RULES TO LIVE BY: Meet Jenna Barclay From ‘Foods to Love’ and ‘Upcakes’

Jenna Barclay, founder of ‘Upcakes’ and new website, ‘Foods to Love,’ is a favourite here at Content for her passion for eating well and empowering others to do the same. ‘Foods to Love’ has quickly become our go-to online food store for a great choice of foods and healthy products. Jenna’s excellent nutritional knowledge and inspiring recipes, has motivated us to get more creative in the kitchen and incorporate more super-foods into our diet.

Jenna’s struggle to find healthy alternatives to her favourite treats, began with the her first venture, ‘Upcakes,’ an online shop for delicious delights such as Peanut Butter Cups, SportsBites, and our favourite here at Content, the Chocbites – a great alternative to the usual sugar-laden brownies! Jenna recognizes the importance of wholefoods and uses only the best natural quality ingredients.  In our new interview section ‘RULES TO LIVE BY’, we chat to  Jenna’s about her favourite ways to keep healthy and happy with a busy lifestyle.

We all know Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but the temptation to skip it can be great if you are in a hurry. What’s your favourite quick-start to the day?

I normally always have a shake or smoothie for breakfast, as I don’t have a huge appetite in the mornings. Starting your day with some liquid nutrition also helps ease your body into the digestion process that’s been dormant overnight. I go through phases, but right now I’ve been loving a raw, vegan chocolate protein shake made with Sunwarrior Chocolate Protein Powder, shelled hemp seeds, and a dash of stevia. It tastes so indulgent but its ridiculously healthy.

I also love green shakes for breakfast – if I have one for 3 days in a row, my skin looks totally transformed.

How do you move it? Tell us what you love about it.

Pilates is so calming and I always feel so centered after a class. It’s a great way to tone up without the boredom that can come from going to the gym. I go to TenPilates which, has several studios all over London.

For cardio, I’ll also throw in a dance class when I can. Danceworks on Balderton street has a great mix of styles and workouts. Failing that, I consider dancing with a group of girlfriends’ equally good exercise!

Your travel bag has been stolen – it’s happened to all of us! Which three beauty products do you replace first?

A good oil-based cleanser first and foremost. I love the way they feel on my skin. Then, Green People’s Soothing Nourishing Skin Treat eye cream, which I can’t function without. Lastly, any of the REN face moisturisers, which I consider an expensive necessity!

You have won a week in a destination of your choice. Where would go and what are your 3 must visit places when there?

I would go to New York, and feast at all my favourite vegan foodie spots.

• Pure Food and Wine is raw vegan fine-dining mecca and almost everything they make there is incredible, from ice cream sundaes to huge salads and their famous sake-based martinis.

• Babycakes is also a must for me – you can pick up all kinds of typical bakery fare without the usual dairy, sugar, gluten and eggs. The doughnuts there are to die for.

• I also love going to the WholeFoods stores in NY to pick up all kinds of amazing products that are yet to hit the UK, such as chocolate-infused nut butters, raw calcium supplements, and a huge selection of delicious healthy snack bars, which I always use for travel purposes.

What or who makes you smile?

Music! I listen to it all day long, every day. It makes everything better!

We all have little rituals that make life better. What’s yours?

I like to take a break in the middle of workday afternoons and get a spearmint green iced tea. Taking 10 or 15 minutes out of the day to do that helps me re-focus on the day’s to-dos.

If you had to choose one, what would be your Rule to Live By?

I read this quote a long time ago and have adopted it as my life rules – “Say what you mean, and mean what you say, and don’t be mean when you say it”. To abide by it requires integrity, strength, honesty and care – which are qualities I think we all strive towards.

Like Jenna, we love our daily green smoothies and adding a mix of our favourite super-foods. What are your favourite smoothie or juice recipes? Leave us a comment below or contact us via Facebook or Twitter

Image source: Daily Mail online 

VIEW ‘UPCAKES‘ – HERE, | GO SHOPPING AT ‘FOODS TO LOVE’ – HERE