps to make a delicious, beneficial drink for your health - get extracting! X





Wednesday 30 November 2016

7 simple ways to give back at Christmas

It's that time of the year again folks,

Prepare for that permanent wind swept look, add a dash of rosy cheeks, topped off with a classic Rudolph nose! Attractive right? Anwayssss, before I start getting side tracked - here are some easy to follow out examples when putting joy and energy back into your community and beyond, as the bells start to jingle tomorrow..... 1st of December how exciting!!!

These are in no particular order of importance, they simply depend upon your preferences and whether you like trying different things. So go ahead and have a ponder, plus alternatively I'm sure you have many ideas of your own to pick from as well :)


  • Write a surprise letter to a loved one or friend so they know you have them in your thoughts and  bonus points if it's completely handwritten as this generally adds a more thoughtful touch for the recipient. This is mostly due to the time you have taken to compose and write out a personal message rather than your typical "Thinking of you" card, where sometimes it's simply a case of people signing names on a card with no other human touch to it. (Not that there's anything wrong with template like cards when in a rush or similar) but when you do have spare time it is nice to give that authentic feeling to the reader. 
  • Put some food out in the garden for the birds and wildlife as they tend to need more nourishment to help with warmth in this biting cold - plus who doesn't want to hear birds outside singing praise for the fantabulous food displayed before them? 
  • Donate a set amount of money to a charity of your choice for whichever person or reason it is close to your heart for, whether it be for a local or worldwide cause.
  • Show appreciation to that barista who creates your perfect coffee or that someone who acknowledges you with a gentle smile in the streets on your way to work in a hurry. Hand over a quick Merry Christmas card to share as a token of appreciation and to wish them good tidings.
  • Helping the homeless can be anything from buying a hot drink and sausage roll, handing out a giftcard for essentials, purchasing thermals to add that extra layer of protection from the cold, to creating a small winter warmer hamper (which I am hoping to have created by the mid Advent period) to try and give that little extra to an individual this Christmas. Don't be put off by assuming one little action will get you nowhere as we learn from the starfish story  https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/56782.Loren_Eiseley    there is always reason to do at least one helpful action point. 
  • Visit a nursing home or hospital ward where people are more likely to be alone throughout the festive period. Until you have personally experienced a Christmas-less Christmas (big words blimey) you may not comprehend what a small chat or home baked gift could mean to someone who is spending the majority of their days throughout Christmas simply as days and hours of isolation and misery. Be that person who brings a smile to their face or has them laughing until they're in stitches - no pun intended! This is supposed to be the happiest time of the year of course :) 
  • Volunteer in your community whether that be at an animal shelter, your local Church, a food bank, soup kitchen, the list goes on................. Be an example to those around you and help improve your own life skills whilst giving valuable time to those in need.

So there we go just a few hints at what you could have a go at this December and any other time of the year for that matter, but all that's really left to say is thank you for reading my post and have a good one! 

See you next time,

Lottie x

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Panda purchase of the day 🐼

Hi all,

So today I decided to have a sneak peek into Next before heading home and ended up making quite possibly one of the comfiest purchases ever! These are the monochrome Panda character slippers available for £14 with a superb fluffy lining inside for comfort and added warmth.


My feet may as well be hugging the clouds they're so perfectly fit and snug! My current slippers up until today have now been put aside for use of any quick wanders to take the milk in from outside and the likes of this, as they are on their last legs,but I'm glad to have found a new pair that do an even better job. Just in case you're not a panda fan, there are plenty of other animal characters available in this range too, you should take a look at aswell- http://www.next.co.uk/women/nightwear/slippers/9  such as foxes, rabbits, a patch dog design and the list goes on.

Be sure to have a quick look on the website for any Christmas gifts for others there's plenty of inspiration dotted around the site - or for yourself as a occasional treat. Now time to go and put the kettle on I think..... thanks for reading guys!


Best wishes to you all for this new month ahead x 

Monday 17 October 2016

My 10 favourite things about autumn

So basically I thought it would be nice to share some of my personal favourites about this season of the year with you all. They're in no particular order, just really like all of them no major winner, simple as it sounds really. I hope you like these too!

  • Watching the environment around you transform into rusty orange and golden tones, to the tan conkers - which I store to try and deter spiders with the chestnut oil inside :')  and stunning sunsets.
  • There's another excuse to indulge yourself in hot comfort food (within your limits) ie chips and beans to dive into, or a slice of scrummy carrot cake topped off with a hot chocolate and any extras you like.
  • Fireworks at the local musical competition weekend are always a must each year, I just love them! Even better when completed with a sparkler to write your name in the air ( yes I'm a 5 year old at heart) and a chocolate or sticky toffee apple on a stick.
  • Walks in the refreshing cold whilst wrapped up snug in your layers. It also makes for quality time with family, friends, couples and last but most definitely not least, pets!
  • The chance to add more jumpers to your wardrobe collection whether it be be fluffy, chunky knit, ribbed, printed, you name it! Thermals start to come in very handy at this time too if you're a cold creature like myself. 
  • Blackpool illuminations - you are always guaranteed a good evening and fabulous displays
  • Painting my nails/ booking a nail appointment to get an autumnal shade is another I look forward to as we head towards the darker months.
  • Bath time is notably more of a treat at this time of the year after a chilly day out and about. It's definitely something to look forward in the evening for yourself in a 10- 30 min time frame, where I can just lie down and let life wash over me.
  • I don't know about you but I quite fancy apple crumbles for this season in the year, preferably homemade when I have the time, but shop bought too if my family and I are in a rush. 
  • Boards game/movie marathon evenings with snuggly blankets and snacks

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Grab a cuppa!

Love from Paris




Full of hearty laughter and tear jerking moments, Love from Paris is the perfect book companion for young adults looking for a light romantic read over the upcoming summer months. 

Between the pages of this book, Alexandra Potter creates a world in which Ruby Miller finds herself experiencing the highs and lows of love herself, whilst trying to help navigate her best friends misguided attempts at finding 'the one'.  Not before long -  another mysterious jackpot is thrown into the works, resulting in a question mark into the  destiny of those from a different era within the same city of love. 


   Taking matters into her own hands and testing her beliefs in true love, how far is Ruby determined to piece together romantic and co-incidental happenings around her? Is there a larger puzzle to piece she can complete? Only time will tell. 

Smiles from start to end, with plenty of heart warmers and relatable situations for readers. You won't regret reading it :) 



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