BODYISM DIARIES: SHAKE IT UP!

by Annie Vischer

Christmas is over, New Year’s Eve celebrations have been and gone and now it’s time for a fresh new start. That’s the general consensus isn’t it? It is certainly the sentiment that has flooded the social media likes of Facebook and Twitter for the past couple of days. Well, January blues or not, you’re sure to have made the odd little resolution for 2014, and I have another one for you! Shake it up! After each Bodyism training session the team make up a shake featuring one of their natural supplement mixes to me all the nutrients and protein I need to make the most of my session. After a chat with Bodyism Performance Specialist Rebecca Gentry about the benefits of the right shake, it seems a no brainer.

Shake Q+A with Bodyism Performance Specialist Rebecca Gentry

Plus points – Shake are a quick and time efficient way of getting nutrients into your body, as well as being easy to consume on the run!

When to shake – Post workout it is important to replace what your body has just used and potentially lost such as amino acids for muscles, and electrolytes for rehydration. In the morning a shake such as our Bodysim Body Brilliance (£50.00) is an awesome ingredient, as it contains vegan protein, antioxidants, super greens, fibre and green tea extract. Before bed try something soothing and regenerating like almond milk and our lovely Body Serenity.

Bodyism shake essentials – Clean and Lean Beauty Food (£55.00), Body Brilliance, Body Serenity (£50.00) and some energising superfood powders such as spirulina, wheatgrass, baobab, raw cacao and maca.

The milk factor – An organic unsweetened nut or rice milk is great for shakes, and filtered water works well if you are adding whole raw nuts anyway.

Shake no-nos – Try not to consume too many nuts and fibre straight after your workout. Also stay clear from energising ingredients late afternoon and evening such as raw cacao and maca as they could interfere with a good night’s sleep.

How to treat your shake – If you are adding nuts and seeds and half an avocado, a shake can be seen as a large snack – these things still contain fats and calories so you have to be aware that you have consumed them and make allowances for them when you plan your meals. Eating a nutritious balanced meal is always best as the chewing and then digestion process helps the metabolism fire up and can help burn fat more efficiently.

Luckily for us and our brand new shake resolutions, Bodyism have just launched their brand new Clean and Lean Shake Machine (£30.00). Simply pop your ingredients together and give them a whizz, it’s a wonderful time-saver and the ultimate on-the-go fitness must-have.

Here we have my very own morning shake recipe as well as a couple of recipes from the Bodyism team themselves:

Annie’s Morning Shake

6 hazelnuts, 1 handful of blueberries, 1 tsp raw organic coconut oil, 1 tsp organic desiccated coconut, 1 scoop of Body Brilliance, 1 glass of organic unsweetened rice milk.

Mix all the ingredients in a blender, serve and drink immediately.

Bodyism’s Super Skinny Smoothie

Mix all the ingredients in a blender, serve in a tall glass and drink immediately.

Bodyism’s Super Greens Smoothie

This Super Green smoothie is perfect as a quick breakfast or straight after training in the morning. Its packed full of protein, anti oxidants, super greens and fat burning spices.

1/2 glass organic rice milk, 1/2 glass filtered water, 1/2 scoop Clean & Lean Vanilla Protein Excellence, 1 scoop Clean & Lean Beauty Food, 1 tsp flaxseed, 1 tsp hemp seeds, 1 tsp maca powder, 1 tsp baobab, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 organic avocado, 1 stick organic celery, 1 large handful raw organic spinach, 1 small handful organic blueberries, 1 small handful fresh mint leaves, 4 – 5 ice cubes.

Optional additions:

1/2 organic banana, 1/2 organic apple, 1 tsp chia seeds (best to leave to soak), 1 tsp raw organic coconut oil.

Blend all ingredients together for 30 seconds and serve immediately.