Desi In The Kitchen

Hello lovelies, are you all enjoying the sunshine this spring? I know I am as I am finally able to run outside early in the morning without the need for gloves and hat! In the winter I only run in the gym so come spring and I am out on the roads again. I love it - the birds are singing, the sun is shining, trees are blossoming... Perfect for my bid to stay lean and fit for another season :)

Athleisure is still all the rage and thank goodness as today I am going to tell you all about my favourite pieces this spring! The beautiful weather outside means that I am all about colours, variations and motivation. I am always trying to look my best and exercising is no different. As a mom of two young children I am constantly on the go and I seem to have adopted the sporty chic look in my everyday life. Whether I am going for a walk with a friend or collecting my kids from school a pair of leggings and a great t-shirt mean I am comfortable at all times whilst looking great. It also means swapping the t-shirt for my slouchy tee to go for an evening run. Don't you just love how much less washing this means???
My new thing this season is to take my kids cycling on a leisurely Sunday afternoon. I run alongside them and we all absolutely love it. (Don't worry, there will be no pictures of me sweating it out...)

I strongly recommend you try it out as it is a fabulous way of exercising together as a family. It is great way to teach them about exercise, drinking plenty and eating healthy too.
Staying fit and healthy is very important to me and since giving up all kinds of processed foods and ready meals I am lighter, my skin has never been better and I feel amazing. Yes, it does mean cooking from scratch every day but it is worth it. If you have the time please do it. If you don't have the time then perhaps a light exercise on a regular basis is for you. Yoga, pilates, body balance and zumba classes are available everywhere. HIIT classes are becoming more and more popular and my friends rave about them. So avoid eating too much sugar, eat more greens (it is the spring season after all) and drink plenty of water. And to help you stay on trend this season when it comes to exercising I have put together a list with my must-haves.

Activewear: Doing some research online into what's trending at the moment I stumbled across an American lingerie company called Adore Me. What I liked about them is that they are a body positive company and pride themselves on quality and stylish designs for women of all shapes. The versatile activewear range is aimed at inspiring you to keep moving and if extra motivation is needed then Adore Me's Pinterest page is the place to visit. My favourite set is the Aura:

The below the knee legging is perfect for this season and the strappy bra is designed to keep you cool, comfortable and most importantly, in place, during your exercise. Whether you are going for a run or just a workout session, the diverse range of Adore Me will boost your motivation and will inspire you to go to that spinning class you have been dreading all week. The curated subscription service they offer allows you to review a variety of their products to pick what fits you best.

Tank Top: adidas have always been a favourite brand of mine and their Women's Training range does not disappoint. My must-have is the Aeroknit Boxy Tank Top. With its boxy, relaxed style it encourages the freedom of movement in a rigorous exercise session or a gentle yoga class. The breathable fabric and the open armholes (so you can show off your cute sports bras) is a real winner for me.

Trainers: For the last few years Asics have been my trainers of choice and I staying faithful for another season. These are the most comfortable running shoes and this season I have my eyes on the Asics Gel-Nimbus 19:

Lightweight, an improved fit and the visible rare foot gel layer are just some of the things that make these trainers specials. They have 3M reflectivity so you are bound to be noticed. How cool is the colour combination too?

Socks: Now that we have the shoes sorted we need to think about the socks. You do not want blisters in this hot weather, trust me. Since buying a pair of Hilly socks I have not had a single blister. I have been using them for 3 years now and these are probably the only socks I will ever consider.

For longer runs I use the TwinSkin Anklet socks as they have a double-layer construction and are made to absorb friction. For shorter runs or walks on weekends I use the MonoSkin Anklet socks but I find them just as good as their TwinSkin relative. Whether you choose one or the other, your feet will thank you. And then you can thank me ;)

Watch: When I run I need to know how much distance I have covered at all times. I need to know my pace as I like setting myself goals. Garmin seems to be the name I hear all the time these days and my friends who own one of their watches are nothing but complimentary. I like the Forerunner 25 as it tracks your distance, pace, heart rate and calories and it counts your steps throughout the day too. So much easier to track my daily 10 000 step goal! The watch instantly shares your progress with friends, family and the world via social media.

Water bottle: Because you have to stay hydrated, right? This is a definite must-have for me when I exercise and I am putting a lot of effort into teaching my kids to drink plenty, especially during the hot spring days. What better way to remember to drink your 2 litres a day than with a super cool and trendy water bottle? It was a love of first sight for me when I saw this Peach Tree glass bottle from Equa:

It is perfectly shaped to fit best into your palm and the lid is 100% leak proof. Equa have a variety of ranges and styles and you can personalise it on the lid too. Awesome.

I would love to know your athleisure pieces this season and how you keep fit, so comment please :)

Xoxo,

Desi

October was so much fun! I cannot believe it is November already. Seriously, where does the time go?! We love autumn in this family and October is one of my favourite months of the year.
So here is our month in pictures.