Fashion ~ Challenging myself with FABruary

~ Fashion ~







For a bit of fun, I'm jumping on the bandwagon of a friend of mine, Jess and participating in FABruary!  The idea of FABruary? To challenge your style and create an entire month of FABULOUS fashion in line with the theme for each day.  My personal challenge?  To do all of this, without buying a single new item of clothing or jewellery.  Trust me when I tell you, THIS is a challenge!  Not only because I have a shopping addiction, but also because I only just touched down in Australia late last year, with nothing but the clothes on my back.  Oh and a suitcase full of clothes (well, granted it was a LARGE suitcase, but still).  I am oh so patiently awaiting the arrival of the rest of my wardrobe.  But until then, it will all have to suffice.  

I am so happy with the theme for day one - sunglasses!  An absolute must in Summer! 

I am not ashamed to report that I very happily discovered these sunnies on the side of the road one day a few weeks ago.  Score! I actually happen to have quite a collection of sunglasses at the moment, which is unusual for me, as I tend to destroy them at any opportunity by crushing, dropping, snapping or scratching.  

A few more pics of today's outfit below and a few of my favourite accessories.  I had the opportunity to dress up a little today, as I had to attend a 'pre' interview, job interview.  What on earth is that? (I hear you say).  I have no idea, it was a little bemusing.  But the opportunity to put on some funky shoes and a little makeup was a nice change from the usual beach hair and thongs look I have going on.  Happy Friday everyone! x

Fitness ~ Running, My Standard Routine

 ~ Fitness~

I apologise in advance as I'm sure this post is going to be very boring for most people, but I really thought it would be great to document my current routine so that I can see how far I've come when I mix it up and include a whole heap of new things in my fitness routine this year.  And perhaps it might just inspire someone who thought they couldn't run that they CAN give it a go!  

Firstly, a little background information.  I have to tell you guys, I am absolutely NOT a born runner.  I am testament that anyone can run!  Yes, anyone! Any age, any fitness level, YOU CAN DO IT!   I was the kid in High School that tried absolutely anything to get out of running in Phys Ed,  was never particularly good at sports and didn't ever win any races.  It just wasn't my thing.  

I did get a bit more into fitness as I got older, and over the years I have been a member at many gyms and done many exercise classes.  I discovered though, that it was running that really helped me to lose weight.    I was at my heaviest when my daughter was around two years old, and I decided to kick my butt into gear and get running.  

I started off VERY slowly.  Like running around the block and then going home type slowly!  I then started running with a friend, which made it more fun, and made me more motivated to keep my running appointments.   I signed up for a 10k race.  Prior to the race, the greatest distance I ran was around 7 k's doing laps around an oval, but I managed to complete the race (without stopping!) and with built up confidence I knew that I could achieve more!  I've gone on to do several more shorter fun runs, a 15K and a half marathon (21.2k's).  The fun-runs for me are not really about the end result, and they are certainly not about competing with others.  They are just a method of pushing myself in my day to day routine, and having a specific goal to work towards.  

Running is fantastic because you can fit it in around anything in your schedule.  It forces you to get outdoors and breath fresh air, and it gives you a set time to clear your head, and stop thinking about stresses around you.  For me, this is time away from being a mum,  time for me.  It allows me to come back feeling refreshed and ready to cope again with all the endless questions!

I want to recommend this article to anyone who wants to get fitter, but thinks that they won't be able to run.  It gives you a program for starting out with small goals, and then shows you how to build up your distances through interval training (which is a fantastic calorie burner!).  

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/become-a-runner?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-womenshealth-_-content-fitness-_-BetterRunner

I still struggle with going for a run as often as I should (it's SO easy to just sleep in that little bit longer, or to find some other super-important thing to do instead of sticking with your plan!).  I also struggle whilst I'm running, constantly having that battle in my mind, where I'm dying to give up and have to mentally strive to push on.  

What I'm doing now: 

I'm currently running between 5-8 K's about four times a week.  In the past I've done a lot more and I know that I'm falling into a rut, and I'm not extending myself.  So my goals for the next few months are:

1.    To include a wider variety of training into my week, including strength training. 

2.    To sign up for some fun runs in the next few months, including at least one 10k. 

3.    To focus more on my stretching routine, and possibly include some yoga.  

4.    To find a group sport to participate in. 

My Running Essentials:

Everyone is different - but these are the things that I personally consider essential:

1. Good fitting sports bra.  I double up and wear an actual sports bra and then a sports crop top over the top.  This Shock Absorber brand is amazing.  

2, 3 and 4. A hat, suncream and sunnies!  It's VERY hot and sunny here.  

5.  Good quality properly fitted running shoes (LOVE my Asics! sorry: very dirty from rain)

6. Last, but not least...  MUSIC!! (and good earphones) - I create playlists on my iPhone using Spotify, allowing me to  pick and choose tracks and create my own playlists from a massive range of music.   In another blog post (If I am prepared to be embarrassed!) I might talk about the music on my playlists.  Check out Spotify: 

www.spotify.com/

Happy running guys!

Frivolity ~ Fun in the Foam

~Frivolity~

 

friv·o·lous

  [friv-uh-luhs] 

adjective

1.   characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct.

2.   self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose.

3.   (of a person) given to trifling or undue levity: a frivolous, empty-headed person.

4.   of little or no weight, or importance; not worthy of serious notice

I couldn't resist a quick post today, because this week's weather created the perfect opportunity to be frivolous!

This morning on my run I couldn't help but notice that the unrelenting rain and howling winds of the past four days had caused a massive foam-fest on the shores of our local beach.  As I ran through the sludge to my running track, I imagined how much fun the kids would have jumping around in all the foamy mess.  

When I got back from my run I tried to convince everyone to go down and wallow in the foam, but no-one was keen!! 'Come on guys... where's your sense of fun?'

I wasn't giving up on this idea and later in the afternoon I eventually packed up the kids and walked down to the beach.  Unfortunately the foam wasn't quite as spectacular as the morning, but there was plenty enough to frolic around in :-) 

My super sensitive eight year old was having a great time, until the 'itches' set in, and she began scratching with fervor.  I can only presume they were caused by the foam, so at that point I was questioning my mothering decision.  Perhaps there was a reason they were the only kids on the beach!?  Ahhhh well.... live in the moment I say! 

Maddie has a happy face before the 'itches' begin 

Felt like walking in chocolate mousse

Maddie couldn't cope with the itches any longer and went back home with her dad.  

Luca however, partied on in style, and decided to make it all the more fun by taking his clothes off :-)

Food ~ Mediterranean Lemon Chicken

~ Food ~





Welcome to my blog!  I will be over the moon if anyone else finds this interesting enough to read from time to time, but the real reason I'm doing this is for myself,  -  to keep myself motivated and inspired during 2013.  This is an attempt to fulfill resolutions to use my spare time more wisely, get my brain functioning (two babies and over two years not working equals a lot of lost brain cells!) and to attempt to be more creative with the things I love - food, fitness, fashion and leisure time with my family and friends (frivolity!).  Each post will follow one of those themes.

So, to my first post...

Firstly an introduction to my thoughts on food and nutrition.  I absolutely love food and hand in hand with that, I love to eat!  I am becoming more and more aware that 'you are what you eat', and I am very interested in the health benefits of different foods.  My general eating philosophy  is to avoid processed food, including starchy carbohydrates and sugar as much as is possible, and to eat a lot of fresh vegetables, salads, meats and fish. HOWEVER,  I do love (and need) to splurge from time to time, and this can be more often that I would like! I will be sure to share my indulgences as well as my healthy nutritious options :-)

I also must mention that, with two kids, I am often pressed for time at dinner time, and I like food to be able to be prepared fresh and fast!  Most of my meals usually take no longer than 30 minutes to prepare (just call me Jamie!).

Mediterranean Lemon Chicken

Tired of our standard dinners, tonight I tried a new recipe and I am happy to report it was a total success! I did modify it slightly, which I tend to do.  The recipe that resulted is as follows:

600 grams approx chicken tenderloins
1 red onion
Packet cherry tomatoes
2 lemons
1 medium red capsicum
1 tsp Moroccan harissa
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
olive oil
2 tsp fresh or pre-minced garlic

Chop the onion and capsicum into medium sized chunks and arrange in your baking dish.  Add the chopped basil.  In a separate bowl, mix together the chicken, the harissa, the garlic, the juice of one large lemon, and a generous amount of olive oil.

Add the chicken mix to the tray, and add the second lemon, chopped into chunks.  Drizzle some more olive oil and mix everything through.

Bake in the oven (180 degrees C) for 30-40 minutes, then add the tomatoes and bake for a further 10 minutes.  It could be cooked in a shorter time depending on your oven, but I was lazy tonight and left it in for some time, and it didn't seem to dry out at all.

When cooked, sprinkle with the freshly chopped parsley.  I served it with a simple green salad (spinach, rocket, feta, capsicum and cucumber).  I served it with some rice for the kids.  DELISH!!

Health Tip ~  Red onions contain a high concentration of 'flavonoids', particularly in the outer layers (don't peel off too many layers!).  These flavonoids can help reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease.  They also contain a particular flavonoid that acts as a brain-booster!  I think I need to eat many a red onion!  :-)