A Healthy Mindframe on - CHEATS - TREATS - REWARDS -

Hello there, welcome back!

~

Today I wanted to share with you my thought process on a healthy way of thinking about a few different things.

Slightly random and odd I know but this is something that has really helped me in terms of having a healthy frame of mind when it comes to living a balanced life. As I mentioned in a previous post (HEALTHY LIVING) I truly believe that to have a healthy body it all starts within. This includes the way you think about things, most importantly the way you think about yourself and the relationship you have with eating healthy and exercise.

~

 

~

So today I want to talk about the three words above. I think they are all extremely different, and the way you think about each one should be positive and effect your healthy living in a good way. When I first stared thinking about this (whilst I was running - see told you I get into wired thought processes when I run alone haha) because I think so many people in the 'fit' world mix the meanings behind each of these up (in terms of health and fitness).

~

Cheat - what does that mean exactly? To cheat yourself out of something? To do something that seems wrong? To maybe do something or get to a certain point in a way that isn't the most honest? This is what comes to mind for me.

The interwebs defines cheat as: act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage. So why would you decide to use this word to describe a meal to yourself? Why do people say they have 'cheat meals' or 'cheat days' - I honestly think that this way of thinking is destructive when it comes to eating healthy and working out. If you truly want to be fit and healthy and happy why would you 'cheat' on that? Shouldn't it be about living a wholesome, balanced life. You don't have 'cheat days' where you allow yourself to be rude to everyone you interact with do you? That sounds crazy doesn't it?! That's how I view the whole 'cheat meal' thing. I don't think it is helpful for your frame of mind to view food like that whatsoever!

~

Treat - what do you think of when you think treat? Something your getting that is special? Something that doesn't happen often? Treat is defined as:

an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure. Doesn't that seem like a much better way to view having a meal that you maybe don't eat every single day? 

~

 

 

Reward - ahhh to reward yourself, reward for an achievement. Defined as: a thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement. A perfect thing to do to recognise the effort you are making in turning your life into a long, happy and healthy one. Rewards are something that I believe is vital in ensuring to continue with healthy living. It is something I do often for goals I set myself; like running 5km without stopping, entering my first 5km race, running 10km without stopping, performing a month long abs challenge and so on.

However, I don't think that food should be connected to achievements when it comes to workouts. If you do an amazing run and feel incredible after and then reward yourself with doughnuts or chocolate or pizza your then going to associate exercise with not so great eating, or every time you do an awesome workout you'll immediately think of food! Rewards should be things you gift yourself to say 'hey well done, your making goals and then reaching them' 

My favourite reward is always always fitness gear! Its like fuelling a fire haha! The more goals I set and conquer, the more workout clothes I have, the more I then feel motivated to workout, the more goals I set myself..... its a never ending cycle that keeps me motivated, healthy and happy! 

Lorna Jane clothing is by far my favourite reward - which you can find HERE but you can always reward yourself with other things; a bubble bath, a facial or massage, painting your nails, an afternoon of no jobs or tasks, a weekend away .... the options are endless! 

  

 

 ~

I think you should treat yourself when you feel like it, not because of anything to do with fitness. I think you should reward yourself with NON food things whenever you reach a fitness goal you've set for yourself and I don't think you should EVER cheat on your mind or body.

~

Getting these three words sorted into specific meanings for myself has helped me a great deal in how I view food, healthy eating and happy living. May seem simple or basic, but the way you allow yourself to view things essentially defines you.

What are you thoughts on this, I'd love to know!

Have a great day!

xoxo



FOOD: Bill's Cafe Covent Garden

Well hello there, how are you today?
I wanted to start doing a few new themed posts, some titled THIS WEEK with what's been on my mind for the week, what I've been loving, what I'm obsessing over etc and then FOOD posts with reviews on places I eat out, favourite recipes, meal prep and all good things like that - what do you think? Too late, I'm doing it anyway! tehehe
~
So first up on this new FOOD series is a review on a place I ate whilst staying in London, Bill's Café in Covent Garden.
 

 

Bill's is a funky café / restaurant style place with a grocery store feel to it as all the walls are lined with produce. A cool thing you can do is they actually give you a grocery list when you sit down and you can tick off things on the list you'd like - they then collect the items whilst you eat and add the cost to your bill and give you the packed bag on the way out! Neat huh? I wish my weekly grocery shop was laid out like that!  

 

 

There are actually Bill's cafes located all over England I believe, but I loved this one as it is tucked away in a courtyard so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the busy streets around Covent Garden.

 

 

Now onto the food! (drools). We ordered fried haloumi with herbs for a starter to share with a aioli dip - ermagawsh it was so yum 

 

 

 Mum ordered the spinach, avocado and sundried tomato salad - she really enjoyed it. Tip though, she did order the starter size and thought after that the main size would have been better.

 

 

I had the grilled chicken skewers with cous cous, pitta bread and a tzatziki sauce. I really enjoyed this meal, it was full of flavours that complemented one another, was the perfect size for a main meal for me and left me feeling satisfied and not uncomfortable. 4/5 for me!    

 

Dad went with the burger - something I think is a classic at this restaurant, he really enjoyed it and said the chips were spot on! 

 

Here is the business card for you with some details on where you can find it.

If your in the area I would recommend it for sure, I'm just sad I didn't get to go there for a breakfast, the menu looked just as good as the dinner one!

~

Have a great day!

xoxo

 

 

 

 



Current Obsession: GRANOLA

 You guys, I have an addiction ...
I cannot for the life of me stop making and eating granola.
This is the first week in I'd say around 5 weeks that I haven't made granola and I am currently experiencing withdrawal symptoms and pondering making granola tonight at 9pm....that's totally normal right?

 ~
Anyway I am thanking my lucky stars that granola can be considered a health food, although in the copious amounts I'm eating it at I'm not too sure haha! In all serious-ness I highly recommend you make some granola ASAP! It is the perfect breakfast food to mix with fruit and greek yoghurt, I eat it for morning tea with fruit, I sprinkle some on top of my smoothies and smoothie bowls, I make a cocoa one and have it for dessert with strawberries .... the options are endless. I may even stand at the kitchen cupboard and eat a few spoonful's!!! (shhh don't tell!)  
~
The two recipes I've been bouncing back and forth and making hybrids of is the I Quit Sugar Coconutty Granola and the Lorna Jane NOURISH Granola. Equally obsessed with both.
The IQS Granola is actually available for free online so I say make it immediately, fall in love with it, purchase the Lorna Jane NOURISH Cookbook and make hers, then continue to make both forever and on.
And then perhaps come join me in the 'Granola addiction club' you'll like it there...we serve granola.
~
Here is the link to the IQS Granola: HERE!
And here is the link to the Lorna Jane NOURISH cookbook (it has an abundance of other amazing recipes too btw): HERE!
~
Let me know once you've passed over to the dark side
xoxo