30 Plants A week

 Many of us are already all about getting our 5-a-day of fruit and vegetables, but what’s the deal with the 30 plants a week challenge and how is this any different?

As the name suggests, this challenge is about eating 30 plants each week, all in the name of good gut health. While we have been instilled with the motto ‘5-a-day keeps the doctor away’, it turns out that this is a somewhat oversimplification of the way to fuel our bodies (and sadly there aren’t any catchy rhymes for the 30 plants challenge).

What’s the difference between getting your 5-a-day and 30 plants a week?

The crucial difference is that the 30 plants will be all different. While many of us may have our 5-a-day on the regular, we may be having the same fruit and veg each day. With the 30 plants a week challenge, the expectation is that each day you will have a different range of plants.

Travel Etiquette

 

• Never bring smelly food 
• Bring a bag you can carry 
• If you have to switch seats, switch to a comparable seat 
• Feel free to recline your seat, but check on the person behind you first 
• Don't bother people wearing headphones
• Always wear headphones to avoid hearing loud noises 
• Keep your feat off the airplane seats
• Keep your arms and legs to yourself
• Don't touch the headrests when walking through the aisle 
• The armrest belongs to the person in the middle seat
• Control your children 
• Keep your things in your own space
• Be kind to the cabin crew
• If you have a problem with another passenger immediately call a flight attendant 
• Wait until the seatbelt sign is off to start exiting the plane
• Don't treat the plane like your living room
• Ask to skip the line if you have a connecting flight
• Keep your voice down when talking to someone 
• Never crawl through anyone when in the middle or window seat 
• Keep your legs out of the aisle 

Cauliflower Curry

Ingredients

• 1 tbs ground coriander 
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbs cumin seeds
• Curry leaves
• 1tbs of yellow and black mustard seeds
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 bunch coriander 

• Thumb sized piece of fresh turmeric 
• Yellow split peas 
• Two white onions 
• 1 cauliflower 
• 4 cloves of garlic
• Thumb sized piece of ginger 
• Tin of coconut milk 

Method

1. Toast the cardamom pods, cinnamon, cumin seed, curry leaves and mustard seeds in a pan over medium heat until they become fragrant.
2. Add some oil to the pan as well as the rest of the spices to toast.
3. Remove the stalks from the coriander then wash and chop them finely. Grate some fresh turmeric and add it to the pan with the coriander stalks and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. 
4. Add the dried split peas to the pan as well as a litre of water then cover and leave to cook. 
5. Slice the onions and fry them in a pan with some olive oil until they have caramelised.
6. While the onions are caramelising, chop the cauliflower into florets, toss with olive oil and roast until tender. 
7. Finely dice the garlic and ginger and add to the pan with the onions. Once they're caramelised add the contents of the pan to the pot with the split peas and spices. 
8. Add the coconut milk as well as the roasted cauliflower and give everything a good stir. 
9. Finish off the curry by mixing in the coriander leaves chopped and serve. 
   
   
   

Empathy

 "Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself." - Mohsin Hamid

"The greatest gift you can give someone is your kindness, because it makes someone feel right at home even when they're not." - Carol Rifka Brunt

Everyone we meet is fighting a battle we know nothing about. Kindness and empathy can go a long way in making their fight a little easier.

Here are five ways we can show kindness and empathy in our professional lives:

🎯1. Listen actively: In work environments, it's common to be caught up in our own task lists and goals. However, actively listening to our colleagues' concerns, opinions, and challenges can show empathy. It can make them feel heard and valued, thus strengthening your working relationships.

🎯2. Offer support: Kindness can take many forms, and offering support is one of them. Sometimes, a colleague might be struggling with work overload, personal issues, or just feeling demotivated. Offering support, whether through a helping hand or just a kind word, can help alleviate their stress and make them feel valued.

🎯3. Avoid judgment: Empathy is about putting ourself in another person's shoes. It's important to avoid judging others based on their work style, communication style, or personal background. Instead, focus on understanding their perspectives and respecting their differences.

🎯4. Celebrate successes: Acknowledging and celebrating achievements can go a long way. Whether it's a small win or a big one, recognizing someone's success can show empathy and build a sense of community within a work environment.

🎯5. Look for opportunities to help: Being proactive is another way to show kindness and empathy. Look for opportunities where we can offer support, help a colleague with their workload, or simply offer a word of encouragement. This can foster a positive work culture and make our colleagues feel appreciated and supported.

Pancakes

 Ingredients

• 1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 big tbs protein powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup oat milk 
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Add all the ingredients together and stir until combined. 
2. Adjust the milk if needed to reach the consistency. 
3. Heat up a non-sticky pan over medium heat (grease the pan with just a bit of coconut oil if necessary) and drop a couple of spoons of the batter onto it. 
4. Let it cook for 1 minute or so until some bubbles begins to form on the surface. 
5. Flip over and finish cooking until golden brown, around 1-2 minutes. Repeat for all the remaining batter.
6. Add your topping (examples, fresh fruits, pure maple syrup, nut butter, chocolate chips, etc.)

Your 16-week planner to military fitness

This 16-week fitness programme has been developed by the Army Physical Training Corps, and is based on the one that it issues to potential recruits to enable them to pass basic training. Make it to the end of level 4 (see below) and you'll have achieved the basic level of fitness required of a trained soldier ...

Before you start
To assess your current level of fitness, perform the tests and take the body measurements outlined here, and make a note of the results. These test results will also tell you how many repetitions of press-ups and sit-ups to do during the 16-week programme, by giving you your "max scores" for both. Then, at the end of each four-week level of the programme, record your new test results to monitor your fitness development.

Warming up
You should start every exercise session (including these tests) with a thorough warm-up, and always finish it with a cool-down and stretch. You can read in detail how to follow the army's recommended warm-up routines in the accompanying fitness booklet (pdf) - the first of our exclusive six-part series.

Now perform the following tests with a two-minute break between each:

Press-up max test
Do as many press-ups as you can manage in exactly two minutes - and don't worry if you need to pause for a few seconds before doing more. This figure is your "press-up max score" (see fitness Booklet 3: Upper Body, for an explanation of how to do an official British Army press-up in the army fitness app.

Sit-up max test
After resting for a couple of minutes, now do as many sit-ups as you can in exactly two minutes. Again, don't worry if you need to take a break. This figure is your "sit-up max score". (A detailed explanation of how to do an army sit-up, plus variations, is given in Booklet 5: The Core - Abs and Back, available to download here from January 9).

1.5-mile run test
Next, time yourself running 1.5miles (2.4km). If you can't run the whole way, walk where necessary. You can use an athletics track (1.5 miles is six laps) or the milometer in your car to measure the route. Don't worry if it's not exact - just so long as you use the same route next time, so you can make comparisons (see Booklet 2: Running (pdf), for detailed tips on the correct technique).

Sit-and-reach test
Sit on the floor with your legs outstretched, bare feet flexed and against a wall, 8-12 inches apart. Reach forward, fingertips sliding along the floor, and mark the furthest point that you can maintain for three seconds. (if you haven't got someone who can mark the spot for you, roll a pencil along the floor with your fingertips.) Ensure that your legs remain straight and flat on the floor - and don't bounce or jerk to get a better reading. Measure the distance from the wall to your marker to give you this test result.

Waist-to-hip ratio
Your waist to hip ratio is a strong indicator of whether your body weight is healthy. You can work this out by dividing the measurement of your waist in cm by that of your hips in cm. Measure your waist at its narrowest point - usually around your navel. Next, measure your hips at their widest point - usually around the buttocks. Don't pull the tape too tight when doing either of these measurements!

Men A ratio of 0.90 or under is desirable
Women 0.85 or under is desirable

Body mass index (BMI)
This is another tool for assessing body weight, using your weight and height. To work out your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres, then divide this answer by your height again.

&#183 A BMI less than 18.5 indicates you are underweight
&#183 Between 18.5 and 25 indicates a healthy weight
&#183 Between 25 and 30 suggests you are over your ideal weight
&#183 Between 30 and 35 is an indicator of being significantly overweight

Cooling down
Finally, follow the army's recommended cool-down exercises

Warning: Please check with your doctor before beginning this or any other strenuous exercise regime

Week 1

Day 1
 Walk-jog for 20 minutes (jog for 2min, walk for 2min, etc)
 1 x press-up max score
 2 x 5 dorsal raises
 2 x 5 tricep dips
 1 x sit-up max score
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-minute warm-up
 Run fast for 30sec, rest for 2 minutes, repeat 5 times
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 Walk-jog for 20 minutes (walk for 1min, jog for 3min, repeat 5 times)
 1 x press-up max
 1 x 5 dorsal raises
 1 x 5 tricep dips
 1 x sit-up max

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 20-30 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 15-20min

Week 2

Day 1
 Walk-jog for 20 minutes (walk for 1min, jog for 3min, etc)
 2 x press-up max
 2 x 6 dorsal raises
 2 x 6 tricep dips
 2 x sit-up max
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-minute warm-up
 Run fast for 40 sec, rest for 2 minutes, repeat 5 times
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 Walk-jog for 20 minutes (jog for 4min, walk for 1min, repeat 4 times)
 2 x press-up max
 2 x 6 dorsal raises
 2 x 6 tricep dips
 2 x sit-up max

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 20-30 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 15-20min

Week 3

Day 1
 Jog for 20 minutes (jog for 5min, rest for 1min, etc)
 3 x 1/4 press-up max
 2 x 7 dorsal raises
 2 x 7 tricep dips
 3 x 1/2 sit-up max
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-minute warm-up
 Run fast for 1 minute, run slowly for 2min, repeat 5 times
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 Walk-jog for 15 minutes
 3 x press-up max
 2 x 7 dorsal raises
 2 x 7 tricep dips
 3 x sit-up max

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 25-35 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 15-25min

Week 4

Day 1
 Jog for 15 minutes
 3 x 1/3 press-up max
 2 x 8 dorsal raises
 2 x 8 tricep dips
 3 x 1/3 sit-up max
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-minute warm-up
 Run fast for 1 minutes, run slowly for 1min, repeat 5 times
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 Brisk walk for 25-35 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 15-25min

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7: fitness assessment
 Press-ups for 2 minutes to establish new max score
 Sit-ups for 2min to establish new max score
 1.5-mile timed run

Level 2

Week 5

Day 1
 Steady run for 18 minutes
 3 x press-up max
 3 x 8 squats
 3 x sit-up max
 3 x 8 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, repeat for 10min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 2 x 12 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 15-20min

Week 6

Day 1
 Steady run for 20 minutes
 3 x press-up max
 3 x 10 lunges
 3 x sit-up max
 3 x 8 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 10min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 2 x 12 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 20-25min

Week 7

Day 1
 Steady run for 20 minutes
 3 x press-up max
 3 x 12 squats
 3 x sit-up max
 3 x 12 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 12min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 3 x 12 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 20-25min

Week 8

Day 1
 Steady run for 25-30 minutes
 3 x press-up max
 3 x14 lunges
 3 x sit-up max
 3 x 14 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 12min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Brisk walk-run for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 30-40min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7: fitness assessment
 Press-ups for 2 minutes to establish new max score
 Sit-ups for 2min to establish new max score
 1.5-mile timed run

Level 3

Week 9

Day 1
 Steady run for 25-30 minutes
 4 x press-up max
 4 x 12 squats
 4 x sit-up max
 4 x 12 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 14min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 3 x 15 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 20-25min

Week 10

Day 1
 Steady run for 25-30 minutes
 4 x press-up max
 4 x 14 lunges
 4 x sit-up max
 4 x 14 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 14min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 3 x 15 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 25-30min

Week 11

Day 1
 Steady run for 25-30 minutes
 4 x 20 chin-ups
 4 x 16 squats
 4 x sit-up max
 4 x 16 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 16min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 3 x 20 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 20-25min

Week 12

Day 1
 Steady run for 25-30 minutes
 4 x press-up max
 4 x 18 lunges
 4 x sit-up max
 4 x 18 dorsal raises
 4 x 12 triceps dips
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Run hard for 1 minute, recover for 1 min, continue for 16min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Brisk walk/run for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 30-40min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7: fitness assessment
 Press-ups for 2 minutes to establish new max score
 Sit-ups for 2 minutes to establish new max score
 1.5-mile timed run

Level 4

Week 13

Day 1
 Steady run for 30-40 minutes
 2 x press-ups for 45sec
 4 x 15 squats
 2 x sit-ups for 45sec
 4 x 15 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Alternate runing hard, then recovering, for intervals of 1,2 and 3 minutes (12min in total)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 4 x 15-20 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 25-35min

Week 14

Day 1
 Steady run for 30-40 minutes
 2 x press-ups for 45sec
 4 x 15 lunges
 2 x sit-ups for 45sec
 4 x 15 dorsal raises
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Alternate running hard, then recovering, for intervals of 1,2 and 3 minutes
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 4 x 15-20 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 30-35min

Week 15

Day 1
 Steady run for 30-40 minutes
 2 x press-ups for 1min
 4 x 20 squats
 2 x sit-ups for 1min
 4 x 20 dorsal raises
 4 x 12 triceps dips
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Alternate running hard, then recovering, for intervals of 1,2,3,2 and 1 minute (18min in total)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Circuit training: 4 x 15-20 of each exercise (see below for list)
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7
 Brisk walk for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 30-40min

Week 16

Day 1
 Steady run for 30-40 minutes
 2 x press-ups for 1min
 4 x 20 squats
 2 x sit-ups for 1min
 4 x 20 dorsal raises
 4 x 12 chin-ups
 Rest 30-90sec between sets

Day 2
 Rest day

Day 3
 10-15 minute warm-up
 Alternate running hard, then recovering, for intervals of 1,2,3,2 and 1 minute
 10-minute cool-down

Day 4
 Rest day

Day 5
 10-minute warm-up
 Brisk walk/run for 30-40 minutes or go swimming, cycling or rowing for 30-40min
 10-minute cool-down

Day 6
 Rest day

Day 7: fitness assessment
 Press-ups for 2 minutes to establish new max score
 Sit-ups for 2min to establish new max score
 1.5-mile timed run

Circuit training exercises

Do the number of repetitions of each exercise advised by the 16-week planner, without a break and in order. Once you've completed one circuit, rest for 2-3 minutes before starting the next. Each exercise is explained in the relevant booklet (all booklets will be available to download here by the end of the week).

1 Press-up
2 Twist sit-up
3 Step-up with knee raise
4 Triceps dip
5 Walking lunge
6 Sit-up
7 One-legged squat
8 Dorsal raise

Note: If "level 1, week 1" of the programme seems too easy for you, feel free to skip a week or even a level. Equally, if a week ever feels too challenging, simply do what you can and repeat the week, rather than moving on to the next one.

Source The official British army fitness programme | Health & wellbeing | The Guardian