Nicola Tweed

At the moment I am completely obsessed with eating off this orange plate! So much so it's the only plate I will eat off (I live in a flat share hence the reason why there is only one!) and something even sweeter is that my boyfriend remembers this every time he makes me breakfast or dinner. Awww :)

For me the joy in eating off this coloured plate is how vibrant, alive + tasty my food looks. It really makes me want to put healthy food on my plate and as an added bonus apparently if you eat off a coloured plate it makes you eat less!

Tonight's dinner was simple; some roasted sweet potatoes (my favi), mixed lettuce leaves, grated beetroot + carrot, tuna (mixed with organic yogurt) and some delicious melt in your mouth cheese bought from the farmers market on Sunday.

Tip with the tuna, instead of mixing it with high in fat mayonnaise, mix it with plain organic yogurt then add some salt + pepper + lemon. It's simply delicious and healthy! 

x

3 weeks and the changes are already visible, Simply unbelievable! If you've ever thought of getting a life coach now is the time! I've been working with the lovely Jenn for almost 3 weeks and I am happy to say that I am, after several years of searching, crystal clear about where I want to go in my life and what I want to achieve. This week we've been working together on one of my major blocks, the Ms Grumpy Pants in the morning block! This is a massive brick in the wall that is stopping me from achieving what I want and it's crazy especially since I know that a great morning routine has the ability to change my life!

Lets look at it like this - every day we are given this blank canvas to go out there and kick some serious ass in the world, however how the day is started may determine whether we are kicking ass or if the world is kicking our ass!


I am not a pretty sight in the morning. I think this picture, a friend sent me, pretty much sums it all up....


I asked myself the other day how I was ever going to achieve my goals if my day always began with a negative thought? Quite simply there was only one simple answer to it - I wasn't! It is time to change! And change I will! 

I spent a good part of last week reading up on first-rate morning routines and I even got the lucky opportunity to interview two lovely ladies (Polly Noble & Keri Le Roux) on how they start their days, and boy was I blown over by their fabulous morning routines! These girls are seriously on to something! I've learnt so much about creating a blissful morning routine that I've had to split it into two posts :)

So here goes sunshine.....

Mornings are hopeful hours and can have an enormous impact on the rest of your day. Lying in bed getting fatigued thinking about all the tasks you have ahead of you may lead you to press the snooze button over and over again making you even more grumpy. What you've really got to focus on is the things that make you HAPPY! You've got to have things that you want to get out of bed for, that give you energy, vision and motivation, just as Polly's nourishing morning routine does.

Morning affirmations are another great way of starting you off right. I loved Keri's quote choice of "It's actually pretty simple: either you do it or you don't". You can repeat them in the shower, when you brush your teeth or when you are waiting for the kettle to boil they are that simple yet oh so effective. Mine at the moment is 'Everything is unfolding perfectly. Everything is happening exactly as it is supposed to. I am exactly where I need to be. Everything I want is on it's way to me. I release the need to control and allow the  Universe to guide me.'

Breakfast is my favourite meal and is by far the most important, I'm not just saying that, it really is! I've learnt from both of these ladies that hydration is key in the morning, a hot cup of water with a squeeze of lemon being their main choice. The great thing about the water + lemon is that it is alkalising and really helps boost your metabolism! I am all about the protein in the morning to keep me filled up and so is Keri, her choice of breakfast being poached eggs on toast with avocado and tomato... YUM YUM! Polly, on the other hand, starts her day with a green juice (something I've just got into) and chia pudding (Chia seeds + nut milk) something a little bit different......


Next week I will be discussing morning habits, exercising in the morning and winding down evening.....

x
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Polly Noble  Is a writer, juice junkie, food lover & holistic health coach. Polly's mission statement is to inspire others to live a happier and healthier life and do everything in their power to achieve this in every moment!

Keri Bainborough Is one creative lady that lives in the Midlands in South Africa, she is married to a lovely English man and has many talents that include making fires, cutting out heart shapes and making people spill the beans!

Falling in love with food. Eating organic. Nothing coming from a packet. Feeling amazing & Being connected to your food....Yes, yes, yes that is totally what NOURISHMENT is about! In this TED video Sarah Britton, of My New Roots, talks about how one change in the kitchen a day can lead to 365 changes in one year and how making these changes can not only change your kitchen but can literally change your whole life! Ahem to that sister! 


Time to start making them changes......

If you are anything like me you, I bet you hate doing push-ups. The idea of 'dropping down and giving 10' fills you with this fear, dread and 'I can't do that' negativity. This year its time to say bye bye to 'girly push-ups' and say hello to the real deal! 

I've got some great tips and tutorials below for you to go from plain Jane to G.I Jane this year....
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Firstly lets take at your form for a minute.....

• Your hands should be shoulder width apart with your hands directly under you shoulders
• Your core should be engaged the whole time, make sure you don't drop or arch your lower back
• Make sure your butt isn't sticking in the air, try imagining your body as one straight line
• Your head should be in line with your neck
• Try not to lock your elbows out

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Ok time to start your first push-up. The best way to progress, according to Mark Lauren author of 'You are your own gym', is to start with the wall then progress onto a bench and then eventually onto the floor. Skipping out the kneeling push-ups (a.k.a girly push-ups) allows you to progress at a faster rate.

1. Wall Push-ups

Place both hands a little bit wider than shoulder width apart on bench. Keep your body in a straight line as if you are doing the plank. At this point you should be on your toes. Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the bend. Don't let your hips drop. Push back up and straighten your arms. This is one rep. Repeat 15 times.













This weeks fitness fun from the interwebs.....

It makes me wonder who I will become this year?

xx