Vision Board 2016

Firstly...A very happy new year! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and enjoyed some time off with people close to you! My Christmas was a bit short this year as I worked right up to it, and have had a few random days of here and there due to gigs despite it being the school holidays (I teach!)...but I am not complaining- it's work and I'm grateful for it...


Ev suggested a few days ago about doing up our own vision board for 2016- the board itself having a total 'better me' focus. We both discussed things we weren't happy with about ourselves, things we think we could improve on and also about each other. Self-evaluation and of others is healthy. It's not negative. Some people mistake it for being harsh, but evaluating yourself to better yourself is being honest with yourself.


So, we took a trip to Blanchardstown shopping centre and bought little bits and bobs to create our board- magazines to cut out images, cute drawing pins, coloured card and two large cork boards. It cost all in all under €25 and we have so much craft stuff left over so I am sure it could be done for way cheaper if your on a tight budget! And last night on NYE (accompanied with a heavenly glass of red wine and a mid way feast of an antipasti board!) we got creating....

Some goals are easily attainable, some not so much and will require a huge amount of hardwork. I debated putting things down that are only dreams...but dreams are healthy! Some goals were personal-  a reflection of things I have done wrong or traits about myself that I don't like and some were to better other peoples interaction with me!

There are loads of ideas on Pinterest about vision boards...some that I researched are all colour co-ordinated and have a serious amount of detail...each to their own. The board in now sitting bang on my desk. I have no choice but to see it every day. Resolutions can be made, but if they sit in the brain, they can easily be pushed aside and you lose focus...or so they do with me!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend- tomorrow is my last day off before I am back into work mode and I am spending it with my mum in Kildare village. Yey!

Happy Friday, xxx

Juice Hit!

Juicing it, blending it, extracting it....It's what we are all doing now to get our daily dose of a vit hit!

Don't be swayed by the fancy smoothie bottles you see in shops! They are laden with sugar! Make your own! Super cheap and cheerful and you will know what EXACTLY goes in to it! Those innocent smoothies or Nestle green juices aren't as great as you might think!

I invested into the Nutribullet early last year and use it at least 5 times a week- and because I buy mostly in season fresh fruit and veg (usually from aldi or newbarn farm and also from my dads garden patch) - my savings now outweigh the cost of the actual bullet (which some people think is too expensive!)

I don't think the bullet is a glorified blender- it blends up Kale better then anything else I have used! And you can make more than just juices and smoothies in it- we have made homous, soups, frozen yoghurt, peanut butter and grounded seeds and oats in it! It's super versatile!

General rule with any of my juices and smoothies I make is the 50/50 rule! 50% leafy greens to 50% mixed fruit and veg! You can also add additional nutrients such as flaxseed, spirulina, oils, protein powders etc to pack in that extra health hit!

My top five juices/smoothies are;

1. The immune booster- spinach, beetroot, pineapple, apple, ginger, cup of water and one tbsp of flaxseed.

2. The antioxidant blaster- spinach, banana, mixed berries, acai/goja dried berries, cup of coconut water (unsweetened version) and mango.

3. The protein booster- banana, nuts or peanut/almond butter, optional protein powder (hemp) and one cup of almond milk. I'm not the biggest fan of protein powder and don't really agree in people using them if your not seriously training. You can get most of your protein from your food intake! But if you do use powders- read the labels! Some can be laden with chemicals! 

4. The cold blaster- kale, carrot, pineapple, one tbsp of turmeric powder, ginseng, and cup of water! Turmeric is great when you have any inflammation! Try buy African origin Tumeric...and I promise you can't taste it! 

5. The treat- we can't always be good, and sometimes we need to satisfy that sweet tooth! One banana, cup of milk, optional cheeky scoop of ice cream and handful of dates! Yummy!

Happy Blending! 

My health guide

I don't do rules. I don't do extreme detoxes. I don't do fad diets or point based plans. And I don't believe that one guide can suit a multitude of people. I do a balanced and healthy approach to every day life. I eat well (mostly...), exercise occasionally (working progress- I love to make excuses like 'I don't have the time lol!) and have made adjustments to my working life.

Here is my top ten guide to a better you; (that I have already started or trying to...)

1. Add lemon or apple cider vinegar to hot water first thing every morning. Lemon cleanses the digestive system and skin. Apple cider vinegar stimulates the cleansing of liver toxins (perfect for the day after your one too many....)

2. Stock up on seasonal fruit and freeze whatever isn't used. You can buy more than your five a day for a week for under €8 (a mcdonalds meal...) in Aldi/Lidl! I have stocked up on loads of mangoes and pineapple and cut into portions and stuck them in the freezer. When it's winter and I feel run down- these portions come in handy for a juice or smoothie. My nutribullet gets used daily. You would be surprised how easy it is to incorporate the bullet in every day life! 

3. Take 15 mins a day to do nothing. No TV. No phone. No book. Nothing! Just sit!  Go on...I dare ya!

4. Take a look at your dinner plate. How colourful is it? If it's looking a bit bland- you mustn't have enough veggies or fruit there! 

5. If your like me and have a hot date with Netflix every night- and 'short' on time to workout? Take 10 mins a day to do a few reps/circuit/2k jog! Instagram has some awesome quick circuit ideas that can be done at home. No excuses! 

6. Read more. But words on paper that is...put down that god damn phone!

7. People watch! Go for a coffee! Take a stroll! Try new restaurants. Buy flowers! Focus on life's little pleasures. These are mine! What are yours?

8. Prepare and plan your meals around fish and seasonal veg and fruit! Recommended intake of fish is twice a week! I eat more than that! Even the tinned stuff is good for you! Just go for sunflower oil and not brine!

9. I have now replaced olive oil in the pan (yes I do fry!) with coconut oil! 

10. Sweet tooth? I always have one! I have now satisfied this with some dried figs or dates. You only need one or two and the job is done. While they are high in natural sugars...dates and dried figs are rich in dietary fibre and vitamins.

What do you feel works for you for a healthy body and mind?

Breakfast Ideas!

Rise and Grind...

This has been my motto for the last few weeks- I have made a conscious decision to look after my diet and health better. Don't get me wrong though- I still have days where I will have a hot date with Mr Ben and Jerry and devour a tub of chocolate fudge brownie all to myself or be a rebel and have two portions of spaghetti! What I have learned is that it's all about balance and moderation. 

I certainly don't believe in diets (unless you have an intolerance)- the likes of the Atkins or Paleo diets etc work for a period of time with regards to actual weight-loss- but we often crash and gorge and following these diets without the advice of a nutritionist can be harmful to the body long term. I am even skeptical with points based diets- they work for a period of time but long term goals should be about eating in moderation, not treating yourself to chocolate bar and having no points left to have dinner that night! Some of these diet programs (which I have read) also mention nothing about exercising at least three times a week. A healthy body is through both diet and exercise.

I am no nutritionist or personal trainer but have an understanding of whats right for me and what I need to do. I have a huge appetite. I wake up ravenous so my breakfast is always a decent meal (it's probably my favourite meal of the day..), and I always take half an hour out of my morning to make and enjoy something. Below are my top five breakfast meals...eggs tend to be a staple breakfast item for me and I have at least one cup of green tea every day- it flushes everything out of the system and my skin is very grateful for it;

Meal one:

One poached egg on one slice of wholegrain toast (small bit of butter), glass of juice, green tea and fromage frais with any seasonal fruit.

Meal two:

Breakfast Burritto ( wrap with two scrambled eggs, mushrooms, onions, tomato tofu mix/soy chorizo and avocado),green tea and an apple.

Meal Three:

Smoothie (makes two large glasses-glass of juice, one portion of fruit- I like to alternate depending whats fresh in the season, I am loving peaches and melon right now, banana, mixed frozen berries- which are full of anti-oxidants and chia seeds) and slice of wholegrain toast with peanut butter or honey, glass of green tea.

Meal Four:

Mixed berry oats cooked in semi-skimmed milk with honey, cup of green and glass of juice.

Meal Five: 

Pancakes( made with one egg, one cup of flour and one cup of milk)- I alternate my toppings with either banana/honey or mixed berries coulis or grilled pineapple with mint and rosemary, green tea and glass of juice.

What's your favourite healthu breakfast meals? Do you clean eat in the morning? Or do you skip breakfast?