A moment of Mindfulness

Welcome back to my journey of improving the mind, body and soul. Let’s recap; my first week consisted of realising that it was time for change. Second week was about starting to note down and reflect on what I was consuming in order to improve and this week was all about stopping and taking the time to appreciate what I do have.

Too often I forget to be grateful for the little things as well as the big things in my life and a youth retreat I went on this week, was able to remind me of this. There, our days were centred around growing spiritually and this included giving thanks before diving in to our meals each day. The food became so much more fulfilling after giving a simply thanks and I hope I will continue implementing this daily.

Two other ways I found helpful in reminding myself to be more grateful every day were:

1. reflecting when going for walks and,
2. saying a few words of gratitude each morning

The idea of going for a walk does not always appeal to me; I am tired, it's late, I'm not up for it, i don't feel like it. Yet every time I go chuck on some shoes and get outside, I feel a whole lot better! Taking the time to stop and get some fresh air benefits you in so many ways. If it isn't possible to go out because perhaps it is too late in the evening, why not try see if a sibling or a friend would want to join you! If not, simply slide a chair over to your window and enjoy the fresh breeze this way.

When I go on the walks I naturally tend to start relaxing and actually take deep breaths. I get so caught up in my days rushing around form place to place that simple things like a long breath gets away from me. By walking, it gives me that time to simply think and reflect on everything. Next time you go for a walk or sit in front of a window with the breeze, time yourself;

see what is in front of you

hear what surrounds you

feel the moment you are in

Through this I always find myself being able to get back into the present moment instead of trying to figure out what is next on my to-do list.

Usually after that I do feel like reading a paragraph from a self development book or saying a prayer! This really helps to encourage me as well as keep me grounded. Is there something you do to help elevate yourself and become more knowledgeable? This leads me into the second part I mentioned that has helped to improve myself; practicing gratitude in the mornings.

I have started waking up to a few positive words;

Thank you that this morning I have woken up

Thank you that my family is also waking up in the room beside me

Thank you for a good day

What a difference it can make when you wake up to the realisation of how much beauty there is in your life.

I have also recently began a prayer wall. On little pieces of paper I write down what I, my friends and family are looking forward to, as well what we are struggling with. It doesn't matter if you practice religion or have different beliefs, being able to project dreams and hopes as well as doing it for someone else can really encourage you. I really liked a powerful line I heard this week and it was:

Lose yourself in someone else's service

I try this every morning and then get into some morning exercises to wake myself up the right way each day!

I have noticed that little steps here and there like these are really helping! Writing everything down and reflecting also has been one of the best ways for me to keep improving each week.

A few of my meals during the week:

My Blueberry Breakfast Pancakes with a Chocolate Chai Latte

Roasted Chicken with Eggplant, Red Beans and Alfalfa Sprouts

Ricke Crackers with Avocado

Roasted Eggplant with Kale, Fish and Alfalfa Sprouts

Homemade Pumpkin Soup

Till next time,

Vee

It's the Place You Live In

Monday started with another day volunteering at uni. Another day filled with free food. Pizza, salad, garlic bread! 

Tuesday was recovery. I was very motivated to eat healthy :) 

Wednesday was back to a free feed from volunteering at uni. As a low income earning uni student you simply can't just not take advantage of free food even if perhaps its not the healthiest for you :) Moderation is key I say, but sometimes, to be completely honest, that is very difficult for me and I do tend to overeat. I tried to be a bit better than Monday by having tea instead of hot chocolate for morning tea and only eating enough food to feel full without overeating at lunch. Unfortunately, the day still consisted of snacking on many cookies and chips. 

On my way back home I decided to stop at a convenience store to get a snack for the long trip ahead as it was also a very tiring day! When I was looking at what to buy, my friend asked if I was hungry. I said yes as I was really looking forward to scoffing down a muffin! But I thought to myself, after I declared that strong 'yes', I was not hungry at all! This is what reminded me or even perhaps made me realize that I am very much an emotional eater. Its been a full day with a few ups and downs and I just wanted to try satisfy an unnecessary need that I had. Instead of dwelving into this thought a little more, unfortunately I ended up getting a hot chocolate and a slice of banana bread for the road. 

While I was on my way home enjoying the delicious and slightly unhealthy, who am I kidding, quite an unhealthy little snack that I should have perhaps resisted, I looked at the sugar content and was not very content with how much I just consumed. My goal is to get back on track to a healthier lifestyle and what was I thinking indulging so much in one day! On top of this, once I was done, I looked at the empty plastic wrap and paper cup sitting on the seat beside me and was discouraged by my poor choices that day. I've recently read an article about a girl who gave up waste for good and I was so inspired by this and wanted to try it myself, especially seeing how easy it was! There are so many resources accessible; reusable containers, reusable coffee mugs, plenty of Instagram accounts filled with treats that you can bake at home in bulk and much more! 

Check out the girl's story to see how she does it and What Her Life Is Like!

Going on from that, I'm currently re-inspired to start creating more home snacks without the earth damaging packaging. Perhaps some home made healthy banana bread, I'd definitely enjoy that much more than the slice that night. I do love enjoying a treat when I'm heading home late with a coffee or hot chocolate, especially if it doesn't involve the packaging. I need to invest in a coffee mug! One that's colourful and perfect size for my bag

On Thursday morning I enjoyed a mango and protein smoothy for breakfast and then a prawn salad for lunch. After that I had some chocolate wafers and thought that was really not necessary. Its time to really put my life back together, I can't keep going around putting such foods into my body. As the Lorna Jane app reminded me; 

'Make the pledge to take care of your body. It's the place you live!' 

If you don't have the Lorna Jane app, I highly recommend it! :) It sends you little notifications to motivate you every morning! And so this made me find a notebook and start planning.

I ended my Thursday by walking the dog. We had to slightly wait for the rain to pass by but it was a really good time for me to think and reflect. I began to think, wouldn’t it be easier to simply eat less or even skip a meal? But no, I reminded myself, this was not the way. I had to prove to myself that I can do it. As soon as I got back from my walk I made good use of that notebook and become very prepared to ensure I wouldn't start just looking at what's in the fridge and snack on more than I should. Something else that inspired me also was remembering the transformations I had noticed this week of a couple of friends who simply put exercise and portion control in place and are looking great! This is what I need to work on and it does take time, I just need to keep reminding myself of this. 

Friday was an even more positive day! I have recently started to read a bible verse each morning instead of my usual scan of Instagram or Facebook and it has honestly been so much more fulfilling. I downloaded the Bible app that gives me a verse and this morning was Luke 12:29-31:

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 

And then I found that Matthew 6:25-33 expanded on that thought, if you would also like to have a read. 

During the day I also read an article on how to change people who don't want to change to try help me find ways of improving myself positively. The article wrote about how it is about asking better questions rather than simply stating what you should or shouldn't do:

“What is it that makes you even consider changing?”

“If things worked out exactly the way you want, what would be different?

“What are the pluses and minuses of changing or not changing?”

“If this change were easy, would you want to make it? What makes it hard?”

You can have a read of the article yourself and see if it helps you too! 'How to Change People Who Don't Want to Change'

I thoroughly enjoy reading, it is the way I learn and grow! Until next time,
Vee