Xmas Countdown - top tips to get you looking hot in that Little Black Dress

Normally I am very resistant to thinking about Christmas until at least 1st December, and I am the kind of person who does all the shopping in the last 10 days before Christmas! Therefore, this year I am determined to do better and start early, not only on the shopping but also on making sure I'm preparing my body in the best way possible to cope with the excesses that Christmas brings. So here are my Xmas countdown top tips - not only will they help you to ward off the winter bugs, keep energy up for those parties but also have you looking fab in that LBD in no time...

• Keep your liver happy by eating plenty of dark green leafy vegetables rich in indol-3-carbinole to help you cope with those mulled winds - try kale, pak choy, savoy cabbage, red cabbage and broccoli
• Keep your energy levels going by balancing your blood sugar throughout the day with handfuls of nuts and seeds instead of that sneaky chocolate bar or packet of crisps. The protein will help balance your blood sugar and the essential fatty acids found in nuts like cashews, walnuts and Brazil's will help balance those hormones also.
• Keep your skin looking bright and fresh when you bare those arms by whizzing up frozen mixed berries with natural low fat yogurt and some seeds to make a delicious smoothie. Alternatively make a brightly coloured soup from butternut squash, sweet potato and carrot - packed full of skin friendly nutrients
• Keep that waist-line trim and half the meat content of your shepherds pies, spag bols and lasagnas both replacing half the meat with a tin of green lentils (no added sugar or salt). Not only does the fibre help keep you fuller for longer, it's also kinder on the pocket too!
• And my old favourite - drink hot water with lemon and add some ginger and honey for a warming winter drink

I hope these tips help you enjoy the countdown to Christmas even more than usual.

I would love to know if there are any other specific topics/top tips you would like to hear about, please comment on this blog or via my Facebook page

Top tips for fresh summer skin

With summer officially just around the corner it's that time of year again when we all start to bear a little more of our skin. After month's of hiding our skin under layers of woolly jumpers and snoods, it's not surprising that our skin may need a little help in looking it's best at those summer weddings and on the beach.

Follow these simple tips to help bring your skin out of hibernation and feeling fresh again, in no time you'll be bearing shoulders in halter necks and the micro shorts will be out in force! Bring on the summer...!

• First things first WATER. Aim to drink at least 1 litre of water every day, whether you prefer it 'neat', filtered or in herbal teas or natural diluted fruit juices is up to you, just ensure that your body has a constant source of this hydrating super liquid. Added bonus: staying hydrated will improve concentration levels as well as helping to keep skin clear
• Reduce liquids which dehydrate such as CAFFEINE in coffee and tea and ALCOHOL. Try an alcohol free mojito (sparkling water, fresh lime juice crushed mint leaves and plenty of ice..delicious). Added bonus: reducing these stimulants will assist in detoxing your liver, which also contributes to healthier looking skin.
• Plump up your skin with ESSENTIAL FATS. Make sure you are getting some omega 3 and 6 in your diet every day from olive oils, pumpkin, sesame or sunflower seeds as well as avocados and oily fish. Added bonus: Essential fats also help keep hair healthy too.
• Brighten your skin with antioxidant rich FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, this time of year is perfect for bright colourful salads and berry rich smoothies. Try blending a punnet of blueberries, an apple, half a banana, some natural low fat yoghurt and a few seeds for a nutritious delicious skin boosting treat. Added bonus: Increasing fruits and vegetables will also increase your fibre intake, great for digestive health.
• Eat plenty of ZINC rich foods such as Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds and oysters (!), zinc is a vital mineral for healthy skin. Added bonus: Zinc is an important immune mineral, to help fight off those summer colds
• Want your arms to look fantastic in that slinky summer top. Try dry brushing your skin and massaging in plenty of natural moisturising cream rich in vitamin E for smooth arms in no time. Added bonus: looking great!
• Finally be kind to your skin and limit SUN EXPOSURE cover up in the sun during the hottest part of the day, wear a high sun cream factor and fake bake as a healthy alternative to sunbeds!

If you would like more information on keeping skin healthy or on specific skin conditions please contact me on info@juliasimmsnutrition.co.uk or visit my website www.juliasimmsnutrition.co.uk 

New Year, New You

It's that time of year again when we are all making new years resolutions (some of which you may have broken already!). One of my new years resolutions is to write on this blog more often and to offer helpful nutritional hints to keep you all happy and healthy in 2011.

So what better way to start than providing some tips on how to shake off the post-Christmas blues and start a fresh for the new year.

Here are 5 tips on how to start the new year in a healthy and nutritious way:

1) Drink hot water and lemon in the morning - I find this to be better than the most expensive cleanser! This drink will kick start your liver and help with detoxing those Christmas excesses
2) Eat your 5 a day (at least!) - aim for more vegetables than fruit where you can. Fruit is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals but often comes with the addition of sugar. Stick to lower sugar fruits such as apples, pears and berries. Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, rocket, savoy cabbage, leeks (the list is endless) and root vegetables such as Jerusalem artichokes and sweet potatoes, will provide your body with not only the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy but also fibre to help cleanse you from the inside out.
3) Oil up - essential fatty acids such as omega 3 and 6 are essential not only for healthy skin and hair but also healthy brain function. Experiment with salmon, mackerel and fresh tuna as well as nuts and seeds - almond, walnut, cashew, Brazil, sesame, pumpkin and sunflower. Keep the portion sizes to a small handful of nuts and seeds once a day and you won't pile on the pounds
4) Go wholegrain - white, refined foods such as white bread, rice and pasta break down to pure sugar faster in your body, potentially leading to weight gain. Swap to wholegrain pasta, bread and brown rice for a slower releasing energy fix to keep you going through the cold days.
5) Keep caffeine and alcohol for special occasions only - boring I know, but it's an excellent way to give your liver a break after Christmas. Top tips to reduce alcohol include alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks. Swap coffee and tea for non-caffeinated herbal or fruit teas. Green tea does contain caffeine but the antioxidant properties it contains out way the caffeine in the healthy states, so try one of the many flavour varieties now on offer - green tea with jasmine is my favourite!

I hope you find these tips helpful. If this has sparked your interest and you would like to learn more please get in touch with me at info@juliasimmsnutrition.co.uk. My new website will be launching very soon so watch this space!

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2011.

Julia