This Healthy Homegirl

It has been seven years since I last consumed a morsel of meat. That was March, 2013 and I was in college, working part time in a deli. This involved making breakfast rolls, foraging through the fish counter and scraping lamp chops. I often joke that it was my butcher past that tipped me over the edge. I think it was the chicken fillets with a return address in Thailand that vacuum packed and sealed the deal though. I had pondered the prospect of a plant based diet for a while but there was one thing that had really been holding me back: bacon. I am ashamed to say, the sight of a salty, sizzling sliver had previously  ham pered my efforts to pursue this lifestyle. That was until I finally convinced myself that this was neither good for my cholesterol or my conscience. Now the smell repels me,  it’s funny how things have a way of trotting full circle. To add to this, the fact that pigs are like pink dogs in my eyes squealed the deal for me. I could never contemplate con...

When visualization becomes realization: give it a post of its own. At 12.55 on Friday the 26th of July, 2019, the church bells chimed just beyond the back garden of my home. I had envisioned this moment for so many years, it was hard to believe it was finally here. Before I describe this most important time and the walk that ensued, I want to pause, take a few steps back and look in my rear-view. In order to boost gratitude before you go to sleep, you can reflect on the details that added a little yay! to your day. On the contrary, I have always visualized one moment that set off sparks in my soul. I had pictured this point in time on numerous nights, when I switched off my electric blanket and turned off the light. The image of myself and my Dad strolling side by side, nestled snugly together, our arms intertwined. It always allowed me to go gentle into that good night, succumb to slumber and settle my mind. Now, as the hand of the clock climbed towards one, I turned my face...

On August 7th, as our plane ascended towards high altitude leaving the Miami skyline in our midst, we began our 45 minute transfer to Havana. As the cloud cover ceased and we made our way towards Cuba’s capital, the absence of any imposing buildings was to be expected. The airport was also equally unassuming. I landed in the country with limited knowledge of it’s workings or ways; I was never much of a history buff, nor did politics really rouse me. Ignorance could be a more apt adjective to describe this, that or I just really, really love a good surprise. I definitely got that and it was as pleasant as it was humbling. This is no ordinary place. If Marty McFly had been our designated chauffeur, nothing would have been amiss. His DeLoreon car would have slotted in just lovely amidst the myriad of vintage and medieval motors that adorn the rugged roads. I say medieval, I’m talking real, living, breathing, neighing, trotting, cantering, galloping horse power. They’re also very...

   Ⓛⓔⓣ’ⓢ ⓣⓐⓛⓚ ⓐⓑⓞⓤⓣ ⓢⓘⓧ It is hard to believe it has been six months since the clock tolled 12.01 a.m on January 1st, 2019.  26 weeks, 182 days, 4380 hours. If we are lucky, this and many more minutes are ahead of us. In most sporting events, half-time is a moment for reflection and projection. Not everyone is fortunate enough to get the chance to pursue their goals every day. I think July is the perfect month to consult your gameplan and evaluate whether it has been effective thus far. It is also the ideal time to visualise where you see yourself at the end of this year and how you are going to get there.  ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴏʀsᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʙʟɪɴᴅ ɪs ʜᴀᴠɪɴɢ sɪɢʜᴛ ʙᴜᴛ ɴᴏ ᴠɪsɪᴏɴ - ʜᴇʟᴇɴ ᴋᴇʟʟᴇʀ We think that we only see with our glorious globular organs of sight 👁👁 but it is also important to tap into the mind’s eye🧠👁.  The moment the light hits the retina the process of sight begins, however, when you allow the musings of your mind to materialize,...

As I write this, I am currently 410 nautical miles off the Irish coast flaked across four seats on an Emirates plane. I am a little sleepy after a fab wedding, you could say my head is in the clouds 😅. (I promise that’s the worst pun in this post.) As I have passed through a few time zones en route to our idyllic Isle, it has set me thinking. Mainly about the importance of the seconds that tick by at a similar rate to our breathing or even our beating hearts. Motion that happens without a thought and I feel like I have a new found appreciation for time at home since I moved abroad. Particularly the hours I miss with all my faves. As difficult as this is, it also builds an unrivaled appreciation when you do get to spend quality time together.  I have been living in Abu Dhabi for nine months now and I am quite partial to it. That’s not to say I don’t miss anything or even many things about home. I feel adequate time has passed (it’s substantial enough to hone a h...

There is no maybe about it, it is definitely May. A majestic month I affiliate with flowers and freedom, the knowledge that daisy chains and long Summer days are not too far away. The showers of April have provided plants with the necessary sustenance to grow. Progress is palpable, change is afoot. In line with this, I want to plant the seeds that will help me succeed. Like a sapling that grows into a tree, I want my dream to become a reality.  “We know what we are but not what we may be.” -William Shakespeare. I have been thinking a lot lately about how I can incorporate more of what I love into my daily life. What would incentivize  you to get out of bed in the morning if you didn’t have a why? I need something to work towards before I take my first step into the day. Something that drives me, motivates me, enthuses me and moves me. I have been reading a book entitled “100 Things Successful People do.” It provides you with a plethora of thought provoking qu...

Did you ever feel like your heart could literally explode? That so much love could permeate through this little pump that it could blissfully burst? As my kindred spirit Seamus Heaney so perfectly put it: to “catch the heart off guard and blow it open.”  It is so important to savour the moment, to allow yourself to become enthralled by the many facets of happiness: family, friends, feelings. The precious etches they make on your soul.  Imagine all of your favorite people in one place and every one of them emitting enthusiasm on an exponential level, I am lucky to have experienced this. Cue a new addition to my favorite memories, one of the best yet; my bachelorette.  When my bridesmaids asked me what I wanted this weekend to look like I made a few simple 😅 requests: American sports franchise theme featuring alpacas. As luck might have it, I just happen to have the most amazing bridesmaids in the world 🙌🏼 . A foursome more formidable than the Fantastic Four...