Just in time for your New Year Resolutions - Mind Movie

After speaking with my girlfriend B, who incidentally has just left her commercial airline in Dubai to come work and play with me next month, she sent me a link to this 'Mind Movie' she watches everyday. You can either watch one already made or even make your own with all the things you want in your life....apparently it only works if watch it everyday. Just an extension of doing your own visualisation for what you do want in your life and forget even thinking about what you don't want. I love this stuff! Could really be helpful in your resolutions or goals for next year. I watched it today before I left the house for the gym, and my workout was the best I had done in ages. Plus everything else just seemed to flow so well for the rest of the day. And it isn't even over yet! Think I might make one of my own with my goals for 2009

New Year, New You

Another post about New Year Resolutions! Well it's about that time of year again when most people are thinking of new beginnings and goals they hope to achieve over the coming year. It is a time to wipe the slate clean and start a fresh or continue in your intended direction should your dreams be longer term.

Every year I tend to have one or two resolutions that I like to work on and they never really change. Things like, eat better, exercise more, pay bills on time etc. which I am sure most people can relate to. But 2008 was a different story for me. As 2007 drew to a close, so did my life in another country, my job and some close relationships. It was a very challenging period where for a time I wasn't making the wisest choices, and as a result all I felt I needed was a mantra, not a resolution for the coming year. That mantra became 'be kind to me'.

In every choice and direction I have headed towards this year, I have asked if it were keeping in with my mantra 'be kind to me' and it has guided me towards more fulfilling relationships with myself and those around me, plus an amazing job, MORE travel, and a drive to get overall healthier (mind, body and soul).

This year I have chosen to be more specific in my resolutions/goals as I feel 2008 was a consolidation year and I am ready to start moving forward in leaps and bounds. I have been working on specifics over the last couple of weeks with what I'd like to achieve next year in many facets of my life and am really excited to start to see them take shape.

Wanna peep at some of them?

• Go 100% Vegan - once again my guru Kristen at Kristen's Raw has inspired me through her insightful blog, amazing recipe books (available here), and personal guidance. The nail in the coffin for my meat eating ways was her recommendation to watch A Delicate Balance (only $4.95 to watch online) . Amazing information and I urge anyone who cares about their health and your planet to watch! My boyfriend has even been 1 week without any animal products (except for 2 small slices of turkey Christmas Day) after watching this and although he cares more about his health than most guys I know, he has always been adamant he could never give up meat! Plus being the animal lover I am it just makes sense for me to do this. Check out this photo mum took on Christmas Day of my 17 year old chihuahua back home. Hellooooooo Axl!
• Start Spanish lessons (this one has been on the cards for years!)
• Unpack my sewing machine from it's original box (and use it) from Christmas 2004!
• Go back to weight training at the gym - not just cardio!
• Be more conscious of how my lifestyle impacts the planet and act accordingly
  
• Learn that I don't have to always 'be right' or 'in charge'

These are just a few of the smaller goals I have but can't give ALL my secrets away just yet.

What are your resolutions for 2009?

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009

Wow, I never knew how busy this time of year would be for me considering I do celebrate Christmas however I am living in a non Christian country and I can count on one hand how many times I have heard any holiday greetings and we are only days away from the big day. I guess many years of working through Christmas have desensitised me to the 'specialness' of this day plus being away from family and close friends just make it a little easier to bear if you don't get too wrapped up in the day. Plus I can no longer get excited over the turkey feast as I grow a conscience for our planet and for my body, so really to me it just reminds me the reason why we celebrate it in the first place which has got to be a good thing right?

I love living in a country where I am able to experience a completely new culture, where my captain comes to work with a flask of arabic coffee to share with the rest of the non muslim crew, which his wife lovingly made for him to break his fast with some homemade baked date treats (when Muslim's fast for any reason, it is customary to break their fast with arabic coffee and dates at sunset). I often have to remind myself when I do find other aspects of living here quite difficult (not being able to drive etc), that this is an experience I am really blessed to have. I even get to share in some local traditions with some young arab friends I have made, for example partying (no alcohol mind you) on the beach til the early hours including dancing and games and being invited to Iftar* during Ramadan.

With or without Christmas I think this is always a busy time of year as it draws to a close and businesses and people work towards tying up lose ends before the New Year. New goals, opportunities and beginnings are just around the corner. As we wrap up the end of the year, it is a great time to reflect on what we have achieved, what we can improve on and generally just give thanks for what we have. Merry Christmas everyone and have a fantastic New Year!

How are you celebrating Christmas/New Year this year?

*The name of the meal at the end of the day which signifies the breaking of their daily fast during Ramdan

Beautiful Short Film

I've just moved house and in the midst of this silly season I will be back on track shortly with much to post about....

In the meantime enjoy this short film. I've watched it 3 times already....let me know if you love it as much!

Another giveaway!

Raw Epicurean must realise it is Xmas (oh and so do Excalibur!)

If you are wanting to go in the draw for the chance to win a Dehydrator click here.

I have just bought a converter for my UK plug Excalibur Dehydrator tonight, so I am yet to try out some delicious recipes on mine, but I can tell that Bev from Bev Goes Raw is just dying to have a 'dry off' with me very soon.

Good luck on the giveaway!

Rose Lane

One of my prized possessions is my tiny piece of this planet back home in Brissie. I know we shouldn't have attachments to anything material, but I guess my apartment stands for all my hard work and it is a little slice of tranquility I can call my own, especially after working shift hours and many a 4 sector day. One of the happiest moment of my life was the day it became mine.It has been the home of many a cocktail making extravaganza with no less than 30 guests crammed into my tiny apartment, girlie catch ups with friends over a bottle of wine or 3, a stop in centre for my FA girlfriends, who needed a place to crash when their house was too far to drive after a long trip or a big night out in the city where a journey to their home was $20 more in cab fare.It has even been a haven for my quarrelling parents who have just needed a place of respite from each other for a few hours, only to find they both ended up on my doorstep.

Oh yes it is small but mighty this one. I have shared some lovely memories in my apartment, but most of all was when my best pal KT decided to buy the one below mine. The only downside was she moved in to her house 2 months after I moved in with the parents to save cash for my obligatory overseas stint.

After years of living overseas since that moment, KT has welcomed me into her arms and HER cloned apartment every time I venture home to visit. It feels exactly like I never left and often I go to open cupboards soon before I remind myself it is not my house.

My apartment has survived (barely) me living through the tough times in London; who really can afford to live there honestly? There were tears when I felt forced to put it on the market just to ensure I could see out my UK experience, to the detriment of my bank accounts that were appearing in the red, only to find it wasn't the best time to sell anyway (thank goodness).

I have a beautiful tenant who at my age has loved my place as if it were hers the whole 3.5 years we have been apart.

Recently KT was pleased to tell me of her intent to move out after almost 3 years and in with her darling boyfriend and therefore it meant renting her place out also. This was an exciting time, new positive changes for her and less time living out of a suitcase for both parties. But this also reminded us, as much as we both adore our little marks on the world, it is really unlikely we will both ever live there again...and even less likely that we ever get to live there at the same time and install our internal fire pole from mine to hers to save from taking those few steps extra down the external stairs.

The end of an era.

Raw Epicurean Giveaway

For those of you budding RAW foodies out there, I came across this wonderful giveaway that thought you might be interested in. Even if you are not thinking of going RAW but have an interest in improving your health (or you already are), maybe you'd like to enter to have a chance to win a Lexen Healthy Juicer. Click here to find out more!

London: I Miss You!

On my trip to London last week, apart from spending up big on new RAW toys to play with, I had the chance to catch up with some friends, rug up with some of my favourite winter scarves and pound the pavement of Central London in a way I never did when I actually lived there.

Having been back to London 3 times since I moved from there in February, I continue to discover more and more charm about the place I once called home. In fact, I do believe that when you live somewhere you have less appreciation for it, plus you tend to forgo the sightseeing for the everyday grind and you can sometimes omit seeing all it has to offer.

I cannot deny on my arrival, I had chills run down my spine as I drove past recognisable "offey's"* and kebab chain restaurants, wondering if it were nostalgia or my gut telling me I had made the right decision to leave as London and I have mixed feelings about one another. But once I had had a chance to change and plan my dinner arrangements, staying in the heart of London made me smile once more.

The Highlights

• Meeting up with my partner in crime (Greensies) from when I lived in London (oh the stories!!!) and hailing from my own home of Brisbane, for a delicious meal and wine at delightful French restaurant Cote in Wardour street. I was finally able to meet her beautiful new man, PB, with whom she is moving to Tokyo with in one month. Expect some travel stories from there in future no doubt as she has made me promise to visit her next year. The great deal about our restaurant was the price. For a 2 course meal it was £9 and 3 course £11 if you were seated before 7pm. Such a great deal and the service was amazing. Wine too

• Peyton & Byrne - a very British Bakery. OK so it is still not RAW but I had been recommended to visit whilst on my Detox of all places...by a British restaurateur, after I mentioned my love affair with having High Tea. Delightful Darling! I did buy some Rooibos tea to curb my guilt as well as cupcakes for my friends.
• Dinner with another dear expat friend from home, residing in London for the last 5 years, to belatedly celebrate her engagement. Cam is planning two weddings next year, one back home and one in her fiance's home of Albania (once again, another destination on my list especially now I have a reason!) We also had French this time at Cafe Rouge, with a printed out 2 for 1 voucher from the internet, so who said the recession had to mean we could not indulge now and then. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled online now for more discounts!
  

• Christmas Lights and Christmas windows at Selfridges Oxford Street. Apparently this is the first time in 40 years Santa Claus has made an appearance in the windows and they have done it in style with him appearing in a bath tab and my favourite, a red VESPA among other creations. Aw, made me sad that I will be spending Christmas in an non practising environment, so I breathed in as much festive cheer as I could.

Photo: Helena Walsh

• Carnaby Street Christmas Decorations. This photo does it no justice.
• Wholefoods!
• Dim Sum at Gerrard's Corner in Chinatown. Ok so it is not RAW but I chose healthily and I had to visit for old times sake. Was the perfect antidote to a killer hangover in days gone by...this was my first solo mission here and quite a success. Somehow, no matter what you order, you never seem to pay more than £10 and you are never leaving there hungry. They have refurbished since I was last there and now have a Karaoke room downstairs for hire.
• Dinner (again!) at Cote. Just couldn't resist and another catch up with old housemate Gem and her gorgeous new boyfriend. I'm going to give her new online store for giftcards a plug here too just because I can and I hope the word gets around about Cote too!
  

The lowlights

• It snowed the day AFTER I left
• I didn't have half the time I required to catch up with all my pals (you know who you are!)
• I ran out of time to visit my old faithful friend, the Borough Market - only open on Thurs,Fri and Sat. Made famous by Jamie Oliver's visit's on his Vespa during programming for The Naked Chef....ooh the olive tasting and delicious mulled wine in winter held in gloved hands.YUM.
• Primark Oxford Street - nothing more said!
• I never got to sample the Raw & Vegan restaurants that there are plenty of in Central London. Definitely on my to do list for next time.
  
• I forgot to buy my Black Uggs (which Helena has made me promise to NOT wear them outside the house- - come on Helena that is where you want to wear them most!)

*Offlicence

Sorry...my domain is having teething problems...

Apologies if you have been trying to access my blog over the last few days and have had no luck. Things should all be rectified now and you should have no problems coming to pay me a visit......

Now what kind of tea would you like...I have green with mint, chai, cammomile, some fruit infused..........

I Just Couldn't Go Past This...

Adorable and quality film making.

ENJOY!