The Year That Was Without Chocolate

I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow. I have just spent the whole year without chocolate.

YES! You read right > the whole of 2013 I did not put one piece of chocolate into my mouth. Including anything chocolate flavoured, no cappuccino's because of the chocolate sprinkle, no chocolate cakes, chocolate chips, nothing. The closest I got was accidentally inhaling some cocoa from Aston's chocolate flavoured milk.

It was really an interesting process, I learnt a lot about my own habits of enjoying this delicious treat. Needless to say, I am super proud of my achievement. I would never say "I can't believe that I did it" because my mind was so set, there was no way that I was not going to achieve it. This is a great way to enter into 2014 knowing that once I set my mind to something, I can achieve it.

#1 habit broken. You've had a busy day, you've been working, doing the kid thing, you pop to the service station or super market, and that oh-so convenient chocolate bar rack on the way out, well I learnt that apart from chewing gum or lollipops, your only option really is chocolate, and I used to love that little treat because it was so well earned. I stopped searching for other options about 5 months in. And don't desire 'a treat' at the cash register now. I don't even look twice now at the snacks available.

Desserts and cakes, it was nice being able to say no because it was made of or with chocolate. It was nice to have a reason to reject these things. It was nice to also explore a new world of baking without chocolate. Starting my healthy living journey in June also coincided nicely with my abstinence to the lovely chocolate treat. My mum never got used to the not-eating-chocolate thing, and only offered me one just the other day. "Maybe next year mum" was my response.

I had dreams of eating chocolate and freaking out about it. Easter was interesting and I did manage to get through it (can you believe it!!) mostly without freaking out. My monthly sugar cravings were fulfilled with jelly lollies. And eventually they have subsided too. I did also learn a lot about when I was craving chocolate and why. These regular cravings have pretty much disappeared too.

The hardest part has actually been the last couple of weeks. The joy (stress) of Christmas, and the family enjoying some chocolate lately, oh my gosh, I have felt some craving for the sweet stuff. BUT I am happy to say that I have a stash ready including some super special chocolate all the way from Belgium and the Swiss alps.

This was not a new years resolution, I made a decision to fast chocolate for a year. Fasting as part of my beliefs, to give up something as a sacrifice to build my Faith.

Right now I am not confident in myself to fully resist the regular temptation of chocolate. I was a 2 blocks in my grocery shop type of girl. I am a little scared to not have the restriction on myself and I really will have to administer self control now when it does come to the chocolate decision. With all the above said, I think I can do it! Here's to a happy new year!

You Bad Little Thing



 

I am not one for 'drama' in my life. Sharing so that others can learn, again. Here goes.

I have been off the pill for a good year now, not because we were wanting another baby but because I was enjoying not putting drugs into my body. I actually really felt great! I have been balanced emotionally, no crazy downers, my libido returned (I do wonder where it goes? I reckon it gets pushed out after having babies or something) and I can't say that there were any obvious monthly dramas to deal with: pimples, pms, etc.

I started back on the pill under 2 weeks ago.  I am now off the pill again and am completely frustrated about the whole situation. Man, I am learning some strange lessons in life at the moment.

Before I go on, the things I am learning about my body are obvious to me because I am in a time in life where my focus is on my health and well being. It is easy to diagnose my situation because my children are at an easy age to deal with and my partner works away giving me time to think about things and focus on self. Hence, I am not disctracted with life's general runnings. Some women wouldn't think twice about these things and just get on with it because they don't have time to think about it, etc. You get my drift. I say this because it could be happening to you and you are wondering "what the heck is wrong with me?"

Once again, being naive has it's down sides. I used my old script from earlier in the year and jumped straight back onto Yaz. Yaz has been known lately in the media for causing of blood clots and deaths in young women. It is a multi-pill, so have a few different types of hormones/drugs in it. Mum told me to get off them ASAP.

Do you want to know what happened to me when I did go back on the pill?

Within the first week of starting back on the pill I had a general uneasyness. Just feeling uneasy about life and the circumstances coming my way. It was an odd feeling and I remember commenting a couple of times to my hubby about feeling that way. I couldn't put my finger on it.

Within the first week and up until lately, I notice my heart get a bit racy in the evening while I was relaxing watching tv. Just starts pumping a bit more harder for a short period of time. I am not concernced because I have dealt with palpitations in the past. But still, I do put it down to the pill.

Within the first week I started getting pimples all over my chest and neck. And no, not just a few but lots, and big and red and just everywhere. My sister actually commented that it was acne rather than just pimples. Gross. By this stage I was unimpressed.

After the first week I was bloated and chubbier than I have been for a couple of weeks. Because I have been clean eating and working out, I have noticed my clothes loosen and I had been feeling nice and slim. But to all of a sudden I got pudgey I was thinking "what the heck is going on?"

I have also been unenergised to hit the gym and feeling awefully lazy at work.
And dealing with more moodiness than I have had to deal with for a long time.

If you are on the pill I think that it would be a great thing for you to go online and just get a really good understanding of what the drugs are doing to your body. Sometimes the hormones drive us crazy and sadly we would blame ourselves for issues but really it could be largely due to the hormones you are feeding yourself every day.

Fancy me putting all that effort into eating well and working out hard, to have some little pill come along and make me feel crap. Grrrr....

My conclussion is that I cannot deal with the drugs in this little wonder thing called the pill. I much much much prefer a cleaner body without this stuff. I will go and see what my options are. Considering a mini-pill, which is a single drug of progestogen (spelling?).  I am aware of the many options and have read up on alot of the different types of pills. Also considering Mirena. Which I also believe is a single dose of the progestogen. Any feedback welcome?

Thanks for reading anyway, maybe a bit boring but I was annoyed enough to write about it.
Happy posts now. Recipes and pics to come!

I had to lighten the mood, I don't care for the 'fat arm' comment but this photo just cracks me up so hard every time I see it. Have a great day!

The Bad Of Clean Eating Coming From A First Timer

My conscience is pretty switched onto things,

I really wish I would listen to it more!

 

 

I have learnt alot in the last 5 days of clean eating.

1. Smoothies are awesome.

2. There is an art to providing your body with the right nutrition

3. There is so much good information online about all things clean eating

4. A food diary is worth keeping.

5. Nuts really do have to be activated.

So far, the bad of clean eating has outweighed the good, unfortunately. The last 2 days I've been struggling with stomach cramps/spasms which I believe are to an imbalance in my diet. Lots of good food was going in but maybe too much of a good thing can do damage without the right balance. The doctor said my pain was "most likely due to diet".

 

Day 4 night I had to break the clean eating for a plate of yellow oven goods, not for satisfaction or craving, it was what my body was needing to deal with whatever was going on inside.

 

A couple of days ago my conscience asked the question, can too many nuts be a bad thing? I wish I stopped and Googled it then. YES! Too many nuts can be a bad thing. Most of my snacks were nut based (almond meal), nut snacks and nut filled snack balls. My interpretation of findings > Nuts can contain an acid called Phytic Acid. Small doses are ok, but in large doses nuts are not easily digested and can react badly in the stomach. This Phytic acid that gets released then consumes any good minerals that are coming into my stomach. Which could also explain my lacking energy.

 

I read a topic on the Lorna Jane MNB website about 'activating nuts'. What a drawn out process just to be able to eat some nuts. Overnight soaking in water, followed by hours of oven drying... I thought, yeh, no thanks... But now I get it :-/

 

Soluble fibre is important too, which if I have my facts right comes from breads, bran and grains. Well I pretty much had cut out all of this stuff too. I am pretty annoyed with the situation, the pain was uncomfortable. Frustrating that I was making a conscious decision to "eat well and eat clean", yet all the time spent investing into the decision was actually creating large amounts of conflict in my stomach. Hmmm....

 

I am going to continue a clean eating outline to the food I eat, but a little more balance and realistic nutrition because of the intense workouts that I do undertake. Balance of course is the key to everything.

Preparation For Clean Eating

 

I spent a couple of hours yesterday preparing for my clean eating transition. I think this will help me maintain good eating decisions and have plenty of variety on hand. There is nothing boring and bland about eating healthy and making good choices for your body.

 

On top of a super dooper food shop, I have prepared all sorts of food options, done plenty of research and have a few print outs of recipes to try at hand to make this all easier.

 

 

Recipes to come soon of course, I have banana bread and apple muffins portioned and ready to freeze for easy access to a breakfast or snack option. I love to freeze things to avoid waste, it seems odd to bake something fresh and then freeze it just after it cools. Surprisingly this is the only way I do things when I bake.

 

 

 

While preparing a roast dinner for my family, I have already measured out and prepared the ingredients for a pumpkin and lentil soup. These went straight into the freezer, ready for the day I decide to make the meal.

 

 

An enjoyable supply of snack balls: I have my own recipe energy balls. And a tahini and hazelnut ball. All no bake from raw ingredients.

 

Lastly, a pic of me. I am ready to make some more great choices to make sure that I am living the best life I can.

 

 

Over the weekend I started being aware of the food I ate and had already noticed a 1kg weight loss > which does make me feel a little uncomfortable about losing too much weight. Let's see how things are looking after 2 weeks anyway... no need to get ahead of myself.

 

Day 1 Clean Eating: I was feeling a little hungry and could have taken another piece of fruit to work. I think breakfast should have been more filling. Just had 3 of my energy balls and hoping they will give me what I need to go hard at Cage Fit tonight. 

 

Clean Eating Challenge

 

I've set myself a challenge for the last 2 weeks in November. Clean eating, 'no sugar', minimal processed foods, closest to raw form possible. I've done the shop and I've prepared the goods. Ooh, I'm excited about the results.

 

I've found my new healthy living lifestyle good, the active side is fun and I am loving it. But food wise, I do eat well enough, although I haven't set too many standards. So for 2 weeks I'm going to challenge the food side of things and see if I can break some habits. 

 

I have already cut sugar out of my coffee completely Yay!

 

I am aiming to achieve nutrition and satisfaction out of the food I eat. By no means am I looking at starvation. No I am not cutting out fruit because of its high sugar content. And honey as a sweetener in sweets, that I do manage to make, is fine.

 

I hope I can inspire someone else to think about achiving a healthier lifestyle. AND please join me if you want to set a challenge for yourself. I would love to hear back from anyone else eating this way, recipes, encouragement, anything...

 

Jump through to SKY SEA SAND SOIL on Facebook

to have a chat, post your recipes for me to try, etc.

Don't forget to LIKE my page.

 

New Goals: I am trying to hit the next level of fitness, working on lots more cardio. Started Cage Fit and wanting to stick to it until it gets too easy (MMA style training workouts = yeh baby!)

Why Do You Work-Out?

 

I have been wanting to do this blog post for a while. It is important to have clear reasons why you do things, it helps to justify them and keeps you driven to achieve certain goals.

Why do you work-out?

Fitness and healthy living is certainly become more trendy now, well more now than ever in my adulthood. I remember when mum would don the lovely aerobic gear of the 80's, doing sessions on her mini trampoline. Jane Fonda was huge and Aerobics Oz-Style (Bring that one back!). I believe there was a nice fluffy blonde perm and toweling headband included. hehe.

I LOVE the fact that working out is the trend now! And if you are part of it, I know that you know, IT FEELS GOOD!

So, why do I work-out?

 

I'm in my early 30's and part of my family time line has a history of heart disease. Go back to the start of the year, I was feeling a little more tension in my heart than I would have liked too. Reason #1. Done.

 

#2. I have 2 boys, active boys. I also have a husband who has abnormal strength for his size, is fit, healthy and can run. A family of active boys playing sport and a mum who loves to bake just doesn't seem to work. I want to keep up with my family.

 

But my main motivator for why I work-out, reason #3. Earlier this year I felt like I was always surrounded by unwell people. Unwell with lingering stress, back problems, knee problems, growing old unfit, cancers, preventable deaths, general sickness, lazyness. The list just goes on. When you are surrounded by people who are always complaining, it does something to your phsychi, that is when I decided > I never want to be like that.

I work-out because I am committed to making the most of the one life that I have been given to live. I want to grow old with good health and happy memories. I want to play with my boys, I want to make my husband proud and keep him happy, I don't want to be lazy. I want to see my grandchildren grow up and I want to be able to run around with them too. I want to grow old in health not in a wheelchair.

 

 

Just as a side note, can I be honest? It was never about looks for me. *Weight loss and muscle tone are a nice side effect from working out. When you feel good, you look good.

 

Mexican Beans

Beans, not the most attractive of blog posts but I am starting to explore this little world of tinned pulses and I am enjoying the results. The mexican bean 'dip' that I make just keeps getting better and better and I just need to write about it. This bean dip is great smothered on a plate underneath your nachos, great to add to any mexican mince dish and a nice addition to a pumpkin or tomato soup rather than cream.

Ingredients:

Onion, Zucchini, Carrots, Red Capsicum, Garlic

Herbs/Spices - Paprika, Cumin, Salt & Pepper

Chilli Flakes only if your game

Tin of Red Kidney Beans 

Method:

1. Fry the veggies off till slightly softened

2. Add your drained beans, add a bit of water if needed

3. Add your herbs/spices to taste > Roughly 1 tbsp Paprika, 1 tsp Cumin, S+P to taste

4. Stew for 10 minutes or so

5. Put it all in a food processor (love my food processor), add a bit more water if you need to loosen it up a touch. And there you have it, yummo bean dip.

Variations: tomatoes, corn or grilled red capsicum would be awesome. Celery could work well too. I would also add some parsley or cilantro (hehe, fancy word for coriander). Chilli flake it up if you love spice. You can use a mix of beans too, looks like I added chickpeas, butter beans and bertolli beans (?) in this batch.

Closing word: FREEZE the mix into small batches in snappy bags. Flatten the bags contents before you freeze them! This makes is quick and easy to defrost, and also easy to snap off a smaller bit if you wanted to add it to some tomato or pumpkin soup instead of cream, etc.

Down but not out

It's not fun having a cold. I hate being held back from living life full of energy. But I'm being forced to put my feet up today or I'm never kick this nastiness.

I'm definitely enjoying this healthy lifestyle living and don't find it hard to be inspired.

Today I've checked out the Lorna Jane MNB website. I've tucked into some of my health and fitness mags. And there's something inspiring about getting around the house in my snazzy new runners.

Mid Week Mid Section

Workout: I tried a new class this morning CXWorx. I have been around long enough to think I knew what I was doing, but I have just had a light bulb moment > Core strengthening.

When it comes to my body type I have a 'tank loaf' style mid section, nothing like a french stick, long and lean. My mid section is short, thicker than I'd like and with minimal shape. I have never achieved a super tight tummy and never actually thought this would be possible for my body type until now. Core strengthening might just be what I need, why did it take me 15 years to work that one out?

What am I sussing out right now: Core Strengthening

The best thing I could do right now

And I know I'm ready for it. Clean eating.

1 body, 1 life. Why not treat it well and get the most out of it? I can't wait to explore a new world of recipes. And continue to see if this lifestyle change can become my family's reality.

The Challenge

Day 1: no I won't continue counting.

 

Today I hit the gym. Woohoo. It's only been 4/5 years.

 

The question that I really want to answer is can someone who is not linked to the fitness industry live and maintain a healthy living lifestyle? I'm yet to get my clean living book. So we'll just stick to the 'healthy living'concept for now.

 

 

Workout: Back to the gym. I wondered if I should leave my shoe laces in a single knot so I'd have an excuse to stop and do up my shoes. My first class was Grit Strength. 30 min high impact workout with minimal to no rest breaks. I survived, just. I now know what Burpies are. I also stayed for Body Balance. I know how awesome it is to give your body some time and stretching.

 

How do I feel: Apart from my legs almost giving out as I hit the bottom of our staircase, twice, I am feeling awesome and ready for this challenge.

 

Enjoy my journey if you feel like reading in.

 

What am I sussing out: High protein foods that come from natural forms. No shakes thanks.

 

*Before and after shots will come along once I have something worth showing.

Mind Body Soul

It's time to get focused. Its time to start focusing on what's important in my life right now and that, my friends, is managing my health and well being.

 

Rather than committing to an unachievable fitness routine I'm taking the slow approach by getting my mind in the right place first. It's all about the will power from within.

 

So to start off this change I've been focusing on everything that I put in my mouth. Is it good? Is it nutritious? Will it give me the sustainability that I need until my next meal? Do I need this? Why am I eating this?

 

 

I mean if we be realistic it is not hard to eat to live. To maintain a balanced diet. Actually thinking about it, how many times do we reward our kids with a lolly or treat?  No wonder this way of thinking becomes our habit later on in life. Rewarding ourselves with food. Breaking the after dinner craving is a tough one too. I really do wonder where this one comes from. Totally unnecessary after a big meal. Oh and portion control has been something to keep an eye on too.

 

Pre-Loved Shopping Joy

Give me $10 to spend in a second hand store and I'll leave as happy as if I've just spent a couple hundred in Westfield. It is fun scouting around the shelves finding little treasures for my home.

No more mouldy crumpets

I just hate throwing food out. Crumpets are always a culprit for mould before we are able to finish them. And i don't like the way they keep in the fridge. Freeze fresh between baking paper, too easy.

I found my time

Today I had a mini celebration over my yummy yogurt and toasted muesli for breakfast - I have finally found my time! Reality is, it was always there to begin with. I just resulted to the usual excuse 'I just can't find the time'.

 

I am a morning person. I can wake up 6am every day and feel great. Morning time for this mother of 2 is the ideal my time for me.

 

After a coffee and some quiet time with the Lord, I can finally fit in half an hour of exercise to my day. Hooray!

 

And there is nothing like getting the blood pumping, the muscles aching and feeling like your finally doing something good for yourself.

 

My routine is simple. 10 laps around the house, varying tracks for interest. Interval jogging and walking.  100 sit ups and 100 hits to the bag. So yay, I've found my time.

 

What to do and what not to do in Bali

1. Dont Listen to your driver
2. Don't Assume your driver knows where you want to go
3. Dont Ask your driver to take you to a nice restaurant
4. Don't Ask your driver to take you anywhere nice
5. Dont Tell your driver unnecessary information, it confuses them (can you tell we had fun with drivers)
6. Don't pick up those information phamplets at the airport, rip off
7. If anyone wants to carry your bags or help you jump the queue at the airport or offer you time share - say no thanks.
7. Oh and if they act like they want their wife to get a photo with you for 'happy memories', do assume he is carrying a printer in his bag and he'll want you to buy the photo.
8. Don't start bartering unless you really do want it
9. Don't stop bartering and don't forget your Aussie dollars, they really do love it, they make jewelry for their children.
10. If the shop front has a door or fixed price tags you are best not to barter, but you can ask with a smile 'Ada discount'

11. Research your restaurants, we really were let down by the food
12. If you see something you really like, buy it! You won't see it again even if they appear everywhere on that day
13. Being worried about Bali belly and tummy bugs is overrated. Not once in our 2 weeks did we refuse ice in drinks.
14. The mozzie issue is also overrated, they have mozzie spray everywhere, that's all you need
15. We paid $30 000 for a beach umbrella and 2 chairs. $50 000 for body board hire. Sarongs are good at $30 000/$40 000, We got the bintang singlets for under $30 000 each.
16. Jimbaran Bay - don't ask a driver to take you to "Jimbaran Bay", we were taken to the crap hole end and didn't get the real experience until we went with our instincts and got a driver to take us to the resort end where all the NICE restaurants were. Know where you want to go.
17. Ubud - we stayed about 10 minutes out in a local village. A great experience if you want to live amongst the locals. This suited us fine, just make sure you have a driver at hand.
18. Seminyak - we booked all of our accommodation via Trip Advisor. We were able to book an awesome villa as we were travelling with another couple and could pool our money together. This is a great way to really enjoy living Bali life. It feels like a home away from home.
19. Bali, away from the resorts, is very different to the impression you get of Bali from the resort, so make sure you get out and explore.
20. Lastly, All day tours sound great, but are super tiring especially with kids. And no, they are not a big tour bus with air con and a tour guide telling you lots of information. We got a local driver taking us around with little to no information. Then almost refusing to take us and the kids home because we were tired and didn't want to eat at the tacky Jimbaran Bay restaurant that was the last stop on the 'tour'.

All in all Bali was a great experience though and we will be back one day.

Please note, these are simply the thoughts and advice based on the trip we had travelling with 4 adults and 2 young children in September 2012. 

Bacon & Zucchini Slice with Mr Kenwood

I love my food processor. I do.

Most people will have their toaster and kettle living on their kitchen bench but my food processor owns top spot on my kitchen bench. I use my food processor (with all its fantastic attachments) pretty much everyday.

I was bought up with the conception that these 'things' (food processors) were annoying to use. Because, 1) you have to pull the big bulky thing out of a cupboard from a really awkward spot. 2) Then all the clunky attachments, which seem to be annoying. 3) And then the hassle of hand washing all the pieces because that's the way it should be done.

Ah Fooey! All lies. Lies I tell you!

How great to have all my things.... diced, chopped, mixed, grated, sliced, whisked, juiced, blended.... within seconds! And I put it all (except the rubber of the blender) into the dishwasher... no hassle at all!

Jamie Oliver's show 30 Minute Meals specializes in fast meals made specifically using the help of our friend The Beloved Food Processor. I love this cook book and have enjoyed many meals out of it so far... with the help of my trusty friend Mr Kenwood, of course.

I whipped up this delicious bacon and zucchini slice for lunch with the help of Mr Kenwood. He grated the cheese and zucchini, And diced the bacon, onion and garlic. Easy, made in less than 10 minutes. Yum.

Recipe
375g (or 2 medium) Zucchinis
1 Cup Grated Cheese
1 chopped Onion
5 Rash diced Bacon
1 clove Garlic
5 Eggs
1 Cup SR Flour
Season with Salt & Pepper
Sesame Seeds

Combine all ingredients, stir to combine well.
Pour into a baking dish and sprinkle top with sesame seeds.
Bake for 30-35 mins on 180 degrees C.

OTHER THINGS I use my food processor for:
Onions - to chop or slice onions any time I need too. I have a Tupperware one but I find this so much faster and easier.
Spaghetti bolognaise - to chop onion and capsicum. To grate carrot and zucchini. And finally grate cheese. No need to rinse between processes.
Banana cake - to purée the banana. Works a treat.
Pesto - the whole lot is made here.
Potato bake - in minutes it's in the oven! To finely slice whole potatoes and onions. And once again grating the cheese.
Cakes - some cakes are made partially or completely with the use of my food processor.
Sugar - to make my own castor sugar or icing sugar if I am desperate.

Please let me know if I have inspired you to pull your food processor out and give it a go for a week! They become such a handy tool to have in the kitchen.