Finding gluten free snacks for kids can be a challenge. Mine had these vegie chips last week-end.
It’s easy to do.
Simply slice up vegies – zucchini, beetroot, potato, sweet potato or any other firm-ish vegetable. Spread out on a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
Put into an over on 240 and bake for 40 mins. They taste great with some oregano sprinkled on them and Himalayan Rock salt. MMMmmm
Or you can use them as “dipping chips” for dips :-)
One of the all time best rap songs… Baby Got Back by Sir Mix alot. (NB a little rude. This is the first time I have watched the video clip and I’m still blushing).
Do you have times in life when you go “why I am back to this again?”
Sometimes they are negative experiences – maybe they are behaviours – and they reap negative, sad or frustrating results. The mind lords of the world will tell us that we need to learn the “experience” or “let go” of something so we can move on.
I think they are right. And sometimes I think the same experience (especially if it is a negative one) can be a bench mark worth revisiting. Ask yourself: Is this affecting me as much as it used to? And if the answer is “no, it’s not as bad” then great, you have probably started to embrace and learn the lessons. If the situation still inflames you, then maybe it needs some more work (emotionally and on every other level). Be strong, be clear with where you are trying to move towards, and put the experience behind you.
These photos, however, are experiences that need to be relived repeatedly and regularly and some I will never “move on from”.
Polo Bears at Sea World, they are the most majestic creatures to watch.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are always worth a photo. (And I do, every single time I am in Sydney)
Organic shopping for the week
Check this out . $30 worth – AMAZING
3 herbs: parsley, italian parsley, basil
Kale, red kale, katsoi (? I think)
sweet potato for chippies
babaganoush dip
sunflower seeds, macademia nuts, organic chocolate, ginger, turmeric
I have heaps of salad now growing in my organic gardens (tres exciting).
The best way to eat dips – get some Kale and use it like a wrap. Fill with dip. Unreal
LESSONS from the WEEK
This week has been FUN and I have also learned some lessons.
Media :
I have learned that with media appearances I need to self –promote (especially with my book) and not wait for the host to do that (which is what happened with channel 9 the other day). I have had only a few book sales, the interview (and I ) didn;t mention my book. I will be onto it with the next interview.
Horse races:
I placed a trifecta on the Cox Plate – and got it. But I didn’t have the horses boxed, which I now know, means that you pick the first 3 horses over the line and they can come in any order.
Best Friends:
Are for ever. Thanks Steve and Jude for coming around on Wednesday night. It was so wonderful seeing our kids play and us , just being us, as it has been for 3 decades now. xx
Out sourcing:
I know one of the keys to achieving lots in the world, and being free to focus on your strengths is out sourcing. I must admit after the Global Economic Crisis, I dropped the ball a little. I really felt I was smaller and sub-serviant to what was happening around me. But I know have risen above all the doom and gloom stuff. It is, after all, just a confidence thing. Economies really reflect the confidence of a nation. I have outsourced 2 things this week to Elance (www.elance.com) It’s possibly the best thing I have ever discovered for work. My book is now being edited and my work book, Banish the Beast is now complete.
I have the confidence now to permit myself a cleaner and Michelle is on board to help me with book distribution and I might bring in a new book keeper .
Upwards and onwards..
Have heard from Kerri-Anne and the Circle producers… hopefully on in the next few weeks. Just want Harpo to call this week.
The most powerful things I do for myself are the following:
1. I spend time clarifying what I really want (as I have worked out knowing what one wants will then determine the path one needs to take).
2. Continually assess this. I don’t think we wake up and “know” exactly what we want for our entire life. Work in the now with a happy future in mind. Then reassess – maybe at weekly or even daily intervals (if you can).
3. Give your body the best nourishment you can. You body is your temple persay and it needs the respect of a ancient temple. They are NOT easy to rebuild, so maintain and up-keep it daily.
4. Move it, shake it wobble it.
5. Stop negative, self doubting thoughts in their tracks. I imagine a guilletine coming down and slicing the thought off from my being. Chop. Gone. Next.
6. Be involved with your community. I love going to the markets as I get to chat to the growers. These are the people who are growing stuff for my temple. It makes sense to me to know them, and chat to them. My community also involves my butcher, my baker, my coffee maker and even my bank manager. All of these people are in my life regularly. It makes sense to know them. To know about their lives and to share and involve them in mine. We are a community.
7. Belief. I believe in lots of things – none of them necessarily highly polarised to one religion, but I feel very comfortable that we are all connected in some ethereal sense and have a responsibility to each other and our planet. I do often visualise people as drops of water, that are beautiful entities but can also return to a bigger mass (the ocean) to draw on greater energy. Is that “out there”? Probably but it works for me and since I have had a great belief system, I feel a lot more secure and happy in my every day life.
8. Touch. I am lucky, I have 3 kids who love being touched and cuddled. But even without my kids, I still like the connection shared with other people. This has taken a while to develop. When I was depressed I struggled with knowing what I could and couldn’t do with people, and I didn’t have confidence to initiate a hug. Now I just hug and touch as I please. People will let you know if it’s too much. Europeans touch and kiss side to side all the time. I would love to see Australians be less precious with their “space”. It’s a nice way to feel part of a community. HUG more I say!
This is the link to the Today Show Balancing your Hormone
hoover your mouse over the above words
Today was my perfect day (excuse the pun). By the way, you must simply enter the channel 9 cash give away. $50 K tomorrow. The number is 199 55 901. Then answer the phone “I wake with today”. Why wouldn’t you?
I woke in Sydney and was collected and safely delivered by Peter the limo chap who took me to channel 9.
The staff at these stations all rock. They are nice, fun and courteous. It must be hard for them when some of us are so concerned about OUR stuff, but they have all been really cool so far.
Beth ushered me around and then Lisa did the interview. I must say Lisa is a professional. I was so impressed with her speed and accuracy. She read her brief while the camera men were zipping around and she rolled the questions out so well.
Back to the hotel… blinking… it’s over. WOW. So quick. Did I say everything I wanted to say? Just incase I didn’t here is the gist again:
Hormone changes are occurring because:
- high carb diets
- stress and over commitment (to the wrong stuff)
- work and study (career pressure)
- money has leap frogged our values of family
What are the symptoms
High estrogen
- headaches, migraines
- anxiety , depression, swinging moods
- cellulite, fat around the upper thighs
- long and heavy periods, low sex drive
- fibroids, endometriosis, reproductive cancers (breast, ovarian, cervical)
High testosterone
- aggression, irritability and snappiness
- acne
- facial hair
- infertility and fat gain around the middle
Remedy
1. Purpose and priorities - clarify what you really want each day and for YOUR LIFE!
2. Diet – decrease carbs (no bread, no rice or pasta ) , chemical free etc, market foods BEST
3. exercise – start with 10 mins and build up to 40 mins a day
4. feminize – be girlie (ribbons, dresses, skirts, flowers)
5. stress reduction – stop running infront of firing squads (stress events and triggers)
Now more exciting are my pics from around town…
This is why I LOVE SYDNEY
taken from the harbour bridge last night on my walk
Walking over the bridge to the Rocks. Sydney has it all. Beautiful architecture. Magic sights and a real heart beat.
statue in hyde park.
I had 45 minutes to fill in this morning before flying out, so I headed straight for the Art Gallery of NSW. One of the best in the world. And to top things off there was a Cezanne et al exhibition on. Its amazing how one drawn line can imply so much.
Then home… home to my terrific kids and Happy hour at the zoo. Good grief – talk about a reality check. Life goes on and I am so happy to have had my interlude. Today was my perfect day. Tv appearance (and helping women around the world better understand themselves), the art gallery, chatting with friends, meeting people, coming home and seeing clients, picking up the kids, feeding the kids and now chilling.
Once a week or at least once a fortnight I catch up with my NLP coach. (His name is Mark Edmondson). He is my success coach. It’s very much like catching up with any other coach – personal trainer, naturopath, life coach. He is someone who keeps me striving for greatness in life and is awesome at keeping me motivated (not that I lull much fortunately for me).
I can highly recommend a coach in your life. It has been proven that people have greater success in any area if they have a coach and I can see why. It’s like when clients see me.. I am not emotionally attached to any of their issues so can help them navigate around sticky situations and to find a path that works for them. It’s fun really.
Today in the kitchen
My $50 went miles today at the markets.
Knocked up some sweet potato chips for the kids – they are delicious. Yams or sweet potato are the staple diet of Pacific Islanders and if you go to Vanuatu you will be served sweet potato chips. Perfect with a sand crab and vino. But not too shabby with a roast either.
These are some quiches for the kids for tomorrow. Free range eggs, mozarella cheese, chicken, herbs and a cherry tomato. Gluten free and packed with protein. They have approximately 20 grams of protein per quiche. So if you are after a healthy work snack or lunch, these are perfect.
I have a little bit of preparation for channel 9. I would like to present my pilot (pitch) for a health and wellness show. So need to get a few things rounded up. Its amazing when one has goals how opportunities present themselves.
Well, like any modern woman I have a bit of a rebellious streak. On a Saturday night while up-dating my website, completing an e-book, preparing a newsletter and finishing my book on menopause, this will come out via the tunes of the Foo Fighters. Sad, but true! I have a secret desire to be with Dave Drool.. Doh, I mean Grohl.
My favourite songs to bogey to are:
Another Round (acoustic version) and one of my all time favourites is Times Like These.
A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.
SON: 'Daddy, May I ask you a question?'
DAD: 'Yeah sure, what is it?' replied the man.
SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'
DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.
SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me… how much do you make an hour?'
DAD: 'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.'
SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down... 'Daddy, may I please borrow $25?'
The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that, is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.’
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think… Maybe there was something his son really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often, so the man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
'Are you asleep, son?' He asked.
'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.
'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for.'
The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' he yelled.
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money and started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father
'Why do you want more money, if you already have some?' the father grumbled.
'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied. 'Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness...
It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts… Life too short...Take some time and have some fun. You only live once.....
I had a call from Channel 9 today and I am heading down to Sydney to be on The Today Show on Tuesday 8am!
It’s very exciting and I am sure I will be much better than I was on Sunrise. Thank-you Lisa Wilkinson for asking me and your producers xx
By the way, so many people as me what I eat for breakfast as I never eat grains or carbs on their own. This is what I had this morning.
Free range chicken fillet, organic vegetables and chutney. I think the experts say at breakfast eat like a king. I like to think I eat like a queen (but a piggy queen none the less).
Check out the beach from this morning – it’s all been sucked over to NZ :-(
Giddy up, today is the first nice day in ages. It has been a BIG day. Up at 6 30 after visualisation audio, walking, dog to vet for desexing, computer fix it man, Hicaps terminal man. Computer broken apparently – should only get mac from here on it and terminal man , tells me that Tel-com company hasn’t hooked up phone after all so will return when I advice them… 50 minute call to said Tel-com company – and I am sorry Hasheen (?) I didn’t mean to growl. Next week a technician will come out.
Off to collect audios of my book – very exciting, then the florist (Kalani was stunned at the massive walk in freezer and flowers) finally arriving at the merciful doors at SeaWorld.
I love that place!
I was thinking as I was lolling around the zoo/conservation park/ theme park, how much a part of my life it’s been. I went in 1974 when I was 5 and having been going pretty much ever since. Today: sting rays, sharks, fish, more fish, rides, HOT squashy rides for 3 year olds, (not mums), polo bears, dolphins. And lots of other fun things.
Home for sick and sore puppy, then a client. Some media postings tonight, preparation for a book signing tomorrow (girls networking day), other bits and bobs. Oh yes, cheered the divers and hockey players in the Commonwealth Games who won gold medals.
Media packs. I even sent one to Curtis Stone so he can forward it to Oprah on my behalf. I hope he doesn’t mind being asked favours of strangers. Oops. I will pay you back one day mate :-)
I have finished my first draft of my menopause book. I think i have typed 40 out of the last 48 hours. Writing is full on –rewarding, exciting and tiring.
I now have a manuscript. Now I need a title, a cover and some editing.
I will have it ready for Oprah. Seeing as her viewers are predominately in the menopause age bracket, I needed this book to be ready. Nearly finished Harpo….
This is me editing my latest book.
… what a cool cucumber and awesome ambassador… I love this song Tell me why I don’t like Mondays .
I’m in lock down today, typing, eating copious amounts of chocolate and listening to Bob.
I’m up to chapter 5 of my menopause book.
Titles… Menopause – the manuscript, Menopause, the good, the bad and the funny, Menopause is a dinner party… Or maybe “the change of life – get the hell out of my way!”
I’d be a big liar if I didn’t admit that the last two days with constant rain and three kids hasn’t been stressful. Well not so much stressful as …. nah it’s stressful. Before I was lying in bed with my son trying to get him to sleep. We were looking at the sky and I was pretending to see stars. We then played a game of “my favourite star is made from ” …
Me: my favourite star and planet would have chocolate everywhere. Waterfalls of chocolate to swim in, to eat and to roll in.
Kalani: My favourite star is made of …. vegetables
Me: really?
K: oh yes mummy, carrots!
ME: Ok, I see another star.. this one is made from icecream. Chocolate icecream with marshmallows and it is the best, richest icecream ever.
K: Oh… That star there – that’s mine. Guess what it’s made of mummy?
Me: lollies?
K: no mummy its made of fruit; grapes and pineapples, and pears
Me: (????wow).
Kalani asks to have another pick. This one is good. He claims this one is made from jelly. Pink and blue jelly! Apparently the best in the world.
The three amigos watching a movie
Preparing salads for the week.
I will be focused on clients and the book this week. A power week ahead. Titles for books are fun. I’m toying with the name: Menopause – the Good, the Bad, and the damn right unfunny. Anyway, that’s a few chapters away yet..
Best song to write to Massive Attack Protection.
My first chapter of my new book is now done. On Thursday night I got my head around what I wanted to say. Yesterday I worked out the chapter structure and logical order for the book. And now, i have just finished the first chapter.
It’s so exciting that I woke at 3am and have finished now (4am).
I will probably lead a hermit’s life for the next few weeks – clients, kids and the book.
Writing a book is the most exciting time. You can literally feel and see the text taking on a life force. A life force called a book. It’s very cool. I wish everyone could go through the experience just once.
I bow. I bow humbly to the S9 women who I just watch complete 200 metres fly in the Commonwealth Games, (without stopping>!?#!# that’s very cool) and then I bow again as you all were missing a limb. You are all incredible. I have no idea how you find that strength, but gee you all amazing.
It’s a rainy day in Paradise… cant recall the Queensland shiny state logo but kind of funny as I think we are into our 2nd month of non-stop rain. Very un queensland really but nice for a change.
This morning we have gone for a walk in the rain and I discovered a world of wet flowers. We played a game to see how many different types of flowers were on our walk. Squillions. Here’s a few….
Fancy that.
Ok, not that original. After many walks, I have decided to start writing my second book in the hormone trilogy, on menopause.
I shall start tonight.
I will need to work on it 2 hours a day – or in big chunks. I’m looking forward to it. It is actually lots of fun creating an item of such grandeur. It’s like painting but on a very large scale.
Start sending your stories in ladies: sam@healthqueen.com.au.
Feel free to let me know your story about Menopause… how you felt, what you did, how you feel now etc… I can reference you if you like, or I can use an anon.
Just let me know. :-)
One of my beautiful young clients, Jess, died yesterday. Bye bye my sweet. Soar with the eagles or swim with the mermaids. I know you will have a party and fun. Jess was only 21 years old. I am so glad to be there at the end.
And tonight as tired as I am, (yes Health Queens get tired despite a cupboard full of lotions and potions), I am also feeling very grateful.
I am so grateful and thankful that my babies are healthy, and have great lungs that they use to bellow at me. And tonight as I am cleaning away the dishes from dinner and making them all a treat (hot milo), I find this card that Maisy has drawn in her school bag.
Sometimes I get disappointed in myself if I yell at the kids. But sometimes, when the 3 of them are chirping away like starved baby birds, it’s the only thing I can do. I retaliate.What I want to say is “where is my nanny?”, “where is another pair of hands”, and daily I ask myself “where is that mai tai by the pool” (joke).
All I try to do for my little clan is to create more good memories than bad and if I can achieve that I will be happy.
Today’s funky song is by Gabrielle Cilmi, a talented lit’ Aussie: Sweet about me
This girl is so inspirational. At the age of 14 her mum took her to London so she could get singing coaching and was pretty much developed into a star. Go you Cilmi family!
Ok, today, focused and very positive after my session with my super coach yesterday.
I have a check list I am working on…
- dress for interview (done)
- books for distribution in Australia and USA
- Staff (PA etc..)
The other things I am doing are contacting people in the USA to help out and also going to call Harpo first thing in the morning.
The book has now been made into a Audio and MP3 download.
I am thinking of starting my second book, on menopause – in 2 weeks. I fancy a trip to Greece to find me a retreat where I can type away to my hearts content…
Aside from having my gorgeous kids, I started a new art piece on Sunday – it is the River Hue in Vietnam. I was there in 1993 just after it opened to the Western World. What a trip that was. I had my passport stolen in Nha Trang so was arrested (in those days, your passport was essential for any hotel booking) so they said I was illegal and had sold my passport etc… Far from it. Beautiful country – wouldn’t want to live there.
As you can see, my kitchen wall is my easel.
