On my journey of self discovery, I have focused on the trilogy and interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit. For years I battled my sweet tooth. My life was a mishmash of feast and famine, rarely a happy medium. The minute I ate something sweet, the cravings would errupt and lead me down a path of bingeing, and ultimately to self loathing a further attempts at abstinence. The more I fought the more my body fought back.
My journey lead me to the discovery of what you should eat to have a healthy gut and the benefits thereof. A bad case of rosacea and reluctance to try yet another anti-biotic, got me eating better.
I have changed my lifestyle and my attitude towards food. None is my enemy, but many can nourish my body in a way that elevates the trilogy of body, mind and spirit, and propels me towards synergy.
There is so much literature about food that aids your microbiome and enhances your well being. This is neither the forum for a lengthy explanation, nor can I profess complete understanding of it's complexity. But I am eating better and I feel better. In summary I focus on:
- simple and fresh foods
- ingredients in season
- cooking from scratch - no packet food for me
- making certain food in batches that can be cooked in bulked and stored for quick and easy use
- finding quick and easy ways to cook delicious meals
Today I surprised myself by making a healthy and tasty zucchini soup. Here is my recipe
1 punnet zucchini, sliced
1/4 cup cauliflower
splash of olive oil
1/2t whole coriander seeds
1/2t whole cumin seeds
1t good quality vegetable stock powder mixed with 1/2 cup boiling water or the equivalent of good vegetable stock
1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
Dry heat the coriander and cumin in a pan until toasted. Ground in a pestle and mortar.
Brown the zucchini in the olive oil. Add the cauliflower, 1t ground spices and cover with the stock. Add more boiling water if required so that the vegetables are covered. Simmer until soft. Add the yoghurt and heat through. Puree in a blender and enjoy.
Monday, April 3, 2017
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Be still my wandering mind
Ever felt that you have a washing machine in your head? The same thoughts run through your mind over and over again? I call this the washing machine effect. And trying to banish them just seems to have the opposite effect? I once read "what we resist persists". I no longer fight my own thoughts. I try to observe them, accept them and let them pass. Most of the persistent thoughts are of what has happened in the past. So I guess I need to drag my mind back to the present.
At the end of my aerial yoga class, we have 10 minutes relaxation time suspended cocoon like in our sling. With a tired body, this quiet time is an opportunity to focus the mind. Mentally filling our bodies with rejuvinating light and focusing on positive thoughts, the session ends with everyone feeling relaxed and rejuvinated. Everyone smiles and leaves feeling uplifted. They are not focused on anything that happened before the class. This has taught me so much about being present and how that changes our thoughts and our lives.
If you are not into meditation, take time to clear your mind. This really works after intense exercise. Sit down, relax and close your eyes. Adjust your breath and your thoughts. See what happens.
At the end of my aerial yoga class, we have 10 minutes relaxation time suspended cocoon like in our sling. With a tired body, this quiet time is an opportunity to focus the mind. Mentally filling our bodies with rejuvinating light and focusing on positive thoughts, the session ends with everyone feeling relaxed and rejuvinated. Everyone smiles and leaves feeling uplifted. They are not focused on anything that happened before the class. This has taught me so much about being present and how that changes our thoughts and our lives.
If you are not into meditation, take time to clear your mind. This really works after intense exercise. Sit down, relax and close your eyes. Adjust your breath and your thoughts. See what happens.
Monday, February 20, 2017
To Detox?
Most people feel noticeably better when they are living a low carb lifestyle. Sometimes we slip, or treat ourselves. When we try to get back on track again we still have the cravings for carbs. Sugar can be addictive, and the more we eat, the more we tend to crave it. After a holiday or weekend away, I try to find three days in a row when I can detox and rid myself of those craving.
I am about to try the detox on skinnyms.com. Eating a low carb regime for a few days, using key ingredients to rid your body of unwanted cravings can help you get back to your low carb lifestyle.
I use recipes with fruit and vegetables, mainly juices and soups to revive me. I try to avoid complex carbs, fats and dairy on these days. Someone once told me, if you feel hungry drink something. Often hunger and thirst can be confused. First drink water and then see if you are still hungry before resorting to a quick snack.
During my detox, I also avoid caffeine and concentrated fruit juice. I choose herbal tea, water, and perhaps a refresher. This is over and above the freshly made veg/fruit combination that may be part of the detox.
Feel ready to try.........good luck and remember it's only for 3 days. Don't think about it too much and keep busy.
I am about to try the detox on skinnyms.com. Eating a low carb regime for a few days, using key ingredients to rid your body of unwanted cravings can help you get back to your low carb lifestyle.
I use recipes with fruit and vegetables, mainly juices and soups to revive me. I try to avoid complex carbs, fats and dairy on these days. Someone once told me, if you feel hungry drink something. Often hunger and thirst can be confused. First drink water and then see if you are still hungry before resorting to a quick snack.
During my detox, I also avoid caffeine and concentrated fruit juice. I choose herbal tea, water, and perhaps a refresher. This is over and above the freshly made veg/fruit combination that may be part of the detox.
Feel ready to try.........good luck and remember it's only for 3 days. Don't think about it too much and keep busy.
The Battle of the Carbs
My husband and I follow a low carb lifestyle during the week, but when our boys come home from school for the weekends the carbs tend to creep back in. Roast chicken without roast potatoes and gravy doesn't seem right! I am not trying to loose weight, but am just trying to eat well and feel well.
I make informed choices about food, but allow myself a treat every now and again.
There are a number of smart choices you can make. Try small changes at a time. These all add up to a significant improvement over time.
We always only eat rye or wholewheat bread (occasionally). My children have adapted to the taste and eat the rye bread willingly.
Pancakes are a treat, not breakfast. We always eat breakfast and have the pancakes for a treat at tea time. this way I only make one batch and we all eat less of them. Pancakes made with flour substitutes just don't taste the same, but if you have a good recipe stick with it.
I add cinnamon to oats porridge, add extra water and cook them over a simmer for 30 minutes. This way the oat flakes burst open, filling you up and they taste better. Add honey if you must, but once you get used to eating them without you really don't miss it. Save the honey for the croissant you treat yourself to on your birthday.
Making jam without sugar is a great choice. Berries work well with this and you really taste the fruit without the over powering taste of sugar. Eaten on a piece of rye bread with nut butter, this is a guilt free snack. Just remember without the sugar, the jam does not last as long and must be stored in the fridge.
Eat high cocoa content chocolate. Yes, it is more expensive, but the taste is much richer and you need to eat less. Eating high sugar chocolate makes you want to eat more. I also cook with high cocoa chocolate. The richness of taste once you are used to it, is very enjoyable.
Cheese cake is a great option. It has a lower carb ratio than cake and usually has less sugar than a cake with icing.
Low flour or no flour chocolate cakes are a better choice. Add ganache made with high cocoa chocolate for less sugar. Sugar is addictive, the more you have the more you want.
Every now and then have your cake and eat it. Make sure it's your favourite and you invite friends round to share it, so that's it's finished when they are gone and you will not be tempted to eat it. I love cooking and baking for friends. It is very rewarding and less for you to eat alone.
Milk based desserts are lower in carbs. If you make them yourself, you know what's in them. Custard and ice-cream are favourites in our family. Paired with homemade jelly using fruit juice is a great choice.
Fruit is not something we can do without. Choosing fruit with lower sugar content makes good sense. Eat seasonal fruit for the best benefits. My choices: berries, apples, pears, plums, apricots, nectarines.
High sugar fruit: mango, grapes, papaya, guava, banana, pineapple..
Eating plane yoghurt with fruit and chia seeds (that have been soaked overnight in water) is a great snack option. Make your own yoghurt with no added sugar.
I enjoy salami topped with cream cheese and cucumber for a savoury snack.
Refreshers and no sugar iced tea are a better choice for than fruit juice. You can get creative with fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices to enjoy varied and easy to make drinks.
See my blog for great low carb recipes. moms practical pocketbook guides
I make informed choices about food, but allow myself a treat every now and again.
There are a number of smart choices you can make. Try small changes at a time. These all add up to a significant improvement over time.
We always only eat rye or wholewheat bread (occasionally). My children have adapted to the taste and eat the rye bread willingly.
Pancakes are a treat, not breakfast. We always eat breakfast and have the pancakes for a treat at tea time. this way I only make one batch and we all eat less of them. Pancakes made with flour substitutes just don't taste the same, but if you have a good recipe stick with it.
I add cinnamon to oats porridge, add extra water and cook them over a simmer for 30 minutes. This way the oat flakes burst open, filling you up and they taste better. Add honey if you must, but once you get used to eating them without you really don't miss it. Save the honey for the croissant you treat yourself to on your birthday.
Making jam without sugar is a great choice. Berries work well with this and you really taste the fruit without the over powering taste of sugar. Eaten on a piece of rye bread with nut butter, this is a guilt free snack. Just remember without the sugar, the jam does not last as long and must be stored in the fridge.
Eat high cocoa content chocolate. Yes, it is more expensive, but the taste is much richer and you need to eat less. Eating high sugar chocolate makes you want to eat more. I also cook with high cocoa chocolate. The richness of taste once you are used to it, is very enjoyable.
Cheese cake is a great option. It has a lower carb ratio than cake and usually has less sugar than a cake with icing.
Low flour or no flour chocolate cakes are a better choice. Add ganache made with high cocoa chocolate for less sugar. Sugar is addictive, the more you have the more you want.
Every now and then have your cake and eat it. Make sure it's your favourite and you invite friends round to share it, so that's it's finished when they are gone and you will not be tempted to eat it. I love cooking and baking for friends. It is very rewarding and less for you to eat alone.
Milk based desserts are lower in carbs. If you make them yourself, you know what's in them. Custard and ice-cream are favourites in our family. Paired with homemade jelly using fruit juice is a great choice.
Fruit is not something we can do without. Choosing fruit with lower sugar content makes good sense. Eat seasonal fruit for the best benefits. My choices: berries, apples, pears, plums, apricots, nectarines.
High sugar fruit: mango, grapes, papaya, guava, banana, pineapple..
Eating plane yoghurt with fruit and chia seeds (that have been soaked overnight in water) is a great snack option. Make your own yoghurt with no added sugar.
I enjoy salami topped with cream cheese and cucumber for a savoury snack.
Refreshers and no sugar iced tea are a better choice for than fruit juice. You can get creative with fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices to enjoy varied and easy to make drinks.
See my blog for great low carb recipes. moms practical pocketbook guides
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Detox Recipes
A three day detox is a wonderful way to refresh your body. There are plenty of ideas on the web to get you started. My favourite regime is to use good living juices and soups. After a weekend of celebration and treats for my son's birthday this is the way to go. Here are some ideas for juice recipes. Combine fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and water or coconut water to boost your body.
Apple, Cucumber and Mint
1 apple peeled and cubed
1/2 cucumber peeled and cubed, seeds removed
1/2t grated ginger
1T lime juice
Place in a blend until smooth. Add more filtered water if needed.
Pineapple, Carrot and Coconut
1 pineapple peeled and cubed
1 large grated carrot
1/2t grated ginger (optional)
1 cup no sugar coconut water or freshly squeezed orange juice
Place in a blend until smooth.
Pear, Strawberry and Celery
1 apple peeled and cubed
1/2 cup strawberries chopped
1 stick celery outer skin removed and finely chopped
pinch of cinnamon
1/2 cup filtered water
Blend and serve over ice with lemon and mint.
Watermelon, Mint and Lemon
3T mint leaves
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups watermelon peeled, cubed and seeds removed
1T lemon juice
Steep the mint in the boiling water. Remove the mint and allow to cool. Place the cooled water, melon and lemon juice in a blender. Blend and serve over ice with lemon and mint.
Apple, Cucumber and Mint
1 apple peeled and cubed
1/2 cucumber peeled and cubed, seeds removed
1/2t grated ginger
1T lime juice
Place in a blend until smooth. Add more filtered water if needed.
Pineapple, Carrot and Coconut
1 pineapple peeled and cubed
1 large grated carrot
1/2t grated ginger (optional)
1 cup no sugar coconut water or freshly squeezed orange juice
Place in a blend until smooth.
Pear, Strawberry and Celery
1 apple peeled and cubed
1/2 cup strawberries chopped
1 stick celery outer skin removed and finely chopped
pinch of cinnamon
1/2 cup filtered water
Blend and serve over ice with lemon and mint.
Watermelon, Mint and Lemon
3T mint leaves
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups watermelon peeled, cubed and seeds removed
1T lemon juice
Steep the mint in the boiling water. Remove the mint and allow to cool. Place the cooled water, melon and lemon juice in a blender. Blend and serve over ice with lemon and mint.
Monday, November 21, 2016
An Open Mind
Some of the greatest genius have said that the greatest inspiration comes to them when they have an open mind. Many people give credit to their achievements from inspiration that they perceive to have received from the greater collective force.
Can we achieve our potential by opening our minds, and if so how do we do this?
I feel I am living too much outside of myself. I exercise regularly and eat food cooked from scratch. Yet I feel unsettled and that I have not reached my potential. I love my family and do my best for them. But focusing on looking good helps me keep my facade in place, the one that keeps me safe and from getting hurt.
When I recently booked a family holiday for new year to a new place, I did not feel the usually high I had previously experienced at the prospect of travelling. I have researched the city, created an action packed itinerary and I am yet to look forward to the holiday. What is wrong with me? Nothing has changed - I am involved in my children's lives, I have a good relationship with my spouse, I go to yoga, I am travelling to the city to shop next week for Christmas presents, yet I feel flat.
When you look for happiness and fulfillment outside of yourself, this is a recipe for disaster. We all know this, but carry on aspiring to a bigger house and a new car. My inner being is no longer fulfilled by the external gratification and I am uncomfortable enough to make a change in my life.
I think that I need to focus on the present and that I need to quieten my life. This way I will be able to hear the answer to my question " how do I achieve my potential?".
I will start by being aware of my thoughts. I must move away from dwelling on persistent thoughts that stop me from moving forward. I will spend quiet time alone and observe my thoughts. I will try to create quiet within my mind and observe what comes to mind. This is a process and like all things requires practise before I feel comfortable in my stillness. I will gently try to adopt this new approach in my life. I will be kind and encouraging to myself and I will enjoy the process and the outcome.
But I still can't help placing a teeth whitening kit on my shopping list for next week.
Can we achieve our potential by opening our minds, and if so how do we do this?
I feel I am living too much outside of myself. I exercise regularly and eat food cooked from scratch. Yet I feel unsettled and that I have not reached my potential. I love my family and do my best for them. But focusing on looking good helps me keep my facade in place, the one that keeps me safe and from getting hurt.
When I recently booked a family holiday for new year to a new place, I did not feel the usually high I had previously experienced at the prospect of travelling. I have researched the city, created an action packed itinerary and I am yet to look forward to the holiday. What is wrong with me? Nothing has changed - I am involved in my children's lives, I have a good relationship with my spouse, I go to yoga, I am travelling to the city to shop next week for Christmas presents, yet I feel flat.
When you look for happiness and fulfillment outside of yourself, this is a recipe for disaster. We all know this, but carry on aspiring to a bigger house and a new car. My inner being is no longer fulfilled by the external gratification and I am uncomfortable enough to make a change in my life.
I think that I need to focus on the present and that I need to quieten my life. This way I will be able to hear the answer to my question " how do I achieve my potential?".
I will start by being aware of my thoughts. I must move away from dwelling on persistent thoughts that stop me from moving forward. I will spend quiet time alone and observe my thoughts. I will try to create quiet within my mind and observe what comes to mind. This is a process and like all things requires practise before I feel comfortable in my stillness. I will gently try to adopt this new approach in my life. I will be kind and encouraging to myself and I will enjoy the process and the outcome.
But I still can't help placing a teeth whitening kit on my shopping list for next week.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Welcome
"we are not meant to be perfect, we are meant to be whole" - Jane Fonda
Welcome to my blog. Achieving synergy between mind, body and spirit is life's ultimate challenge and the goal in most people's journey or life experience. Awareness was my starting point. A desire to achieve my real potential and fulfill my destiny were the driving forces in the change in direction in my life. This blog is a sum of parts focusing on all three elements - mind, body and spirit. Some of my posts will deal with individual elements and others two or three. These experiences that I share may have an impact on your life, or you may simply enjoy reading my perspective on aspects of life. It is a privilege to share my journey with you.
Welcome to my blog. Achieving synergy between mind, body and spirit is life's ultimate challenge and the goal in most people's journey or life experience. Awareness was my starting point. A desire to achieve my real potential and fulfill my destiny were the driving forces in the change in direction in my life. This blog is a sum of parts focusing on all three elements - mind, body and spirit. Some of my posts will deal with individual elements and others two or three. These experiences that I share may have an impact on your life, or you may simply enjoy reading my perspective on aspects of life. It is a privilege to share my journey with you.
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