Remember to make yourself that better version of you for this new year, whatever your aspirations, make sure you're giving yourself the best opportunities in your life. Fitness makes you feel more beautiful, health is a gift that keeps giving, healthy body & mind is what life is all about. Strength is something to be admired & if in your possession, to be valued beyond.
I've been reading & performing 'the magic' a book that asks you to count your blessings every day, on a 28 day program to be grateful. I'm currently about a week in. I implore you all to look into doing something similar for the new year, whilst I already feel more positive I know that the true benefits are still to come & I can't wait. Being grateful, sending out positive vibes can only create good energies in your own life & relationships.
Beauty is something that truly shines & I want to be my most beautiful self in 2015... Have a magical new year xoL
I'm going to make this next year - 2015 - MINE, are you with me??
Plans for my year ahead...
RUNNING:
1) 6 foot track marathon - in the Blue mountains
2) Anzac day 100k run - in NSW Sydney
3) Big red run 250k stage race - in the Simpson desert
WELLBEING:
1) practise yoga daily - vinyasa flow for strength & focus
2) eat healthily whole foods - vegan, clean living, conscious imbibing
3) meditate every day - for peaceful mindfulness
4) practice being grateful - for all the gifts that life keeps giving
WORK:
1) turn inspiration into activation
2) fulfil my potential of my passion for fashion & fitness
3) do my own thing...
RELATIONSHIPS:
1) be a compassionate human being
2) have heart & give good energy out - to attract good people
3) pass on love & understanding
Make this next year your best yet too, always good to set your intentions, to send out your message to the universe... MAKE IT YOURS xox
NOW. The festive fun time is the best time to give yourself a break, be good to yourself, share the LUV to your friends & family, treat yourself & others, be kind & giving, send peace & positivity out to the world at this time - the right time. Happy Holidays & well wishes to all!! XoL
& my gift to you guys ~ my vegan mince pies recipe...
Yummy vegan mincemeat:
100g apricots
100g figs
50g sultanas
50g hazelnuts
3 tblsp port
1 juice orange
tsp cinnamon
tsp nutmeg
tsp all spice
Healthy vegan pastry:
11/2 cups oats
1/2 cup almonds (ground to meal)
1/2 cup coconut
2 tblsp maple syrup
2 tblsp macadamia nut oil
1 tsp vanilla
Basically.. Mix the mincemeat roughly in a food processor.
Likewise the pastry mix. Roll out the pastry after chilling in the fridge for 20 mins & create mini pie shells in a baking tray, fill with the mincemeat & fill in the top with pastry. Bake for 40 mins at a low oven temp..
Serve with a glass of festive port on xmas eve...
Now I have had a few days of rest & reflection. My energy is restored & I am reevaluating my routine. I need to take my life back to basics. I am so blessed to have a healthy mind & body which is possessed through my running wild in the woods, my peaceful yoga practices & spiritual time meditating & reading, & finally feeding & nourishing my body & soul.
Why I recommend running - ask any runner if they're happy. I defy you to find someone who runs who isn't happy, running gives you a healthy outlook. I'm always in a better mood post run when those endorphins are fizzing & I have the knowledge that my run is done. & when I'm in training I feel fit = smiles.
Why I recommend yoga - to twist your body, to flush out the toxins, to quieten your mind throughout the postures, to exude health & self awareness. Yoga at times can be confronting & we know that we don't get anywhere if we don't confront ourselves & our fears. Yoga helps me to deal & heal.
& what about Meditation? It comes to me through running (that repetitive beat of my feet) or through yoga practice (being mindful of each breath) but pure meditation, sitting on my own, in stillness & silence as I chant my mantra in my mind, it gives me a beautiful vibe of oneness, that slip of light that carries me through the challenges.
For nourishment, the past few days I have only eaten fresh, organic produce, juices, smoothies, key ingredients - garlic, beetroot, ginger, blueberries, mango, kale & spinach, apples, almonds... (my coriander gazpacho deliciously nutritious & my beetroot juice just health in a glass of gorgeousness - see below) I am sure my recovery had been respondent to healing properties of whole foods.
I can see where the balance is needed in my world & sending out best wishes to you to, for you to find your happy place on this planet,
namaste xox
'THE CURE' CORIANDER GAZPACHO -
12 CHERRY TOMATOES
1 MEDIUM RED CAPSICUM
1 LARGE GARLIC CLOVE
LARGE HANDFUL CORIANDER
JUICE OF LIME
10CM OF CUCUMBER
CHILLI FLAKES
PINK SEA SALT
& BLENDED TO SMOOTH... (SERVED WITH SONOMA KALAMATA OLIVE SOURDOUGH - BEST BREAD EVER!!)
BEAUTIFUL BEET JUICE -
HANDFUL SPINACH
HANDFUL KALE
1 BEETROOT BULB
1/2 LEMON
1 CARROT
10CM CUCUMBER
5CM GINGER
1 SMALL APPLE
COLD PRESSED JUICED... ON ICE =)
Just let that sh*t go... Sometimes you have to. Work, life, problems, sadness, let it all go. NOW.
Just when I was feeling good (yes a little stressed at work with my million meetings & managing) but I've been concentrating on healthiness, been yoga practising, been lightly running, BUT I get knocked down. Shingles. So down.
I've been told it is caused by being STRESSED & severely run down. So making potions of beetroot & ginger, green veggie juices & sneaky homemade chocolate treats to keep my immune system functioning & my energy levels boosted. Vitamin C & B12 & zinc are being bountifully imbibed.
Sadness consumes me, I can't run, or exercise at all & I must rest. But it is the psychological therapy I miss & being ill is killing me. I need to switch off & give myself a break or xmas will be no fun for me!! The only real cure is REST. (& rom coms!!)
I have not always been so health orientated, a teenage alcoholic, a drug fuelled twenties & a history of eating disorders has obviously affected my being & body that is why I have made the decision to detox, to give my body a best chance to be clean & pure & in return it has given me strength & power & vigour.
I can't help thinking about my past life & the damage done. Being ill makes you realise how precious health & happiness really is. Cherish yourself, this is the only life you've got. Do what makes you happy as long as it is good for you! I wish I had this realisation sooner rather than in my late 30's!! But hey, NOW is better than never.
Sending out luv & light to the world for a peaceful, healthy & happy run in to the festive holiday......
6 foot track marathon entered. March 14th 2015. Will require much of the following...
Commitment: what it needs to achieve what you desire. The will to get up every morning to run.
Time: Creating space in life to put into you. Every single training session counts.
Effort: You have to put in the hard yards. Pushing your limits.
Reward: Feeling fit strong & healthy at the start line. Crossing the finish line in any which way.
Monday morning memo...
I want to be better. A better human. A better runner. & I am going to become better by being kind to myself & challenging my limits.
Everyday running & yoga can only make you happier & stronger & 'better'. Fact.
It doesn't matter who you are, where your fitness is at, what state of mind you are in. Any step, even a baby step, is a step forward, it's about making progress. Take it. That step or a leap frog jump over any obstacles. Throw yourself into it. Whatever that is for you.
Passing on the positivity. There. Over to you. XO
