Month: August 2018

Personal story and reflections, Practical tips, Self-help and coaching

Do as I say, not as I do

There have been several times when I’ve caught myself telling my five year old something and feeling like a hypocrite. Like when I tell him to calm down and yet I know how much I struggle to contain my emotions at times (a work-in-progress I write about here frequently).

It got me thinking about all of the lessons I (try to) teach my son regularly that I could do with following myself. A bit like the popular Everything I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten. And the more I thought about it, the more things sprang to mind. Here are a few of my favourites. Continue reading “Do as I say, not as I do” →

Recipes

Recipe: Spinach and strawberry salad

This is a quick, easy, nutritious and delicious salad I’ve lived on this summer. The recipe below is for a smaller side salad, but you can easily scale up. I regularly make a double portion and have it as a main. And as you can read below, it’s actually super healthy for you.

Nourishing health benefits

Flax seed oil is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, low in saturated fat, and has been shown in laboratory studies to reduce risk of certain cancers (1).

Spinach is rich in iron and a good source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, manganese, magnesium, and vitamin B2 (2).

Strawberries are a good source of potassium as well as vitamins C and K, folic acid, fibre and manganese (3) and have been shown in numerous studies to contain significant levels of protective phytochemicals and micronutrients (4).

Cottage cheese is a complete protein and rich in vitamins B2 and B12 (5).

Studies have shown balsamic vinegar can stabilise cholesterol, blood glucose levels and blood pressure, and is low in calories (6).

So basically, EVERYTHING IN THIS SALAD IS BENEFICIAL – and yet it tastes delicious, and is quick and easy to throw together. Continue reading “Recipe: Spinach and strawberry salad” →

Personal story and reflections

Eating for wellness

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates

As I recently wrote, health is fundamental to happiness and something I’ve been borderline obsessed with lately. I have recently been trying to eat much more whole, unprocessed foods, as well as monitoring my nutrients.

It’s. Been. Brilliant.

Here are some of the things that have made a big difference for me, resulting in losing a few extra pounds (despite weight loss not being my focus), more energy, better sleep, and an all around better mood. Continue reading “Eating for wellness” →

Personal story and reflections

This is it

I caught myself the other day thinking, “Once ______ happens…” or “When _____, things will be easier.” The present moment can sometimes feel like the moment waiting in the wings, about to go on stage.

But hang on, I realised. This is it.

This is my life. It’s not a practice round for the real life that lies ahead. And waiting around the corner isn’t some utopia that answers any of the niggles of my present predicament. Continue reading “This is it” →

Personal story and reflections

The objective of anger

It’s been a rainy Sunday and lazy by my standards. Sure, I’ve baked some cupcakes and we had a family disco at my son’s request. But it’s been a lot of sitting around, the boys playing somewhat on their own while I worked on my website copy and wrote in my journal.

And despite being able to be kind and loving and patient towards my son, I’ve had a few instances of losing my patience with him, too. We’re cooped up in the lounge together, and he insists on jumping from one piece of furniture to another, or pushing his baby brother using his face and head, or jumping and kicking, or basically doing the very thing I’ve just asked him not to do.

When this happens, I feel angry, then guilty. Then he does it again and I’m angry again. It’s been a vicious cycle.  Continue reading “The objective of anger” →

Self-help and coaching

Find your inner mentor

Of all the coaching exercises I’ve done, this one has been one of my personal favourites and most insightful. I’ve done it a few times, and was inspired to do it again most recently after reading the May 2018 issue of Psychologies magazine (okay, so I’m a little behind, because when do I get a chance to read a magazine with a baby?).

The idea is simple. You envision your future self, and your future self helps you find the path from where you are to where she is. Continue reading “Find your inner mentor” →