Top 5 Healthy London Places to Take Her This Mother’s Day

We all love our mothers and we all know how much they do for us. Here at TruBe we love celebrating that one day a year where mothers are truly praised. For those who are stuck on what to do for her special day, TruBe have come up with our top 5 favourite healthy places to eat in London. So, show her some love this Mother’s Day by spoiling her with not just any meal, but a deliciously healthy meal, because staying healthy doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some amazing restaurants in London.

Here’s our guide of the 5 best healthy restaurants and lunch spots to take mum this Mother’s Day:

  1. BlueBird, 350 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5UU

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(Image: http://www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk)

Situated in the heart of Chelsea on the Kings Road, BlueBird oozes decadence and luxury in its restaurant, bar and cafe. At street level is the bustling cafe, perfect for afternoon tea and brunches and also a perky food store. The European menu in the restaurant, which is on the first floor,  includes a variety of delicious small plates and sharing dishes as well as exquisite main courses that will leave you feeling satisfied but guilt free! Dishes include seared salmon with a shaved fennel salad and steamed sea bream with a tomato and grape relish. That’s definitely got our mouths watering!

2.  Grain Store, Granary Square, 1-3 Stable St, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AB

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(Image: TripAdvisor)

This award winning restaurant is the perfect place if you’re looking for a quirky industrial-chic feel, as it occupies part of a former victorian warehouse allowing for an open kitchen. The incredible chef, Bruno Loubet who has been an exclusive chef in London since 1993, has created a sustainable and innovative menu with no geographical boundaries and special emphasis on vegetables. Perfect for achieving your 5 a day! Why not try the delicious carrot & mandarin purée, potted green cabbage, parsnip croquette, Arctic char with parsley sauce, or the adventourous Brambletye farm oyster mushrooms in vegan XO sauce, wasabi pea coulis and herb tofu.

3. The Good Life Eatery, 20 Motcomb Street London SW1X 8LB UK

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(Image: The Culture Whisper)

A fabulous spot for healthy superfoods, The Good Life Eatery boasts incredible smoothie bowls and lively salads; for example their Miso Hungry Macro Bowl of roasted butternut squash, homemade kimchi, steamed broccoli, mixed wild rice or quinoa, 1/2 avocado, omega seeds and ginger miso dressing. If you’re looking for something more wholesome, look no further than their warm bowls of rice or quinoa and your choice of protein ranging from green chicken meatballs to teriyaki salmon. Their philosophy of ‘The Good Life’ means no wifi, perfect for spending a distraction-free meal with mum.

4. Farmacy, 74 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH

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(Image: The Telegraph)

Situated in the lavish area of Notting Hill, Farmacy brings you comfort food at an incredibly healthy standard. With a view that ‘food is medicine’, every food choice at this restaurant will ensure guilt-free pleasures whilst nourishing and satisfying your tummies! They boast fantastically healthy alternatives to scrumptious cuisines like their Mexican Bowl of sprouted coriander rice, romaine, guacamole, frijoles, tomato ceviche, salsa & ‘sour cream’ topped with purple potato mash, corn chips & chipotle mayo and their Chef’s Clean Curry of pumpkin, eggplant, carrot & broccoli cooked in coconut milk, lemongrass & spices, served with sprouted brown rice.

5. Chucs Restaurant, 30 Dover St, Mayfair, London W1S 4NB

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(Image: Time Out)

If you’re looking for an extravagant meal at extravagant prices, look no further than the prestigious Chucs Restaurant in Mayfair. With sophisticated interiors, this restaurant oozes elegance and will be sure to make mum feel like the queen she is! The menu boasts fresh and exquisite ingredients with dishes like their grilled octopus with potatoes, rocket, taggiasca olives, cherry tomatoes and grilled courgettes, or their fresh homemade tagliatelle prawns and courgettes.

Why not compliment her meal with a fabulous gift card from TruBe and give the gift of health and fitness this Mother’s Day.

We offer gift cards for 4, 8 and 12 sessions, and all workouts are included, offering her so much choice! One day she could experience a relaxing yoga session, the next a dynamic, personalised personal training session.

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BUY A GIFT CARD

Don’t forget all of our TruBe trainers are fully qualified fitness experts who specialise in various workouts such as Yoga, Ballet Fit, Personal Training, Boxing, Kickboxing and Pilates.

Meet our trainers and book a session!

The Vegan Diet: Myths & Benefits

Record numbers of people are turning to veganism in the UK. Vegans do not eat meat, dairy products, seafood and other foods and items that may include animal by-products. Vegans also do not wear leather, wool or anything tested on animals. This once much maligned lifestyle is now seen as trendy, with much of the food industry catching onto its increasing popularity. However, there are still some misconceptions. Our TruBe trainer Angela Rochester is here to clear things up!

Myths

You can’t get enough protein

Vegans are often asked ‘Where do you get your protein from?’

Protein is not just restricted to meat. Protein can also be obtained from foods such as tofu and tempeh. Other sources include grains, pulses, nuts and seeds. Eating a variety of these foods means a vegan can achieve the recommended daily amount of protein. Vegans can also build muscle on a plant-based diet; check out Torre Washington!

It’s Boring

The rise in vegan Instagram accounts shows the variety of meals that can be made. An internet search can provide a wide variety of alternatives. Do you miss pizza? Burgers? There are tasty vegan versions of these.

Vegans are Skinny and Automatically Healthy

Think carefully about the reasons for choosing to become vegan. Turning vegan will not help you with weight loss. Although it can certainly be very healthy, there are still highly processed vegan foods that contain a lot of sugar and salt which should be avoided to maintain a healthy weight.

Vegans lack energy

Vegans lack no more energy than those on other diets. However, they must check their intake of vitamin B12, which plays an important role in preventing anaemia and nervous system damage. It cannot be reliably sourced from a vegan diet but it can be obtained from fortified foods or taking B12 supplements. Gaining Iron from a vegan diet is also easy, if a wide range of fruit and vegetables are eaten. Include foods with vitamin C to further aid the absorption of iron. If you are unsure that you are gaining the right amount of nutrients from your diet, check with a doctor or dietician.

 

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It takes a lot of planning

Just like any other diet or lifestyle, you need to plan what you eat in order to stay healthy. However, once you know what you need it becomes second nature!

Benefits

Health Benefits

Vegans can have lower levels of cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lower risk of diabetes and lower body mass indexes. However, those who have these benefits also tend to have balanced diets and stay active.

Helping the planet

The main reason for many being vegan is their concern for animals and the environment. It is less of a drain on global food supply and is a great choice for those concerned with animal welfare.

Physical looks

Those who adopt a vegan diet often report that they have less acne prone skin, stronger hair and nails and the reduction of bad breath and body odor!

It is easy to transition into/try out

If you are thinking about becoming a vegan you don’t have to leap into it. You can gradually see what suits you and there is no need to feel guilty if you make mistakes or if you think it is not right for you.

Self-Awareness

It can lead to greater self-control as you cannot simply grab anything when shopping for food. You will gradually pay more attention to what you put into your body which has great health benefits in itself!

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For more information check out these useful links:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Vegetarianhealth/Pages/Vegandiets.aspx

https://www.vegansociety.com/

https://www.happycow.net/

Want to try veganism whilst keeping fit? No problem! Our TruBe trainers are here to help! Book a session tailored to your needs!

By Angela Rochester  

The Best Foods to Eat Before and After a Workout

Optimise your workouts by fuelling your body with the right snacks

Whether you’re gearing up for a PT session or winding down from an intense workout, choose your snacks wisely. For pre-workout, it’s important to feel hydrated and energized but not too full, and afterwards, your meal should restore energy and rebuild muscle. Read on for TruBe’s tips and tricks.

Pre-Workout

Eating right before exercise will give your body the fuel it needs to gain muscle, burn fat, and recover quicker. Grab a snack that’s low in fat and contains a moderate level of carbs and protein, and opt for foods low in fibre for an added boost.

Peanut Butter and Apple

Up your energy levels with this quick and easy snack. Peanut butter and sliced apple is a great way to enjoy a healthy dose of carbs and protein ahead of your next workout. Simply slice 1 medium apple and serve with 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter.

Oats n’ Eggs

A hearty helping of oats n’ eggs will kick-start your metabolism and give you the energy you need to hit the ground running. Scramble two eggs and serve with half a cup of cooked oatmeal. Season with salt and pepper.

Chicken and Avocado Pasta 

Need a pre-workout pick-me-up? Add some roast chicken and sliced avocado to a bowl of wholewheat pasta for a dish that is guaranteed to deliver some serious gains. Alternatively, substitute wholewheat for quinoa pasta for an extra dose of protein, iron, and fibre.

Ice Protein Fruit Blast

You can turn your protein shake into a delicious fresh smoothie. For a super-sweet protein fix that packs a punch, blend 1 scoop of whey protein powder with a glass of ice, and a handful of frozen berries.

Vegetable Omelet 

Spruce up this classic dish by combining two beaten eggs with 1 teaspoon of water and dash of seasoning. cook with with a handful of sautéed seasonal vegetables. Eat your omelet one to two hours before exercise to unlock your body’s full muscle-building potential.

Post-Workout

After an intense workout, post-exercise meals are an important way to restore energy and rebuild muscle.

Milk and Cereal

Cereal with skimmed milk is a simple, low-fat way to revitalize muscles post-workout. Breakfast dishes like Cheerios are rich in protein and high in carbs making them an ideal alternative to additive-laden sports drinks.

Rice Cake Sandwich

This healthy take on the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich will provide you with the right amount of carbs, protein and healthy fat needed for recovery. Spread 1 tablespoon of almond butter and strawberry jam between two rice cakes – it’s guilt-free snacking at its finest.

Whole Wheat Pita and Hummus

Pita and hummus is another great post-workout combo. Hummus provides both carbs and protein, while whole wheat pita will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to its revitalizing dose of slow-release energy.

Tuna Crackers

Because it’s a lean protein, tuna is an ideal post-workout snack. Add a hearty heap of salad and some tuna to some whole grain crackers, for a dish that’s easy to make and packed full with muscle building goodness.

Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein and carbs. Try pairing your stir-fry with white rice instead of brown to replenish your muscles with glucose faster. Add a bowl of steamed vegetables for extra flavour and nutrients.

For more advice download the app where you check out some of our amazing trainers and book a session!

The Superfoods You Need to Know

Give your health a boost with these powerful superfoods.

It’s not just kale, avocado, and coconut oil that can do wonders for your health. Nutritionists are constantly discovering new superfoods that can help you fight disease, and increase your wellbeing.

So what’s up next? Take a look at the new superfoods you need to try…

Seaweed

Adding a dash of seaweed to your diet can give your health a serious boost. This ridiculously healthy superfood contains 2x more vitamin C than orange juice, 10x more calcium than cows milk and 50x more iron than spinach. It also boasts anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory benefits too.

Avocado Oil

Oil won’t just leave you feeling good on the inside, it also has plenty of skin nourishing properties too. Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, and hearty supply of Vitamin E, this avocado extract will leave your skin looking and feeling super supple and enviably smooth.

Avocado Oil

Maple Water

Maple water doesn’t contain any additives and boasts half the sugar of coconut water. It’s rich in minerals, polyphenols, antioxidants, electrolytes, and prebiotics – which means that it has plenty of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer health benefits too. If you’re not a fan of maple water by itself, get creative and try adding it to smoothies.

Teff

This tiny grain certainly packs a punch. Dubbed the new quinoa, teff has a long list of health benefits. Not only is it used to aid weight loss but it’s also a great source of protein for vegetarians. teff is gluten-free, high in iron and delicious!

teff flour - a ceramic bowl on grained wood background

Black Pudding

Believe it or not, black pudding is now a bonafide superfood. The breakfast favourite is packed full with protein and is relatively low in carbs. It’s rich in iron, zinc and calcium, making it the dish of choice for pregnant women and gym bunnies everywhere.

 

 

For more great nutrition and training tips follow us on Instagram, @trubeapp.

5 Top Tips to Achieving your fitness resolutions

It’s that time of year again when everyone is talking about heath and fitness. Wherever you look there is advice and tips of how to get in shape. I want to simplify it all for you. It’s all about making small changes.

If you stick to these 5 simple tips, then you will be on your way to a healthier you:

Time Efficiency
Being efficient with your time it’s one of our most precious commodities. Knowing exactly what you have to do when you exercise will reduce workout procrastination.

Working out at home instead of the gym means that you you will save time going to and from the gym. You will avoid having to carry a wet towel around all day whilst wearing your crinkled shirt that you pulled out of your bag this morning.

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To save time food shopping you can order boxes of organic and fresh ingredients with some awesome healthy recipes from Mindful chef. Use the promo code TRUBE50 for 50% off your first box!

Lifestyle
Alcohol is one of the barriers that gets in the way of achieving our dream bodies. If you still want to go out and have a drink with your friends then remember this. Gin and Vodka comes out as the lowest calorie option. Try these healthier options when drinking alcohol.

  • Gin and slimline tonic

  • Vodka, soda and lime

Exercise
The secret to good exercise is consistency. To get you started we have launched the TruBe Detox exercise program. All the workouts can be done from the comfort of your own home and are perfectly designed to blow away those holiday cobwebs.

Try week 1 for yourself:

Nutrition
Experience tells us that if we make small achievable changes to our diet, we are more likely to stick to it, rather than drastic fad diets that are not sustainable and potentially unhealthy.

Remember to eat protein and sugar after a workout to help with recovery. If you want to take supplements because it’s quicker and easier than eating straight after exercise, then there are some great products available from Super Vitality and as a friend of TruBe  you can use the promo code TRUBE10 for 10%off all of their products.

Remember to hydrate! We lose at least 2 litres of water a day, even more when exercising. We need to replace this to keep the body functioning efficiently.

Sleep
Our body needs at least 7 hours a night to aid recovery. The lack of sleep can have a negative effect on hormones and cortisol release. Which then stimulates fat storage.

If you need any help with your at home workouts then why not get one of our trainers to come to you. Download the app.

Andy Hall – UK Master Trainer