Yoga for beginners

I started a yoga course last week. It has been a few years since I've done a proper yoga class... and that became very apparent half an hour in.

My wrists felt strained, my legs ached, my mind struggled to focus, and I felt light headed from holding the poses. My body was in a state of shock.

My first week was so hard I couldn't even write about it.

Afterwards I felt sore and disappointed that I'd done so badly. I was quite reluctant to go back.

Yesterday I went to my second class carrying that reluctance in with me, and you know what, it was a fantastic class.

My body cooperated, my brain played ball and I relished in the breathing and meditation. I felt strong, energetic and really soothed afterwards.

That's the thing about yoga, your practice can be so different from week to week depending on how your body is feeling and what's going on in your head. The trick is not to push too hard, not to judge it, just to do what you can and take whatever it is you can from each session.

Namaste

(image via oldtimefriend )  

In the kitchen

Every year for the past five years I have made a New Year’s resolution to learn how to cook.

When I told people I couldn't cook, I didn't mean I couldn't cook well or I couldn't get my soufflé to sit right, I meant that aside from maggie noodles and heating up chicken nuggets in the oven, I couldn't cook.

How did I survive? Well my mum and my grandma are amazing cooks so growing up I was always surrounded by good nutritious food. And when Mr Marie and I moved in together, thankfully he could cook. On the nights we didn't spend together I would just go out for dinner, order Thai or eat peanut butter toast.

And then four weeks ago something shifted, and I started cooking.

I believe that when you follow your instincts and make a good decision, the universe will usually do its part to assure you you're on the right track. When I decided to take control of my health and start my new way of eating - no gluten, less processed foods, reduced sugar, etc, I realised that I was going to have to learn to cook meals for myself.

And I did.

This website has been my 'play book' and by picking some of the easier recipes, taking the time plan out ingredients, consulting Mr Marie about how you tell if chicken is cooked and the best way to chop parsley, I have managed to cook six gluten free recipes, and all have turned out to be pretty delicious.

I am well aware these are baby steps but I can't help but feel proud and inspired to keep going and to keep getting better.

I look forward to sharing my cooking adventures with you, and will continue to post some of the yummy healthy recipes I find.

Also I'm fairly certain a spectacular and inevitable cooking disaster is just around the corner, and I am sure we’ll all find that rather entertaining too.

(Image via bippotyboppity tumblr) 

Five things...

Five of my favourite things this week

1) Bright nail polish – this week I am sporting a combination of pink, watermelon and sparkly silver. Every time I look at my hands I am reminded spring is not so far away.

2) Rosehip oil. I may have come late to the party on this one, but nonetheless, this stuff is amazing.

3) My cat Paris, who keeps me warm every morning by insisting I carry her around until she is fed.

4) Gluten free banana bread (simple and delicious recipe ).

5) Mr Marie - who reminds me everything will pass. 

(Image via cupcakes and cashmere )