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My blog is about trying new things and pushing myself well and truly out of my comfort zone. Oh and I love food and travel too. Join me.
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Category Archives: sometimes food
Back To Routine: Smoothies, Physio and Blog Posts.
It’s post-Easter break and I’m sat here reminiscing about the days gone by. Those days where I was surrounded by people, adventure, Easter eggs and of course, laughs.
Sitting in the kitchen at the beginning of the adventure, I wasn’t so sure about what the week ahead would involve. I knew it was a well needed break from the norm and that the aim was to head back to work feeling revitalised as well as excited. Looking back, I can say that I’m not quite there YET with over four days left of my holidays… in Dublin.
Although, the plan is in motion.
Firstly, the blog posts and normal routine must be resumed for the sake of my health and sanity. Laying in bed for two hours today with a garlic filled smoothie in one hand and positivity podcast in the other saw the start of that. The chocolate has finally started to escape my pores and as far as I can tell, my bank account seems a bit more relaxed at the prospect of a sense of normalcy.
Goggling ways to feel healthier as I lay in bed came as no shocker to my damaged body. I’ve been battling with IBS and a crocked back the past few weeks so having only the onset of a cold to contend with today – I have to say, I feel pretty grateful. The rest has done me pretty good and I’m ready to re-instigate (and maintain) those healthy habits of mine.
*Drinking a load of water each day is helping to flush the badness out of my system. It’ll make my skin look and feel better and will ward off those feelings of dehydration. It seems like a no-brainer however can easily be forgotten. HYDRATE people, please.
*Doing some exercise is bound to get that body into the swing of things. I’m in a coffee shop now however have plans to head home and go walking then do some yoga and meditation. Having spent the past month unable to go to the gym, I know the feeling of not doing it and it sucks! The bare minimum that’s recommended is a 30 minute walk each day. With these lovely long Summer evenings, there aren’t many excuses laying about.
*A friend of mine recently introduced me to a smoothie for when the immune system isn’t at its best. Throw lots of green veggies into a blender along with lots of garlic. The garlic is to help build up the immune system and you can be sure those vegetables will help you work towards your five a day. For taste’s sake, I threw in some bananas and soya milk to smooth it out. I’m excited to have one each day for the coming week to help me feel on track.
*My sister gifted me a planner document this week before heading back to the UK. It allows you to look back on the year gone by, reflect and look toward the year ahead. It’s called ‘Unravel your year 2017’ and is by Susannah Conway. Although it’s already April, I personally find this super useful. The pages are filled with questions and prompts to allow you set goals, work towards them and outline your desired outcomes.
Aside from that, you’ll be hearing from me loads more via the blog and social media as I expand on my lovely and healthy life. Watch this space for my next adventure piece coming soon as I book some fun trips this Summer!
Been Gluten-ed? Helping Your Body Recover From Food Abuse
The amount of allergies people are uncovering are increasing by the day. As I move into my early thirties, I can name at least 20-30% of my close friends with newly discovered intolerances as of their late twenties onwards. Our bodies are changing, we’re realising more about our tolerances while how food is being treated and produced is dropping in standard. This means that our bodies can either cut those culprit foods out altogether or suffer the consequences.
In my house, between my boyfriend and I, we are mostly dairy-free and gluten-free. We use almond milk, dairy free spreads and the likes of Kelkin breads and snacks. It works really well until we get a little lazy…
Popping into town in a super tired mood, I start throwing back the coffee. “Three shots please” is my exhausted and lazy response to the barista as I part with over 4 euros for that taste of naughty heaven. Once I’ve broken the caffeine ban I’ve put on myself, I start to think “those donuts look mighty nice” as I ask the sweet lady at Rolling Donut to get me a three pack so I can share with some colleagues. Fast forward to the late afternoon and I’m experiencing cramps with intermittent periods of bathroom breaks. Itching starts on my skin with blotches of redness over-shadowed only by my regret at having been such an eejit. All of this follows with Phil reminding me that I am of course, an eejit for putting that upon myself.
I’d like to say this has happened only once but that would be a blatant lie. I’ve had this experience a few times and I fear that it could happen again some other time. What I can count on is my self-control, self-awareness and of course, the feeling of a full belly of gluten-free snacks.
Perhaps it’s happened to you? If so, there are ways of making it better faster.
*Drink LOTS of water. Flush out that system, clear it of that poison that’s traveling through your body and wash it away.
*Do some meditation or have a hot bath – relax! If suffering from the likes of IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) or as mentioned above, you’ve had your tummy attacked by those harsh foods, then chilling out can help. I suffered with major pains earlier this year and did ten minutes of meditation a day to help it. The meditation relaxes your body which relaxes your stomach and oesophageal region therefore allowing food to pass more easily – the same applies to a relaxing hot bath (if you find them relaxing).
*Eat simple foods. Raspberries are rich in fibre and will help your stomach. Moreover, fruits in general (with their skin) are going to help to pass the culprits. Hot water and lemon, herbal teas and vegetables in general are a great choice too.
*If there have been a number of possible slips that have impacted your body, that’s fair enough. In order to avoid the same pain the next time, keep a habit journal. Jot down what you’ve eaten, how you’re feeling and most importantly, your SUCCESSES! When things go super well with your diet, what happens? Celebrate what works and allow that positive reinforcement to spur you on to keep going on the healthy path you’re carving out for yourself.
We all have our slips, it’s about how we bounce back and learn from it.
*These are tips based on my own intolerances and experiences having ruled out Coeliac disease by a medical professional. If you are concerned about any particular reactions to food, I recommend visiting your GP.
Quitting Sugar: Four Days In With Achy Legs
Waking up in the middle of the night, all I could focus on were the severe pains in my muscles. I straightened out my legs as much as I could so that I could try to relieve it and get some sleep. Turning to my boyfriend at four in the morning, I tried to come up with what it might be. Shin splints? Well no, I had’t been to the gym in a few days. Dehydration? Maybe. But well, I never really drank that much water anyway.
Then, alarm bells started to ring.
The next morning, I searched for the withdrawals symptoms of processed sugar on my phone. There it was as clear as day “muscle aches” are a common effect. This is the result of your body reacting to the change in diet. For me personally, it was a massive change when I took a close look at the amount of sugar in at least 40% of what I was consuming.
Four full days of no sugar and other feelings included headaches, flu-like symptoms and moodiness. When co-insided with a change in overall consumption (including milky large coffees for me), I had the urge to eat loads. As a food lover, I do intake large meals anyway. So, multiply a normal diet by two and you’ve got what I have been eating. Surprisingly, in spite of the massive intake of food, I’ve lost weight. In less than a week, my stomach feels flatter and I feel lighter in general.
They say that when it comes to your body and keeping it a healthy weight, it’s 80% diet and 20% exercise. This has certainly proven true for me and without even stepping on a scales.
When it comes to cutting out anything, it’s best to do it in a sane and healthy way. Snacking on sweet bars with the likes of dates has worked well. Naked do a range that can be reasonably priced (depending on where you go) and they go nicely with a cup of tea. Be mindful that these do contain a bit of sugar (Read here). Other options include having some fruit and getting that fructose kick or alternatively, having a cheat day. Give yourself a reward but remember that once you’ve had it, getting back on track is imperative. I have a Milka bar in my fridge which I’ve sad I can have next week after I’ve gone ten days without sugar. I don’t see it as falling off the wagon but rather, admitting I want a little cheat and then getting back to it again.
The most important point to note is that your mind will tell you to have some sugar. It does after all love you and wants to see you happy (which chocolate can do). Don’t be fooled though. Write yourself notes, keep chocolate out of reach and communicate with those around you when it comes to your journey so they can support you.
Keep posted in the coming days for further developments.
