MOVE – MEANT

Movement!

Our bodies are meant to move, they are designed to move well and they are supposed to move often.

The next time you get up from your desk after a prolonged episode of sitting – feel how tight, stiff and sore your body feels, then sit back down and look at the angle of your legs.

It is no wonder when our legs are in a 90 degree angle for the majority of the day; at a desk, in a car, on the couch – that when we get up to stretch our legs…..

….. our calves feel tight, our hammies are tight, the glutes are sore, your back aches and your shoulder and neck hurt from being hunched over all day……

I get it – I have been where you are, and I have been there when I went back to a desk job after teaching – which was 100 times worse, after moving so often to being stationary.

Our bodies are meant to move.

If you don’t move often you will cramp up.

If you don’t keep moving your joints through a full range of motion as you age you will lose the ability to use these joints – sounds scary doesn’t it?

Well it is!

I used to do some remedial work with an elderly lady as years of inactivity had literally rendered her muscles useless, she couldn’t open her hands and could not get up out of bed without assistance.

If you want to be able to open jars, reach things up high (unless you are a short ass like me) squat down to pick things up or even do up your shoes, you need to move before it is too late.

I know for some people (heck even me sometimes) the thought of going to a gym is as desirable as watching paint dry – so find what you love, dance in your loungeroom, try something new, or try a different instructor.

Not to toot my own horn (ok just a little honk ) I recently had a lovely comment from a man new to my yoga classes, telling me that he hated yoga before, but loves it now due to the unique way I teach.

Now do not get me wrong – my style is not for everyone, and that’s ok.

Find an instructor you click with who makes you feel joyous about what you do and you will want to do it more often.

Work out what it is you love, and if it is dancing around while you cook – then do it – boom – make your meals and burn calories  – that’s a double thumbs up in my books.

Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try out some new things, but most importantly move move and move some more.

x

 


Healthy eating – don’t over complicate it!

I think when it comes to healthy eating, quite often people go for the easy quick take out option as they assume it is too hard to make a fast, easy and healthy meal.

Let me tell you this is not true.

The majority of my meals take 30 mins to prepare and cook (unless I get sidetracked listening to music and dancing around while I cook – which does happen often)

*Side note – dancing around while you cook is a great way to burn some extra calories and is oh so much fun 🙂

The key to quick and easy healthy meals is not to complicate it.

Chop up veggies and add fresh herbs and garlic for flavour.

If I am chopping veggies – I always chop extra so I can use them for lunch and or dinner the next day (depending on how hungry my husband is and how many left overs I can keep).

Cooking meat and veggies separately allows you to only have to cook fresh meat for the 2nd night.

Some easy meat ideas:

Fry chicken with garlic, lemon and honey.

Bake salmon just with lemon and pepper.

Fry meatballs with cumin and or cinnamon.

Fresh herbs, turmeric, cumin, garlic, pepper go a long way to making things absolutely easy, and tasty.

Here’s an easy lunch bowl I made up over the weekend (not going to lie was pretty proud of this one)

 

QUINOA BOWL

 

Cook quinoa as per instructions on packet.

Fry asparagus, tomatoes, kale with a dash of balsamic vinegar & half a small garlic cube.

Mash up 1 x avo add lemon, pepper and other half of garlic cube.

Add a bit of salmon, a few nuts

Arrange nicely for a photo then moosh it all together and eat 🙂


Green for goodness

This week I went and got myself a cold; so I have spent my energy (when not resting) in between trying to stop my nose running in down dog and making healthy green concoctions.

I often get asked for recipes so here are a few jam packed with goodness from the last few days.

My get over a cold throw it all in a blender juice:

*orange juice
* handful of spinach
* little bit of ginger
* handful of berries

Delicious and filled with anti-oxidants and vitamin c.

Has to be good for you coz its green – green soup.

This I took from a recipe and as always I started with the recipe then ditched it and made it my own (no offense to all the fabulous people who contribute to recipe books)

This soup consisted of:

* 1 leek
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat all this up in a large pot until soft

Then add (I am being non descriptive with the quantities I say use what you have or as much as you like)

* broccoli
*kale
*spinach
*silver beet
* ginger
* 2 ltr vegetable stock

Bring all of this to the boil

Add in
*salt and pepper
* 2 teaspoons lemon rind (I added more and added some lemon juice as well

Cool this all down

The put into blender and add 300g silken tofu

I also added some lime juice and while it strongly resembles baby food in looks, the taste is quite delicious!

Please message me if you would like actual quantities as per the initial recipe:)

Another thing I have been eating lately is avocados on toasted sourdough with lemon, cracked pepper and snow pea sprouts.

All of these things are healthy and quick and easy to make.

Enjoy and please share any of your healthy favorite green tasty delights.


A dessert that’s sweet & healthy – what a delightful treat!

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Today I made the most delicious treat to take to a dinner with friends tonight.

A treat that not only is sweet and delicious it is actually good for you.

If this sounds too good to be true, then check out the recipe below.

Mango Honey Mouse

Ingredients

Serves: 6

2 mangoes, peeled, stone removed and cubed
1 banana
2/3 cup (160ml) low fat natural yoghurt
2 teaspoons honey
6 cubes ice
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Directions

Preparation:5min › Extra time:3hours chilling › Ready in:3hours5min

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Pour into individual dishes and serve.

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Wallah – another quick and easy recipe.

Enjoy!