God morgen.

Hyvää huomenta! Aloha kakahiaka! Buenos dias! 

I'm in rather good spirits this morning in case you haven't noticed! :D The entire night 

was a snuggle fest with my blankets as the weather was quite frosty (yaaaay!) It's wonderful 

being able to sleep in a little longer, I even manage to enjoy my coffee before my daily 

morning exercise!

Haha! I'll probably regret this later (my hand also looks really freaky) - but isn't this a familiar scene to many? ;D 

I myself wondered about the benefits of coffee drinking before exercise. So after 

a little digging, I found an article I read a little while ago from this wonderful 

blog : http://urbanremedycleanse.blogspot.com.au. As a simply copy and paste from

one of their previous entries:

Caffeine perks
• Improves alertness and concentration
• Improves mood at a consumption level of 200mg (roughly 2 regular cups)
• Helps combat muscular pain by stimulating the release of B-endorphins and other pain-reducing hormones
• Improves endurance: consumed one hour prior to exercise, caffeine increases performance and can assist in weight loss and/or maintenance
• Helps prevent diabetesthrough the minerals and antioxidants it contains
• Helps prevent Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s by keeping dopamine molecules active
• Helps manage asthma if consumed moderately, and may be used to prevent an attack
• Enhances the effect of medication (eg. painkillers) through blood vessel constriction

Caffeine drawbacks
• Blood sugar swings: coffee causes a temporary surge in blood sugar and a spike in insulin production, followed by a crash in blood sugar levels
• Adrenal fatigue: coffee gets your cortisol going and stimulates your adrenals, leaving them flat afterwards. You get that ‘wired but tired’ feeling and crave coffee no2! Vicious cycle.
• Emotional disturbances: coffee can aggravate stress, anxiety, irritability and depression
• Sleep disruption: particularly if you’re an after-lunch coffee drinker
• Gastrointestinal problems: coffee can cause heartburn/reflux and increase the risk of ulcers
• Nutritional deficiencies: it prevents the absorption of certain nutrients, particularly minerals
• Ageing: caffeine dehydrates and promotes the decline of anti-ageing hormones

I have never drunk 'real' coffee until recently (I'm talking moccamaster style - brilliant stuff!) and I tend to stick to 1 cup every morning. Going full bull would result in a bit of a coffee overkill, however there's nothing wrong with ordering that skinny cappuccino if I'm out with a friend! 

Before finishing this entry, I'd like to point out a great cause that's happening worldwide at the moment. 

"Food Revolution Day on 19 May is a chance for people who love food to come together to share information, talents and resources; to pass on their knowledge and highlight the world’s food issues. All around the globe, people will work together to make a difference. Food Revolution Day is about connecting with your community through events at schools, restaurants, local businesses, dinner parties and farmers' markets. We want to inspire change in people’s food habits and to promote the mission for better food and education for everyone.

Worldwide, obesity has more than doubled since 1980. For the first time in history, being overweight is killing more people than being underweight, and at least 2.8 million adults around the world die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. This has to change, and it’s down to us. We need to get back to basics and start thinking about where our food comes from. We need to become a conscious community and understand the food choices we make on a daily basis. We can do this by improving food education."

For more information, check out their website at: http://www.foodrevolutionday.com/index.html. 

It's a brilliant cause that I wholeheartedly support. I don't think I'll have time to host my own party as all my exams will most likely be nearing, however I encourage everyone out there to donate, host your own dinner party or simply spread the news of this wonderful campaign. It's about time people started taking action in order to combat the negative effect obesity has in many countries around the world! 

Now I leave you all with the gorgeous Topi as inspiration to jump out of bed and go walk around the block. The day I manage to walk him peacefully without any barking, growling, pulling at the leash and suffocating himself by running ahead - that day will truly be a miracle. 

Ps. Keep an eye out for some worldwide inspiration boards I'm conjuring up! Think fashion, food, the lot! xx