littlemisssilverlining-blog

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

Thanks for following. We've migrated to littlemisssilverlining.com. Hope to see you then! LMSL Crew x

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[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

The magical healing powers of the little green leaf

Until recently, Aloe Vera was just something I used to cool down the occasional sunburn. But its healing properties can be used on the inside as well.

I found this out when a couple of years ago, my iron levels got so low, my wonderful doctor prescribed me with an iron transfusion. The reason? Although I consume plenty of iron in my diet, it wasn’t being being absorbed into my blood, which may suggest some form of issue absorbing nutrients from my intestinal tract into my blood steam.

Two transfusions put me back on track, but also led me to look for other ways to improve my gut and help my iron absorption levels naturally. One such way - Aloe Vera.

Aloe Vera Gel is the clear gel from the inside of the Aloe Vera leaf. It contains all sorts of amazing things, like vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids, which can have a very positive impact on your overall wellbeing. There is a lot of information out there about this magic little green leaf, so being the lovely person I am :) I have condensed my research here for you in three, digestible (see what I did there?!) points: 

1. Aloe Vera can help heal with digestion and gut issues: Aloe Vera contains anti-inflammatory and laxative components. Because of this, it can help with digestion, normalising the pH balance in the gut, encouraging digestive bacteria and regularising bowel movements. Lovely.

Because of the sheer amount of amino acids, vitamins and minerals in Aloe Vera, it is also a natural gut cleanser, which can help with skin and digestive problems, such as acne (which can be a symptom of autoimmune disease, influenced by gut issues) and IBS.

On top of this, Aloe Vera has been shown to fight inflammation in the digestive tract, and help heal the lining of a damaged intestinal tract (which can cause toxins to enter the bloodstream). It also supports the good bacteria (probiotics) that live in the gut, boosts nutrient absorption, by breaking down carbohydrates, starches, and sugars, and helps digest fat. 

2. Aloe Vera can help strengthen your immune system: The enzymes present in Aloe Vera work really, really hard. As well as all the amazing things they do to heal the gut (above), they also stimulate the immune system and help to kill infections. Aloe Vera also contains Zinc, which is essential to maintain immune function.

3. Aloe Vera is full of vitamins and minerals: Amongst it’s gooey green gel lives Vitamin A, another inflammation-reducing antioxidant, which helps maintain healthy vision, neurological function, and healthy skin; and Vitamin E, which reduces free radical damage, fights inflammation and helps naturally slow the ageing of cells. Aloe Vera is also a natural source of Vitamin C, which protects the body from cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease and even skin wrinkling.

Told you it was magic. 

Find a source of Aloe Vera that is natural and pure, like the ones from Forever Living. Click here and go to ‘Drinks’ on the left hand menu. Happy gut cleansing!  

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

New Year’s Resolution? The detox you have to try

It took me a few weeks to pluck up the courage to get started on this program. Nine days of detox is quite intense – it means you have two weekends to consider of no drinking, no coffee, no sugar.

I’d had a beautiful week’s holiday in the Cook Islands, where I pretty much ate nothing but fruit, vegetables and chicken and drank nothing but coconut water. I came back from days of yoga, paddleboarding, meditation and hiking feeling the best I had felt in years, determined to take this new feeling with me into the ‘real world’.

That promise to myself was harder to keep than I ever expected. Work became stressful, long hours and sleepless nights, eating the wrong food, not making time to exercise or meditate and relying on a glass of red wine in the evening to unwind.

As you can imagine, my skin quickly lost it’s glow, I developed eczema on my elbows, I felt ‘soft around the edges’ and generally pretty run down.

So, I decided it was time to give my body a reboot, with the Forever Living Clean 9 (C9) Detox, which tells you:

The first step to a clean body is to control your intake of harmful preservatives and other chemicals. Clean 9 provides you with the necessary tools to cleanse and rid your body of these substances and put you on the path to a healthier you.

Sounds good, right? And it WAS! Unlike other detoxes, the C9 isn’t about starving yourself, only drinking juice or eating one type of vegetable, or even cutting out food, which is probably why C9ers are more successful - it’s an achievable detox. This is how it works:

- You replace two meals with the shake (Forever Lite Ultra with Aminotein, I chose Vanilla, but the Chocolate is yummy too). I replaced breakfast and dinner with these shakes, and ate a healthy and filling lunch at work.

- You can eat as many ‘free foods’ as you like. Free foods include low GI fruits and vegetables, such as berries, celery, cucumber, rocket, apples, apricots, cherries, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, leek, peppers, lettuce, raspberries, strawberries... the list goes on. So you never have to go hungry! Just fill your body up with these antioxidant and nutrient rich snacks. My favourite snack was a bowl of celery, pineapple and strawberries with high protein cottage cheese and a drizzle of honey. YUM!

- You drink a LOT of Aloe Vera Gel - 120ml in the morning, 120ml at night. Aloe Vera is magic. I have now been drinking it for months. It has had a massive impact on my energy levels, gut health and skin issues. More on that in another blog post to come. As well as Aloe Vera, you also take Forever Arctic Sea soft gels (Omega-3 rich fatty acids, which support the circulatory system and are essential for the development and health of the eyes and brain, and can support proper joint function) and Forever Bee Pollen (full of vitamins, including D, C, D, E and K). So lots of good shit going into your body, then?!

So I did the C9. And I don’t want to sound all cliche, but... I felt amazing at the end of it. Sorry, Not Sorry. 

These are the five things I learnt while detoxing with the Forever Clean 9:

1) It’s important to set goals and prepare before you get started. For me, the detox was not about weight loss, it was about giving my system a reboot. I never wanted to starve myself or feel hungry. So I went shopping and brought a crap-load of ‘free foods’ and prepped them, by cutting them up into snackable sizes and grouping them together in sandwich bags, easy to grab from the fridge for work, for mornings, for anytime! I also cut down on caffeine and sugar in the week leading up to the detox and selected my timing to be when I didn’t have too many social events on, so I wouldn’t be tempted by alcohol.

2) The first couple of days are hard. Despite being fully prepared and excited to detox, any change is always going to be tricky. It’s more of a psychological thing than a physical one, I think. I missed the routine of my morning coffee, so I replaced that with a herbal tea. When there was cake for a birthday at work, I felt tempted to take a bite, but I’d made myself accountable by telling THE WHOLE WORLD I was doing this detox, so it was easier to resist. After day two, the temptations subsided and were replaced by the next point...

3) Detoxes make you smug. It’s true and I don’t apologise for it. I started to feel so good, so quickly, I was a smug bastard. I was jumping out of bed at 5am, full of energy, to go for a walk to the beach and meditate in the sunshine. I was sleeping better, my digestion was better, I felt less bloated, my skin became clear and glowing, my eczema disappeared, and I had so much more energy. It’s probably not really surprising how good you feel doing this detox, considering the only things you are putting into your body are vitamin-rich shakes, supplements and fruit and veg. And lots and lots of water.

4) It wouldn’t have been so easy, if it wasn’t for the free food option. Knowing you can snack whenever you like (within reason, obviously) on top of your one, full meal a day (to a certain calorie amount, which varies depending on your goal. The booklet that comes with the detox suggests a number of easy-to-make meals and snacks) was a godsend and made the C9 an easy detox to do.

5) I did feel amazing at the end of it, and really wanted that feeling to last. For all the reasons that made me smug (see point 3), I felt a little bit superwoman-ish, and inadvertently, I did lose some weight - 3.5kgs and 4 inches around my waist - which tightened up my body. But more, the detox made me realise your energy levels and how good you feel is directly impacted by what you put into your body. This is especially true for me. If my diet is bad, my skin suffers immediately. I drink coffee for an artificial energy boost, but actually on the detox, I got that boost from the bee pollen and Aloe Vera gel. I have problems with my gut health, which leads me to have a low iron count as my gut doesn’t absorb iron from my diet, but Aloe Vera can help heal the lining of a damaged intestinal tract (told you it was magic). 

I finished the C9 on a high, determined for this experience to continue to influence my diet decisions in my every day life. Of course, I slip up. I am only human after all and life, you know, it just happens. But I have made some small changes in my everyday to continue to keep the good feeling going. 

I take Aloe Vera every morning (and if I miss a day, for any reason, boy! Do I feel it!), I have replaced my usual breakfast with the Forever Lite Ultra shake - I have it with coconut milk and find it fills me up more than any other breakfast I’ve tried (and I believe breakfast is a super important meal). I take bee pollen every day. And I have cut down my daily coffee to one week long black with a dash of hot milk. More because I like the taste and the ritual, than because I feel I need the energy hit.

Would I do the C9 again? Absolutely, most likely this month - start the year off right! Or any time I need a reset, as the C9 also helps you to focus on your body, what it’s saying to you, what it needs to work properly. I loved the C9 so much, I decided to become a Forever Living distributor. So yes, I do now help sell this product, because I have experienced it myself and I truly, truly believe it works.

We are all amazing human beings. Our bodies are amazing, they battle so many wars - the environment around them, the toxins we put into them. Every so often, it’s good to stop and reboot. 

Want to try the C9 for yourself? Why wait? Click here to explore and buy.

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

What happened when I didn’t wear a bra for a week.

It’s a feeling every woman is familiar with. Coming home at the end of a long day at work, and taking off your bra-aaaaaaa (that’s the sound you make when you do it, a sound of absolute ecstasy).

Now this article isn’t about bra bashing, bras can be functional, beautiful, fun, decorative. However, whether they are beneficial is up for debate.

I grew up thinking you had to wear a bra (a well fitting bra) to ensure your breasts did not droop as you aged. Recent studies have in fact suggested the opposite. A fifteen year study by sports scientist Jean-Denis Rouillon, which concluded in 2013, found wearing a bra from an early age actually did nothing to help support the chest, reduce back pain or prevent sagging. In fact, suggested Prof. Rouillon, breasts can actually get saggier with a bra.

Great! I’d love to go braless for life. #FreeTheNipple and all that. I have to say that I would class my bosom as ‘one handful’, so it’s probably easier for me to bin the bra than some of my beautiful ladies who are blessed with being more buxom. And no matter what size your boobs are, they still bounce up and down when you run, and that can be uncomfortable at best, painful at worst.

Still, I wanted to give this theory a try. I wanted to find out if going breast-commando is seen as socially acceptable? What happens in a professional situation? Will people even notice?

So, I went bra-free for a week. And this is what I discovered:

1) I was comfortable. No wires were digging into my armpits. No straps cutting into my shoulders. No pinching around my rib cage. Heaven.

2) I felt empowered. I found myself constantly sitting in meetings thinking ‘I’m not wearing a bra-ah, and this person has no idea, but my nipples are freeeeeee and I can feel the breeze between my top and my boob. FREEDOOOOOM!’. Best. Feeling. Ever.

3) I had to think more about my outfit. Yes, I felt empowered by not wearing a bra, but I also wanted to look good and not be obvious about it. That meant choosing tighter fitting tops, which offered a certain amount of support, but also helped shape my breasts so it deceptively did not look like my nipple was, in fact, free. Also sheer fabric and whites were out (hello areola!). It did come down to this… no matter how empowered I felt, I still wanted my boobs to look nice on the outside. I guess that’s the biggest benefit of a bra – rounding out my little lady lumps. Also, an unexpected benefit of a bra – avoiding nipple rub. If you wear light fabric under, say, a denim jacket, the fabric tends to rub and it can get sore. I would have never thought of that. So comfortable, tight-ish materials all the way! All hail the H&M singlet!

4) No one noticed. I was standing up in a brainstorm at work, at the very end of my braless week, where I declared, in front of twenty of my work colleagues, I had gone without a bra for a week. No one had noticed. Until that moment. Then of course everyone couldn’t help look at said area. Which was hilarious, and made me feel a little self-conscious, but after all, I brought it on myself. And I work in a predominantly female environment. I hadn’t noticed anyone looking at my chest in the previous days. ‘No bra’ is definitely less noticeable than ‘push up bra’.

4) Honest to goodness, I think my boobs got bigger. It might just be an optical illusion or a trick of the light, but I (and other people) have noticed an increase in my chest area since this test.

The conclusion – going bra-less is awesome! It’s not for everyone, but it is definitely for me and I have tried to go without-bra at least three days a week since. I now shop for tops I know will be comfortable without a wire underneath and am looking for the in-between option, the bralet, to fill up the bra-days. Bye bye wires, bye bye discomfort.

If you can’t manage a whole day without (and I totally understand bigger boobs need the support), try wire-free options and make sure you get that bra off as soon as you get home and let your girls hang free!

Boobs are the best, YOUR boobs are amazing, let them breathe as much as you can. 

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

Standing on my head on a stand up paddleboard... and other adventures

Years ago, I discovered Charlotte Piho and her business Workout on Water, quite by chance. I’d heard about this incredibly talented, beautiful woman, who was not only a rad SUPer, but also a yoga teacher who combined her two loves with SUP Yoga classes in Sydney’s Rose Bay. 

Yes, that’s right. Yoga...on a stand up paddleboard. For me, this was the perfect combination of my two passions. 

I also found out Charlotte held a number of retreats in the Cook Islands and other amazing, exotic places. The photos of blue waters, white beaches and happy faces called to me. So finally, I bit the bullet and booked myself a week’s retreat in Rarotonga.

Although I’m very used to travelling by myself, there is always an element of anxiety when you book a holiday alone. Will everyone else there be in couples? Will I be the odd one out, the lonely singleton? Charlotte quickly put my mind to rest over a simple email. ‘Beautiful girl’ she said, reassuring me many of her guests travel alone and meet likeminded people on the retreat, often becoming lifelong friends.

So off I went, a suitcase full of bikinis and a head full of dreams. The first day was the longest day in the world, but not for any bad reason. The direct flight to Rarotonga from Sydney with Air NZ leaves at 9.25pm and arrives in the morning of the same day, it’s like going back in time! I couldn’t sleep on the plane, so like groundhog day, I lived the same day twice.

But the second run of that same Saturday in Rarotonga was amazing. Arriving on the island was beautiful, and a little scary, given you can’t see the land until you land on it, so for a while, it feels like you are coming down into the ocean. Quickly, there we were. On the ground, amongst volcanic, green mountains, blue sky and warm air.

An elderly man with a Ukulele serenaded us as we went through customs in the tiny airport. Everyone smiled at me. The customs officer who greeted me and asked if I had a return ticket – that’s one of the requirements to get a visitor’s visa. Now I understand why – I bet people come here and never want to leave again.

Grabbing my luggage, I walked through to the arrivals hall and saw Charlotte immediately, standing with another lady, who I guessed must be my buddy for the week – Robyn. It was going to be an intimate retreat this week - just me, Charlotte, Robyn and Charlotte’s Dad. Normally, Charlotte has about eight guests on her retreats, so I felt very lucky to have this different experience. 

Charlotte and Robyn both greeted me warmly and we exchanged hugs and cheek kisses. Charlotte put a flower wreath around my neck, the perfume from the flowers was incredible.

Off we trotted to Charlotte’s van, an old, green people mover with one of the side doors completely missing. “Island style,” Charlotte called it. They were waiting for the part to be delivered from NZ. I thought it was quite charming and meant you had the best view of the outside when you were sitting in the back.

Charlotte drove us at the regulatory 40km/hr (everything is slower in Rarotonga – it’s wonderful!) to our home for the week, a real beach house, just meters from the water, surrounding by palm trees, rich with coconuts. All around the house, chickens, roosters and baby chicks roamed freely. Two happy border collie X pups greeted us with tails wagging, hungry for attention and affection. Charlotte told us they were the neighbour’s dogs.  

We took our belongings into the house and were each assigned a room of our own. The house had a huge, light living area in the middle, with rooms and bathrooms sticking out like arms on each side. In the centre of the open plan living room/ dining room/kitchen and what would later become our meditation area, was a huge pole that appears to be holding up the ceiling, like in a big top. Beautiful wooden beams shot out from its top, like sun rays, creating a high, hexagonal roof for the room.

We quickly changed into our bikinis and off we went in the doorless van to where the Stand Up Paddleboards were kept.

Before we knew it, we were out on the water. Water so clear, you can see right to the bottom. With a sky so blue it didn’t look real. Surrounded by beaches and green trees, with a backdrop of the dark green mountains. This was heaven.

We paddled towards the island on the left, then paddled across the lagoon to the island on the right. We paddled around this island to the far side, where it was sheltered from the slight wind and the sun was shining bright.

We stopped and sat on our boards. Charlotte gave us a brief orientation, information about the week, house rules, that kind of thing. Then she asked us to tell each other one thing about ourselves, what our intention was for the week and we all had to clap and say “We love you, Charli”.

Feeling the jet lag, what I said was really lame, something like “My name is Charli. I like paddleboarding and my intention is to relax and de-stress”.

If I had time to think about it, I would have said: “My name is Charli. I work too hard and I’m exhausted most of the time. My skin flares up in spots and eczema from stress. I’m constantly fighting the battle between wanting to be a successful professional and the pressure to settle down and find a mate. My intention for this week is to disconnect with my normal life completely, so I can empty my mind and fill it with new thoughts. So I can allow myself the freedom to see what it is I really want out of life. And so I can return to Sydney happy, healthy and in control.”

Once we had all introduced ourselves, we lay on our backs in Shivasana and floated for four minutes. Charlotte watched over us, so we could completely relax. I closed my eyes and felt the sun on my face. I tried hard to be still, be quiet and listen. I could hear the waves lapping against the bottom of my paddleboard. Someone was hammering on the main island and I could hear the bangs echo against the smaller island near us. I could hear birds chattering, dogs barking, roosters crying and the wind blowing. The sun felt incredible on my skin, warm but not harmful. I could see the sun rays flickering through my eye lids.

Charlotte woke us up from our meditation slowly. I rolled up and saw we had drafted almost back to the shore on the main island. It was amazing to be that calm and serene, without having to worry about anything or anyone. From that moment, I felt relaxed, happy, on holiday.

We went back to the house for a quick shower and change, before heading off to the markets, where we met Charlotte’s Dad, Tuhe. A beautiful man, who’s happiness and kindness shines off him, before he even says hello to you. He greeted us warmly, but he was very busy, shucking coconuts for a long queue of customers at his market stall.

Robyn and I waited patiently until he had a lull in his line. He put out breakfast for us – home made muesli with dates and sultanas, fresh coconut (“white chocolate”) and papaya. Coconut water straight from the coconut husk, which tasted like sparkling spring water – it was cold, refreshing and delicious. We ate, we were very hungry after the flight and SUP session.

Then we wandered around the markets, like a couple of zombies! With two hours sleep in about 36 hours, the tiredness was kicking in and an afternoon power nap was much needed. So that’s exactly what we did.

I woke up at around 2.30pm and wandered down to the beach out the front of the house. The two puppies (Mojo and Jojo) followed me, as if they were my own dogs. They walked along the beach with me and fought with each other the whole way. The sand was white and shelly, the water was blue and reefy. I dipped my toes in and felt the warm sun on my skin. Heaven again.

Back at the house, I lay in the sun with my new book, but the puppies had other ideas and refused to leave me alone, so I had to retreat indoors. It wasn’t long before I was snoozing again, this time on the couch.

Tuhe woke me up at 4.10pm “ready to go in ten minutes?”

I was, and so was Robyn, who had just woken up. Off we drove in the van, back to the SUP boards. Tuhe gave us a proper orientation, teaching us paddle technique and telling us about the ocean.

Off we paddled again. I practiced my technique – straight arms, soft knees, looking ahead to where I want to go. 

Once again, I couldn’t get over how clear and beautiful the water was. There were fish in abundance or all different shapes and colours. I saw a bright blue starfish.

Tuhe guided us through a Yoga session on the SUPs. There were four phases and the goal was to get 100%. Phase one was standing (33%), phase two was lying (33%) and phase three was on your back (33%), phase four was a headstand, to get you to that coveted 100%.

We worked through a number of yoga poses, all of which I recognised, but all of which were a little more challenging doing them on a SUP. We completed every phase, then got to the headstand. With a little help from Tuhe, I managed it! It was hard and my arms ached, but I did it!

Tuhe then guided us through some Aqua Yoga – Robyn and I working through poses together, me on top of her, back to back, feet to head, allsorts! These were also very challenging, but once again, we completed everything. That took us to 200%! We felt very proud and like we had accomplished something great, as we paddled back to the main island and made our way back to the house.

After a beautiful, candlelit meditation, Charlotte cooked us a delicious dinner – moon fish stir fry, risotto, lentil curry. It was incredible … and we were starving. I ate firsts, seconds and thirds. We talked for a while, before we all grew sleepy and had to go to bed. I slept for about 10 hours, only waking a few times to the sound of the roosters’ calls.

I can’t describe to you, how at home I felt in that lovely beach house. I could just sit with my book on the comfy sofa in the lounge area and feel totally at peace. It had an incredibly calming vibe.

When I was at the retreat, I wrote a diary every day. It ended up being 12 pages long, so I won’t include it all here, but every day after the first got better. Even when the sun wasn’t shining, the island was just as beautiful and the experience just as magical. Tuhe and Charlotte are two of the calmest people I have ever met. It’s very hard to feel stressed or anxious in their presence.

One day, Tuhe took me and Robyn up the mountain in the middle of the island - a mountain with vertical ascents helped by trees, whose roots formed ladders for our climb. I got to the top and traversed the bare face of the mountain, holding on to only ropes and chains, At one point, the drop below you is vertical, rocky and a long bloody way down! That was terrifying and I almost gave up, thinking how could I possibly achieve this? But I felt safe with Tuhe’s guidance and I kept my meditative breathing going to get me through it. Climbing in a squat position, always keeping two hands on the chain and moving sideways across the rock, never daring to look down, I made it. More ropes to climb up and suddenly I was at the top, with incredible view right out to the ocean. I really felt a sense of achievement, exhilaration, accomplishment. Of course, to tell your story, you have to first get back down to where you came from. This was almost as hard as getting up, as it involved a form of abseiling down the ropes we had before climbed and traversing that rock again. But the adrenaline flowed and I felt incredible with what I had achieved.

Every moment was a challenge or an experience. Throughout the week, I learnt how to freedive. I attended a beautiful church service, full of song and colour. I meditated and practised yoga. I visited the night markets and the day markets. I ate fresh, local produce ... and a few delicious chocolate brownies. I SUPed every single day. I screamed my mantra to the ocean, every single day! I swam long distances. I paddled for 11km along the side of the island (something I have always, always wanted to do - we saw manteray, a turtle, a rainbow. It was wet and windy, but that didn’t matter. We were out on the water). I paddled at night, which was terrifying and beautiful. I talked with my little family for the week about life, about what we admired in each other, about love, about happiness. I learnt that it takes 40 minutes to drive the whole way around Rarotonga. I found out nothing tastes as sweet as home made muesli, with dates, papaya, fresh coconut and yoghurt after two hours out on the water. I devoured the fresh off the boat fish sandwich from the Moorings cafe. I experienced a traditional island dance competition as part of constitution week. 

And I slept. A LOT!

But mostly, I surprised myself with just how brave I am able to be. How much I can achieve, if only I try. When things get hard, I just need to take careful, deep breaths and trust myself.

The holiday was only a week long, but it felt like much longer. I felt so welcomed into the Piho family. I felt rested and happy. Calm and de-stressed. I kept offline, no emails, no Facebook... which was absolutely wonderful! On the last day, although I was sad the holiday was coming to an end, I was excited about all the things I had learned and how I could take them back to Sydney with me, into my every day life, to try and improve it and feel the way I felt every day in the Cook Islands.

I made friends, I hope for life, in Robyn, Charlotte and Tuhe. I experienced fear and accomplishment, serenity and peace, laughter and light.

At the end of it all, I made a list of everything I had learned and wanted to carry through into my usual life in Sydney. Six months later, and I know I haven’t succeeded in everything I wanted to continue doing, but I know the intention is still there and the memory of my time in Rarotonga will always inspire me to try and live my best life. And my best life includes these things:

1) Practise yoga and meditation – I want to keep up my practise and remember how important it is to my every day life. I must prioritise it, not let it slip by because I am too busy or too tired. It will help me be productive and give me energy. 

2) Trust myself to take the first step – that’s all anyone needs to do, when something seems unachievable. It never is. Just take the first step and before you know it, you have succeeded. Like on the mountain, when I traversed over that rock. I was terrified. I could have been thinking, ‘what if I fall?’, ‘what if the chain breaks?’, ‘ What if I’m not strong enough?’. But I didn’t, I just focused on my breath, on my yoga breathing, gently and calmly, listening to Tuhe’s instructions but mostly, trusting myself… and I stepped out onto the rock... and everything was fine.

3) Every situation is joyful, don’t stress the things you can’t control – the weather was out of my control during this holiday. Sure, we didn’t have the clear blue skies I probably would have loved every day, but that didn’t stop us. We still did every activity, felt every moment, experienced everything we would have if it had been hot and sunny every day. And it was still amazing. Sometimes at work and in my personal life, things are out of my control, but that doesn’t matter. It’s not my responsibility to make everything work out the way it’s been planned, all I can do is make the most of every situation, and find the joy in amongst the rough.

4) Eat more fresh food – how wonderful the food was. So much fresh fruit and soooo many vegetables. Everything was delicious. I did not crave coffee, sugar, alcohol. My stomach was happy. My skin looked amazing. This will be the hardest rule to stick to, but I know it will also be the most rewarding.

5) Slow down and listen more – why are we always in such a hurry? You miss so much when you are rushing. I want to try to concentrate on doing one thing at a time, and not berate myself if I can’t get everything done in a day. 

6) Shout my mantra – every time I run, I want to run to a place with wind and no people and shout my mantra.

8) Tell my family I love them more – one that doesn’t need explaining. 

A huge, huge thank you to Charlotte, Tuhe and Robyn, for this incredible experience. If this has inspired you to do the same, visit http://www.workoutonwater.com/ for more information. You won’t regret it, it might just be the beginning of the rest of your life. Cxxx

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

#truth #sustainability #bemindful #walkdontdrive

tfw the sun is shining on your face and all you can think about is the methane feedback loop. 

Ride your bike. Plant a tree. Global warming is real and not going away unless we change. 

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

ICYMI, yesterday was Earth Day...

...so naturally, a hot topic in the press at the moment is Australia’s action, or lack-thereof, around climate change. The government seems to keep approving environment destroying mines, we are the laughing stock globally because our pitiful reduction targets and if we don’t take action now, one of this country’s biggest assets, the Great Barrier Reef, will be ‘completely cooked’. It’s already at 93% bleached. Yet despite having proved sustainable and renewable energy is a cheaper option for household power, creates more jobs than mining and - durh - helps the environment, our leading political parties see are dollar dollar bills ya’ll. I heard on the radio today that fossil fuel companies donate millions of dollars to these parties … I’m sure that doesn’t impact on the decisions their leaders make, does it?

You know when money doesn’t matter? When we’re dead. You know what’s probably going to kill off the human race? The consequences of global warming, which will kill off our plants, animals, food sources, waterways, oceans… oh yeah, and increase the severity and frequency of natural disasters. Those things kill you, it doesn’t matter how many donations you receive then.

Ok political rant over. The reason I wanted to write about this is simple. It got me thinking, how can little old me actually make a difference? You know, besides getting my citizenship asap so I can actually vote and partaking in bit of armchair activism on Facebook and via multiple petitions. It seems like such an enormous task for one, tiny person. But if all of us made some small changes in our everyday life, imagine what a big change to the whole world we could make. So, here are some tips on doing just that.

Recycle. Obvs.

This is a no-brainer. We have dedicated bins to take away our bottles, cardboard, plastic and paper. It is not hard to separate your waste, so do it. And please, for the love of earth, stop putting plastic bags in the recycle bins! Actually, stop using plastic bags at all! Invest in a few, good, lifelong shopping bags and take them with you for every shop. Pick your crap up off the beach. Stop contributing to the Pacific’s garbage island. Just, stop it!

Think about the products you buy and what you throw down the drain

There are so many eco-friendly cleaning, washing and personal products out there. They are easily accessible and inexpensive. You can even make your own! Baking soda, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice are regular ingredients in homemade cleaners. Don’t forget EVERYTHING you put down the drain or toilet ends up in the sea. Bin your tampons. Dispose of your cooking oil carefully. Think about what you are doing and where your waste ends up.

Shop local

Yes, it’s the easy option, but big supermarket chains are famous for screwing over farmers. Try to find a farmer’s market near you instead, shop at your local grocer, butcher, fishmonger. You’re supporting local businesses and you’re guaranteed to get better quality, fresh produce.

Filter your water. Don’t buy bottled

We are so lucky to live in a country where we have water on tap. Yes, it might not be the best quality in many parts of Australia, but rather than buy endless bottles of water, handing over your hard earned money on global conglomerates and adding to the enormous amount of plastic waste that ends up in a landfill (or worse) why not invest in a filter? Britta have some great options, including smaller bottles for on-the-go or in the gym.

Walk, take the bus, leave the car at home

It astounds me how many people drive to work/the shops/the gym, when they live close to a train station or bus route. I know the public transport system generally sucks, but really? Driving in a car, by yourself, amongst loads of other cars that also contain one solitary person, all going in the same direction, at the same time, every day. Beeping and getting angry with each other because you are stuck in a line of cars with one person in them, to drive six kilometres to your place of work, then pay through the nose for parking? It just doesn’t make sense. I walk fifteen minutes to the train station, I always get a seat (because the train seems to always be half empty these days, probably because everyone is driving), I sit, I put my Calm meditation app on and practise some mindfulness, then I get off and walk another ten minutes to my place of work. That’s 25 minutes of incidental exercise each way, which is pretty damn useful when I sit at a desk in front of a screen for most of the rest of the day. Considering sitting is the new smoking, perhaps we should all spend more time walking to the bus stop or train station?

All of the lights...turn them off...and the power switches... and the TV

When you leave a room and are no longer watching TV, turn it off. Not just at the remote. Leaving a TV on standby uses up just as much electricity as leaving it on. Similar for plug sockets - switch them OFF when you take out the plug. Turn off lights when you don’t need them, the dishwasher and washing machine when they have finished. Fix leaky hot taps. All these things use electricity. By turning them off, not only are you helping the environment, you’ll slash your quarterly bill too. 

Easy!

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

We need to talk about mental health

Mental Health will touch every single one of us in some way at least once in our lives, yet it still remains a topic that is not discussed enough. As we near the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, it has been great to hear allsorts of people discussing this important topic on the radio, on the TV and in the news. 

But what now? Will we be silent again until next year? 

We must keep the conversation going. Talk to your friends and family. Ask them if they are OK? Ask yourself if you are OK? Show YOURSELF loving kindness and compassion. Remember, keeping your mind healthy is just as important as your body. 

Living with a family member who suffers from a mental illness can be as confronting as being the person who suffers, as this raw open letter explores...

I was 16 when you had your first breakdown. I clearly remember sitting by your bed, holding your hand as you sobbed uncontrollably. I had been a pretty bratty teenager. Rebelling against you and Mum, not really sure why, frustrated with the tension that often built up at home periodically. I thought you were just being mean. I couldn’t understand why you wouldn’t just ‘get over it’.

But on that day, alongside Mum, I took control of a situation and first experienced what it’s like to take care of a parent. To reverse roles for a moment. It was also the first time I truly discovered you weren't just being annoying or embarrassing, as I had often thought.

You were sick.

16 years later and I'm still trying to understand your illness. It sounds awful, but it can be hard to remember it IS an illness. When someone has cancer perhaps they’ll lose their hair in treatment. If someone is in a car accident, perhaps they will be in a wheelchair. If you have a common cold, you sneeze and cough. But if you suffer with a mental illness, outwardly you may not exhibit any symptoms. Yet, this type of disease is no less debilitating, no less life changing or even life threatening than an illness like cancer.

As a teenager, I too found it difficult not to get frustrated with you when you were struggling with your past, unable to let go of childhood experiences that damaged you so much that still now, in your seventies, you still fall into times of deep depression.  I saw how much your illness affected Mum too and that made me angry with you. I know now, of course, you couldn't help the effect your illness had on your behaviour. This was and still is something completely out of your control.

I wish on that day when I was 16 and you couldn't get yourself out of bed, I wish I’d been able to take away all the memories that made you sad. Your illness is, in some ways, worse than a physical ailment, which with proper treatment can be repaired. Your illness will affect you for the rest of your life. I wish there was something I could do to change that.

And I'm so thankful for the childhood you gave me. Despite everything, I always knew you were there for me. Mum is the strongest woman I know and with her by your side, you were able to always put me first and I never wanted for anything. I am truly blessed to have parents like you and Mum.  Thank you for making me the person I am today. I hope one day I can repay you both.

Whether you will find a way to get better, to fix the trauma in your mind? Well, there are no guarantees. All we can do as a family is support each other and find coping mechanisms. Remember that we are not alone and help is available.

And remember, Dad, that your daughter loves you very much. Even when you are silent. Even when you are in your cave. Even when you make terrible jokes. And especially when you find the strength to be happy. Nothing will ever change that.

Love you xx

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

This is why you’ve had a weird September

Have things seemed a little out of the ordinary recently? Do you feel like you’ve been more involved in conflict situations? Have you experienced an increased number of deja vous? Have you felt a general sense of being unsettled?

Here’s the good news - it’s not just you. September has been a crazy one for lots of us, probably because of all the crazy stuff going on outside our tiny little world of earth. 

Tomorrow especially, is going to be a very significant day. If you only chose one day all year to open up your mind to greater possibilities and a higher state of consciousness, make that day 28th September 2015.

Tomorrow morning in Australia, the forth blood moon in a series will appear in Europe, Africa, North and South America, parts of West Asia and some areas of the East Pacific. Not only will this be a rare, total lunar eclipse, it will also be a supermoon total lunar eclipse, causing the phenomena commonly known as a Blood Moon. This is when the moon is its shortest distance from earth, which makes it appear 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter.

Photo credit: The Mary Sue 

While lunar eclipses happen every now and then, having a series of four Blood Moons in a row has not happened since 1967.

History tells us this event marks significant changes to our world and lives. While some religious circles believe this means the apocalypse is coming, it’s probably more likely the Blood Moon will mean endings and beginnings, and may even bring positive change. Some believe the Blood Moon signifies the start of a higher consciousness and a more evolved earth. But to get there, we need to let go of the past, bad karma, wrongdoings. We have to let go of our egos, let go of control and welcome change.

Having read numerous articles on the subject and taken stock of the recent events in my own life this month, I can certainly see these changes happening all around me. Personally, I feel more assertive and comfortable with who I am. I am proud of my achievements. I feel strong enough to stand up for what I believe in and for the people who matter the most to me. 

These changes started subconsciously, but now I am mindfully watching myself grow, almost from someone else’s eyes. It’s scary stepping into the unknown, but it’s exciting at the same time. This is a chance for all of us to step back and take stock of our current situation, opening ourselves up to suggestions from the universe and going with them, rather than fighting them. Say yes to new opportunities and welcome change. 

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see the eclipse from Australia. According to NASA, it will start at 8pm ET, which is Monday morning at 10am AEST, but you can watch it live at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/.

And while the most of the world cranes its neck to watch this incredible event, those of us Down Under will be at our desks getting on with our Monday morning. But even though we can’t see it, we can still feel it. Take stock tomorrow morning as you sip your coffee and get through your emails. How do you feel? What could you let go of? What signs or unusual experiences are occurring? This is an opportunity. Don’t waste it.

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

Easy peasy kale chips

For those times when you just want a little nibble, these are a great option - so easy and so quick! Get stuck in.

Ingredients:

Kale leaves (enough for a single layer on a baking tray)

Coconut Oil

Pink Himalayan Salt

Method:

Coat a baking tray with a thin layer of coconut oil and dust with himalayan salt. Taking one leaf at a time, cover each kale leaf with the oil and salt by placing it on the tray and turning it over to coat each side. Pop into a preheated oven at 180'C for five minutes or until the kale starts to brown a little on the edges. Take out, transfer to a bowl and serve immediately. YUM!

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

I fell off the wagon in style...and immediately regretted my decision

If you are going to do something naughty, you might as well go the whole damn hog and do it really well - right?

I decided to take a night off my super healthy eating plan, which I have been fairly good at sticking to for the best part of two weeks, including a very strict seven days when I was "smoothie-ing".

Sydney Festival is on and tonight was my only chance to try out the Double Down Diner.

As I have said before, in real life, you sometimes have to have a night off. But this time...I think I might have taken it a little bit too far.

This is what I ate:

This is ... deep breath ... fried chicken with bacon and coleslaw on a waffle bed drizzled in maple syrup. Mmmmmm....vomit!

Even before I had finished the plate, I knew this was not going to end well. All that sugar. All that salt. All that saturated fat. All filling up my poor stomach, which has only had to cope with digesting small amounts of clean and nutrient-rich food for weeks. 

WHAT WAS I THINKING?! I'd like to say that it was worth it. I'd like to say that the feeling I have now...which is not dissimilar to the worst hangover EVER...I'd like to say it was worth it because of the amazing foodie experience I had. But I'm so sad to say that, I don't think it was. The first couple of bites were a rush of taste sensations, but then I just felt sick. Yet I kept eating. WHYYYY??!

Now I must make clear that I didn't feel sick because there was something wrong with the food I was eating - it was exactly what I ordered, cooked and presented well and was delicious. 

I felt sick because the food I had chosen was too much for my body to handle. I had basically ordered a plate of lard.

The nausea was my body telling me, it wasn't coping. Like when you put petrol into a diesel engine and the car just breaks down.

So now, three cups of peppermint tea down, I am sitting in my lounge with my hand on my belly feeling very sorry for myself...a bit like that possum that broke into a bakery and ate so many pastries that it couldn't move. You know, this one...

...anyway I digress... as I sit like the gluttonous possum, pondering my reaction to this one treat, I have come to three conclusions:

1) Chose your treats wisely: I am a huge believer that the best diet is eating a bit of everything and having treats on special occasions. However, perhaps in future I should make better treat choices, perhaps some bacon, or some fried chicken, or a waffle. NOT ALL THOSE THINGS ROLLED INTO ONE DISH?!

2) My tastebuds have changed: The intense mix of flavours in this dish hit me like the first three seconds of a skydive - sensory overload! Having only put raw fruit and vegetables and fish into my body for three weeks, I realise simple flavours have become more prominent. Instead of needing loads of salt, pepper, sugar, dressings or sauces, for example, to "taste" a dish (which are of course, actually only masking the real taste), I enjoy the raw, real flavour of the foodstuff itself. A good rainbow salad doesn't need a vinaigrette, it has the most amazing flavours in it already. My taste buds did not agree with the salt, fat and sugar of this dish today...eugh...

3) Hangovers are not only caused by alcohol: I have had this experience before. Sugar, salt, fat, preservatives, sulphates, E numbers, all these things also give you 'hangover' like symptoms - sluggishness, headache, nausea, fuzzy head - as your body struggles to rebalance your blood sugar levels and the salt keeps you reaching for the water to stop the feelings of dehydrated. Again...eugh!

So yes, a little bit of what you fancy does do you good...just chose the things you fancy wisely.

Have you had a similar experience? Share your stories at facebook.com/littlemisssilverlining. 

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

Five life lessons I have learnt from my detox

Two weeks into my detox plan and I've already observed some interesting revelations about myself and my eating habits...

1. Being accountable does wonders for my will power. 

I am detoxing and bloody hell doesn't everyone know about it?! Friends, family, work colleagues, you, dear reader. I try not to talk about the 'why's and 'what for's unless I am specifically asked, I don't want to preach - I don't want to be that person, but I have been clear to everyone that I am detoxing. Why? It makes me accountable. The more people who know about what I'm doing, the more people know if I slip up. Mind you, that doesn't stop people from tempting me - whether purposefully or not. I've never known so much pizza, chocolate and gelato to be available in my office...sheesh! Waiters seem to like to hover plates of chips a few inches away from my nose before placing them in front of someone else.

Out of everything, I feel most accountable to this blog. And that feeling of responsibility has shown me how much will power I really do have. I am able to say no! Which leads me to my next point...

2. When it comes to unhealthy snacks, you rarely regret saying no. 

Grain Waves. Oh you delicious smelling, crunchy, salty, yummy snack. I fall victim to your aroma every Friday evening at work, often finishing off an entire pack to myself because once I've had the taste of just one chip...it's all over.

Incidentally, one pack of Grain Waves contains 837 calories, 57% of the recommended daily intake of total fat, including 37% of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat and a crap load of salt.

My mouth may have watered on Friday when the green bag was popped open and my fingers may have trembled near the top...but I said no. On my way home, I sat on the bus thinking about this decision. I didn't feel sad. I didn't feel like I'd missed out on anything by not eating the snack (or drinking a glass of wine). I still had good conversation with my work colleagues. I still enjoyed the weekly work 'bar'. I hadn't lost out on anything. Expect all that saturated fat and a feeling of nausea from devouring too many chips and a couple of glasses of wine.

The revelation here is that by being more mindful about food - when I eat, how I eat and what I eat - I realise some 'eating moments' may be habitual, rather than necessary. I do not need Grain Waves to nourish me, I can go without them and the world does not implode. If anything, I feel distinctly better, not waking up with a salt and preservative hang over the next day! By the same thinking, I do not need to have a glass of wine while I'm getting ready to go out with friends. A 3pm 'pick me up' doesn't need to be chocolate, it can be nuts, a few dates or a cacao slice. I don't need coffee in the morning, I can be just as efficient at work without it, especially when the rest of my diet is so full of energy-sustaining and brain-developing nutrient-rich foods. Simple.

Oh and your stomach is only roughly the size of your fist - a great visual prompt when considering portion control. 

3. I need an allergy test. 

I've been banging on about it: I am not detoxing to lose weight. Because of this, I cannot give you any hard measurements about weight loss, inches around my waist, anything like that. This detox was about my health and how I feel on the inside.

One noticeable change in my body, however, has been my skin. If you have followed this blog you will know, I suffer from melasma and adult acne. Now, while the melasma has been steadily improving with the use of natural remedies and factor 50 sunscreen (a topic I will write a post about in the near future), this detox has done wonders for my adult acne. I can't remember the last time my skin felt so clear, looked so bright and wasn't itchy! Well, yes I can - the last time I detoxed.

Which leads me to one conclusion - my face is reacting to something I'm putting in my mouth.

Now, because i have given up so many 'nasties' on this detox (dairy, alcohol, coffee, processed food, refined sugar), I have decided to book a doctor's appointment for an allergy test, to drill down what particular 'nasty' is causing the itchy, painful red spots on my chin, cheeks and forehead. Watch this space for the results.

4. Life priorities and the dollar, dollar bill. 

I'm combining these two, as they tend to fit together. Oddly, my detox has left me with more time and more money...perhaps because making smoothies is super-easy and super-quick, and fruit and vegetables are super-cheap! Especially when you purchase from a market, like the Bondi Farmers Market, which is quickly becoming my favourite place to visit on a Saturday morning. 

Being off the booze has changed the way I view socialising. Beach trips, a smoothie watching the sunset and walks with friends have become preferable to dining out and or catching up for a drink. And oh wait! All that helps with the purse strings too!

I'm not saying I will never dine in a restaurant again, hells no! I love food! The point is, I have really enjoyed socialising in other, healthier ways and I intend to continue keeping this variety going post-detox.

5. People will disagree with you and it doesn't matter. 

Although, when I tell people I'm detoxing for my health, not for my waist size, I do get a more positive reaction. But even if people think I'm crazy or judge me for my choice, I don't really care. Because I feel great; I feel healthier, I feel happy and that was the whole point of doing this in the first place!

The lesson - do it for yourself! Don't choose a detox or healthy eating plan, new fitness regime or lifestyle choice for anyone but for YOU! Be accountable to yourself, not to anyone else. The body you are in is yours, no one else's. And it is your responsibility to take care of it. So if someone scoffs at your decision, smile inwardly and thank yourself for the work you are doing to be the best version you can be of YOU.

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

Day 4: Discovery of the most filling smoothie ever

Juicing/Smoothie-ing can be challenging. Sometimes you just need something more substantial. 

Enter the BEST. SMOOTHIE. EVER.

Which I discovered quite by accident. I am going to call it...

The Hunger Buster!

Here is the recipe - enjoy...

Spinach

Carrots

Celery

Cucumber

Avocado

Watermelon (frozen from fresh)

Cashews

All blended together. YUM! x

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

Today I did something I have always wanted to do...

...and now I've done it, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner.

No that's a lie. I do know why I didn't do it sooner. I was afraid. Afraid of what people what think.

What a stupid thing that is, worrying about what other people think?! Especially when the 'other people' are human beings with their own issues, who are probably also afraid, most likely won't even notice you and, even if they do, will probably never see you again.

That's what I had in my head when I confidently walked up to the top of my hill, rolled out my yoga mat and indulged in a 15 minute mediation session followed by 15 minutes of yoga. In the middle of open space, with people around, with the wind blowing on my skin, with this striking view...

I took my smartphone strapped to my arm and listened to the soothing tones of Erica Vetra as she guided me through a 'yoga for detox and weight loss' routine, which helped me feel more relaxed in the big scary outdoors.

How did I feel after? Amazing. Satisfied. Relaxed. Happy.

I got further into my camel pose than I ever have before. I'm definitely going to do that again.

So, what did we learn today? If you have a desire to try something new, but you're a little bit nervous about it, just give it a go! You might surprise yourself and, if you find out you didn't like it, what have you lost? You lose more by not trying and never knowing, than you do by trying and gaining the knowledge that it's not for you. 

Go and try something new tomorrow! 

Today was also Day One of my smoothie detox!

Blimey - smoothies fill you up! 

What I ate today:

Breakfast: Kalicious smoothie from Nook (from a cafe, because I wanted a Monday morning catch up with my work colleague!). A very refreshing green juice made fresh right in front of your eyes, magic! Kale, cucumber, spinach, apple, lime, ginger, chia seeds and coconut water.

Late morning: Watermelon Berry Smoothie (homemade): A tangy, zesty smoothie - great for waking up in the morning. Spinach, Blueberries, Watermelon, Banana, Lime.

Lunch: Red Smoothie (homemade): Tasty and full of colourful nutrients. Beetroot, cucumber, celery, carrot, watermelon, banana.

Evening: Creamy green smoothie (homemade): Super filling, high calorie, very satisfying. Kale, spinach, celery, banana, avocado, cashew nuts, LSA mix.

Snacks: 20 almonds, 1 apple, 1 cacao ball, 

Total calories - you will not believe this...1,762! Proving it is possible to eat your recommended daily calorie intake in plant food.

How am I feeling? Good! I had two moments of hunger today - first thing this morning when everyone eats vegemite on toast (oh it smells so goooood!) and just after my yoga session. They both quickly passed.

The secret to today's success? I have been overwhelmed by happiness, bought on my the generosity and spirit of friends and family. This emotion makes me feel powerful and content. It trumps every other emotion. When you feel surrounded by love and happiness, you want for very little else. 

I can't wait to see how I feel in seven days!

Are you detoxing? Tell me how you're doing at my Facebook page. x

[littlemisssilverlining-blog]

By popular request...a day in the life of LMSL!

I've recently had a few requests from people wanting to know what my typical daily routine looks. So, as if by magic...ta-daaaaa! 

Disclaimer: Not every day is like this. This is me on a good day!

6am: Alarm clock goes off. Inevitably I push the snooze button twice. 

6.18am: I finally get out of bed. I still don't know why my alarm snoozes for 9 minutes and not 10. Maybe I'll never know. Sigh.

6.20am: Pop the kettle on, squeeze half a lemon, pour hot water over lemon, drink.

6.25am: 20-30 minute yoga session in my pyjamas or at the beach, or a 20-30 minute walk/run, not in my pyjamas.

7am: Make my smoothies for the day in my Magic Bullet, which was a Christmas gift from my lovely friend Ed :) I have been very organised and chopped all my fruit and veg up at the weekend, keeping it fresh by storing it in zip lock bags in the fridge. Easy!

7.15am: Shower, dress, bus, work.

8.30am: Arrive at work, generally be awesome. Drink more freshly squeezed lemon in hot water.

10am: On days I'm not detoxing - pop to the coffee shop with my lovely work crew for a long black coffee with a side of hot milk...mmmmm. Catching up on the gossip is good for the soul!

11am: Breakfast of a green smoothie. I fast in the morning to allow my digestive system to wake up slowly. A smoothie is a nice, gentle choice for the first meal of the day. My current favourite morning smoothie consists of banana, avocado, kale, spinach and lime. YUM!

1pm: Time for lunch! Pop out for some fresh air or head to the rooftop at work to read the paper. Lunch consists of a leafy green salad with fish or chicken, or last night's leftovers.

3pm: Mid-afternoon hunger sets in. Grab a handful of brazil nuts or almonds, or another green smoothie. A good afternoon pick me up is spinach, beetroot, carrot, celery, blueberries and banana. Spinach has loads of great nutrients in it, including vitamin C, antioxidants and iron, which are great to boost your flagging afternoon energy levels. I like experimenting with herbs such as basil and parsley to add a little summin summin to my smoothies.

6pm: Hopefully finish the work day, head home on public transport.

7pm: Get home, go for a 30-40 minute run, walk, swim or paddle (SUP).

8pm: Light dinner. A quick fix when I'm not detoxing is 'muddled eggs', which basically means chucking whatever I have in the fridge (spinach, peas, garlic, red onion, tomatoes etc) into a saucepan to sauté, adding a few eggs stirring into a mess and adding some goats cheese to serve - NOM! On a detox day, I have pre-prepped chopped veggies in the fridge that are ready for smoothies in the morning - easy for a quick raw dinner or to throw in the steamer for something warm.

Tip: Look for places to buy your fruit and veg other than the supermarket. I got all of this for $24 at Bondi Farmers Markets! Also, chop up your watermelon and pop into tupperware in the freezer for a quick way to add sweetness and coolness to your morning smoothie!

9pm: Lights dimmed, time to wind down and relax. Computer off.

10pm: I try to be in bed by 10pm with my phone on flight mode, asleep by 10.30pm.

And that's it! This year, I would like to add in 10-20 minutes of meditation into this schedule every day. I might have to stop snoozing my alarm!

What's your daily routine? Is there anything you'd like to add in? Let me know on Facebook!