A thought

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end,
it is between you and your soul
It was never between you and them anyway.

- Mother Teresa 

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Blissful Leisure

I'm not gonna lie, my time off has been nice amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better time to relax, recharge, and just be.

On Monday, my body's natural alarm clock promptly woke me up at 6:30am. Grown. At first I felt slightly disoriented, as if it were a Sunday or random statutory holiday. However, to my delight, it was just your average Monday. Once I rembered that I was unemployed at leisure, relief quickly set in. I neither had to rush nor face the crowded subway. I dozed for an extra forty minutes instead. Blissful.

Instead of an post-office evening workout, I hit the gym at 9am and proceeded to stretch for a solid 25 minutes. Sheer bliss. Normally my stretch time is distracted by my growling stomach (problem with late night workouts). Later in the day, I met my best friend at DavidsTEA for a warm cup of Forever Nuts and nonstop conversation...we were there for at least two hours. Bliss bliss bliss. I hate to share yet another blissful moment, but today I saw my stylist for a much needed hair cut (still incredibly long, but with more layers/side bang action) then read the National Post at Starbucks. Okay - one more real quick - and this evening I did some yoga and made a delicious butternut squash soup. BLISS.

I could get used to this...

Sigh

Butternut squash and apple soup, with a spicy tomato spinach salad.

I'm fortunate to have this time off. It's my time to enjoy and experience a life altering transition. Before I think about packing and holiday planning, it's nice to just sit, be still and present with it all. In the midst of appointments, errands, socializing, and cooking, I'm making time for me and only me. Blissful leisure. 

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls"

The Next Chapter

Today is my last day at Thornley Fallis Communications. While it's a bitter sweet goodbye, I'm fortunate to have worked with such a talented group of people (@theyellowline @jennifergordon @ykashefi @terryfallis @thornley to name a few). I'm also blessed to have shared a million and one laughs with coworker, and good friend, @ipulpan. Ingrid, thank you for being such a great mentor, partner-in-crime, and irreplaceable friend. My experience wouldn't have been the same without you. And @ykashefi, you're awesome (however, I feel as though you might already know that :P) Needless to say, the past ten-ish months has been a wonderful learning experience and I am incredibly grateful.

Where am I going now? Well, as most of you already know, I'm packing my bags and moving to Melbourne, Australia. I'm returning to school (gulp) to complete my Masters in Media and Global Communications at The University of Melbourne. My program is competitive, with only 30 odd people enrolled, and it encompasses both communications and business strategy courses. I admit I'm a little nervous to jump back into essay/exam mode, but I'm incredibly excited to travel and learn in completely new territory. When my program ends (in 1.5 years) I plan to stay down-under, work in communications, and embrace whatever else comes my way! It's the opportunity of a life time and I cannot wait to soak up every moment of it. To make it even more special I get to share it with someone I love. My boyfriend, @alexanderwatson, is already there!

@alexanderwatson was relocated to the PwC office in Melbourne and is working hard to ensure our fridge and cupboards are stocked with all my favourite necessities (chia seeds, flax, almond milk, cinnamon, oats, agave, almond butter, nuts, spelt flour, Lara bars, fruits, veggies, and an endless supply of kale). He is going to LOVE living with me, no? :) Note: Alex is neither vegan nor health crazed. But that's okay, he'll have less say once I invade the kitchen and take over.

With my ticket booked, VISA approved, and professional projects wrapped-up, I have approximately five weeks to do whatever I please. It'll be a nice chance to enjoy time with friends and family, pack my life into a few (many?) suitcases, spend ample time at my gym and in the kitchen, and of course relax. I also look forward to completing starting my Christmas shopping, free of the crowds and chaos.

I depart on Wednesday, December 29th, just in time to celebrate New Years on the beach. It'll be strange to go from the chilly temperatures to blazing heat, but I'm not exactly complaining.

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I will eventually return to my home in Toronto, but that date remains unknown until I'm presented with the next chapter. Come 2011, I will be blogging a full day ahead of the Eastern hemisphere. I'll catch your evening tweets as I rise, and vise versa.

Thank you, Thornley Fallis and thank you to everyone who has shared their support and encouragement along the way.

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...almost there. One month and counting.

Weights n' protein

In the midst of reading The Hormone Diet, by ND Natasha Turner, it dawned on me that I need to incorporate more protein into my pre-workout regime. In following Natasha's advice, last week I had 1.5 scoops of my medi-clear protein with water and my workout was incredible! I was bursting with energy and my muscles were loving every moment of it. Needless to say, I woke up the next morning feeling sore in all the right places.

According to Natasha, you should never do weight training on an empty stomach. You need energy from your foods to perform optimally, especially if you're pumping iron. If you're doing cardio alone you can forgo eating, as long as your session doesn't exceed 30 minutes.

With weights on my mind, I wanted to create something substantial but not overwhelmingly sweet. I also wanted to ensure it had a good source of protein. After puttering around in my fridge it became clear...almond butter.

I turned to Dreena's blog, author of Eat, Drink & be Vegan, for some baked-vegan-goodness inspiration.


Pre-workout Strength Cookies
Adapted from Eat, Drink & be Vegan


Ingredients:

• 1 cup quick oats
• 2/3 cup spelt flour
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 –1/3 cup raisins or chopped dried fruit
• 1 tbsp carob powder (can usually find in bulk at your local health foods store)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup flax meal (not flax seed)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
• 2 tbsp caco nibs (optional, but totally worth it)
• 1 tsp hemp seeds (optional)
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (I used half maple syrup and half raw agave!)
• 3 tbsp raw almond butter
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp organic canola oil (I used olive, however I'm not sure if oil is even necessary)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). In a bowl, combine oats, flour, cinnamon, coconut, raisins, carob, caco nibs, chia and/or hemp seeds. Sift in baking powder, and stir until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine flax meal, syrup, almond butter, and vanilla and stir until well combined. Stir in oil. Add wet mixture to dry, and stir until just well combined (do not overmix). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I use these, which I love!) With wet finger tips, spoon batter onto baking sheet and lightly flatten. Bake for 13 minutes (no longer, or they will dry out). Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 1 minute (no longer), then transfer to a cooling rack.

These rocked my world! Thanks, Dreena.

I cannot wait to eat one, or two, before my workout tomorrow. If I'm feeling extra selfless, maybe I'll remember to bring one for my trainer =)

It's official, I'm in love with a cookie. 

What's your pre-workout fuel? 

Early night, sleep tight

I love my workouts. Fitness is not only a top priority in my life, but an enjoyable pastime. Because I typically hit the gym in the early evenings, right after work, my workout can finish around 7, or even 8pm. By the time I shower, eat, and clean-up, I'm sometimes left with little to no time to relax and unwind before bed. While I have no trouble sleeping, it can be tricky to actually fall asleep after an invigorating workout.

And when I'm at the gym doing lateral jumps, squat presses, and fast pace cardio intervals, it's essential to bring my heart rate down and properly cool off for a good nights sleep. Internal heat (excess pita) is something I'm striving to perfect..especially since I'm moving to Australia, where it will be summer again! =)

Tonight I managed to finish my workout at 7pm sharp, make a delicious dinner, and enjoy a warm cup of Coco Chai Rooibos tea. Success!

mmmm I opened my tin to a waft of cinnamon, ginger, and coconut. I also made myself a little 8pm snack, to top off my dinner.

Low sugar banana bedy-bye snack

• 1/2 organic banana
• Small handful of blueberries
• 2-3 dashes of cinnamon 
• 1 tbsp non-fat soy yogurt 

Mix together and enjoy!

Comforting caffine-free Coco Chai Rooibos from DavidsTEA.

Now it's time for me to shut down my computer, dim the lights, and lather myself in a rich moisturizer. Sweet dreams.

How do you wind down for bed?

Don't worry, have some curry

Now that my plans are officially in motion - moving to Australia..in less than two months. Eek! :) - I have a lot on my mind, not to mention "to do" list. Although it hasn't quite hit me that I'm moving yet, my mind is swirling with possibilities, errands, and 'what if's'. I didn't realize it until yesterday, on my day off, but somewhere between excitement and anticipation, I'm also a little worried. Once I sat down to relax and breathe, I caught myself thinking about tomorrow and ignoring where I am at this present moment. While my departure date is creeping up, I can't rush the process. Falling victim to my - sometime familiar - "rush rush" mantra I lose precious time here, at home in Toronto, with my friends and family.

It's easy to get caught up in a plan of action, moving from one thing to the next while multitasking, sometimes more than we can actually handle. As a Pitta dominant individual, remaining both patient and calm is not always my strongest suit. Fortunately, I know myself well enough to catch an imbalance before it swells into an iceberg.

After an invigorating workout and relaxing afternoon, I topped my day off with some healthy and power filled cooking. Since I've been on a serious pumpkin kick lately, I thought that would be a good place to start ;) I was craving something warm and nourishing. I immediately thought of Fresh bowls and decided that would be my inspiration.

Power House Pumpkin Curry

• 1 cup organic brown rice (quiona would work well too)
• 1 can organic pumpkin
• 1/4 cup almond milk (I used unsweetened)
• 2-3 large carrots, shredded
• 1/2 spanish onion, chopped
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 tbsp nutmeg 
• 3 tbsp curry powder 
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon 
• Raw coconut, for garnish
• Raw pumpkin seeds and/or sunflower seeds, for garnish

Start by cooking your rice or quiona according to the packages directions. While your rice is cooking, chop up your onion and cook, in a little olive oil, until golden brown. Add your shredded (or chopped) carrots, canned pumpkin, and spices. Once everything blends add your almond milk, several splashes at a time. Do a quick taste test and add more curry powder or nutmeg as desired. Finally, add your spinach and stir until slightly wilted. Top with your garnish (I used raw coconut, pumpkin and sunflower seeds) and serve!

This dish was warm, flavourful, and packed with feel good nutrients. It was also incredibly easy! My kinda comfort food. 

These photos don't do it justice.

Next time I think I'll add more spice, and maybe even some turmeric.

I practically licked my plate clean.

The Yoga Journal recently posted a daily insight, which I think complements my post perfectly. 

"Most of us are judged in life by how quickly we can get things done. Because of this, it's hard to develop the opposite mindset: one of slowing down, getting centered, and relaxing.

Many yoga classes start with a transitional period between public life and the privacy of the practice. In this period, students can simply build awareness of their own breath in order to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for practice. For some students, this process of slowing down is extremely difficult. Continually rushing from one activity to the next, many people are used to being hurried and impatient, so much so that it's almost impossible to relax and get centered.

If this is true for you, ask yourself: Am I rushing because I'm under stress or am I under stress because I'm rushing? Is it always necessary to hurry so much? Would you be able to run your life just as effectively at a slower pace? If so, take some small steps to slow it down, one day at a time."

It's approximately two months till I leave for Australia; while my insides are bubbling with excitement, my eyes remain open to the present and not the calendar count-down. Well, maybe I'll keep one eye open. 

That's Stupid

Do you ever receive eye rolls, blank stares, or snarly comments about how you cook, eat, or approach your overall health? I do. Not only is it mean and childish, but ignorant and self-absorbed, to judge and scrutinize what is simply unknown. Instead of detesting the idea of a raw meal or egg-less breakfast, you might surprise yourself by keeping an open mind and dabbling into what I shall call unknown territory.

Last week - mid-bite from a delicious dinosaur kale wrap, stuffed with veggies and hummus - my meal and I was shot down with a rather alarming "that's stupid". I felt as though I was on the playground, with velcro sneakers instead of lace-up. It was a slap in the face and a eww-gross-vegan-food moment, which shook my internal organs and jolted my senses upright. I could feel devoted vegans, raw foodies, and passionate vegetarians across the globe shaking their heads in dismay.

stupid stupid stupid! To all the stupiders out there, why the harsh throw down?

Last time I checked, I'm not forcing you to chomp on carrot sticks with hummus and I'm certainly not shoving a green monster smoothie down your throat. I don't bash your double cheese burger so why do you nit-pick my meal choice? It's mine, not yours, so what gives? Is kale really that scary? Aren't you curious to learn how I bake, without eggs and butter? Because if you're neither scared nor the least bit curious, then share your wrath of judgement elsewhere. Better yet, don't share it at all.

If you've tried something once and don't like it, that's okay. It's not a crime if you don't latch on to tofu or swap pepperoni for veggie pizza, but it does cross a fine line to belittle someone else's personal choices, just because they appear abnormal to you.

I happen to enjoy my dark leafy greens...

...and vegan baked goods

...and smoothies, packed with spinach

Can't forget my favourite protein packed quinoa!

You don't have to be a vegan or vegetarian to make healthy choices, but that doesn't mean one is less "stupid" than the other.

We should learn to embrace the unknown, instead of judging what we have yet to experience or try for ourselves. We all have unique taste buds, dietary needs, and cravings; because if we ate the exact same, that would just be...uh, stupid.