Prawn Thai Green Curry with Noodles and Kale

Here's our latest delicious recipe from our friends at Tootoomoo...

*6 ounces dried rice noodles 

2 teaspoons olive oil 

1/3 cup chopped green onions 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic 

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger 

2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste 

1 1/4 cups matchstick-cut carrots 

1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock 

1 (13.5-ounce) can light coconut milk 

6 cups packed chopped kale (about 1/2 bunch) 

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound peeled medium sized prawns

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 

1 teaspoon grated lime rind 

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

*Check noodle cooking time before you start so that they are ready to serve immediately the curry is; they usually take a few minutes.

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions, garlic, and ginger; sauté 1 minute. Stir in curry paste; sauté 30 seconds. Add carrots, chicken stock, and coconut milk, stirring well to combine; bring to a simmer, and cook 5 minutes.

2. Fold in kale; sprinkle with salt. Cook 3 minutes or until kale is wilted and tender. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until shrimp are done. Remove from heat; top with cilantro, lime rind, and juice. 

3. Prepare rice noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water. Drain and set aside.

Treating Insomnia with Accupuncture

                                                         

If you are unable to sleep in some capacity throughout the night, you may have a form of insomnia.

You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or both, or you may wake early before your alarm unable to get back to sleep.

Chinese medicine works on the principle that all these different forms of sleeplessness point to a deeper, underlying imbalance that needs to be addressed so that you can benefit from a quality night’s sleep.

If you are someone who suffers from any degree of insomnia, traditional Chinese acupuncture may be able to help you.

HOW DOES TRADITIONAL CHINESE ACUPUNCTURE TREAT INSOMNIA?

In order to treat insomnia, your practitioner will focus on three specific aspects of your health:

[ The specific pattern of your sleep problem

[ Your emotional health and the effects of stress in your life

[ The condition of your physical health and general wellbeing

 Knowing these things provides your acupuncturist with important information regarding the root of your insomnia (the underlying condition which may be causing or contributing to the problem). An “underlying condition” can be anything from work related stress to habitual, repressed or unresolved emotions. It could also be a pattern of pain/discomfort while sleeping, a result of menopause or ageing or even a problem rooted in your digestion. The point is, in Chinese medicine, if your health is suffering in one area, your sleep will reflect that problem. Once these factors are identified, your practitioner will tailor a treatment to simultaneously address your root condition and your sleep problem with the aim of restoring a normal sleep cycle for you as soon as possible.

PLEASE NOTE

 Traditional Chinese acupuncture is not a substitute for Western medicine. It is a complimentary therapy. If you have a specific medical condition, always follow appropriate Western medical advice.

We are members of the British Acupuncture Council and abide by a code of ethics maintaining high standards of education discipline and practice.                          

PRESS

Toyah Willcox – Toyah Willcox Cured Insomnia With Acupuncture

British singer Toyah Willcox has credited acupuncture with ending her 40 years of insomnia.

The I Want to Be Free hitmaker began suffering disturbed sleep when she studied for exams as a teenager, and she continued to struggle after finding fame in the 1980s. Willcox, 54, explored alternative therapies after suffering a bad reaction to medication, and since her first acupuncture session last June (12), she has finally been able to sleep through the night.

She tells Britain's Daily Express newspaper, "I'm teetotal and health conscious so I decided to look into more natural methods of curing my sleep problems. I drink Chamomile tea and use aromatherapy.

"I'd tried (acupuncture) 30 years ago for some joint pain and, while it was successful, I didn't think anything would help me sleep. However, I went along for a session in June last year and I was so relaxed I fell asleep.

"At first I went for a session every week but now my consultant says I only need a 90-minute top-up session every three months. Acupuncture has made all the difference to my sleep. "Now when I go to bed at midnight I can sleep for seven hours. I have more energy and my brain feels more alert."

22 January 2013, Contactmusic

About us                

WWW.HEATHLANDSCLINIC.COM

Members of the British Acupuncture Council, we are two sisters who work and trained together in Traditional Chinese medicine. We offer effective caring and Individual professional help for all your unwanted ailments. We also offer Reflexology.

Over the years we have built up vast clinical experience in our private practice and have effectively treated a wide range of conditions. We are committed to listening to your needs, formulating treatment plans for you as individuals and offer you continual, caring support through all your ups and downs on your journey to better health.

Treatments focus on the root of your condition as well as your individual symptoms which often leads to a more lasting solution to your problem. All treatments are safe and aimed at working harmoniously alongside Western medicine.

Martine and Natalie will be working from our Treatment Suite at All About You every Tuesday. To arrange a free consultation please CONTACT US at the studio. 

Recipe of the Week - from Tootoomoo

Thank you to our friends at Tootoomoo for another great and simple to follow recipe!

Salmon Tartare

This recipe is not only easy to follow, it is also packed with healthy proteins and omega 3 and super low in carbs!  You could also swap salmon for tuna or beef.

Ingredients

-          Sushi grade salmon/ tuna (allow 150-200g per person)

-          Avocado

-          Chives

-          Sesame oil

-          Mirin (Japanese rice wine)

-          Soy sauce (preferably Japanese soy)

-          Wasabi (kizami or fresh wasabi would be amazing, paste would be alright)

Instructions

-          Dice sushi into fine pieces (or chunkier if you would so prefer). A very easy way of doing so is by scraping the piece of fish with a teaspoon. Using this method also helps eliminate the sinew or lining as opposed to using a knife.

-          Mix soy and mirin into the diced salmon at a 1:1 ratio, add a couple drop of sesame oil, finely chopped chives and wasabi (please add wasabi to taste, fresh wasabi gives the extra crunchy texture)

-          Roughly dice the avocado, season with black pepper and set aside

-          Using a cake ring, lay avocado in the base and give it a gentle firm push to set the shape, then apply the same to salmon on top

-          Remove ring and voila!

-          Tobiko (fish roe) could also be added on top as a garnish

The Treatment Suite At All About You

Our Treatment Suite continues to go from strength to strength at the studio. We have an amazing team of therapists delivering Osteopathy, Reflexology, Acupuncture, Thai Yoga Massage and Sports Massage. Read on to find out more and if you would like to book a free complimentary consultation with any of our therapists then please CONTACT US at the studio.

Stephen Sacks

Harley Street Osteopath Stephen Sacks has one simple approach – find it, fix it and leave it alone but maintain it and give you the tools to make sure it does not come back. In order to do this, he uses a variety of methods from osteopathy, acupuncture/dry needling, sports taping and electrotherapy. His special interests right now include myofascial pain, shoulder conditions, headaches and knee pain but he loves dealing with everything from head to toe, and with full confidence. 

Stephen is based at All About You every Monday and Wednesday morning.

Ana Seymenska – Thai Yoga Massage

Thai Yoga Massage is a unique and powerful healing art that has been an integral part of traditional Thai medicine for thousands of years. In a unique way, Thai massage blends elements of acupressure, Yoga, reflexology, physiotherapy, meditation, energy healing, chiropractic and Ayurveda. Thai Massage has many benefits, including relief from multiple ailments ranging from asthma and migraines to sprains, bruises, and anxiety. Further benefits include the relief of physical and emotional tension, ameliorated sleep, improved flexibility, a greater awareness of body and mind, and a release of blocked energy.

Ana  is available for treatments all day on Thursday's.

Martine and Natalie Vegoda – Accupuncture and Reflexology

Sisters, Martine and Natalie are committed to offering complementary and alternative health care of the highest standards of safety and quality.

Acupuncture forms one of the therapeutic branches of an ancient integrated system of medicine known as Chinese medicine. Originating in China, and having 2,000 years of undisturbed continuity, it has evolved since then to become the systematic, modern form called traditional Chinese medicine.

Reflexology is an ancient holistic therapy based on the principle that all of the organs and systems of the body are mirrored through a network of zones and reflex areas on the feet. Energetically, all of these zones and reflexes are connected through a number of meridians.

Martine and Natalie are now offering treatments at the studio on Tuesday's.

Sports Therapy

Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability. Areas of this practice include pre-participation screening, equipment recommendations, and cardiovascular fitness programs designed to assist in a safe return to activity.

Mario Christou and our Sports Therapy team are available for treatments every day at the studio.

HIITgirl is coming to All About You!...

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve teamed up with women’s fitness brand, Hiitgirl, to bring their amazing workouts to our studio. Launching on Monday June 30th you’ll notice a glam new studio makeover and a brand new timetable, with lots of new sessions and some old favourites. If you’re wondering what it all means here are a few answers to questions you may have.

 

Who are Hiitgirl?

Founded in 2011 by fitness entrepreneurs Susan and Stuart Dyson, Hiitgirl started with a simple question:

                                   

‘How can busy women spend as little time as possible working out and still get amazing results? After speaking with lots of women it became clear that they simply didn’t have the time or interest for endless cardio and expensive gym memberships The majority wanted short and effective female-friendly workouts with inspiring trainers, and so we created Hiitgirl - the best workout for women. Ever.’

Check out their website at www.hiitgirl.com to find out more.

What happens to my favourite classes?

We’re really looking forward to the new and exciting classes that Hiitgirl will bring, but we’re planning to keep some of your favourites on the new timetable. Keep an eye on our website for more details.

How will it affect my membership?

All memberships from July onwards will be with Hiitgirl Ltd and I’m pleased to confirm that they will keep the price the same for existing members in good standing. There will be some different terms and conditions which we can take you through if you wish to continue your membership. Please pop in and see us to discuss the various options.

When does it start?

The new Hiitgirl at AAY studio will start running sessions from Monday 30th June.

How can I try it?

Starting from Monday 9th June, Hiitgirl are running free showcase sessions where you can try  everything from super sweaty cardio to their unique Yoga brands - Jagati and Yogabomb.

Everyone at AAY is really excited about this new development and if there’s anything else we can help with please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to seeing you in a Hiitgirl workout very soon!

Are You Summer Ready?

Your summer holiday is fast approaching and I’m pretty sure that right now your mind is focused on how you will look and feel when it’s time to take the layers off.

Feel like it’s a little late to get started on a healthy eating and exercise plan? Are you starting to panic when thinking about yourself in your summer clothing?

Well you’ll be happy to know all is not lost. 

Sure it may feel a little late to get yourself started on a summer shake-up plan but however much time you have left can be used wisely to create the change you desire.   I am not suggesting for one minute that it is all about the aesthetic, but if the aesthetic is a means to bring about a happier you at this time of year then there are ways you can big about big changes in a short space of time.

As the time is limited you will first need to decide, act then commit.   Decide what it is you actually want to achieve, begin to act, then commit on seeing it through.  These essential ingredients will go some way in making your holiday a happier one, and by knowing you made that last ditch effort you can go away fully deserving that pat on the back rather than feeling like you wasted away valuable time.

Ok so you’re still with me, great! Where to begin I hear you ask? Firstly write out how many days you have till you go away and you can now work back to today and plan the amount of time you can commit to this.

If you are to have the biggest impact on your health and fat loss in the time you have remaining till you depart these shores then you need to know the most impactful action you can take is to cut out all of what your liver deems a toxin.  Avoiding the likes of alcohol, wheat, gluten, caffeine, sugar and processed foods will help you shed the pounds super quick and by adding a healthy 3-4 litres of water a day you can be safe in the knowledge that you are on the path to success.  A good night sleep is vitally important too and a topic which is to be discussed sometime soon.

To some it may seem a little drastic, but of course because you haven’t been too kind to yourself over the last few months so you’ll need all the impetus to get the new you ready for beach time. 

You may have realised that I haven’t yet spoken of exercise.  It too is important and at this time of year the team here at All About You are busy applying the tried and tested fat loss programs, which have so far been working a treat.  With our home workout plans to help get our wonderful clients moving more at home we are seeing better results than ever before.  I know it sounds too good to be true but don’t just take my word for it.  If you've read this far then no doubt you are interested in finding out what our Summer Shake up plan can do for you so here’s what you’ll need to do to get involved.

Call up the studio on 020 8348 9706 and arrange your free consultation with a member of our team so we can tell you all about what we can do for you in time for Summer.

Health and happiness,

Mario. 

Recipe of the Week!

We have another delicious recipe to share with you from Tootoomoo who I'm sure all of you have tried by now. Their ingredients are organic, gluten, and MSG free... so you can pop down there while still keeping to your summer diet plans! If you haven't tried Tootoomoo yet hopefully this dish will persuade you to go soon!
Remember that Tootoomoo is also offering All About You clients a 20% discount on their take away menu and are also sponsoring our Client of The Month award here at the studio by giving our lucky winner a free meal for two to celebrate their achievements with us!

Chinese Braised Chicken 

All of us need comfort food once in a while. In China, the ultimate comfort food is the braised meat dish. Traditionally, pork belly or trotter is the preferred choice of meat as they are super tender and wholesome. However, as the trend shifts to a more health conscious diet and lifestyle, I have decided to use chicken thigh in this recipe. Chicken thigh is the most tender part of the bird and also has a higher fat content that flavours the dish.

Ingredients

• 4-6 pieces of chicken thigh
• 4 eggs
• 3 slices of ginger
• 4-5 birds eye chilli
• 4-5 cloves star anise
• 3 tablespoons dark soy
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy
• 3 tablespoons Shao Xing wine
• 3-4 teaspoons honey or brown sugar
• 2 cans of lager

Instructions

  

• Heat a deep pan or pot on high and coat with light layer of oil
•    Put the chicken skin down first then turn once seared
• Pour in enough lager to cover the chicken and bring to boil
• In goes the ginger, chillies, soy, wine, star anise and sugar (if you prefer the dish to be spicy, crush the chillies beforehand)
•   Remain on high heat till the alcohol evaporates and the aroma starts to develop. Switch to low heat and simmer for an hour
•    Meanwhile, put the eggs in pan with cold water. Once the water starts boiling, starts a 7 minutes countdown to get the perfect hard boiled eggs
• Shell the eggs and cut into halves and add into the now super tender braised chicken pot and simmer for a further 30 min
• Served over boiled rice

Notes

•  Do not worry about overcooking this dish. Like most slow cooked dishes, it develops over time
•   It could be made vegetarian by using tofu, aubergine and daikon (radish) instead
•  Dark soy is used mainly for browning the dish, you could go with a lot less if desire
•  Honey/ sugar could always be added in the end to taste
•  In case of not being able to source star anise, cloves or fennel could also do the trick
• Lager gives a subtle caramelised flavour but feel free to go with good old H2O!

An Afternoon with Jamie

Thursday 16th May 2014 may not be the most significant day in most peoples diaries but there's one amazingly passionate and driven Essex Boy who's turned it into a life changing day for millions of kids around the world.

Today is Food Revolution Day. An event created by Jamie Oliver as a day of action to draw attention to the need for the children of this world to understand what real food is and how to enjoy it in a fun and educational way.

I'm a big fan of Jamie, as a chef, an entrepreneur, an action taker, a revolutionary and as a great family man, this guys got it all going on. He admits himself that he's "Marmite" but whether you love him or hate him anyone fortunate enough to spend time in his company can not ignore the fact that he is a man on a mission to literally save the lives of the younger generation of this planet.

His message was first brought to prominence in 2005 with his TV series School Dinners which highlighted not only the poor nutritional quality of the "food" on offer - who could ever forget the dissection of the "Turkey Twizlers?!"

But also the resistance from parents who not only complained about his ideas but also passed bags of chips through the school fences to their kids.

The sceptical ones out there would say that he's found a niche and he's milking it for his own gain and yes his restaurant business has gone from strength to strength in the last 10 years but he's got a great product and obviously has great business mentality. The biggest thing for me that comes across in everything I see him do is that he genuinely cares.

For me it's amazing to see someone trying to make a hugely positive impact on the world.

I've always been hugely impressed with anything Jamie has done, I've read his books, cooked my girlfriend some of his dishes, dined in his restaurants and just over a year ago I signed up to be one of his Food Revolution Ambassadors. 

That got me a ticket to his live cookery class today at City Hall in London. 

30 kids were fortunate enough to be part of his live lesson and had great fun creating Rainbow Wraps as the whole thing was beamed round the world via his internet broadcast. 

I watched, I listened, I cheered along when the floor manager told me to but as I sat there I realised that this day is hugely important for the wellbeing of our young people.

Jamie spoke of the fact that poor nutrition is now the third biggest cause of death in the world. More people die of obesity related disorders than of hunger! We are literally eating ourselves into an early grave!

We have a tough battle to fight in turning kids away from fizzy drinks and sugar and in educating adults on the fact that the reason certain foods are so cheap is because they are not actually real foods but food like substances that provide no nutritional value to the body and only contribute to weight gain and disease.

It's a long road ahead but Jamie is going full throttle. A million kids in 160+ countries worldwide had the pleasure of joining his cookery class today and every one of them will go home with a positive experience from it. The kids will tell their parents all about it - but will they listen? will they take action? and will they make one or two small changes that will have a HUGE impact on the lives of their children?

I feel privileged to be part of something so inspiring, thank you and good luck Mr Oliver.

Tri4Stanley Studio Triathlon

On Monday 12th May through to Saturday 17th May we will be holding a triathlon within our studio at All About You. This will be to raise money for an absolutely fantastic cause - so we are hoping as many of you as possible can take part!
The studio triathlon will have all the aspects of a real triathlon - but don't worry it wont be as far or nearly as hard! We will be doing two different levels for each part:

• Rowing (instead of swimming) - either 1000 meters  or 500 meters
• Running - either 1500 meters or 750 meters 
• Cycling - either 5000 meters or 2500 meters 

It doesn't matter what you do or how many parts of the triathlon you do, but we urge you to take part as the money you donate will be going to such a good cause! 

We will also be doing a class 'triathlon' on Monday 12th and Thursday 15th which will include 1 lap around Waterlow Park followed by a spin class, so come along and get involved! Please check with us for the times of these classes during the week. 

We hope you will contribute donations for entering the triathlons as I'm sure all of us at the studio will be too!

So where will your money be going? 

Tri4Stanley is a charity raising money for Zoe’s Place baby Hospice who focus upon providing specialist palliative and respite care for babies and small children from birth through to 5 years old.  They provide bespoke one to one care for babies who suffer with life limiting or life threatening conditions. This care is provided by registered nurses, play leaders, physiotherapists and other care specialists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Zoe’s Place care for up to 6 babies at any one time and currently support on average around 50 families per year. 

However, currently, it costs the charity in excess of £3,500 per day just to maintain their current level of care, which is continues to steadily increase. So this is where we and Tri4Stanley come in!

Stanley's Story

From birth Stanley needed care for support with his breathing and feeding, and at only 2 weeks of age was already on a life support machine. Nobody knew what was wrong with Stanley other than he was unable to breathe for himself or maintain his own temperature.

Whilst in an induced coma Stanley had numerous tests and investigations to try and find out what was wrong. After three days he started having seizures and it became evident that his illness had started to affect his brain.

Stanley was diagnosed with Viral Meningo Encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and the brain itself.  It was at this point we were told that he was "unlikely to survive" and that if he did his life would be "severely compromised".

 Specialists identified that Stanley had caught a relatively common virus in the first few weeks of his life, a virus which most of us will have had a some point, but no one knows why it spread to his brain and affected Stanley in such a devastating way. 

As Stanley hadn’t had human contact for 4 weeks, he had actually become fearful of human touch, which broke his parents’ hearts.

As a result of his infection Stanley has an acquired brain injury (ABI), which has resulted in complex care and medical needs, including global developmental delay, and chronic inflammatory lung disease. 

Tri4Stanley Charity Challenge 2014 - 2.5 marathons in 1 day!

On Sunday 18th May Tri4Stanley will be embarking on a big challenge to raise money for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice. 
They will be starting their challenge by setting off in the early hours from Wales on a 26 mile marathon kayak along the River Dee to the Groves in Chester. They will then stumble their way to Chester Race Course where they will compete in the Chester Half Marathon. Following this they will be cycling a further 26 mile marathon up onto the Wirral, onto a ferry across the Mersey where they will continue to cycle through Liverpool to Zoe’s Place. So that's around 65 miles kayaking, running, walking and cycling in one day!

Tri4Stanley is aiming to raise more than £10,000 for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, which might sound a lot, but its less than three days funding! 

So we encourage you all to take part in our studio triathlon and donate whatever you can to help Tri4Stanley raise money for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice! The distances we have asked are nothing compared to what they will be enduring and it will really make a difference! 

You can also see more information and donate money to Tri4Stanley on their website - http://www.tri4stanley.co.uk/ or on the Zoe's Place website - http://www.zoes-place.org.uk/

Farmer's Market

Well despite the overcast and slightly miserable weather, we are glad to say the Farmer's Market was a success! We hope all of you that joined us there enjoyed it and the tucked into some of the delicious food from the stalls, as well as grabbing some goodies to take home and enjoy afterwards! 

It was lovely seeing a lot of familiar faces, as well as family members who you brought along to help support the cause. After what seemed like a very long week, back to work after the holidays, it was a nice way to relax, enjoy some music and good, fresh food. Hopefully it inspired you to pick up some veg and meat to cook yourself a healthy meal for dinner!

We certainly enjoyed seeing you outside the gym environment and not telling you to do those dreaded squats. Here are some pictures before we got started to show you some of the stalls if you were unable to come, and also for those who were there to enjoy!

We'd also like to give a very big thank you to all the companies who got involved and provided us with stalls filled with a fantastic variety of foods, as well as the great music from Ian Anderson which kept us entertained throughout the afternoon. 

Keep checking the blog and our Facebook page as we will be posting regularly about upcoming events and also about 'The Club' which will be finished very soon! We look forward to seeing you all in the studio this week! 

All About You Food Revolution Farmer’s Market

On Sunday 27^th April, All About You, will be hosting a farmer’s market in association with Jamie Oliver’s food revolution to promote healthy eating across the country. Although it will appeal primarily to those who live locally, we believe that re-educating even a small number of people about nutrition and food can make a big difference.

But why are we doing this? 

Well since 1980, the number of overweight and obese adults has quadrupled to around one billion people in the developing world, and 64% of adults in the UK are now classed as being overweight. This rise in obesity has also trickled down to the children of our nation – resulting in 25% of boys and 33% of girls ages 2-19 being overweight or obese.

So why is our nation getting so fat? Well unfortunately, this is no mystery. Quite simply, many children do little exercise and eat a diet that’s packed with junk food. Numerous studies confirm what celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver discovered when he started looking more closely at school dinners – that children consume too much sugar, salt and saturates and eat only two portions of fruit and veg each day. There are too many opportunities and such easy access to quick, on the go, high energy junk foods which are usually cheaper than a healthier alternative. Our kids are following in the rather large footsteps of our increasingly obese adults, and today’s children will be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents.

So how do we stop this? 

Unsurprisingly, most health experts agree one of the most important factors in the fight against childhood obesity is to encourage healthy eating habits from an early age. At All About You we have joined the Jamie Oliver food revolution programme, and as a part of our mission we are promoting healthy eating through our farmer’s market. We want to bring Jamie’s food revolution to the UK and change the way our nation eats and thinks about food. We can fight obesity with better food, and to get people cooking healthy meals again both at home and in schools. By eating home cooked meals, people will know what is going into their meals which will decrease the amount of fat and sugars they consume from fast food and takeaways.

Our famer’s market will include stalls run by local businesses as well as the more famously known Bedford Clanger’s Pasties shown on Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast. We will also be offering food demonstrations from the amazing Tootoomoo, who we work closely with to provide a healthy takeaway alternative.

We want to show people that eating healthily can be just as tasty and satisfying as junk food which carry a less certain nutritional value, as well as the health benefits a healthy diet will offer. At All About You we want to promote the benefits of an active lifestyle and good nutrition combined to put a stop to the growing waistbands of our nation, and to start making a difference to people’s lives one step at a time.

We hope to see you there!

Food Revolution Farmer’s Market

Sunday 27^th April 2014 12pm until 4pm

Contact All About You to find out more. www.aayou.co.uk