Ditch the Caffeine - Embrace the Food!

Lately I have been surrounded by talks of detoxing and all these crazy schemas to shed away those little annoying Christmas pounds, fair enough, as I too would like to whip my lil butt into shape.

What's really annoying me though is how at Uni, with all the deadlines catching up with us ,everyone keeps on going on about how much they need their "caffeine boost!" or "sweet sweet morning glory (coffee)". Me personally, even when hanging out at Starbucks and everyone is asking for their Caramel Frappucino, Espresso or Extra Shot Skinny Vanilla Late all I can think of is a nice Hot Chocolate and some YUMMY FOOD!

With me there is nothing better to feel cleansed and full of energy after the hollidays than some jogging and tasty easy food, so as an attempt to stear you guys clear of the hidden addiction that is caffeine I thought I'd share with you some easy recipes that will boost your energy all the same ; )

Peanut Butter and Banana Sarnie

2tbsp peanut butter (preferably with no added sugar)

2 slices of wholemeal bread

1 sliced banana

...because: Bananas are bursting with carbohydrates, potassium and fibre which will keep you feeling full for longer and slowly release energy into your body! You can even add some hony if you like.

Wholewheat Pasta with Broccoli, Beans and Cheese

Toss together 1 cup coocked wholewheat penne pasta,

30g feta cheese,

1/2 cup cannellini beans,

1 cup chopped broccoli and

2tsp olive oil

...because:

It's simply the ideal fibre-protein mix rather than the carb overload that is spaghetti and tomatoe sauce which will only lead to an energy crash once it burns out! plus wholewheat is digested slower than white pasta which will help if you find yourself struggling with afternoon fatigue.

Lentil soup and Salad

250ml bowl of lentil soup (will ask my Mum for the recipe)

1 wholegrain roll

1 plate of mixed salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomatoe, onion, avocado, carrots, and whatever else you like), dress with a light vinaigrette dressing

...because:

Lentils, beans and chilli soups are good hearty altenatives to broth-based ones such as tomato soup and for that reason keep you going for much much longer, you'll find yourself snacking much less as beans and lentils are high in fibre and protein.

So there you have it, my simple plan to boosting your energy a little more this year without turning to those evil energy drinks or espressos on your way out the house. And remember if yo have the time, thre is nothing like a nice afternoon jog!

New Year's Resolutions - do we really need them (that much)?

It's that time of year again!
With Christmas gone we now turn our focus to making the New Year  much better than the one before, somehow.

This sense of novelty makes us  get our heads all worked up with identifying what it is we need to do to renew ourselves too, but should we really be changing every year? Will we ever be able to enjoy the midnight fireworks whilst thinking "well done, now just keep doing what you do."?

Yes, I know most of us need a little something to look forward to in order to face yet another year of whatever it is we do with a little more optimism but if we think about it, how many of the resolutions we settle on have we had on the list before? I'm not saying we don't do them alltogether but perhaps learn to choose more realistic ones. If we did this wouldn't we be gradually perfecting ourselves to a point where a change in habits would no longer be needed?

I may be saying this but I too have things I'd like to improve on this year but to be honest, I'm just a little tired of seeing the same things on my list year in year out! This is when I decided to STOP, breathe and really think about where I have been going wrong...it was right there in front of me (well behind my eyes really... inside my head ).

All this time I was too focused in changing where I went 'wrong' or failed to succeed, that I forgot to analyse just how many of those shortcomings were actually part of my nature, part of who I am. Now that I have realised this I can fully embrace my annoying ever so persistent differences and shortcomings that keep me from being the self-actualized, almost perfect woman I dream of being one day.

So there you have it, do your lists, post it notes, diary entries, whatever it may be, but remember! the same way you project for the future, introspect and acknowledge the past.

Appreciate what defines you and if you don't like it much then find a way to tame it rather than attempt to discard it because some things, just don't seem to go away.

x

Patty? WHO IS SHE?!?!!

Before you make up your mind as to whether you should be even remotely interested in what I 'Patty' has to say, here's a little something about me...

So, I'm a girl in her 20's who has a bit to say about everything, anything to me is worth exploring and discussing really.

I have immigrated and pursued my studies in two countries, Portugal and England which opened my eyes to quite a few truths about people, places and even myself!

There is always an opportunity and reason for sharing your opinion on something and as I'm not heavilly sedated or somehow programmed to comply with everything I encounter, I intend to do just that.

Drama, Psychology, Sports and Art are just a few of my many interests so if you have a bit of a crave for any of these or anything alike I'm sure you'll find something here to satisfy it. And remember, we don't see things as they are, we see them as we are!

; )