11 tips to help you sleep at night

 

Lack of sleep an wreak havoc on your mental, physical and emotional health. So, if you're struggle to get some shut eye, here are 11 tips to help you sleep better. 

 

1. Don’t try too hard to get to sleep or look at the clock. This tends to cause anxiety around getting to sleep, which can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

2. If you can’t sleep, rather than lying awake worrying about how you’ll feel tomorrow or letting your mind chase unpaid bills, get up, go to another room, read, watch TV or listen to music until you feel sleepy – at which point you can go back to bed and try again.

3. Exercise in the morning, afternoon or early evening. Evening workouts can make it hard to wind down as endorphins put your system in go mode.

4. Limit stimulants including tea, coffee and caffeine drinks for at least three hours before sleep. Ideally avoid caffeine after lunchtime. 

5. Even if you feel sleepy during the afternoon, resist the urge to nap as it will only mess up your cycle and make it harder to get to sleep at night. 

6. Do something relaxing before bed – think meditating or a warm bath.

7. Rise at the same time each morning to establish a consistent sleep pattern. Your body loves routine and will do its best to stick to a schedule.

» Shower before bed. Some sleep experts say a pre-bed shower can kick-start the cooling process necessary for sleep. Normally, a drop in body temperature precedes sleep according to UniSA’s Centre for Sleep Research. While in healthy sleepers the reduction is automatic, if you’re struggling to reach the land of nod, try giving it a thermic hand. 

8. Confine use of the bed to sleep and sex. Working, eating or reading in bed blurs the lines about what bed is for, diluting the brain’s association between being in bed and going to sleep.

9. Ban gadgets from the bedroom. Blue wavelengths from LED lights and screens are more deleterious to melatonin than standard white light according to a 2012 Harvard Health Letter. Even having a PC on standby can mess with shut-eye. 

10. Immerse yourself in daylight, even if it’s overcast. This helps with the body’s melatonin production. Then, before bedtime, dim the lights to let the body adjust to night-time and start producing melatonin rather than going from a bright room to a darkened space. You’re more likely to drift into sleep. 

11. Turn off hall and living room lights. Any light can inhibit the release of melatonin according to the National Sleep Foundation.

 

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How to count your macros

 

Although counting macronutrients can seem daunting at first, you may be suprised at how easy it is once you get the hang of it. Check out this basic guide below.

Step 1: 

Adopt A Macros Ratio

Most experts who use macros suggest dividing the Big 3 macronutrients into these ratios:

»Protein: 35% or 40%

»Carbs: 50% or 40%

»Fats: 15% or 20%

Try this approach and then tweak to find what works best for you.

Step 2: 

Set Your Kilojoule Intake

Work out how many kilojoules you need to maintain or lose weight, depending on your goal.

Step 3: 

Calculate Grams 

»Carbs: 1 gram = roughly 16 kJ (4 calories)

»Protein: 1 gram = roughly 16 kJ (4 calories)

»Fats: 1 gram = roughly 37 kJ (9 calories)

Step 4: 

Allocate macros

Work out roughly how you want to divvy your macros into meals over a day. “I usually suggest that the higher energy carbs are eaten earlier in the day,” says personal trainer Daniel Tramontana, from Vision Personal Training at Brighton, Victoria. “Then later you can eat carbs in the form of fibrous vegetables and salad foods. I encourage people to eat protein at every meal, based on their body weight, and to have their healthy fats in later meals to assist the absorption and conversion of the nutrients.”

Want to know more at macros and how to fine-tune your approach? Grab the November 2016 edition of Women's Health and Fitness Magazine for more.

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How to use your resistance bands for recovery and toning

 

You'll be suprised at how resistance bands can come in handy when it comes to activation, recovery and toning.

Also known as physio bands or Thera-Bands, resistance bands are often used to improve flexibility or for rehabilitative purposes.

“Resistance bands are great for rehabilitation from injury as they don’t load the spine or put pressure on the joints to the same extent as heavy weights,” says elite trainer of over 15 years Matthew Strickland.

“When added to your stretching routine, they can allow you to reach a deeper stretch than you might otherwise be able to achieve, aiding recovery and improving flexibility.”

While resistance bands do not correspond to a specific weight and cannot load the muscle to the same extent as a dumbbell, they can also be used to add tension and tone specific muscle groups, such as the glutes, calves, shoulders, back and biceps, and are perfect if dumbbells or similar are out of reach at home or while travelling. They can also aid in activating muscle groups in preparation for heavier lifts.

Resistance bands come in varying levels of stretch, from light to heavy, and are usually colour coded.

“Heavier bands should be used for larger muscle groups such as the legs or glutes, while lighter bands can be used for muscles that don’t require a heavy load to work them, such as the shoulders,” says Strickland.

For activation/toning: Warm-ups that are dynamic, rather than static, can help to increase movement ranges and activate the muscle groups that your workouts will target. “Dynamic warm-ups are important as they prepare the muscles, prime the nervous system and give you an opportunity to reinforce proper technique,” says trainer Alexa Towersey. To prime the glutes and hamstrings for a lower body session, try glute raises with a resistance band tied around the knees; concentrate on pushing your knees outwards, against the bands, as you raise your hips upward to really get the booty working. For a toning-style session, ensure high reps (15 to 20) with little rest in between sets.

For recovery: Resistance bands are particularly useful for deepening the stretch of large muscle groups, such as the legs and back. Try this exercise for the hamstrings: lying on the floor, loop the band around your right foot and grab onto the band ends to create tension. Straighten the right leg as much as you can – think a deep stretch but not to the point of pain – and keep the left leg on the floor. Gently pull the right leg back towards you, stretching the back of the leg. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds before switching sides.

Words and workout by Ashley Azevedo.

Photography by James Patrick.

NEXT: Recovery is just as important as working out. Check out these top post-workout tips.

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Scultping full upper-body workout by Marcie King

 

This full upper-body workout targets abs from every angle while sculpting arms, back and chest. 

 

 

 

 

Frequency

Two to three days per week.

The rules

Perform all exercises in pairs (e.g. 1&2, 3&4, etc), leaving 48 hours between workouts. (e.g. Tuesday and Friday). There is no rest between paired exercises. Once you have completed the pair, you will have a 30 to 60-second rest and move to the next pair of exercises. Repeat until you’ve completed all exercises. 

Words/workout: Marcie King (pictured)

 

Photography: Jamie Watling // jamiewatlingphotography.com // @jamiewatling

 

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Kettlebell swing

 

 

 

ANTERIOR, MIDDLE DELTS, QUADS AND GLUTES, ABS

SET-UP: Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart, holding onto a kettle bell with both hands in front of your body.

ACTION: Squat with the kettlebell hanging between your legs, chest and head up. In one motion, stand up as you swing the kettlebell forward (arms straight out in front) to shoulder level.

TIP: Push with your legs, not your back. If in doubt, seek expert technique advice. Incorrect kettlebell swings can cause injury.

 

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Single-arm kettlebell press

 

 

ANTERIOR, MIDDLE DELTS ABS CONTRACTED

SET-UP: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, one arm down at your side and one holding the kettle bell at your shoulder. Palm of hand facing up.

ACTION: Tighten your abs and press the kettlebell up towards the roof with a straight arm. Bring the kettlebell back down to shoulder height.

TIP: Start with a light kettlebell and progress once you have the range of motion.

 

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Rear delt flys

 

 

REAR DELTS

SET-UP: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Bend forward slightly at your waist. Dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.

ACTION: Raise arms lateral (away from the body) out to the side with a slight bend at the elbow to shoulder level.

TIP: Lead with the elbow and only go until your arms are level with the shoulders.

 

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Anterior delt front raises

 

 

 

ANTERIOR DELTS

SETUP: Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, body straight. Abs tight. Hold one dumbbell with the weight of the dumbbell in each hand. Palms facing the middle of the dumbbell.

ACTION: Lift the dumbbell straight out in front of you. Arms straight. Lift till the dumbbell is at shoulder level.

TIP: Pause at the top to really work the anterior delts. Keep your abs tight for balance.

 

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Plank-push on ball

 

 

 

ANTERIOR, MIDDLE DELTS, PECS AND ABS

SET-UP: Place your palms flat on the floor, stacked under your shoulders. Place the top of your feet in the centre of the exercise ball. Body is parallel to the ground.

ACTION: Keeping your feet on the ball, bring your upper body down to do a push-up and press back up to plank position.

TIP: Keeping your abs and thighs tight will help you keep your balance.

 

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Wide leg push-ups 

 

 

 

 

PECS, ABS, ANT, MIDDLE DELTS

SET-UP: Palms on a bench, legs/feet a little wider than shoulder width apart, body straight and abs tight.

ACTION: Keeping legs wide, go down to a push-up (face almost touching the bench) and push back up.

TIP: Keep abs tight to maintain the 45-degree posture. In this workout your abs are always working to provide your body with stability and strength. I have paired two exercises, working similar muscles to get the most benefits and fast results.

 

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Biceps curl

 

 

BICEPS

SET-UP: Sit on a bench or chair, dumbbell in one hand. Elbow/forearm resting on your knee. Palm facing up.

ACTION: Extend arm with dumbbell in hand. Flex back up slowly, contracting the biceps.

TIP: Moving slowly through the movement puts more concentration on the biceps.

 

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Single-arm dumbbell row traps

 

 

LATS

SET-UP: Stand beside a bench with leg closest to the bench kneeling on the bench. Arm closer to the bench is palm down on the bench. Dumbbell in the other hand, arm straight. Back stays parallel to the bench.

ACTION: Pull the dumbbell up to your ribs area, keeping the elbow and arm close to the body. Lower. Repeat set-up on other side.

 

 

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Arnolds

 

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ANTERIOR, MIDDLE, REAR DELTS

SET-UP: Place a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing you. Elbows bent and forearms at face level.

ACTION: Starting with arms in, move arms out to the side, elbows stay bent, then press up into shoulder press. Back down to elbows bent, then back in, forearms facing you.

TIP: Start with a light weight to keep the range of motion smooth.

NEXT: Want to target your glutes? Check out this booty-building workout.

 

 

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Escalating density training with Alexa Towersey

 

Take your workouts to the next level with this escalating density style training with celebrity trainer and Women's Health and Fitness cover model Alexa Towersey.

Get involved in the movement and #rawfitspo on Instagram and follow @whandfmag for more.

 

 

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4 skincare features to look for in your spring beauty products

 

Feeling the pressure of spring’s social calendar to look and feel photo-ready? The next time you open your beauty cabinet, check the ingredients list for these four skincare elements for flawless, healthy skin. 

1. Home in on natural ingredients

Many skin care products, including cleansers and moisturisers, contain harsh chemicals that could be doing your skin more harm than good. Look for a simple ingredient list containing primarily organic, natural and plant-based extracts. 

“It’s common sense that nature’s whole foods are the best choice for optimal health –and skin care is no different,” says holistic nutritionist and natural skincare expert Samantha Sargent.

“Some supermarket and chemist brands are made with cheap synthetics and naturally derived irritants that wreck havoc on your skin and internal organs. Read the full ingredient label, get to know the brand owner and manufacturer, and ask questions about the source of ingredients.”  

Ayla Cotterill from the botanical based skin-care brand Eaoron agrees. 

“I think people are becoming more aware of what they’re applying to their skin and are beginning to adopt a more natural approach. It’s really about creating a lifestyle that fights the effects of aging to create naturally beautiful skin,” she says.

 

2. Say yes to hyaluronic acid

Sourcing products that include hyaluronic acid – a natural structural component of the skin – helps to retain moisture and improve its beauty, according to Cotterill.

“As we begin to age, our skin loses moisture, firmness and elasticity,” says Cotterill, 

“The beauty of hyaluronic acid collagen essence is its ability to transport essential nutrients from the blood stream, via the capillaries, while also attracting and holding water to plump the skin. This smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and stimulates cell growth.”

WH&F Pick: try Eaoron’s Hyaluronic Acid Collagen. With its combination of fast-acting botanical and natural ingredients you may start to see results instantly. Apply just before bed or first thing in the morning.  

 

3. Look for anti-ageing properties

Botox and dermal fillers are a temporary fix and in some cases can cause nerve damage if not performed correctly. According to Cotterill, a better option is to select skin care products that prevent fine lines, dullness and wrinkles before they happen. 

“Wrinkles on the face are a natural result of a reduction in collagen, so finding products with ingredients aiming to restore the balance can help reduce their appearance,” says Cotterill.

“For example, peptides encourage the skin to replenish collagen production in the dermal layer, helping to improve its firmness and condition.” 

WH&F Pick: we love this Ultra Anti-Wrinkle Face Serum. Its potent ingredients are specifically designed to help reduce wrinkles and firm your skin for a youthful and radiant glow.

 

4. Skin superfoods

The rise of superfoods has seen us tipping copious goji berries into our smoothies, so why wouldn’t we use the same logic when it comes to our skin-care? 

Cotterill suggests looking for plant-based ingredients that are going to provide sufficient antioxidants for improved skin health, such as bearberry leaf and white mulberry extract.

“We use bearberry leaf extract in our products to brighten and even out skin tone. It’s so effective because it contains a high level of arbutin, which can help clear dark spots and blemishes from the skin,” she says.   

“White mulberry extract comes from the white mulberry tree, which is native to China, but is cultivated in Australia, North America, Europe and Japan. It’s the food of silk worms and is used to treat dry, sensitive and blotchy skin.” 

NEXT: Looking for more way to freshen up your skin? Here are three ingredients for healthy looking skin.

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Hilaria Baldwin Proves There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Exercise After Childbirth

Photo: Getty Images

About a week after she gave birth, while her newborn son Leonardo was taking a nap, Hilaria Baldwin squeezed in a run. “I gave myself the goal of 5-10 min to jog. I surprised myself and did 23 minutes,” she captioned a sweaty selfie on Instagram last Thursday. “I feel great and refreshed.”

But a few days later, the yoga star took to Insta again to express her frustration over flak she caught for exercising so soon.

“The body has to heal, even in perfect birthing conditions,” one person had commented on Baldwin’s pic. “Uterus recovering, pelvic floor needs to strengthen again, relaxin hormone pulsing through system and making joints loose, milk production ramping up production, and already running,” another person said about the 32-year-old mom of three.

Baldwin responded in an impassioned post, pointing out that every body, and every pregnancy, is different: “My pregnancy, birth, and recovery is between ME AND MY DOCTOR,” she said. “So please: stop with the negativity about me just having a baby.”

RELATED: The Best (and Worst) Exercises for Pregnant Women

While it might seem like all new mothers would need a good deal of time to recuperate, there is no one-size-fits-all healing period after a vaginal birth, says Jen Gunter, MD, an ob-gyn based in San Francisco. “If Ms. Baldwin’s body tells her she is ready, that is great,” she wrote in an email to Health. “I am sure she was in excellent physical shape beforehand, so she might be able to do more sooner that someone who was less physically active before and during her pregnancy.”

Baldwin also credited the fact that she’s always been fit, and exercised throughout her pregnancy: “Fitness is my job…. Which means my body is accustomed to working out,” she wrote on Instagram. “I don’t want to sit down, lay down and do nothing. That’s not what my body is telling me it wants and needs.”

The reality is, as Baldwin pointed out, that every woman’s experience is unique. “Of course someone who has a large tear and was in labor for 36 hours may have a longer road back to exercise than someone who had no stitches and a six hour labor and delivery,” Dr. Gunter said. “The best advice is to let your body be your guide, just go slow,” she explained in an email to Health. And obviously, she added, consult with your doc.

 

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How to beat fatigue

 

Are you constantly battling fatigue? Here, David Goding explores the causes of fatigue and how you can combat it.

The wrong cure

In our endless hunt for the mysterious ‘edge’, fatigue is our number-one enemy. So how do we combat it? With a variety of ‘slap-yourself-in-the-face’ stimulants to keep us on track, of course. Coffee, energy drinks, chocolate, more coffee, rubbing the eyes, pulling the hair, another coffee. It works, in the short term, but it’s liable to put you more ‘on edge’ than give you any real edge to your focus or productivity.

When we finally get home we unwind with a couple of glasses of wine, which we think helps us sleep, and it can, but the quality of your sleep is usually compromised, leaving you drowsy and reaching for the snooze button, reaching for the snooze button, and just one more time before yet more coffee. And so on. It’s a cycle of your own doing, and one not so easy to jump off.

The cause 

We’re led to believe that fatigue is the great modern malaise spreading like an epidemic through office blocks and shopping malls, but what’s behind all this exhaustion? And are we, in fact, the main cause? 

Yes, often fatigue is brought on by pushing ourselves too hard, high stress levels, too much caffeine and too little quality sleep, but there may also be other factors at play.

“The thyroid and adrenal glands produce hormones that give you an extra energy boost; however, it can be an anxiety-producing, frenetic kind of energy that does not do a body good,” says Dr Eva Cwynar, endocrinologist and author of The Fatigue Solution.

“Yes, it will help you get through the day, but it will stress your mind and your body, which will eventually lead to more fatigue. Hormones send messages to your muscles, saying, ‘Emergency, give up your sugar or else.’ The muscles sacrifice the glucose and become depleted to save other cells throughout the body. And that’s when we crash, burn, and become exhausted.”

Dr Cwynar recommends an eight-step plan to combat fatigue and increase your energy.

The first step, she says, is to boost your protein levels. “A protein-based way of eating will get your eating habits on track and fuel your body’s energy needs.”

Next, make sure you implement a healthy, consistent sleep routine by practising a calming relaxation therapy, such as meditation, prior to going to bed (which should be at the same time every night). “A healthy sleeping schedule keeps your hormones balanced and your energy flowing,” says Dr Cwynar.

Get plenty of exercise, which not only provides you with more energy but aids in improved sleep and lessens the risk of anxiety and depression. Dr Cwynar also stresses the importance of a healthy sex life.

“A good sex life increases overall energy. It releases endorphins and revs up your metabolism. But as with sleep, it’s the quality of your sex life that makes the difference.”

If you’re still struggling to shake the fatigue, have your doctor run some tests, starting with the thyroid. 

“When women are rundown and overweight, many automatically assume they are having thyroid problems,” says Dr Cwynar. “For some women, that is indeed the case. For others it is not. But it’s important to know.

“Other tests will tell you if you are deficient in certain trace minerals and other micronutrients or if you have neurotransmitter imbalances that are contributing to the problems of energy depletion and fatigue.”

NEXT: Stressed? Discover how stress affects your metabolism.

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A day in the life of a gluten-free guru

We chat to sports nutritionist, Stephanie Lowe about her gluten-free life.

As a sports nutritionist, triathlete and self-confessed cashew butter addict from Melbourne, Stephanie Lowe is passionate about the health benefits of going gluten free. Her blog offers written posts and podcasts about everything from gut health to fat loss. It also offers delicious GF recipes and Lowe’s ebooks, including Free From Gluten and Real Food Reset. 

My food philosophy

“Real is best. Food that comes out of the ground, from a tree or from an animal is the most nutrient dense and whole source of nutrition. In fact, one of the biggest changes we can make to improve our health is to significantly reduce or eliminate our intake of packaged foods.”

Foods on high rotation in my diet

“Every meal I eat contains many non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and zucchini. It also contains a quality protein such as free-range eggs or grass-fed meat and good fats such as avocado and olive oil. My carbohydrates come from wholefood sources, such as berries and sweet potato. Eating this way offers me optimal nutrient density, blood sugar control, satiety and long-term health benefits.”

Foods I avoid

“I stay away from packaged foods and particularly avoid ingredients that promote inflammation in the body, such as gluten, refined sugar and polyunsaturated seed oils such as canola oil (because they are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which we have too much of in our Western diet). I believe that anti-inflammatory nutrition is the key to my good health today, and tomorrow.”

Why I became gluten free

“I stopped eating gluten nine years ago to help my mental state and heal my relationship with food, which wasn’t healthy. I was so inspired by the changes I experienced that I went back to university to study nutrition at a post-graduate level so I could educate others on the power of real food. Before this dietary change, I was eating gluten every day, whether it was a small amount through traditional soy sauce or in larger quantities in low-fat cereals and muesli bars.”

Health benefits

“Once I stopped eating gluten, my digestion improved, but the biggest change was the emotional impact – I felt calmer and happier. I really began to understand that with 90 per cent of serotonin receptors (our happy hormone) found in our gut, the food that we eat has a significant influence on our brain and mental health.”

Challenges

“It can be tricky when waiters at a restaurant don’t quite understand gluten free, or perhaps don’t take your request seriously enough. The great thing is that in 2016 the awareness of gluten free is quite high and many restaurants code their menu GF, which makes ordering out very easy. Ten years ago it was much more challenging to cut out gluten, as many people didn’t even know what gluten was. Now, as long as you communicate what your dietary requirements are, most restaurants and cafes will go out of their way to assist.”

My transition tips

“The best way to approach gluten free is to focus on real food. If you fill your plate with non-starchy vegetables, quality protein and good fats, and choose wholefood carbohydrates, you are 99 per cent of the way there. Healthy, fresh food doesn’t come in a box, so there is really minimal need for the gluten-free products that are increasingly appearing on our supermarket shelves. Stick to whole and fresh foods instead.”

My day on a plate

Breakfast:

» A berry smoothie with spinach, avocado, coconut milk, cinnamon and raw pea protein

Lunch: 

» Shepherd’s pie with pumpkin mash or a three-egg omelette with a side of avocado and kimchi

Dinner:

» Grass-fed steak or free-range chicken with a rocket salad or steamed greens topped with grass-fed butter and Himalayan salt 

 

NEXT: Think you may be intolerant to other foods? Check out our guide to food intolerances.

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Vegan apple crumble recipe

 

Treat yourself with this delightful apple crumble by @silverspies. This crumble is sure to tick all boxes.

What you'll need (makes one medium pie dish)

• 4 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into slices
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup water
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup almond flour
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp rice malt syrup
• Pinch of salt

What you'll do

Preheat oven to 180ºC. In a pot on low-medium heat, place the sliced apples together with the coconut sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, lemon juice and water.

Stew apples until all the liquid has evaporated (around 15 minutes). Apples should be tender but still hold their shape.

While the apples are stewing, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, coconut oil, rice malt syrup and salt in a mixing bowl using your hands, until the mixture becomes crumbly. Place the stewed apples on the bottom of your pie dish.

Layer the crumble mixture over the top, spreading it evenly over the apples. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes – until the crumble is lovely and golden.

Allow to cool for 25 minutes before serving up with some coconut yoghurt or vegan ice cream.

Check out @silverspies for more.

Recipe first publishing in nourish magazine.

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