There seem to be two types of people in the world. The ones that always wake up each morning with a ravenous hunger, and the ones who need a few hours to get their bearings before developing any type of appetite. I fall into the latter. Unfortunately I grew up in the era where it was pummelled into us that ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ and subsequently forced myself to ingest something that constituted a balanced meal before doing anything else. But now things have had a shake up! Intermittent fasting is the new craze, and before you say ‘oh no, another fad’, this one actually has some merit. Here’s the lowdown.
Halloween, Thanksgiving and pumpkin season call for a seasonal recipe that fills the house with smells of warming spices.
Replace the traditional Pumpkin pie with this easy to bake, healthier version…..
This time of year in Mallorca the markets are filled with pungent and colourful autumnal foods. We are usually lucky enough to see beautiful, crisp blue skies during the days and have cosy evenings by the fire to enjoy all your favorite comfort foods.
A quick tally in my head tells me back in New Zealand my weekly ‘wellness’ spend was over $150 (around €95). I was a member of the flash inner city gym, had weekly personal training sessions, was a member of yet another gym specifically for boxing, and had netball club fees on top. Add buying all my produce and supplements at the local organics shop and it was one hefty price tag in the name of health.
Moving to Mallorca and leaving the cushy corporate job (and paycheck) meant I had to swiftly change my ways. But how could I stay healthy without all the bells and whistles I was used to? I had to improvise before my mentality (and waistline) began to suffer! Luckily it was a lot easier than I expected. Here are some thrifty tips and tricks I’ve picked up over my two years on the island.
In western cultures we don’t usually give too much conscious thought to changing our lifestyle and thoughts to align with the seasons, although we may naturally shift our behaviours and patterns to accommodate the change in weather. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) however believes that the best way to stay healthy is to learn about the nature of each season, and live in harmony with its spirit.
So what does that mean for autumn? In TCM autumn signifies the change to the ‘yin’ season, as we shift to less than 12 hours daylight. Nature is slowing down and contracting, and for us we tend to move inwards also. We tend to reflect more, enjoying quiet time, and traditionally we would harvest what was planted in spring, preserving for the cooler months ahead.
This summer I did something unthinkable. It was in one of those ‘Mummy’s about to lose her cool’ moments. Thankfully not so much that I regret the consequence of my actions. Far from regret, I feel I’ve transformed my house into a happier home because of it. And all I did was unplug the television, carry it downstairs and plonk it in the garage.
The clink of glasses…the cacophony of laughter…warm smiles…the tentative ones too…first encounters…whiffs of smoke…conversation…titillation…flirtation…silences dotted throughout…
As an expatriate on Mallorca, there is nothing that brings you face to face with your self-confidence and social ease more quickly than the *stories of the characters* in a new environment, as they begin to unfold.
The 10th of October is World Mental Health Day, a perfect opportunity to bring up the complex subject of eating disorders. Many affected try various therapies or take psychotropics for many years, yet the disorder never leaves. It can be managed to some degree, often just to satisfy the close ones, but the person may continue to live in the shadow of its controlling demon forever.
One of the clear messages in all of my beauty workshops is – the intention to practice a skin care regime is hugely beneficial to our personal well-being. All self-care regimes are beneficial and one that pays attention to the skin on your face can offer insight and well-being on lots of levels, here’s why…