Winter blooming
Sometimes health inspiration comes from unlikely places. Recently, I was listening to a podcast in which a noted rap artist talked about the pleasure he derives each morning from spending the 10 minutes after he wakes up lying in bed and listing all the things he’s grateful for. The image of this burly recording artist wiggling his toes and practising gratitude was intriguing enough for me to give it a go. Surprise, surprise, I did get out of bed with a smile on my face. With this simple happiness boost, I’ve found more energy to a) get out of bed on frosty mornings, and b) start the day with a fresh sense of zest and purpose. And, let’s be honest, winter is a tough time to feel at your sharpest, most active and vibrant.
At this time of year, it’s hard to set the alarm to commit to an hour of exercise before commencing work, and with cold in your bones, even your food choices – high on warming carbs – can slow you down. So, in this month’s issue, starting on page 76, we explore simple, effective strategies to help you find more energy and get that bunny battery powering right through your day.
And speaking of food, we dive into the rising incidence of ‘portion distortion’. With serving sizes of many foods at an all-time high (did you know that burgers and fries are now three times larger than the early days?), it’s having a health impact that people can often be unaware of. Meanwhile, looking at the nutrition label on snack packets can be equally perplexing: you’ve just hoovered through that seemingly healthy nut bar only to read the label and discover it was supposed to serve two! Confused? You’re not alone. So, on page 64, we serve up a handy visual guide to what healthy portions should look like, so you can feel confident about your food choices.
Feeling peckish now? Then don’t miss our delicious, healthy winter recipes, from page 113. They’re guaranteed to make you feel warm and fuzzy all over.
Enjoy this issue!