Turning a Low into a High

We all have down days, bad weeks; for some, even a succession of unfortunate events which can contribute to an awful month. "That's life," the eternal optimist might say, "pick yourself and move on." But it's not always that easy is it?

Who knows what is around the corner, what life will throw at you tomorrow and how it will make you feel. You could wake up feeling on top of the world but go to bed wondering where it all went wrong. You may have reached this point in this post thinking 'This isn't very uplifting is it?!' but the purpose of this piece is to highlight the need to keep a sense of reality of what each day can bring and how to maintain a positive mindset to combat even the most challenging of times.

It is not about travelling around in a bubble of noncommittal but about how to face issues head-on in real-terms which in the long-term can be much more proactive and effective. It helps us to deal with situations that we may not want to face and builds life skills on how we can tackle these with minimal impact to ourselves.

This post is not about how to find the solution for any problems which may arise in your life, but how to implement a few simple tips to use as building blocks to start you on your journey - look them as four pillars to boost your morale and lift your mood to higher place;

1. Be Realistic
Keep the situation in real-time. Be aware of your own thoughts and stay calm to ensure that you make the best decision which is not based on emotion but on clear thinking and clarity. Accept that some things happen which are out of our control and that life doesn't always present situations which are how we want them to be.

2. Don't Shift the Blame
People who can't accept difficult circumstances and find it hard to make concise, sensible decisions, have a nasty habit of blaming other people for their problems. By failing to take responsibility for your actions you cannot possibly begin to make a true judgement of how to deal with an unwelcome situation.

3. Don't Over Think 
When you pull an issue apart into a thousand pieces it can seem almost impossible to find a solution. You can begin to judge everything and everyone and it becomes a thankless task trying to sift through  the multitude of surfacing negative thoughts in the hope of trying to find a chink of positivity which can assist with a usually easy remedy.

4. Don't Make Comparisons 
We all do it - comparing ourselves with others seems to be second nature; especially with the rise in popularity of social media and networking. But in the long-run, it really won't do you any favours and can build frustration and in some cases resentment. There will always be someone prettier, smarter, younger and more successful than you but they will never be you - create your own story and your own success in life.

Spring Herbs

Well I must say that today has truly felt like a spring day. The sun hasn't stopped shining and there hasn't been a drop of rain all day - somewhat of a novelty after the very wet bank holiday weekend! Definitely a garden day; the perfect opportunity to pot a few more herbs to use in my cooking.

Herbs are not a revelation for many of us but they are an integral part of many of my dishes - when used fresh they add extra depth and perfume to food and are a great way to experiment with new flavours.

Starting your own kitchen garden is probably one of the most easy things to do; even if you are limited on space it is still super simple. I use basic terracotta pots, each individually labelled in a sunny but sheltered spot on the stone steps by the front door. I grow what I know I will use; mainly classic herbs such as rosemary, basil, sage and coriander; but occasionally I do like to mix-it up a bit by planting new less available herbs to try in dishes.

This year I've planted 'borage'; the leaves have a cucumber-like taste and are apparently lovely in salads; and the bright blue edible flowers have a sweet honey taste which can be used to decorate desserts and cocktails (and who needs an excuse to sample a pretty cocktail?!).

The draw for me is the satisfaction of eating something which I have grown myself instead of buying it from the supermarket. Herbs are so easy (and cheap!) to grow and flourish for the majority of the year. You don't even have to buy new pots; old tins, tea caddies, jars and ceramic dishes all work as lovely new homes for most herbs. - fabric is so pretty for indoor growing!

So take advantage of the nice weather, get outdoors and try planting something new; something that you can use in your cooking, in your dishes, something where you can say 'I grew that' and most importantly something which tastes great!

Hello March!!

Hello March! Where is this year going?!
Today is officially the first day of Spring and although the weather may not be living up to my seasonal expectations, my outlook and attitude definitely is!

Spring is probably my favourite season. It signifies a new start, life, growth and renewal. It's a great time of the year to let go of all of those negative thoughts which have been weighing heavy on your mind and look forward to a positive start.

Now is a great time to embark on something that you've been putting off - that big wardrobe clear out, decorating a tired looking room, searching for new job or starting a new health and fitness regime... and I choose the latter.

The last few months have been tough to say the least and it would seem that I needed Mother Nature to present a moment to bring myself forward and open my eyes to something new.
I always need a point to work from - my rules are - never start a new regime on a Monday (too many expectations and such a cliche!), know what your goals are and what you want to achieve and be realistic.

I am striving to step up my commitment to healthy eating, to throw in a lot more 'extra' exercise and to add a much needed hefty pinch of self belief. As healthy, wholesome food is my thing it's a good point to work from; I have my weak moments and my cravings like most, but nothing makes me feel better than knowing I've cooked something from scratch with fresh ingredients - I know what's gone into it, I know that there's no nasty additives and hidden surprises such as a whole heap of salt or sugar.

Good food is the definitely the key - it doesn't just feed your body but also your mind and soul as well. The planning, the preparation and the action of cooking are all as important as each other and as equally therapeutic. A healthy mind and a healthy body should stand me in good stead.

It's time to move forward and there's no time like the present! xxx

Monday Motivation

Life has a funny habit of presenting the unexpected. Many days are a challenge to see how well you can cope and others are a gift to reward you for passing the latest test. But no matter how we navigate our way through the pitfalls and openly embrace and welcome the happy moments; you never know how you are going to deal with these scenarios until they arise.

You may surprise yourself with your resilience and tenacity or you may feel the need to readdress and build on your lack of strength and courage. Keep focused, move forward and stay positive. Remember; positive thoughts encourage positive actions! x