Hey guys, so motivational monday is taking a holiday for a few weeks. I know, I’m sad too! I’m currently in the midst of exams and just need to focus my time on studying. So my posts might be few and far between in the next few weeks, but after that I’ll be back in action. Thanks for your understanding! Oh and here’s a little something to motivate your week ahead…
Back in a flash
-Sarah xo
Yesterday I stumbled across this quote and it really got me thinking about my past. I used to be a very ‘grass is greener on the other side’ kind of gal. Never satisfied with where I was. Always looking to improve myself in some capacity, believing I should be more independent, have a better job, or be fitter than a fiddle. And while I couldn’t change some of my circumstances, there was one thing I could control: the way I looked.
If only I had straight hair…
If only I had a toned tummy…
If only
If only
If only
I was young, naive and insecure. I truly believed that looking a certain way equated to happiness, and success. I mean that is what the media wants us to believe right?!?! Otherwise there would be no need for make-up, or gym memberships, or the newest diet to get your bikini bod in no time. Physical perfection becomes synonymous with happiness. And we buy into it.
For me it meant wearing the right clothes, exercising like a fiend, and making sure my hair was just so. From the outside it appeared that I had it going on, but on the inside I was far from happy. I distinctly remember looking in the mirror one day and realising something that made me truly sad: I defined myself by my looks, my physical fitness, and my diet. But I didn’t know who I was anymore! I think if my friends were to describe me back then it would probably be something along the lines of ‘Oh that’s Sarah, she works out a lot and eats boring food’. After realising this I took a long hard look at the way I wanted my life to be and decided to make a change because
I am smart, and caring, and loving. I’d even like to think I’m funny at times too. And surely that must count for something! My pursuit of perfection had turned from healthy to obsession. Untangling myself is taking time. Letting go of bad habits and replacing them with more helpful ones won’t happen overnight. But I am being patient, and it is paying off.
Today I am right where I need to be. I do things for the right reasons. I exercise to enjoy the feel good endorphins, I eat to enjoy different tastes and nourish my body, and I dress according to my personal style and flair. But more importantly I smile! Because I am more than the sum of my physical parts. As I release myself from these internal struggles I start to see the world and life more clearly. I believe we are all a ‘work in progress’, and life will continue to throw challenges our way. However, I encourage you to embrace the struggles, as they are not a sign of weakness, but merely a way to test our will and prove our strength.
Being honest about where you are in life takes courage. I am far from what I once was, but not yet what I am going to be. And so I leave you with this quote to ponder…
Remember it’s never too late to change the road you’re on.
-Sarah xo
I’m so glad many of you enjoyed yesterday’s post about the impact of mercury on your health. As promised, today I’ll be sharing one of the two fish recipes I’ve recently made. This snapper dish is a cinch to put together, has mimimal clean up, making it a perfect midweek meal. The capers provide a nice salty burst, which offsets the flavours of mellow white wine and lemon.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cooking Time: 12 – 16 mins
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Method:
Hey all! I honestly can’t believe Monday has rolled around so fast! The last week of lectures just wrapped up and now it’s study time as exams start next week. Eeek! So as you can probably imagine I’m slightly stressed, definitely tired, but still very much pumped for today’s post 
Today I wanted to talk tuna with all you, so I suggest we start at the very beginning…
If you are a fitness fanatic like me, canned tuna is probably in your repertoire of foods that you eat quite often. It’s cheap, convenient, low in fat, and even comes in yummy flavours. For a good year I’d say I had a can a day habit. Whether it be on a salad at lunch, or with some crackers as a snack, tins of tuna always made a regular appearance on my plate. And I thought nothing of it. I was in the mindset of fish being a healthy addition to my diet, but I was unaware of the hidden dangers lurking in those tins – Mercury.
Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and tends to accumulate in the aquatic food chain, as methylmercury. This is because mercury from the ocean sediment is transformed into methylmercury by microorganisms. The mercury is then absorbed by fish through their gills as they swim, and digestive tract as they eat. So it’s not just Tuna that is affected! All fish will have some level of mercury in them, but the exact amount can vary between species and regions. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the fish, the more mercury it is likely to have.
When ingested, methylmercury is completely and readily absorbed in the gut. From here it binds strongly to proteins, and amino acids, such as cysteine. The body mistakes this methylmercury and cysteine complex to be the familiar essential amino acid, methionine. Because of this, the molecule is freely transported across the body, and even goes through the blood-brain barrier, and can lead to damaging effects. Mercury also takes a long time to break down in the body (it has a half life of about 50 days), so accumulation and toxicity is possible.
Symptoms of toxicity are often hard to differentiate from other disease states, but some signs include:
Happy Monday everyone! Today got off to a flying start and I was out the door bright and early for a sexy date. The date was me, my books, and the library. It was a rocking good time.
My and the books have become pretty close lately, and I can see the relationship only getting more intense in the weeks to come. But it’s all good. I like books, and words, and learning!
If you’ve been a reader of this lovely blog for a while, you are probably aware that I’m a lover of good grammar, and adore alliteration. Put simply I like words. Maybe it runs in the family (my mom is completing her master’s in linguistics and my dad is finishing his novel as we speak). I also find quotes and sayings particularly motivating. I remember during the initial stages of my recovery, my mom would write notes and quotes on my mirror. Just seeing those was enough to put a smile on my face and keep me moving forward.
Mom’s are the best!
So for today’s motivational monday I’d like to share some of my favourite words, sayings, and quotes. They are short and simple but are sure to make you smile! Feel free to pin as many as you like!
Here’s to a great week ahead!
-Sarah xo
Hey guys, how is your weekend going??? I spent yesterday successfully writing up notes for some of my subjects and also procrastinating like crazy by spending too much time on Pinterest. That website just sucks me in every time!!!
Today I’d like to take a little time to respond to the many generous awards I’ve received from fellow bloggers. I know I’m probably a little late getting back to everyone, but better late then never right? So a big thank you to the following blogs for my nomination (and if I missed you I’m sorry!!!):
inspiring and healthy running in london, Whit Likes Fit, and barefootbeing for the Liebster Blog Award
madisoncary for the One lovely blog award
The Burned Hand and Run. Dog. Cat. Me. for the Kreativ Blogger Award
Building This Nest for the Versatile Blogger Award
Andrea Drugay for the Versatile Blogger AND Very Inspiring Blogger Award
and I’ve also been tagged by Cats London Marathon and will respond to her question below.
I am humbled and honoured! Now on to the second part: facts about me. From the number of awards listed above I think I need to list about 387 different facts about me, but that’s just not going to happen. So here are a few fun facts as well as my response to Cat’s question:
1. My favourite TV show at the moment is Revenge. I love all the twists and turns it takes…plus Joshua Bowman is kinda hot.
2. I like my food to be ridiculously hot! If it’s not steaming it’s not hot enough. I’m also that crazy person that boils the kettle, makes a hot drink, then sticks it in the microwave.
3. I don’t like cheese. Growing up I think I realised cheese didn’t agree with me that well so I just steered clear. I don’t miss it because well….I can’t quite remember what it tastes like!
4. I love Kitchen appliances!!! If I had room/could afford a dehydrator, vitamix, cuisinart, or kitchenaid I would have them. But for now my stick blender and mini food processor will suffice.
5. I still haven’t finished my chocolate easter bunny. I like chocolate, but just in small doses. Very small doses apparently.
6. Peter Alexander pyjamas own my heart. They are super cute and comfy. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to get out of bed in the morning.
So comfy!
7. Lately I’m loving circuit training! I mix up my moves swapping between dumbbell/barbell exercises, the TRX, kettlebells, the fitball, and plyometric exercises. I just mastered the one leg stability ball hamstring curl. This exercise is amazing for your hamstrings and butt!
8. My favourite number is 15. Maybe it’s because I was born on the 15th. Second to that is number 8.
9. These fashion faux pas kind of bug me: socks and sandals, crocs (they are not shoes, I don’t care how comfortable they are!), and guys who wear skinny jeans but kind of way too low down.
10. I’d love to write a book one day. I’m not quite sure what about, but it’s gonna happen.
And now on to answering Cat’s question: I’m frequently lacking inspiration for healthy quick lunches, and often end up with a tin of mackerel (good oils and protein), some microwave Basmati (low GI carbs), and a bit of lettuce (fibre and water, and one of my ’5-a-day’). Can you help with a simple, tasty suggestion (that doesn’t include banana or avocado, as I’m allergic!).
I’m all about quick and healthy lunches which use up leftovers. Here’s one of my favourites that I pack and just quickly heat up in the microwave before eating.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Serves 2
Ingredients:
Method:
The great thing about this recipe is that you can customise it according to your preferences. Feel free to use a variety of different vegetables. Red capsicum or corn would be a great addition! I love taking the remainders for lunch the next day, and it’s just as good cold as reheated.
Now for the nominees! Instead of bestowing a particular award on other fellow bloggers I thought I’d just share a few of my favourite blogs with you. Go check them out and see what you think!
Fitness Loving Mom - Fab recipes, workout videos, and tons more health related articles
Abz ‘n’ Oats - Inspiring journey of a fitness lover and recently graduated RN!
The Camel Life – BreezyK is sarcastic, whitty, and always good for a laugh.
Peace Love Nutrition – If you Love yoga, travel, and food, you’ll love Jocelyn
Just Eat Love – met this lovely gal at my photography workshop. Go check out her great recipes (her blueberry and cucumber crumble is one of my favs!) and she has some great recipes!
Well thanks for listening to my rambles today, and thank you to all who nominated me for the awards. Wishing you all a fantastic finish to your weekend.
-Sarah xo
