Healthy Living

I've mentioned one of my goals this year is to be a bit healthier, get on top of that sweet tooth, do some exercise and shift a few extra kilos that I don't need.

So I've had a pretty successful day starting my new plan.  First up was a half hour writing up a menu plan for the week, from which I then wrote my grocery list.  This a double-whammied step - it should save me money as well (in the long run) from wasted food.

So the fridge is stocked with healthy stuff.  I'm not completely giving up the good things.  I have *blatant product promotion* Whittakers Dark Ghana chocolate in the pantry for those moments when I MUST have something sweet... and I had a delightful Mango Chicken salad (complete with grapes, and avocado) nomm nomm for dinner tonight.  A green tea to finish as I write this blog.

Summer Reading

I love reading.  I've always got a book on the go.  My membership at the Christchurch City Library is well used, and I get my rates' worth, that's for sure.  It's nothing for me to have 5 or 6 books out in a month and summer time is the perfect time for wading through all those books, sitting in the sun, or the shade.

Today it was just too hot, so I went wandering and picked up a couple of things to read while mooching in an air conditioned bookshop!

So I have a few books on my list to read - this is the current pile on my table.  I have read "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul" already, and enjoyed that one.  Currently on to Dawn French's "Oh Dear Sylvia".

I'm looking for a good app or website for books.  I use yasiv.com for suggestions (based on Amazon purchases) and someone has told me about Goodreads.com  ...  does any one have good suggestions?  The Library has a website for putting books on shelves, if it worked with my phone I'd probably use that.

In the meantime, it's cooled down a little so I might sit by the open door and read on...

Little Steps

I mentioned I have some goals this year, and one is to save quite a bit of money.  This is either for a trip to Europe, or if that doesn't happen, I'll be doing some other interesting stuff with what I save.  So it's quite exciting to have paid off my credit card completely, so soon after Christmas!  Now my money goes to savings or things I have planned for.

Of course, the minute I pay off my credit card, bills usually turn up.  This time I have a plan in place.  For example, I've been looking at curtain samples for the bedroom, and took them back today.  The one I like is a ready made but there were only a couple left.  I couldn't afford them straight out and didn't want to whip out the credit card (what, already!?) and I didn't want to risk missing out on them (they're perfect!) ... so I put them on layby.  Now I can put my money aside weekly in affordable amounts and pay them off, rather than spending money I don't have.

I read a few financial websites, and one, Monevator.com wrote a really good article about debt, that it's borrowing from your future self.  Here's the link.  Of all the get-rid-of-debt articles I have read, this one sunk in.

I do use a budget, and I don't want to bore you all with details, but one of my goals this year is definitely to pay for things with my money, not borrowed money.  I'll keep you updated on how that goes, as working in retail I do struggle with temptation!

Meantime, I'm going to have a happy, debt-free* sleep tonight!




*Mortgage aside ... working on that one ;-)

That's The Summer Holiday...

So it's Sunday night and tomorrow I go back to work. I've had a great break with fabulous weather - managing to get the hot days in Central over Christmas before returning to Christchurch and more fabulous sunshine.  In fact, only 2 days of cloudiness all up really.  Can't complain about that.

I finished the holiday on a healthier note... having lots of veges and salads.  I know my blog had a few food photos in it last year, I will try not to bog you all down with food shots this year, but here are two of the meals I've had this weekend in may attempt to be healthier.

Corn, Courgette, Capsicum & Feta Fritters

Spinach, Courgette & Capsicum Salad with Walnuts & Parmesan

I mentioned a few goals for the year.  One is to change my habits and get over my sweet tooth (Donovan's lime & chilli dark chocolate is not exactly helping...!).  I started cutting down on sugar in my tea last year and had slowly attempted a change of habits with a couple of kilos going.  So this year I intend to keep that weight off and lose a few more kilos as well, and get a little fitter, with the help of my brother's motivation (he's a PT), my yoga teacher and a bit of walking.


I'll leave my other goals for the year, for another day!

Holiday's End

I know I have the weekend left, but this is the last official day of my holiday.  What better way to enjoy the hot sunshine and warm evening, than with a summery drink (a Rose wine).

Oh, and I've been listening to some more cool sounds, so check out the Listening To tab.  Finally purchased an album I've been after for half a year!

Happy holidays, everyone!

Adding Things...

So, I've added a couple of links - one for food and one for music.  That's just me sharing my thoughts and likes with you.  I'd be interested to know what you think or if you have any recommendations - particularly when it comes to the music, as I love hearing new sounds.

What did I achieve today?  Well a 4km walk in the 27 degree heat.  I am attemping a 12 week challenge in an attempt to change some of my habits... I have an incredibly sweet tooth... but a 4km walk wasn't quite on the plan.  I decided to investigate an alley off a park and ended up quite a different direction than I thought I'd be taking!  I was GASPING for iced water at the end of it.

I didn't take any photos... but here's the pedometer recording from after it.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013's blog!

I'm not sure where this blog is going to take me... but that's the exciting thing about life isn't it?

I intend to make a list of things I want to achieve and will post them up in due course.  This isn't a new year's resolutions list, as I don't believe in them.  But I do believe in setting goals and going for them so over the next 12 months we'll see how many I get through.

Oh, and as I did get into the habit of taking photos last year (albeit a little haphazardly), there will be more photos of life in 2013 in and around Christchurch.

Happy new year!