Travel Series: The Carton House - A Night of Luxury and Relaxation

Well here it is, after a few weeks of reflection after this magical stay I am finally getting to share with you my experience staying in the outstanding 'Carton House Kildare'. I was lucky enough to win this stay through a Facebook competition quite awhile ago, and because it was coming up to my 21st birthday my mother thought it was the perfect excuse to book a luxurious night away to celebrate.

I stayed in The Carton House Hotel in Kildare on the 10th of December. The enquiry on whether a room was available was sent to the hotel just a week before, explaining that it was my 21st birthday weekend and that I have been dreaming, and when I say dreaming, I mean wishing to stay in this hotel for quite a few years now. The Carton House was more than happy to accommodate us and Emma was so kind to make such an availability to my mother and I at such a busy time of year.

We were lucky enough to be treated to a stay in one of their many superior rooms which are just located in the newly renovated wing of the hotel. All superior rooms come with a superior bed, which was something else, it was massive. Being a young lady who has had a single bed all of her life, just this alone was a luxury. A flat screen television, coffee machine, radio system, free high-speed wireless internet, telephone, mini fridge which contained complimentary carton house bottled water(a superb touch), shower, bath(with I took full advantage of). I had two baths in just a one night stay, I just wanted to lay in there forever surrounded by a cloud of bubbles. There was also a complimentary morning paper delivered to our room that morning with the availability of organising a morning wake up call.

We were definitely spoiled as soon as we stepped through those doors as we had complimentary pastries with a letter attached waiting for us as a little token from the kind people of the Carton House for celebrating my 21st birthday.

As you can see from this amazing photo I took that morning, the view from our room was just breathtaking. No matter where you are located in the hotel, the views overlooking the long fields and golf course are just beautiful.

That morning I took full advantage of their gym facilities and had a great workout, the gym really impressed me as it was equipped with a variety of equipment such as weights, cable machines, leg press machines, weighted racks, dumbbells, medicine balls, mats and also had a flat screen television which had all the music channels installed onto it. There is also a long list of leisure services available such as a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, outdoor tennis courts, walking and cycling trails, fishing, golf course, fitness classes, personal training classes.. and that's just to name a few.

One of the activities that the Carton House offers is the Bear Grylls Survival Academy which recently launched at the Carton House, unfortunately due to time constraints I didn't get to experience this as this is definitely an activity I would love to throw myself at as I feel it would really challenge me on a whole new level and it is definitely an activity you wouldn't find yourself doing on the regular basis. Hopefully, if I'm lucky enough to return to the magical Carton House I will be able to experience this. If you are as intrigued about this survival academy as I am then you can find more information at www.beargryllssurvivalacademy.ie

As you can see from the inside of the hotel, it was just like walking through a winter wonderland.

Now, to the best part, THE BREAKFAST.

Wow oh wow, I have never seen such a wide selection of food in all my life. There was everything you could imagine, what I appreciated most about the breakfast at the Carton House is that they cater for everyone. No matter what your dietary requirements or preference, as you know I am quite a healthy person so I usually opt out of breakfast the next morning and go to breakfast somewhere else, as it is usually just full of your regular sugar-filled cereals and the everyday 'full Irish' but this is definitely not the case in the Carton House. To list just a few of the breakfast options available; porridge, homemade granola, yogurt, a variety of freshly cut fruit such as melon, pineapple, mixed berries, a table of toppings such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, dried banana, desiccated coconut, a table of different teas, both hot and cold, juices and they even had freshly made smoothies. They also had a buffet for a mixed grill which consisted of sausages, pudding, bacon etc. A table of cereals and not just the sugar-filled ones, they also had muesli, weetabix, bran flakes, cornflakes etc. What I found most amazing was they had a dedicated chef at his own table serving up freshly made eggs no matter what your preference, poached, scrambled, or even sunny side up. He cooks it right there in front of you, and you cannot have a hotel breakfast without some cheeky pastries and homemade fluffy pancakes.

I cannot end this blog post without mentioning the amazing and friendliest staff I have ever got the pleasure of meeting. From the second we arrived at the hotel, they made us feel so welcome and everything was about us and every little detail of our stay was just perfect. Thank you to John who took care of our luggage and gave us a very hilarious and unforgettable spin on the golf buggy back to the entrance of the resort. It topped off a great luxurious stay.

I would highly recommend a stay at the Carton House hotel without a shadow of a doubt, If you are looking for an excuse to get away or treat that special someone to a night away in a hotel which will make you feel like you are in another world and not leave disappointed then the Carton House is a stay you need to experience. Go and treat yourself, you deserve it.

You can find all packages and selection of all rooms available here: http://www.cartonhouse.com/

I hope you enjoyed this post, It was a pleasure to write as I had the most unforgettable and luxurious night away which just made my birthday so special and precious.

Love Rouxella x

The BLACK FRIDAY DEALS You Need To Know About!

Hello all my beautiful lads and ladies,

I come to you today with a beautiful array of discounts codes to feed all your black Friday shopping needs. There has been a huge array of discount codes released since the beginning of the week so I just couldn't go without letting you guys know which ones I believe to be the best and which ones you will save some serious coinage while also grabbing some amazing bargains for products you have been keeping on eye on for way too long.

I will be of course doing a bit of shopping myself both online and in store's Friday night so make sure you are following me over on snapchat to see what items I pick up! (@RouxellaBeauty)

Before I dive into what discounts I have to share with you, I think I should share my 'Top 3 Tips' for getting the most out of the Black Friday sales.

1. Before you even look at the items that are on sale, write a list of the items you have been wanting to get your hands on.The key to these sales is staying focused so we don't go too crazy and start buying stuff which we don't really want but come up with an excuse to buy it because it 'appears' to be a bargain when it reality it may add a few euro onto your total bill.

2.Next is to browse those items that you have on your wishlist online and bookmark them. Having the ability to speed search these items is great for grabbing those deals early and getting in there before your items sell out. These sales always leave a few of us disappointed when we are late in the game and what we had our eyes on sell out.

3.Be prepared, get all the sale details in advance. Sign up to the brand's newsletter and check your emails for their sale details and what discounts they will have on the day.

Now whether you are a hardcore Black Friday sale fan or just an easy browser, you're gonna love these discounts I have found. Now grab your coffee and prepare for the late night or early morning bargain hunting..

- BEAUTY -

BROWN THOMAS:

20% off in store & online.

No code required.

Wednesday-Monday.

CLOUD 10 BEAUTY:

20% off everything.

Code: BLACK20

Thursday-12am Sunday.

DEBENHAMS:

15% off fragrances.

No code required.

New deals daily from Thursday.

ARNOTTS:

20% off nearly everything.

No code required.

Wednesday-Sunday.

FEEL UNIQUE:

15% off everything

Code: MAKEITMAGIC
Ends Monday.

THE BODY SHOP:

40% off .

Use code: 19805

MEAGHERS PHARMACY:

20-70% off.

No code required.

BLANK CANVAS COSMETICS:

30% off.

No code required.

Thursday 9pm-Friday 11.59pm.

SAM MCCAULEY CHEMIST:

15% every department with extra reductions.

No code required.

Online only until Monday.

-FASHION-

CARI'S CLOSET:

20% in store and online.

Code: BLACK

Wednesday-Monday

MISGUIDED:

50% off EVERYTHING.

Code: GOGOGO

Thursday

RIVER ISLAND:

Up to 50% off Online and In-store.

BOOHOO:

Up to 50% and free delivery.

No code required.

Until 11pm Friday.

OFFICE:

20% off in-store and online.

Code: WONDER

No end day.

PUBLIC DESIRE:

30% off everything.

Code: CYBER30.

No end day.

TOPSHOP:

Up to 50% off in-store and online.

No code required.

Thursday-Monday.

PRETTY LITTLE THING:

Up to 50% off everything.

No code required.

Ends 11pm Thursday.

ZARA:

20% off selected lines.

Until Friday.

H&M:

20% off everything + free delivery.
Code: 6013

-FITNESS-

MYPROTEIN:

Big discounts + 20% off.

Code: PLUS

Will change every day.

BULKPOWDERS:

Up to 60% off + Extra 15%.

15% Code: BLACKFRI

DISCOUNT SUPPLEMENTS:

10% off until midnight Thursday.

Code: BF10

HP NUTRITION:

11% off + special deals.

Code: BF11

GYMSHARK:

Up to 50% off certain lines.

Now let's go shopping, can't wait to see what ye all get your hands on.

Love Rouxella x

The ULTIMATE Top 5 Brushes!

We all have those makeup brushes that we use all the time, the ones that we always find ourselves grabbing and those we feel we couldn’t live without. When I find a high quality brush I just have to have more than one in my collection. Four out of five of the brushes that I have featured on this blogpost are very affordable with the exception of one and I find that the durability and quality of these brushes are worth raving about. The fact is, most brushes that we find in the drugstore are manufactured in the same factory as those that are overly priced. There is nothing worse than when we spend a lot of money on brushes that don’t live up to our expectations. Most high end brushes tend to shed after a few washes.

F22 HD Dome Face Brush(HD Collection) €14.99

From left to right, the first brush I use is the ‘Blank Canvas Cosmetics F22 Buffing Brush’. I bought this brush over a year ago and it is still in great condition. There hasn’t been one bit of shedding and it is still as compact and soft as when I first used it. I use this for both applying my base whether it is a primer or a liquid illuminator and also for my foundation. Due to its compact bristles, this brush gets the most coverage out of any foundation, from the lightest to the very high coverage foundations. It is perfect for blending out your foundation as it requires minimal effort, it’s almost like the brush does all of the hard work. It blends everything out so effortlessly and it also allows you to build up the coverage without any cakeyness. What I love most about this brush is that it doesn’t soak up the foundation, I find this happens with a lot of foundation brushes.

Primark P.S Beauty Powder and Blusher Face Brush €2.50

For both setting my foundation and bronzing up the face I always use my ‘Primark Powder and Blusher Face Brush’. This brush is of serious quality at such an affordable price. One side is more compact, dense and smaller in size which is perfect for setting your foundation with powder. It is not as large as the opposite side so it is perfect for getting into the crevices of the face such as around the nose and it is also great for setting the under eye area. The opposite side of the brush is amazing at bronzing up the face. What is great about this brush is that it is quite fluffy so there is no worry about harsh lines or applying too much product. Because of this, its blends everything out seamlessly and it is very easy to build up the intensity. I would highly recommend stocking up on all the Primark Beauty brushes as I have every one and they are definitely comparable to the high end brushes on the market.

Blank Canvas Cosmetics: E25/E26 Blending Duo €11.99
Now this brush might surprise you, can you believe that I use this brush both on my eyes and also on my face in a variety of ways. I use it mainly for blending out my eyeshadow. I use the F26 side first for the initial blending out of the base eyeshadow, this is one of the only blending brushes that I find actually blends out the eyeshadow without having to blend and blend and blend for what feels like days upon days. Even when I am using very neutral colours I still use this as it gives such a blended and seamless eyeshadow look. The F25 side is great for blending when you are using harsher shades and creating a dramatic look. Now for the surprise, I also use this on the face for contouring my face using both creams and powders. It is also the perfect shape and size for applying a highlighter to the high points of the face. No matter what type of product you are using, from a powder to a cream and even a liquid. Because of its size and its rounded shape, I find it's perfect at setting the under eye area with a powder and also blending away any fallout from your eyeshadow.

Real Techniques Shading Brush €11.99

For the eyes I always use the ‘Real Techniques Shading Brush’. This brush is perfect for both applying a light layer of eyeshadow and also for packing on eyeshadow for a more dramatic and intense look. This brush has very compact synthetic bristles, it is perfect to use for both applying the eyeshadow and also blending the eyeshadow out with just a few swipes fur to its rounded tip. You always know you’re going to get such great quality at such an affordable price when you are purchasing any ‘Real Technique’ brushes. I have multiples of both their face and eyeshadow brushes, I highly rate all their brush sets.

MAC 266 Small Angled Brush €22

Last but not least, the eyebrow brush I use every single time I fill in my brows is the 'Mac 266'. I have had this particular brush for years now. It was one of the first travel sized brush sets that I received. It has survived countless of travels and washes. It is perfect for applying both wax and powders, it has natural bristles and is also angled so it is great for creating both a natural and structured brow. The angled brush makes it easy to shape the brow especially around the arch of the brow. It is not as dense and compact as most eyebrow brushes out there, therefore, it is easy to build up the intensity of the brow shape and also the ease of cleaning the brush as the product doesn’t get trapped in the tightly compact bristles.

Hope you enjoyed this little favourites post,

Love Rouxella x

MAKEUP REVOLUTION: The Creators Of The Most Beautiful Palettes.

Hello Lovelies,

I purchased these beautiful palettes as I've heard such good things about the brand. The quality and also how inexpensive the products are is just mindblowing. Makeup Revolution is a UK based brand which is available online and in many Superdrug stores in the UK. From my knowledge there are an increasing number of pharmacies stocking Makeup Revolution products so it is definitely a brand to start looking out for on your weekly if not daily trips to your nearest pharmacy/chemist. The products came wrapped in plastic packaging almost like the packaging for missguided and boohoo. The palettes were thoroughly protected by a good few layers of bubble wrap which I was delighted to see as it's always a bit daunting when ordering cosmetics online, that by the time they reach you they are damaged and cracked.

On first glance I was amazed by the quality of the outside cardboard packaging followed by the compact and sleek sturdy palettes. It is evident that they are of serious high quality just by the look and feel of the thick plastic and the sleek and glossy finish. I am just amazed by the quality and pigmentation of all three palettes. I just couldn't wait to use these palettes and really get stuck into creating the most amazing contoured and highlighted looks.

Makeup Revolution are very well known for their ‘dupe’ creations of the products that are high end. If you are curious about what products they have available then I strongly recommend visiting their website (http://www.makeuprevolutionstore.com/). They have such a variety of products available, from skin bases, eyeshadow palettes, contour palettes, makeup brushes and also an enormous amount of lipsticks with different finishes and shades available. Basically they have everything!

I am seriously blown away by the quality and how sleek and expensive these palettes look. As I said previous I purchased three palettes, two for contouring and one for highlighting. The two contouring palettes I got were the 'Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette', 'Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette' and last but not least the highlighting trio palette is the 'Makeup Revolution Radiance Highlighting Palette'.

Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

This palette contains three contour shades (two dark brown and one light/medium cool toned shade) two setting powders (one light skin toned and one banana shade) one natural skin toned highlighting powder and of course it doesn't stop there, it also contains a marbled white highlighting powder and a marbled bronze powder. It is clear that they have put serious thought into both the packaging and the layout of their palettes. It is a very versatile palette which can be used all over the face, it has everything you need for contouring, bronzing and highlighting the face in just one palette. What is so handy about these palettes is that they are not big and chunky, therefor they are perfect for travelling. Especially if you want just one palette which can be used all over the face and can create a lot of different yet easy looks with.

£8/€11.99

Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette

There was just no way I could go onto the Makeup Revolution website and not order this palette, I have seen an increasing number of brands start to bring out cream contour palettes since the beginning of this year with some palettes being overly expensive. The formulation is very creamy and insanely blendable. The palette contains four highlighting shades (one very light skin toned/white shade, one banana shade, one light/medium shade and also a white(shimmery) shade) and it of course contains four contour shades (two dark brown, one warm light/medium skin toned shade and one cool light/medium skin toned shade). It really does give you a lot of options and a variety of shades, it is very easy to create a natural contoured and highlighted look as well as being able to easily create a very structured and intense contoured and highlighted look (no surprise that this is my favourite way to contour).

£8/€11.99

Makeup Revolution Radiance Highlighting Palette

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW! Go onto The Makeup Revolution website and just take a very long look at this gorgeous palette as you seriously need it in your collection. As you can tell from the layout and shade range in this palette, it is a dupe for the 'Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette'. It is definitely a very close contender but as I do not own that palette I cannot compare it on a performance and pigmentation level. But this right here in my opinion is a definite winner. For such an affordable price, it's insane that it is this good. The shades are to die for and it gives you great variety in terms of the shades available and the different undertones that are included in this palette to match anyones skin tone, from the paler girls like myself to the more tanned/darker skin tones. What I adore most about this palette is the control you have over the intensity of the highlight, but I can definitely say, once you start applying you’re not going to want to stop.

£8/€11.99

Hope you enjoyed this review and that you are tempted to make an order,
I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

Love Rouxella x

My first week in office, where do I begin?

I recently published this post to LinkedIn and I thought it would be great to publish it here as well as I would love to share this experience with as much people as possible. To say I was a little worried would put it lightly. I have always been the type of person to really go for new challenges that came my way and I got excited by the possibility of a new opportunity, but I always had that little bit of anxiousness in the back of my mind. As a Business Information Systems student studying in the University of College Cork I knew I had a passion for the industry and a growing desire to know more about the technology side of things. After two years studying my degree and knowing that I will be spending 6 months of my 3rd year on placement whether it may be here in Ireland or abroad somewhere in the United States or even in the United Kingdom I knew that I had to put myself out there and start my journey to pursuing a dream career in the field of Business Analysis.

With second year being so compact of multiple projects and constant study I was definitely a bit late on the bandwagon for applying for internships with various companies. I contacted my lecturer to ask on her advice about some companies that were still accepting application forms. She responded quickly informing me of some company's that I should take a closer look into, but even though I was in great need of an internship I was still quite hesitant about the type of companies that were on offer at that time. The saying "Beggars can't be choosers" really does apply here. Around a week later my lecturer got in contact with me informing me of the possibility of working with a company here in Cork called HireHive.

On instant glance at their website and talking with John Dennehy the CEO of HireHive.io I knew that there was a reason why I was so hesitant to those other company's just hoping that a company with such high aspirations and a friendly organisational culture would come along.

My first day walking into the office I was definitely nervous like anyone would be, not knowing what is about to come their way. As soon as I stepped through those doors I was instantly met with such a warm and friendly atmosphere. The team at HireHive consist of 7 individuals who convey such great talent and expertise. To see that I had my own desk with a very large computer screen, I guess you could say I was like a deer in headlights. Every Monday morning starts off with a meeting of how the previous week had went and establishing new goals for the coming week. It was great to get that first insight into how an organisation works and how they strategise to meet their objectives.

Siobhán Hasner is my mentor while I work in HireHive. HireHive was launched in 2011 by John Dennehy. HireHive helps you find the best candidates suitable for the job you are advertising with the addition of tracking applications, reviewing applications and contacting candidates. We started the week off by setting goals that I hope to achieve during my internship here at HireHive, as well as some skills that I wish to develop. My Goal for week one was to increase my knowledge on HireHive and the software we provide, to identify the main competitors in the market and to get to grips with the Application Tracking industry as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed the research I undertook in order to expand my understanding of the software. It was a challenge and that's what motivated me. During my first week I had to perform a demonstration of HireHives software to Siobhán which was definitely a new experience but it was great to be able to show the interest I have in the company as well as all the information I had gathered from those first few days. By the end of my first week I was in my element, and to top it all off I had my first Japanese/sushi experience. Now if that doesn't scream out adventurous I don't know what would.

The experience thus far has been truly incredible. I have gained a huge insight into the world of business, technology and most definitely recruitment. I learned a huge amount on making connections to really grow my networking abilities and the opportunities that may hopefully come my way. Considering the magnitude of information that I have gained insight into from just my first week here in HireHive is just mind-blowing. I am so honoured and grateful for this experience thus far, not only have I seen such a growth in my work ethic and my knowledge of the business sector but I have also seen a growth in myself. I have seen such an improvement in my confidence, I have experienced new things which may seem small but have a huge impact on the way I look at the world. It truly is great to say that I look forward to stepping through those doors every morning and I am excited for what is to come during these next 11 weeks.

PINAFORES & CURLS!

Hello Lovelies,

Recently I have been absolutely obsessed with ordering and looking up pinafores online and getting my hands on every type in every style I can find...literally. It is truly an obsession and I think it's safe to say that they will be worn again and again all summer long. They are so easy to wear and to couple with an array of different style tops. I absolutely love the fact that they can be worn very simple and classy with a white shirt or laced blouse but also worn in a more 'funky' 80's/90's way with a colourful striped t-shirt.

After getting my hands on this pinafore I just knew what I wanted to pair it with immediately and I just couldn't wait to finally put it on after a long time of study and college exams,and especially after being stuck in pj's and loungewear. This pinafore is so light and not tight which sometimes can be uncomfortable, I love the way it rounds out at the waist and the simple thick straps with round black buttons to tie it all together. When I saw this online I just knew I had to order it as it is perfect as an everyday pinafore that is just simple and is so versatile.

I paired it with this simple grey roll neck jumper and black thick cosy tights which are my absolute favourite as they last forever and actually keep your legs warm.There is none of those awkward situations of realising half way through the day that you have a big rip on the black leg of your tights.(nothing worse)

Now, I don't know if you're going to believe me with regard to this one but can you believe that these brogues are from penneys? They have absolutely stepped up their game recently with regards to various departments but their shoe collection has just blown me away. I got these a few months back but they still have a few pairs left in a few stores nationwide. They look exactly like the higher end brogues you get from brown thomas and for a mere fraction of the price.(usually €300 upwards) I don't have the smallest feet being over 6ft so when I say they are comfortable then trust me they are.

Pinafore // Boohoo

Grey roll-neck jumper // Penneys/Primark

Black cosy tights // Penneys/Primark

Brown brogues // Penneys/Primark

Moon Watch // Thrift Shop(unable to find online)

Alex and Ani Bracelets (Gold Feather / Blue Zircon Birthstone /Rafaelian Dragonfly)

Hope you liked this outfit post,

Love Rouxella x

SUPERFOODS? Giving into the hype?

 "A non-medical term popularized in the media to refer to foods that can have health-promoting properties such as reducing one's risk of disease or improving any aspect of physical or emotional health. So-called superfoods may have an unusually high content of antioxidants, vitamins, or other nutrients." - medicinenet.com

One of the biggest new 'trends' of 2016 has got to be the fascination with everything health related and the whole topic of superfoods. Are they just a hype? Are they really as beneficial as they are broadcasted to be? These are just a few of the questions that are circulating around the internet recently. In my opinion it is not just about the foods that are seen as 'superfoods' but focusing on getting as much whole foods as I can into my daily life. The whole concept of discovering all these new whole foods and their benefits is a huge interest of mine, I enjoy opening up my mind to new discoveries and really broadening my knowledge on nutrition. I have mentioned just a few of the 'superfoods' which I incorporate into my everyday life.

"Your health is your wealth"

Fruit 

Fruit are an everyday staple for me. The no 1 thing I do every day is to make sure I get enough fruit as It is perfect as a snack between meals or if you are craving something sugary to really kick those cravings to the curb. They are perfect topping on porridge, yogurt granola bowls, smoothie bowls and of course they are a necessity for my favourite superfood smoothies. I also like to have some fruit with my lunches as I like to have variety with my meals and include all food groups such as protein, carbohydrates and fats.

Berries are a great superfood. They contain great amounts of fibre. Fibre is a problem with most people in today’s society as they don’t get enough of it, it is vital for a healthy and happy digestive system. My favourite berries that I use throughout the week in a variety of ways include;

•  Raspberries have 8 grams of fibre per cup used and also contain ellagic acid which is an acid with anti-cancerous properties.
•  Blueberries are amazing as they have several health benefits, they are a great source of antioxidants and are also great at protecting you from premature aging. They also have inflammatory properties which help with intestinal conditions. Blueberries are also much known for helping people keep their memory sharp as they age. 

Apples are a great source of soluble fibre. Apples are a great for lowering blood cholesterol and glucose levels. They of course contain vitamin C which is well needed in these cold winter months especially as well as throughout the whole year. Vitamin also helps form the connective tissue collagen, keeps your capillaries and other blood cells healthy and also aids in the absorption of iron. Apples are a great on the go snack and are so easy to pop into your bag for a time where you feel peckish and you don’t want yourself grabbing a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps.

Bananas are great for thickening up smoothies and are the perfect accompaniment as toppings on your breakfasts. Loaded with potassium they are an amazing super fruit. Potassium can lower your blood pressure and is one of the highest fruits which contain Resistant Starch, a healthy carbohydrate that fills you up and keeps you fuller for longer. It also boosts your metabolism.

Green Vegetables

Consuming a variety and high amounts of green vegetables is one of the best things you could do to change up your lifestyle and it has the most amazing benefits for your body. Green vegetables are well known for their high fibre content and they are loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants including beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Sulforaphane. They also provide folate which lowers your risk of heart disease and cancer by slowing down wear and tear on your DNA. Vegetables are a staple of my dinners every day. It is key for me to have well balanced meals throughout the day, having a variety of vegetables really does make you enjoy it more and using spices is the most perfect way to really create that love for vegetables and helps with including them in more and more meals.

Broccoli was definitely one of those vegetables that I hated as a child but I found as I started to change up what I ate and started to eat a lot more whole foods that my taste buds just almost expanded and I enjoy a lot more food which I disliked a lot previous. Broccoli is a great source of fibre. This also results in lowering cholesterol levels. It also has a great impact on your body’s detoxification system, it activates and eliminates the unwanted nasties in your body. It contains high levels of Vitamin A(beta-carotene) and Vitamin K. I love having boiled and roasted broccoli with my dinner as it can be paired with any dish.

Spinach is great for bulking up your salads and including in many dishes from omelettes, curry’s, tomato based sauces such as Bolognese, soups, quiches etc. I also love adding spinach to my superfood smoothies as it is an easy way to get in those greens. Spinach is widely available all year round so it is a vital vegetable to be included in the weekly shopping list. We all know of Popeye’s great love for spinach and how it made him super strong but that is not the only benefit of spinach.

It is also well known for restoring energy levels and improving the quality of blood in the body. The main reason for this is that it is a great source of Iron, Irons main role is the function of the red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body. Spinach has high levels of Vitamin K, A C and also folic acid.

Sweet Potato

I only stated incorporating sweet potato into my lifestyle over the past 2/3 months as I never really reached for it when out shopping and when I did I never really knew what to do with it as from previous experience I could never get that ‘Crispy’ outside. But I found the technique after some trial and error and I am now addicted. Sweet potatoes are an amazing source of Vitamin A(beta-carotene), 1 medium sized potato provides you with over 4 times the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A. Vitamin C which of course helps fight off flu’s and colds and Vitamin B6 which helps with reducing the risk of heart problems. They are also a great source of Vitamin D which we Irish people don’t get a lot of from the sun as it is non-existent a lot of the time. Vitamin D plays a vital role in restoring energy levels and helps with our healthy bones and teeth.

Nuts

Nuts are a great source of unsaturated fat. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids which are great for maintaining a healthy heart and improving your mood. Nuts are also packed full of protein which of course is vital for healthy bones and muscle repair. They are also a fantastic source of fibre which leads to a healthy digestive system. Nuts are perfect as breakfast toppings and are also great as an on the go snack which you can just pack in your handbag for any times when you’re feeling peckish or in need or a ‘pick me up’. My favourite nuts which I am constantly restocking are almonds which are rich in calcium and high in Vitamin E which is great for healthy and clear skin. Walnuts are known as the superior nut as they are full of antioxidants and contain a high amount of anti-cancerous properties. They also contain a lot of mono-unsaturated fats which are known as ‘heart-friendly’ fats which lower the risk of bad cholesterol. Lastly but by no means least are Hazelnuts, a great source of folate and amino acids which are a great contributor to a healthy heart. DO NOT be afraid of nuts as they are HEALTHY fats which are vital for the overall functioning of the body and for healthy hair and skin. They are not the same fats you find in chocolate bars and crisps.

Chia Seeds

You might not think it but chia seeds are something which everyone should be adding to their meals. Chia seeds absorb up to ten times their weight in any liquid. This liquid may be water or milk or a milk substitute. In just 2/3 teaspoons they contain over 10g of fibre and a whopping 5g of protein. Per gram of chia seeds contains 6 times more calcium than that in milk, an outstanding 8 times more Omega-3 than salmon and a mind blowing 15 times more magnesium than broccoli. They are the perfect addition to any meal no matter if it’s for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. As a breakfast, it is a great addition to porridge, smoothies and also the creation of chia pudding in which you simple just add 200ml of milk/milk substitute to 2 tbsp of chia seeds. For my lunches and dinner, I simple just add them to stir-fry’s or any sauces I make or simple just sprinkle some on top of your dishes. Do not underestimate the power of the chia seed.

Oats

I am a true lover of oats. My favourite breakfast of all time has to be porridge as it fills me up for a long period of time and it is also a well-balanced meal. I love experimenting with flavours and toppings and this also adds to the nutritional content of my oats as I am always adding nuts which provide me with some healthy fats and I love topping all my breakfast meals with chia seeds which add to the protein content. Fruits are a must for me with most breakfast as I always seem to crave fruit in the morning. Oats contain a particular type of fibre known as beta-glucan. This fibre is great for lowering cholesterol levels. Oats contain a more soluble fibre than other grains such as pasta and rice which in turn will lead to a slower digestion and as a result keeps you feeling fuller and more satisfied for longer. Believe it or not oats are a great source of protein. This type of protein is called ‘avenalin’ which can be found in many vegetables. Oats are very high in Vitamins and Minerals. Just a few to mention are Manganese (development and growth), Phosphorus (bone health), Vitamin B1/Thiamine, Iron (transportation of oxygen in the blood) and also Zinc (overall health).

Greek Yogurt

I usually have Greek yogurt every second day if not daily, it is great for breakfast and also to eat as a snack with some delicious toppings. Of course it is well known as a great source of calcium. Calcium is a must for healthy bones and teeth.  It is also a great source of potassium, zinc and Vitamins B6 and B12. What I love most about Greek Yogurt is its excellent source of protein, it contains twice the amount of protein than regular yogurts. This makes it perfect for anyone who finds it hard to get some protein into their daily intake and also for people who work out and are looking for a great post workout meal, adding Greek yogurt to that meal would provide you with a great source of protein which is essential especially after a workout to build back up your muscle tissue and repairing any fibre damage caused while working out. Greek yogurt nutritional values can vary from brand to brand but they usually are all within the same nutritional values. The Greek yogurt which I purchase is Libertè or Glenisk. The difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurts is of course the texture, Greek yogurt is a thicker and creamier consistency and it also contains probiotic benefits, which in turn is great for the digestive system and is lower in lactose than any other regular yogurts.

Spices

Spices are a necessity for me as I put them on everything from my chicken, fish, meat and most importantly my vegetables. The perfect way to add some flavour to vegetables is with spices. I like to add a variety of spices to all my meals as they contain massive amounts of minerals and they also make the introduction of more vegetables into your meals easy.

Chili: Vitamin C, fighting infection, help reduce muscle pain and aids digestion.

Paprika: Vitamin A and E, great source of Iron, carotenoids which can delay the deterioration of your eyesight.

Cinnamon: Aids Digestion, balances blood sugar levels, an amazing antioxidant.

Mixed Herbs: Anti-Inflammatory, improves bone density, antibacterial properties, reduces blood pressure.

Rosemary: Boots memory, relieves stress, helps with concentration levels, antioxidant.

Thyme: Antibacterial, antimicrobial, reduce blood pressure.

Turmeric: Anti-Inflammatory, antioxidant, relief from Arthritis and Cystic Fibrosis, improved liver function.

I hope ye enjoyed this different yet exciting blogpost, I am thrilled to finally start this new direction in the blog. 

Love Rouxella x