Posted on

eGlove Review and Comparison

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by eGlove (well, actually the husband of a lovely fellow runner friend) asking if I’d like to review their gloves for my blog. After finding out a bit more about them I agreed and was sent a rather nifty black pair.

The gloves are designed to be worn when running (though obviously not exclusively, you could use them walking or doing other sports, such as horse riding or cycling) and due to their special design you can operate your iPhone, Samsung or other touchscreen device while wearing them.

As someone who listens to podcasts when both running and walking I find it immensely annoying to have to remove my gloves to use my phone, especially if I’m mid run or if it’s very cold. In any running gloves I buy I specifically look for this touchscreen design now. Previous to trying the eGloves I was using my Nike gloves.

They too have the special design that allows you to still access your phone.

As I have both gloves I thought it would be interesting to do a little comparison. The Nike gloves cost approximately £7. They’re comfy, lightweight and do indeed work with my phone. However they are not really that suitable when it’s really cold. I found on a cold morning my fingers were numb despite wearing the gloves. Also the touch screen device can be a bit temperamental which is highly frustrating. They’re not perfect but they do look rather stylish and you can get them in different colours. They also have a little pocket on the palm to put your key.

The eGloves are very thin and lightweight BUT are a lot more warm than the Nikes, possibly because they’re slightly looser which creates a bit more of a vacuum between your skin and the cold air outside (or something science-y like that) and they have a thermal feel with a tight cuff to keep the warmth in.

The gloves also have a non-slip design on the palms so it stops the danger of your expensive smartphone sliding out of your hands. This is a genuine concern for me, the clumsiest girl on the planet (!), especially with running. If my podcast needs changing or I want to take a photo mid-run I don’t want in danger of dropping my phone.

They are more expensive at £24.99 though (however, there are different colours which are cheaper on the website). That said, they do exactly what they say on the tin and I can honestly say I prefer them to the Nikes.

They also do a whole range of different gloves, including ones specifically for snowboarding/skiing and cycling.

Do you wear gloves when running in the cold?

Do you look for gloves that can be used with your smartphone?

**Full Disclaimer: I was sent the gloves for free in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own honest ones.**

Posted on

My favourite podcasts right now

I listen to a lot of podcasts (and audiobooks). I have a fairly boring commute to work (Southampton to Basingstoke) which takes around an hour each way. To pass the time I sometimes like to listen to a podcast as I find the journey passes so much quicker that way. I also listen to podcasts when I walk Alfie and when I do long runs. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s nice to listen to music or to simply just zone out to the sound of the outdoors but it’s also a great way to broader my knowledge on information or just listen to something interesting or funny.

Here are my favourites:

BBC Five Live Film Review

Simon Mayor and Mark Kermode talk movie reviews. This has been a longstanding favourite of mine. I love watching films but I don’t get to the cinema as often as I like, but I still enjoy listening to reviews of the latest films that are either out or up and coming. The relationship between Mayor and Kermode is great – they have good banter and squabbling between them and it’s often very funny. There are a lot of in jokes as it’s been going on for years but it’s easy to get hooked. I will usually always trust Kermode’s review of a film as well.

Who’s it aimed at? Anyone who has a passing interest in watching movies, whether you go to the cinema or not.

The Empire Film Podcast

Another film review show, but this time with an ensemble cast of usually three people who change from time-to-time. It’s from the Empire magazine. There’s swearing, it’s silly and it’s very light-hearted (like the magazine). They discuss movie news and answer fun, random listener questions (“best stairway scene in a movie?”). My only slight annoyance is they do have a heavy Marvel love which I struggle with as I’m not that into comic book movies. They always have great sweary interviews with actors, directors, etc.

Who’s it aimed at? Probably more aimed at movie lovers than the Five Live podcast above as it can get geeky with movie news and interviews.

Marathon Talk

Of course Marathon Talk is on here (I’m going to the Marathon Talk weekend in a few weeks time wheee!). Good running training tips, running news from around the world, funny anecdotes from Tony Audenshaw (from Emmerdale no less), interviews and listener stories. I really like Martin and Tom and they always have a good balance of opinion and information and they’re extremely down to earth. My one peeve is why they still insist on listing all the upcoming marathons at the end of the podcast…does anyone really listen to this?? It goes on for ages and is so dull and repetitive. I always end the podcast before it starts.

Who’s it aimed at? People who love running, but not necessarily just marathons.

Ben Coomber Radio

Quite a light-hearted podcast based on nutrition, health and performance. It focuses a lot on lifting weights in the gym but it’s not exclusive to that subject. Ben is very amiable and funny and takes a no-nonsense approach. He’s also very knowledgeable with a lot of science and research behind what he preaches. He often co-hosts with Rachel Guy, who’s heavily into lifting weights, so provides a decent insight into that sort of thing and they do Q&A style shows answering listener questions. There’s also a lot of interviews with people from the nutrition and performance industry.

Who’s it aimed at? If you’re interested in solid nutrition advice, going to the gym and just generally being healthy it’s a good one. However it does focus a lot on weight lifting, macros and building muscle/losing fat.

Freakanomics Radio

I used to listen to this one a lot more than I do now. It’s hard to describe but basically Stephen Dubner, an economist (he wrote the Freakonomics book as well) explores social, political and random issues with loads of different guests, from social scientists to entrepreneurs to delve into different problems, questions and oddities with an economist and social science perspective. It’s light-hearted and gentle in terms of heavy science but always very interesting. It is quite US-focused though.

Who’s it aimed at? Anyone who has a curious nature and likes to puzzle things out. Not necessarily deep thinking but a fun way to question the world.

RunnersConnect

A series of interviews of a wide range of runners, professional athletes, coaches and people with a good knowledge of running or in the industry. It’s led by Tina Muir who I think is awesome. She’s a Brit living in America and is an awesome runner (check out her blog – such a talented runner and a lovely person. She incidentally did her favourite podcasts recently too). This podcast is a great way to get some insight into specific running areas and hear more about certain topics from different people within the industry.

Who’s it aimed at? Anyone interested in running, whether at a beginner’s level or an elite level.

Serial

You can’t talk about podcasts without mentioned Serial. I binge listened to all the first series a couple of years ago (wow so long ago now!) and haven’t started the second series yet… Anyone tried it? I’ve heard it’s good but it’s not the same ‘story’ as last series which is a shame as I’d love to know what’s going on there. It’s just very well written and you’re kind of drip-fed the story which keeps you going back for more without it seeming like it’s dragging.

Who’s it aimed at? Really anyone. I know so many people of different ages and backgrounds who loved it.

What podcasts do you love to listen to?

When do you listen to podcasts?

Posted on

Quick fixes don’t exist

Like everyone else in the world, I want quick results and less hard work. I want to go to one interval session with my running club then smash a personal best at my next race. I want to eat a bowl full of salad and kale that immediately cancels out the cake I ate the night before. I want to do a few crunches at the gym one time and have killer abs. Forever.

Yeah. Doesn’t quite work like that, does it? Sadly not. And there is no time like the start of the year than hearing BS claims about “lose 7lbs in 7 days” or “get your bikini body in two weeks!”. It’s almost comical how these things suddenly spark up almost as the new year is chimed in. BOOM. Every news paper, every magazine, every advert, every gym… It’s all about that January fix and New Year’s Resolutions.

And the latest diet craze that sprung up out of seemingly nowhere is this “sirt food diet”. Er, what? Sirt, or sirtuins, are a type of proteins in the body that help regulate biological pathways that basically stop our fat cells from multiplying (more fat cells = the more fat we can become). So more foods containing sirtuins apparently means less risks of getting fat. This is a very loose explanation. I won’t get into the science of it because, let’s be honest here, it’s a load of rubbish anyway and the science premise of the diet itself is shaky. Oh and hey, there’s a book so you can go and waste your money on buy and read and be thoroughly unimpressed. The science is based on mice and fruit flies. Enough said.

Ranting aside, Women’s Health actually have a great article outlining this so-called diet revolution. And for once, it actually puts some sense into it.

February addition of Women’s Health

For example, they highlight that one of the ‘sirtfoods’ is red wine and you’d have to drink around 40 litres to get any sort of benefit. And surely then you’d kind of be dead… Unlike say the Daily Mail, Women’s Health doesn’t just present an entirely one-sided article promoting a ridiculous food plan. They give a good insight into how little we actually know about these flimsy claims. And they note how ridiculous such a reductionist approach to eating would be. The final advice was, just stick to eating healthy and exercising. No nonsense there.

What I also like is that WH also talk about good food to include in your diet which have actual science behind them, such as turmeric (a runner’s best friend for anti-inflammatory properties). I like this: science-based no-nonsense advice and for once not another diet to try and lose those “stubborn pounds”. Plus, not everyone reading Women’s Health wants to lose weight so having foods described in terms of beneficial properties other than just fat-burners is always welcomed.

In a nutshell the takeaway message is: you can’t just eat a ton of kale and drink a load of red wine and think that you’re going to wake up the next day two sizes smaller and feel amazing. Unfortunately life is far more complicated and your body is far more complex (it’s smarter than some dumb new crazy diet as well).

Don’t get me wrong, it is tempting to believe the claims that you can lose weight quickly and shape up in an instant but it’s just marketing rubbish. A big load of money is in this industry and it’s sole purpose is to convince people of their quick, easy routes to body perfection. But health is a lifestyle change and takes weeks and months, even years to achieve. And health isn’t solely measured by weight anyway. Any crazy diet to quickly lose weight is just going to cause more harm than good and be unsustainable. So, my advice would be eat your kale and have your cake too (but in moderation).

**Full Disclaimer: My subscription to Women’s Health was provided for free by magazine.co.uk as part of being in their blogger network**

Posted on

My first experience of reflexology

I had heard of reflexology but never actually had any sort of reflexology treatment before. In fact, what I knew about reflexology was quite sketchy. It’s a sort of holistic treatment? A massage? Relaxing? Those were my first thoughts.

When the Association of Reflexologists offered me a free treatment in exchange for an honest review I was intrigued and quite keen. Beforehand they sent over some information of what I was to expect, as really I had no idea.Aor_Logo_colour Greysale

Essentially it’s a non-intrusive complementary holistic therapy. It works on different points of the body, from the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears which are believed to correspond with different areas of the body. In a similar vein to acupuncture, reflexologists work these different points to influence the entire body, aiding relaxation and improve well-being.

A lovely lady, Jackie, from Calming Influences came to my flat to give me a 40 minute foot-focused treatment. She came with her own super comfy reclining chair, towels and choice of creams. She had a very calming presence (as you can imagine!) and talked me through what was going to happen. I apologised profusely for my runner’s feet of course 😉

She gently massaged my feet, while explaining different things to me. She gave me a foot map to have a look at while she worked. I found this fascinating. IMG_7739I found it quite hard to believe that a pressure in my toe could influence something like my hormones or sinuses, but it was interesting and so very relaxing. The massage was divine. I’m used to the hardness and pain of a sports massage so this was just wonderful. She would push on different areas, knead my feet gently and just generally massage them all over.

I’m not a big ‘believer’ in holistic therapies… However, I do believe that our body is a whole and that something from one area of the body can affect an entirely different area (my flat feet for instance can cause my back and knees issues, and studies have shown headaches can be caused by pressures elsewhere in the body, etc.). I’m also a fan of acupuncture and this is very similar.A0 Reflexology Body & Feet whiteAnyway, whether or not I was swayed by the logic or beliefs behind the treatment, it felt amazing. I was so relaxed and my whole body just chilled out. Jackie was fantastic and answered any questions I had and informed me when she found a ‘bumpy’ area which could reflect something else happening in my body. For example, the area reflecting my ears was bumpy, as was the area corresponding to my stomach. I can’t say I have any issues in those areas but it was interesting nonetheless.

I honestly could have fallen asleep but I was keen to stay awake and enjoy the treatment. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Normally I feel very awkward in massages but Jackie made me feel very at ease. After the treatment she encouraged me to drink lots of water through the day and that I might feel a bit ‘funny’. But for the rest of the day I felt great. I’d definitely have it again and I’ve recommended it to my mum who adores foot massages.

Have you ever tried reflexology?

Do you enjoy massages?

How do you relax?

**Full Disclaimer: I received a free reflexology treatment in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own honest ones.**

Posted on

Handmade Pistachio Panettone Cake from Sicily

Considering how much cake I eat and like, it’s surprising how few cake reviews I’ve been asked to do. I’m not great at baking (there’s an understatement), but I know my cakes when it comes to seeing how they taste and look!

When I was asked if I’d like to review a Pistachio Panettone from the guys at Artminodo.co.uk I was obviously only too pleased to say “yes please!”. I had previously reviewed their trio of preserves that they sell on their website and really enjoyed them so I was looking forward to the panettone.

It’s quite a large thing (all the best cakes are in my opinion…) and when I unboxed and unwrapped it (it travelled very well) I was surprised to see just how, well, green it was! It’s handmade by a Sicilian company called Bacco. Panettone is a sweet bread and a traditional Christmas dessert in Italy. It’s similar to the brioche in France in terms of taste and like the stollen in Germany in terms of it being Christmassy and not overly sweet (though there’s no marzipan in this cake). Panettone is not always pistachio flavoured so this was a nice twist.

I joked that it looked like a large green bogie but I couldn’t resist a tiny nibble before my friends arrived to help me test it out. It’s covered in a delicious but not overly sweet pistachio flavoured icing.

When my friends arrived for our make-your-own afternoon tea, we sliced it in half to see the inside. We were a bit disappointed that it didn’t look as good as the photo did. But let’s be real here, not many foods do.

We cut ourselves a slice making sure we got some of the icing on the top and the pistachio cream in the middle. We were all really surprised at how tasty it was. The bread itself is similar to our iced buns in that it’s slightly sweet but not only a hint. The real sweetness comes from the pistachio cream that runs through the inside of the cake and the icing. There’s a subtle pistachio taste and it’s very light and springy in texture.

We all found ourselves going back for more. It’s not heavy or sickly so it’s very easy to eat a lot of this! I can imagine it being a great breakfast treat or a nice finish to a meal when you just want something light and sweet but not too much like a proper pudding.

I’d fully recommend this cake. And to be honest, I’d eat it all year round! Caffè Nero sell mini Panettones so why the hell not 😉

Do you like sweet breads?

Do you like pistachio flavoured things?

What’s your usual Christmas tradition for baked goods?

**Full Disclosure: I was sent this product for free in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own (and my friend’s in this case as well) honest one.**