We caught up with Laura to chat stylish gym bags, food and more! Here at Fact + Fiction we have a few bloggers that we LOVE, and Laura Agar Wilson is one of our favourites! A wellbeing coach, writer, recipe developer and author of the popular healthy living and lifestyle blog wholeheartedlyhealthy.com Laura empowers women get more self care, self love and balance in their lives.
Tell us a little bit about Wholeheartedly Healthy? What’s the idea behind your concept?
Wholeheartedly Healthy is all about embracing health as a completely holistic practice. It also puts the emphasis on balance and really connecting with what health means to you as an individual rather than just following a particular health trend.
How is Wholeheartedly Healthy different to other wellbeing / lifestyle sites - what’s your philosophy?
So often we focus in on what we eat and how we move, which are important of course, but mindset, self care and self love also play a key role in our wellbeing. Being Wholeheartedly Healthy is not about looking a certain way, or even feeling a certain way, it’s about embracing all aspects of wellbeing in a way that works for you to help you be your best self and live life to the full.
What’s your background / how long have you been blogging?
I started blogging back in 2010 so I’m a bit of a blogging veteran! I started my blog after losing a lot of weight and wanted a place to share my new found passion for healthy living. I’ve had a few ups and downs in the process and by blogging through that I’ve come to find my own healthy living philosophy which puts self care and self love front and centre.
If you had to give us your top 5 well-being tips what would they be?
- Create a sustainable morning and evening routine that support your healthy habits
- Reflect each month on what’s working for you and what isn’t and then make changes accordingly. Sometimes we just charge through life but when we reflect we can make those little changes that will lead to a healthier happier life
- Unless you have an allergy or intolerance try and ditch labeling your diet or your food as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I find that when you just see food as food and try and eat more intuitively instead of obsessing over every mouthful you end up with a much happier relationship with food.
- Move in a way that is fun! I think finding something you love really helps to make it stick. Yoga, hula hooping and doing some cardio while listening to podcasts are my fave.
- Sleep. When my son was a baby I really struggled with sleep so I know how badly lack of sleep affects you. Anything you can do to support the quality of your sleep will have a big positive knock on effect on your wellbeing.
Do you have a favorite go-to recipe?
At the moment I’m really loving my Indian Lentil and Butternut Stew http://wholeheartedlyhealthy.com/2017/01/indian-butternut-and-lentil-stew.html
What do you eat on a typical day?
I usually start with porridge with berries and nut butter or scrambled eggs and avocado with a slice of wholemeal toast. On weekends I like to make us all pancakes as my son loves them. Lunch is often a salad with lentils and feta or a soup or veggie stew followed by an apple. I love snacks like carrot sticks and almond butter or corn cakes with mashed avocado, but often on the weekends I’ll have something like a muffin or cinnamon roll (they are my fave!) Evening meals when I’m shorter on time often come out of the slow cooker like my Chicken Quinoa and White Bean Chilli ( http://wholeheartedlyhealthy.com/2015/08/super-easy-chicken-quinoa-and-white-bean-slow-cooker-chilli-recipe.html
) or a Thai green chicken curry which is my husband's favourite. I nearly always have a couple of pieces of dark chocolate or a piece of fruit and a rooibos tea after dinner as well.
What’s your top beauty tip?
I love using oil as a cleanser, my favourite is coconut oil (I have a book all about ways to use coconut oil coming out soon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coconut-Oil-nutritious-recipes-health/dp/1845436792/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485337227&sr=1-3&keywords=laura+agar+wilson) I massage a little in and then remove with a warm damp wash cloth and it always leaves my skin feeling clean and soft.
How do you switch off / what are your favorite ways to relax?
I do try and meditate every night before bed which I love. Getting outside in nature is a big way to relax for me as well, a walk on the beach is my favourite.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into health / wellness blogging?
Be consistent and don’t give up! Make sure you really connect with your own voice, there’s nothing original anymore really, but you can be authentically you.
What are your favorite blogs that you follow?
I have to be honest and say that since I had my son I don’t get a lot of time to read blogs anymore, however I always make an effort to keep up with:
Lauren Kate: I love Lauren, she’s just trained as a nutritionist in Australia and her body positive attitude is refreshing. http://thebrightfulllife.com/
Jessica Dimas: She blogs about sacred self care and spirituality and I never miss her posts. http://jessicadimas.com/
Sarah Starrs: Her writing is beautiful and honest and she has an awesome podcast as well. http://www.sarahstarrs.com/
What things could you not live without?!My husband, son, family and friends
Coffee
Pinterest - I’m addicted! https://uk.pinterest.com/lauraagarwilson/
My yoga mat
My iMac
My new GymTote! Its the best gym bag for women that i've used. If you're looking for a functional, stylish gym bag look no further. I can see why GymTote was voted the 'best gym for women' by the Independent!
