Festive/Party Season

Christmas is almost at our door step and with it comes various social gatherings. I love the month of December, it’s the beginning of summer and a great time to catch up with friends before everyone jets off on holidays in January and February.

Today marked the first day of Summer vacation for me and already my diary has filled up very quickly. Don’t get wrong I’m quite happy that I have plans everyday this week. But this summer will also test me with things like being realistic about not being able to prep my meals everyday, eating out more often and catching up for drinks with friends.

Last week I didn’t really have time to dwell on these feelings because I was busy studying. It’s been at the back of my mind but I tried not to think about it. The fact that my usual routines are going to be derailed this summer can either be a positive or negative thing. I’m going to try and chill out and just go with the flow.

Sunday night my phone was literally buzzing with friends messaging me to remind me of Lunch dates, Christmas Parties and Birthday Parties. During the semester I can make up the excuse of school work…sad that I sometimes still avoid having to eat out/step outside my comfort zone.

To try and combat all the fears I’ve decided to do everything in moderation. I know my limits and how much I can cope with. Even if I indulge in a few bad habits for a short while I won’t overindulge all summer. I will try and value good eating and drinking habits. I refuse to cocoon myself this holiday season!

Have An Awesome Start To The Week

Things I Love: Weekend Edition

• Comforting Bowls of Oatmeal

• Caffeine Fix first thing in the morning

• New  iPod Nano after my other one died

• Snack Plates with goodies from the Foodie Swap

• Skyping with my Twin Sister
• Sweet Motivational Messages! (This was actually some junk mail from my bank trying to convince me to open up another account with them lol)

Hope Everyone Had A Safe And Wonderful Weekend!

Wishing You Guys A Fantastic Week

Well now I’m off to catch up on all your blogs

Zucchini & Tomato Gratin

I haven’t had a gratin in a while so I decided to whip one up to mix up my lunch a bit! What I love about gratins is that they are a great way to incorporate a variety of vegetables. An added bonus is they are also adaptable to suit everyone’s needs if you have allergies.

1 Zucchini sliced, 1 Tomato sliced, Arrabiata Sauce, Goats Cheese

I enjoyed this for lunch yesterday before my second last exam! It was also a great accompaniment to my usual Parfait

Muesli, Blueberries & Yogurt Parfait

Amidst all the studying I have been sampling more little treats I received in the foodie swap from Shannon.

Both the tea and muesli bar were amazing!

Workouts for the last 2 days:

Wednesday – 75mins Steady State on the Bike, Light Weights &  Stabilization

Thursday – 8k jog,  40mins easy on the Bike & Stabilization

My runs/jogs have been going well. I’ve been trying to up my mileage slowly without irritating my injured heel. So far so good. But I’ve worked out that I can only manage 3 runs a week without being in too much pain. I still have my sights on running on the 4th December in my clubs 10k Handicap Race. Hopefully everything goes well training wise in the lead up to this.

I just have one last exam tomorrow afternoon and I am also babysitting tomorrow night! I was contemplating canceling babysitting to spend my Friday night celebrating with friends. But I promised the kids last week that we would bake something this week. Now I just have to find something that will make minimal mess because I will be the one stuck cleaning up. Not to worry though I have a friends 25th Birthday Saturday night…can’t wait to kick back and have a few drinks.

Some of my other edibles:

Breakfast- 1/2 cup Oats, 1 Banana mashed, scoop Chai Seeds, 1tsp Cinnamon, topped with PB & Plum Jam

Dinner- Lentil Soup with Veggies

Wishing Everyone Over In The States A Happy Thanksgiving

Mocha Oatmeal

This morning I combined my morning bowl of oatmeal with one of my favorite drinks.

Coffee + Cocoa = A Sweet Indulgent Breakfast

1/2 cup Oats, scoop Chai Seeds, Sachet of CocoCeps, 1 1/2 cups of Black Coffee & Banana Slices

This was the perfect start to my day and gave me a chance to try out the sachet of CocoCeps Shannon sent me

Later this morning I tried out one the bars Shannon sent over in the foodie swap. Perfect study snack!

Well I better get back to studying!!

“It makes you smarter if you hit the books.”

Getting Ready For Summer

With Spring coming to an end it’s time to start making some life changes. I figured that since I love making To Do Lists it would be a good idea to put together some ‘resolutions’ for summer!

That being said I decided 12 resolutions would be appropriate….12 weeks of summer

In no particular order the resolutions are:

1. Sort through my clothes and get rid of anything I don’t wear anymore
2. Money-Stick to a budget
3. De-clutter my room
4. Re-decorate my room
5. Train hard for upcoming races!
6. Live in the moment
7. Lots of Impromptu BBQ’s
8. Have a Movie Marathon with friends
9. Take more pictures
10. Go to the beach as much as possible
11. Spend time with family
12. Read Books

Most of these resolutions have to do with decluttering parts of my life with some random fun things thrown in there!

December, January & February will be great

This morning I tried a new Oatmeal combo for Breakfast.

Cinnamon Banana Oats: 1/2 cup Oats, 1 tsp Cinnamon, scoop Chai Seeds, 1 Banana Chopped topped with a sliced White Peach and a dash of Mixed Spice

I also took some time out from studying to start reading a new book

Only 2 more exams this week then I’m done for the year. Friday can’t come any sooner!!

Hope You All Have A Great Start To The Week

Friday Faves

It’s time to let go of all the stress & have a fun relaxing weekend.

‘Make each day of the week like Friday and your life will take on new enthusiasm’. ~ Byron Pulsifer

Some of my Friday Faves

• OIAJ Vanilla Blueberry Oatmeal 1/2 cup Oats, scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, scoop Chai Seeds, 1/2 cup Blueberries

• Smoothies in a bowl

• Fresh Fruit

• Salmon I enjoyed two large pieces of Salmon Fillet this week

• Pasta & Bolognese I’ve been making more of an effort to incorporate a little more meat into my diet. I don’t want this to be a fear food anymore.

Have A Wonderful Weekend Guys!

Another Tattoo?

Ok so I’ve been toying with the idea about getting a second tattoo for sometime now. For the past few months I’ve been putting together possible ideas.

Here are some of the one’s that caught my attention!

What Do You Guys Think?

I’m thinking of getting it done before Christmas. Early Christmas present for myself!?

Some of my eats today

Workout Today: 2hrs at a Steady State on the Bike followed by some Stretching then Stabilization.

Well I’m off to babysit again tonight. The good thing about babysitting on a Thursday night is that once the kids are asleep I can stalk all your WIAW eats! The joys of living in the Southern Hemisphere we’re always at least a day ahead of everyone else in the world.

Hope You All Have A Lovely Thursday

Foodie Swap

Whoo it arrived I recently did a Food Swap with Shannon and the package arrived just before I had to leave to babysit yesterday evening.

The contents of this wonderful package included lots of yummy treats that I can’t wait to try!

I grabbed one of the tea bags and took it with me to babysitting. The scent of the Vanilla was delicious in the tea. I thoroughly enjoyed this cup of tea last night.

I knew exactly what I wanted to try this morning. So first up was the Larabar! I keep seeing them all over the blog world and they don’t sell them in the supermarkets here. Cashews are one of my fave nuts so the flavor of the bar Shannon sent me was perfect

Morning Snack: Yogurt Mess & Cashew Cookie Larabar

It’s hard to decide what to try next! Now I just need to have some self control and ration out the rest of these delightful goodies

Thank You Shannon so much for doing a Food Swap with me!!

Hope The Week Is Treating You All Well So Far

Workout Plan For the Week

This weeks workout plan!

Monday: 5k run, 40min Intervals on Bike, Stabilization

Tuesday: 2hrs on the Bike at a Steady State

Wednesday: 5k run, Light Weights, Stabilization

Thursday: 2hrs on the Bike at A Steady State

Friday: 5k run, 40min Intervals on Bike, Stabilization

Saturday: 10k run, Swimming

Sunday: Rest

I’m heading into week 5 now with my injury. It’s healing quite nicely, the swellings not so bad! With each run I do on grass the pain seems to decrease. It’s more of a dull ache towards the end of the run. My run/jog’s still continue to be painstakingly slow.  I’m just thankful I can squeeze in more runs now. Over the weekend I did an 8k run Saturday morning and on Sunday I RESTED. Instead I went to watch my club compete in a fun run.

Well it is scorching hot over here. I stepped outside just once today to answer the door and boy it was sticky. Needless to say I quickly retreated indoors to the comfort of the a/c. Good things about Summer weather: Beach, Summer Fruits, Salads, BBQ’s. Drawbacks: Not being able to cover myself in my doona at night!

The semester is almost over! Just a couple of exams then Summer Holiday’s starts for me

Some of  Sunday + Today’s edibles:

Watermelon, Apple Slices & Nuts                                                          Sweet Potato Oatmeal

Mango, Nectarine & Watermelon Yogurt Mess                                Muesli, Watermelon & Soy Milk

Cinnamon, Banana & Pomegranate Oats                                         Kiwi Fruit,Watermelon & Muesli

Snow Peas, Yellow Squash & Cucumber                                          Blueberry,Muesli &Yogurt Parfait

Smoothie 50g Instant Oats, 1/2 cup Berries, scoop Chai Seeds, scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, 1/2 cup water

Baked Salmon & Spinach

Hope You All Have A Fantastic Week

Maple Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 Egg
• 1/4 cup Oil
• 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
• 1 cup Whole Meal Flour
• 1 cup Rolled Oats
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1. Preheat Oven and Line baking tray with baking paper.
2. Whisk egg, oil, maple syrup and vanilla in a bowl until combined.
3. Sift flour and baking soda over egg mixture. Add oats and stir gently to combine.
4. Place tablespoons of mixture on baking tray, allowing room for spreading.
5. Bake for 15-20mins or until light golden. Stand cookies on tray for 5mins.

 I enjoyed these cookies over the weekend

Delicious Cookies + Yogurt Mess = Best Freaking Snack Ever