Search for the perfect body

I do pride myself on being toned, having a wash board stomach and an ass that could crack walnuts, 

However As I have gotten older these things have changed and I have found myself struggling to keep the body that I once had. This could be a number of factors such as fluctuating weight, making my metabolism shot. Varying levels of exercise, being really lazy one day they little miss fit freak the next. the list goes on...

I recently started my hoop training again, which is amazing for over all fitness and toning, however my body seems to be changing in a way that I don;t like and so I need to figure out a way making the change a positive one. Counteracting the weight training with cardio! Laying off of the protein (except when I need it) 

I recently had to go gluten and lactose free, to establish the causes for my horrible skin. So this inspired me to eat better, I no longer reach for the junk food and instead I'm stuffing myself with steamed courgette! nom nom

In an attempt to look after myself and get my body back to the way I like it, here is my daily routine: 

I start the day with a green Smoothie, full of nutrients and far better for you than a bad bowl of cereal (Though I do eat gluten free!) 

The only modification I made to the original recipe was to remove the banana and replace with pineapple (fat burner) and add ginger and coriander. Coriander is really good for detoxifying the skin!  

Ingredients:

1 heaping cup chopped kale leaves
1 heaping cup spinach leaves,

1/2 cup coriander1 1/2 cups almond/soya/hemp milk

1t chopped ginger
1 cup pineapple chunks

1 T peanut butter

Directions:
Remove kale leaves from the center stalk and tear into chunks.  Remove any thick spinach stems.  In a blender mix kale, spinach and milk until smooth.  Add ginger pineapple and peanut butter and blend thoroughly. 

Serves 2... or one giant smoothie

I have this with a slice of Wholemeal gluten free toast. 

Lunch I eat protein to feed my muscles after Yogalaties, Fish, nuts, avocado, a big wholesome salad! You name it! It's so easy being healthy! 

I drink that while I do my 40mins of Pilates or Yoga. Pilates is great for building muscle tone and yoga for lengthening the muscles. Making you look long and lean. (in theory)

I will continue to do this for the next couple of weeks and report back! 

La Musica - Americana

As you may or may not know my family is based in Canada as well as the Southern US states (Florida, Texas, Louisiana)
Since I was a child I grown up to embrace my western roots and this has been something that I have really come to love more and more over the past year or so, ditching a little bit of Rockabilly (though inherently cowboy in itself) and trade it in for western style.
Utility wear, denim, leather, blanket coats, little t-shirts and even chaps when feeling really daring!!!

My new act prompted this change of interest and even the Americana direction my career is taking me.
Listening to the music, learning cowboy skills, throwing myself right in!

This little post is sharing my favourite tracks, from a child to now.

Firstly as a kid I spent a lot of time in Canada, with my Redneck family, beer drinking, horse riding, chopper riding canadians. I spent time on farms, trying to ride horse. Having beer bottle water fights (shaking the bottle and spraying it.....sound familiar??) I'd wear dungarees and nothing else (I was a child!!)
In the car driving through the Rockies or up to Grandma and Grandpas place in Bobcageon we would listen to the Dixie Chicks, Though not Canadian...actually Dixie.
We would sing at the top of our lungs, slap our knees. Such an amazing place to spend time as a kid.

Another song that got us going as kids was thisnext one, I even have a recording of my cousins and I singing it at 10 years old!

This one too..... easy lyrics for kids to pick up quickly (This one is a little odd 

My Father, Having grown up in Tampa, was a huge influence on my musical tastes. As I had mentioned in a previous post. I would listen to Bowie, Hendrix, led Zeppelin you name it. My newest act (as I keep mentioning) is wild western...with a little rockabilly edge. My song choice was a track my father played quite regularly to drive to.

Influenced heavily by important men with strong musical tastes (dad, step dad, Boyfriend) I bring you this track. Pete my stepdad I remember was a fan of this group and would often play the album on the school run, or picking up up from a shit night out in town. This song always brings be down, chills me out, Even though I am not from Alabama and I wouldn't necessarily want to be... You can feel the pride of being from that place in the iconic song!

More recently, as I have dug up my roots and given them some time to grow, I have been listening to more folk (and being introduced to them by Targ of course) I recently saw this band live, only to find out less than 12 hours after that they have split up :( Well....at least their only album was killer!

And that's it for now...I have a song stuck in my head that I am for the life of me trying to remember the name of so I can share it too! arghghg don;t you just hate when that happens!!!???

River of No Return - Almost there

I have been working on my Bullwhipping act for some time now....since August 2011 in fact and it is finally looking close to completion! Hurrah!
I have long since finished my amazing boots, pasties, bra and panties... and a mini sombrero OLÉ!

I am turning my gloves into fire shooting pistols with these really cute appliqués I picked up in California! Yeehaw!!!
Just a dress to finish and bullwhipping badass moves to complete and them it will be coming to a stage near you!

Bullwhipping has actually been a lot easier than I'd originally thought (and what some people had told me...undoubtedly to put me off)

I have mastered target work pretty quickly and slowly my rhythmic whipping is picking up speed. The only difficulty is at the moment is the double whips....my retarded left hand, I don't trust it...it freaks me out! Here is a little video of why I have learnt after 3 classes!
I will be applying to BHoF with this act, and I hope that I will be granted the opportunity to show it on that incredible stage to my idols, my peers and fans.




Watch this space!

So it's been a while since I wrote anything on here, Due to a very busy schedule and being far too lazy to make the time to sit and write. But I promise that will change.

Copyright Matt Hind

The past 6months has brought an immense amount of change and endless exciting opportunities, I have to pinch myself daily! It has been, and will be an incredible future 12months, and I look forward to sharing it with you all!

September and October I was asked to fly back to the USA (following my performances at BHoF in Las Vegas in June 2012)
The first stop was to New Orleans, the home of Jazz, Blues and Grind, a magical city, albeit a little creepy. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end constantly. It was like going back in time, horses and carts, 17th century filigree balconies, winding ivy, and ghosts wandering the street at night.
I was asked to perform and compete at the Bad girl's Show and The Queen of Burlesque. I had met all of the contestants at the BHoF, so the tension was certainly a little lower than it had been in June.

Copyright Matt Hind

A kick ass show, I was given the opportunity to meet my idols, rock another stage and get the banbury name out State Side.

My second trip came 2 weeks after my flight touched down from Dixie. Los Angeles! I was being flown to recreate the immortal images of Eve Arnold on the set of the misfits in the Salt Flats near to 29 Palms, CA.

It was hot, but I couldn't complain, dressed in designer denim, singing blues with the real life mustang hustlin' cowboys, it was bliss.
The week was full of an assortment of shoots, all based around Marilyn.. working out, drinking milk, on the beach.
I also went to visit Marilyn at Westwood Memorial. Recharge my spiritual batteries and let her know that I was still on track. So amazing being there again! When I move, I will visit everyday.

Copyright Matt Hind

I am currently working my new act for my US tour next year! Bullwhippin' and Nude Orleans! Bring it on!

The photographs will be featured in Men's File (Style magazine, denim issue) out in January.

That's my little quickie update. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures soon!



All images Copyright Matt Hind DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION