Beetroot

1.Three baby beetroots = 1 of your five portion of daily fruit and vegetables.

2. The roots are high in anthocyanins, which is a strong antioxidants.

3. They are also a great source of beta-carotene, vitamin A, B6 and C.

4. This beautiful red root may also be good for your bones as it containsthe mineral silica which helps your body to absord calcium

5. It provides carbohydrates, protein and soluble fibre, and the best possibly the best part is, it's virtually fat free and low in calories!

Oh yh, and it's delicious! Bon appetit :)

My take on fitness

My fitness 'journey' began a couple of years ago. Initially I started in order to lose a few extra pounds but I hated every minute of it, which of course lead to me often giving up easily. After a few weeks, I would somehow talk myself into starting to work out again, but again, I would give up soon after. You get the picture - vicious circle. 

However, somewhere along the way I started to enjoy it. It wasn't so much that I was seeing results, but I was getting the post workout energy buzz. When I say I love working out, I don't mean it in a crazy-need-to-workout-every-minute kinda way, it's more because I can feel (and see) the benefits of it. So I got serious.

I don't believe in obssessing over the scales. Frankly, because I think one can find something more productive to do that freak out over piling on 2lbs overnight, which turns out to be just water. Of course, I understand that it might help some people on their weight-loss journey, the scale I mean, not the freaking out part. Saying that one should be an "average" weight is a somwhat narrow-mided view because we are all different and our weight, shapes and sizes differ greatly due to race, activity levels, body shapes etc. Therefore I prefer to monitor my progress through body fat percentage. In general the healthy body fat percentage of women is between 17% - 24% , this varies slightly depending on race. This takes into account those look slim but have a high body fat percentage and will give you a better idea of how healthy you are exactly.

As a women, we hold on to more fat naturally, and we need this to maintain a regulated menstrual cycle and of course during pregnancy. Some of us are naturally blessed with curves in the right places and others work diligently to maintain a lean physique. Whatever your shape though, the best way forward is to accept your blessed and not-so-blessed bits and work towards being in the best shape that YOU can be.

Since January, my body fat percentage has gone down 5% . Yaaay! I'm very pleased, specially since I didn't give up chocolate. Oh yh, did I mention that am a chocoholic? My main meals tend to be healthy most of the time, I don't have a problem with that, but I can't seem to be able to kick the chocolate habit, maybe because deep down I don't really want to...



Introductions

This blog will be my thoughts on various things that catches my interest. Apart from university essays, I haven't written for a while, I expect my writing muscles are a bit rusty but hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon.

I am slightly obssesed with fitness and yoga, so I will probably be writing about living a healthy lifestyle. I am currently hooked on Sadie Nardini's Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga. I have a passion for baking and chocolates and yes, this often conflicts with my fitness obssesions.

Being a Muslimah in the West has it's trials but I suspect everyone faces challenges and disciminations in one way or another from those who are ignorant or unwilling to open their mind , we just have to try our best to overcome those obstacles and live our lives.

Peace.

Regret

Rushed out onto the lawn
Into the biting air at the crack of dawn
I gulp down the morning air
Trying to surmount the feeling of despair
I use to pride myself in my cautiousness
Yet, looking back, I can only see thoughtlessness
And I believe I'm strong?
Where did that go wrong?
Who have I been deceiving?
Everyone else or myself?
Hurting part of you, albeit inadvertently
Will torment you awfully
So next time before you act
Think twice and then think again
What are you doing and what will you gain?
Because the last thing you want is to cause more pain

Time

It’s funny how many surprises time holds
We expect the unexpected and embraces unfamiliarity as life unfolds
Your response to circumstances leaves me dazed and mystified
I thought that I grew up but you humbled me back to reality, stupefied
Who does that reflection belong to?
I used to be resilient through and through
But somewhere along the way I got caught

In a web of lies and pretence, but a lesson needed to be taught

To be set free I need to find myself

So easy to say but that’s a fight in itself
’Cos in this maze, it’s easy to lose your path

And to find it again is arduous and almost unachievable

I’m afraid I might never get there
I take a step back and stare
Who I was and who I’ve become
I need to get out of here