Taking time Archives - Page 2 of 2 - My Saltwater Skyline

Category: Taking time

June 21, 2020

Simplify your Healthy Living with Smoothies

Do you love sweet things but really want to live a healthy lifestyle?

If you’re someone who dreams of donuts and slabs of fudge, your go-to healthy choice has to be the good old smoothie! I have always had a serious sweet tooth. I love fudge and cake and anything in between so finding a healthy alternative that I can enjoy is a major win for me. Luckily for me I discovered smoothies! I swear I could hear the angels singing from up high! A natural and easy choice to keep me on track, while still enjoying that glorious guilty pleasure that is sweetness, smoothies are a no-brainer. So, it’s time to simplify your healthy living with smoothies!

Many of us are keen on living a healthier lifestyle but the daily grind just doesn’t allow it for us. We rush off to school drop off and onwards to the rest of our day without taking a moment to nourish our bodies. I am here to tell you that it only takes a few minutes out of your day to start a new, healthy habit. Smoothies have to be the best way to start your day off on the right foot. And, when you start your day off well it will put you one step ahead of the game. Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy outlook. So, let’s look at why I think smoothies are the way forward for busy Mum’s (and women in general) and how we can simplify your healthy living with smoothies.

The beauty of the smoothie is in the endless options.

Like bananas? Chuck them in! Like kiwi fruit? Super high in vitamin C, chuck it in! Then there’s the extras, the chia seeds or spirulina powders. And….. news flash! Spinach goodness does not need to ruin the taste! How can you not love smoothies?! If you are looking for a great start to the day, and an energy boost that doesn’t make you feel like you swallowed a lead balloon, then join me on the smoothie journey.

I like to keep a variety of choices available. That way every morning I can pick and choose depending on my flavour mood of the day. I usually have a big bowl of fresh fruit on my kitchen counter but I also have a variety of frozen fruit ready to grab and mix up with the fresh goodness. So, wishing you were on a Caribbean Island? Go for the pineapple, almond milk and bananas! Or just missing summer? Go for a lip-smacking blend of berries with a strawberry yoghurt and maybe some cranberry juice. I love using a home made ice tea, my favourite flavour being blood orange. Yum!

June 19, 2020

Thrive by Arianna Huffington: The Power of a Book to Help us Thrive

How often do you read a book that REALLY makes you think?

Thrive by Arianna Huffington is a beautifully written reminder to return to our inner wisdom. To reconnect with ourselves and each other. A reminder of what really matters. Through her retelling of life’s ups and downs the author helps us to rethink our priorities. She shares touching personal stories and practical advice that we can apply to our lives. Thrive by Arianna Huffington reminded me of the power of a book to help us thrive. This book leaves you feeling motivated and inspired! Having it with me during lockdown was such a win!

In Thrive, Arianna Huffington talks about the concept of success and how we need to redefine what success means to us.

The core message: money and power are no longer enough. Give me a hell yeah! She introduces us to the 3^rd metric of success, measuring our wisdom, well-being and wonder. Essentially, success should be more about balance and finding joy than financial reward. This is something we all know, but have pushed aside for the sake of ‘fitting in’. I cannot express how much I want to push the message in her book out into the world! The way she writes, in a conversational way, clearly lays her ideas out on the table so that they really sink in. The concepts are not new or difficult to understand but so well presented that they ring true on a deeper level. Quite possibly it is a message we just really want to hear.

It is time to find balance in order to thrive.

It is becoming the norm to take on more than we can physically and emotionally manage for the sake of approval and success. One of the subjects discussed in the book is meditation. How it helps us to remain calm in stressful situations and its benefits for our general well-being. Having practiced meditation myself I know that this is not the woo woo, out there craziness it was once seen as. Meditation is undoubtedly the most effective stress release tool available to us all. And, it is 100% free, easy to use and accessible. All it requires is a simple mindset shift. If you have never tried it before I seriously encourage you to give it a go. Find a quite time to center yourself and re-connect with who you really are. Trust me you have never felt so at peace!

June 19, 2020

How to find Inspiration in New Challenges

When last did you take a challenge and turn it on its head?

Question: How can you find inspiration? When last did you see it as an opportunity to be inspired! Ok, so you may not have to challenge yourself to be inspired, BUT….. challenging yourself will almost always result in inspiration! Challenges will leave you in a state of wonder at what you are capable of. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is almost certain to surprise you and teach you something about yourself.

So, in order to challenge ourselves we need to ask, what inspires you? For me it’s pretty simple things like travel, photography, walks on the beach and trying new things. I know, that’s really broad, but it’s true. Now, let’s be clear, I’m not talking along the lines of adrenaline junkie new here. I’m talking a new recipe, a new restaurant, a new walk or a new view, a new book or a new type of face cream (did I say face cream? I meant ice cream! Lol!) You see, I find life inspiring! I find the idea of the gazillion things there are out there to see or do fascinating!

The greatest way to grow in this life is through new experiences.

Sometimes it comes like a rush of inspiration, sometimes it’s more of a life lesson. Always there is growth. It can be difficult to see this when you are going through something challenging. If you are not able to see the lesson while you are going through it, look back afterwards and you will see it more clearly. I have had my fair share of these, from recessions and redundancy to nearly losing my beautiful baby boy. Every single one of these experiences has strengthened me and I choose to be grateful for them. Because, believe me, they ALL came with lessons. They ALL made me stronger and more appreciative of what I have and where I am now. When we find ourselves stuck on a hamster wheel it is time to make a change, find that new experience and new inspiration that will fuel our souls.