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.

Quiche

Quiche, easy peasy and no recipe needed? I think yes.
Don't think too hard about quiches, just think scrambled eggs with some additions.

Blind bake your puff pastry, then bake for another 5 mins.

I like to leave a nice pastry overhang for extra goodness.
Add your ingredients and cook for a good 30-40 mins on 180 degrees.

Ingredients guide:

About 4-6 eggs depending on the size of dish

A good pour of cream and a teaspoon of Lemon Pepper and a bit of salt

Meats: Ham, Bacon, Salami, Prosciutto 

Veg: Red/White Onion, Shallots, Spinach, Capsicum, Olives, Chives

Additional: Chopped Cream cheese, pine nuts, other herbs

I love using my Maxwell & Williams Microstoven dish. The quiche, or whatever you cook, does not stick to the dish, so I don't need to grease. If you have never seen Microstoven, you must look it up. You know how Jamie Oliver always cooks in a dish and then puts it into the oven? This is the stuff you can use. Which is the only reason why I bought it. Can be used in the microwave, on the stove top and in the oven. Genius!

To see the Microstoven range click here