Project 366 2016 #46

Week 46 of Project 366 saw the start of a new adventure!

Day 318
I went to a local small vegan fair today to look out for some treats and get some food ideas; I found some rather delicious chocolate then headed to the supermarket to stock up on some other 'essentials'.
Day 319
It was far too warm for running tights today but I did a gentle 4 miles before tomorrow's long run.
Day 320
I took myself out for a long 12 miles today to prove that I have the distance in my legs ahead of my upcoming half; it was a positive run although I didn't enjoy the muddy, and slippy, couple of miles off road.
Day 321
A relaxing cuppa with empowering words at work this morning.
Day 322
A busy day at work meant no time for a photo until tonight so my tea will have to do - smokey bean chilli and vegan 'Wensleydale' and cranberries stuffed jacket potato with sweetcorn.
Day 323
A lovely sunrise to start off Friday as I packed the car with my weekend yoga kit ready to head up north after work.
Day 324
A beautiful setting at Ecclesall Woods for the start of my training for my new yoga adventure - I am so excited!

x x x

Project 366 2016 #45

I continued a personal food challenge for week 45 of Project 366 2016 and it's all going well.

Day 311
A lazier Sunday this week with the husband at work and me at home with the children. To break up the day we went for a walk around our local fields which involved, safely, crossing the railway line.
Day 312
A productive day in the kitchen today making some new vegan dishes. This warm root vegetable and grain salad was delicious packed full of my favourite parsnip.
Day 313
A cold and frosty start to the day which saw me meet a friend for a long 10 mile run in preparation for our half marathon in just under three weeks.
Day 314
I headed into the town near work this morning to pick up a few bits including this rather delicious choco tea from Yogi Teas - I don't know how I have missed this brand up until now?
Day 315
Work and weather made picture taking tricky today so here's my tea - sweet potato jacket with a scrummy bean chilli that even my boy approved of.
Day 316
Another cold start to the the day and as I went out to my car I looked up and saw a sky full of vapour trails.
Day 317
Lazy Saturday today as the husband is away and I have a cold - perfect timing. I made my first batch of oat milk this morning to save a few pennies on the soya, almond and cashew milks I keep purchasing. It was simple to make and, with a dash of agave syrup, delicious on my muesli.

x x x

Musing on a Monday {Gratitude}

Last week, following an intense yoga session stuffed full of strong warriors, inversions and even an attempt at a headstand, my lovely yoga teacher had us sit in a circle, post savasana and pre om, for some time to contemplate.
And the focus was gratitude.

In turn we each stated one thing we were grateful for - just one thing.
Following that evening's class I started to think a little more about gratitude and discovered it is a word, a feeling, an emotion even, that has increased in my life. The more I pondered the more I started to put this change in focus down to both my yoga and my age as, since turning 40, I feel my thoughts, outlooks and feelings have shifted quite dramatically.
I have been known to be quite a frustrated person, and can still be. There are times I want more; a bigger house, more money, a proper holiday. But there are times, increasingly, I stop and think about the world we currently live in; an ever changing world, not always for the better. A world full of war and conflict, refugees and homelessness, a visible increase in downright racist and xenophobic views in the media, online and on the streets that we walk everyday, feelings of bitterness and resentment towards other human beings, a rising element of fear. All in all a bit of a scary world into which my children are growing and forming their own opinions. I have never felt so concerned in my role as a parent, as a mother, to raise my children with good intentions; to be caring towards others, to not judge, to love and to be grateful. I therefore need to stop with my negativity and openly demonstrate my gratitude.
I need to stop with my negativity about the size of my house - I need to show gratitude to the fact that I have a home that keeps us safe and keeps us warm.
I need to stop with my negativity about money in general - we have an income that pays the mortgage, feeds us, clothes us, runs two cars and takes us on little breaks to Cornwall.
I need to stop with the negativity.
Full stop.
I need to show gratitude on a daily basis be it a quiet thought, a spoken word out loud, a discussion with my children.
We need to show gratitude.
Everyday.
Today I am grateful for having two strong legs that carried me round the neighbouring villages on a 5 mile run past sweeping fields and glorious views.

I paused to take in everything around me.
I paused to show gratitude.
Because...

x x x

Project 366 2016 #44

Back to work and back to routine for week 44 of Project 366 2016.

Day 304
A productive Sunday saw me get up early to enjoy some peace and quiet and roast the pumpkin seeds following the carving session yesterday. I used some seeds later in the day to bake a rather moreish tray of Vegan Pumpkin Seed Energy Bars.
Day 305
Halloween today and the weather was suitably eerie for my 10 mile run - this ended up being a good thing as it got me running faster through the quiet off road sections and I managed my fastest 10 miles.
Day 306
A restful lazy day prepping for the return to work for me tomorrow - my cherry tree was showing off its lovely Autumn leaves.
Day 307
A gorgeous sunrise greeted me as I stepped out of the front door ready to drive to work.
Day 308
A full on Thursday today and a lovely yoga session tonight was finished off with a bit of yoga reading in bed.
Day 309
Friday means I can leave work a bit earlier than usual but I'm not sure how much longer it will be for me to get back home in the daylight - this was the late afternoon sky.
Day 310
A lovely family walk along the canal today - I spent some time chatting to my girl and she is turning into a bit of a mini-me with her Doc Martens.

x x x