tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10766832603257058852024-03-13T13:02:55.867-07:00Very Marievery mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-49025679822889187822013-04-01T05:10:00.000-07:002013-04-01T05:10:27.616-07:00Just breathe<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kh5effi2HZ8/UVl4y1SU18I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/gUZbwNPnKuA/s1600/photo-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kh5effi2HZ8/UVl4y1SU18I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/gUZbwNPnKuA/s320/photo-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What do you do when you feel like you
pushed too hard, like you're exhausted, regretful, fuzzy, confused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What do you do when the weekend has come
and gone and your facing down another long, busy and hard week at work?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What do you do when you really want to
just hide away? To wear pajamas for a month, watch movies, read books and eat
peanut butter toast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You take a deep breath, and put behind
you the things you did wrong, the things you could have done better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You take a deep breath, set your alarm
and think only as far as the meditation you will do first
thing in the morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You take a deep breath, and another,
focusing on the in, focusing on the out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">You take deep breaths until you fall
asleep and can try again tomorrow.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via backonpointe.tumblr.com)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-52369855207601306822013-03-09T14:26:00.000-08:002013-03-09T14:26:07.391-08:00The third space<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZyFvHaZp8Q/UTu1R1YxUXI/AAAAAAAAAJo/dJoPHhelzAQ/s1600/a5a79cb105c30831a666b882b99ee6eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZyFvHaZp8Q/UTu1R1YxUXI/AAAAAAAAAJo/dJoPHhelzAQ/s320/a5a79cb105c30831a666b882b99ee6eb.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Of all the downfalls of commuting to
work (of which there were a few), it turns out there was an interesting upshot.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Two hours each way between work and home
to be exact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now don't get me wrong, I love my job.
Sometimes a little too much. But it can be stressful. And I took for granted
how healthy it was to have space and time between work and home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now I'm a 10 minute bus trip away from
work. It's amazing. But an unsettling side effect has been the return of some
old habits, like staying back at work and bringing work home - both literally and in my
head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I think a lot of people struggle with
this issue of boundaries. When you enjoy your job or you care a lot about it,
it can be consuming and it can be a challenge not to bring it home. Whether
it's overt - like talking about it non stop, or less obvious, like finding
you're upset, snappy or distracted because of something that occurred during
the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">At a conference I sat through years ago a speaker was
talking about this and came up with the idea of the third space - the necessary
in-between space between work and home. For some people it's a commute, a long
drive home, a song, for one CEO it was actually building a separate entrance to
his home where he could shower off his day and change out of his suit before he
saw his family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Without the funds to build myself a new
entrance, I have opted for a walk. I have discovered that if I walk home from
work, I can give myself 30 minutes to process my day, shake out any stress and
worries. By the time I get home I can make a conscious decision to leave my day
behind. This allows me the headspace and the energy to be all the other things
I want to be and do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Do you have a third space? Do you need
it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via the <a href="http://thechicdepartment.tumblr.com/">chicdepartment</a> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-7293139783143253732013-02-21T00:41:00.000-08:002013-02-21T00:41:04.624-08:00Just write<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06QyRhtVzQQ/USXdNgsDJWI/AAAAAAAAAJU/xpawNhimtdg/s1600/671131316d9b2a7da10e40ef3640dc01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06QyRhtVzQQ/USXdNgsDJWI/AAAAAAAAAJU/xpawNhimtdg/s320/671131316d9b2a7da10e40ef3640dc01.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When I started this blog, I committed to
writing a post a week. I figured that was not over committing, and it meant
that each week I was accountable for doing something positive for myself. If I
had nothing to write about, then I was straying from my goals of health,
wellbeing and balance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So here I am, confessing, that for
the past couple weeks I have struggled to pull out my laptop and write. Partly
because I felt I had nothing meaningful to write about, partly because I
have been busy and distracted with work and life, and partly because I am still
finding my routines after the move, and on most days, I am feeling more
unsettled than balanced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But I am getting there. Day by day, week
by week, I am feeling more comfortable in my own skin and in my surroundings. Our
place is starting to feel like home and I have started to carve out some new
routines and spaces that feel healthy and restorative. Like walking home
from work, doing yoga stretches each morning on the patio, Sunday afternoon grocery
shopping, coffee and spelt toast at Sonoma, flowers from the fratelli fresh market…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And so I have pulled out the laptop, pushed
aside the excuses, and here I am again, making a commitment to write about this
journey, every week, even when it feels hard or unworthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Because that was the point wasn't it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">X <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via pinterest)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-11457264159235170392013-02-01T17:03:00.001-08:002013-02-01T17:03:16.911-08:00A weekend at Swami's<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xKYfAAzyRQ/UQxksxKP-2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/gZPWouY2xI4/s1600/76db0fac97c53748d76327ced86de792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xKYfAAzyRQ/UQxksxKP-2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/gZPWouY2xI4/s320/76db0fac97c53748d76327ced86de792.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">The
Hindu religion tells the story of Lord Ganesh, lord of success and destroyer of
evil and pride. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">The
story goes that the goddess Parvati created a boy out of the dirt of her body
and told him to guard the entrance of her house while she bathed. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">When
her husband</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Lord Shiva</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">came
home, the boy Ganesh would not let him in, like he was instructed. Unimpressed
and growing madder and madder as the boy continued to refuse him entry, he took
a sword and in his rage, cut the boy's head off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">When
Parvati saw what had happened she broke down in grief, for she loved this boy
as her son. To make amends, Shiva sent his guards out to search the lands for a
any child who was sleeping facing north, not facing his mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p>The
guards returned with the severed head of an elephant.</o:p></span></div>
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Lord Shiva started to
protest but Parvati stepped in. It didn't matter if Ganesh had the head of an
elephant, he was her son, and she would love him, no matter what he looked
like.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">It is
a reminder that we should not judge others by appearances. And this is the
biggest take away from my weekend yoga retreat at Swami's. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">The
place was not luxurious, the reviews were less than encouraging, and Swami, her
son </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Sanjay </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">and Gavin the masseuse </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">did not
on first glance appear to be the gurus/mentors/spiritual guides we were looking
for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I
could not have been more wrong. The weekend was enriching, nurturing and
relaxing. The people were warm, welcoming and insightful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Sure
there were some funny moments, when dear </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">S</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">wami
who seems to be suffering the ailments of old age told the same stories over
and over</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">when she almost forgot to feed us dinner and when we were
woken every 15 minutes by smoke alarms with low batteries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">But
when the retreat was over, I felt something had shifted. And I left feeling
clearer and calmer. I left feeling loved</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I don't think I will forget my
weekend at</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> Swami's. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via Pinterest)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-73523346582708878872013-01-25T13:50:00.000-08:002013-01-25T13:50:35.677-08:00Off to a yoga retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JD99JinjCbQ/UQL9YN0IwTI/AAAAAAAAAI0/_llwvEVOgEk/s1600/159807486749506475_ko5MR4Zu_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JD99JinjCbQ/UQL9YN0IwTI/AAAAAAAAAI0/_llwvEVOgEk/s320/159807486749506475_ko5MR4Zu_c.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It’s the long weekend – what do you have
planned?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have decided to escape for the weekend and
head to a yoga retreat with my friend Emma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">With the excitement of moving, my energy
levels have been all over the place the last few weeks, so I have been looking
forward to two days of stretching and rest to balance myself out again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">After we booked and paid for said retreat,
we made the mistake of going on trip advisor for tips. These reviews are just
too good not to share.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Wish me luck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Not entirely sure I will come back balanced
so much as hungry…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">"For Drinking they only served tan water and
some tea. We got sick and our tummy hurt a lot. The pool is full of leaves, the
spa is dirty as hell and the rooms for your personal comforbility like the
massage room and the tea rooms seemed like they have not been used for ages.
The tea room seemed to be used as a cat litter pan and the terrace was a
paradise for spiders and other insects."</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">"It was hard to get along with Swami because
she was telling the same stories all the time and if you wanted to say
something she would not let you."</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">"An exercise
I’ll always remember was walking around a tree on rough gravel without shoes.
It hurt but overcoming that was very calming and a bit addictive."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Swami
casually mentioned on our last day that she hadn’t known anyone was
coming."</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"The cooking
was appalling, varying from bland to weird tasting. No desserts, no coffee,
some nice herbal teas though. We were even asked to do the dishes on one
occasion!"</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(image via <a href="http://pinterest.com/aylafitzgibbon/i-n-s-p-i-r-a-t-i-o-n/">pinterest</a> ) </span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-64111221970444179142013-01-18T16:21:00.004-08:002013-01-18T16:21:28.601-08:00A post about moving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fH7Rag6Vvm0/UPnmfA8ycaI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Ccj4gtDTc8E/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fH7Rag6Vvm0/UPnmfA8ycaI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Ccj4gtDTc8E/s320/photo-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The removalist trucks are about to roll
in. We're really doing this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I want to go. We need to go. I want us
be healthy and I can't look at my husband, exhausted, bags under his eyes, no
energy, any longer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And I am tired. Oh to sleep in until 7am
on a work day. To be able to have a life after work...hobbies, exercise, I
don't even remember what that looks like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And I want the adventure. The adventure
that is fun and challenging but brings you closer together when you realise as
long as you have each other you have home and everything will be ok. That
feeling that only comes when you push yourself out of your comfort zone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But I can't help but feel just a little emotional
about leaving our home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The little two bedroom unit we bought
together when we were 23 years old, with glimpses of the ocean and a beautiful sea breeze.
We fell in love the moment we saw it and over the years and have made it our
own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It's the home where we learnt to live
with each other and look after each other. The home where we brought Paris the
cat home and slept on the lounge room floor for two days to help her adjust,
and played Angus and Julia Stone when left the house because when it was on she
seemed to stop crying. The home where we planned a wedding and learnt to cook
and watched storms over sav blanc on the balcony, and had Christmases and
talked and cried and argued and loved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I adore the walls we painted, the bamboo
floors we laid and the new kitchen we put in last Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It's the home we have returned to after
trips around the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It's old and it's not fancy but it's
ours.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via <a href="http://observando.net/">observando</a> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-80111118103561184612013-01-05T22:04:00.003-08:002013-01-05T22:04:35.566-08:00Alcohol free zone <!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/111041947031834633_1vA4LjU3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/111041947031834633_1vA4LjU3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Did I mention I am going alcohol free
for a month?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now for the record I do not require alcohol to function in my everyday life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But I do fancy a glass of wine (red,
wine, sparkling- as long as it is quality and comes in a long stemmed glass). I
fancy a glass when I go out, when I am catching up with people, when I have had
a stressful day at work. And because we are among friends I don't mind telling
you that the frequency of those glasses tends to increase depending
on my stress levels at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And herein lies the problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So I have decided that in the interest
of New Year health, and in response to the fact that wine is not and should not
be the solution to all that is wrong or scary in the world, I will spend
January alcohol free to prove to myself that I can. And as a bonus I hope to
also promptly farewell my Christmas kilo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I am one week in - including New Years Eve
- and I won't lie, it has been a little tough. But I am starting to feel
the physical benefits of my self-prescribed alcohol detox. I will keep you
posted on my progress. I just wont tell you all about it over a glass of
chilled Rose....Oh Rose....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via pinterest) </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-57101528005691713912013-01-01T23:55:00.000-08:002013-01-02T00:19:02.139-08:00Sitting with the yuck<!--StartFragment-->
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I go back to work tomorrow. Not overly
impressed with the idea, particularly because I feel like I didn't really get a
good break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I was lucky enough to have nine days off
work. It should have been amazing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I wanted to feel healthy and rested and
ready for the New Year. But mostly I felt stressed- about work, about moving,
about not feeling amazing. And I cried. Not because I was exceptionally sad,
just because it was an emotionally charged week. And I didn't get much sun, and
I didn't read a book and I didn't do great things.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And because I felt out of sorts and
didn't want to feel that way, I spent the first week running and keeping busy to
feel better. Christmas and drinks (there was too much drinking) and dinner and
busy-ness. But I still felt yuck and time was running out and I was going back
to work soon and why did I feel like this? How could I make it go away!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And when I could do no more, I had to face
up to the fact that I could not control this nine day break. I could not
control the way I felt and what I needed from this time. I obviously just
needed to feel a bit shit, and this time was obviously going to be a bit
stressful and emotional because let's face it, Christmas always is, and we were combining that with needing to pack up our home for the move and sort
through stuff and throw stuff away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This is one of the lessons I am trying
to learn. It's hard, I forget, I need to keep reminding myself. It's ok just to
feel yuck sometimes, for things to not always be wonderful, and you don't
always have to fix it or run away from it. There is great value in sitting with
it, feeling uncomfortable for a little while, to find out why you feel like this
in the first place. Or maybe to find out there is no reason, you just feel this
way and it's ok. It's ok to feel whatever you need to feel. Just sit with it.
Sit with yourself. It will be scary at first but it will get easier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p>I will keep trying. </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p>(Image via <a href="http://pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com/">pawleys island posh</a> blog)</o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-2540197771535330742012-12-29T22:52:00.001-08:002012-12-29T22:52:21.197-08:00Happy New Year<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItzNe8xK7No/UN_iF-9yOyI/AAAAAAAAAHg/hmdnlLn_J5Q/s1600/joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ItzNe8xK7No/UN_iF-9yOyI/AAAAAAAAAHg/hmdnlLn_J5Q/s320/joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The start of a new year is a great
opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and think about what you want to
achieve/experience/do in the next year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I like to start a new journal on New
Years Eve and kick it off with a list of highlights from the year. Things I am
proud of, grateful for, things that made me smile or helped me grow. Most of us
don't stop and reflect enough so this is a really nice time to look back at
2012 and see that even though it appeared to fly by, you did an awful lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And then it's time to look forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What do you want your 2013 to be? What
will it look like? What will you achieve, do, learn, feel, conquer? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Why not take a few minutes to think
about your list of highlights and what you want out of 2013. You don't have to write it down, you don't even have to
tell anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Here's an extract from page one of my
new gold sparkly journal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">In 2012...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I got married to the person I love most in the world and had a
beautiful wedding <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Traveled through the US<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Started a new job which allowed me to learn a whole stack of new
things, including the courage to stand up for myself. Also managed to survive
another year of commuting and pulled myself out of a really <a href="http://very-marie.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/one-step-at-time.html">hard slump</a> this
winter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Finally found a great yoga studio and decided it is something I
want to do for the rest of my life <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://very-marie.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/in-kitchen.html">
</a></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://very-marie.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/in-kitchen.html">Learnt to cook</a> (still wearing my training wheels but it's a start)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Pushed myself out of my comfort zone, grew in many unexpected ways
and started my blog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Let life <a href="http://very-marie.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/whats-next.html">surprise me</a> and now we're moving to
Sydney. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">In 2013 I want to... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Feel fit and energetic and happy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Be a good wife, friend, boss, sister and daughter by being kind and
honest and present<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Find a regular yoga class I enjoy and practice yoga in the mornings
at home<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make exercise part of
my life. Keep cooking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Make a home in Sydney <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Keep pushing myself to grow and learn. Work on replacing my
perfectionism with authenticity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Read more books. Keep blogging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now it's you're turn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I want to thank you all for your
encouragement, love and support this year. May your new year be whatever you
need it to be. May it be filled with joy and love. May you move closer towards
your truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Very Marie <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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(Image via <a href="http://geronimoballoons.com/">Geronimo Balloons</a> )</div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-50922117821155310262012-12-22T22:49:00.002-08:002012-12-22T23:27:38.467-08:00Preparing for Christmas<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4W43ZCT8yc/UNaocLxHkEI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/dTOyUSfINyY/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4W43ZCT8yc/UNaocLxHkEI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/dTOyUSfINyY/s1600/photo-4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have two Christmases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My family (mum's side being from
Finland) celebrates Christmas in the evening of the 24th. My family Christmas
is a fusion of snow inspired Finnish traditions set against a backdrop of an
Australian summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We pretend it's -15 outside and have a
sauna, light candles, and eat hot casseroles and gingerbread. Then when we're
done with that, we sit outside swatting away mossies while drinking champagne
and listening to a chorus of cicadas and televised carols.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My grandmother cooks everything. She
always has and any attempt to contribute is met with a disapproving stare. One
year my sister and I volunteered to do all the dishes. We broke three glasses
and have been banned from the kitchen ever since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Our family Christmas has largely
remained the same for as long as I can remember, but as we have grown the
emphasis has become less on santa and presents, and more on spending time with
eachother and laughing over baileys and milk as the summer sun sinks and is
casually replaced by the familiar twinkle of Christmas lights in the street
below. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The next day we wake up and get ready
for an Australian Christmas with Mr Marie's side of the family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This is always a big day that involves
breakfast, lunch, prawns, an afternoon nap and dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We host breakfast at our place and it's
always a challenge to make something yummy for six people that doesn't require
much prep (given we're out until midnight the night before).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This year I am going half gluten free,
half naughty Christmas goodies for the guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This year's menu consists of;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thehealthychef.com/2012/10/strawberry-breakfast-trifle/">Strawberry granola trifle</a> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.thehealthychef.com/2012/05/paleo-scones/">Almond and vanilla scones</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Finnish Christmas cookies (cooked and
donated by my grandma) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Sweet Christmas bread with cheese and
Christmas ham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Orange juice and strong coffee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Hope you're feeling relaxed and
organised in the lead up to Christmas. Always remember that if you forget to
buy someone a present, you can just re-gift a box of favourites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Very Marie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">P.S. It has been a really busy few
months/weeks and I have not been feeling festive or at all organised for Christmas.
I'm also on-call for work until Boxing Day which is never fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But today I found out a good friend and
of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer. In the week before Christmas. And
it made all my silly worrying about food menus and presents and work seem
really unimportant. My friend is going to be fine, I know that, but it did prompt me to think about what a special time Christmas should be. A time to enjoy the company of family, friends and the people you love, a time
to be grateful for what we have, not because it's perfect, but because it's
here and it's ours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-4783274053744701252012-12-15T14:22:00.000-08:002012-12-15T14:22:33.703-08:00Following your gut<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk6q-ZFl2hA/UMz3jYIL42I/AAAAAAAAAHA/KhI6DlG_dTY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qk6q-ZFl2hA/UMz3jYIL42I/AAAAAAAAAHA/KhI6DlG_dTY/s320/photo.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">How often do you follow your gut? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When you have to make a decision and
something inside you seems to be drawing you one way even though you know it
might be risky. Or you're getting ready for a night out and for some reason
your instincts are telling you it's not a good idea and you stay home instead
only to find the night was a disaster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When it comes to making big decisions, I
have chosen to follow my instinct. To do what feels right even if it doesn't
seem entirely smart on the surface. And to date, I have always been very
grateful. So much so that last week when trying to decide whether or not to
take a unit in Sydney, my biggest frustration was that I couldn't decipher what
my instinct was telling me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Moving to Sydney is going to be a big
change for us, the space, the lifestyle, and while struggling to find a pet
friendly place in a good location was proving difficult we were finally
approved for a one-bedroom unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Now don't get me wrong, the place was
fine. The complex was lovely, the interior was brand spanking new, but it was
small. Like kitchen in the living room, not many windows, all the furniture is
going on e-bay, small. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Mr Marie was nervous but I was so
worried that we wouldn't find anything else and the move wouldn't happen that I
pushed forward, convincing the both of us that we could make anything work and
we should just take it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So we put in the application and we were
set. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But we weren't. For the next week I was
a mess. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't concentrate, I felt nervous about the
move, my chest felt tight, I was confused and scared. Putting it down to the
fear of change I tried not to let on to anyone how I was feeling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I tried to meditate on it, knowing I had
been able to draw on my instincts before gave me confidence the answer was
inside me. But when the resounding feeling coming through like a knock to the
head was not to take the unit and keep looking, I put it down to fear and kept
going. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It wasn't until someone else saw the
state I was in and asked me how I would feel if we pulled out of this one
bedroom unit that was destined to be our home for the next couple of years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I closed my eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Relieved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And there was the answer. We withdrew
our application and immediately I felt lighter. My chest wasn't tight, I could
breathe, I didn't want to cry, I felt excited about the prospect of moving
again. I felt like I was back on the right course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And just in case I doubted it, the next
day, for the first time in three months, three units popped up in our price
range, in the right location, pet friendly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Two days later we had our application
approved on a two bedroom place that feels... right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">While this was a not a life changing
decision, it does serve as another reminder about the importance of listening
to myself. To seeking out and listening to that voice inside of me, that feeling
in my stomach, that when I sort through all the external crap and the fear, is
there to keep me on my course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via A Whole Lotta Love on Pinterest)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-56903302663624544792012-12-03T01:06:00.000-08:002012-12-03T01:06:57.120-08:00Sunday afternoon food musings <!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CDZjYafES0/ULxrEXLXrrI/AAAAAAAAAGc/k6-xPOybBMo/s1600/225954106276157263_Hy1XyyZj_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CDZjYafES0/ULxrEXLXrrI/AAAAAAAAAGc/k6-xPOybBMo/s320/225954106276157263_Hy1XyyZj_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My eating of late has been less than
ideal. I could sit here and develop a whole series of reasons why, explanations
to justify it, but the truth is it probably doesn't matter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What matters is that in the last month wine
has become an accepted addition to my personal food pyramid and hot chips have
moved from 'every now and again' to 'almost every day.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have a complex relationship with food.
I eat or drink for comfort, boredom, celebration, stress...and surprise
surprise it's not usually the good stuff. My fledging cooking skills means this
task still remains in the too hard basket when I am getting home at 730 or 8pm
and it's much easier to get takeout or head out to a restaurant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And it has to stop. I know because when
I am eating well and sticking to what I know is good for me, I feel fantastic.
And right now, after a weekend of too much champagne and salty foods, I feel
like absolute rubbish. In fact I think I deserve a medal for successfully
pulling myself out of bed this afternoon and out of my food coma to sit on the
lounge and write this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So what am I going to do? I’m going to try
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Write a list of what I should be eating
this week, do a trip to Woolworths so I have all the fruit, veggies and snacks
I need to stop me reaching for junk when I get tired, bored or stressed this
week. I am throwing what’s left of a bottle of Pinot Noir down the sink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I'm just going to try again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via pinterest) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-50694499176700644392012-11-16T02:30:00.003-08:002012-11-16T03:10:13.618-08:00Have a lovely weekend <!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnyOzttq9zI/UKYVL83YzEI/AAAAAAAAAGM/HHZG4gJiAsM/s1600/photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnyOzttq9zI/UKYVL83YzEI/AAAAAAAAAGM/HHZG4gJiAsM/s320/photo-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Spending Friday night at home with Mr
Marie and a very content kitty cat. It has been a busy week at work and we're
both exhausted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We are eating left over soup from my
Mummi (that's my Finnish grandma for the unacquainted), drinking a bottle of
Audrey Wilkinson Semillion, and catching up on some of my favourite blogs while
Ben watches SUV, because it's the only thing on tv and we don't have the energy
for anything more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It's raining outside and it's cold
enough for the coach rugs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I feel completely relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Tomorrow I am going to look at some
units for rent in the city. That's right, after almost two years of
<a href="http://homespunblissblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/the-life-of-commuter.html">commuting</a>, and four for Mr Marie, we have decided it's time for a break and we
are planning a stint in Sydney close to work. Not sure how long we'll be gone
for or when we will find a pet friendly place that accepts all three of us, but
it's pretty exciting all the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I hope you have a relaxing weekend.
While I do love the sunshine, this rain is a great excuse for a lazy weekend indoors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">X</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via <a href="http://kellymccaleb.tumblr.com/">Kellymccaleb</a> tumblr) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-18269445174278916032012-11-10T00:29:00.001-08:002012-11-10T00:29:23.885-08:00Five things<!--StartFragment-->
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Five things I am grateful for this weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">1. Saturday morning yoga class – such a positive and nurturing
way to start the weekend</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">2. A bunch of dusty pink peonies</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">3. My cat Paris who has come to accept her dramatic new summer hair cut</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">4. Hugs from my four month old nephew</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">5. Not having plans on a Saturday night, leaving me free
to drink champagne while watching Walking Dead with the husband. This should
not be my kind of show, and yet, I am a little obsessed.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Have a lovely weekend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">x<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-41514508462933255342012-10-27T16:38:00.002-07:002012-10-27T16:38:42.297-07:00I ran away from home<!--StartFragment-->
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have been a little bit slack on the
blog posts these last few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Commuting, work and worry have just been
kicking my butt and have left me feeing pretty darn exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Not one to settle for such a feeling, I
decided to take matters into my own hands last week and give myself a break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My darling sister and brother in law were
overseas for a holiday, which meant their unit was empty. So I packed up my
bags, kissed the husband and Paris goodbye and spent two nights alone in the
city where I could have some time to myself and a break from the commute
for a couple of days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">On the first afternoon I took myself for
a cheap Thai massage (my usual masseuse was booked out) and while this was far
from ‘glamorous’, what with the lovely receptionist’s phone ringing with LMFAO
every few minutes and the sound of the busy street outside, it was exactly what
I needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I ate Thai takeout, I watched the
Kardashians, I slept in until 645am each day and I stopped for gluten free banana
bread on my way to work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It was bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And while I know those of you with
children etc are not in a position to run away from home whenever you please, I
guess the point is that when you’re feeling overwhelmed (tired, sad, stressed
or all of the above) there is usually something you can do to help
you get through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Not to necessarily make it better or fix
the problem, but to help you make it through the day or the week. Because sometimes that's all we need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via <a href="http://foxontherun.tumblr.com/">foxontherun</a> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-89737047526157408422012-10-13T22:18:00.002-07:002012-10-13T22:22:36.144-07:00This week<!--StartFragment-->
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This week I wrote a guest post about commuting for my friend and blogger of ‘Homespun Bliss’ Jodie.
Read it <a href="http://homespunblissblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/the-life-of-commuter.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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Image via (<a href="http://silent-musings.tumblr.com/page/13">silent musings</a>). </div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-85721440409331089282012-10-04T05:34:00.003-07:002012-10-04T05:34:52.509-07:00What happens when you stop<!--StartFragment-->
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I have wanted to
update you all on my weekend health retreat, but I actually needed a few days
to recover and reflect on what I took away.</span></div>
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It wasn't entirely what I expected and for a variety of reasons, I found it quite challenging. Not only because I discovered terry towling robes were not permitted outside the 'spa' waiting rooms, but because being forced to stop and face yourself can be a really hard thing to do. </div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">At my health
retreat; </span></div>
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<ul>
<li>I remembered the
importance of stopping. That is, stepping off the constant roller coaster that
is commuting, work, stress, plans, parties, family, life. Stepping away from
people, from email, from facebook. Stepping away from it all and stopping to
actually look at what I’m doing, what I’m thinking, what’s stressing me out,
what’s making me happy, where I’m going, and underneath all the layers of
bubbly exterior, what I am actually feeling. For me, I need to make a clean break.
To go away, to avoid distractions, to leave my
phones at home, in order to sort through all the crap and all the excuses and
really stop and feel. I hope this won’t always be the case, that eventually I
will find that stillness within me, but at this moment, it was so important for
me to take the rather extreme measure of spending my long weekend at an old
boy’s boarding school turned health retreat in order to take stock.</li>
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<ul>
<li>I remembered the
value of meditation. Sitting cross-legged in the silent garden, listening to
the birds and the breeze and my own breath, I remembered the answers to my
questions exist within me, if only I make the time and space to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
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<ul>
<li>I realised that
while I have taken positive steps in the health department, the painful
headache I suffered from detoxing from sugar and caffeine showed me I still
have many more steps to take on my food journey.</li>
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<li>Through some of the
activities over the weekend, especially creative arts, I rediscovered parts of
myself. I was reminded who I am. It is so easy to
forget.</li>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(Image via
Pinterest)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-11063388496960724782012-09-27T05:13:00.001-07:002012-09-27T05:13:23.808-07:00Long weekend is almost here<!--StartFragment-->
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It's the long
weekend this weekend. Do you have plans?</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I am off to a
health retreat with my good friend <a href="http://elissastylist.com/">Elissa</a>. I have never been to a health
retreat before and I am so excited. Three days of healthy vegetarian food,
exercise, a massage, terry towling robes (I may have made that one up),
long walks and meditation.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I have also
packed two books, <a href="http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/God-of-Small-Things-Arundhati-Roy/9780006551096">The God of Small Things</a> and the new <a href="http://www.mariankeyes.com/Home">Marian Keyes</a> book. Two books may be optimistic but I don't care.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I look forward to
returning refreshed and rested.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I hope you have a
wonderful weekend.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">x</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via pinterest)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-4544496954808529352012-09-24T03:43:00.001-07:002012-09-25T23:43:41.646-07:00The carousel <!--StartFragment--><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR2sp6g98Lg/UGA4aDB5L8I/AAAAAAAAAEk/RaF9jz3Ehsk/s1600/143552306842770933_YZuJAdmZ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR2sp6g98Lg/UGA4aDB5L8I/AAAAAAAAAEk/RaF9jz3Ehsk/s320/143552306842770933_YZuJAdmZ_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Do you ever feel like you're on a merry go round? Going round and round and not realising you're stuck until you pass that same landmark for the tenth time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I often feel like I’m going around in circles, and no matter how much I learn and think that I have grown, I fall into the same bad habits. One of my cycles is my tendency to react to feeling tired/sad/stressed or overwhelmed by making myself super busy and agreeing to a ridiculous amount of plans so I don't have to acknowledge what is really going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I have been known to book out entire weekends and weeknights with back to back catch ups, to the point of occupying a table in a coffee shop and having people lined up to meet me on the hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">A perfect example is last week when I had breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner plans booked all in one day, and then convinced myself at 9pm I had to make muffins for the week ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">From the outside, I know this is insane, I know I am destined to fail and staying so busy with no down time is completely unsustainable.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But I don't do this on purpose, and most of the time I don't notice what I have done until I get sick or feel like I'm about to collapse. It’s only then that I'm prompted to stop and ask myself why... </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And there they are... weeks of endless plans rolling back at me like a bad midday movie. Anyone watching can see exactly where this is all going, but the leading lady is absolutely clueless and has no idea what's waiting around the corner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So I did it again. For the last week I have felt so unbelievably exhausted that my energy levels, positive thinking and healthy eating have all gone out the window. I feel so tired, a little bit fluey and a tad sorry for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Why oh why do I never learn? How do I not recognise the signs? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Do you have cycles or bad habits you routinely fall into? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via <a href="http://500px.com/">500px)</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-12333698547153374012012-09-16T03:58:00.000-07:002012-09-16T03:58:31.093-07:00Five things...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five things I am grateful for this weekend...<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">1) Fresh spring flowers</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">2) Campos coffee</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">3) Spending time with good friends – old and new</span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">4) A $24 pedicure</span></div>
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5) Baking gluten free chocolate cupcakes for my yoga
class to celebrate the end of term</div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via<a href="http://ellabellafloral.blogspot.com/"> ellabella floral</a> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-28003838175837770132012-09-09T03:47:00.001-07:002012-09-09T03:47:29.079-07:00Spring smoothie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHvzfQZoCY/UExzHlw1QXI/AAAAAAAAAEE/MVyHkV06MtE/s1600/61713457363925374_FZqkOCb9_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHvzfQZoCY/UExzHlw1QXI/AAAAAAAAAEE/MVyHkV06MtE/s320/61713457363925374_FZqkOCb9_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I wanted to share a yummy and healthy new smoothie
recipe I have been enjoying the last few weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">One cup of frozen blueberries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Half to one full banana<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Half a tablespoon of LSA or Flaxseed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">One teaspoon of chia seeds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">One cup of milk (I drink rice milk rice)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Blend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Enjoy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">x<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via <a href="http://observando.net/">observando</a> ) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-23719347281245761032012-09-05T03:03:00.002-07:002012-09-05T03:03:37.590-07:00What's next?<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVKml3KbOwQ/UEciih9qWTI/AAAAAAAAAD0/CArCKTZaQwk/s1600/159948224236832259_IME7kqzX_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVKml3KbOwQ/UEciih9qWTI/AAAAAAAAAD0/CArCKTZaQwk/s320/159948224236832259_IME7kqzX_c.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I am always busy planning and working
towards my next goal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">A uni degree, a promotion, a house, an
adventure, a new job, a wedding, a honeymoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">It’s what I do. I plan and I move and I
work towards something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Recently it dawned on me that I've got
nothing big to plan for. I've got the job I wanted that requires me to stay put
for the next 2-3 years, I've got the unit that we love and that for financial
and lifestyle reasons we will probably live in for the next 2-3 years, I've got
the husband and we've just exhausted our funds on travel and a wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">All the 'big' milestones - house, new
job, children, big travel - they're all a few years off and I have nothing to keep
me busy planning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I know for some people this might sound
wonderful but for someone who has spent her entire adult life planning and
consuming herself with 'what's next', I feel pretty lost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I am not accustomed to stopping. Pausing
for reflection. I don't know how to just be. My instincts are all shouting for
action, for change, for something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">But for all sorts of reasons, I am here
and I can't run away, or move and I don't want to waste the next three years
planning for what comes next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">What's next has to be what's now and to
be perfectly honest, I’m not sure where to start. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">(Image via <a href="http://shotgun-season.tumblr.com/"><span style="color: #001ee6;">shotgun-season</span></a> )
<span style="color: #867e7e;"> </span> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-70680773397703942152012-08-31T03:47:00.002-07:002012-08-31T03:47:54.296-07:00Yoga for beginners <!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZFuPJtvj4k/UECVmqPCDyI/AAAAAAAAADk/PC1KlQwn-iA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZFuPJtvj4k/UECVmqPCDyI/AAAAAAAAADk/PC1KlQwn-iA/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My first week was so hard I couldn't
even write about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Afterwards I felt sore and disappointed
that I'd done so badly. I was quite reluctant to go back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Yesterday I went to my second class
carrying that reluctance in with me, and you know what, it was a fantastic
class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">My body cooperated, my brain played ball
and I relished in the breathing and meditation. I felt strong, energetic and
really soothed afterwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Namaste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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(image via <a href="http://oldtimefriend.tumblr.com/">oldtimefriend</a> ) </div>
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very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-59297004443804065002012-08-18T18:41:00.000-07:002012-08-18T18:41:51.285-07:00In the kitchen
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejuK5FMju_g/UDBDC7yLQkI/AAAAAAAAADU/j33ib5fzlME/s1600/149604018841208121_u5XEZZX1_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejuK5FMju_g/UDBDC7yLQkI/AAAAAAAAADU/j33ib5fzlME/s320/149604018841208121_u5XEZZX1_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Every year for the past five years I
have made a New Year’s resolution to learn how to cook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And then four weeks ago something
shifted, and I started cooking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">And I did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">This<a href="http://www.thehealthychef.com/"> website</a> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I look forward to sharing my cooking
adventures with you, and will continue to post some of the yummy healthy recipes
I find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Image via <a href="http://bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com/">bippotyboppity</a> tumblr) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076683260325705885.post-90316166050733835332012-08-01T04:00:00.001-07:002012-08-01T04:00:57.696-07:00Five things...<br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Five of my favourite things this week<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">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.<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">2) Rosehip oil. I may have come late to the party on
this one, but nonetheless, this stuff is amazing.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">3) My cat Paris, who keeps me warm every morning by
insisting I carry her around until she is fed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">4) Gluten free banana bread (simple and delicious <a href="http://www.thehealthychef.com/2011/10/gluten-free-banana-bread/">recipe</a> ).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">5) Mr Marie - who reminds me everything will pass. </span></span></span></div>
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(Image via <a href="http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/">cupcakes and cashmere</a> )</div>very mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02665386074477554207noreply@blogger.com1