Sunday, September 21, 2014

Prioritising Myself

I had a check weigh and measure at the gym this week....my moment of truth!  As I said in my twitter post, I was quietly confident about my impending results.  As it turns out, I had every right to be!  I had lost centimetres off everywhere and 1.5kg of body fat. I didn't think that sounded like much (not when there are a few more kilograms to go!) but the trainer at the gym all but did a back flip with excitement with the timeframe in which this 1.5kg had removed itself.  She even got the rubbery fat chunk examples out to show me how much 'fat' I had lost!  So pretty chuffed was I as well.

Where I am thrilled with my results so far, it has been the other added benefits that I am finding have (re) entered my life that get me all happy as well.

Whilst I have chosen to put less on my food plate, I have also put less on my 'to do' plate. I have found that week after week, I have achieved all that I had on my daily list of things to do.  I have not overwhelmed myself with grandiose ideas of thinking I had all the time in the world on my days off to achieve a grocery list of 'to do' items.

I have widened my wardrobe selection and the feeling is so exciting.  I would previously - and by that I mean only a few weeks ago - scan my clothing selection for what didn't need ironing and what would fit.  I am now finding that I am standing looking at my clothes wondering what I feel like wearing.  There are still items that are in the 'don't fit into' section that I am working towards adding to my repertoire of fashion, but having more choice has been very uplifting for my spirits.  

I have begun to take more time with my makeup before leaving the house.  I usually, and still will on occasion, do it in the car at a red light.  I am talking eyeliner, mascara and lipstick.  That's it.  It can pretty much be all done by the time the light turns green!  Now however, I have found that I am adding in a few other bits and pieces whilst I am getting ready and again find myself feeling really happy at the seemingly less effort of putting in a little more effort.

I am still mindful of my food choices and really loving it.  I can very clearly see the effects on my body with my energy or how I feel physically if I slip in a food group at the wrong time of the day.  Mainly a sugar or a carbohydrate.  It hasn't happened often, but stands out like the proverbial when it has.

Speaking of energy, my energy levels have increased hugely.  Just yesterday I was amazed at how 'alive' I felt for the whole day.  Not an afternoon slump in sight!

So what is it that has changed?  What has really changed is that I have prioritised myself. I have pushed me up the list of what is important in my life and the pay off has been nothing short of wonderful. A shift in attitude about me, and Newport Skinny Tea, was all it took.


This is how good I feel
Have a wonderful week ahead everyone!

Photocred: imgarcade.com

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Snack Time - Super Healthy Cookies

One of the things I always find the most difficult when it comes to healthy eating, is snacks.  It's the whole 'grab and go' thing.  In the past, if I have had to prepare a snack, that's when I have tended to become unstuck.  I just haven't allowed myself the time.

Whilst doing the Newport Skinny Tea Teatox program, I promised myself, and all of you, that I would be going in to this knowing that planning and deliberate decisions about my food would be a big part of my success.  Whilst these are still true, I also had no idea at the time how easy the tea makes it.  This is honestly the easiest lifestyle change towards a healthier me that I have ever done!  No word of a lie.  This is one secret soooo worth sharing!  In my past attempts, I try to eat healthy but my biggest thing has been that sugar craving in the afternoon.  I just haven't been able to escape it....until now. Drinking the Newport Skinny Tea in the morning before breakfast and again just before lunch has worked wonders.  The even easier part?  It is delicious!  How easy is that?

Going back to snack time, I still wanted to be prepared and this week got back to baking on Tuesday so that I had a 'grab and go' healthy snack.  I found a recipe and after improvising on some of the ingredients that I either don't like or didn't have, this is what I came up with:-

2 cups self raising flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup psyllium husk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup protein powder (I used chocolate flavoured)
1 cup LSA (Linseed, Sunflower and Almond)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup sultanas
1 cup dried apricots diced
125g butter
1/2 cup golden syrup
1/2 cup boiling water

Pre-heat your oven to 150 deg C.  Line your baking trays (you'll need 2-3).

Pour all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
Melt the butter in a saucepan (or microwave).  Add the golden syrup, mix and then add the boiling water and mix again.  Pour this into the dry ingredients.  Mix together.  If the mixture is too dry, add a little more of the boiling water.  You can either mix with a spoon or get your hands in and give it a good go.

Scoop out about a dessert spoon size of the mixture and mould into a ball.  Flatten it out a little on the baking tray.  Keep each cookie about 5 cm apart on the tray.

Pop the trays in the oven for about 20 - 25 mins or until the cookies are golden on top. Allow the cookies to sit on the tray for 5 minutes once you take them out of the oven before transferring them to a cooling wire rack. The cookies will continue to harden as they cool.

This mixture made 24 for me.

I have had one of these with a cup of green tea as one of my snacks this week.  Delicious. I highly recommend them!