5 Best Activewear Pieces for Spring 2016

Because who doesn't love stylish activewear, right? Having beautiful, well-fitting and comfortable activewear is a key motivator for many women to get outside, to the gym or the studio for a workout. At Aprivé Wellness, we're no different, and we love some great stretchy pants and comfy singlets. With so many brands out there though, it's hard to find the best pieces for your collection. So here are our top picks for 2016.

1. Best leggings - Lorna Jane

Tried and tested against so many other brands, we absolutely LOVE my Lorna Jane leggings. The main reason is the fabric which is far more breathable than another brand that starts with L....and it feels more natural on your skin. We bought one of the styles with the ventilation panels which keep out legs cool. 

Pic from Lorna Jane Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornajaneactive

2. Best Crop Top - Ivy Park (Beyoncé's line)

It's not secret one of our favourite taglines to get more done is "You have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé." But it's not just being a fan that gave Ivy Park the top pick for crop tops. The hip-hop-inspired activewear range is perfect for everyone dancers to gym bunnies to yoga fans. We love that attitude it has, and, yes, we love that it's made by Queen B.

3. Best Singlet/ Tank Top - Michi NY

We find ourselves in our activewear for a whole day after teaching Pilates, so we're fans of clean lines and a modern style (not just a baggy old tee, not that there's anything wrong with soft tees for workouts!) Michi NY has super modern, almost futuristic activewear, and their tank tops are ultra flattering. Love.

Plus - The Michi Instagram feed is a dream! https://www.instagram.com/michi_ny

4. Best SUP one piece - The Upside

Summer's nearly here! That means time to SUP. If you're fair like us, you need something with good coverage, but that's not too hot. We love the tanks and leggings from The Upside, but this onesie is the ultimate for summer. Not to justify the purchase according to how many days one goes supping....hmmm....

Also loving their new pineapple-themed range for summer https://www.instagram.com/the_upside/

5. Best Warm Layer - Cotton On Body

Activewear doesn't have to break the bank, and with new sporty collections by J Crew, and Aussie and Kiwi local options like Target and Cotton On Body, there are plenty of affordable brands to choose from. For a chilly stroll, hike or a dash to the gym on a windy summer day, we love a simple grey hoodie. Plus! You can keep it for winter and wear it under your leather jacket, paired with leggings for a super stylish activewear look (or great comfy plane attire!)

What's your favourite piece of activewear?

How to Eat Healthy In Winter - 3 Easy Recipes

Simple Recipes to Supercharge Your Winter Wellness

At my retreats and workshops this winter, so many people have told me they struggle to eat healthy in winter when fruit and veggies are hard to find.

So! Here are my top 3 recipes full of super healthy foods you can make with the best seasonal veggies winter has to offer!

1. Vegan, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Soup

You don’t need heavy cream to create a great pumpkin soup! This one is super easy and jam-packed full of rich vitamins to supercharge your winter wellness.

Cooking Time: 1.5 hours (but mostly simmering. You can work on your Aprivé Wellness workbook while it's cooking!) 

You’ll Need:

• 1/2 Pumpkin

• 1 tbsp. Gluten-free, vegetarian stock (Vegeta is my fave)

• 2 Sweet Potatoes

• 1 Leek

• 2 Potatoes

• 6 Cloves of garlic

• 1 Brown onion

• 1 jar of chilli flakes

• Salt & pepper

• 1 cup of raw lentils

Method:

1. Fill your kettle and boil the water. Once ready, pour the boiling water into a saucepan and add the lentils. Boil for 20 minutes or until soft. Wash and drain in a colander (no you don’t have to soak them overnight!)

2. Dice garlic, onion and leek into small pieces. Only use the leek up until the green leafy part.

3. Add a big soup pot to your stove and turn up the heat. Once it’s hot, add 2 tbsp. olive oil and the garlic, onion and leek. Add salt, pepper and a sprinkle of chilli and stir rapidly.

4. Once the mixture has browned, turn it off and set it aside while you peel and cut the other veggies into small squares.

5. Once your pumpkin, sweet potato and potato are cut, add them to the onion mixture and stir on a high heat. 

6. Add a litre of boiling water and around a tbsp. of stock.

7. Bring the mixture to the boil and let it bubble away for around 5 mins.

8. Turn it down to simmer, and let it simmer slowly for around 1 hour (you can work on your wellness goals while it’s cooking!)

9. Once the mixture is mushy and soft, squash it with a wooden spoon to make it lumpy and thick. If you prefer a smooth soup, take your hand blender to it!

10. Add lentils and garnish with a little curl of leek and it’s ready!

2. Pumpkin Salad with Feta - Your Healthiest Lunch Yet!

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Tip: Get up 30 minutes earlier on Monday morning and cut up pumpkin (leave skin on) and sweet potato with garlic (skin on). Cover in 2 tbsp. olive oil and add salt and pepper. Bake until soft. Then keep the mix in the fridge, ready for your lunches for the week!

You’ll Need:

• Half a pumpkin and 2 sweet potatoes pre-roasted with garlic & salt and pepper

• 2 handfuls of baby spinach

• 1 tomato

• 3 slices of feta

• 1 grated carrot

• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

• 1 squirt of mayonnaise or a creamy vinaigrette

Method:

1. Get all the ingredients

2. Throw them into a big tupperware container

3. Put it in the fridge at work

4. When you’re ready to eat it, give it a good shake till the feta, balsamic and mayo all mix

5. Eat!

3. Silverbeet & Ricotta Side Dish - The Super Food Winter Side Dish

If you’re a fan of meat and three veg, you can sick of the standard steamed broccoli side. Try this silverbeet dish. Silverbeet is full of iron and tons of goodies only found in dark green leafy veggies, and it’s best in winter! Perfect!

Cooking Time: 5 mins

You’ll need:

• 1 pack of Silverbeet (around 12 stalks)

• 3 cloves garlic

• 1/2 tub Ricotta cheese

• 6 Mushrooms

• Hot sauce

• Sweet Chilli sauce and/or Hot Sauce

Method:

1. Cut out the stalks and stems of the silverbeet so you’re left with only green leaves.

2. Cut the silverbeet into thick ribbons

3. Squash your garlic, remove the skin and dice into small pieces

4. Place a non-stick frypan onto your hottest element and warm it until it’s too hot to touch

5. Add a tbsp. olive oil

6. Add garlic and stir quickly

7. Add silverbeet and turn down the heat

8. Once the silver beet is covered in oil, add mushrooms

9. Once mushrooms are gently brown, add Ricotta

10. Stir fry for 3 minutes. The Silverbeet will shrivel up a lot, especially when coated in ricotta. Don’t worry it’s normal!

11. Serve with a lashing of sweet chilli and hot sauce. My favourite are the home made versions from Caribe or Empanada kitchen in Queenstown

Want more winter recipes to boost your health? Try this handy breakfast one below

AND

Follow @aprivewellness for more free wellness tips & tricks!

Physiotherapists Are The New Innovators Of The Wellness Industry

When you think about Physiotherapy, you probably imagine limping into a clinic with a sprained ankle, but recently more Physios, like me, are making their mark in the wellness industry. I spoke to Melissa Ingram, Physio and Wellness Consultant at the infamous Golden Door Health Retreat, Elysia, to learn more.

How is Physiotherapy Linked to Wellness?

As a Physio, we undergo two years of gruelling medical school along with cadaver dissection (not for everyone!) followed by two to three more years of full-time rotations in clinics and hospitals. After graduation, we spend a lot of time solving people's problems, helping them understand what’s wrong with them, and convincing patients to do their exercises.

Essentially, we work exactly like a wellness consultant; we assess, educate, inform, and promote habit change.

Thanks to extensive training, Physiotherapists are using their expert knowledge of human anatomy, biochemistry, mechanics and human motivation to enhance the wellness industry.

Physiotherapy & Wellness Expert Melissa Ingram

Like me, Melissa Ingram decided her patients needed a holistic approach to recovery, not simply clinical, so she joined Golden Door health retreat, Elysia, in the Hunter Valley, and hasn’t turned back.

On a daily basis, Melissa works with retreat guests who are on a mission to make themselves better, happier people. She blends her expertise as a Physio, wellness coach and exercise rehabilitation specialist to help them realise what factors may be holding them back; physical, emotional or habitual. After years in the role, Melissa continues to learn and be inspired by her guests:

 

“I now have a much clearer understanding of how formidable our brains are and how they allow (or prevent) us to live whole lives. This requires a more holistic approach than just traditional Physiotherapy or wellness alone.”

Wellness Meets Science

By blending the two schools of thought, from mindfulness and wellbeing to evidence-based science, Melissa gives people real, meaningful tools to make effective changes in their lives.

Rather than airy fairy wellbeing sessions, Physiotherapists in the wellness industry make wellness both fun and effective thanks to their extensive training and expert people skills.

So! Next time you’re looking for someone to help you live a happier, healthier life, look for a Physiotherapist, like Melissa or myself, who specialises in the wellness industry. You’ll be inspired, refreshed and have lots of laughs along the way while learning meaningful tools to enhance your life. 

Fitness Inspiration via Aprivé Wellness

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Aprivé Wellness invited to write for The Wellist

Wellness & Pilates on your next plane trip

I was thrilled to be asked to write for travel and wellness guru - The Wellist. Check out my article where I shared 5 Pilates exercises you can do right in your plane seat. 

Long haul flights leave you feeling stiff, sore and tight, so why not try these 5 easy Pilates exercises to stop the cramps and keep you limber from departure to arrival.

Read the full article here

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