Healthy January (the Celtic & Co. way...)
With the festive season done and dusted for another year, January is time for new goals, a bit of TLC and fresh starts. Find out how our work colleagues spend January here in Cornwall.
Kath Whitworth - Founder
Exercise
I try to do something every day to keep the body working; Monday, Tuesday and Friday sees me heading for spin class, Wednesday I go to Pilates to rebalance the body and hopefully correct any damage that all the exercise does! I also join a Hot Yoga class on Thursday to do active meditation and get a really good stretch. I also work through numerous exercise DVDs depending on how I feel, so either Barrecore, Power Yoga, cardio kettlebells or HITT with dumbbells.
The beauty of having a dog is that they want to walk all the time, so even when we have appalling wet and stormy weather (like we have just endured over the festive break) we still have a reason to ‘tog’ up and get outside. Our local favourites are Crantock Beach especially when the tide is out, The Lost Church at Perranporth – but make sure you get back to the car before dark, or you’ll never find it again. It’s that easy to get lost! Or we go for just a long circular walk around the cliffs of Newquay – as you are guaranteed to bump into people you know.
Wellbeing
Unwinding is one of my biggest issues, and I think being self-employed feeds my 24/7 brain even more. So at the moment I exercise hard to switch off. I also probably watch too much TV at night when I should ideally be reading, but am too tired to. Then I go to bed too late because I am too tired to move… I guess I really should work on this!
Food
I grow my own vegetables in my garden and currently we have leeks, purple sprouting broccoli, Jerusalem artichokes - all being harvested now. It’s such a joy to eat your own home-grown produce. I’m very much into my raw food recipes although the prep is rather long, but when I have the time, I use my dehydrator as part of the process. For about 4 years now Nick and I have been doing the 5/2 diet where you fast for 2 days of the week and I love it! I like the control it gives you over your eating and the way your body feels and how your energy spikes differently.
On a normal work day, I eat overnight oats with berries and seeds for breakfast, homemade veggie soup and humus on oatcakes for lunch, then either fish/meat and salad/veg for dinner. At the weekend I eat very similar except swap the breakfast for mixed grain porridge, again with seeds and fruit. My all-time favourite food has to be porridge. Sad but true. I’d literally eat it any time of the day ha ha!
Drink
I drink green tea in huge amounts, all though the day! But the first thing I drink as soon as I wake up is lemon water with cider vinegar. It wakes the digestive system up and puts it into an alkaline state, which is supposedly good for you and your immune system. Plus it’s a good carrier for my daily shot of collagen too, which I take for joint and skin health.
Clare Whitworth - Marketing Executive
Exercise
I undertake a combo of 3 hard-core gym circuits a week along with a few walks, which are not as long as I'd like but the puppy is too young to take too far for the time being. My 4 month old Cockapoo puppy, Trevor, still only has little legs so I am limited to short beach walks at the moment. Little Fistral is a favourite as it’s enclosed, so totally puppy friendly.
Wellbeing
The secret to happiness, in my mind is good food and a really good night’s sleep. But to unwind, there are some beautiful spots along the coast in Cornwall to explore and clear the cobwebs. Tolcarne Beach here in Newquay just takes it for me. It’s got everything you need; it’s sheltered with amazing sunsets or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk the length of the whole bay. When indoors, currently I’m trying to read more as I’m guilty of being on my phone way too much. Also, I love a good boxset, Grey’s Anatomy is just the best!
Drink
I’m my mother’s daughter so the first thing I drink on waking is hot water with lemon and apple cider vinegar. Before bed, I try to have a calming tea such as camomile or something similar. My favourite place to have drinks out in Cornwall has to be the Lewinnick every time. Best views, full range of options, and dog friendly. Everyone is happy!
New Year Goals
I’m going to try and read more and spend less time tied to electronic devices. I also want to visit more National Trust locations with the dog. I was actually gifted a years pass for Christmas so I want to make the most of it this year and get out into the big outdoors.
Zoe Bray - Head of Marketing
Exercise
Mostly I love going on walks with the kids around where I live in St. Merryn – which is known as having ‘Seven Bays for Seven Days’. In the summer, when the days are long, I enjoy stand up paddle boarding down the Camel Estuary – brilliant for the core! Plus I like doing Pilates once a week… once I get back into my New Year routine, which went out of the window in November and December as we were just so busy!
Wellbeing
To unwind and de-stress, I love to read or watch a good box-set. I enjoy getting out and about in Cornwall with the kids and husband, or going on holiday somewhere hot, socialising and going away with friends. My favourite place in Cornwall has to be Treyarnon Bay - there’s lots of happy family memories made there every summer. It’s a perfect little beach with a natural swimming pool and YHA café right on the clifftop.
Food
When it comes to choosing my favourite food, it’s pretty tricky but I think it has to be fish and chips and some of the best restaurants to eat this dish in, plus tons of other seafood options, are found in Padstow – the home of Rick Stein. They are just superb! But if I’m looking for a restaurant with a sea view, I head to the Scarlet Hotel, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen or the Lewinnick Lodge.
Drink
Nothing beats a good cup of tea, builder’s tea – I have mine morning and night. My favourite place to have drinks out in Cornwall during the daytime is the YHA at Treyarnon and any of the local bars or pubs in St. Merryn for a night out.
New Year Goals
My aim for 2018 is to be more active, eat a little less, and I’m currently surviving January without any alcohol. Wish me luck!
Emma Limn - Press & Social Media Officer
Exercise
Outside of work, I’m a drummer and play for alternative rock band 50 YEAR STORM which obviously takes its toll on the arms and core. I attend a local Curves gym 3 times a week to help me build strength for this sole reason. In my downtime, I enjoy going for walks along the coast right on my doorstep here in Newquay, or around Trenance Gardens surrounding the Boating Lake.
Wellbeing
I don’t actually watch TV (weirdo alert!) but music is a huge part of my life. I absolutely love discovering new artists and genres from all around the world. I also love creating music and then getting to play it in front of a crowd. Our guitarist is actually my husband, so we get to experience this together which is a real blessing. Out of the house, I like to go beach combing. I find it really therapeutic having my bare feet in the sand, listening to the sound of the waves whilst searching for interesting pieces of sea glass. I have quite a collection now!
My favourite place in Cornwall is most definitely Polperro – the quaintest fishing village with incredible 15th century buildings built up around a river that meanders through the streets. If you ever get to go, you have to have a drink in The Blue Peter and eat in The Three Pilchards!
Food
I love cooking Chinese, Thai and Indian food at home but if I’m eating out, I just love Italian. As a vegetarian, I always find this cuisine offers loads of choice. My favourite place to eat out is The Stables in Newquay. It’s has a completely chilled vibe and offers THE best pizzas and pies in my opinion along with a cracking view of Fistral beach and its gorgeous sunset.
Drink
I love a good coffee, so always start the day with one. I can’t seem to function without! Then before bed I have a peppermint tea. Out and about, I really like having a coffee or healthy smoothie in the Box & Barber Café in Newquay. At night, I head to Tom Thumb who offer incredible craft beer and cocktails. Both places have such lovely staff who complete the whole experience.
New Year Goals
Last year 50 YEAR STORM played 9 festivals including local giants such as the Looe Music Festival, The Great Estate Festival and The Little Orchard Music & Cider Festival. I’d like to beat that this year so watch this space!