I constantly get asked how do I keep my energy levels up with my manic lifestyle & constant travel. And with my instagram pic of my green smoothie in the taxi the other day it spiked even more interest!
Starting the day right.
Giving a recipe is one thing but I think to put it all in perspective I think it is worth noting the other things I do to keep my energy levels up and how I try to be as healthy as possible. Please note these things below are things I have experimented on over the years and I am not endorsing any products, just letting you know what works for me
So here you go!
1. I have always been project ‘driven’ & LOVE to be busy. Having a project gives you a reason to get up in the morning and gives you a sense of personal achievement no matter how big or small it is.
2. Never been a great sleeper so can fit alot in a day (that’s not a positive by the way)
3. Ask any of my friends & I’ve always looked after my health, eat well (80% of the time) and have always sought alternative therapies rather than looking for a ‘magic pill’.
4. I haven’t eaten red meat since I was 16.
5. I deleted sugar from 80% of my diet when I became a Mum (long story but sugar was our household staple as a child & knew I wasn’t going to bring my kids up on sugar). Much to my kids embarrassment at school – they couldn’t swap lunches as carrot & celery sticks weren’t great bargaining foods!
But what I have discovered as MY healthy ‘magic pill’ alternative of late is the green smoothie!
I have been using vital greens for a couple of years and I swear by it but then I found the green smoothie last year & when put together – well I’m bouncing all over the place. The fact it is Australian and developed by naturopaths is also a big tick for me.
I have this smoothie at least 5 times a week. Due to travel it can’t always be everyday, even though I travel with a mini blender. It depends on how late I fly in & getting to a supermarket to buy ingredients for the morning.
No one offers to clean the blender
Another morning ritual – juice of half a lemon & fresh ginger, which is good for your immune system.
TIP: after drinking anything with lemon juice swish your mouth with water & don’t brush your teeth for 1 hr. lemon juice softens the tooth enamel & after doing this for most of my life I have learnt the hard way. You can’t get the enamel back on your teeth.
I found this green smoothie recipe at Kimberly Snyder’s site– I highly recommend her site. I haven’t bought her books yet but a girlfriend swears by them! It is on my list for when I’m home for a good couple of weeks so can try the recipes rather than just reading them on the plane!
On top of this I try ( and read that close, TRY) to exercise 3 times a week and having a personal trainer as a husband does keep me in check. I did yoga every morning for 20yrs (even while pregnant) but had to stop due to acute sciatica, yes I know is meant to be good for it but it created mine and aggravated it. Now it is 95% better I am promising myself getting back into yoga. I did Bikram Yoga (amazing!) for a year, reformer and mat pilates when I can get to a class and I do regular couch surfing on days I just want to hide from the world and not talk to anyone!
I live by 80-90% healthy & 10- 20% treats! I do have sugar but as a treat only, and yes I love a champers at the end of the week. It is all about balance afterall!
Cheers!
And finally I live by the free medicine of ‘laugh everyday’ even when it is the sh#%iest day ever.
Treat not Deprive. By having just a small bit you can buy the best quality! And that is a treat as well!
Now I’m not a 24hr positive, constantly annoying in your face happy person, I have my down times, love a good ‘get it off your chest’ chat with a girlfriend and have been challenged in my life many, many……. many times. But I do wake up everyday & see it as a new day to ‘start again’, gather good people around me & walk away from meaningless negativity. I don’t preach my lifestyle on anyone but if you ask, I’m happy to share!
So there you go – my green smoothie, my basic daily principals & how I keep myself healthy in a nutshell.
There is no magic wand to health, and one day of doing the above wont give you instant energy & change your life BUT give it a go for a month & I know you will look and feel great for it.
Let me know how you go!
