How is it August already? The month’s really are just flying by at the moment and it has felt very autumnal this week, I hope it’s not the end of summer already – I’m not even close to being ready to say goodbye to the sunshine yet. July went by in a flash and I think that was because we were planning and gearing up for Aiden’s christening so all of our attention was turned to that. We have lots of leftover pretty flowers in glass jars dotted about the house, including the pretty Kilner jar pictured above that is making my desk look rather beautiful. I tried to GO WITH THE FLOW, which were my words for June, but with everything going on it was quite difficult.
WHAT I GOT UP TO IN JULY
Just call me the Smoothie Queen because this month I’ve practically been super glued to my blender. This hot weather has made me want them for breakfast, snacks and sometimes lunch. I’ve got so many flavour combos that I’m loving right now that I’m going to have to write them up and share them on the blog so you can get in on the smoothie love too.
As I mentioned above, it was our little man’s christening this month and we had a lovely garden party to celebrate. We took such a massive gamble on the weather and thankfully, even though it rained on the days either side of the christening, it remained dry and sunny for Aiden’s special day.
After all of that training using the C25K podcast, I finally ran my Race for Life 5K. It was such an amazing experience and I’m so happy that I took part and managed to complete the race in one piece. I’m still going out and enjoying my runs and looking forward to my next race in 6-weeks time.
This chocolate is amazing and has become one of my favourites! Alfie bought it for me on the way home from work one evening…who said that love is dead eh? The chilli heat at the end really gives the dark chocolate some oomph which I really like.
We made another visit to the pick your own farm again earlier this month and came home with the punnet of the fattest juiciest raspberries I think I’ve ever seen. I really can’t rate the pick your own farms enough, they’re brilliant and the produce is miles better than the cartons that any supermarket can supply you with.
I’ve loved the sun and any opportunity to wear my pretty sun dresses. I hate that they are looking sad and stuck in the wardrobe, so rather than keeping them for a special occasion I’ve been digging them out to make sure that they get worn. This 1950’s inspired floral number is a firm favourite of mine.
I’m so excited to see that this month’s edition of the Australian e-magazine Healthy Mama has published one of my most popular recipes, this Chicken Rice Noodle Salad and my article all about appreciating your postpartum body and what it has done for you, warts and all. It always feels so surreal to see my work and name in print!
On the blog, I shared my recipe for this delicious twist on courgetti, my Spiralized Courgette Rosti with Smoked Salmon (above), just perfect as a light healthy lunch or dinner option. Also, I blogged recipes for my Date and Cashew Smoothie and my Citrus Quinoa and Feta Salad, so check them out if you haven’t done so already.
FAVOURITE POSTS FROM AROUND THE WEB
- 7 Easy Ways To Get Healthy Even When You’re Crazy Busy
- Why Being Selfish Is Sometimes A Good Thing – hell yeah to this!
- No-Churn Lavender and Honey Ice Cream – my dairy-free and sugar-free recipe for The Joy of Plants website!
- My Ultimate Race For Life Running Kit
- 4 Motivators When You Just Don’t Want To Run
- Never Underestimate A Compliment – LOVE THIS!
- 5 Restorative Yoga Poses For Restful Sleep
- #LoveYourLines Campaign Encourages Women To Flaunt Their Stretch Marks – such a great campaign promoting self-love and acceptance!
- Race for Life 5K Recap
MOMENTS THAT MADE MY HEART SING
- Eating lots of delicious fresh summer fruits – hello cherries and strawberries!
- Watching Aiden do so well in his swimming classes
- Getting crafty
- Feeling super inspired and creative
- Seeing our hard work and planning all come together at the christening
- Jessie Ware – love her voice and her songs!
- Writing this month’s newsletter on a topic that resonates so much with me at this point in time
- The IF app is totally changing my life right now!
- Enjoying the summer sunshine
- Cake and lots of it!
My word for August could be nothing other than ORGANISE. In last month’s newsletter I alluded to some big changes about to happen, which I will go into more detail about on the blog soon, but it means that I need to get planning and organised to set some wheels in motion. One of the things that I am desperate to do is declutter or house and minimise the things that we own. I’ve already started to list things on eBay and have a bag ready to give some items to charity, so I’m happy that I’ve made a start. It’s amazing how much crap and clutter that you can collect over the years and I can’t wait to be rid of it all!
Looks like you had an amazing month! Congrats on the publication 😉 I’m pretty excited about August, will be talking about it more on the blog but this month’s ‘theme’ is all about giving.
Thank you! I’m excited to hear more about your plans for August, hope you have a great month!
It looks like you had a great month with so many big things happening! July was great for me but I’m looking forward to August, I have lots planned including a trip to the Edinburgh fringe festival x
I’ve always wanted to go to The Fringe Festival – have a great time! 🙂
wow you really had a cool July!
My July was mainly going to the gym, taking care of my sick man, and went to Durdle door.
This month I have a whole bunch of blog things scheduled, will be tight on time, but I think it will be fun!!!
Sounds like you have an exciting August planned on your blog, hope your plans go well. 🙂
You had a very busy July! Yum, that smoothie looks tasty. I bet the fresh raspberries were too. I can’t believe it’s already August too, sheesh! The time is getting away from us.
Time really is flying isn’t it, I can’t believe that it’s August already!
My words for August would be ‘declutter’ and ‘organise’ – like you I also started thinking of getting rid of some stuff which I don’t use and I am slowly going to do this in the coming weeks, also want to re-organise my blog a bit!
Well done on being published in Australian emagazine, you definitely deserve it as you write some great stuff.
That’s so lovely of you to say Petra, thank you! I think we all need a declutter and organise every now and then. Looking forward to seeing what you do with your blog.
Yay well done for completing the race 😀
Thanks Nadia!
Wow, busy month. I hope August is just as productive for you. I also can’t believe it’s August, I feel like Christmas was only a week ago.
Hahaha! So true. 😀
Yeah “organise” is pretty much my word this month. Organise, sort, de-clutter and eventually fully pack…July looked great for you – so many lovely achievements and happy times 🙂
It sounds like such a mountain to climb doesn’t it, but you will get there! Moving isn’t easy at all. Wishing you a beautiful August! 🙂
Congrats on the magazine feature 🙂
I love going fruit picking, we went the other weekend too, it’s just so nice making something and knowing that you picked the fruit yourself.
Thanks Dannii! The produce is so much better when you go and pick it yourself, love it!
Omg I’m inlove it that I don’t have dream I have plans picture!! I might have to steal that from you lol…..
It’s awesome isn’t it! 🙂
Looks like an amazing month! Congratulations on the magazine article and Aiden’s garden party looks so cute! x
Thanks Lily! It was a great month. Hope you have a wonderful August.