Smoothie Love - Day 22

Smoothie Love Day 22

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Well, the start of the week brings with it something different, and thought I would play a little. I am quite proud of my smoothie and being able to get the two layers. You have to pour the top layer in slowly for it to sit on the bottom layer, garnish with some kiwi and you have yourself a delightful combination of flavors.

Here is today's smoothie: Blueberries, banana, dried cranberries, cashew nuts, mixed fruit. Bottom layer - Mango chunks, grapes, banana, and pear.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 21

Smoothie Love Day 21

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

I thought I would get this post up in time for you to follow the recipe if you wish. Smoothies are a great way to get your vitamins and minerals in your system. Depending what you put in them they can be a power house of goodness.

As with any smoothie you can adapt the recipes as you wish, adding or taking away an ingredient. The smoothies over the past few days you will notice don't have any cabbage in them, I have to get some more tomorrow. But you can chose from a wide variety - kale, spinage, red and green cabbage and loads more, just give them a try.

Here is today's smoothie: Pear, Banana, Mango chunks, Fruit Salad mix, Cashew nuts, Raisins, Almond Milk

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 20

Smoothie Love Day 20

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

I think that I am beginning to find my flow with the smoothies, and have learnt some lessons along the way - we are learning all the time!, especially with regards to helping me keep consistent. I have my staples which I work with, making sure that I have sufficient supply, and this has enabled me to keep going, whilst providing a nutritious smoothie each day.

The family have been joining in and as I make one for myself, I make one for them as well, knowing that we are all benefiting is keeping me going. It does also help to have an easy to use smoothie maker, and I will have to at some point do a review on the ones that we have brought and what has worked well for us. I am starting a new review site where I will be sharing my views on things that I have tried, hopefully it will help others make informed choices.

Smoothie Love

Here is today's smoothie: Pear, Grapes, Tangerine, Mango and Oat Milk, this one was quite nice, creamy and the frozen mango chunks were quite sweet.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 17

Smoothie Love Day 17

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Ok, so I missed a few days, stuff happens, and you have to go with the flow, walk round, jump over and a whole load of other things while you are at it. I made the smoothies, but didn't get to post for a whole host of reasons, some of which I shared in yesterdays post about Taking time out. The main thing is to make sure you take note of whatever lessons you are to learn, then as you move on you are able to see where the possible pitfalls may show their face again.

Here is today's smoothie: Grapes, kiwi, blueberries, raisins, cashew nuts, coconut milk, and spinage.

The kiwi wasn't very sweet and so there were slightly sharp undertones, but it still tastes good. I have stocked up on supplies so looking forward to the coming recipes.

Smoothie Love - Day 17

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love Day 11

Smoothie Love Day 11

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Keeping the smoothie light again today, 

and it contains the following:

Oat Milk

Banana

Melon

The Vlog for today will be uploaded soon.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 10

Smoothie Love Day 10

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Keeping the smoothie quite light today, 

and it contains the following:

Melon

Banana

Mango chunks

Strawberries

Grapes

Pear

Oat milk

Day 9 Vlog

if you haven't had a chance to see the vlog from yesterday I have attached it above.  

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of Change - Day 9

Smoothie love - Day 9

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For my smoothies this week I am feeling like adding something more substantial in the smoothie.  For this you can use oats, add nuts and a variety of different seeds.  I decided to add granola to my smoothie, which means that I can reduce the amount that I will eat at lunch time, well that's supposed to be the idea.  I know that I haven't quite done a vlog yet, but it is in the pipe line!

Smoothie love - 30 days of change

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of Change - Day 8

Smoothie Love

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For this smoothie I used Red cabbage, greens, carrots, pear, apple, raisins, cucumber, seed mix and almond milk. Whilst there is quite a bit of vegetables, the fruit and raisins adds the sweetness, a great way to start the week.

Learning from the lessons of last week I plan to put them into action and see if I can have a more structured week, as we want to start feeling the benefits from the change.

What are you going to do today to work towards your change?

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of change - Day 7

Smoothie Love

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For this smoothie I used a banana, blueberries, seed mix and ginger. I also added coconut milk - delicious taste.

What are you going to do today to work towards your change?

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of change - Day 6

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Mix it up a bit today!

Add some different vegetables to your recipe, carrots give the smoothie a nice taste, cucumber has a high water content and the ginger gives it a bit of a kick!

Gratitude's and Celebration - Day 46 - All your experiences ......

All your experiences make you stronger...

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - The beginning page

The majority of people at some point in their life will have an experience that will shake them to the core, but not everyone will react in the same way to the same experience.

After playing around this figure emerges

Layers are added to our lives, each day we walk on the earth there will be key things that we thought would crush us, but as we looked the experience dead in the eye, picking ourselves up, we moved past.  Holding on to life and seeing a purpose to our existence.

We didn't know that we would heal, but we did, we didn't think that we would laugh again but we did.  We never thought we could breath without the pain coursing through our bodies.  But the pain got easier, we still remembered but it didn't hurt as much with each passing day, we were able to exhale.

Our lights once dimmed began to shine again and light up those dark places.  Our minds and our hearts renewed with strength and we were able to face another day.

I am grateful for the love that carried me through many a dark day, and celebrate the grace that enabled me to find the space to breath again, and heal a heart that felt broken.

In thinking about your own experiences, what strength can you find to turn a current situation around?

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Full of Inspiration!

Have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!

30 Days of Change Day 5

Smoothie for the day - Day 5

Add some nuts and seeds to your smoothie...

Lessons learnt - OK there are always lessons to be learnt, and preparation, preparation is at the heart of them.  I've touched on this before and the only way that you can stick to something is by helping yourself successful in achieving your goal and focus not only on what you want to achieve but how you get there as well.

I will also start posting the smoothies in the morning which gives you time if you want to make the recipe and use it in your morning routine.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of Change - Day 4

Smoothie for the day

Today is mix and match day, and I am going to make my favorite smoothie from day 1-3 using up some of the ingredients that I have left.  I'll have to buy some more fruit as I have been making smoothies for my husband and son each morning as well.

I have definity felt some improvement with having the increased vitamins and minerals intake and it should get better as the weeks go on. 

Lesson learnt from yesterday -  

When there are changes to your routine you need to account for the slip ups and put steps in place to stop making bad choices.  

I found some gluten free cake at my mums that I had brought last week that screamed to be eaten with a cup of Earl grey tea!  'Get rid of them' was the faint cry that was drowned out by the kettle boiling.  Loosing my train of thought for a moment  before I knew it I was sitting at the table with a plate in my hand and a slice of cake smiled coyly back at me. 

I need to keep the cake and the chocolate biscuit that tasted a lot like the Milky ways my mum used to get us when we were children, but it had much thicker chocolate - a wide berth!

I am still committed to make the changes and know that this is one day out of many where I can turn things around.  Today I can be and do different

What will you do with your day?

30 Days of Change - Day 3

Here is the smoothie for the day, hope you enjoy it.  Tips for staying on track, today - keep it simple, and try not to do too many things at the same time.  Change will come over time and you must avoid comparing yourself to others - because you are unique and you will get to where you want to go in time.

Smoothie Love - Day 3

I had some problems uploading the vlogs, and started questioning myself about doing it altogether, after playing back what I did I started to criticize myself and compare myself to those people who have been doing videos for a lot longer.  At the end of the day what anyone else thinks is not important, what is important is making that change that will enhance my health, and enable me to do more and hopefully bless more.  I will sort it today and put something up!

A few lessons learnt yesterday:

• The more you prepare for the journey, the greater the chance that you will get where you want to go.  I have to get back to preparing the evening meal earlier or the day before to be able to eat before 8pm.
• Putting my trainers and workout gear together ready for the next day, so there is no excuse in not being able to get training.
• Decide what I want to do for the week rather than play it day to day, and it can become automatic

I know there will be more learning along the way, 27 days to go!

So, if you decide to make a change today that will be really great, think of one small change you can make and commit, as I said before it doesn't have to be for 30 days, you could do 3! 

30 Days of Change - Day 2

Alright then, starting a challenge and making changes in your life is not always easy, and you have to remain flexible, that being said it was great to make a start towards change.

Starting as I mean to go on with the smoothie from day 1

I was able to do most of the things planned, didn't quite get to drink a litre of water for some reason, and ended up eating dinner past 10 pm, because I was trying to do too many things at once!  A bit of sabotaging going on there I think...

Here is the smoothie for today

I have managed to drink the water and will be doing some exercises shortly, which will involve spending time in the garden:).  I have yet to upload the vlog for each day, but I will be keeping it simple, and will be sharing on the vlog and just letting you have the smoothie for the day on the blog.  

Your welcome to join, you don't have to do 30 days, you could do 3, 5, or 7 what ever will kick start you to change.  You might just want to change one thing, why not start today, and share how you are getting on!

30 Days of Change - Healthier Lifestyle

I have committed myself to make a change in my lifestyle to hopefully impact on my health, starting today.  The changes include:

• Exercise - minimum half and hour
• Drinking Water - Minimum 1 litre
• Having a Smoothie - Once a day
• Pampering session - for encouragement - once a week
• Cut down on sugar
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Not eating after 8pm

There is no time like the present to make that change, however small you want to make it, do it for you.  I wanted to use it as a way to kick start my healthy routine, loose some weight and get into a couple of really lovely dresses in my wardrobe!  A small change each day can add up to something worthwhile.

I will be having a smoothie every day to make sure I get all those vital nutrients, here is what I had today, I mixed mine with oat milk but you can use water if you wish!

Here is the smoothie for day 1

I will be doing a vlog of the journey - (keeping it simple) and posting the smoothie recipes here.  Hope you come along for the ride, start where you are and make a commitment to your own health and well-being!

If you are going to join, do share what change/s you will be making, and let me know how you get on so I can come and cheer in your corner!

A Bit of Play

 

Art and Creativity are essential for our health and well-being, I have been spending a lot of time in my art journals - making them and creating some smaller pieces of art

With the course that I have been doing since January nearly halfway through run by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls, it has been getting me to look at the very heart of my business, the why, who, what, where and when.. 

What I am reminded of for the week to come is that ALL of me needs to be taken care of, the business is essentially the heart of me and what I want to express into the world.

We have had a range of inspiring contributions and there is an amazing amount of talented and supportive participants on the course.  I have been doing a lot of searching, developing and writing and know that when you do feel off, or out of sorts you need to listen carefully to that still voice, it can be a reflection of the change that needs to happen or that is currently taking place..

We have to be gentle with our hearts through the change!

Remembering that all parts of us need to be cared for.  I was blessed to have a massage last week, this week I will be doing some more walking, talking lots of photographs, spending time with family and tending to my overall health so that I can continue to flourish and be the whole person I am called to be. 

Remembering that you are blessed - stretch yourself, what are you going to do with your week? 

Massage - Pamper yourself!

                                                                               Source: rikyu.co.uk via Amanda on Pinterest

Spent some time on me last week out of the busy schedule and had a massage.  It was so nice to be able to stop for an hour and just relax and think!  When was the last time you spent some time on you?

I have been going to a delightful massage therapist called Emi Hojo for around a year - off and on.  She is welcoming, encouraging and having studied massage myself, she definitely has a great technique.  For such a small woman she can definitely work those knots and unworked muscles and give you a great deep tissue treatment.

                                                                                   Source: rikyu.co.uk via Amanda on Pinterest

I had promised myself last year that I would have a regular massage each month, but good intentions gave way to neglect and then the thought of 'you couldn't possibly spend time on yourself what are you thinking'.

With 3 months of challenges behind me and ones that are continuing I was reminded that it is the small things that you do on a regular basis that will improve your health and well-being, so going for a walk for 20 minutes, spending time creating and getting a massage on a regular basis as well as anything else that can improve your fitness will have an overall positive effect.  I definitely recommend  Emi, take a look at her website Rikyu Health and Beauty, and think about treating yourself, you won't be disappointed. After the treatment I lay listening to the bird song and waves in the dimly lit room, and after dressing was given a delicious rose tea to send me on my way.

    Source: rikyu.co.uk via Amanda on Pinterest

As well as the monthly things you can do for 'you' think of the daily activities you can treat yourself to that do not cost anything.  You can go sit in your local park, wander round an art shop or gallery, go to a cafe, soak in the bath with your favourite products....the list is endless  With February being a short month think of other ways you can incorporate a 'just for you' activity on a daily basis and enjoy the end results

It's a New Day!

Went for my first walk of the year today, around my local park near my son’s school.  Didn’t see all the usual faces that would silently make their way round, lost in their own thoughts and plans for the rest of the day, perhaps the cold kept them away.

I was last here in around October 2011 which is when I started walking in my neighbourhood It was great to see the changes that take place as the seasons pass, the borders waiting to be planted.

and the last of the berries yet to be eaten

I love their colours

I wasn’t prepared to my legs itching as they did.  Why does it happen when you haven’t walked for a while that intense feeling starts under the skin and if you make the mistake of itching then it gets worse and almost drives you crazy, as it intensifies if you walk, but you need to walk to get to your destination.  I was half way round the park today when it started, I guess that’s what you get for neglecting yourself to the indulgences of the festive season – it has only been a couple of weeks, so back on tract for January!

There is so much to be inspired by, saw this jogger, made me laugh as he reminded me of spider man in his - specially designed material to keep out the cold! (he managed to lap me 2 times - ok... it was 3 times - he was running very fast in his ergonomically designed all in one body suit :), but made me want to renew my walking as it does allow me space to think, and in these busy times we have make the most of it. 

Earlier this week encouraged by Ella’s post I checked out Ann Voskamp and her book 1000 gifts.  

Thinking about things that I am grateful for and how I might express this creatively using mixed media and photography – will be giving it some more thought over the coming week..  

But for now...I love trees and birds serenading me with their song while the fresh crisp breeze brushes against my cheeks... (I feel a poem coming on) .... What are you grateful for today?