NOURISHING VEGETABLE SOUP

There is nothing more that I love in winter than warm, hearty soup. I adapted this recipe from one I found in Yoga Girl's (Rachel Brathen's) book. Brathen lists some delicious recipes at the end of most of her chapters, all vegetarian, all super healthy and all very easy to make. I adapted her 'Carrot & Ginger Soup' to include more vegetables, particularly some that were on their last legs in my fridge. To spice up this soup you could add some ground or fresh chilli or more garlic or ginger. The amount that I used below of both garlic & ginger is subtle, however if you are fighting off winter bugs I'd suggest a bit more of each. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 kg of carrots, peeled and cut into similar sized rounds
• 5cm of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 large or 4 small to medium garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
• 400g potatoes, peeled and cut into similar sized sliced
• 1 large zucchini or 2 small to medium, cut into similar sized rounds
• 3 large celery sticks, cut into similar sized pieces
• 1 large brown onion, cut into similar sized pieces
• 2 litres of low salt vegetable stock
• 1 x 400ml can of coconut milk 
• salt & ground black pepper
• Optional- a large handful of fresh finely cut parsley

COOKING 

1. Place the carrots, ginger, garlic, potatoes, zucchini, celery and brown onion in a large, deep saucepan. Pour the stock over the top and season with a pinch of salt and a generous amount of pepper. If the stock does not just cover all the vegetables, add a bit more water, 1/2 cup at a time. Cover and bring to the boil over high heat, then simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables have softened considerably. 

2. Pour in the coconut milk then return the pan to the boil, covered and over high heat. Once boiled, remove from the stove and leave to cool slightly for a few minutes before blending or processing in a blender or a food processor. Make sure to blend/process a little of the vegetables and liquid at a time. 

Serve warm, with extra ground black pepper, a touch of ground chilli and/or some fresh parsley on top. 

Serves / 8 

Total Preparation time / 20-30 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 25 minutes 

x Emily 

HEATHER GRAHAM FLAUNTS HER PILATES & YOGA BODY at THE HANGOVER 3 PREMIERE

The real knockout at 'The Hangover Part III' premiere last Monday was not star actors Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis or Ed Helms, but none other than actress Heather Graham. The blonde bombshell flaunted her age-defying body on the red carpet in a jaw-dropping teal dress, looking closer to 30 years than her actual 43. 

Heather's teal Herve Leroux gown showed off her super fit and toned physique. On the red carpet Graham revealed that she stays lean by sticking to a healthy balanced diet and takes particular care with her portion control. In addition, Heather loves her Pilates and Yoga workouts. 

"I think too much so I like working out because it makes me kind of relax," says Graham. "I like doing Pilates and Yoga. I do Pilates twice a week and Yoga three times a week". Heather is the ultimate Pilates devotee, as she has been practising regularly for the past eight years! Graham has appeared on numerous fitness magazine covers such as 'Shape' (pictured above) so clearly her exercise and eating routine is working for her! 

It may surprise you to know that Graham used to be addicted to sugar. "I used to eat a lot of sugar," she confesses. "It was terrible. I would eat, like, five candy bars in one day. One day I was like, 'I can’t do that (anymore). I definitely try to eat healthy and I let myself have some days where I eat just about anything but I actually like healthy foods." We like hearing that Graham splashes out on not so healthy food on occasion, just as we do! 

The Hangover Part III is now showing in all major cinemas in Australia. Go check it out! 

Want to look ten years younger just like Heather does? Keen to tone and flatten your abs? Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com to inquire! 

x Emily 

MEN are CHANGING THE TRENDS and THEIR BODIES with PILATES

Here at Premium Pilates Studio we have recently noticed an increase of male presence in our reformer classes and we must say that we love it. The outdated notion that Pilates is just a female exercise is a thing of the past. Recent statistics don't lie- more men are taking up Pilates & Yoga as a form of fitness! 

The gentleman of the world are becoming more flexible, more toned and are changing preconceived exercise trends with an influx starting regular Pilates and Yoga classes. Eight years ago, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that only 0.4% of males in Australia practised Pilates or Yoga. However, the latest IBIS World report revealed that that participation number in these forms of exercise has increased an average 12.1% every year in the last few years, particularly among men. The Pilates & Yoga industry is also projected to grow by 4.8% every year until the year 2017.

Elixir Health Club's Richard Chew has really noticed the increase in male participation in Pilates, with one of every five clients in his classes men. "Five years ago, it was quite rare to see a guy in a Pilates class...now it's normal to see three or four men at least in all of our (Pilates) classes". A male client of Richard's reveals that that he participates in regular Pilates classes and relates it to a similar intensity as strength training. 

Gentleman, if you want to isolate muscles, reduce your stress, improve posture & flexibility and strengthen your all-important core, reformer Pilates is for you! Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724 or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com to find out more. 

x Emily