Finding fulfillment in the little things

A year has come and almost passed us and it’s time to look back at what it has taught me.

The biggest thing entering my life this year has been my yoga practice. I discovered yoga after deciding to try my hand at e-commerce. My husband suggested that I sell gym wear since I’m really into health and fitness. I decided to sell leggings and after doing some initial research found that there are a lot of people selling gym wear. I then stumbled upon the yoga community through Instagram. At first I tried to market my products on my Instagram page but soon realized that it would be better for potential customers to witness my leggings in action. I didn’t know it yet but this decision would change my life.

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I started looking at pictures of yogi’s in extreme as well as easy looking poses. The extreme ones were so inspiring and I thought to myself that I could easily do some of the easier ones. So I started doing the poses just to advertise my leggings. Soon I realized that I couldn’t just always do the same poses so I did some more research met some great people on IG and started to do a few yoga flows.

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In March I went through something that completely crushed me and I followed along a yoga video from Boho Beautiful. It made me feel great. Throughout the video I was mindful of staying present. Focusing only on what my body is doing and where I was at that moment. It helped calm my heart and my mind and I fell in love with yoga.

In the months that followed I added more and more yoga to my gym routine and in September I started doing my Yoga Teacher training. For the year that lies ahead, I’m moving down to Busan in South Korea and I feel enthusiastic to start teaching Yoga in the New Year.

What came into your life this year?e14939e4433a70b5e03171e6a46cae32

5 Delicious Paleo inspired recipe’s for everyday use.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Kebab

One of the easiest recipes ever. All you need is some chicken breast cut into cubes and streaks of bacon. Spice with some salt, pepper and any of your other favourite spices. Wrap the bacon around the chicken breast cubes and bake until the bacon is crispy. This wonderful recipe and picture is from ifoodbloggger.com, check out their blog for more awesome ideas.

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Paleo Taco Pie

Another really easy and equally delicious recipe at Paleoleap.com.

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INGREDIENTS

Pie Crust Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour;
  • 1/4 cup butter, or clarified butter, melted;
  • 1 tsp salt;

Pie Filling Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef;
  • 1 tbsp Paleo cooking fat;
  • 1/2 onion, chopped;
  • 1/2 cup homemade barbecue sauce; OR any of your favourite sauce.
  • 1 cup lettuce, chopped;
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced;
  • 1 avocado, chopped;
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste;

Pecan chicken

This is one of my favourite recipe’s and my husband also loves it. It’s quite fast to make and you can add any side dishes you like. This recipe and picture is from Sally’sbakingaddiction

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INGREDIENTS

  • 3-4 chicken breasts cut into strips.
  • 1 Cup Almond flour
  • 1/2 crushed pecans
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • paprika, parsley and dijon mustard

Mix the almond flour, pecans, paprika, parsley, mustard and salt in a bowl. Mix the Honey and Olive oil in a separate bowl.

Dip the chicken strips in the honey mixture. When covered dip it in the dry mixture. Cover well. Lay the covered chicken pieces in a baking dish and bake until golden brown or until well done.

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Vegan, Paleo and low cal. Recipe Here, also from Paleoleap.com

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INGREDIENTS

  • 1 or 2 butternut squashes (1 is good for about 3 good portions); ( can also go 1/2 and 1/2 with sweet potatoes.
  • 1 or 2 cans of coconut milk, depending on the number of squashes you prepare. (you’ll find it in most grocery stores and at your health food store, look for organic without any other ingredient except maybe guar gum);
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste;
  • Any fresh or dried herb you’ve got laying around;

Banana Muffins

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Full recipe here, recipe and picture from thankyourbody.com

INGREDIENTS
  • 4 ripe organic bananas, mashed
  • 4 organic cage-free eggs
  • ½ cup organic almond or coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil, melted (where to buy)
  • 1 teaspoon organic real vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground organic cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground organic nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground organic clove
  • ¼ teaspoon ground organic ginger
  • 1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Optional: 1-2 Tablespoons organic honey or maple syruP

Personally I always just use the banana’s, 1 egg, almond flour and honey and it tastes great all the same 🙂 If the mixture seems dry I usually just add more banana.

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How to be fit at any age

In your 20’s

During your 20’s your reasons for being fit and sleek might not be for health reasons but rather for vanity reasons. In your 20’s you have a lot of energy to burn so why not start a healthy lifestyle early. Now is the time to build a solid framework for later in life. During this period its easier to lose weight and build muscles. Finding a good balance between cardio and weight training will help you achieve your fitness goals. During your 20’s you’re also more likely to experiment with various exercises and sports, therefore you’ll be able to find something that you can do and love for years to come. Just remember to avoid over training as fatigue can set you back on your health and fitness goals.

No need for pictures of women in their 20’s they are all still gorgeous and fit.

In your 30’s

The reality is that women in their 30’s begin to lose muscle and bone density. Another issue is that it becomes harder to lose weight. In your 20’s you could eat healthy for 2 weeks and have a six pack or fit into those old jeans while in your 30’s you’ll have to eat really lean for 6 weeks to have the same results. Although it is harder to build muscle it is still possible. One of the most important parts of our bodies that we have to maintain in strengthen during this period is the core muscles. If you don’t maintain your core it will become increasingly difficult to perform normal daily activities as you reach your 40’s. Cardio and strength training as well as adding circuits into your exercise program will provide a nice balance.

Kate Hudson (37)

In your 40’s

During your 40’s most women have settled for huffing and puffing. It is now that it is most essential not to fall off the fitness bandwagon. Now is when more fat deposits settle on our waists. While strength training is still important more intensive cardio sessions will help keep the weight off.

Jennifer Nicole Lee (41)

Gorgeous women in their 50’s

Marilyn Stowe, Elle Mcpherson and Demi Moore are all  in their 50’s

Something I’m proud of in the last few days

Today is day 9 of the Blogging babes challenge I’ve been doing with my friend from Polkadots&Popcorn. I had some real trouble thinking of something that made me proud the last few days. The thing is… in Korea there isn’t much to do on a day to day basis. Generally I wake up, spend some time online, get ready for work, leave for work, come home and go to bed. So there isn’t really time to do something worth being proud of.

This morning however I went to the gym. An actual gym with equipment, not our Park gym or home gym. I decided to greet my old friend ‘the electric scale’ and boy did she have some wonderful news for me. It seems like since I’ve been changing my eating habits a bit and trying to be more active I have managed to lose 3 kilograms in the past 2 months. I was pretty happy. Therefore I decided that this must be the thing that I’m most proud of in the last few days. It seems that changing a few things like buying less coffees and bread at work can make some changes even if it takes longer than one expects.

My short term goals for June

  1. Exercise regularly and eat balanced meals

Recently I’ve been exercising more often but not really regularly. SO this month I will try and exercise at least 4 to 5 times a week. I have found a bunch of stuff on YouTube that I’m going to try this month.

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This is a nice combination of cardio and weight training and I can do it at home.

        2. Blog everyday

Seven days ago I started a 30 day blogging challenge with my friend form Polkadots&Popcorn. At the moment its going really well and I really want to finish  this challenge.

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         3. Save money

This month I want to spend less money on coffees and desserts and save a little more. I want to buy myself a nice floral dress next month and I can only do this if I save more this month.

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         4. Start planning a 2017 Holiday

My one friend lives in Australia and suggested we meet up halfway in Hawaii for a Summer holiday next year. At the moment we’re also looking at Cancun and the Bahamas’s for this holiday. We have to start looking at the best prices and shortest flight times as most of them range around 25 hours. 😦

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I should probably have more goals but these are the main ones for me at the moment.