Do you Meditate? 5 reasons why you should.

image via

I am not afraid to admit in most of my meditations my eyes fill with tears, it didn't happen the first time or the second, but after some practise (and it does take practise) my body and mind are so still and crystal clear, even for a moment, when I completely surrender and re-connect it can be really moving.

If you don't currently practise meditation, I really urge you to try. There are SO many benefits to be had.

1. Less stress.

2. Increases focus.

3. Body awareness. By scanning your body, focus on relaxing every part, individually. You might notice tension in areas you didn't expect.

4. Stronger immunity. An extensive scientific study found long-term practitioners of relaxation methods such as yoga and meditation, far more ''disease-fighting genes'' were active, compared to those who practised no form of relaxation. In particular, protection from disorders such as pain, infertility, high blood pressure and even rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Gratitude. When I am finished meditating I feel happier, centered and content.

Sure, there are many more benefits, but this is what I feel from meditation. Do you currently practise regular meditation? What does it help you with? Have you felt a change in yourself ?

Maintaining energy and patience in the festive season

image via

It was Monday morning, I jumped out of bed for the usual morning walk, I felt a bit off but pushed through. Arrived at the office, the mood was sombre. No one seemed to be happy to be in the workplace, the parking inspector was hovering around, I was still hungry after lunch, energy levels were at all time low. I arrived home, strangely the husband was exactly the same. We decided Red Rooster and a night in front of the telly was the perfect remedy. I felt slightly better.

Sound familiar at this time of the year? We are so busy focusing on a gazillion other things, we leave our well being behind in the end of year rush. Some people even saying words like (dare I say it) "Can't wait for Christmas to be over" so they can restore order to their lives! EEEP, we are in tough times people.

In my 'low energy day' I felt my mind darting from work, the planned renovations, work, emails, doctor appointments, work, blog reading list, gardening, dinner, gifts for the husband, time off, money, work.... you get the picture.

focus.

They say you are one person, so work on one thing at a time. Sure, laugh it off in our multi-tasking, multi-device world. But it is true. Switch off from your other thoughts, what are you working on right now that needs your attention, then  you will shift your focus to the next task.


write it down.

Won't get outta your head? Get out your notepad and write it down. Sometimes I even write on post-it notes at the office of my 'to-do' list for when I get home. Write it down, move it out of your head space.

Spend some time to write in a journal, it doesn't need to be a thesis. Writing helps me centre my thoughts and be grateful. See things in perspective for a moment.


keep exercising

Don't stop moving your body. In between working and studying (the sitting jobs) I will get up and move around or walk the block. You will feel re-energised and most likely be more productive on your return. Try it!


plan your meals

Sure I should practise what I preach (as above), but we are all entitled to a bad dinner once every now and then (right?). Majority rules and if you are letting your nutrition slip, you can always get it back on track.


give a gift with meaning

I'm big on this one for 2012, making gifts for friends and family. Don't use your wrestling moves on crowds in the Christmas Rush, plan an afternoon with the husband, kids or friends and make some gifts. I'll do a little DIY guide this weekend on some goodies I'll be whipping up. You can also give a gift with meaning, sponsor an animal (make sure it is through a reputable organisation), give to charity in someones name, give a 'doing' gift to someone so you can spend some quality time together.


be grateful

The fact you can sit at your computer or device and read this already makes you richer than most of the world. Take a moment and be grateful for everything you have and have achieved this year, large or small. I bet you are not the same person you were last Christmas. Write it down and come back to it when you go to write your affirmations for the new year.


kill the drama queen in you

This is a big one. So many families I know, in fact all of them, can become fragile after a whole day in the same house together. It brings up old battles, this persons view against the world and jealousy amongst each other etc etc.

Don't let yourself downward spiral into a negative manifesting and gossiping. It is a definite waste of energy and precious time.

enjoy

Enjoy the big feast, you know there are limited days in the year where it doesn't count how many chocolates you eat, or how many scoops of potato salad you just heaped onto the plate. Lap it all up and roll around in the festivities! There is something magical in the air in December, so make the most of it.

image via

Healthy lifestyle - One month on

I posted about this 2 weeks in, now that is a month past it is time to confess my slip ups and commitment to continue a healthy lifestyle journey.

At first I thought it was going to be super easy, bouncing around on energy from eating all fresh fruit and veg, but I soon realised eating fresh food is hard work and if you are heading out for a meal or away for the weekend, it is near impossible!

It resulted in my husband, Ray, has falling off the wagon, declaring last week he was no longer willing to participate in the green smoothies. Not too long after he brought home our ultimate weakness, chips and a block of chocolate, I should also add he went for the chocolate Sundae on the weekend and tried to derail me again last night with more chocolate! A test of my willpower... I could see our well rounded old habbits sneaking back in, but I am determined to stick it out!

On a positive, I have been eating fresh foods majority of the time and staying away from processed, I am not as discliplined as the beginning but I think it comes down to planning my meals.

When I am on track I feel great, never bloated, my mind is super sharp, I have energy and I sleep well at night.

I have also had alot of people come up and say they would like to try the green smoothies, assuming they would be horrid in taste I can promise you quite the opposite. Here is a nice easy one for the morning to try out this week. Important to remember, there are no rules, if it grows in the garden, chuck it in the blender, find new flavours!

Morning Smoothie

• 1 x kiwi fruit
• 1 x apple
• 1/4 pineapple
• handful of spinach
• chunk of parsley
• sprinkle of seeds (im currently using black chia seeds)
• water (enough so it blends - add more if you don't like thick smoothies)

Some days I'll throw in a carrot, cucumber, banana etc.

On the meal planner this week

• Honey glazed warm pumpkin salad
• Red kidney bean chilli con carne with brown rice
• Coconut curry vegetable stirfy
• Steamed fish & veg with light garlic butter
• Sweet potato & greens lasagne (with homemade pasta sheets)
• 5 mix vegetable soup (pumpkin, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, celery)

Images: 1,

One Step Towards a Fulfilled Life

I would like to pose a question...

At what point can we actually say we have lived a fullfilled life?

Is it to have loved and be loved? Expereinced childbirth? Travelled the globe? Achieved financial greatness?

Even more so, if you knew That in 3, 5, 10, 20 or 50 years from now you would pass away, would you live your life differently for each forecast? I know its a little morbid, perhaps a little to deepfor a blog post, but a worthy question.

I am not asking for the meaning of life, meerly to appreciate the life you have right here and right now. Life can be cruel and take those before their time, but it can also give us some truly amazing breathtaking experiences. To be able to feel pure, ecstatic, heart in hour throat love we also feel the deep pitful low pain of loss. It makes us human, it brings us closer to those around us and enevitably makes us stronger and wiser.

I like to think a fullfilled life is one where you follow your heart, live in the now and don't get hung up on the small details when things don't go the way you 'planned'.

Image

The Healthy Lifestyle - Two Weeks On.

They say it takes 2 weeks to make a new habit, which is now upon us since my husband and I embarked on a new food journey, one that will increase our energy levels, build our immune system and make our skin a lot healthier. This program has no end, it is a way of life. It is not a new radical pill or meal supplement, a strict diet with boring food - it is simply back to basics.

Each day we start with a fruit and vegetable green smoothie, they vary each day and we have discovered a few we really like and a few we took a bit longer to drink.

Our favourite smoothie is one with a mix of pineapple, kiwi fruit, apple, spinach and banana with a sprinkle of black chia seeds.

Lunch, dinner and snacks are all fresh food (and delicious!). I am definitely not a food photographer, but these pics can atleast provide an idea of what we are doing.

This mix of veggies was one tasty meal, it was mixed with a light coconut sauce and a few rice noodles. Delish!

Fruit salad topped with natural yogurt and bran.

So the big question, do I feel any different since cutting out processed food and cutting back on coffee (only allowed 1 a day with a max of 5 a week)? I do and here are some things I have noticed.

• Better nights sleep - When my head hits the pillow, I am out - gone are the nights where I would lay awake for hours still processing sugar and caffeine from the day.
• Even more regular in the bathroom than before - (I know, not something nice to discuss, but important) I have always been regular, but now it can be 2 times a day.
• No more bloating or feeling sluggish after meals.
• When I did consume sugar (in the form of a tim tam) I got an instant headache.
• I feel satisfied throughout the day and don't go sugar hunting at 3:30.
• I don't feel like I NEED a coffee to start the day as I have so much energy when I wake now.
• I haven't had any breakouts on my skin, but I think this will take a little longer to clear up completely.

Time to discuss! What is for diet made up of? What are your favourite health foods that give you an amazing burst of energy? 

How to organise your wardrobe in one weekend.

First things first, before you go tearing through your wardrobe, spend some time online or strolling through a few of your favourite shops, get a feel for the current trends and fabrics. GET INSPIRED!

This is important as it will helps to change your state of mind on your current wardrobe.

When you get home, section the project off. Maybe start with the folded stuff. Pull it all out. All of it!

Give the shelves a wipe down or lay down some new liners.

Now for the clothes... As you sort through, the question for the keep it or chuck it is " have I worn this in the last 6 months?" if no "can I picture a time I would ACTUALLY wear it in the next 2 weeks" if no - chuck it!

Understand that some items have sentimental value - like a band shirt or those hot pants you felt amazeballs in - maybe put these in a storage box, kept outside of your bedroom - but do not fold them back into the piles!

Speaking of storage boxes, use small clear (and stackable) storage boxes for your beanies, belts, thongs, bikinis, gloves etc - this is also handy through the seasonal changes you can rotate them easily.

Then voila! You should have something like this, or close to.

Speaking of wardrobes, a girl can dream....

One other tip worth noting, before you go and donate your car load of clothing, shoes, bags and belts to the local Salvo's, take a good look through it, is there something that is still in fashion or a pair of shoes you wonder why you bothered to buy? Maybe they can score you some cash on eBay. It might be a tedious task of photographing and loading each item up - but it could be worth it. 

I recently listed 10 items I didn't like anymore, but were just 'too good to throw out' - you know we all have them! Well, I only expected to fetch about $50 in total, but it all sold for a mammoth $170! So it definitely pays (literally!) to clean out your wardrobe. 

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Winning the War on Social Media World Domination

It's 6:00am, the alarm goes off. It's too cold to get straight out of bed, so you decide to check Facebook and Twitter while your sleepy eyes awaken. Next, your either transporting to work or at morning tea time, getting your coffee, with one eye scanning your newsfeed, once again <- This is repeated throughout the day. Then its home time, after a mad rush of cooking dinner, cleaning up and maybe some exercise, its finally time to relax, oh wait - there it is again, checking your newsfeed. You look across, your other half is doing the same, barely saying a word to each other for the night.

Sadly this is how consuming social media and apps can be on our 'smart phones'. I can't actually picture my life without my phone, it does bring so many conveniences, but like anything there need to be boundaries.

In came the new rule, The 8:00pm Rule.

Simple really, after 8:00pm, no phones, computers or social media hosting device. Just me and my husband. Getting back to snuggling on the couch for mid-week movie night, heading out for dessert, doing a body balance class at the gym.

So far, this rule has been great, it has forced me to create new habbits, for example, I now wake earlier to blog in the mornings - which is when my mind is refreshed and recharged (meaning less time staring at the screen).

Do you feel your life is being dominated by technology? Have you taken action to win your life over and get back to good old fashioned communication with real humans??

Images: 1, 2

Three steps to a goal free and successful life

Do you actually need goals to be successful? It is possible to merely wander through life and have amazing opportunities present themselves to you? or is it by meticulous planning and goal setting that you achieve your greatness?

As an organised and perfectionist Virgo, I have always been one to write my aspirations down on paper and somehow form them into my to-do list. I actually take great satisfaction from simply ticking an item off, I like to do the small things right and then let the bigger things have a bit more freedom to morph into whatever great beast they please. (Which I think means I am organised rather than goal orientated.) The important thing to note is that the list is ever-changing and super flexible.

I know the general direction I want to go, but certainly don't beat myself up if I don't achieve it. Some people call it my 'phases' - but what if an amazing opportunity came up? Should I say no to stay true to my goals? Lets face it, things change, events occur, I cannot plan for the unknown or things out of my control.

Sometimes it can feel like nothing are going anywhere fast, lost in disorganised chaos (also known as: life in general) and don't have time to Stop.Reflect.Celebrate.

While I do create moodboards, scrapbooks and online galleries (pinterest!) for the things and directions I wish to head into. (And, I think it helps, by looking at those images I can then work towards surrounding myself in similar surrounds and begin to naturally move in the right direction.) For others it might be mindmaps, lists, SMART goals etc.

Ultimately I think success and opportunity can come down to three simple things:

1. Do what you love


Not meaning to quit your job and devote yourself to full time dreamer, but to take up a hobby of something you enjoy doing, maybe it is sport, craft, photography, building, gardening - and hey, who knows, one day someone might notice your efforts or work and it could turn into a career!

2. Be organised


No one ever got the job for turning up late. Get your life in order, maybe start to plan your meals and shop with a list, write out your financial budgets, keep paperwork where it should be (not shared around the kitchen drawer, coffee table, handbag and car glovebox), clean out your closet, be early, always double check and never assume.

3. Embrace change


The old saying of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is actually pretty accurate. Sadly this sometimes means dealing with pretty intense pain and suffering, but there is always something positive to come from it. Days before a woman I idolise passed away from a long battle with cancer declared "Man I've had a good life, I am so lucky" Even though she had to look death in the face, to hold such a beautifully positive outlook shows true character and her bright amazing soul. There is no point getting stuck in your ways and becoming complacent, that is when you will get left behind.

A great successful life cannot be written on paper, it must be felt within the heart.

Let's discuss! Do you set goals? Are you tied to your list or do you constantly reassess it?

When you think to your greatest achievement, was it a result of meticulous planning or was it all by chance and a stroke of luck? Perhaps a bit of both?

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A little reward goes a long way.

So after a long day, one migraine, stiff neck and stack of work left behind. I feel I was blessed at my body balance class again, just as meditation began, the rain poured (quite heavily I might add) throughout the session. It was like nature put on its best orchestra just for us, as my body wound down. I felt so refreshed afterwards. 

Just for background, I have a dodgy neck, thanks to a Singaporean masseuse, who promised me there would be no bone cracking....

Whenever I get a little stressed or had a few big physical labour days, it ceases up a little. I took it as a sign to slow down, to take a big energizing breath in and sigh out all the stressors. (go on, try it!)

While I didn’t think I was uptight or stressed, my body was clearly sending signs I was ignoring my wellbeing.

We shouldn’t wait for our bodies to be on its hands and knees begging us to slow down, instead get out your diary and book in things you will do for yourself, maybe its a walk over lunch in the fresh air, spend 5 minutes to exfoliate your body with a salt scrub, you will feel the contours of your body and even do a lump check, while relaxing your muscles at the same time, have a bath with no music - be alone with your thoughts, buy your favourite magazine and make a cup of tea and just sit or take a yoga class.

Please share below, what do you do to look after yourself, to get some time to gather your thoughts, clear your mind and re-energise your body? 

Images: 1, 2

Health regime - countdown to the dress fitting

Most Brides are determined from the moment that Engagement Ring slips on their finger, to finally reach their target weight. The ultimate body. Peak of fitness. Ready and primed for he Victoria’s Secret runway… well ok maybe that’s a little extreme.

Reality is, planning a MASSive event like a wedding is extremely time consuming, so if we didn’t have time to exercise and put effort into our meals before, how on earth could we do it now??

Since I fall into this category, equally blended with high demand job (aka. overtime, much?) and my inability to prepare for things in advance. I have left it to the last minute to really give it my best. Wish me luck, right!?

A funny post on fat mum slim, recently – a weight scale sitting in the middle of the zoo – with the question posed, who would actually use this? To actually declare you weight in a public space. 

Declaring it to the world = commitment

So here goes.

Weekly meal planner (thanks Typo!)

Note: we don’t eat meat at our home. Just loads of vegetable based meals. We weren’t always this way (infact Ray isn’t a huge fan) but we are so healthy now, much easier to manage our weight and keep good levels of nutrients in our bodies.   

Exercise regime (from the week that was)

Monday:  Body Balance Class – Blend of yoga, thai chi and pilates Monday meditation is such a godsend.

Tuesday: Ride 20km - in my lounge room in front of the TV – preferably while watching Gossip Girl or that new show Revenge

Wednesday:  Pump – 1hour weights class at the gym

Thursday:  Ride 20km – (as above)

Friday: Walk or jog at the park with Ray and the dogs.

Saturday: Pump – 1hour weights class at the gym & 5km run/walk

Sunday: REST!

My tips for successful management of a healthy lifestyle

•  Plan your meals
• Portion size of your meals (no seconds!!)
• Drink water. No really. Drink a lot
•  If you actually exercise for as long as you think about doing it, you would be finished by now.
• Set small goals – for sense of achievement along the way
• Mix it up – routine is boring and feels so long (sometimes we go for a run along the bush tracks, then to the local park, then to the lake – or if we’re lucky… the beach!)
•  Do a class at the gym or get a workout buddy, you’re less likely to bail
• If you want to eat that second piece of cake or gorge on naughty foods, have a glass of water and/or imagine in ½ hour you have to get your bathers on and head to a pool party… amazing how the craving will disappear and suddenly lying on the floor pushing out 100 sit-ups!
• Have one day a fortnight where you get to eat whatever you like
• Declare your goals, talk to people about them – maybe someone else is doing the same thing – encourage one another.
• Buy organic – food is so full of flavour and free from chemicals.

Please share your workout and eating regimes below. I promise to report back with progress on my current health kick!


Images: 1. 2.

Sunday's are for....

Sunday's are for cooking your meal from scratch and sharing it with someone you love.I cooked a Seafood oil pasta, with garlic bread. Lots of butter and garlic, mmmmm yumm. Please can I have some more?!?!

When life seems a little chaotic

So as you can tell from my recent blog post (or lack thereof!!), life has been a little chaotic.

The defining moment this week of losing the plot was early Monday when I misread a deadline for a report due (for my course); it was no longer 10 days away but 3.5!! Not freaking out too much, as it was only a 3,000 word piece; I set my action plan of 1,000 words a day. Did the plan work out??... Well by Wednesday I was displeased with my efforts and began to think of brilliant ideas to have an afternoon off work (probably on the day it was due) to hammer it out. Until I realised…. I misread-misread the deadline, the original date I noted in my diary was correct! The one I wrote down while in a calm state of mind not the one I frantically thought I saw and threw my life into turmoil for.

With Ray and I studying (seems to be all we do at the moment), trying to keep up with Mount 'Mon n Ray's' washing (could be possible to see from google earth!), wedding planning, gardening, renovating the kitchen, walking the dogs, try to eat healthily... to be cont. The only socialising I am capable of at the moment is Facebook. Yet the first activity to get shoved off the list was yoga! When it should be at the top, why is it when we get stressed and busy it is suddenly not a priority??

Where I should be right now

Since getting the SLR camera, I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment we have spent together. I just wish we didn’t have to be apart for so long. When you are constantly sprinting it is hard to slow the pace down enough to find inspiration and get clicking. When you head out for a photography session you need to be chilled. Once you start thinking about everything else you need to do, your photos just don’t look the same.

So what do I need to do to get back on track?!? Action plan of course! I have started writing lists for home projects that need to be done, planning out my study sessions, wedding planning sessions, blogging time and even some socialising time! The same applies for the office, with a recent change, things got a little chaotic there too, so I have applied the same method.

 It doesn’t help that I am an adrenaline junkie and love doing things last minute (even thought it really does work for me), I work far better under pressure than moseying through. If you are in the same situation, the year is ticking away and things start to pile up it certainly helps to write it all down on paper, even small tasks or ‘easy wins’, I love scrolling through the list and ticking things off as I go, such a small little ü can make me feel so accomplished (perhaps something learnt from school).

1. Mexicachica 2. Flickr

Wedding Theme Overload

So the time has come to start prepping our invitations and setting the 'theme' of the wedding, but how can I make such a big decision in such litte time! From Romantic, Rustic, Bright, White, Country, Bohemian... etc. Can I have a mixture of all of them please? For every bride who feels overwhelmed with planning a wedding, I think the important point to note is to take the venue in, does it have a colour theme already flowing throughout, where is the wedding placed? is it outdoor or in a formal function room? and most importantly what will bring out your personalities and love for one another?

Being happy doesn't mean everything has to be perfect, it means we can look beyond the imprefections!