Health and Fitness apps that I love

Health and Fitness apps that I love

Sunday 12 February 2017

Part of my new years resolutions this year is to get fit and healthy, and basically just become the best me possible, cheesy I know. This is some of my favourite fitness apps that I use regularly. I am also trying out some more apps at the moment and would love to hear what apps you recomend.

1. Running

This app is awesome, especially if you want to get into running. I use to love running, in the afternoons, I would go for runs around the farm and i loved it. I always related running to feeling empowered, owning your body and pushing yourself to new strengths, running faster and longer each time. With this app you can choose from 6 options which are; Walking for weight loss, start running, running for weight loss, 5k and 10k. Later this year I want to do a 10k, which also makes this app awesome as I can work towards that goal, I have done part of the running for weight loss however i have decided to go back to starting to run as well I am going to be real I hated it, loved the feeling but I was also like screw this. I'm also not running on a flat surface (there are some hills, like a lot, I hate them) and i was running for a lot longer amounts than the workouts suggested, so I am going back to basics and 'learning' to run again.

2. Blogilates

I have used the blogilates app for probably two years now and I really like it for days that I don't have time to workout or I don't have access to somewhere to workout. You can do pilates anywhere anytime which is something I love. The videos that are apart of the app are so handy and I love that you can tick off each day because well I love lists, and the feeling of accomplishment when I tick things off.

3. Calm

Although this app is not a fitness app, it is to do with wellbeing. It is so important to take time to ourselves and relax. It is simple little 10min meditation sessions each day that help to relax your mind and be really prepared for the day.

What are your favourite health and fitness apps? Do you use any of these apps?

Let me know in the comments below.

50 Fun (Mostly) Free Things To Do Alone

50 Fun (Mostly) Free Things To Do Alone

Friday 10 February 2017

YES! You read that right ALONE!! I am single like NEVER been more single in my life and most of my friends aren't which means I often have the choice of been a third/fifth/seventh (you get the point) wheel or I just hang out by myself. Yay for learning to be more independent (this is where my mother says I have always been annoyingly independent). Okay, in all seriousness I like hanging out by myself, I am an incredibly busy person and when I hang out with friends I try and make it at either breakfast, lunch or dinner because I have to eat and so do they thus saving time. That makes me sound like a bad friend, but who doesn't like food! To prove to you I am really busy I have my blog (obviously, you know that), I am also a student and I have a part time job I also travel 4-5 hours each week for therapy. I told you it was a legit reason.

This year to tackle my issues of the 'unknown' I am trying to do something each week that scares me slightly and has unknown 'traits', thus doing fun things ALONE is deffo on that list. Also, I am a uni student I can't afford to do fun expensive things ALONE, like you want cheaper accommodation; get a boyfriend, you want to go on holiday; oh yep its a twin package (yeah, they got you there didn't they). Don't get me wrong I love hanging out with myself but places that charge less or only have twin deals; I hate you! (Sorry, had to be said. Am I right single people or am I right??)

**Sidenote: When I started writing this post I was putting my little sarcastic comments next to each 'activity' then realized not only would this take way too long to write but it would also be extremely boring and long for you to read, thus now only some have my comments (although if you want me to add snarky comments to all of them, let me know in the comments below. )

1. Go to the Beach.
2. Go on some kind of nature walk.
3. Workout hahahaahaha, I know
4. Read a book.
5. Paint your nails.
6. Lie on the grass and listen to music like some cool 80's hippy
7. Watch a movie
8. BUBBLE BATH!!
9.  Start a garden with vegetables or flowers or herbs. The possibilities are endless.
10. Cook a new recipe using only the ingredients in your cupboard (haven't been shopping in a week? no problem, I'm sure your week old broccoli will taste great!)
11. Meditate
12. Make a goals list
13. Write a letter to literally anybody.
14. Get crafty
15. Ride your bike (that is if you haven't had it in you garage for five years and grown out of it)
16. Clean out your wardrobe and donate the stuff you no longer use, because yay for giving to charity!
17. Pamper time
18. Window shop ALONE
19. Go for a drive
20. Binge watch NETFLIX or some cheap site where you do not have to pay  **Sidenote I am not encouraging illegal downloading of anything!
21. Go to a museum
22. KNIT
23. Learn something new
24. Organize your phone (I know nothing is in folders and it's an absolute mess, sort it out!!)
25. Compliment yourself.
26. Walk your dog.
27. Scream (It is satisfying)
28. Check your emails and REPLY to them
29. Scroll the internet.
30. Read Jokes.
31. Keep doing what you are doing right now.
32. Pick flowers.
33. Clean your house.
34. Do your washing, yes I know you haven't done it in three weeks stop being lazy and do it
35. Do something with your hair; curl it, straighten it, cut it all off, the possibilities are endless.
36. Dance
37. Go onto the Sephora website put everything you could ever want in your basket then press the little X in the corner and remind yourself you can;t afford to buy anything
38. Create a bucket list
39. Meal Prep.
40. Create a budget.
41. Foooooood
42. Swimming
43. Random act of kindness
44. Pinterest, need I say more.
45. Drink WINE (not encouraged if you are legally not allowed, have water instead)
46. Stalk your ex on Social Media.
47. Affirmations (Yes, I mean to stand in the mirror and tell yourself how damn sexy you are.)
48. Go to the park
49. Lie on the floor and think of all those fantastic responsibilities you have and what you should actually be doing.
50. Nap

I am somewhat impressed that I got 50 things down okay I know I cheated with a few but close enough.

What are some free things you love to do? Do you like hanging out alone?

Let me know in the comments below.

Anxiety

Anxiety

Wednesday 8 February 2017

Anxiety comes in many different forms and it can feel very different for each person.  It is important to learn the difference between feeling anxious about stressful events such as a job interview or exam, and ongoing anxiety that affects your everyday activities. This type of ongoing, all-over anxiety is called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Personally, I have struggled with anxiety for many years and have felt the effects of it in many different forms including having panic attacks. Everybody struggles with feeling anxious at some point and it is important to remember that you are not alone and there is things you can do to help.

Anxiety is described as “a disorder characterised by intense, frequent or continuous anxiety, which may lead to disruptive avoidance behaviour” (Burton, Westen, & Kowalski, 2012).

Anxiety related disorders:

It is common that people who experience generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can also live with other mental illnesses such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Signs and Symptoms:

These can differ from person to person however here are some key symptoms that people with GAD can experience:

·      Expecting the worst

·      Worry excessively about everyday things when there is no need to worry

·      Not being able to relax

·      Avoid different situations that may make them anxious

·      Feelings of edginess and restlessness

·      Poor sleep

Diagnosing Anxiety:

Although there is no test for anxiety, it is important that if you find your anxiety restricting you visit a health professional such as a GP or clinical psychologist in order to assess your situation and decide on a plan going forward.

Treatment options:

There are many different options for treating GAD, here are some of them:

·      Medication: It is important to understand that it can take time to find a medication that is right for you

·      Therapy: This can include talking therapies which can be very useful for children and young adults experiencing anxiety symptoms.

·      Complimentary therapies: this can include things as exercise, mindfulness, yoga and much more.

 Where you can find help:

•   Lowdown: thelowdown.co.nz

•   Sparx: sparx.org.nz/about

•   Healthline: 0800 611 116. (Available 24 hours, 7 days a week and free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone).

•   Lifeline 0800 543 35

•   Samaritans – 0800 726 666 (for callers from the Lower North Island, Christchurch and West Coast) or 04 473 9739 (for callers from all other regions)

•   Ministry of Health. Online self-test

•   Big White Wall. Free for Auckland DHB residents. A UK-based professionally facilitated peer support community of people who are experiencing common mental health problems.

•   Beating the Blues. Online CBT therapy module, NZ

•   CALM Website. Exercises and information you can download.

•   Depression.org.nz including The Journal. NZ based self-help program designed to teach you skills that can help get through mild to moderate depression more effectively.

•   UK Mental Health Foundation. Free audio podcasts that can help you relax and improve your sense of wellbeing.

Thank you to ‘The Mental Health Foundation’ for their support on this post.

If you would like to donate to The Mental Health Foundation click here.

Textbook reference used: Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. M. (2012). Psychology. Milton, Qld.: John Wiley and Sons Australia.

Auckland

Auckland

Monday 6 February 2017

If you know me you know this was going to be a blog post at some point! I love Auckland but it hasn't always been that way. I use to have a strong hate towards Auckland for various different reasons, however, after living on the north shore for a year I have come to live this city I once hated.

I grew up north of Auckland however, that changed seven years ago when the town I was living in became a part of the Auckland supercity, that meant i technically lived in Auckland. Not going to lie I despised Auckland for making this change. I grew up on a farm in the country, I in no way wanted to be a part of the city. however moving closer to the city this year I have fallen in love with Auckland, which is a sentence I was certain i would never say.

Some of the places  love in Auckland include:

Piha

My favorite because was an hour and a half away from where I was living in Auckland which meant, I had to find another beach. Granted Piha is still 40-60 minutes away from where I live, it was still closer and also close to family which is obviously ideal.


Titirangi

I love Ttitirangi, I also have family that live in Titrangi thus, I have gotten to know the place fairly well. I love the cafes, the bush and the overall vibe of the place.

Albany

I have uni in Albany and spend most of my time there so it would be very wrong fir me not to include it in this post. I have found my favorite cafe, and a lot of my other favorite spots in Albany it definitely feels like home now.

What place makes you feel at peace? Do you have a special place?

Let me know in the comments below.

The Unknown

The Unknown

Friday 3 February 2017

The unknown and overcoming it is something I have struggled with for a very long time and is something I talked about in my new years resolutions post.

The Unknown and the though of it scares me, but like with any fear I talked about it with my therapist. It doesn't mean just because I have talked about it with my therapist for a couple of sessions that I am magically cured and no longer scared of the unknown because it defiantly doesn't work like that, although i wish it did.

*deep breathe* since I was a id i hated doing things that i didn't know every detail about, I hated meeting people and doing things that I couldn't predict the outcome to and throughout the years with the experiences I have been through it has enforced this fear more and more, I was finding myself stopping doing things because I couldn't predict what was going to happen.

Last year, things had to change. I made massive decisions that ultimately I didn't know what was going to happen. I had to make the decision whether I was going to better myself and further my life or I was going to take the safe option. I chose to take the riskier option. I chose to move cities, start uni, a new job and so much more! It was terrifying and looking back all so worth it. It was worth it because of the experiences I have had (both positive and negative), the knowledge I have gained, and the friends and people i have met, as well las so many more things.

While these are things that I have taken a chance with it doesn't mean I wasn't terrified by them, I am also finding that I am still making decisions out of fear of not knowing what is going to happen. I have needed the start of potential relationships with amazing people because i am scared of getting hurt, I don't do things and avoid places and doing things because I can't predict the outcome. One event imparticular have been heavily based on not knowing what is going to happen and with this particular thing whatever I decide I cannot predict the outcome, which obviously is something that I struggled to deal with. Ultimately I have realised that, this is probably something I will always struggled with however I came to the decision on what to do in that situation. I decided that ultimately I have to do what is best for me, I don't know if it will be the right decision in 6 months, five year or even 20 years but right now this is the best decision for me. Yes, it could be viewed as the most predictable option but ultimately I chose this decision because it is the best thing for me.

Ultimately sometimes the safe option is what is best for us and that is how we should live always choosing the option that will be best for you, whether that is scary and unknown or not. My therapist and I made a list as we do quite often that list consisted of some of the  things that I have done that I didn't know what the outcome was going to be and it turned out the it was mostly positive outcomes, sure there were things that turned out to be crap ut from those experiences I have learned valuable things and they have helped shape me into the person i am today.

Live life with the thought process of how good is it going to be for you, what are you going to learn that will be of value to you!

Gluten-Free Chickpea Coconut Curry Recipe

Gluten-Free Chickpea Coconut Curry Recipe

Sunday 29 January 2017

I love a good curry and being a studentI have found that this one is easy to make and fairly cheap as well. You could also add broccoli and potatoe if you wanted more variety.

Chickpea Coconut Curry

Serves: 4

Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients:

2 cans of drained chickpeas

1 cup shredded coconut

1 onion

3tsp garlic

3tsp ginger

4tsp coriander

2tsp fennel seeds

1tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp turmeric

2 tomatoes

1 can tomatoes

1tsp salt

¼ cup water

1 can coconut cream

Method:

1   Heat a frying pan over medium to high heat. Place all of the shredded coconut into the pan lightly toasting, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn. Add the water eventually the coconut will break down although this does take time (if you are impatient like me, you can just use the toasted shredded coconut.) once

  

2 Add the onion, garlic, ginger and cook until translucent.

3 Add the ground spices and mix together, for about a minute for everything to be mixed together. Add tomatoes and a splash of water and cook until the tomatoes are tender, this will take approximately five minutes depending on how hard the tomatoes are. If there are still bits left mash them with a fork.

4 Add the shredded coconut mix, and chickpeas giving them all a stir around then add the coconut cream stirring to ensure it is all mixed together.

5  Let simmer for 5 to ten minutes and serve with rice.

What is your favourite curry recipe? Have you tried this one?

Let me know in the comments below.