TRIED & TESTED | Yummie Tummie leggings

AT THE launch for Vital Juice Chicago a couple of weeks ago, we guests were given pretty great swag bags. Now, no offence, America, but you do pretty sub-standard swag compared to the UK.

OFTEN times they're simply stuffed with marketing materials and sachets of samples smaller than those on offer at beauty counters. Yes, I understand that we're not entitled to amazing goody bags but you think I'm going to write up something that's actually worth less to me than the effort to carry it home? Nope.

I'VE walked away with bags bursting at the seams in the UK, to go home and promptly trial what's inside, followed by a write up. I think brands are missing a trick in the US, with their lackluster goody bags.

However, Vital Juice clearly gets the game, and so did the brands (mostly) in their goody bags. Because I'm using the things I received and writing about them in various outlets. The Jurlique Citrus Silk Finishing Powder, the Blurb.com gift certificate, the Lara Bars, Karyn's lip balm and dark chocolate, Yum Nuts, Lemon Detox tea, Baggu bag (I love you, Baggu).... and a Yummie Tummie gift certificate for $100.

I promptly went online and purchased a pair of Yummie Tummie shaping leggings when I got home and now have to shout from the rooftops about them.

You see, they are a-ma-zing. Truly. 

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Detox deshmox... nonsense

Ladies, there are some simple equations in life that we should all be very, very familiar with. The most important (besides the basic (and often-times hard-to-grasp) what I earn - what I spend = what I have left) will keep insanity at bay when it comes to worrying about weight (which we all do). Be cold and calculating with it. Strip away all the emotional stuff we attach to food and you'll find that:

Calories in - energy out = weight gain/loss/maintenance

Consume less calories than you burn (even if every single one of those calories comes in the form of cheese, chocolate or sticks of butter) and you will lose weight, guaranteed. No fancy foods necessary. No bank-breaking gym membership required, no pills, no special plans. Eat less calories than you use and you lose weight, which brings me to my point.

Yet another ridiculous (I know, there are many) article in the Daily Mail appeared yesterday about how Gwyneth Paltrow is a 'picture of health' because she's - quelle suprise - shed weight and her makeup artist has deftly placed some bronzer on her face and limbs. [As an aside, can I ask a question... is the only thing that merits putting a female in the press either losing or gaining weight?]

Of course, we all know thin does not necessarily mean healthy. I could blather on about it for ages but I won't. Believe the media and we should all look like stick insects. Consult Roman and Greek sculpture or, even better, anatomical guides for a more realistic ideal.

That sort of obsession... er, focus on controlling food leads to serious problems like eating disorders. Plus, it makes you insanely boring. Who wants to go to yet another dinner party with a girl who uses the reason that she's 'gluten intolerant' to touch nothing on her plate all night? That hardly shows a joie de vivre, does it? A dollop of goat's cheese on a bed of beets and lettuce with a glass of red wine is hardly bad for you. Unless you eat a truck load of it, your bum will not be expanding any time soon.

Want to regulate your weight in a healthy way? Do as the Japanese do (bless them and they're amazing eating habits) and eat until you're just 80% full. Brilliant.

Read the Daily Mail's article on Gwyneth's spartan regime, not fit for those who lead regular lives (although, I will admit that skin brushing feels good).

To Yoga in India?

The new husband is a big yoga buff. We're traveling to the homeland of yoga and unlike similar institutions in California or Ibiza, yoga ashrams can be amazing and affordable in India. Where do I begin with research? We fly into Delhi and I certainly want to visit Rishikesh, which, it seems, is both a hill station and spiritual home for Hindus. it's also a great launch pad for adventure travel in India and... yoga! Apparently it's known as the yoga capital of the world. And, for Beatle buffs out there, this is where the fab four met the Maharishi and began their love affair with transcendental meditation.

So... research thus far has unearthed a few promising ashrams, including Parmarth Niketan, Bharat Heritage Services, Braham Yoga... then there's the decision about what sort of yoga to do?!

Image Courtesy of Yogatic.