Day 28 & 29 of my 30 day Cleanse!

Hellooo cleanse followers! 

Here I am, updating on days 28 & 29! - tomorrow is the BIG 3-0!! Wow!! Can't believe it or the changes in myself!! 

So here's a rundown on these two days...

I woke up Friday morning feeling really great and full of energy after my 3rd cleanse day so I got into my exercise gear, had my shot of tonic and a 1/4 of a shake and headed off to the gym. 

I'm really loving the bike at the moment (and considering actually buying a road bike!) so I jumped on one of the exercise bikes next to this older man. He said hello and we chatted while we rode and even after he'd finished his 4kms, we continued to chat, while I rode! So lovely meeting new and interesting people! 

After he left, I finished up my 30 minute random hills session and then did a few weights, squats and a plank (just the one!) Then I set off for home.  

I made up the rest of my shake and enjoyed it while watching a little telly. I quickly got dressed then, and went down the street to pick up something for my secret Santa at work (at the Preschool.) 

Then I drove out to Junee to drop it off - the Christmas lunch was on Friday but I wasn't able to go because I work at the health food shop (the Red Pomegranate) in town on Fridays. I didn't want my secret Santa to miss out though so I wanted to take my gift out beforehand. 

I wished all the ladies a "Happy Christmas!" and dropped my pressie off then, headed back to town. 

I got back home and quickly made up half a shake to have before work (I start work at 12 and don't have a break til 3 so I'm pretty hungry by then!) then I packed some carrot and celery sticks and half a bar into my bag to have as a snack on my break. 

I really enjoy working at the shop. I love helping people learn more about healthier alternatives and just talking to people about health. I also find that I just learn and more everytime which is terrific! 

At the end of the day, I picked up a few things that I needed to take home for Christmas festivities - at my Mum's family Christmas this weekend, she has had this idea that everyone has to bring something new for everyone to try - which I think is a great idea! I was tossing up what to bring but I wanted to bring something glutenfree so I could enjoy it too and healthy! I decided on snap strawberries - their freeze dried and a lovely Meditterean salsa sachet (you mix it with a can of tomatoes and coriander) which you can serve with veggie sticks or rice crackers or whatever you fancy! Yum! They're healthy and new things for everyone to try! 

Then, I set off home to get ready for my boyfriend's work Christmas Party. I had a little snack to eat so I wouldn't be too hungry when I got there and put on a nice skirt and flowy top - it was SO hot!! 

Then I walked down to the pub where everyone was meeting for dinner. 

It was great to meet all the people that my boyfriend works with and their partners. 

We all sat and had dinner and chatted. During the evening, Santa came and delivered the secret Santa gifts. Everyone who works at the firm got given a gift and got a photo taken whilst sitting on santa's lap. Some of the gifts were pretty funny! They also gave out awards for various funny things that had happened throughout the year. It was great fun and just really nice to meet everyone. 

When I got home, I made sure I took a double shot of cleanse drink and my supplements to clear out the nasties that my glass of wine might incur and then I headed off to bed. 

Now on to day 29....

We woke up at the usual time even though we had gone to bed a little bit later than usual. I lay in bed for a little while and just appreciated the first day of holidays woo! Then I got up and had my tonic, cleanse drink, supplements and my shake. 

After my shake, I got stuck into cleaning up, packing up and putting away things. I am off home today for Christmas! SOO excited - Christmas has come around soo quickly! 

After doing most of my part of the clean up, we went off to the shops, for a little last minute shopping. I went to the health food shop I work at and picked up a couple of little goodies to give Dad and my boyfriend. We also got quite a few photos printed out to give to people in our families. We had some lunch while we were there too - we went to Sumo Salad and I made a salad and my boyfriend had a chicken sambo. Then I had a shake when we got home. 

After I had packed up my car with my things and pressies, I set off for home. 

We had decided to meet in Junee to pick up my boyfriends 'new thing to try for Christmas'. He had decided that he wanted to get some licorice and chocolate from the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory, to take as his thing which I thought was a great idea - all the products are certified organic which is AWESOME!!

We got there 15 minutes before it closed(thank god!) and my boyfriend tried a few samples (I am waiting for Christmas to try them!) and then he quickly picked out some 'White Gold' (licorice covered in white chocolate), Red Licorice, Triple Chocolate Almonds and a block of Rocky Road White Chocolate. He decided to get a couple of things to take to his family Christmas as well. 

It was SUCH a terrific place - so beautiful and old. We're definitely going to go back on one of our, what we call 'Cultural Sundays' jaunts. Then we set off my family home. 

I was excited to get home and see all my family - I haven't seen my brother in over 2 months I think!? So it was lovely to see him and Mum and Dad. We all spent the arvo chatting which was fun! That's what this season is AAAALL about! 

I'm just watching a bit of the twenty20 cricket with Dad, my boyfriend and brother but about to go help Mum do some wrapping (She's on her 4TH cleanse day!!! GO MUM!! She's looking amazing!!) 

Hope you're all doing something lovely to enjoy this great time of year! See you tomorrow for DAY 30!! 

Kate xx 

Day 26! We.are.luuurving.it!!

Hello everyone! 

What a great day! Bit hot, I know but isn't it just awesome to be here enjoying Summer and the festive season! 

I woke up at quarter to 7 again today and jumped out of bed and went and made up my tonic. I mixed it with water this morning - Mum suggested this last night and I think it's a great idea! 

I had a great ole chat to Mum last night and she was veeery keen to tell me aaaall about how she's going, 23 days on. 

Mum was VERY keen (more than me, I was very skeptical!) to give this system a go because she was getting a bit worried about her weight particularly, and also her health as a consequence of her weight but she also had indigestion, felt lethargic, sore and aching knees and restless sleeps. 

The AWESOME thing is that when she rang me last night, she was SOO full of enthusiasm, excitement and energy because all of these health ailments have either gone away or on the way out! 

She hasn't had to take any indigestion pills (she usually has to wake up to take these in the night too); her sore/aching knees are no longer bothering her so she said Christmas shopping was even more enjoyable this year (haha!); she has had energy to spare (been getting up at the crack of dawn - literally, and gardening!) and has been sleeping better than ever! 

But the real winner for her is that SHE can see the changes as well - she's soo excited because she's going to feel confident enough to get out her swimmers for our beach holiday (which she didn't do last year!)

She's been trying on trousers that she bought 2 weeks ago (yes, only 2 wks ago!) and they're loose - she said she had to keep hitching them up (not complaining!) 

The other amazing thing is that for all of you who don't know my dear Mum, she is not a very disciplined person (she's the first to admit it) when it comes to sticking to a healthy lifestyle - her rubber arm is quite easily twisted when it comes to cheese or cake for instance. That's why I love this system, my Mum is having amazing results and loving it and doesn't feel restricted! This is a lifestyle change not a diet which is why my Dad is using it too! This is THE way to get the healthiest you can and will ever be...I feel blessed! Thankyou to my friend Diana, I owe you a bazillion!! 

Anyways back to my amazing Mum - she is soo proud of herself and so she should be! 

Last night - she said to me, "I was cooking up the 2 biiig Christmas puddings," and she said, "Usually, I would've had lots of tastes and try's of the mixture, but because I can see results and I'm so happy with how I'm going, I didn't want to have any!" She said, "You would've been SO proud of me!" And I said I am SO proud of you - she's doing amazingly well and just kicking goals. It shows great strength and determination to change and to move towards the things that you really want! If you want them enough, you CAN get there...Good on you Mum! You're amazing! 

Honestly, I believe that Mum (along with my dear Dad) are going to be the healthiest, most energetic people of their age that I know and I couldn't be happier that I guided and helped them there! 

I've written a lot already today so I won't bore you with my day to day details other than to say I'm going terrifically, feeling great and loving life! 

I have tennis tonight so had a little natural energy boost just then, and having a shake for dinner tonight cause I had my meal at lunch. Also I ABSOlutely LOVE the shakes - can't get enough of them (another discussion point mum and I were having last night!) - they are Amazing, with a capital A! 

Anyways, hope you're having a lovely day and keeping hydrated! My Dad just popped in on the way home from his little weekend jaunt visiting friends - soo lovely to see him :) 

See you all tomorrow for day 27! 

Kate xx

It's the Fiiiiinal Countdown...

It's day 24 today! Annnnd I was going to do another cleanse day today but my lovely mother just rang me and is coming for a visit today so I'm going to do it tomorrow instead.

I got up all prepared to smash out a cleanse day so I had some tonic and then was waiting to have my cleanse drink when Mum rang so after I got off the phone, I whipped up a Choccie shake. 

I'm pretty excited as well cause I know that I have THEE tool to get through the festive season without succumbing to the usual ick, bloated, stuffed, unhealthy feeling and not gaining the average 0.8-1.8 kg of weight either! It's pretty amazing that you can enjoy life (which is what everyone should do!) but that this amazing system can keep you on track to maintain and keep great health and energy! I'm excited to be starting 2014 in tip top kick-arse condition - cheeeers to that!!!

So after that little tangent...back to my Monday update! 

So when Mum got here, we headed off to the shops as she needed to return a few things and get a couple of little things to add to people's pressies. I had packed my little snacks and also went and bought a couple of apples so we had a nibble on those. 

We went round to the Health Food Store that I work at which was great. Mum met the others who she hadn't met yet and we picked up some yummy sauces and dressings to add to peoples presents. 

Then we went and met my boyfriend for lunch at a nice cafe/restaurant. Mum and I both ordered a yummy salad and my boyfriend had a steak burger. It was fun! 

After lunch, mum and I went back to Myer and I got a different organic tea to try. This time I got an apple and cinnamon one. She got a couple of Chrissie presents and then we went back to my house to have a cool drink before mum went home. 

We cranked the air con and had some cold water and a little snack while laughing at Ellen De Generes talk about the chaos of carparks at Christmas time. 

Then mum set off home - only a few days til we'll be going to my family home so will see Mum again soon and everyone else! 

By the way - my Mum is looking great! Her pants are noticeably looser! She's doing amazingly and is smashing me in the Cleanse Days - she's done 3 already and I've only done 2! She's amazing and I'm so proud of how well she's doing and so happy for her, (she keeps thanking me for introducing her to this lifestyle) that she is getting fantastic results and finding great health! Go you good thing! Love you Mum! 

I'm going to head off to the gym tonight and smash out some exercise - since being on this lifestyle, I ACTUALLY want to exercise cause I have the energy, soo cool! 

Then I'll have a shakey shake shake when I get home and then I might do some study tonight while my boyfriend is studying. 

Hope you're all having a FANtastic Monday! I've had such a lovely day! :) 

Love Kate xx

My Weekend Away!

Hi everyone! 

Hope you had a lovely weekend! Just wanted to update you on my fun weekend away! 

I headed off to Sydney on Saturday morning after doing a little shopping with my boyfriend. I got a cheap & (not nasty haha) bright dress to wear just for a bit of fun! I also got some Christmas bits a pieces - reindeer antler headband and some gingerbread and Christmas trees sunnies. 

Then I said goodbye to my boyfriend and hit the road. I had my snacks, a couple of apples, water and some of my bars at hand so I could eat on the way. 

I got to Sydney at about 3:30 and headed to the house of one of my lovely friends where I was stating the night. I found a park (phew! I get a bit freaked out driving in the biiig city!) and clambered down the street with my things. I spent a great couple of hours chatting with my friend and her lovely housemates, while she baked Christmas delights for the dinner we were going to that evening. She whipped up a Pavlova that would put Donna Hay to shame, as well as a caramel slice and the cutest little red velvet cupcakes complete with piped icing, red sprinkles and a little raspberry lolly like a Santa hat on top! Looked amazing! 

Then we got dressed and loaded up with all the goodies and hopped in the car and headed over. It was a pretty funny trip - the cupcakes looked very unstable on their plate on the backseat eeek! When we got there we discovered there had been some casualties! So my friend did a bit of fixing and we headed off down the street with arms full and antlers jingling. 

We went into number 31, only to see a little fluffy dog (??) and a then a man come round the corner and say, "Can I help you?" To which we said, "Umm, sorry. Wrong house!" 

We unloaded all out goodies onto a wall and checked the address again - our friend had written the wrong address and had recently changed it on the invitation haha. 

So we headed off to the RIGHT address and were greeted by lots of familiar faces (thank god!) dressed in Christmas cheer and a beautiful table decked out with candy canes, Christmas list placemats and beautiful big red lanterns hanging in the garden. 

We put the desserts inside and headed out to the garden with a festive drink in hand. 

We all sat around chatting in the garden for awhile and then sat down to a lovely Christmas Dinner! 

It was great fun catching up with everyone and hearing what they've all been up to! 

I did give myself a little night off from the cleanse as I don't get to see any of my friends very often but I didn't eat anything unhealthy, the only treat I had was a few glasses of wine over the evening. The funny (or not so funny) thing was that because my body has just been flooded with sooo much goodness and wellness that it couldn't handle it and I started to feel reaaaally sick! Apart from that though, I had a great time! 

On Sunday morning, we had a bit of a sleep in which was nice and then just chatted and lazed around. Then I headed off to meet one of my lovely school mates for a cuppa tea at the beautiful cafe she runs with her husband. 

It was veeeery busy but we got to sit and have a bit if a chat and then, I just enjoyed my lovely peppermint tea and set off for home. 

Considering I had felt soo ill the night before, after my nightly and morning cleanse and supplements, I was feeling fine! Just a little tired from all the driving and a bit of a late night (or early depending on who you are!) 

I drove home to my parents and met my boyfriend there. We had dinner with Mum and Dad (Mum was on her second cleanse day & killing it! She's looking amazing! Soo proud of her!), which was lovely and then we set off for home together. 

'Twas a lovely, busy weekend but soo great to see everyone and celebrate this awesome time of the year! 

Hope you had a great weekend, 

Kate xx

11 days and going strong!

 

Wow! This morning I woke up bursting with energy! I got up and did a 20 minute cardio workout and felt great! I'm feeling better and better every day!

While I was making my shake this morning, I was standing at the sink, and just couldn't help getting excited and thinking that this really is AWESOME!! 

I made myself a good ole Choccie Dessert Shake and thoroughly enjoyed it! 

I then got into some work on the computer before my Mum arrived for a day of fun! 

She got here about 10:30. I really noticed some physical changes in her shape, she's looking great! She used my little blended up some of her shake (she had had a scoop at home and had her other scoop at my house.) 

She said she had also woken with great energy and had got up at 6 and headed out to do some gardening before she set off to come here. She said dad had asked her, "What ARE you doing?" To which she replied, "Just going out to do some gardening!" "Ohhh..." he replied. Haha! Go Mum! 

After she had her shake, we headed off to start Christmas shopping (never started this early before?!) We got a lot done which was great! 

I think Mum was quite relieved cause we're having 17 for Christmas at our family home this year too so there'll be lots to be done! 

We went to a lovely cafe for lunch and shared to lovely salads. We had a chickpea, roast beetroot, baby spinach, red quinoa and sweet potato salad and a chicken, baby spinach, pumpkin, tomato and plum infused rice salad. They both were reaaaally yummy! 

After all our shopping, we headed back to my house and then, mum set off for home. It was a lovely day! Oh and I forgot to say, I got my looong hair chopped off! It feels soo much lighter and cooler! Happy days! 

My boyfriend and I cooked up some steamed vege for dins which he had with leftover rice and a sort of stew. I had vege and my shake - just LOVE my shake! Then we just chatted, watched a bit of telly and tried to stay cool - soo hot at night at the moment! 

See you tomorrow for day 12! 

Kate xx

Feeling well...Day 2!

Day two has been and gone!

I woke up reaally early and felt like I could just jump out of bed (quite unusual for me of late!) I got my exercise gear on cause I felt like doing some early morning exercise (also quite unusual - I'm usually an arvo exercise person.) I did a bit of a cycle on the bike which was good, nothing very hard. 

Then Mum wanted to know aaaall about the cleanse and what to do so that when she starts she's got the whole thing under wraps. So I showed her what you do in the morning for breakfast and she tasted the tonics & shake. 

About morning tea time, Dad came in for a cuppa tea and asked me "What's all that stuff in this box?" So I explained to him about the cleanse and the things I was taking. In no time, he said, "Can you get some of the tonic and energy supplements for me to use?" So I hopped on and signed my Dad up for some of the nutritional supplementation products. 

He wanted to start having the tonics straight away though so he had some of Mums'. I measured it out for him and he happily swigged it down and said "Ooh that's not bad! Tastes sweet!" 

I wasn't really hungry and was busy helping Dad move machinery around for harvest so didn't actually have lunch til 2! I had decided to have my 'dinner' at lunch today so I cooked up a yummy, healthy lunch before I headed off for home. 

I snacked on my arvo tea in the car and drank some water with it as well. 

When I got home, I fixed up a shake for myself, in the form of icecream - I just blended a little water and lots of ice with the shake and it was reaaally yummy!! 

I then spent the rest of the evening catching up with my boyfriend, he'd just got back from a BIIIIIIIIG weekend at the Cricket in Brissy (Go the Aussies!) He actually said, "I think I could do with a detox after that weekend," - I didn't disagree haha! 

Felt great today - not hungry, full of energy and my usually bloated belly, is flattening out woo! Tomorrow is my Deep Cleanse Day number one - wish me luck! 

Kate xx