ZAR - Recipe - Vegetable Tangine!!

As us Aussies head into winter, I know those of you in the UK have just had a record weekend in terms of temperature. This recipe has used winter vegies but really any can be substituted - eggplant, capsicum, beans etc.

This would be really good to make for lunches to take to work with some couscous. Freezes well but keeps for at least a week in the fridge.

1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, sliced
1 carrot, cut into cubes
1 large parsnip, cut into cubes
300g sweet potato, cubed
300g butternut pumpkin, cubed
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground saffron
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp turmeric
2 cinnamon quills
Vegetable stock or water to cover
400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
100g dried apricots
8 soft pitted dates
2 tsps honey
2 tbsp chopped coriander or flatleaf parsley
40g toasted flaked almonds

Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the rest of the fresh vegetables with the tomato paste, cayenne, saffron, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon. Add water or stock to cover and bring to a gentle simmer and cook like this for 45 mins.

Stir in chickpeas, dates, apricots and honey and simmer for a further 20 mins. Season to taste.

Scatter almonds and chopped herbs on top and serve with harissa (optional) and couscous.

ROSIE- My Poor Porky Dog....

For those of you who don’t know me I have one MAJOR love in my life (apart from husband and son, of course) and that’s my dog. She’s spoilt rotten but despite this is very well behaved and just gorgeous.

Richard and I noticed the other day that she’s looking a little portly and it got me wondering why? She has a minimum of an hour and a half walk a day and a 30-45 minute run with me three times per week. We don’t let her snack (or try not to, anyway) and don’t overfeed her.

In this very scientific experinment of mine (!) the conclusion I came to was that my poor porky dog has been exceedingly lazy because of… the hot weather! It really has been a hot week and a half here in lovely leafy Oxfordshire. She’s been flopping around like a slug. Morning walks are fine as it’s nice and cool but come the afternoon I literally have to DRAG her for a walk, which is very unusual for her. She lies in the garden all day and literally does not move except to pull herself into the shade when she’s too hot.

I guess you’re wondering what my point is? Well, dogs and humans are more alike than you think when it comes to a healthy body.

I got in a sweat on Sunday lifting my hand to put some sun cream on. I was laaaaaazy, and it was the heat. You guys in Aus or the USA are laughing at me but for us here in Blighty it’s HOT at 30 degrees! I couldn’t be bothered to do anything and this lack of activity CAN pile on the pounds. It’s something we bang on about blog in and blog out here on Bingham Girls. Every muscle you move burns calories. Slobbing on the sofa or standing on an escalator does not cut it. It’s not science; it’s not magic – get moving and keep active to keep your body in shape!

GEORGIE - Looking good summer guide part 2 - make up

I'll keep this short as I am on holiday this week and keen to get back to the party;

Make up in the summer months is simple. WEAR LESS. It is summer. No one likes the 'plastered on' look. Totally Uncool.

Firstly, you should be wearing different shades winter and summer unless you are whiter then white in terms of skin tone. As soon as I start to summer 'fake tan it up' I tend to go a whole shade darker in the foundation department. It's important. Go to your favourite make up company and get two shades for winter and summer

BLEND BLEND BLEND
Why do women forget their ear lobes, necks and hairlines in the summer? It is fine to look like you have colour but please don't forget to rub it in. Make sure your foundation looks plausible at the least... rub it in!! If you have to wear it all the way down to your cleavage line then so be it. I have NO time for women with tangerine faces and white necks. Yuk.

GET THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU
Shop around. If you can get away with a water-based make up (most of the liquid foundations out there) then find the right shade. If Clinique don't do your shade, either mix two colours or just find something else!! It takes shopping around. If like me, your skin absolutely EATS make up (i.e. you look like you have nothing on after half an hour) then go for an oil based product (I cannot recommend MAC Studio Tech enough for this - can go on thin as you like and lasts for EVER) If you need more coverage then most and have oily or combination skin then try the cover girl mousse make up foundations or the mineral foundations. Remember, store girls want to sell you a product, you don't have to buy - if you aren't convinced, keep looking. If you really want help, email me and I bet I can help you with your specific needs (are you kidding me - 10 years in TV and I have tried EVERY make up product going). Patience until you find something. If you like the way someone looks, ask them where they got their foundation from. Get tips people!

WARM OR COLD?
MAC, the make up GODS developed two tones of colour for their foundations. What they call 'cold' and 'warm' skin tones. Basically, the browner, more beige tones are cold, and the redder, pinker tones are warm. Ever tried a foundation and found it makes you look like a tomato with factor 60 white sunblock on? It's simply too warm a tone for you. Shop around and if you are't sure then go to MAC and get them to find you the correct tone.

FINALLY- MAKE UP ALL OVER!!
I discovered bodily make up and it is a god send!! Don't wear it under white for god's sake (you will end up filthy dirty all over) but this covers a variety of sins including split veins on the legs and bumpy upper arms. Just use it sparingly. Soap and glory do a good spray on version, Benefit do a good buff on foundation for body parts and MAC do an entire range for the body. Go look.

I will be covering applying make up in the next summer guide which I will write later this week/early next week.

Remember. If the foundation doesn't look perfect, it isn't. There are enough brands out there in the market for you to find something that REALLY matches your skin type and tone so just keep shopping around. If you genuinely feel exasperated and can't find your match, email me!! binghamgirls@gmail.com and I promise to help you find something right for you.

Lots of love GB
x

ZAR - Eating smart!

The Biggest Loser is one of my favourite TV shows. I know that the way they lose weight is not comparable to dealing with it in terms of everyday life but it is still very inspirational and gives alot of ideas and tips.

The show's first winner here in Australia, Adro, has recently published a book on healthy eating and lifestyle. In it, he talks about 'eating smart'. He recognises the things we all struggle with in everyday life, trying to lose weight or just staying healthy. These are some tips from him for EATING SMART.
Fall out of love with food. Recognise that food is for fuelling ourselves, not to be used to deal with emotions. Enjoy food rather than having a love affair with it.
Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for our stomachs to tell our brains that we're full. By then it could be too late. Use a smaller plate, chopsticks or a small fork. Put cutlery down between each mouthful, or chew each mouthful 15 times before swallowing.
Eat small meals often. Think about structuring your day around 3 meals and 3 snacks. This really keeps your metabolism burning and means you don't gorge yourself because you're so hungry when you do eat.
Be organised. If you work out a menu plan or prepare your snacks in advance, you'll be less likely to eat bad choices.
Drink water. 80% of the time that you feel hungry, you're actually thirsty. Aim to drink 2 litres of water every day, so many benefits come with this. Think about stopping drinking soft drinks and cordials and just drink water instead.
Brush your teeth after eating. This really does work. it stops that craving for something sweet....
Stop picking. Try chewing gum or snack on celery while preparing packed lunches etc. Stop the mindless nibbling.
Always question yourself. Really think about everything you put in your mouth. Are you eating because you're bored or sad? Are you spending money on junk food? Are you thirsty rather than hungry?
Change your food focus. Instead of using food as the focus of events, focus on spending time with the people you are there with. Or enjoy the view....
Never reward yourself with food. We get so used to telling ourselves that we deserve this...... NO, we deserve to feel fit and good about ourselves.

ZAR - Mummy Bingham's healthy roast chicken

Everyone knows how to roast a chicken but I always get such great feedback when I roast chicken the way Mum does it. She calls it French roasting. Putting an inch of water in the roasting pan means that the chicken is steamed as well as roasted which makes the flesh so tender and moist.

This really is simplicity at it's best. Buy a corn fed or free range chicken if you can but bog standard will do too.

Quick to prepare, easy to cook, leftovers can be used in salads, risotto, sandwiches or wraps. Save the carcass and make stock to freeze.

1 whole chicken
1 lemon, zested
2 cloves garlic, grated
butter, softened
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Put the chicken in a roasting tin and smear the skin with butter. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over it and then stuff both halves into the breast cavity. Spread the lemon zest and garlic over the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Pour an inch of hot water into the toasting pan. Be really careful putting it into the oven.

Roast in the preheated oven for 20 mins per lb (2.2kgs/lb), resting for 10 mins before carving. When you remove the bird from the oven, stick the tip of a knife or skewer into the thickest part of the breast and then press down. The juices should run out clear. If not, return to the oven for a little while.

POSIE - GET OUTDOORS NOW!! TRAINING GUIDE

Sorry for all you guys who read this down in Aus – but us Brits can’t stop banging on about the fact that summer is on the way, despite the fact I am looking out of the window at the moment and it’s grey, grey, grey! Anyway, HOORAY for the longer days and the occasional bout of sunshine that we get. That’s why today’s blog is focussed on training outdoors.

Training in a different environment is a GREAT way to boost the fitness. Chances are if you slog it out in a gym regularly, you rarely look at ways to challenge your fitness outside. It keeps you fresh, motivated and is guaranteed to get that heart rate up! The training ideas below are based on you having a convenient park nearby – but if you’re not lucky enough for that, you can still do it. If you live in the wilderness, think stiles, tree stumps, uneven surfaces. If you have a beach nearby (we hear you, Zar!) I think the hardest I have ever trained was when I was in Australia – running on the beach – need I say more? Think outside the box and you can usually apply any of the below techniques to your environment, even your back garden, as long as you have a couple of chairs and a handkerchief sized patch of grass like I do. Pick any or all of these below; you will need SOME equipment but don’t rush out and buy it all at once. Try a couple of things, if you’re enthused then you can pick bits up as you go along. As I’ve said before equipment doesn’t have to be expensive, beg, borrow (but don’t steal) if you have to!

The amount of time you do these for depends on your fitness; start for say 30 secs each, increase to 1 or 2 mins as you get fitter.

Bench jumps
On a reasonably high (say knee high) long bench (it needs to be quite narrow), grab on either side of your bench so your feet are both one side and you’re bending over the bench. Jump both feet (landing at the same time) over the bench. Repeat as fast as you can.

Step ups/ jump ups
Find some solid object which is just above knee height and step! Obviously the higher the better, if it’s not high enough, you can jump two footed on to it, (be careful). Or you can start with one foot either side of it and jump up so both feet are on it.

Rope jumps
You can draw an imaginary line on the grass/beach/whatever if you don’t have a rope handy… jump both feet side to side so you’re zigzagging from one end of the rope to the other.

Skipping
Probably the last time you skipped was at primary school. You can do the singing too if you like – or if you have the puff. Try both feet together, alternate feet is TOO EASY!

Boxing
Great if you’ve got the kit, just muller it for as long as you can. As well as straight jabs, think punching up in the air and from side to side with a wide stance.

Jump lunges
Starting with your feet in a lunge position, right foot forward. Spring yourself up in the air (use your arms) and land with your feet again in the lunge position, but with the left forward. The key is to jump as high as you can and stay in vaguely the same spot.

Burpees
Ooh… these strike terror in my heart. Start in a plank position. Complete a press up, then bring both feet to your chest, jump up high in the air with your arms above your head then get down to the start position again. One word: killer.

Bounding
The aim of this is not to look stupid, although you may well do! Think big strides; you’re going to be running really big steps, swinging your arms as high as you can to get as far as you can. Set out cones, or stones, or whatever you have as targets for each step. Do say 30 metres, jog back to the start and repeat.

Sprinting
I know the word strikes horror in the heart of many (I’m really NOT a sprinter) but it’s so good for fitness. We’re not talking Usain Bolt, just as fast as YOU can run. Sprint for 20 metres, jog back to the start and repeat. Keep your abs in, arms tight to your body and get those legs moving as fast as you can. You’ll be amazed how quickly you get faster.

Have a 10 minute jog after these to get your body back to normal (even if you feel knackered!) Although most of these seem to be geared to the legs, you’ll really find they give you an all over work out as they use the arms and core a lot. Of course you can always incorporate some sit ups, crunches, planks, tricep dips, push ups: whatever you want – if you have the energy for them! Don’t panic if you find them hard; they’re meant to be. If you find them a walk in the park, check you’re doing them right. If not – MAKE THEM HARDER! Enjoy!

GEORGIE - Summer guide to looking good part 1 - FAKE TAN

One thing that has happened through the 10 years I have worked in TV is that I've been fortunate enough to learn a lot about looking good. Don't get me wrong, TV is mostly about smoke and mirrors, (or should I say make up and lighting) but there are a few fundamentals that really help with keeping us all looking our best. With summer on its way (in the UK) I thought I would take the bend the Bingham Girls health and exercise spec to include beauty for a few blogs just to impart a little wisdom I have learnt from make up artists and other, much more beautiful presenters I have met along the way. For this blog I thought I would focus on just one thing....

Fake tan.
A potential nightmare but done right this summer, a godsend. I am very pale and pretty much fake tan my face all year round or I Iook ghastly. The secret is to cleanse then lightly moisturise your skin before you apply. Get a goodish 5 pence piece (10 cent piece) sized dollop and smother your entire face in it. If that is really easily absorbed, add another 5p size blob. Gently use circular motions on your face until it is ALL absorbed. Next grab a tissue and scrub around your hairline. Not too much scrubbing on the skin, concentrate more on the hair roots themselves to remove any tanner that is too near your hairline. This includes your earlobes and where your sideburns are. Take another tissue and wipe clean your upper lip and dry scrub your eyebrows. Basically anywhere there is hair, scrub it with a dry tissue but be careful not to scrub too much skin around it or you will end up with a white patch! Finally WASH your hands thoroughly and do this all at least an hour before you go to bed in case you lie on your face and it absorbs unevenly.

That's the face done, what about the body? Well if you need to tan your legs and arms, do it gradually. Don't leave it until 24 hours before you go to a wedding or function and slap it on. Moderation and timing are the key. I generally tend to have a routine with fake tan that goes hot bath, baby oil on the skin when wet, then I dab myself dry. I then use a little bit of body moisturiser to ensure I'm pretty much greased up all over!! Focus first on the big bits. The shins, the calves, the thighs. On these areas, use it relatively generously but evenly and give it a really good rub in. If the skin feels a little dry then add moisturiser to your fake tan. Use it incredibly sparingly on any joints. Every girl who's had a fake tan disaster knows generally it happens on your knees, ankles or elbows. These areas need about 1/4 the amount of tanning lotion, and rubbed in really well. You should start tanning youself with lotion 5 days before an event then you stand a better chance of getting it even. I tend to fake tan about 2 hours before I go to bed. Again, after tanning remember to wash your hands!! Nothing worse then someone with orange mitts!!

Tanning Brands
I have tried the lot!! Like make up - self tanners come in a variety of shades and potency. What works for me might not work for Rosie or Zar, gosh you only have to look at how different us three are in terms of skin tone and you know how hard it must be to get it right!!
Clarins is a really great brand, you need hardly any and it lasts forever!! I don't like their tanning gels but I highly recommend their cream - although I found the tan they designed for the body actually works better on my face.
The brand I can't recommend enough though is called LAVERA. I discovered it in America and it's the only tanner that doesn't smell that nasty plastic smell. It smells like currants and raisons!! Its organic, all natural and is really mild. It is really hard to have a disaster with Lavera which is great, but because it isn't very strong you need to give it a few days to build up some serious colour.
Frankly, if you are terrible with tanning then that is why someone invented 'Summer Skin'! Johnsons and Dove both do GREAT versions of these - moisturisers with a hint of tan that isn't strong enough to cause a disaster. You simply can't go wrong!! Use a little after every shower for a great summer glow!

I will discuss self tan enhancers in my next blog when I do make up... Hope this helps girlies - and remember - if you have a disaster - lemon juice!! It helps take the orange out!!