Five Simple Rules

Be a Lunch Box Warrior!

Want to have the best, brightest, most exciting lunch box in the office? Me too!

Around 12 months ago I began making a much more conscious effort in deciding what foods I ate and my general lifestyle overall. I began researching organic foods and its effects on our wellbeing and searching for healthy and inspiring recipes online. As time has gone on, I have discovered some really delicious and exciting foods whose names I had never heard of before. Quinoa? I had no idea what it was (or how to say it)! Sunflower seeds? Shouldn’t they be planted in the garden?! Well, although I’m still pretty new to this healthy eating business, I do admit to feeling rather proud at how I have so far pushed myself to explore new ideas and recipes.

My diet wasn’t awful before. I would eat toast/cereal for breakfast, a sandwich with a cereal bar for lunch and usually a carbs rich dinner, such as pasta or a jacket potato. I’ve tried to concentrate a lot less on simply the calorie content of food - because of course, just because a certain food may not make us fat does not mean it is full of lovely, beneficial nutrients! The important thing to me these days is to eat food full of nutrients and vitamins, that will make me glow from inside out!

Over Christmas, like lots of other people, I indulged a little more and allowed the healthy eating and exercise to take a back seat. Well, I am now happily back on my way to making up delicious and nutritious lunches and feeling myself getting back on the healthy-wagon! I am more than happy to have the occassional indulgence but feel much better and brighter when sticking to a diet that is mostly healthy and mindful.

So, let’s talk lunchboxes! I really recommend staying away from pre-packed sandwiches and snacks that usually contain high salt content and hidden fats. I usually fill a tupperware box full of mixed leaves, such as romain lettuce, rocket and spinach. The different flavours from the leaves stop the salad being tastleless and boring – rocket especially has a delicious zesty flavour. I add loads of gorgeously ripe cherry tomatoes, grate some carrot in and scatter some sunflower and sesame seeds inside (great for a delightful nutty crunch!). It’s also a great idea to boil up some new potatoes one night and chop these into your salad over the next couple of days - ideal if you need some carbs to fill you up. I also usually alternate between tinned tuna, tinned salmon, avocado or occassionally a boiled egg or some lean meat. It’s a good idea to change your leaves each day to keep it interesting. Another tip is to keep some delicious organic cyder vinegar in the fridge in work and pour a little (just a little as it is strong!) over your delicious lunch as a dressing.

Do this and I promise you will be the envy of your colleagues! Who said salads were boring?!

Until next time xx

The Happiness Lessons

I often find that introductions are difficult to write. I feel a duty to tell you exactly what to expect from this blog so you have a good initial idea of whether it is or is not for you. The truth is I’m not actually sure where it will lead or what exactly you should expect! I am, however, hoping it will be a warm, happy place of inspiring thoughts and ideas.

The idea behind this little piece of writing is the subject of happiness. I want to explore what it is, what we do to to achieve it and most importantly, how we keep it. I’m sure you will agree that happiness means lots of different things to lots of different people; for instance one person’s slice of chocolate fudge cake is another person’s cucumber sandwich. Of course we can’t share the exact same things that make all of us happy but I’m inclined to believe that the concept is the same. I definitely believe that there are both little and big things that we can do help ourselves on the way to happiness and fulfillment and I really want to explore these things throughout this blog.

Well, by way of an introduction, that’s it for now! I would love for you to follow me and share your own thoughts and ideas along the way.

Until next time xx