This has been a very big few days. My bubby has once again changed her routine. That poses a challenge or two, but as always, we are all learning to adapt. It's a sign that she is indeed growing and leaving her tiny baby ways behind. Happy and sad moment right there. On a positive, except for this morning when she woke up at 4.30 and wouldn't go back to sleep 'til after 9, she is sleeping better over all. Last night was 9 hours without a feed- well done I say!
Things are changing in a positive way in other areas too. Below is the opening statement I received via email yesterday...
Congratulations!
Dear Marija,
I am pleased to advise that your application to study at Southern Cross University (SCU) has been successful. Please find below the details of your formal offer...
To say I am thrilled is an understatement. I am going to complete my Associate Degree of Creative Writing!!! What made this even better is when I went online to accept the offer and enrol in subjects for next year, I was thrilled to discover that I already have a credit, at a distinction level, for one core first year subject. It also looks like I may not have to do 2 other subjects as they are similar to ones already completed a few years ago. I will confirm this, but at present, I'm already starting with a distinction, so I'm quite happy about that :) I am not sure how I will manage study and the demands of a baby, husband and teens, but I absolutely want this, so it will work. Determination will address any challenges that present themselves.
Another positive step forward. I had training yesterday. I was so encouraged by it- my flexibility has already improved :) It still hurt quite a lot, but I am actually improving. Can't fully express my gratitude for that. A new, improved body is slowly being reclaimed.
Now, onto getting travel ready. By this stage, the day before embarking on a big trip, I would normally be militant in ensuring the house was spotless and would stay so upon my return. This time, however, I am strangely more relaxed. I am focusing more on having healthy food and enough sensible clothes, not the whole robe with 25 changes each. My cleaner will be here Monday, so the general cleanliness of the house will be covered. The teens will have more than enough quick and easy food, including fresh, homemade banana muffins made yesterday. I may have Mt Washuvius to deal with on my return. I will somehow manage that. It's a small price to pay for a change of scenery.
I have made, and packed, many healthy snacks. Travelling can often mean stopping at servo's for fuel, and dreaded junk food. Not for us! I will pack a coffee thermos in the morning too. No need to be unprepared for epic journeys. Our first leg of the journey is visiting hubby's grandparents. It's a bit over 210k's and 2.5 hrs, depending on the route taken. We are aiming at 3 hours so we don't have to rush. After a visit, we then head to Warwick for the night, just over an hours drive and a little under 100k's. Lots of windy, hilly sections to manage. From there, we are off to hubby's home town, Glen Innes, another 2.5 hrs drive and a bit over 200k's. With a 5 month old, we are prepared for anything! No rushing, plenty of food for bub and adults too. Stress and rushing kills on roads. We aim to enjoy our time away.
This morning, I made delish choc protein balls as a quick pick me up on the road. Read below to see how they were made, and take a look at the other travel foods I have packed...
The finished product, packed and ready to go :)
Hubby's fruit and nut mix; almonds, pepitas, cashews, sunflower seeds, dried pineapple and some sultanas. Low sodium, high protein and sustained energy for my hubby. Packed in zip seal, reusable plastic bags to minimise waste and be easy to transport.
Our snacks are ready to go; peanut butter, protein balls, hubby's fruit and nut mix, my almonds and fresh green apples. Why spend extra $'s when this sustained energy, high protein, nourishing food is so easy to transport?
Below is how I made the protein balls. I didn't really follow a recipe, and certainly didn't measure, so I hope this helps, if even a little :)
In a food processor, place a heaped tablespoon of no salt or added sugar peanut butter/ a generous amount of cocoa powder/ 2 scoops of plain protein powder/ some vanilla extract/ a little bit of coconut flour/ a generous dollop of rice malt syrup/ a good amount of chia seeds. Blitz until it resembles crumbs.
This is what mine ended up looking like after I scraped the rice malt syrup from the sides and re-blitzed.
The mixture should come together like this when molded. Shape into 8 balls and roll in desiccated coconut. The bowl licking after it tells me that these are Ah. May. Zing!
These are most of the ingredients used. I could have used almond paste instead of peanut butter, or raw cacao and a better quality protein powder. But really, healthy eating isn't about going broke and sticking to trends. It's about small changes every day, and using what you have already available. These are, by far, a much healthier option than a service station chocolate snack. Any day.
Now, let me tell you more good news. My muffin top is shrinking-yay! My old capri pants fit snugly still, but with less muffin top. Oh happy days! This healthy lifestyle is working on so many levels. Look below to see a sample of my meals...
Giant salad with fresh herbs (yep- from my fabulous herb wall!), avocado and fresh meat balls. Dressed with olive oil and malt vinegar. It was really really good.
A simple lunch after training; Tomato pesto mixed through grated zucchini with 2 boiled eggs and avocado tossed through.
My dinner last night; cauliflower 'fried rice'. Half a cauliflower made 2 serves. Last night, I lightly seasoned the plain fried cauliflower, added a raw egg and parsley. So simple, really filling.
And lastly, I want to share how my amazing hubby inspires me. I have been trying to slow down and be present each day, not hours, days, weeks ahead of now. It's too exhausting being that person. Then hubby goes and does this ephemeral art work at Hasting's Point on Wednesday. It was large, but how people interacted with it summed up how some people engage in life clearly. Read on...
This work was large. Pretty hard to avoid kinda large. When hubby's teacher was inspecting it, 2 surfers walked straight through the middle, oblivious to what was on the ground. She commented that it may not have enough impact. Then, another surfer walked along, saw it, then made sure he walked around the outside. My hubby had made a perfect commentary on life; some people barge through without any awareness of what is around them. My translation, but it so spoke to me.
These last few pictures are from my back courtyard. I am learning to 'see' what is in front of me, and enjoy it, however simple, ordinary or humble it may be. You know what, I love being this person. I also miss her lots. Welcome back hidden parts of me.
I love frogs. many many years ago, I was a member of a frog club in Brisbane; dedicated individuals who replenished native species dogs, cats and development had declined. I'm not so fanatical nowadays, but it still delights me when I find little guys like this in my garden.
This is sweet alyssum, a tiny flower with a divine sweet scent. Such a little, delicate flower that is easily overlooked. I have long forgotten how lovely it is to stop, and smell flowers- even the humble ones. What a calming thing to do. I can't wait to share this experience with my equally sweet bubby.
And lastly, my seedlings have germinated! Still waiting on the jalapenos, but thrilled 7 out of 7 basil seedlings popped up, and 6 out of 7 tomato's did too. When back in 5 days, it's transplant time for these babies. I love gardening- it's so therapeutic.
This is my last post before our break. Hope this keeps you inspired. I will be back with healthy eating and many tales to tell next week. And hopefully, many photo's of our trip.
Until then, thanks for reading :)
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