Time for all things

So, I wanted to be honest...the past 12months have been insane. It's been a year of great joy, gut-wrenching grief, big mistakes, bigger lessons, beautiful love and the endless pursuit of happiness.
It has been amazing watching my son become a toddler, observing the relationships he has with others and the world around him. I am incredibly proud of my parenting and know that as many times as I've screwed up, at least I have this one thing down pat...at least my son will never doubt for a second that I love him with all of my heart.

So the biggest challenge I am facing is the new baby currently residing in my womb. On Saturday I think I'll be 16weeks pregnant, and I am already the size of a small whale...I am yet to weigh myself but the goal I have set is to only put on 15kgs. With River I put on about 16 so it should be interesting to see how this goes. I was hit with extreme exhaustion and nausea from about 7-15weeks so am glad to say I'm feeling far better now. But my tummy has popped out about 2months ahead of where I was with River...annoying as I was feeling awesome in myself prior to the news. Training was going well but I stopped most of my crossfit while dancing concerts took priority and had a week off any 'real' exercise but am slowly back into it now. I love training through pregnancy, love disproving the whole "delicate condition" stigma, love empowering myself.

Obviously this baby was unexpected and conceived in a very new relationship. People have been unintentionally hurt by the news and I must say it's been a rocky beginning. It is hard to convey the guilt I feel for disappointing everyone, and it's hard to explain how alone I have felt in this. I am really back to square one. But my new years goal is to be happy in the present with what I have and as two of my good girlfriends told me, if anyone can make the most of this situation, it's me. So I am trying to be resilient, humble and aware. The people that have stuck by me will be always in my heart as even the smallest words of empathy and understanding have really helped me stay afloat, thankyou.

 



So I thought to leave you with an inspiring thought; whether its training, getting your food right, changing your lifestyle, falling in love, moving on or taking a risk...there is magic in all things and there is a time for all things. Miracles happen daily and at every second there is a chance to do good, be amazing, change the world and stay true to yourself.

Cheers & Giggles xx

Fresh Lift Personal Training

As the end of the year approaches and 2013 is looking to be bigger and even more badass, I thought I should include in my blog some shameless work promotion. Cathryn has just started working with me and I thought some of you would like to see just HOW we can improve your life and start shaping your fitness journey.

Personal Training has been my passion over the past four years, I have worked with some amazing individuals to help them lose weight, shred, bulk up, get army ready, compete in fitness comps, shape up over pre-season, during pregnancy and post partum, and I have even rehabilitated a few knee reco's, and a nasty case or two of bursitis...
Everyone that I train is amazing, I'm a huge believer that people come into our life for a reason and I have connected really well to most of my clients past and present. There is always the odd challenge though, the client that you cannot reach for whatever reason, and I guess this is why the industry in-joke is about us being more like counsellors!

My style of training is abit of an ecclectic mix. I have been storing exercise articles from magazines and health books since I was 12, and my background in dance and gymnastics means I am a stickler for form. It's seriously like I am the technique nazi and I'm known to get nasty when I see people with rounded shoulders or hunch backs...dont get me started on handstand pushups or the girl at gym who actually hits her butt each time she does kettlebell swings!!! I have trained with a trainer since I was 18years old so have come across many styles, I've done your typical figure competitor training which I actually hated and it didnt really change my body for the better. I've done the whole light weight, lotsa reps training which didnt do much either, functional training helped with my coordination although being a dancer, it was things that I could easily do so it didnt change my body or challenge me. The best mix for me has been dance, crossfit and yoga. Thats what I have done after having River & I think my body looked the best it ever had! So often times it's trial and error. With my clients, I always start of with functional training, once they can master good movement patterns, activate TVA correctly, fix any postural issues and show me a dedication to their own health then it is time to start smashing it! I cant wait to become a crossfit coach in Feb, even if I strongly oppose kipping handstand pushups and ridiculously wide-knee squats, haha!

And a note from Cathryn:

Welcome to the start of a new and Healthy life!

I am Cathryn, a mother of two from Chirnside Park. My daughter Amelia is 9 years old and my son William is one year old. 3 months after the birth of my daughter I was 117 kilo’s and with good food, exercise and a personal trainer of my own I lost 52 kilos and now feel on top of the world.
My passion and goal is to help every person I come in contact with start on their path to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Through personal training and an active weekly plan, everyone can feel as great as I do now.
Another passion of mine is working with mothers like myself during their pregnancy and beyond.
Remember: Believe you can and your half way there!

Stay tuned for some inspirational before/after shots and some hopefully amazing testamonials.
Check out my facebook group "Fresh Lift Personal Training" for daily inspiration, recipes and even competitions!!!

Be fit & healthy going into the festive season, dont loose sight of your goals! Here I have the 10 Commandments of Silly Season Sexiness:

1. This is your LIFESTYLE thus it is a way of life...sure it might be tempting to indulge over Christmas and make some new years resolutions but instead of starting over, keep being AWESOME!

2. Be organised! Plan your meals just like you do during the year, if you know you want to have a few Chrissy drinks then eat a big healthy meal beforehand and lots of water with you. It's ok to indulge a little but if you structure your meals you wont need to.

3. Eat small and often.

4. Learn to leave something on your plate...it's ok really. And if you are worried about wasting food while others starve then open up your wallets not your mouth!

5. Eat slowly. Enjoy the taste, texture, the company you are in, and be truly thankful for all that you have.

6. Enjoy your food. Do not use it as a reward or punishment. You are not a dog.

7. Dont feel deprived. This leads to binging. Refer to commandment 1. this is a lifestyle not a diet.

8. Move it!! Get up and get moving. I am working through Christmas & the new year as is Cathryn. Keep your appointments, go for a walk, get active and LIVE.

9. Get enough sleep. Go to sleep and get up at the same everyday. Lack of sleep can add inches to the waistline. Baby keeping you up at night? Consider co-sleeping, otherwise be patient & know that it wont last forever.

10. Use any holidays to relax and recharge. We have some seriously big things planned for 2013....be prepared :)

Cheers & Giggles xx

Breastfeeding a toddler

So here I am in sunny Queensland reading my fave book "skinny bitch" after eating a delicious lunch.
I thought I'd give you all an update on my journey breastfeeding Riv. Prior to having him I was always under the impression that if they can ask for it, it's time to stop! How truly wrong I was. In fact, how truly selfish!!! It's been a delight to note the different ways River asks for nourishment, from newborn cries to pulling on my top, saying "babu" to "boob" and now when he wants the other side "one"! It's funny and amazing that my milk has provided so much for him, comfort when he needs, the best sleeping aid, hydration, nutrition and such an unbreakable bond. River is 18months old now, showing no sign of weaning and I'm beginning to think he may not wean until around age 3! In most lactavist books this isn't even late!!
So the difference feeding a toddler...well he's very active and often doesn't sit still to feed, his latch is perfect everytime now and he certainly doesn't feed as often nor for as long. There are some days he needs more than others but generally I think he'd have between 3-6 feeds over a day. He's just started sleeping through the night too which is blissful as we can still snuggle all night but I'm not dehydrated or exhausted come work at 6am! Sometimes he wakes once or twice but it's not often. So I feel like sticking some giant fingers up at everyone who told me to "put cereal in babies bottle at night to help him sleep" & "he'll never sleep through if you feed and cuddle him all night" & all the other negative bullshit that comes with being an attachment parent. (don't get me started on CIO).
On a side note, please do not take offense to my blog if you do not breastfeed!!! What you choose to feed your baby is your decision!!! However, if I can help to normalize breastfeeding, to let you know that formula is NOT as good as breastmilk, to let you know that it gets EASIER, to let you know you have options like donated human milk, that you can RELACTATE, that you should breastfeed as long as is mutually desirable, and that it WILL make a difference to your body in a good way and do nothing but benefit your child...well that is my message :) no mum bashing at all!!!!
Riv is still vegan, we both are and again stick it to the haters because he's the healthiest kid I've ever met! I'm going to suggest that you look into The China Study & where your food comes from. Look at what is on your plate or in your supplements...use your heads & do some research. I'm proud of my lifestyle I'm the healthiest I have ever been & while I've been craving any chocolate bar available I found a cure in some vegan "kids" cookies YUM!!
River loves wearing undies now & is great at telling me when he needs to go to the "toot" although he seems to be scared of number twos on the loo...will keep you posted with our solutions :)


By the way I plan on tandem feeding :p

Cheers & Giggles xx

Food & Love

Hey gorgeous followers and hello to my haters too...

I'm feeling slightly lost, a little like I lost my super hero cape...I failed a subject at university and to top it off had to pull out of my Melbourne Storm internship which would have been a great opportunity for me. Honestly I cannot compete with 21year olds who work at McDonalds (much as I think you're awesome Craig!) when I have so much going on in my life. But it has made me feel deflated, and I guess it turns out I cannot do it all.

Off that note and on to some delicious recipes...which have been making me happy and healthy.

Cheezy Sauce (from Veganomicon)

•2 cups water
•1/4 cup flour
•1 tblsp olive oil
•3 garlic cloves crushed
•1/4 tsp salt
•pinch dried thyme
•black pepper to taste
•1 tsp turmeric
•3/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
•1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp yellow mustard

Directions
• whisk water & flour in a measuring cup
• gently cook oil & garlic in a small saucepan
• add thyme, salt & pepper, then flour-water, turmeric & yeast whisk constantly over medium heat until bubbling & thickening, stir & cook for 2 more minutes
• add lemon & mustard. Serve warm :)

Vegan Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients:

• 12 digestive biscuits
• 1/2 tbsp raw sugar
• 1/2 cup nuttalex
• 3 cups cashews
• 3/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2/3 cup agave nectar
• 3/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

• grease the bottom of a 19cm cake tin
• crush buscuits into crumbs and add the sugar
• melt the nuttalex and mix well into the buiscut mix, tip into cake tin & press down firmly
• put base in fridge to cool
• place all other ingredients in a blender and blend til smooth & creamy
• pour onto crust base and set in the fridge/freezer for 3-5hours

Zucchini Pasta

• 2 zucchini's peeled and peeled into "noodles" raw & wholesome
• add chopped tomato, avocado, onion, sprouts and chia seeds

So to end on a high, I had a great day at work this morning. It really feels like I am helping people achieve their goals in a positive, long-term way. A few of my clients are struggling with motivation and while I know I work in the gym and dont pay for my PT anymore (because I happen to be dating my hunky trainer) EVERYONE struggles with motivation at times, everyone has days where it's all a bit too much. But getting off your ass and making a date with yourself or your trainer is half the battle. Once you have a consistant approach to both fuelling your body with nutritious food and training in the right way for you, you WILL see results. From here, it becomes passion, part of you and FOR you. It isnt rocket science (just sport science) and I'm certain it doesnt have to be an expensive venture.

As you can see I allow myself to eat sugar in moderation, I have days where I cbf training, or walking or doing anything more than work & mothering...prior to Rivs I had days where I watched sex&the city in bed all day! It is your consistancy and dedication to health, to life and to not be so damn hard on yourself that will have you in tip top condition.

Get moving!!

Cheers & Giggles
xx

The view from here

Indie folk playing probably too loud for 8am on a saturday morning, books strewn across the living room for, papers line my "desk" (the kitchen table), coffee cools in a pink spotted mug, oats scattered across the floor...every few moments a naked child covered in green texta, cinnamon and coyo approaches me "AHHH" "Book" "Babu" in between, he rides his tonka truck, "zings" on the floor or dances to the music. Yep. It is exam time in my house.

I thought it might be nice to catch you all up on my life, let you know how I'm feeling and make sure my blog does not become extinct as I recomment all my clients to read it!

Yesterday, I handed in my final assignment of this degree...well I may possibly be doing one subject next year...but still. In just abit over a week I will have two exams then BOOM I own a Bachelor :) So, my eyebrows are unkempt, random pimples are claiming ownership of my face, food is bloating me (or is that the booze?), and my almost toilet trained child is cranky and declaring war upon this house. I am preparing to take on a sub-contractor in the gym, preparing for an exciting new business venture, preparing to start my internship with the Melbourne Storm (rugby league team)...oh and I am now a single mother.

Safe to say my stress levels are slightly elevated. Here is a picture of my morning:

River laughing hysterically while i look like poo. Do you like my dressing gown? Fellas, form a que....
Now I am sure that I could plonk River down in front of the television with some sort of sugary processed crap...but folks as you know this just aint me. So I will try not to complain because I guess a few of you will be thinking I am bringing this on myself...like the co-sleeping and breastfeeding all night, oh and the babywearing in humid weather...

I was going to write a blog on the burdens & attitudes of motherhood...but I need to get the two of us dressed to drop him to his daddy's while I try and get through a dance class. Then I really should start to study. And really quite currently I am feeling a tad overwhelmed! The great thing is that River has well over 60 words in his vocab so can communicate really well, unfortunately being screamed at "babu, BABUUUUUUU" whilst studying (or worse on the toilet) is not my idea of fun...babu=boobs.

Leaving you with some wise words, a special shoutout to one of my gorgeous friends as she approaches her due date and drawing some hope from you all that I will get through the next two weeks, the next three months, the next year....

"Progress is impossible without change., and those that cannot change their minds cannot change ANYTHING."

Cheers & Giggles xx

Err....no

So...thought I should update you all. River is not only walking independently now, but he is also saying "nononono" haha!! After and despite all of my efforts an older lady said "no" to him about 75 times whilst we were out the other day...mr sponge liked the sound of it and it has stuck. At least for the moment he just says it quietly and not actually in defiance. Another little quirk I thought to share...my son has this funny little African accent, to hear him say "towel" sounds hilarious. My godson had a little American accent when he was first talking too! He can now tell me my full name and say to River "goodnight Rivvy, love you" he also told his mummy that she was beautiful when I was training her last night! There is so much to look forward to being a mum. There is so much magic that has already happened.(I said this as I was whacked in the face!) What a beautiful freezing Melbourne morning, I hope you are all getting some vitamin D and some exercise. Cheers & giggles Xx

Nutrition information overload

Hi guys :) Quick update: River is a healthy, happy little munchkin the majority of the time. Some nights h wakes only twice, other nights every few hours...I am glad I can usually snuggle him back to sleep or feed him as he so desires. The best lesson I have learnt is that if I'm not worried about his sleeping patterns or a strict routine the more relaxed we both are and the better sleep I get. No, I dont think a baby is capable of manipulation, I treat all of his wants as his needs, I know in my heart that my son will grow up to be independent, secure and confident that his needs will be met. I fully believe that our children identify with the labels that we give them...a reason that I avoid labelling River as anything detrimental. Call a child "difficult" and that is what will manifest. So my bub doesnt "sleep through"...we all still get enough sleep (most of the time!). River is fed to sleep or cuddled to sleep, we have lots of sleep associations (his blanket, his "Elly", dim lighting etc) and he is gaining more independence by the day. My "alternative" parenting style works well for us :) Part time EC is still working and River is now stepping (his record is 6 steps) although not walking independently yet. It can be difficult not to succumb to competition and pressure...but I know he will do things when he is ready to. Man can that kid chat though! He is very verbal and its lovely hearing him learn new words. He still doesnt say "no" which I love...Mayim Bialik wrote a great account of her boys learning "not for ___________" instead of that awful "no" phase. I'm proud of my son, and I'm proud of myself...for following my instincts and not letting anyone tell me how to raise my child, for being kind to the earth while being kind to my family, for not feeling sorry for myself when it may be easier to shirk parental responsibility. I loose it, he can grate on my nerves, he is currently testing out how loud his voice can be, and sometimes I'd just like to have a minute where somebody elses welfare isnt my number one priority. But I created him & brought him into this world...how can I demand that he sleep when I want him to? How can I expect him to be quiet when it is socially acceptible and not bash on my computer when I'm trying to study....? He cant even cook himself dinner!! So for the most part I just let it be. And I sometimes ask for help when I need it ;) hehe.

So...onto the nutrition component of the blog, basically I prescribe to these basic principles:

• I eat no animal products (not even free-range eggs haha)
• I try to eat as close to nature as possible...also known as "whole foods". But I do love bread and pasta, nut spreads, coconut yogurt and tofu! And by golly do vegan chocolate and I have a love-hate relationship!
• I aim to eat 80% Alkaline & just 20% acidic foods daily
• I try to eat every 2.5-3hrs to maintain my metabolism
• Organic is best, local is better
• I allow myself to eat what I feel like without getting down about it...everyone feels like "junk food" occasionally and I simply love eating out with friends and family. These days I refuse to get hung up on what I eat...that way I dont spiral into depression & self loathing...it has taken me a very long time to get to this point. The point where I actually love food, feel good about eating and use it as medicine and nourishment. I find that I prefer nutritious, wholesome foods anyway - winning :D

What do vegans eat.

This is a lifestyle...NOT a diet. There are no "cheat meals" there is no half assing it. I go to bed at night knowing my existance doesnt harm another mamal...and yeah I am proud of it though I understand it isnt for everyone. Most people think they wont like vegan meals...most people with tastebuds can enjoy a vegan diet. Another thing I hear is people assuming it is more expensive...well yes I try to buy organic which does cost a little more, but since being vegan I havent once been ill enough to miss work...the money I will save on my health is WORTH it, and if I can feed River & I on $100 per week, then I really dont feel like it is a costly diet.
I like to have a warm lemon water when I get up. If I am rushing, I usually wait until coffee time (weak soy latte with raw sugar is devine...) which I try to avoid at least one day each week. In winter I am having oats with soymilk, cinnamon and berries (frozen or fresh). About twice a week I have avocado on rye with tomato and spinach.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. My house always has stocked: quinoa, fresh veg & fruit, wild rice, buckwheat pasta, mungbean pasta, pumpernickle type bread, tofu, nut butters, chia seeds, chilli, soymilk (bonsoy yummmmmmm), coconut oil & flour, olive oil, coconut yogurt, hommus (if I cbf making my own), garlic and ginger, beans, lentils and legumes, and sea vegetables.
Dont hate carbs...they provide essential vitamins and mireals for metabolising protien, waste removal, and energy release.Whole grains are a perfect fuel for the human body.
As a side note; River is vegan despite being breastfed...human milk for human babies!

Alkaline/Acidic Foods

"All food leaves an ash residue after metabolism which is either alkaline or acidic, depending on the mineral composition of foods and the way in which individuals digest them...the human body needs an alkaline environment to continue proper functioning of vital organs" Dr. T. Baroody

Extremely alkalising foods include lemons & watermelon, papaya, watercress, seaweed, and asparagus. Moderately alkalising foods includevapples, spinach, carob, beans and vinegar. Slighly alkalising foods include almonds, mushrooms, tofu and coconut. Neutral foods include much dairy food and blueberries. Lentils, olives and seeds are slightly acid forming. Skinless potato, wine and oats are moderately acid forming. Beer, coffee, meat and artificial sweetners are extremely acid forming.

For babies

Until they cut thier two year molars, avoid wheat. This is a good indicator that their body is producing the right digestive enzymes to break it down. River has a very basic diet...please dont confuse this with me "depriving" him of anything. Our bodies are taught to crave salty, sugary, processed shit. Imagine if your parents taught you to desire only the freshest of seasonal fruit and veg, the highest quality organic grains and delicious flavoursome nutritionall dense foods...pretty sure you'd thank them as one day I hope to be thanked. My aim is to give my children an understanding of where their food comes from, where the roof over their head comes from, that things dont just materialise...part of that is respect and compassion and I think that not enough emphasis is placed on this understanding of the way the world works.

Anyway I could be here all day running off my "hippy philosphies"...I hope you all have enjoyed today's blog. Please comment and tell me what you would like to read more about. As promised...boobs:

Cheers & Giggles
xx