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Posts tagged 'apple'

MY PHOTOGRAPHY REVIEW OF THE IPHONE XS CAMERA

30/09/2018

It’s been some 3 years since I wrote one of my most well-read ‘how-to’ posts, entitled Blogging 101; in that article, I focussed on my camera selection as a part of what makes FitnessOnToast so much fun to create, and a way to differentiate your own creative pursuits. Time has moved on, as has technology, and now I have professional-grade photography integrated in my smartphone. After visiting Cupertino for the recent launch of the Apple iPhone XS, I’ve been test-driving one of their golden phones for the past fortnight, and this post is the result of my creative experimentation. Shot almost exclusively on the iPhone XS (all except for the 2 shots of the phone itself), these images were captured around Hampstead Heath in the glorious late-summer British sunshine. Click MORE for a full look at the new Camera capabilities and my full perceptions…

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A LITTLE TIME WITH APPLE WATCH SERIES 4

19/09/2018

Over the past 3 years, I’ve authored some of my most in-depth blog posts about each successive version of the iconic Apple Watch since it revolutionised the health and fitness tracking landscape back in 2015 (see review 1, review 2, and review 3); personally I’ve enormously valued the advances it’s enabled for me, arming me with data and awareness, reminding me to act, keeping me in contact with the community around me – and it did this whilst integrating seamlessly with my own ‘life technology stack’ in an un-intimidating, user-friendly way. Now, following an overwhelmingly impressive trip to the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California, I have been introduced to my latest wrist companion, Apple Watch Series 4… Click MORE to see my full perceptions about this fascinating piece of kit, which represents a big hope for the future! (more…)

LAST-MINUTE ‘TOP 10’ WELLNESS GIFT LIST!

20/12/2017

Under a week to go until a BIG focal day in many people’s annual calendar, and if you’re anything like me you’ve left your seasonal gift shopping perilously late! Fear not, my dear disorganised reader, for here’s my snappily-titled “Christmas Eve Emergency Health & Fitness Top 10 Present Idea List” (phew!) which I whipped up for just such an eventuality – perhaps it’s one to send your other half for those last-minute ideas! So here we go, please Santa may I have… (more…)

WATCH THIS!

27/11/2016

18 months has raced by since the very first Apple Watch appeared on hipster wrists the world over, and now Series 2 has hit the company’s long, wooden sales tables. I really loved that first version, and posted a super in-depth review of it HERE on a trip to the Maldives – which as an aside, remains the most breathtaking place I’ve ever been on this planet! Since that review was one of the most read articles I’ve ever published on this blog, today’s post is a timely addendum, bringing up-to-date my views on the latest iteration of this much-hyped techy timepiece. At the outset, I must declare that I have received no compensation from Apple for either this or the previous review; these are my authentic and impartial personal views, so please take them as such. The essence is that they’ve crammed a whole lot more essential kit into this version, and as a result, I’ve noticed the conversation shifting away from ‘ooh you have one of those?‘ to ‘ah, how are you using & customising yours?’ I think we’re on the cusp of getting to serious grips with the data on offer, so read MORE to get the full set of observations on my Apple Watch Series 2.0. (Pictures shot on Santa Monica beach)

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APPLE, RHUBARB & BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE!

06/09/2016

What would the world be without dessert ?! Arguably, nothing! It would be like Juliet without her balcony, and even without her Romeo. Thankfully that was just a mental hypothetical question, and in reality, I aim to encourage my sweet tooth every now and again simply because it makes me happy! To do this, I’ve developed an array of desserts which are on the nutritious side, and yet which taste incredible. This oxymoron of characteristics (healthy deliciousness) is surprising to many who sample them, and today’s blog post weighs in as a serious addition to the roster. Bizarrely, it’s the recipe that I receive most incoming requests for (!?) and so here, ladies and gentlemen, is my Apple, Rhubarb & Blueberry Crumble, which draws upon the titular fruits, as well as seeds, nuts, oats and an array of exotic spices! Click more to read exactly how to rustle up this epic dish ahead of your dinner occasion! (more…)

2 DAYS WITH APPLE WATCH!

15/12/2015

From nowhere, wearables have exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry, and fitness has been a massive driver. Stats say that if we buy one, there’s a 50% chance we’re under 30, and a 50% chance that we’ll use the device every day – but that’s still a lot of people who don’t use them regularly! I’ve tried almost all of them, I like some, I don’t get on with others; product reviews are rare on FitnessOnToast, but this post is about the only wearable that’s really connected with me, the one which has game-chagingly lowered the barriers to use, in which I feel emotionally invested, and which delivers the best quality of data to me, in the most aspirationally packaged way. It’s the Apple Watch, and this article is an illustration of “48 hours with it”, from my recent Maldives trip! (more…)

HAPPY 1000th BDAY, BOROUGH MARKET !!!

26/10/2014

To celebrate the millennium of Borough Market, one of London’s most treasured culinary gems, I paid it a visit yesterday afternoon, and rustled up some of the finest local ingredients for a healthy, British-inspired dessert! And since today’s Apple Day (they’re displaying 1000 apple varieties for the 1000th birthday), I put something ‘themed’ together from my haul! As ever, you end up buying twice what you intended, and some things you didn’t intend, too. But apart from the electric buzz of the atmosphere, there’s a super-strong focus on quality and freshness at the market, which fits perfectly with my entire healthy ethos; this post details my healthy ‘Baked Apple and Spiced Nuts’ recipe, along with giving you a feel for the vibrance and treasures of the market. For any non-Londoners reading this, a saturday afternoon is a wonderful time to pay it a visit when you’re in town 😀 Read MORE…

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LET’S GET READY TO CRUMBLE !!!

13/04/2014

I’m not entirely sure what to call this healthy & tasty little experimental dessert! Perhaps ‘Prius’ because it’s a bit of a hybrid! Part apple crumble, part compote, part breakfast… it’s simply composed of 5 core ingredients – apple, cinnamon, coconut oil, manuka honey and (low sodium, low sugar) granola. Unlike apple crumble, this isn’t overpoweringly sweet, but thanks to the baked spices, it packs a serious flavour punch, and is on just the right side of subtle!

In the mind, ‘Baking’ can seem a seriously laborious chore (up there with changing the sheets and taking out the rubbish)… but this dish only involves chopping apples and then sprinkling/drizzling the remaining ingredients around. It’s baking for dummies, and I have found that it’s very hard to get wrong! Granola – yes it’s going to be a touch ‘sugary’, but I opt for most natural option – no refined sugar, low sodium, no preservatives, sweetened exclusively with honey. The good thing about this recipe is that you only need a small sprinkle of granola to make quite a big impact! Read MORE for ‘how to’…

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“WILL FRUIT MAKE ME FAT ???”

05/11/2013

In moderation, and the right type, no! I’m marking the change of seasons with some yummy winter berries. This healthy dessert should satisfy your sweet tooth (guilty!), whilst offering plenty of nutritional value too. I’m regularly asked whether ‘fruit will make you fat because of the sugar content’; true, too much of any type of sugar is bad news. However chomping on the right fruit (like these berries) means you’re not only eating fructose (the lowest-GI form of sugar with a glycemic index of 19, versus a glass of apple juice at 30, table sugar at 65, and glucose at 100), but also enjoying other benefits like fibre (helps digestion) & plenty of vitamins and minerals. By chewing solid food and metabolising it slowly (rather than drinking it straight into your bloodstream) you suffer less of a blood sugar spike. I’d rather have a delicious, beautiful, tasty, bowl of fresh berries with nutritional value including some protein (thanks to the yoghurt, plenty of calcium & vitamin-B too) than a dry cardboard biscuit that claims to be ‘low in sugar’.

The purpose of this berry dish is to promote the intake of… (more…)

HOW ENTERTAINING !!!

22/06/2013

Because I’m only human, I find it incredibly difficult to resist all the dangerous ‘food temptations’ that lurk at social functions – whether it’s calorific ‘feta’ starters at a restaurant, deep-fried canapés at a party, battered pub grub, caramel-topped ‘frappucino’ coffee with friends (and the list goes on…), when there are beautiful bowls of yummy nibbles laid out in front you, the willpower alone can crumble (yum, crumble!), especially when everyone else starts tucking in. Chips, crisps, popcorn, sweets, chocolate drinks… An indulgent evening out can quickly mount up to 1000 calories! This post is about a couple of suggestions for hosting your friends in a more healthy and nutritious way that won’t fill you with guilt or saturated fat!IDEA 1: FRUIT PLATTER
Instead of sweets, the sugar here is natural vs. refined, it’s hydrating, and has a host of anti-oxidant and vitamin benefits. If you’re struggling with sugar cravings and don’t want to cut out sugar instantly (resulting in cold turkey), then a tasty & healthy fruit salad can help make the transition. Arranging it in a bite-sized way, and serving with cocktail sticks, is a great alternative to greasy mini-pizzas!

IDEA 2: SWEET POTATO CHIPS

More sweet carbs you say? How about some home-made potato chips? (See my previous post for more info on sweet potato here). They are sweet yet have a surprisingly low Glycemic Index. Sweet potato is also high in fibre and the caloric energy is slow releasing, providing sustainable energy to carry you on for longer than a low-fiber simple carb, like a pack of Walkers. Plus you don’t need to go heavy on the salt because they’re already rich in flavour. So in all not too bad! And certainly healthier than sodium, fat-packed crisps.

For more on Ingredients and ‘How to’ click here: