Lorna Jane Active Wear

Eat Clean, Train Dirty
First of all, makeup and gym do not go together, however, with the exception of lip balm, tinted moisturiser or a little mascara and eyebrow pencil. That being said, this does not mean you have to work out at a gym looking like a morning train wreck, why not personalise and dress in colours and style that makes you feel sexy when you work out.

For those that are constantly in search of quality active wear attires (females only, unfortunately) have a look at Lorna Jane activewear. Lorna Jane is first in fitness and fashion, their aim is to inspire women to live their best life through active living. They are an Australian brand that has branched out nationally and now available worldwide via shipping. 

Start getting motivated!

KIAP!!!

What is KIAP ???

KIAPS are nothing new to Korean or Japanese martial arts. It basically meaning "yell or shout" when practicing Hapkido and Taekwondo. Hapkido comes from 3 words: "Hap" means to combine, coordinate, or make one; "Ki" identifies the power that pervades the universe, and has been defined as mind, spirit, heart, or breath and "Do" means the way or the path. It is described as "the way of harmony" According to Master Bong Soo Han, Hapkido is a Way of Life, with the goal being “Perfection of Character,” attained through the coordination of Mind, Body and Spirit, by practicing meditation, “breath control,” (Ki exercises) and the rigorous physical martial art techniques of Hapkido. Taekwondo, on the other hand, is composed of three parts as shown in the English spelling, though it is one word in Korean. "Tae" means "foot", "leg" or "to step on"; "Kwon" means "fist" or "fight"; and "Do" means the "way" or "discipline." Tae Kwon refers to put things under control. Thus, it is "the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful world."

So, Why considered training Hapkido?

Many benefits can arise from training. It includes the following:

• Physical - With the utilization of kicking, punching and body techniques, Hapkido works the whole body. Increases your strength and Stamina
• Lose Weight - a healthy way to lose weight and keep it off.
• Reduce Stress - Exercise is proven to help reduce stress.
• Confidence - As you grow your skill set, your confidence in your every day life will grow stronger.
• Learn Self-defense - We focus not only on techniques, but also awareness and show how to avoid situations in the first place.
• Respect - For yourself and for others. It is one of the concepts that is key in Hapkido..
• Mental - By physically training, many students find that it help clear the mind and makes them more alert and sharp.
• Spiritual - We train the mind, body and spirit.
• Community - Everyone is working towards common goals and helps each other achieve their goals.
• Ki Breathing - Creates a sense of well being, improved focus, stress reduction, improved circulation, cleansing of the body, increased ki energy, improved oxygenization of blood for increased alertness.

Take a look at this Tutorial!!!

Fun Facts on the Super Food: Chia Seeds

Chia Seeds 15 Fun Facts:

1. The chia plant (Salvia hispanica), sometimes referred to as chia sage, originated in the central valley of Mexico and is a member of the mint family.
2. Records indicate chia seeds were used as a food source as far back as 3500 B.C.
3. It was the third most important crop for the Aztecs, who recognized it as a "superfood" and prized it so highly that it was often used as currency.
4. Aztec warriors and runners are believed to have sustained themselves for an entire day on just a tablespoon of chia.
5. After the Spanish conquest, chia seed nearly disappeared as the Spaniards banned foods that were linked in any way to Aztec religion or tradition and virtually wiped out the complex agricultural system established by the Aztecs in order to grow foods that were popular in Spain instead.
6. The word chia is derived from the Aztec word chian, which means "oily."
7. The name of the Mexican state of Chiapas, originally called Chiapan, translates loosely to "river where the chia sage grows."
8. According to Aztec mythology, chia seed came from the nose of the maize god, Cinteotl.
9. The Chumash Indians of California also cultivated chia and prized it for its beneficial properties. This variety of chia is often referred to as chia sage or California chia.
10. Chia seeds have more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other plant food, including flax seeds.
11. Chia seeds are about 20% protein.
12. When soaked in water for 30 minutes, chia seeds form a thick gel. This gel also forms in the stomach when chia seeds are consumed. That sounds bad, but researchers believe it actually slows down the rate at which digestive enzymes turn carbs into sugar, making it especially beneficial for diabetics and others with blood sugar issues.
13. The popular Mexican drink chia fresca is made by soaking chia seeds in water until they become gelatinous and then adding sugar and lemon or lime juice.
14. Chia is hydrophilic and can absorb more than 12 times its weight in water. This makes it helpful in maintaining body hydration, something that is especially beneficial for athletes who need to remain hydrated during races and endurance activities.
15. Chia seeds are so high in antioxidants that they do not spoil easily and can be stored for long periods, unlike flax seeds.

If you need ideas on recipes, head over to Chia Seed Recipes for all the fun and tasty way to benefit from Chia Seeds into your meal everyday. 

Fun Facts on the Super Food: Banana

1. Banana Power
   
   A banana gives a sustained and substantial boost of energy - that’s why they are a favourite choice for cyclists, footballers and other athletes looking for a quick source of carbohydrate. The riper a banana, the quicker it is digested and converted to muscle fuel. Athletes love to eat bananas before sport, at breaks during a tennis game, and to recover quickly from sport.
2. Antioxidant power
   Scientific research papers confirm that bananas have significant antioxidant power. One study showed that bananas reduced the oxidative stress in the blood and reduced the ability of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) to be damaging. The prevailing view is that oxidised LDL plays a major role in the formation of plaques leading to heart disease, so anything that reduces this risk is good news. Another study showed the antioxidant compounds in bananas helped protect nerve cells, which in turn could help protect the brain from Alzheimer's Disease. 
3. Vitamin Power
   The banana is the best fruit source of vitamin B6 (one small banana provides around a quarter of your daily needs; one big banana provides nearly half of your daily needs). B6 helps with the production of neurotransmitters including serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The banana is also a wonderful source of vitamin C, along with modest amounts of the B group vitamins folate, niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. 
4. Low Glycaemic Index
   The average Glycemic Index of bananas is 52, less for under-ripe bananas as they have a higher starch content and a lower sugar content. A GI of 52 is classified as low, meaning that it doesn't cause high blood sugar levels. That makes the banana a good fruit choice for people with diabetes. 
5. Cancer fighter
   Bananas contain lectins, which have been strongly linked to a reduction in the risk of cancer and potentially helpful in the treatment of cancer. Plant lectins are known to resist digestion and enter the blood stream intact. They can affect the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, and even cause their ultimate death.
   Bananas can help reduce the risk of kidney cancer. Research on 61 000 Swedish women found that, of all the fruits, bananas gave the greatest protection against renal cancer. Women eating 5 bananas a week nearly halved their risk of renal cancer.
6. Perfect pick-me-up 
   Carbohydrate snacks are very useful for bringing low blood glucose levels back to normal and help avoid the mid-afternoon slump often experienced at work. We can
   control our blood glucose levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods
   every 2-4 hours to keep levels steady. Healthy carbohydrate snacks are very useful for clear thinking, improved memory and mood. Bananas are ideal, because of their low GI and zero fat level. 
7. Healthy Blood Pressure
   This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium and salt-free, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. Australian and international research show that a diet high in potassium and low in salt helps to keep blood pressure normal. Less than 1 in 10 people get enough potassium to reduce their risk of chronic disease, like stroke. That leaves a lot of room for high potassium foods like the banana.
8. Healthy & happy insides
   We all know that high fibre foods help keep you regular and prevent constipation. High in fibre, bananas included in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, without resorting to laxatives. A medium banana will provide about 10% of your fibre needs for a day.
9. Weight control
   You won't get fat on a banana. Bananas have a high satiety index, that is, they are very filling for the amount of kilojoules they provide. Imagine eating a medium sized serve of fries. Not particularly filling are they? Imagine eating four bananas at once. You would probably stop at one or two. Well, four bananas have the same number of kilojoules as a medium fries, yet so much more filling. If you are trying to maintain a healthy weight then eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and go easy on the fatty foods. As there is no fat in a banana it is almost impossible to get fat on a banana!

To read more, head over to Australian Bananas for more information on healthy living! 

Music Review

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 

• Writer(s): Florence Welch, Francis Anthony "Eg" WhiteRelease Date: November 14, 2011Producer: Paul Epworth
• Label: Island
• Fact: The song references the death of novelist Virginia Woolf, who drowned herself by walking into a river with her coat pockets full of stones
• Order Now: Florence And The Machine, 'What The Water Gave Me' from Amazon

It is such a good moment of life to hear another new material from this talented indie diva. Taking the title from a surrealist painting of Frida Kahlo and, seemingly, lyrically inspired from the suicide of british classic literature writer, Virginia Woolf. She elaborated on the title and meaning of the song: "It's a song for the water, because in music and art what I'm really interested in are the things that are overwhelming. The ocean seems to me to be nature's great overwhelmer. When I was writing this song I was thinking a lot about all those people who've lost their lives in vain attempts to save their loved ones from drowning. It's about water in all forms and all bodies. It's about a lot of things; Virginia Woolf creeps into it, and of course Frida Kahlo, whose painfully beautiful painting gave me the title."

Gospel-edged organ and trilling guitars provide instrumental interest in "What the Water Gave Me" that gives it an aural depth rare in today's mainstream pop music. The lyrics leave a great deal open to interpretation, but the constant references to "pockets full of stones" and the connection of the words to the story of Virginia Woolf's death in which she walked into the water with her pockets filled with stones lend a sense of dread that constantly threatens to drown the listener.

The trademark elements of Florence and the Machine music are here with ethereal vocals, harps, and the ghost of British folk-rock. However, there is a soulful power here that carries the music even deeper.

In the end of the song, Welch tries a "new, softly-softly vocal style" which is similar to Liz Fraser and Harriet Wheeler from The Sundays. Commenting the sound of the song, Jillian Mapes of Billboard said that "'What the Water Gave Me' crescendos with a tribal intensity, balancing chants against an airy, whimsical harp." Spin's William Goodman called the song "a surge of gospel-tinged pop with harp, piano, and throbbing bass driving under Welch's powerful vocals" Writing for the website HitFix, Katie Hasty said: "the harp line is just about the lightest part of the song, as the bass is overdriven and choirs, major crash cymbals and Welch's quiet-loud-quiet dynamics make for sad, bombastic, rattling -- yet euphoric -- poetry."

What can I say, this song is masterpiece. go get yourself a copy !!!!

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