HAPPY FOOD REVOLUTION DAY!

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Wishing everyone a happy Food Revolution Day! For those of you who don’t know what it is but would like to find out more, check out Jamie Oliver’s Facebook page (where these images are from) or foodrevolutionday.com. You can also read my previous FRD post or this one by lovely Kenley (of Green Door Hospitality fame). My first FRD event (a vegan cupcake decorating mini-workshop) took place today at my husband’s office. I did all the preparations and made a pdf presentation for it in advance, then my husband and his colleagues got to work decorating cupcakes whilst I stayed home with my very own baby Cupcake. By all accounts the event was a great success :) . My next event is tomorrow, so I will keep this post short and sweet so I can get on with the preparations.

Let me know if you are participating in any FRD events, stay tuned for my follow-up FRD post, complete with recipes… and have a great weekend :) !

BEETROOT & WALNUT HUMMUS, BABA GANOUSH & GARLIC FLATBREADS (a journey to River Cottage, part 1)

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I am unapologetically, unashamedly, unabashedly obsessed with the River Cottage phenomenon and the “real food” philosophy of back-to-basics tour de force Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall! This one-sided love affair began when we (my husband, L and I) were invited to afternoon tea by a friend sometime during the early summer last year. Upon the bookshelf behind me sat a copy of River Cottage Veg Every Day and, flicking through its inspirational pages, I became smitten. Upon returning home, we immediately ordered the book online and now, almost a year later, it has become somewhat of a food bible in our home and definitely my go-to cook book when it comes to savoury inspiration. Recently I stumbled across some youtube playlists featuring episodes of the various River Cottage series, one of which happened to be dedicated to veg and Hugh’s 4 month commitment to go meat-free. One episode began with this great intro:

“I think it’s increasingly obvious that, here in the West, we are producing and consuming too much meat; too much for our health, too much for the planet to cope with and way too much for the welfare of the animals that we kill for meat to be anything like what it should be. So for one summer, I’m casting off my carnivorous ways to live off the goodness of the garden. And I can honestly say that rather than a limitation, it’s been a liberation. I’m enjoying my vegetables more than ever. I’m relishing them more than ever before. And I guess that’s because I am just paying them so much more attention. I mean, they’re all that I’m eating and I like my food, therefore the vegetables that I’m eating get a lot of attention.”

I couldn’t agree more with Hugh’s sentiments. It worries me that I am raising two children in a world where bananas can be bought ready-peeled (!) and where people are disgusted by the thought of where meat comes from or handling it themselves, but will happily gorge themselves on 3 meals a day containing processed and insanely unhealthy meat products produced in the most unethical of manners. My family is omnivorous, but I am determined that my children are raised to make informed and healthy conscious decisions regarding the food they consume. I want them to be exposed to a variety of cuisines, to be able to handle and cook food themselves, to know how food is produced and where it comes from, to grow some of their own food and to develop a palette for a wide range of healthy flavours. I want them to have a respect for food, for the environment and for their own little growing bodies.

Living in an urban environment, I feel I need to be a little more creative and vigilant when it comes to my own consumer choices at times. After all, even though it’s known that convenience doesn’t always/often equal “healthy”, a busy schedule can easily lead one astray in the food department. L attends a nursery school where the menu is varied. He’ll eat Swedish meatballs one day and leek and potato soup the next. I have little to no say in what is served there (and can only be grateful that they have a chef on premises who prepares fresh, balanced meals for the children daily), but I do have a say in the choices we make at home. So when my little boy requests quinoa/almond milk/broccoli/tomatoes or when he points out loudly that something is “organic!” or exclaims that he “likes vitamins”, my heart sings and I feel like we are doing something right. We are not really a “crunchy” family (although we are no doubt crunchy-sympathetic), and I bake sweet treats, buy takeaway meals sometimes and like my comfort foods, but I do try to opt for the healthier choices available within certain parameters. Hugh’s approach to food appeals to me for the same reason as Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day does; because it doesn’t exclude, it is common sense, inspiring and accessible… even for those of us who dwell in cities. And so, in lieu of being able to convince my husband to pack up and move to Dorset to start our own smallholding, I content myself with starting an urban kitchen garden, tweaking recipes and recreating dishes from River Cottage… and I plan to share my Hugh-inspired culinary adventures in a series of posts, the first of which you are reading now… ;)

MissMarzipan_beet_hummus_flatbread

BEETROOT & WALNUT HUMMUS

As a “traditional hummus” fan, I was keen to give this unusual version a go and, to be honest, I am not sure which version of hummus I now prefer! The beetroot imparts a lovely, subtle sweetness and the walnuts add fabulous texture and depth of flavour. Combined with the usual hummus suspects (tahini, garlic, lemon, cumin), this gorgeous, brightly coloured and delicious dip is sure to please.

INGREDIENTS

50 g organic walnuts
1/2 tbsp ground cumin (or more if you like)
15 g gluten-free bread crumbs
200 g cooked organic beetroot, cut into cubes
1 tbsp organic tahini (smooth nut butter works too)
1 large organic garlic clove, crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
A dash of organic olive or rapeseed oil
Salt and black pepper to season

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Toast walnuts on a baking tray in the oven for around 5 minutes. Leave to cool.
  2. Put the walnuts in a food processor and blitz. Add the beetroot, breadcrumbs, tahini, 1/2 a tablespoon of oil plus most of the garlic, cumin and lemon. Season with salt and pepper. Blend to a thick paste. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly by adding more cumin/garlic/salt/pepper/lemon juice if necessary. Add a little more oil if needed.
  3. Refrigerate until needed. It will keep for a few days. Serve at room temperature.

 

*Original recipe from River Cottage Veg Every Day, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
*I made my version with gluten-free breadcrumbs as I had some on hand, but by all means, blitz your own stale bread to make some if you prefer.
*The original recipe calls for fresh cumin seeds, which I did not have so ground cumin had to suffice.

 

BABA GANOUSH

I think of baba ganoush as being a “gateway dish” to exposure to aubergine ;) . Flavourful, simple and a touch exotic, Hugh’s version is a fab dip or sandwich addition.

INGREDIENTS

4 medium aubergines (approx. 1 kg)
1 clove organic garlic, crushed
2 tbsp organic tahini (smooth nut butter works too)
Juice of half a lemon
Salt and black pepper to season

FINISHING INGREDIENTS

A handful of fresh, organic parsley, chopped
Organic rapeseed or olive oil to drizzle over
1-2 tsp ground cumin

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat grill (high). Prick aubergines a couple of times with a fork then lay them on a tray lined with foil and grill, turning regularly, until the skin is blackened all over and the flesh is soft (this takes around 10 minutes). Let rest until cool enough to handle, then peel off the skin.
  2. Place the flesh into a colander, roughly chop up with a small knife and allow to drain and cool completely.
  3. In a food processor, blitz the aubergine, garlic, tahini, lemon juice and a good amount of salt and pepper until puréed. Taste and add more lemon juice and seasoning if you wish.
  4. Serve drizzled with oil, scattered with parsley and dusted with cumin.

 

*Recipe from River Cottage Veg Every Day, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

 

GARLIC FLATBREADS

Two delicious dips require an equally yummy partner, and a warm, tasty slice of garlic flatbread is just the ticket! This recipe should make 8 flatbreads and is based around Hugh’s amazing and aptly named recipe for “Magic Bread Dough”.

MAGIC BREAD DOUGH INGREDIENTS

250 g plain organic white flour
250 g strong organic white flour
1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp instant dried yeast
1 tbsp organic rapeseed/olive oil, plus a little extra

MAGIC BREAD DOUGH DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine flours into a large bowl with salt and yeast. Mix well. Add the oil and 325 ml warm water and mix to form a rough dough.
  2. Flour your hands. Tip out the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead for 5–10 minutes, until smooth. This should be quite sticky dough, so try not to add too much flour. Kneading will make it less sticky and easier to work with.
  3. Trickle a little oil into a clean bowl, place the kneaded dough in it and turn it in the oil to cover with a light film. Cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place to rise until doubled in size (1-2 hours).

 

GARLIC OIL INGREDIENTS

Approx. 100 ml organic olive oil
1 large organic garlic clove, finely chopped

GARLIC FLATBREAD DIRECTIONS 

  1. Make the garlic oil by combining oil and garlic in a pan over a medium heat. Do not fry the garlic! As soon as you note any sizzling, pour the oil and garlic into a small bowl and leave to cool.
  2. Punch down the risen dough and divide into balls of about 125 g each (or the size of a lemon), roll out into rough circle shapes of a 2 mm thickness. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Heat a non-stick pan over a very high heat until smoking hot. Cook flatbreads one at a time by laying each in the pan for about 2 minutes until they bubble on top and are browned/blackened in patches underneath, then flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  4. Remove, trickle with garlic-infused oil and crush over a little flaky sea salt. I also added a sprinkling of fresh parsley which was lovely. Cut flatbreads into wedges to serve.

 

*Recipe from River Cottage Veg Every Day, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
*I have actually frozen quantities of dough for rolling out/baking later on. It still works and is a real time-saver if you find you have dough left over!

 

JAMIE OLIVER’S FOOD REVOLUTION DAY- May 17, 2013

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Getting caught up in all the busyness of life means I tend to blog “retroactively”, but I aim to change this so that I can share about certain things (such as coming events) in good time. So, with less than 2 weeks to go, I thought it apt I write a little about Food Revolution Day, the face of which is none other than Jamie Oliver.

I recently connected with Jamie’s Facebook page and caught wind of the event. So what exactly is it all about? Rather than paraphrasing, I have copied the following from the Food Revolution Day Activity Pack:

“FOOD REVOLUTION DAY 2013: IN A NUTSHELL

WHAT: Food Revolution Day is a global day of action for people everywhere to celebrate real food, where it comes from and how to cook it. It’s a day to come together to keep these cooking skills alive, improve our food knowledge and share it with others.

WHY: Learning how to cook is one of the most valuable skills you can ever learn. These skills used to be passed down from generation to generation, but now millions of people lack even the most basic skills– as a result, it’s costing millions of lives and billions of pounds to cope with the increase in diet-related diseases. We need to get back to basics and share our cooking skills and knowledge so everyone has access to good, nutritious food made from scratch.

HOW: COOK IT. SHARE IT. Getting involved is as simple as making a home-cooked dinner for family and friends, teaching someone how to cook, sharing a favourite recipe or committing to buying local, fresh ingredients. If you want to join our global day of action, visit http://www.foodrevolutionday.com and find an activity in your area. Whoever you are and wherever you are, it’s easy to get involved.”

Some of you may recall that I started a crafting circle last year in advance of Thanksgiving (having no clue how to host a crafting circle nor celebrate Thanksgiving as both were completely foreign to me!). Well, this year I have decided to change things up a little bit. Inspired by Food Revolution, the crafting circle has morphed into a kind of foodie club. No doubt we’ll have some crafting days too, but for now we are focusing on food. And the kick-off for the newly revamped club is our own private Food Revolution event. You might be lucky enough to live in an area where a large public event is taking place (such as the one in London, featuring a cooking demo by Jamie himself), but if you don’t, no worries! Just think of a food-related activity you’d like to do and invite your friends to join you. There are loads of ideas on the Food Revolution site, but I chose to come up with my own and then run it past my friends (who all liked the suggestions). On May 18 we will be starting with an outing to a “pick-your-own” farm outside of town where we’ll eat an early lunch together and, for an extra dose of inspiration, check out the produce in the farm shop. Then we’ll head back to my place for an afternoon of cooking activities with a “Food for Jars” theme. We’ll be making a simple lemon curd, a tomato sauce and infused olive oil, all of which we’ll split, so that everyone will be taking home their own jars full of versatile yumminess… just in time for picnic season ;) .

I am taking Food Revolution Day event hosting a step further and will be involving my husband and his work team colleagues in an activity too! I will be doing a cupcake decorating mini workshop with them at my husbands office on May 17. I am slightly nervous about it, as I suggested doing it before I’d really had a chance to think about the implications/logistics (I will have a 3 month-old baby with me for one thing!). I also have yet to decide upon a theme, but I am thinking vegan cupcakes might be something a little different.

One of the things that really appeals to me about Food Revolution Day is the opportunity not only to share food-related fun and knowledge with friends and family, but also to raise money and awareness. At both of the events I am hosting I will be collecting small contributions that will go directly to my chosen cause (The Good Foundation).

“The main aim of Food Revolution Day is to raise awareness on behalf of Jamie’s charities and partners. For those who can and would like to fundraise, a £1 donation will support one of our cooking programmes to give children and adults essential cooking skills for life. Jamie Oliver’s foundations are based in the UK and the US, and work in partnership with partners in Australia working globally to bring the power of food skills to life. In a nutshell, we believe that food skills are among the most valuable things you can ever learn. Every child should learn about food, where it comes from and how it affects their bodies. And everyone should be able to learn lost or forgotten food skills whether at home, at school, at work or in the community. 100% of net funds raised through Food Revolution Day 2013 will go to food-education projects.” 

Click here to go to the Food Revolution Activity Search page to see if there’s an event taking place near you… or to sign up to host your own event. And for some ideas and more info about Food Revolution Day, click on the image below to download your free copy of the FREE Food Revolution Day Activity Pack:

 

MissMarzipan_#FRD2013

I do hope you’ll join me (and thousands of others) in taking part and having some food-related fun! :)

VEGAN BANANA WALNUT BREAD (so easy, so delicious)

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What do you do on a sunny Sunday morning when you discover that the bananas you bought last week are fast approaching the overripe stage? Bake banana bread, that’s what! In keeping with my recent attempts to “healthify” my diet and lifestyle, this version of banana bread contains no added oils/butter/fats, no eggs and no dairy. I was able to use mostly organic ingredients and I decided to cut the sugar content significantly too. The results? One of the best banana breads I have ever tasted; moist, delicious, banana-y and with a lovely crust. I have served this bread to a few people now, none of whom are vegan, and they have all sung its praises. I myself am not vegan, but I am steadily heading towards a more plant-based diet, and yummy, super-easy recipes like this are fabulous motivation (not to mention a great treat to make in celebration of Earth Day 2013) ;) .

EASY VEGAN BANANA WALNUT BREAD

MissMarzipan_vegan_banana_bread

INGREDIENTS

1.2 dl organic soy milk (almond or other non-dairy milk should work too)
1 tsp organic apple cider vinegar
4.8 dl organic pastry flour (or plain flour)
1.5 dl organic sugar
0.75 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
0.75 tsp organic vanilla powder
4 ripe organic bananas, mashed
1.5 dl organic walnuts, roughly crumbled/chopped

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Grease a loaf pan or spray with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, combine soy/non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar.
  3. Add curdled milk and vinegar combination to the dry ingredients, followed by the vanilla powder and bananas. Add walnuts. Stir until combined, but do not over mix.
  4. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake for around 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

 

DIRECTIONS FOR FREEZING

Allow to bread to cool completely. Place bread in a zip-lock freezer bag, label and freeze or slice loaf and place slices in an airtight container and freeze (I did the latter). Before serving simply thaw. If you have pre-cut slices, then thaw only what you need and place the rest back in the freezer. Microwave individual slices of banana bread for 20 seconds or so if you want them served warm.

*This bread freezes and defrosts beautifully!
*It is wonderful as a snack, for afternoon tea, breakfast, brunch or even dessert.
*Based upon a couple of questions I have had regarding possible ingredient swaps, I have updated the recipe.
*Recipe closely adapted from this one by Regan at Onceamonthmom.com.

 

SPRING CLEANING FROM WITHIN: RAW FOOD, JUICING & MEDITATION (AKA did I pick the craziest week ever to detox?!)

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Yes, we’ve recently celebrated Easter and, amid the many significances of this special time of year, it’s a fabulous time for the bakers among us, right? So why, oh WHY did I pick Easter week to reevaluate my eating habits and try raw food for the first time? Could it be the subtle influence of Deepak’s soothing voice as he guided me through the daily reflections I did as part of his latest 21-day meditation challenge? Could it be that I recently watched the film Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead and, overnight, found myself obsessed with the idea of juicing? Or could it be that I have been craving a change and, despite the fact that I try to eat an organic, well-balanced diet, I still believe there is still too much refined sugar, gluten, eggs, dairy and other stuff I don’t “need” in it? Clearly for me it is a combination of factors, fueled in part by a deeper realisation that my toddler is already learning to do as I do, not as I say. I want to create the most nurturing, balanced and healthy environment I can for my children… and I believe it starts with me and the choices that I make for myself. And so, rather than pondering the changes I would like to make, I have begun to make them. Already I feel so much the better for it and can see the positive impact my healthier lifestyle is having on my home and family. The following is an excerpt from my 21-day meditation challenge online journal listing some of the changes/additions I have recently made to my daily routine:

  1. I have started trying to use paraben-free products where possible.
  2. After participating in Earth Hour, we decided to have “lights out” time every night… lighting candles and our smokeless fireplace and having quiet family story time and cuddles.
  3. I am starting my day by drinking ginger tea (even my toddler is into it now, taking sips of mine).
  4. I am drinking 2 liters of water a day consciously.
  5. I have a daily program that I follow with things that I can cross off and keep track of both for me and my kids.
  6. I am doing body brushing, juicing, journaling, meditation, pelvic floor exercises, etc. everyday.
  7. I did a raw food and juicing reboot for 3 days and have kept eating mostly veggie/vegan/raw/gluten-free since.
  8. I am trying out more eco products, not just for me but for my kids (eg, paraben-free shampoo for me, biodegradable and cloth diapers for my baby).
  9. I have started exercising with my kids- doing a very relaxed version of Zumba with my toddler and doing gentle yoga with the whole family.
  10. We are also shopping as a family and letting our toddler help choose fruit and veggies. He loves it!

MissMarzipan_perfect_health3

WHY TRY RAW FOOD?

Well, in my case sheer curiosity was a major motivating factor! I have spoken with friends who have done raw food (un)cooking classes at the recently opened Bliss Cafe in Stockholm and with friends who have gone on detoxification retreats that prescribe a raw food diet. I currently have two friends (that I am aware of) who eat raw food exclusively and swear by its benefits. Basically, raw food (or “living food”) is food that has not been cooked or exposed to temperatures over 48°C (118°F), the temperature at which the natural enzymes in food are supposedly destroyed. These enzymes, according to raw foodist Robert Ross, “are considered essential for all the chemical processes in your body, especially digestion”. Chemical by-products with damaging effects on health are also allegedly produced by cooking. Cooked carbohydrates can produce a carcinogen called acrylamide and frying makes oils oxidize, creating free radicals and “increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease and premature aging”. The argument for raw eating is bolstered by the notion that fire is a recent discovery in archeological terms and that humans are the only species on the planet who “intentionally eat cooked food”. I didn’t think it could do me any harm to give raw food a go… and, in fact, if the raw community is indeed correct in its assumptions, I would have a better standard of health by doing so.

THE RESULTS?

What with juicing, caring for a newborn and a toddler plus meeting a host of other commitments (such as postpartum follow-up appointments at the hospital), I didn’t feel I had the time/energy/inclination to teach myself raw food meal preparation and/or shop for all the ingredients I’d need to create balanced, nutritious and yummy raw food meals for 3 days worth of raw food eating… so I cheated! I found a cafe in the city (Kaffemakarn) that has a renowned raw food chef, Katrin Petersson, on board, preparing a variety of exciting sounding raw meals and snacks. I headed there and tried 3 of the meals (I bought them to takeaway) and the raw choc-walnut energy balls. I must say that they were all very good! And, surprisingly, extremely filling. I honestly couldn’t get through a meal in one sitting, so I’d eat half for lunch, juice and snack (on raw nuts or bars) in between and finish the meal for dinner later on. I tried the raw sushi, cashew nut cheese and salad plate and walnut pâté meals. I hope Kaffemakarn is still serving raw meals when I return to work as this could be a regular lunch spot for me! Having said that, I missed the temperature of cooked food… and although the 3 days I spent eating raw food went well, I suspected I’d miss the variety I could experience eating both raw and cooked food. I also could see potential limitations in terms of socialising and dining out. Essentially, I felt “cleaner” eating raw. My skin developed a glow (which, incidentally it has not lost, perhaps as I have continued to juice and eat a largely plant-based diet packed with micronutrients). At this point I cannot see myself becoming a hardcore, exclusively raw food devotee, although I would definitely consider doing raw food weeks/days/”detoxes” in future and I am now happily incorporating raw, fresh juices and smoothies into my daily diet.
MissMarzipan_raw_sushi
MissMarzipan_raw_cashew_cheese

WHY JUICE?

It appears, as mentioned above, that micronutrients are sensitive little critters and the value they provide the body with can be compromised through the heating of foods. Add to this the fact that many people will not reach the quota of 6-8 servings of vegetables and fruits per day, which seems the norm as far as modern health authority recommendations go. Juicing is without doubt an easy way to virtually guarantee that you will reach your daily target for vegetables whilst ensuring your body gets plenty of micronutrients (that cooking and processing food destroys by altering their shape and chemical composition).

Juicing helps the body absorb all the nutrients from fruits and vegetables. It’s hard to imagine anyone getting through 2 cucumbers, a bunch of carrots, a couple of raw beets, a pineapple, a cup of berries, 2 grapefruits, a lemon, a bunch of spinach etc, in one sitting, yet juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of fruits and vegetables in a highly efficient, easy to digest manner. No matter what the rest of your daily diet looks like, you can ensure that you are meeting your quota of “rainbow” foods (foods of many colours) via juicing and perhaps even expand your vegetable horizons somewhat by introducing things to your juice that wouldn’t normally end up on your plate. As an added bonus, regular food rotation decreases your chance of developing an allergy to a certain food.

One lovely spin-off from this dietary addition is that I have taken the opportunity to introduce my 2 year-old to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables via the juicing process. We shop together, talk about fresh produce and why it is good for you and I let him help me choose produce for juicing. He likes to repeat the names of fruits/vegetables/herbs, hold them, try them out, tell me which ones he wants me to juice first… then, of course, he drinks the juice too. The other day, whilst drinking one of our delicious homemade smoothies, he announced “I like vitamins!” It seems my ploy is working! ;)

JUICING TIPS:

  1. I have chosen to incorporate juicing into my diet, rather than detox on juice, fast on juice or consider juice the mainstay of my diet. There are a few reasons for this, including the fact that I am not overweight, that my diet is already well-balanced and that I am a nursing mother (and need to make sure I am keeping my calorific intake in check so as not to affect milk supply/quality). I think it is important to consider too that vegetable juice contains little protein and virtually no fat. I “bulk up” the juices I make for breakfast by adding other things to, in effect, make smoothies. Cashew nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, frozen berries, frozen mango and fresh, ripe bananas whizzed in a blender along with fresh fruit and vegetable juice really helps to make a meal out of things ;)
  2. The juice you make should taste good and make you feel good. There may be certain tastes that you want to counter balance (like the bitterness found in some green veg) with other flavours (lemons and limes are great for this purpose).
  3. Use organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Celery, spinach, lettuce, carrots and cucumber are all fabulous for juicing, but NOT when loaded with chemicals used in non-organic farming practices.
  4. Fresh ginger and mint leaves can add a lovely, refreshing zing to your juices- not to mention extra health benefits (such as the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body that ginger can aid and the blood cleansing properties of mint).
  5. Drinking freshly made juice right away is preferable, however if you are like me (ie, ridiculously busy in the morning) storing pre-cut fruit & veg or fresh juice carefully is a decent second best. Juicing is time-consuming, so although at first I was attempting to do it every morning, I soon realised that preparing fruit and veg in advance (washing, peeling, etc) or even juicing the night before worked so much better for me. You can store juices with, according to some experts, “only moderate nutritional decline”. I store my juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator and, although it is recommended to store them for 24 hours, I often make enough juice for a couple of days to save on work/washing up.

 

THE RESULTS?

I am a bit (ok, a LOT) in love with juicing right now! Juice is a part of every day for me at the moment. I usually have a BIG micronutrient rich smoothie for breakfast these days. As a long-time massive fan of breakfast cereals, I thought I’d be missing them painfully. Not so! I haven’t missed them once since I started juicing as opposed to loading up on grains and gluten-y carbs in the morning. As with raw food, I feel like I am starting my day “clean” when I juice. And the delicious smoothie blends I create are so satisfying and refreshing. Oh, and I really should mention that I continue to nurse my baby on demand and the latest weigh-in at the doctor’s office confirmed what I had suspected… that she has been putting on the pounds ;) . She has, in 2 months, put on 2 kilos (or approximately 4.4 pounds), so we need have no fear that she is not getting what she needs in terms of nutrition via her mama!

MY SUPER MICRONUTRIENT SMOOTHIE

This is my daily breakfast right now! I decided to do a little research into the health benefits (which I share with you below) of the base juicing ingredients I use, curious as to why it is that I feel so great starting my day this way. The extra additions to my juices (such as kiwi fruit, pears, etc.) vary a little depending upon what fruits and veggies are available/fresh/organic, but the basic mix I use at the moment includes:

MissMarzipan_smoothie

Pineapple:
Packed with vitamins and minerals (including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and potassium), pineapples can help stave off colds, build and maintain strong bones (thanks to manganese, a trace mineral that your body requires to build bones and connective tissues), alleviate pain associated with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome due to its anti-inflammatory qualities and improve digestion (yay for bromelain!). Oh, and they’re delicious, of course! ;)

Spinach:
Spinach is a winter superfood and research shows that taking it in juice form is actually the healthiest way to consume it. Oxalic acid, a compound found in spinach, blocks the absorption of calcium and iron, but an easy way to solve this problem is to pair spinach with foods rich in vitamin C (very easy to do when juicing!). Spinach is known for its ability to help nourish the eyes, build healthy bones and aid digestion. It flushes out toxins from the colon and regular consumption of fresh, organic spinach juice has been shown to improve skin health dramatically. A well-known good source of iron, spinach is also loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be hard to find in other foods. Like other dark greens, spinach is an excellent source of beta-carotene, a powerful disease-fighting antioxidant that helps combat heart disease and cancer. Spinach contains lipoic acid, which helps antioxidant vitamins C and E regenerate. Lipoic acid also helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

Oranges:
Low in calories, but rich in pectin and containing no saturated fats or cholesterol, oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C (providing 53.2 mg per 100 g, about 90% of your DRI). Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant and pectin helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer-causing chemicals. Pectin also aids in reducing blood cholesterol levels. Vitamin C rich foods help scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the blood and assist the body in developing resistance against infectious agents. Oranges contain a variety of valuable phytochemicals and very good levels of vitamin A, plus other flavonoid antioxidants such as alpha and beta-carotenes and lutein. Vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy skin and mucus membranes. Flavonoids help to protect the body  against lung and oral cavity cancers. Oranges are a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin and folates and minerals like calcium and potassium, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

Mango:
Mango is rich in vitamins, minerals, polyphenolic flavonoid antioxidant compounds and pre-biotic dietary fiber. Trial studies suggest that the polyphenolic anti-oxidant compounds found in mango offer protection against breast and colon cancers. Mango fruit is an excellent source of vitamin A and flavonoids including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Just 100 g of fresh mango provides 765 mg or 25% of the recommended daily levels of vitamin A. It is also a very good source of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin C and vitamin E. Furthermore, it contains moderate amounts of copper, required for the production of red blood cells and a co-factor for many vital enzymes.

Cucumber:
Being 95 percent water, cucumbers help keep the body hydrated whilst eliminating toxins and they contain most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. Cucumbers are fantastic for promoting your body’s overall health, however the nasty chemical pesticides with which they are often sprayed are not, so please do buy organic (or grow your own). The phytochemcials found in cucumbers will help kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. Cucumbers are known to contain lignans which research shows have a connection to reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer. Cucumber juice may be beneficial to diabetics as it contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin. A compound known as sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol levels and the high levels of potassium, magnesium and fiber they contain are beneficial for regulating blood pressure. Cucumbers are an excellent source of silica, which is known to help joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, C & D, plus potassium, folate, magnesium and calcium. When cucumber juice is mixed with carrot juice, it can relieve gout and arthritic pain by lowering uric acid levels.

and that brings us to…

Carrots:
Famed for their ability to improve eyesight, carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed to rhodopsin (a purple pigment necessary for night vision) in the retina. Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against senile cataracts and macular degeneration as well as acting as an antioxidant, helping to slow down the aging of cells. Carrots are one of the only common sources of the compound falcarinol, believed by researchers to have anticancer properties. Vitamin A and antioxidants found in carrots help protect the skin from sun damage, prevent premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes and uneven skin tone. Vitamin A assists the liver cleansing toxins from the body. Research has shown that diets high in carotenoids (carrots contain both beta-carotene and alpha-carotene) are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Apples:
Drinking raw apple juice is a tasty, easy way to deliver essential vitamins and nutrients to the body. The vitamin C found in apples is a necessary compound instrumental in the growth and repair of body tissues. It is required for collagen production, which aids in the creation of scars, ligaments, skin and blood vessels. A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C prevents free radical damage and also prevents health conditions such as heart disease and helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Vitamin A is essential for the maintenance of healthy tissue, teeth and skin and additionally can improve vision and promote reproductive health. Enzyme stimulant phytochemicals found in apples aid in the breakdown of toxins within the body and prevent damage simultaneously. Flavonoid phytochemicals, commonly known as the antioxidants citrin and vitamin P, can protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis, inhibit inflammation and regulate immune responses. The soluble and insoluble fiber in raw apple juice can prevent constipation and treat diabetes and diverticulosis. Insoluble fiber speeds the passage of food through your digestive tract, while soluble fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and prevent heart disease. A recent study also suggests that regular consumption of apple products could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. We always use fresh organic apples for juicing.

Blackberries:
I use frozen organic blackberries as they are delicious, nutritious, less pricey than their freshly picked counterparts and they help turn a humble juice into a deliciously luscious and full-bodied smoothie. I use them in whole form, whizzed up in a blender together with spinach, mint leaves and lots of yummy freshly made juice. Blackberries are among the highest fiber content plants in the world as they are composed of many individual “drupelets”, each like a small berry with one seed, extra skin, pectin and dietary fiber. One cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, promoting healthy digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease. Rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, blackberries are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants. Additionally, they are low in carbohydrates, fat and calories, making them one of the best fruits to include in a balanced diet. Blackberries get their dark color from anthocyanins, an antioxidant shown to reduce inflammation and destroy cancer/damage-causing free radicals. The ellagic acid found in blackberries protects the skin from damage from ultraviolet light and may also repair skin damaged by the sun and have anti-cancer properties. One cup of blackberries contains half the DRI of the antioxidant vitamin C, which protects the immune system, heals wounds and may even lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Perhaps the greatest benefit from eating blackberries is their high level of phenolic acids which are antioxidant compounds known to be powerful anti-carcinogenic agents. Studies of cyanidin-3-glucoside, a compound found in blackberries, showed it prevents skin cancer by inhibiting tumors from growing and spreading. Phytoestrogens found in blackberries may help relieve the common symptoms of PMS like food cravings and bloating and menopausal symptoms including hot flashes. Blackberries are a good source of vitamin K, used by the body for the clotting of blood and to aid the absorption of calcium, offering 36% of the daily recommended amount of this nutrient.

Mint:
Mint has been shown to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including indigestion and colonic muscle spasms. These healing properties of mint are apparently related to its ability to relax muscles. Perillyl alcohol is a phytonutrient and it is plentiful in mint oil. This particular phytonutrient has been shown to stop the growth of pancreatic, mammary and liver tumors in animal-based studies. The essential oil of peppermint has antibacterial properties and has been found to inhibit the growth of certain types of fungus as well. Rosmarinic acid has several actions that are beneficial in asthma. It has the antioxidant abilities to neutralize free radicals and has been shown to block the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals. Mint is an excellent source of manganese, vitamin C and vitamin A. Aside from all its healing properties, mint is a very good source of dietary fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, and calcium and vitamin B2. Additionally, its high nutrient density and low-calorie status make it a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and copper.

Strawberries:
Delicious strawberries are nutritional powerhouses, just one cup of these little gems containing over 13% of the RDA of dietary fiber, yet very few calories. The dietary fiber in strawberries helps aid digestion and lower blood pressure. Strawberries contain a chemical compound called phenols, one of which is called Anthocyanin, gives a rich red color to the fruit has antioxidant properties. The phenols in strawberries help fight inflammatory disorders, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and atherosclerosis, by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) in the same way that the drugs aspirin and ibuprofen do, but without any unpleasant side effects. The onset of many different forms of cancer can be combated via the combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents found in strawberries. The vitamin C, folate and the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol that strawberries contain provide defense against potentially cancerous cells. One cup of strawberries contains an amazing 136% of the RDA of vitamin C, which helps to ensure a healthy immune system, lower blood pressure and ward off the development of age-related ocular diseases. Additionally, one cup of strawberries contains 21% of manganese, an essential nutrient, anti-inflammatory agent and powerful antioxidant. The manganese, potassium, vitamin K and magnesium found in strawberries are all important for bone health. I whizz whole strawberries (organic, frozen) in a blender along with my juice mix and other yummy goodies.

Beetroot:
Beetroot contains potassium, magnesium and iron as well as vitamins A, B6 and C and folic acid which is crucial to the development of a baby’s spinal cord in utero. Carbohydrates, protein, powerful antioxidants and soluble fibre. Beetroot also contains iron, making it great for mums-to-be suffering from fatigue during pregnancy and people with anaemia. Cooked beetroot has lower levels of folic acid than raw beetroot, so juicing beets is a great way for expectant mums to boost their folic acid intake. The high content of nitrates in beetroot produce nitric oxide in the blood which widens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and reduces its associated risks such as heart attacks and strokes. Betacyanin, the pigment that gives beetroot its colour, is also an antioxidant believed to help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, thus protecting artery walls and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The mineral silica helps the body to utilise calcium, thereby promoting musculo-skeletal health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Beetroot contains soluble fibre, which helps lower cholesterol and carotenoids and flavonoids, which help prevent LDL (or ‘bad’ cholesterol) from oxidising and depositing in the arteries. Virtually fat-free and low in calories, it has an extremely low GL (Glycaemic Load) of 2.9 which means it is converted into sugars very slowly, therefore helping stabilise blood sugar levels. The high content of nitrates in beetroot may also help fight the progression of dementia, as nitric oxide in the blood helps increase blood flow to the brain.

Lime:
Lime is probably one of the first fruits to spring to mind when it comes to medicinal uses. The health benefits of lime include weight loss, skin care, good digestion, relief from constipation, eye care, and the treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcers, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, urinary disorders, etc. Lime juice is beneficial for skin when consumed orally. It has rejuvenating properties, helps protects it from infections and reduces body odor due to presence of a large amount of vitamin C and flavonoids, both of which are class-1 antioxidants, antibiotic and disinfectants with detoxifying properties. Flavonoids, the compounds found in the fragrant oils extracted from lime, stimulate the digestive system and increase secretion of digestive juices and bile. The acids present in lime help clear the excretory system. Antioxidant properties found in limes protect eyes from aging and macular degeneration and flavonoids help protect against infections. The high potassium content of limes is very effective in removal of the toxic substances deposited in the kidneys and bladder and its disinfectant properties help cure infections in the urinary tract. Limes are believed to be beneficial in the curing of arthritis, rheumatism, prostrate and colon cancer, cholera, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, fatigue, heart disease and fever. Limes (and indeed all citrus fruits) are fabulous for counter-balancing the bitterness that may be present in green vegetables and the earthy flavours of juiced root vegetables. I always use plenty of citrus fruits when juicing.

Lemon:
Lemons may be acidic, but they are alkaline-forming, helping to restore balance to the body’s pH. They are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids that work against infections, colds and flu and help to neutralize free radicals linked to aging. Lemons are a great liver detoxifyer and dissolvent of uric acid. They increase peristalsis in the bowels, helping with the elimination of waste and increasing regularity. The citric acid in lemon juice helps to dissolve calcium deposits, gallstones and kidney stones. Internal hemorrhages may be prevented by the vitamin P (bioflavinoids) in lemons which strengthens blood vessels. The rutin found in lemons may reduce symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy. Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties and experiments have shown the juice of lemons can destroy the bacteria of cholera, diphtheria, malaria, typhoid and other deadly diseases. Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including flavonol glycosides (which stop cell division in cancer cells) and naturally occurring limonene, an oil which has been proven to slow the growth of cancerous tumors in animals.

Chia seeds:
I use raw organic chia seeds, simply sprinkling a couple of tablespoons on top of my finished blended smoothie then stirring them in. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids (which reduce joint stiffness and pain whilst boosting mental energy and mood levels), ALA, fiber, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and other nutrients. The essential fatty acids in chia seeds increase HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) while decreasing LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and triglycerides, thus improving heart health. They are high in both insoluble and soluble fiber, which further helps lower cholesterol. The ancient Aztecs called chia seeds “running food” due to the energy boost they give (via hydrophilic properties that help to regulate electrolytes). The complex carbohydrates found in chia break down slowly helping maintain energy levels for improved endurance and stamina. Chia seeds have a very low GI, helping to stabilise blood sugar levels and reduce cravings for high sugar foods. Fiber, complex carbohydrates and protein slow the digestive process so hunger isn’t triggered as quickly as with sugars, starches and simple carbohydrates. The insoluble fiber aids in preventing constipation and digestive disorders by “sweeping” the colon. The high levels of essential fatty acids in chia have anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Studies have shown that reduced inflammation lowers the risk for certain types of cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

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Phew! That’s a lot to digest (no pun intended ;) )

 

Oh, and before I forget, Happy Belated Earth Day! Did anyone do anything special to celebrate?

I baked yummy vegan banana bread (recipe to follow!), have been conscientiously cloth diapering my baby and I plan on making a donation to earthday.org or one of its partners tonight :)

 

OPRAH & DEEPAK 21-DAY MEDITATION CHALLENGE (Perfect Health- my experiences, part 2)

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So, the Chopra Center’s latest 21-day meditation challenge, Perfect Health, has come to an end and the free meditation sessions can no longer be found online… well, all except for the bonus 22nd meditation, Global Perfect Health, which I share with you here as part of the “Meditate it Forward” movement. I hope you enjoy it (if you haven’t already).

Simply click on the image below to listen… :)

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“Meditate it forward with over half a million people from over 200 countries just completed Oprah & Deepak’s 21-Day Meditation Challenge, a transformational journey to Perfect Health.

We invite you to be a part of our global movement! Please listen to Oprah & Deepak’s empowering “Global Perfect Health” meditation for greater balance, inner peace, and wellbeing. Then, share this meditation gift with everyone you know! Together, we can create a collective experience of unity and change the world. 

It begins with you. Share Oprah & Deepak’s FREE Global Perfect Health meditation NOW to #MeditateItForward

Namaste”

The changes and additions I have made to my daily routine during the process of undertaking this fabulous, FREE, meditation challenge have had such a positive impact already, not only on my personal health and wellbeing, but that of my family too. I already led what I considered to be a rather healthy and balanced life, but I am a firm believer that we never really “arrive”… that we are on a continuous journey… and that there is always room for self-improvement.

Taking part in this challenge gave me a huge boost of motivation to implement certain changes in my life that I was already planning on/in the midst of making. The timing was uncanny… in the most lovely of ways. And again, I must stress that a 10 minute investment in myself on a daily basis is so little a commitment to make to receive pay-offs as massive as the ones I have gotten. It really is quite amazing!

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The remainder of this post is a copy from my online journal (days 11 – 22):
Day 11 – Question 1
What are some foods your body often craves? Are they healthy and supportive to your wellbeing? Is your body speaking to you about something it requires for balance?

I really have a sweet tooth, but thankfully I have seen that it can translate to fruit or other healthy options. I often crave vegetarian food… and many vegetarian versions of traditional “comfort foods” are some of my favourites. I am getting into juicing and feel that my body really loves it. I have often said that breakfast cereal (or indeed any traditional breakfast food!) is my favourite meal. Juicing and drinking ginger tea instead of having something based on grains/wheat is very different for me, but I have not found it a problem so far.

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Day 11 – Question 2
How do you feel when you eat fresh, healthy food?

I feel healthy! And proud of myself too. My body feels “clean” from the inside out.

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Day 11 – Question 3
What changes can you make today to plan more nutritious meals and eat with more awareness?

I feel I am making them. I am trying to eat a mix of vegan, raw and gluten-free foods right now. I am taking not of how my body feels when I eat certain things/combinations of foods. I am also making note of my favourite recipes, ones my husband and toddler like, how well different meals keep, whether they can be frozen, etc. It’s fun to get back into meal planning and cooking in earnest.

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Day 12 – Question 1
How much time do you spend each day connecting with loved ones, whether in person or through social media?

I spend quite a lot of time. I am with my newborn fulltime. When she sleeps I am active on social media. When my toddler is home he gets lots of love, cuddles and attention from me. When my husband is home we try to do things together and split chores. On weekends we like to do most things as a family unit. We have friends/family over for afternoon tea regularly. I also have lunch dates with girlfriends during the week when my husband is at work.

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Day 12 – Question 2
How do you feel after you’ve spent time with good friends?

Happy and grateful. I feel connected and a part of.

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Day 12 – Question 3
What are the unique qualities and talents that you can offer your community?

I have been through a lot of interesting, unusual and miraculous things when it comes to my motherhood journey… as well as many of the more common ones. I feel that my empathy and experience with what I have been though has been a help to others I have come across. I also believe that my interests in art, design, education, food and nutrition can also be of benefit to others. I am really putting it “out there” that I would like to know how best I can help others/the wider community… even if that means changing career path. I am hoping a direction will be revealed to me in time.

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Day 13 – Question 1
List the types of movement and exercise that make you the happiest.

Dance! I like moving in general… I love walking… I can walk for hours and not get tired. I am not much of a runner, but I love the feeling when I am in condition and can manage 10km. I have always enjoyed swimming although I am not a big fan of public pools, which is what I have access to here. I don’t mind circuit training, I enjoy Zumba and aerobics very much (always have). I like yoga and pilates.

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Day 13 – Question 2
How does your body and mind feel when you engage in those activities?

Happy, healthy, energised, motivated to continue.

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Day 13 – Question 3
How can you bring that good feeling you enjoy during your exercise back with you into your interaction with others?

I am trying to already by doing “mama/baby” yoga not only with my newborn but also including my toddler and husband. In general I can bring more positive energy and enthusiasm to my interactions with others.

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Day 14 – Question 1
What do you desire for your life and overall health?

I want to be as healthy and happy as is possible. I want to be able to carry that positivity into all that I do and make the world a better place.

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Day 14 – Question 2
What intentions can you set to help bring you the wellbeing you envision?

I want to incorporate my interests in natural healing, nutrition, cooking and exercise in practical ways into everyday life. I want my kids to be exposed to the above so that they always have healthy options around them and are educated about things that can benefit them for life. I want to be the best, happiest, healthiest me I can be.

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Day 14 – Question 3
How can you create time each day to continue building a sustained meditation practice, long after our Challenge has ended?

I have already bought the meditation pack from the last challenge and plan to continue doing at least one 10 minute session a day. At some point (maybe when my baby is a little older and needs me less frequently for food/comfort, etc.) I would like to increase the time I spend meditating. When we move somewhere larger it would also be great to have a space set aside for meditation/yoga.

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Day 15 – Question 1
What does living well mean to you?

It means living as closely according to my principles and what makes me the happiest/healthiest as possible.

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Day 15 – Question 2
How do you envision incorporating everything that you’re learning into your daily life?

I already am… I still have a way to go, but I am already seeing the positive benefits and the impact the little things I am doing are having not just on me but on my family too. It inspires me to continue and to do even more.

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Day 15 – Question 3
List the positive changes you have made during this Challenge.

I have started trying to use paraben-free products where possible. After participating in Earth Hour, we decided to have “lights out” time every night… lighting candles and our smokeless fireplace and having quiet family story time and cuddles. I am starting my day by drinking ginger tea (even my toddler is into it now, taking sips of mine). I am drinking 2 liters of water a day consciously. I have a daily program that I follow with things that I can cross off and keep track of both for me and my kids. I am doing body brushing, juicing, journaling, meditation, pelvic floor exercises, etc. everyday. I did a raw food and juicing reboot for 3 days and have kept eating mostly veggie/vegan/raw/gluten-free since. I am trying out more eco products, not just for me but for my kids (eg, paraben-free shampoo for me, biodegradable and cloth diapers for my baby). I have started exercising with my kids- doing a very relaxed version of zumba with my toddler and doing gentle yoga with the whole family. We are also shopping as a family and letting our toddler help choose fruit and veggies. He loves it!

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Day 16 – Question 1
How do you feel when you’ve spent time outdoors?

Usually I feel energised. Sometimes I feel inspired too.. the more beautiful and picturesque the surroundings, the more inspired I am.

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Day 16 – Question 2
What special places make you feel most connected with the beauty that surrounds you?

I love going out to the countryside (in any country I have been in). I love beaches, lakes and rivers. I am also inspired by beautiful gardens and veggie/herb patches.

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Day 16 – Question 3
How can you connect with nature each day no matter where you are?

I can try to spend some time outdoors each day if possible. The weather here can prevent me from feeling inspired to go outside (who wants to go for a stroll in a snow storm when its pitch black and minus 20 degrees celsius?!). I can also try my hand at growing plants indoors. We have one that we have successfully grown and nurtured and we are very proud of it, especially as we don’t have green thumbs!).

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Day 17 – Question 1
How do you express yourself?

Through acts of kindness, through creative projects, through conversation, through cooking, through experimenting, through movement/writing/activities/social interaction…

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Day 17 – Question 2
What creative pursuits bring you the greatest joy?

Creating beautiful things. Design, drawing, craft, writing, doing things with my toddler and, more and more, cooking & baking (plus decorating).

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Day 17 – Question 3
When you have free time, how do you spend it?

Trying to do the things listed previously… plus trying to get in some physical exercise (even if it’s just 20-30 minutes per day). I am also trying to take care of my body by body brushing, using oils, etc.

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Day 18 – Question 1
What are the things you are most passionate about?

Motherhood. Family. Creativity. Travel. Life, love, peace (inner and global), adventure. Creating a lovely home. Food (particularly vegetarian), cooking, baking, nutrition, celebration (special occasions and everyday fun). Beauty (creating beautiful things and being exposed to them in the form of art and nature). Health. Healing (naturally). Animal and child welfare are causes that I am passionate about. Environmental issues. Personal growth!

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Day 18 – Question 2
How do you feel when you engage in those activities that truly excite you?

Invigorated, alive, happy and motivated to do more… and more. Sometimes frustrated that there is just not enough time in the day or enough years in a lifetime for me to do everything I’d like to do.

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Day 18 – Question 3
Envision a day spent dedicated to living your passion. What does that day look like, feel like?

I get up early (maybe with the sunrise)… I meditate first then I do some kind of invigorating and grounding exercise… A brisk walk outdoors, a quick run on the treadmill, some yoga or pilates, perhaps. I shower (and body brush), moisturise, change and then have a healthy delicious breakfast (like my amazing super micronutrient fresh juice smoothie with raw chia seeds). The rest of my day is spent uninterrupted immersed in my project (be it crafting/writing/cooking), with breaks for herbal tea, healthy, delicious lunch/snacks and pauses for reflection here and there. It feels amazing. I am happy, inspired and very productive. I look forward to sharing my work/ideas with others. I feel blessed and grateful. I feel like I am heading somewhere but also that the journey is just as important as any final destination/goal. I finish the day with a healthy and yummy meal, time with my family and perhaps a nice bath/sauna/cuddle in front of the fire-place, before heading to bed to read or meditate before a peaceful night’s sleep.

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Day 19 – Question 1
What are 3-5 new messages that you can tell yourself each day to support your path to perfect health?

I only eat what I need and what is best for my body. Cooking is a joy and I happily use the best and healthiest ingredients available. I intuitively know how to treat my body at all times, I listen to my body and act in its best interest. I love myself and I love my body. My body is a temple.

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Day 19 – Question 2
How often do you express gratitude for all that you have in your life? What are you grateful for today?

I certainly feel gratitude everyday… I hope I manage to express it everyday too. I don’t think it’s possible to genuinely express gratitude too much, so I hope to do it more passionately and more often. I have so much to be grateful for!

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Day 19 – Question 3
How do you know when you are living in or out of alignment with your purpose or dharma?

Anxiety, resentment and frustration are key feelings that arise for me when I am not living according to my principles and/or following my heart.

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Day 20 – Question 1
How do you feel about aging?

Generally fairly positive. I feel better now about myself than I did 10 years ago. I know myself better. I feel more “me” than I have before. So I have evidence to suggest that this process of growth and attunement will continue as I age and develop. In this way I am not afraid of aging. I still struggle with the idea of the absoluteness of death… and I sometimes wish I hadn’t squandered the proverbial gold of my youth. I sometimes wish I had what I had in my youth but with the wisdom I now posses. I sometimes dream that I am a teenager again… but that I know what I know today.

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Day 20 – Question 2
What wisdom has come to you with age?

The understanding of the paradox that the more personal responsibility I take, the greater my freedom. And another paradox- that the more I allow myself to feel and be vulnerable, the stronger I am. I truly believe that knowing myself IS the key, that people respect you more when you can say “no” than when you try to please to your own detriment… and more importantly, that I respect myself more when I can say “no”, put my foot down or set boundaries.

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Day 20 – Question 3
What activities can you enjoy to help you live agelessly each day?

I do some form of physical activity each day. I take care of myself in terms of grooming and personal hygiene. I eat consciously. I try to meditate. I drink water and fresh, homemade juices and I eat consciously… as much organic produce as possible and mostly plant-based meals. I try to get enough sleep. I play with my children, engage in their activities, rediscover the world through their eyes and laugh with them. I love and I receive love.

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Day 21 – Question 1
What have you learned that you find most useful in living perfect health?

Its’ hard for me to say which nugget of wisdom has been the most valuable to me, but certainly the whole process of doing the challenge has been a huge and timely motivating factor in me following my heart and making changes in my life in matters affecting my health and wellbeing. The changes have all been very positive.

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Day 21 – Question 2
What new, positive messages are you telling your body each day?

I don’t know if I am consciously telling my body positive messages, but certainly I am living as though I care about my body and that has to be the most positive message of all.

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Day 21 – Question 3
How is your meditation practice aiding your health and wellbeing?

It is providing me with immense inspiration to care for myself in the most optimal ways. It also helps me to sleep which, in itself, is invaluable to me as a mother to a toddler and a newborn!

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Day 22 – Question 1
What do you want to share from our journey with others?

I want to share the benefits of taking care of oneself! I truly believe that if we all took time to focus on our health and wellbeing, if we all focused on attaining inner peace, the ripple effect would result in world peace! I have a long way to go on my journey, but I am so glad and grateful to be on it… and I hope everyone goes on their own journey of deep self-discovery which results in global positive transformation.

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Day 22 – Question 2
How can you radiate the message of perfect health within your family, your community, and ultimately our global community?

I blog about my experiences- that is one way of sharing a message. I share my experience, hope, strength, trials and tribulations with friends and family. I offer support to other women I am in contact with (particularly when it comes to all things fertility/pregnancy/motherhood related) and I truly enjoy doing so. I endeavour to educate my family about matters related to health and nutrition and expose my toddler to a variety of experiences that I hope will broaden his horizons and his knowledge. I try to live by example… I try to live the message, not just preach it.

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Day 22 – Question 3
How can you connect more deeply with others in all that you do each day?

Through honesty and emotional availability. I try to let people know when I have been thinking of them. If I think of something nice to do for someone, I would like to take action more promptly. I can try to have more sincere communications with random people who I may interact with when I am out and about. This meditation in particular gave me the insight and motivation to act on a couple of things I wanted to in order to bring some joy to friends who needed it, including making a donation to a charity in honour of someone. It feels great to know that my actions can have a positive effect on someone else’s life.

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OPRAH & DEEPAK 21-DAY MEDITATION CHALLENGE (Perfect Health- my experiences)

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Hot on the heels of his last amazing 21-day Creating Abundance meditation challenge, Deepak Chopra has partnered with Oprah to bring us a new challenge, this one being focused on health (great timing for all of us who envisaged getting 2013 off to a healthy start but have yet to reach our full potential ;) ). Yes, I know it’s Easter and that I am probably being rather “unfashionable” by blogging about meditation as opposed to something chocolate/baking/food related, but I have been excited to take part in this challenge and I loved the last one so much that I bought the downloadable meditation package afterward. Meditating for 10 minutes a day is so achievable no matter how hectic your schedule. And doing these fantastic guided meditations requires so little effort… it’s such a small investment to make in yourself, but it pays such great dividends.

Before this challenge even started, I had already planned to do certain health-related things, making certain changes/adjustments/additions to my daily life. Not only does this meditation challenge boost my motivation to make improvements to my health and wellbeing, it is spookily synchronistic! I find myself thinking about something on one day and the very next day the guided meditation will address the very same issue I was pondering!

For those who have not signed up for the challenge yet but are interested, it’s not too late! There may only be 2 days left of the “official” challenge, but there are still 2 weeks worth of guided meditations online. So check out the challenge today at choprameditationcenter.com… and don’t forget, IT’S FREE!

Happy Easter to all those celebrating and, as Deepak says, namaste :) .

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The remainder of this post is a copy from my online journal (days 1 – 10):

Day 1 – Question 1
What does perfect health mean to you?

Being in balance, an absence of pain, discomfort, dis-ease (disease), being happy, being able to listen to my body’s cues and act accordingly… and treating my body well.

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Day 1 – Question 2
As you seek perfect health, what would you most like to improve?

I would most like to live the way I would like my children to live. I don’t want to tell them what my ideals are, I want to live by my ideals and be a power of example.

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Day 1 – Question 3
How would your life transform if you felt completely vibrant and strong?

I would be so much more productive and enthusiastic about the things that matter most to me. I would be happier. I would get more out of everyday and be able to give more back.

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Day 1 – Journal
Please use this section to reflect on today’s session.

I have repeated this a few times and find it very relaxing, but as a mother with a newborn baby, I fall asleep almost immediately when I try to do any of these meditations! I do LOVE what Deepak says about believing the diagnosis but not necessarily the prognosis. I heard him say that first a few months ago, just after I was told there was a chance I could lose my baby. I will never forget the feeling of hope Deepak’s words gave me then. And they were prophetic too, it turns out.

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Day 2 – Question 1
How does your body let you know when it’s feeling overworked, tired, or stressed?

I feel sluggish, I feel drawn to things that will give me instant energy- like sugar, I feel emotionally overwhelmed and can overreact to things, I can have pain (like mild stomach pain, for example), I find it hard to sleep and/or get up sometimes.

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Day 2 – Question 2
Describe how your body feels when you eat a non-healthy meal. What does it feel like when you have a healthy meal?

I can feel ok while I am actually eating something unhealthy, but I usually don’t feel great afterwards… It’s not so much about guilt, it’s a physical reaction to eating things my body doesn’t need. When I eat healthy food it is satisfying in the moment and afterwards.

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Day 2 – Question 3
What positive messages can you send your body today to demonstrate self-love and support?

That I am doing well, that I am listening to what my body is saying and that I will take action.

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Day 2 – Journal
Please use this section to reflect on today’s session.

I need to do this again, but it certainly gives me greater motivation to try eating raw for a few days!

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Day 3 – Question 1
How does your body feel when you are faced with a dilemma or important decision? Be specific; describe the sensations in your body.

I can feel tense… anxious (like my heart is beating faster) and/or excited. Sometimes I have felt physically sick and emotionally overwhelmed by making hard decisions… unable to sleep, concentrate… feelings of nausea.

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Day 3 – Question 2
How does your body reveal to you its intuition and inner guidance?

So much when it comes to my children and pregnancy. I have known intuitively how to take care of myself when pregnant… what my body and babies have needed me to do. I am very in touch with my baby daughter’s rhythms too… knowing when to wake to feed her or when she needs something.

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Day 3 – Question 3
Describe a time where you followed your intuition. What was the outcome?

I did it during my last pregnancy, putting myself on bed rest, eating a certain way and drinking lots of water, all before I received a correct high risk diagnosis, for which all of the things I was already doing are recommended. I might have saved my baby’s life by listening to my body when the doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me.

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Day 3 – Journal
Please use this section to reflect on today’s session.

This particular theme rings very true for me!

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Day 4 – Question 1
What messages do you tell yourself throughout the day?

I tell myself different messages for different things- depending on my mood, circumstances, etc. I can be very critical of myself, but I am probably kinder today than I have ever been in regards to my self-talk.

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Day 4 – Question 2
When faced with a difficult situation, what is one positive message you could tell yourself?
 

If you can’t change it, accept it.

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Day 4 – Question 3
How can you talk to yourself in more positive ways each day to support optimal wellbeing?

I could actively try to practice affirmations, as I have during both my pregnancies. They really helped me. I used to listen to them everyday… and those such as “My body is healthy and whole”, “I enjoy eating healthy foods everyday” can apply just as well to me today as they did when I was pregnant.

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Day 5 – Question 1
Our bodies constantly give us messages. How does your body speak to you when you are in resistance to something or someone?

I can feel tense, anxious, frustrated, angry, or upset… or a combination of those things.

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Day 5 – Question 2
Recall a time when you decided to let life events unfold without trying to control the outcome. What did you learn from simply letting go?

I walked out of a scholarship interview resigned to the fact that I would not get it. I told my mum. She said she was proud of me anyway. I gave myself credit for having made it so far in the process. I let it go. A few weeks later I received a phone call to say I’d won the scholarship. To this day that scholarship is one of the highlights of my student life and my life in general.

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Day 5 – Question 3
List the ways you can commit to living each day with greater passion and joy.

I need to stop and smell the roses more. There are so many beautiful moments for me to enjoy as a mother in everyday. I also think that by following my heart and listening to my body I will take better care of myself and have more energy to enjoy life to the fullest.

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Day 6 – Question 1
What are three aspects of your body that you love?

That I have general good health, that I have been able to produce 2 amazing, healthy children, that I have always been able to improve my health by doing simple things.

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Day 6 – Question 2
What are some of the messages your body is telling you right now?

That I want to cut back on sugar, that I am turning away from animal products, that I want to do a raw food/whole food/unprocessed food detox… that veganism is appealing, that eating right for me and exercising will give me far more energy, that aromatherapy is great for my sense of wellbeing, that yoga with my baby is a nurturing activity for both of us, that I need to drink more water, that I need to go to bed much earlier, that I want to have more structure in my day to give myself time to take care of me, that I want to consume loads of vitamins and minerals in the form of healthy foods…

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Day 6 – Question 3
Take a moment to list what your body has allowed you to accomplish over the years.

Bearing children (which is the most amazing one!), breast-feeding, recovering remarkably well from all sorts of things (including major blood loss, a dangerous allergic reaction to meds, a high risk pregnancy diagnosis, a fractured arm, etc.). It has also allowed me to dance, walk, run… to travel the world.

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Day 6 – Journal
Please use this section to reflect on today’s session.

I need to think about this more. My body is amazing… I want to treat it as such and make peace with any issues I have had with it.

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Day 7 – Question 1
Over the first week of our Challenge, what points have most resonated with you?

Listening to my body and taking action accordingly is the big one… very inspirational. But really, many things have resonated with me.

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Day 7 – Question 2
When you hear the phrase, “the body is a temple,” what comes to mind?

A clean and sacred space… and something spiritual.

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Day 7 – Question 3
What are three positive changes you can make today to better nurture your body, mind, and spirit?

Eat consciously, meditate and educate myself about things related to health that interest me.

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Day 7 – Journal
Please use this section to reflect on today’s session.

Really looking forward to putting some of the things I have been inspired to do into action. Eating raw for the first time tomorrow!

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Day 8 – Question 1
Take a moment to reflect on your daily patterns and habits. Which behaviors would you like to change?

I would like to have a little more structure in my day now that I have recovered from the birth experience… not so much because I want to have a sense of “control”, but rather a sense of freedom and some time for myself. I feel that with a toddler and a newborn, if I don’t schedule time for me to take care of myself, it wont happen. There are really simple things I can do each day that I now am incorporating in my daily life- remembering to drink 2 liters of water, meditating for 10 minutes, using paraben-free products, juicing, starting my day by drinking ginger tea, cutting back on sugar, dairy and gluten… all achievable things that don’t take time away from my little ones either.

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Day 8 – Question 2
How would your life improve if you changed these current patterns and habits?

I am already changing them because I realised the following: that I would feel more balanced. I would feel like I am prioritizing myself and my health. I would feel like I am setting a good example for my children and exposing them to healthy things in our daily lives without being fanatical. I believe I will feel better, have more energy and live even more according to my principles and ideals than I do today.

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Day 8 – Question 3
When you review your habits and routines, what can learn about yourself?

That my ideals and my actions do not always match up and that, when I have time to stop and reflect, it bothers me. I have learned that I am capable of so much more and that these positive changes/additions/adjustments are not only rewarding, but exciting.

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Day 8 – Journal
Please use this section to reflect on today’s session.

Great motivation to continue to do things the way I feel called to!

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Day 9 – Question 1
How do the environments where you spend the most time impact your goals of perfect health? Do you feel that these spaces support your goals or take you farther away from them?

The environment where I spend the most time now is my home. Thankfully we did so much sorting out, tidying and organising before baby arrived that we really just need to maintain now, which is relatively easy. I love our home so any improvements we do and even a little daily cleaning/tidying makes me feel I am moving closer to my goals.

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Day 9 – Question 2
What can you change in your current environment to create a more nurturing space?

I have just started asking my husband to light a fire (we have a smokeless fireplace) and candles when we read our son stories at night. He loves it and so do we. I have also started using organic lavender oil in his bath, juicing with him and using a humidifier on a regular basis (the air here is very cold and dry). I can tell he feels very special when I take care of him in these extra cosy/healthy ways. It’s nice to find new ways to nurture him and myself. The whole family benefits from the extra effort.

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Day 9 – Question 3
In detail, describe your ideal living or working space. How does it differ from where you are now?

My ideal home would have a larger kitchen and another nursery plus a guest room, office/craft room/library, extra bedroom, sauna, big bath tub (with jets), fireplace, small garden with organic herb and veggie patch that leads onto natural woodland where the kids can explore and pick berries. It would not be too far from town and still be very close to conveniences (eg, school, doctor, shops, public transport connections) but we would feel like we lived out in the country. Our home would be beautifully decorated in a non-cluttered way and would be very clean, but very cosy and welcoming. We would have nice neighbours.

The difference between our dream home and the one we have now comes down to a matter of space essentially, as we live so centrally right now. But I love where we live and it is so convenient and the kids are happy, so we’re in no real hurry to move. We are blessed.
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Day 10 – Question 1
Close your eyes for a moment and allow yourself to enjoy three deep breaths, gently and slowly inhaling and exhaling. Notice and describe how your body feels afterward.

I feel refreshed and invigorated.

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Day 10 – Question 2
How would a few minutes of conscious breathing benefit you throughout the day?

I am sure I would feel much “clearer” for a start! I would feel more relaxed, centered, balanced and probably a lot healthier in general.

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Day 10 – Question 3
Identify situations in your life where you could restore a sense of calm by practicing conscious breathing techniques.

Anything that stresses me out… When my toddler hurts himself, for example, I feel panicked. I try not to show him that and just be there for him, but I feel very tense inside. Breathing would probably help me to let go.

RELATED POSTS WITH REFLECTIONS FROM THE PREVIOUS 21-DAY CHALLENGE, CREATING ABUNDANCE:

A SNEAK PREVIEW OF MY FIRST GUEST POST (chocolatey, gluten-free goodness!)

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As some of you know, my baby Cupcake arrived just a few short weeks ago, hence my recent absence on WP. However, just days before labour kicked in, I managed to submit my very first guest blog post EVER to the fabulous, illustrious Choc Chic Uru of Go Bake Yourself fame. As you can see from the preview image below, it’s a decidedly Valentine’s Day-inspired post, however the recipe (for delicious Gluten-free Double Choc Brownie Cookies), will translate well to any occasion, no doubt. As a crafty little bonus, my guest post will also feature a super-simple tutorial for Cupid’s arrow toothpicks.

If you’re not already following Go Bake Yourself, check it out now (you wont regret it!)… and do stay tuned for a Miss Marzipan cameo appearance some time around the first week of April ;) .

Many thanks again to everyone who has wished us well over the past weeks. I do hope to be around WP more often in the near future and I thank you for your understanding in the meantime. xx

 

***UPDATE***

The post (including recipe and tutorial) can now be found here:
http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/guest-post-7-gluten-free-double-choc-brownie-cookies/#comment-31088

Thanks again to CCU and Go Bake Yourself!

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BABY CUPCAKE HAS ARRIVED!

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I couldn’t be happier to share the news that, at 6:23am on February 9, after 9 months and 2 days of a high risk pregnancy, my little Cupcake was born. She is happy, healthy and has a hearty appetite (to say the least!). I suffered some postpartum complications which resulted in surgery and 4 liters of blood loss (ouch!), but I am recovering well and the labour and delivery went fabulously… a real dream come true. I want to sincerely thank all of you who have taken the time to wish us well during the pregnancy… your warm and generous support has meant so much and I am truly grateful! I hope to get back to blogging and reading the posts of others more regularly soon, but for now hormones, exhaustion and falling in love with my baby are dictating that I step away from the computer for a little while ;)

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NEW YEAR = NEW HOME, PART 2 (clearing clutter & creating lovely spaces DIY-style)

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Peter Walsh‘s “31 Days to Get Organized” challenge has not only proved to be extremely beneficial practically, but it has also helped me meet all my crazy, hormonal, pregnancy nesting needs! The timing couldn’t have been better. And, of course, following a challenge such as this via Facebook is extremely easy/convenient… and FREE! For those of you who may have missed it (or perhaps missed a few of the challenges), below you will find the complete rundown of every 10 minute daily challenge task in order, plus how we responded to all of them in our own home. Isn’t it hard to believe that we’re already 31 days into the “new” year? I hope it’s been a wonderful year for you so far!

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PETER WALSH’S “31 DAYS TO GET ORGANIZED“ CHALLENGE

A re-cap (from my previous post)…

Day 1: Spend 10 minutes ONLY and remove all the things from one room (preferably the living room) that don’t belong there.
I cleared a particular pile of stuff on our work desk. It took me a little longer than 10 minutes, but only because I am pregnant and moving slowly!

Day 2: “Empty your sock drawer onto your bed. Immediately sort pairs together. Discard any single socks, any socks you no longer wear, any frayed or ‘holey’ socks. Arrange like colors/types together and put them back in drawer. Bid the others farewell!”
My husband and I did this together… and found 16 socks that don’t belong in either of our drawers. 

Day 3: “Keep Your Lid On! Today your task is to tackle all those disposable plastic storage containers that you have in cupboards and drawers in your kitchen. Get them all out onto the kitchen counter. Discard any that don’t have matching lids, that the dishwasher has mangled or that are stained. My rule: no more than 15 plastic storage containers! Here’s the deal: with takeout containers, margarine containers and coleslaw containers there’s a constant inflow of these puppies into your home – the trick is to keep them under control. So … take a deep breath, drag them out and take ten minutes to get it done!”
I asked my husband to help with this as we store our plastic containers in a low cupboard and I am having trouble bending down ;). I realised whilst completing this task (which literally took less than 2 minutes!) that we are probably fairly organised in this respect… and we definitely have no more than 15 containers (far less in fact).

Day 4: Sort out your remote controls. Take the ones you use (and only the ones you use), clean them (we used a disinfectant wipe) and pop them in a box that will always be kept in the same place in your living room. Use this box to also store the case for whatever DVD you are currently watching.
I did complete this task, but as we only have 3 controls that we always keep in the same place (on top of a speaker), it seemed a bit of a non-event. However, it was good to give them a clean and we’ll use the box for a while to see if it does indeed make a difference.

And what we have done since…

Day 5: ”Romance & Calm: Grab your partner and head for the master bedroom. Spend ten minutes TOGETHER gathering up and removing anything from the room that doesn’t belong there or doesn’t help create a calm, romantic haven for you both. (If it’s just you in your home you can do this equally well for yourself!) This is about taking care of you and your relationship.”
This was a must for us! Our space really needed a good sorting out and has been so much more calm and pleasant to spend time in since. Over Christmas we had some boxes in our room as well as piles of baby clothes and other things we were in the process of sorting out. It was nice to be done with it all finally. I don’t know about adding romance to our lives (with having a 22 month-old toddler running around and me hitting 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow, romance is not high on the list of priorities ;) ), but this clutter-clearing exercise was great!

Day 6: “Don’t Throw in the Towel!” Go through all cupboards and drawers where towels are kept. Get rid of any that are frayed or feel like sandpaper. Fold your towels uniformly (fold in half, in half again and then in thirds).
I loved this challenge, partly because it forced my husband to finally let go of an “ugly” towel that he’d been in possession of since the early 1980s! It was actually in good condition, but didn’t match anything else we had and was unnecessarily frilly, in my opinion. Folding all towels uniformly and finding the perfect space for them in the linen closet was also freeing. They look great now!

Day 7: ”The Unmentionables! Last week it was the sock drawer so don’t tell me you didn’t see this one coming! Your ten minutes today is dedicated to your undies drawer. Get all your underwear onto your bed – discard the old, soiled, ripped, “I’ll-never-wear”, Bombay bloomer or blown-elastic models. Sort the rest and commit today to wearing some of those classier undergarments.”
OK, I need to qualify my NOT doing this challenge. Essentially, I am pregnant… very pregnant! And I am loath to part with my existing maternity lingerie right now. That would be pure insanity! I am happy to dispose of it all and replace with pretty new non-maternity things once baby has arrived.

Day 8: Paperwork Part 1: Designate a place for the mail to live in your home. As soon as mail arrives, sort it into 3 piles; junk, requiring attention (eg, bills) and magazines. Junk mail is to be placed in recycling immediately! Bills, etc. go into a mail tray. Magazines are unwrapped immediately and placed neatly together for later reading.
We have a tray on our computer desk. All new mail goes on top of the tray. All junk mail and free local papers are placed in the recycling immediately. Only vouchers are exempt from recycling and we recently purchased a box from IKEA that we have labelled “Free Money”, which now contains bonus offers, vouchers, etc., which are clipped together in relevant groups (like groceries, travel offers and so on).

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Day 9: Paperwork Part 2: “Here’s a way to start afresh in 2013 with a clear desk and a simple way to manage paperwork.” Take every piece of paper on your desk, put it in a box and put it to one side. Alongside your mail tray, add another tray for things that also demand your attention; this includes things such as school schedules, invitations to respond to, etc. This tray needs to be dealt with once a week. Your mail tray can be dealt with twice per month (eg, the 15th and the 30th). Organise paid bills, etc in an expanding file or folder with labels such as “car payments” on plastic sleeves to keep track of things.
We already have a system of sorts for dealing with bills, etc. But the desk is certainly looking tidier now!

Day 10: ”Platters, Muffin Tins, Baking Trays – Back to the kitchen today and ten minutes collecting any platter, tray, muffin pan or baking sheet. Get rid of damaged, chipped, rusted, warped or never-used items and open up some space for these larger items in your cupboards. Be tough and brutal – say goodbye to anything you no longer need, use or want!”
This is one challenge we have not undertaken. We live rather small and tend not to collect so much unnecessary stuff. As a result, I often feel as though we are lacking certain kitchen items/utensils, if anything. My husband has committed to sorting out our baking tray cupboard, though, as this certainly needs doing.

Day 11: ”Revisit the linen closet: Today’s the day to tackle all of the bed linen and other items that are lurking in your linen closet.” Take all items that are stained/unused/unloved and discard. Peter recommends having just 2 sets of bed linen for every bed in the house. Complete bed linen sets may be stored inside a pillow case of the same set for easy access.
I LOVED this challenge! Placing complete sheet sets within a pillow case from the same set is pure GENIUS! Not only does it make for super-easy access to exactly what you need, but it looks so neat and tidy too. Our linens are in perfect order now. And we have also been able to make some good donations to charity of items we no longer use.

Day 12: ”Go Nuts in Your Closet”. Take everything off hangers that you won’t wear/don’t fit you/have holes. Go through piles of folded clothes too. Throw any items you don’t need/won’t wear on the floor of your closet. When you are done, take all good items to a charity store. “You’ll be amazed what you can do in ten minutes (or more)! Ready. Set. GO!!”
This is another challenge I will revisit post-pregnancy. Now is not the time for me to be sorting through maternity clothes, for example. This challenge is already something my husband and I do periodically (the last time was less than a year ago), so I am not too worried about this one.

Day 13: ”Spice it up! Today’s the day to alphabetize your spices. A quick and simple challenge that you can definitely nail. And while you’re at it, be sure to get rid of anything that’s been in there longer than two years, or that’s been with you for the last three house moves!”
This challenge inspired us to invest in a spice rack… our first one in 10 years of living together! We went online and found a great looking design available on Amazon.co.uk for a free-standing spice caddy that holds 24 spice jars. I love it already. And as I cleared out the cupboard that previously held the spices, I was also able to tackle all my baking things. The kitchen is fabulously organised now. Very pleased to have done this task!

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Day 14: ”Tackle the T’s: Everyone has more T shirts than they need and today’s the day to tame them! First, look at the piles of folded T’s in your closet – chances are that the bottom third of the piles are shirts that you don’t like that much and seldom wear. Let them go! Put like colors together, fold them all uniformly and be sure only to hold onto the T’s that you love!”
We already did this not very long ago. Yay! Day off ;)

Day 15: ”The Half Way Point!: Organization isn’t about ‘the stuff’, it’s about creating the home and the life you want. It’s about happiness for you and your family. Today’s challenge is a little different.” Spend 10 minutes on yourself… doing something lovely for yourself.
I try to do this everyday already… whether it be meditation, taking my time in the shower, enjoying a cup of decaf, etc. :)

Day 16 : ”That Mysterious Top Shelf in That Mysterious Closet: It’s your choice today. Pick any closet in your home and tackle the uppermost shelf.”
Well, it wasn’t the top shelf we tackled, but rather the entire closet! More donations to charity and far greater organisation of the space left. Satisfied with the results :)

Day 17: ”Diving for Condiments: Today it’s all about those condiments hiding in the dark recesses of your refrigerator. I’d love to hear the oldest ‘Use-by’ date you encounter!”
This was a great challenge as, once I got started on this one area of the fridge, I had the motivation to complete the job. I removed all the shelves, washed, dried and replaced them, cleaned out the vegetable drawers and reorganised each shelf of the fridge. This took considerably longer than 10 minutes, but our refridgerator is spotless and super-organised now.

Day 18: ”Under the Kitchen Sink – This is one of the toughest but most rewarding challenges. Drag everything out from under the kitchen sink. Discard any old, never-used, damaged or not-wanted items. Gather like things together. Consider using a plastic tote for cleaning products and a spare baking tray or similar for keeping other items together and off the floor. Consider hanging a tension rod for squirt bottle storage too. Show that space who’s boss!”
We have never owned a plastic caddy or tote for cleaning products so this challenge gave us the impetus to purchase one (from IKEA). I organised the caddy and my husband did the rest of the under-the-sink clean out. We already have childproof locks on all kitchen cupboard and drawers.

Day 19: ”A Huge Challenge: Today we’re tackling magazines …. one of the most common hurdles I encounter in decluttering homes. I know this will be tough for many but it has to be done.”
We’re ahead of the game, yet again it seems ;) . Very recently we sorted out our entire bookshelf, recycling unwanted magazines and books and reorganising everything. Peter Walsh suggests keeping only the latest editions of whatever magazines you subscribe to. As I have no current subscriptions (and don’t plan on having any), I am quite happy to keep my favourite magazines in one small section of the bookshelf. It’s definitely manageable.

Day 20: Flat surfaces: Small or large, flat surfaces seem to attract clutter! Today I want you to choose just one flat surface in your home, spend ten minutes getting it in order, and then COMMIT to keeping that space clear and uncluttered.
We have actually tackled a few different flat surfaces in various areas around the home recently, but the one I chose specifically for this challenge was the glass shelf in my built-in wardrobe. This is a spot where I keep things that are personal and very special to me; a jewlery box, my pregnancy journals, my motherhood journal, etc. Lately this area has become clutttered with unorganised ultrasound photos, items designated for archiving/journaling but as yet unsorted, greeting cards, etc. So it was liberating to not only clear this space once again, but also put all the things collected in their proper places. My wardrobe is a pleasure to open again :) .

Day 21: “Conquering Your Kids’ Toys: You all knew this was coming! Remember to focus ONLY on those toys that are no longer age appropriate for your kids. Don’t think too much. Conquer this challenge!” For those without kids or toys, it’s time to tackle luggage.
My husband has already done this… and very recently too. We put all of our toddler’s old toys in a storage box so they are ready to go when baby Cupcake arrives!

Day 22: “Take Your Medicine: Today I want you to tackle your medicine cabinet. Pull everything out. Wipe down the shelves. Group like things together. Collect out-of-date medications together for return to your pharmacy (don’t flush or put them in the trash!) Use plastic containers to keep like items together. Already done? Use your ten minutes elsewhere ….. no day off today!”
Very happy to have done this. It was a starting point for sorting out all the bathroom cupboards too. Have yet to take some old medicine to the pharmacy for safe disposal, but it’s ready to go. And our bathroom cupboards have never been more organised, despite the fact I didn’t think they were bad at all before.

Day 23: ”Pot, Pans and Small Appliances: We’re back in the kitchen today decluttering pots, pans and small appliances. Be tough …. open space in the kitchen will make the room more inviting and motivating. Watch the video. Tackle the challenge. Let’s hear what you let go of!”
We will probably not be getting rid of anything, but we could definitely do with a tidying up of our pots and pans cupboard. I am leaving this in my husband’s capable hands!

Day 24: ”Tackle Your Car: So far all of the challenges have been inside your home. Today it’s your motor vehicle. No car? Create another ten-minute challenge that works for you.”
The interior of our car is not an issue. The outside could do with a good wash, though. We’ll wait until the weather is a bit better and tackle this one.

Day 25: ”Kitchen Utensils: Today’s the day to thin the herd of kitchen utensils. Watch the video, gather all your utensils onto the kitchen counter and bravely conquer this challenge.”
“… thin the herd”? What “herd”? As mentioned earlier, we don’t have a ridiculous amount of appliances or utensils. In fact, I often feel like we lack some of the fundamentals! This doesn’t mean to say that we can’t do with out a good sort-out and tidying session periodically though. The kitchen has been one of the areas that I have spent the most time sorting out during this 31-day challenge and it has been incredibly rewarding too.

Day 26: ”Today It’s About Your Shoes: I’m hoping that wholesale panic doesn’t set in today! Remember – we’re only spending ten minutes on this challenge so I don’t want you to be overwhelmed. Set the timer to ten minutes and dive right in.”
I am not really worried about this at all as I am not much of a “shoe person”, but in any case, as my feet are still “pregnancy-sized” (as opposed to normal), I will look at this once I say farewell to water retention! One shoe-related activity that I did undertake was sorting out my toddler’s shoes. I bought hanging mesh pockets from IKEA that can store his shoes in a neat way inside the nursery wardrobe.

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Day 27: ”How Many Belts Do You Own?: It’s time to tighten your belt(s) by seeing how many you own and letting go of those you no longer need, use or want. Check out the video. Gather all your belts into one place. Make some belt magic happen!”
This was the easiest challenge! I don’t wear belts (unless they are part of a jacket/coat/dress), so I had one- and only one- to donate to charity. A 10 second challenge for moi!

Day 28: ”Digging Into Your Kids’ Closets: Today’s challenge is for you to spend ten minutes going through your kids’ closets to find any clothes that no longer fit them or that they just don’t wear. Grab as many as you can in ten minutes, throw them into a trash bag and take them to Goodwill as soon as you can. No kids? Check under every bed in the house – get rid of what doesn’t belong!”
Really not an appropriate time at all for us to be discarding old baby clothes with a new baby due any day now! We have, however, gone through all the newborn appropriate items, washed, folded and sorted them. I have also cleared drawer space for baby Cupcake’s things and added drawer organisers for different types of clothing items.

Day 29: “Pens and Pencils: I so wish I was a fly on the wall in your home to watch you tackling this fun challenge. Check out the video. Grab a box. Hunt down those pens and pencils wherever they live in your home. You know what you have to do!”
This is something that we do on a fairly regular basis… and we always make sure to discard unusable pens as soon as they are discovered. We are also good at keeping them in the same location (at our desk/computer table).

Day 30: Spend 10 minutes looking at your bookshelves and pulling any books that you no longer love/need/read/want and clear the space.
Done already (along with the magazines) :) .

Day 31: Write out a list of 5 as yet undone challenges that YOU would like to tackle around your home so that you can continue the de-cluttering process.
Here’s my list:
1- Further sorting out crafting materials (although they are in fairly good order).
2- Pots, pans and baking tins. Not to discard, but just to reorganise.
3- Wiping out cutlery drawer caddies and reorganising cutlery if necessary.
4- Tidying the drawer under the bathroom sink (it’s not so bad… this should only take 5 minutes).
5- Putting up a soft toy shelf in the nursery and making space on the nursery bookshelf for more baby photos.

 

What would you like to get done around your home?