Healthy living can be a bit of a vague term can't it? It's just so subjective.
For some, being healthy means only eating organic, seasonal produce and hitting the gym five times a week.
For others, a bit of exercise and a balanced diet is enough to lead a happy life.
Hey there awesome readers.
I've written a post in answer to some of your blogging questions. Each day I receive several emails/twitter and fb messages asking me how to make a blog a business.
Here I share a brief post that will hopefully offer some insight.
I've recently returned from a incredibly relaxing and restorative break at the Martinhal Beach Resort and Hotel in Sagres, Portugal, where I spent 5 lush days with my favourite lady, my Mum, Vasoulla.
I know the advice is to use anti-wrinkle cream from the end of your 20's but I'm a bit of a later starter and have only started recently, at the grand old (not really old) age of 34.
Life can sometimes feel like a non-stop rollercoaster can't it, juggling family life, work as I/we try to be everything to everyone.
The last few months have seen me take time out more, to relax daily and prioritise on what really makes my family and I happy. I always say, happy parents, happy children.
Sleep-deprivation isn't just for parents of newborns, I'm still waiting for my 5 year old, Oliver to sleep through the night, every night. Really.
Both he and Alexander are light sleepers like their Mama and both will usually wake up at least once a night if not more. Good times.
...And it's not just us who are suffering, the majority of parents I've asked recently, seem to be too. It appears we are all relentlessly searching for the holy grail of consistent sleep-argh remember the full 8 hours pre-kids. It's but a distant memory for myself and so many.
Ok I realise it's a a BIG Hollywood-worthy TITLE, a grand old statement but it's the truth, really-changing my diet has changed my life!
I know, I know, I've written about my relationship and complete and utter love affair with food a lot here (along with sharing my recipes) but hear me out (again) recently I've had an epiphany, a change of heart somewhat, a shake up in my fridge and life.
I'm not the greatest sleeper, I never have been really and in the words of my mother my, "energy has always been boundless". My kids seemed to have taken after me (which is good and bad).
Please tell me i'm not alone?! This summer has been about indulging for me and it all felt so wonderful and liberating, ice cream on demand, rice flour chocolate cake for breakfast (I know), eating late, not exercising much despite lots of park fun with the kids (but nothing that really raised my heartbeat) and taking life a little easy in general... that was pretty much my life for 6 whole weeks.
We all get stressed out at times and it's inevitable isn't it, with the constant juggling of kids, work and life. The endless pursuit of finding balance along with precious time out is stressful in itself-I need a lie down just reflecting on it all!
...Some days I want to high five myself for achieving all of the above and other times, I feel like I'm failing miserably.
The last few months in particular though have seen me making some small changes to my life that have made a HUGE difference-I feel calmer, happier and more in control than ever before so here's my list:
So for those that avidly read this blog (thanks Big Fat Greek Family), you'll know that I've followed a low-carb (sometimes no-carb when super strict) diet for a while to help get me back to my pre-'babies' body and it's worked, really well in fact and quickly (a matter of months)... as to be honest having PCOS means my body dislikes sugar anyway and white carbs (thanks insulin resistance) and I have to work REALLY HARD to lose weight although let's face it white carbs are no good for anyone...
I've recently become addicted to yoga, a healthy addiction naturally but an addiction all the same, I feel like yoga is a secret everyone should know, I want to scream, "Do yoga it will change your life" from the roof tops people-a bit like when Cameron Diaz informed me to drink more water in her cute but slightly patronising and highly repetitive 'The Body Book' yoga and drinking water equals happiness (pretty much).
