I <3 Food
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What the f*ck should I make for dinner.
http://www.whatthefuckshouldimakefordinner.com/
PS: Someone just updated their status on facebook and wrote f*uck. I thought it was amusing.
PS: Someone just updated their status on facebook and wrote f*uck. I thought it was amusing.
Current life rules
Ever felt unmotivated? Pissed off at yourself? Crap? Its silly but in times like that all I need to remember are these few things:
We spend far too much time with our heads in the clouds, caring about those who dont care about us and ignoring those who do care. Human beings far too often want what is not, instead of what already is ...
Success: to laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people, to appreciate beauty and find it in others, to conquer the world day by day and leave it just that little bit better.
Make small changes, in my case - encourage people to love and embrace nutrients and their bodies.
You can try to be a leader, but if you fail lead yourself. Don't worry if nobody listens or follows you; so long as you do what you love and know is right.
Care, but not too much.
Stay down to earth and don't lose yourself in this madness that we call life.
We spend far too much time with our heads in the clouds, caring about those who dont care about us and ignoring those who do care. Human beings far too often want what is not, instead of what already is ...
Success: to laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people, to appreciate beauty and find it in others, to conquer the world day by day and leave it just that little bit better.
Make small changes, in my case - encourage people to love and embrace nutrients and their bodies.
You can try to be a leader, but if you fail lead yourself. Don't worry if nobody listens or follows you; so long as you do what you love and know is right.
Care, but not too much.
Stay down to earth and don't lose yourself in this madness that we call life.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Mind vent.
Its been a while since I've blogged. So much has been slowly eating away at my time and I have not felt as passionate lately but more so sluggish with things I love. Obviously life is sweet. Life is always sweet when it comes down to it but there are things that can eat at you like termites and all you want to do is throw them all off.
For a long time I have been the positive person in a situation. I try to pick up the pieces, brainstorm options and move on. It works a lot; a whole lot. But lately its been a challenge. Like I said, I know ultimately that life is beautiful and wonderful things remind me that that is so, each and every day. However I have learnt that you can't pick up all of the pieces. You can't love everyone. You can't except everything. Eventually you will burst and everything will come crashing down and sooner or later you need to follow your heart, instinct, intuition... to get what you need.
Life is silly like that. The thing is there is no time to waste. There is no time for weak character or building yourself a huge reputation that you can't escape from. Sometimes you need to just go with whatever comes along to get you out of a tough situation. It may be a good move but then again it may be bad. I guess you'll never know until you try...
So to all of those people, all of those little things that have made me smile lately; thanks :)
For a long time I have been the positive person in a situation. I try to pick up the pieces, brainstorm options and move on. It works a lot; a whole lot. But lately its been a challenge. Like I said, I know ultimately that life is beautiful and wonderful things remind me that that is so, each and every day. However I have learnt that you can't pick up all of the pieces. You can't love everyone. You can't except everything. Eventually you will burst and everything will come crashing down and sooner or later you need to follow your heart, instinct, intuition... to get what you need.
Life is silly like that. The thing is there is no time to waste. There is no time for weak character or building yourself a huge reputation that you can't escape from. Sometimes you need to just go with whatever comes along to get you out of a tough situation. It may be a good move but then again it may be bad. I guess you'll never know until you try...
So to all of those people, all of those little things that have made me smile lately; thanks :)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Not me.
Things could be amazing but they havnt happened yet.
Lots of things ARE amazing now but I guess I live off hacking away at the "could be" and trying to make them the "are". I haven't got there with it all yet and its daunting what a long way there is to go. I also know that when I get there it may not be as expected - is anything ever enough?
Its hard not to feel lucky because some things most definitely should be enough but still we remain dissatisfied to a degree: Money is never enough, Love is never enough, belongings are never enough, friendship is never enough, health is never enough. Why? Why is it that we process this way?
I wish I knew what to do. Its like theres so much colour to be part of but I keep getting stuck in the land of grayscale. It feels like nothing is ever resolved, mistakes can never be forgotten..and the forgiving and the forgetting unfortunately don't work as a neat little pair. Everything should be amazing because it is in the scheme of things but right now its not. I feel ill, guilty, worried.... amongst other things. When you show too much they become part of your identity and this is not how its meant to be.
This is not me and I don't like it.
Lots of things ARE amazing now but I guess I live off hacking away at the "could be" and trying to make them the "are". I haven't got there with it all yet and its daunting what a long way there is to go. I also know that when I get there it may not be as expected - is anything ever enough?
Its hard not to feel lucky because some things most definitely should be enough but still we remain dissatisfied to a degree: Money is never enough, Love is never enough, belongings are never enough, friendship is never enough, health is never enough. Why? Why is it that we process this way?
I wish I knew what to do. Its like theres so much colour to be part of but I keep getting stuck in the land of grayscale. It feels like nothing is ever resolved, mistakes can never be forgotten..and the forgiving and the forgetting unfortunately don't work as a neat little pair. Everything should be amazing because it is in the scheme of things but right now its not. I feel ill, guilty, worried.... amongst other things. When you show too much they become part of your identity and this is not how its meant to be.
This is not me and I don't like it.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
What we believe
Today's nutrition lecture was pretty awesome so I thought i'd share some cool things that my sponge of a mind has soaked up. I can't sleep and its almost 3am so if my spelling and grammar are no good you can blame it on my semi delirious state or my hair colour - take your pick.
Misconceptions are the biggest "red flags" of the medical and nutritional world. Sadly if we hear something that sounds scientific, amazing or slightly convincing we tend to allow ourselves to be rather impressionable and endorse false nutritional claims and information. Some of the issues discussed were dieting remedies and products to help improve one's appearance. For starters the word "diet" sounds so evil when really all it is refering to is what someone consumes so don't immediately draw conclusions based on all the crap out there and there is a lot! Theres the low carb diet, the atkin's diet, the apple diet, the cabbage soup diet, the lemon detox diet and a million types of diet pills and supplements that really do nothing for you. You will find that more just speed you up with excessive amounts of caffeiene and guarana and thats about it and you're paying so much money for such a scam.
I also want all readers (if there are any) to recognised that my health related blog entries are based purely on my current knowledge and personal opinions. Please do not take word for word as the completely right or correct for you or your body. Be rational and obviously scrutinise me if need be.
ANYWAY
What to remember:
1. There is NEVER EVER a quick fix.
Anything that claims there is can't be good for you or is telling lies. Take the biggest loser for example - say someone loses 3kg in a week... its NOT all fat. Glycogen and water are huge players in this misconception so don't think "why can't i lose that much fat". Same with cellulite creams. Rubbing your thighs will help your circulation but it doesnt matter what you rub on. It doesnt have to cost you an arm and leg.
2. Nutrition and product claims are VERY misleading
So you have your packet of chips and it claims to be 6% of your RDI. On what basis? Everyone is different. There is no requirement to have energy percentage on the packet but companies do it voluntarily and it can be very misleading. So lets say my packet of chips is in fact 6% of my daily energy.... oh wait.... thats just a serving which is usually about 25-40g. So in fact I could have about 3 serves but because im not an adult male that RDI doesnt really mean crap anyway. Also please note 'Light' and 'lite' are different. It can refer to light in colour, taste etc. Same with 99% fat free - theres probably like 30g of sugar that will just go to fat storage anyway. Reduced fat cheese? Most cheese (cheddars) are about 40% fat so they still may indeed mean its 30% instead.
3. Check credibility
A lot of the crap you find on the internet lacks credibility (such as this). People avoid mentioning that they are not Dieticians or Nutritionists and nobody asks questions.
4. Avoid trashy magazines and articles in the newspaper
As I know from being a former journalism student - newsworthy crap does sell papers and magazines. If it sounds extraordinary it probably isnt well researched. Someone may have purely done a survey of 10 people, called it a study and then the sunday times will write their "Icecream causes cancer" article and people will believe that its been scientifically proven. Read journal articles because they need scientific proof and lots of peer reviews before being publisged.
5. There are no "Good foods" and "bad foods" (yes this is probably a contradiction from previous posts)
Never think a food is good or bad. No one food will make you super healthy. Too much of something may make you unhealthy but if you eat things in moderation and remain active you can have your cake and eat it too. Its all about frequency, quantity and nutritional value. Thinking something is absolutely forbidden is wrong but making better personal choices will help you to stay healthy. Too much of something after all is never a good thing.
As I said - I preach a lot of crap and have many personal theories but they are based around some degree of education and a home library full of nutritional text books and government and medically endorsed journals/books. I obviously don't recommend people to ulliminate food groups unless they have serious health risks. I recommend EVERYONE get a food allergy test. Intolerances to food are so so dangerous - celiacs can become infertile etc.
I also want all readers (if there are any) to recognised that my health related blog entries are based purely on my current knowledge and personal opinions. Please do not take word for word as the completely right or correct for you or your body. Be rational and obviously scrutinise me if need be.
ANYWAY
What to remember:
1. There is NEVER EVER a quick fix.
Anything that claims there is can't be good for you or is telling lies. Take the biggest loser for example - say someone loses 3kg in a week... its NOT all fat. Glycogen and water are huge players in this misconception so don't think "why can't i lose that much fat". Same with cellulite creams. Rubbing your thighs will help your circulation but it doesnt matter what you rub on. It doesnt have to cost you an arm and leg.
2. Nutrition and product claims are VERY misleading
So you have your packet of chips and it claims to be 6% of your RDI. On what basis? Everyone is different. There is no requirement to have energy percentage on the packet but companies do it voluntarily and it can be very misleading. So lets say my packet of chips is in fact 6% of my daily energy.... oh wait.... thats just a serving which is usually about 25-40g. So in fact I could have about 3 serves but because im not an adult male that RDI doesnt really mean crap anyway. Also please note 'Light' and 'lite' are different. It can refer to light in colour, taste etc. Same with 99% fat free - theres probably like 30g of sugar that will just go to fat storage anyway. Reduced fat cheese? Most cheese (cheddars) are about 40% fat so they still may indeed mean its 30% instead.
3. Check credibility
A lot of the crap you find on the internet lacks credibility (such as this). People avoid mentioning that they are not Dieticians or Nutritionists and nobody asks questions.
4. Avoid trashy magazines and articles in the newspaper
As I know from being a former journalism student - newsworthy crap does sell papers and magazines. If it sounds extraordinary it probably isnt well researched. Someone may have purely done a survey of 10 people, called it a study and then the sunday times will write their "Icecream causes cancer" article and people will believe that its been scientifically proven. Read journal articles because they need scientific proof and lots of peer reviews before being publisged.
5. There are no "Good foods" and "bad foods" (yes this is probably a contradiction from previous posts)
Never think a food is good or bad. No one food will make you super healthy. Too much of something may make you unhealthy but if you eat things in moderation and remain active you can have your cake and eat it too. Its all about frequency, quantity and nutritional value. Thinking something is absolutely forbidden is wrong but making better personal choices will help you to stay healthy. Too much of something after all is never a good thing.
As I said - I preach a lot of crap and have many personal theories but they are based around some degree of education and a home library full of nutritional text books and government and medically endorsed journals/books. I obviously don't recommend people to ulliminate food groups unless they have serious health risks. I recommend EVERYONE get a food allergy test. Intolerances to food are so so dangerous - celiacs can become infertile etc.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Rationality: Will kill my mind?
I find myself constantly pondering things, over and over and over. I find myself always having to argue both sides of something out; just to me - just for my own sake. Its like I can't really decided which side to take because both have their positives and negatives. I get so caught up in trying to weigh it all out...
Thursday, August 05, 2010
What not to eat: Reducing cancer risk
Good food, Bad food.
I understand that these days you can be at risk of cancer by just doing simple daily tasks like eating, breathing and using your mobile phone. However there are certain foods that are suggested will reduce cancer risks and will assist you in improving and maintaining a healthier lifestyle!
In the book Cancer: 101 Solutions to a Preventable Epidemic (New Society Publishers, 2007) the authors suggest 10 Foods and Drinks to Limit or Eliminate:
1. All charred food, which create heterocyclic aromatic amines, known carcinogens. Even dark toast is suspect.
2. Well-done red meat. Medium or rare is better, little or no meat.
3. Sugar, both white and brown–which is simply white sugar with molasses added.
4. Heavily salted, smoked and pickled foods, which lead to higher rates of stomach cancer.
5. Sodas/soft drinks, which pose health risks, both for what they contain–sugar and various additives–and for what they replace in the diet–beverages and foods that provide vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
6. French fries, chips and snack foods that contain trans fats.
7. Food and drink additives such as aspartame.
8. Excess alcohol.
9. Baked goods, for the acrylamide.
10. Farmed fish, which contains higher levels of toxins such as PCBs.
What I have to add:
11. Energy Drinks
Personally I believe energy drinks are a huge problem and should be avoided. They spark high insulin levels in the blood and are full of sugar, caffeine and chemicals. I admit that around exam time I drink 2 of those babies a day but for no more than a week or so, as well as one on the odd occasion. However they are certainly not appropriate for recreational drinking purposes. Also drinks such as pulse are even worse as the liver has to process all the chemicals, caffeine AND alcohol!!!!
12. Excessive medication
Don't pop ibuprofen if you don't really need it!!!! Taking meds for every little thing puts a lot of strain on your insides - stomach, intestines and liver. Paracetamol is a better option but I still PERSONALLY think you should cut down your intake if you're a huge hypochondriac!
13. Chicken
People say that red meat is bad - what about chicken? Did you know chickens get treated in chlorine and bleach before popped on the shelves. Many are fed hormones all of their lives and their bodies grow at a ridiculous rate- so fast that many can't stand up. The chemical treatment of chicken prior to packaging and sales is ridiculous. If you eat chicken - GO ORGANIC. Free range and organic are NOT THE SAME THING! Free range doesnt suggest the bird's eating was better, only their environment.
I understand that these days you can be at risk of cancer by just doing simple daily tasks like eating, breathing and using your mobile phone. However there are certain foods that are suggested will reduce cancer risks and will assist you in improving and maintaining a healthier lifestyle!
1. All charred food, which create heterocyclic aromatic amines, known carcinogens. Even dark toast is suspect.
2. Well-done red meat. Medium or rare is better, little or no meat.
3. Sugar, both white and brown–which is simply white sugar with molasses added.
4. Heavily salted, smoked and pickled foods, which lead to higher rates of stomach cancer.
5. Sodas/soft drinks, which pose health risks, both for what they contain–sugar and various additives–and for what they replace in the diet–beverages and foods that provide vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
6. French fries, chips and snack foods that contain trans fats.
7. Food and drink additives such as aspartame.
8. Excess alcohol.
9. Baked goods, for the acrylamide.
10. Farmed fish, which contains higher levels of toxins such as PCBs.
What I have to add:
11. Energy Drinks
Personally I believe energy drinks are a huge problem and should be avoided. They spark high insulin levels in the blood and are full of sugar, caffeine and chemicals. I admit that around exam time I drink 2 of those babies a day but for no more than a week or so, as well as one on the odd occasion. However they are certainly not appropriate for recreational drinking purposes. Also drinks such as pulse are even worse as the liver has to process all the chemicals, caffeine AND alcohol!!!!
12. Excessive medication
Don't pop ibuprofen if you don't really need it!!!! Taking meds for every little thing puts a lot of strain on your insides - stomach, intestines and liver. Paracetamol is a better option but I still PERSONALLY think you should cut down your intake if you're a huge hypochondriac!
13. Chicken
People say that red meat is bad - what about chicken? Did you know chickens get treated in chlorine and bleach before popped on the shelves. Many are fed hormones all of their lives and their bodies grow at a ridiculous rate- so fast that many can't stand up. The chemical treatment of chicken prior to packaging and sales is ridiculous. If you eat chicken - GO ORGANIC. Free range and organic are NOT THE SAME THING! Free range doesnt suggest the bird's eating was better, only their environment.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Unhealthy salad
I was shopping last Thursday night and planned to get something quick to eat. I had heard that the shopping centre I was at now had sumo salad. Upon inspecting the salads, pretty much all of which were chicken and covered in creamy dressings, I decided to give the idea a miss.
Just because something is called a salad, doesn't mean its healthy. This is a common misconception. Sometimes we think we're being good when really we could have probably eaten what we really wanted to and have done only slightly more (or even less damage).
I decided to put my mind to rest and find out about "The healthiest fast food franchise" as they claim to be. Lets look at their popular "Leafy salad, pesto chicken and avacado salad". Obviously the fact that we have meat, pesto and avocado in a salad at once should probably set off alarm bells and make you stay away if you're trying to watch your weight but take a look at the damage:
46.5g of fat. Are you kidding me? Yeah its probably all those pine nuts and the oil in the pesto as well as the avocado but still. And HOLY CRAP... look at the salt!?!?!?!?!?! WANT TO HAVE SKY ROCKETTING BP?!?!?
I'll post a little more later but seriously check out nutritional info to salads before thinking they are a better option.
Dairy Free
I just realised that this is my 100th blog. Yay for that.
In my blog today I'm going to use bits of an article from my favourite newsletter/website (www.care2.com).
In my blog today I'm going to use bits of an article from my favourite newsletter/website (www.care2.com).
Humans are all at least slightly intolerant to dairy which is why too much of it upsets our stomachs or makes us sick. I understand that cheese may taste good, yoghurt has probiotics, milk has calcium etc but do we really need dairy? Are there healthier alternatives? Soy cheese, milk, yohurt etc is now a good alternative although there is great debate about soy and its mimicing of estrogen; which is obviously a problem when cosuming high amounts. There's oat milk, rice milk, goats milk and many many other milks available on the shelf or from health food stores if you are worried about soy.
So now to my underlining point: Why not to eat dairy (from care2.com article).
Cow’s milk is intended for baby cows. (Has nobody realised this?!?!?!)
We’re the only species (other than those we are domesticating) that drinks milk after infancy. And, we’re definitely the only ones drinking the milk of a different species.
Hormones. Not only are the naturally-present hormones in cow’s milk stronger than human hormones, the animals are routinely given steroids and other hormones to plump them up and increase milk production. These hormones can negatively impact humans’ delicate hormonal balance.
Most cows are fed inappropriate food. Commercial feed for cows contains all sorts of ingredients that include: genetically-modified (GM) corn, GM soy, animal products, chicken manure, cottonseed, pesticides, and antibiotics.
Dairy products, when metabolized, are acid-forming. Our bodies are constantly striving for biochemical balance to keep our blood at 7.365 pH. Eating excessive acid-forming products can cause our bodies to overuse some of its acid-balancing mechanisms, one of which is the bones. Alkaline calcium is stored in the bones and released to combat excessive acidity in the body. Over time, bones can become fragile.
Most dairy products are pasteurized to kill potentially-harmful bacteria. During the pasteurization process, vitamins, proteins, and enzymes are destroyed. Enzymes assist with the digestion process. When they are destroyed through pasteurization, milk becomes harder to digest, therefore putting a strain on our bodies’ enzyme systems.
Dairy products are mucous-forming. They can contribute to respiratory disorders. When I remove dairy and sugar from the diets of my clients, they stop experiencing hay fever and seasonal allergies.
Research links dairy products with arthritis. In one study on rabbits, scientist Richard Panush was able to PRODUCE inflamed joints in the animals by switching their water to milk. In another study, scientists observed more than a 50% reduction in the pain and swelling of arthritis when participants eliminated milk and dairy products from their diet.
Most milk is homogenized, which denatures the milk’s proteins, making it harder to digest. Many peoples’ bodies react to these proteins as though they are “foreign invaders” causing their immune systems to overreact. Research also links homogenized milk to heart disease.
Pesticides in cow feed find their way into milk and dairy products that we consume.
Research links dairy products with arthritis. In one study on rabbits, scientist Richard Panush was able to PRODUCE inflamed joints in the animals by switching their water to milk. In another study, scientists observed more than a 50% reduction in the pain and swelling of arthritis when participants eliminated milk and dairy products from their diet.
Most milk is homogenized, which denatures the milk’s proteins, making it harder to digest. Many peoples’ bodies react to these proteins as though they are “foreign invaders” causing their immune systems to overreact. Research also links homogenized milk to heart disease.
Pesticides in cow feed find their way into milk and dairy products that we consume.
Personally, apart from being fairly lactose intolerant, dairy causes over production of mucous which is one thing I hate about even consuming lactose free products. Anyhoo I shall post more interesting blogs soon but felt the need to make my point :)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Why women are nuts...
Everyone should read "Why people believe weird things"... its entertaining and bits and pieces are true based on research.
A few weeks ago I picked up a free Cosmo magazine at work. Usually I like trashy magazines every once in a while. I would never purchase them unless they are health related but I love to read the crap amature journalists come up with. To be honest this issue in particular shocked me due to the amount of bollocks in it. Popcorn is ok because it contains antioxidants that help fight cancer? Pretty sure popcorn would give you cancer first - especially movie popcorn. I eat it none the less (just putting it out there) but if you believe that its a better option than the millions of other things with antioxidants (aka tea, berries, fruits etc) perhaps cosmo is going straight to your head.
What I love most are the stories in trashy magazines. We all know that they definitely happened and theres a full team of men writing in each month exposing petty little incidents and thoughts they have had with/towards women. They also apparently tell us what they want. Hmmm. Sounds a bit like politics. Seen the poles recently between labor and liberal?? That statistic is based on a selection of only about 300 people so that has got to be seriously inaccurate. Also just putting it out there that Tony Abbot is an ABSOLUTE WANG.
So the moral of this blog is NEVER EVER take trashy magazines seriously. Read them purely for their humour and don't think that your boyfriend is cheating on you because he has his hands in his pockets all the time as suggested in this month's issue.
A few weeks ago I picked up a free Cosmo magazine at work. Usually I like trashy magazines every once in a while. I would never purchase them unless they are health related but I love to read the crap amature journalists come up with. To be honest this issue in particular shocked me due to the amount of bollocks in it. Popcorn is ok because it contains antioxidants that help fight cancer? Pretty sure popcorn would give you cancer first - especially movie popcorn. I eat it none the less (just putting it out there) but if you believe that its a better option than the millions of other things with antioxidants (aka tea, berries, fruits etc) perhaps cosmo is going straight to your head.
What I love most are the stories in trashy magazines. We all know that they definitely happened and theres a full team of men writing in each month exposing petty little incidents and thoughts they have had with/towards women. They also apparently tell us what they want. Hmmm. Sounds a bit like politics. Seen the poles recently between labor and liberal?? That statistic is based on a selection of only about 300 people so that has got to be seriously inaccurate. Also just putting it out there that Tony Abbot is an ABSOLUTE WANG.
So the moral of this blog is NEVER EVER take trashy magazines seriously. Read them purely for their humour and don't think that your boyfriend is cheating on you because he has his hands in his pockets all the time as suggested in this month's issue.
Please help
One person can't fix the mess the world is in but they can try. There's a girl I used to go to school with who is one of those people trying so please donate and support her (see link under image). It upsets me to think that this is a huge issue relating to my career in a way - the absence of food. I will be researching and teaching people that have access to food about how to eat it whilst there are so many out there with virtually nothing that they would never dream of needing someone like me. And its not even just about food! Its about education. Its about living standards. Its about surviving in a world worth surviving for! I know poverty will not be fixed for a while, if ever, but if we all give a little, those that need it will gain a lot! The world is a crazy place. Please help the children of Cambodia on Stephanie's page :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The possibilities are endless
Be Just & Fear Not... everything will turn out right if you're heart and soul continue to see the possibilities that are infront of you.
And just because im being all motivational and such I shall spread my happiness and inspire the world (or at least the two people that will read this blog entry... one being me and the other is a possibility).
Yep this is me...
Alas, on the downside...
And as much as I hate Maccas, i also secretly love it...even tho her tits are fake...
Monday, July 19, 2010
Detox Box
As far as recent event goes life has been pretty dry since Thailand. I miss warm nights and so much to do that all you want to do is lie in and watch movies because you're so exhausted from a packed out day. My tatt has finally healed and is looking pretty good. I want more but I'm being impulsive and irrational so I'll wait. Tomorrow I sort out all my uni shit and shall do some baking. Man I sound exciting right? I wrote a blog the other night which I shall put in soon. I'm reading this fantastic book called "Why people believe weird things" and its loosely based around some of the ideas in that.
I bought this "Detox Box" about 6 months ago and tomorrow I am making myself use it. These holidays I have eaten more shit than I have over the past year and I feel like crap.
1. More Real Food, Less “Food-like Substances”
2. More Fruit and Vegetables, Less Sugar, Wheat and Corn
3. More Organic, Less Toxic
4. More Chewing, Less Eating
5. More Water, Less Sugary crap
Wish me luck. For some reason it seems far harder this time.
Hopefully my next blog will be far more interesting than reading about my current life events (or more so lack of events). Peace out kids x
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Stupid little life; I love you.
I used to lay in bed wishing that life would just end without reason, and now that thought scares me beyond words. I'm not sure if you would call it extreme depression, being a stupid teenager or growing up but I know that I never used to be like I am now. It feels like in the last few years some things have really clicked in my brain.
It feels like I should be feeling fucked right now. My future is on hold for another year or so uni has told me. Something in my mind just won't take no for an answer. I don't think I have really believed it yet. I'm not feeding off false hope, I have just dealt with my "situation" and by being alright with it and wanting something else so badly I have discovered millions of possibilities. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows mind you - I did cry... on the phone..... to my "other" and he had a lot of reassuring to do. My biggest problem is that I don't want to get left behind in a heap, waiting for life to start when others are off seeing magical lands and coming home to their high paying jobs.
I have come to really realize the beauty of life, the beauty of things in general. It really does feel like I'm Lester Burnham - no kidding.. except that I'm young. I know I'm young and that I have time but I can't help but feel that that time is going to slip right through my fingers in the blink of an eye and tomorrow I will wake up and be 87.. and everything will be over. But in actuality and with a rational mind set I know that I will soon have a career that will last longer than the time I have already lived. I will have a family, a house, maybe some more tattoos and a cute little clinic. Perhaps I'll be working in a children's hospital somewhere in the world or with pregnant women. Who knows... i dont... but it will come sooner or later.
Tonight I meditated. My ultimate meditation begins with music, dim lights, incence and layig on the floor. I stay flat for about 5 minutes before stretching my entire body. I usually end with yoga and then either read motivational books, books with scientific theories or look at photographs. Its such a simple pleasure.
Its late. I keep getting hungry and my tattoo is itchy due to peeling.
Goodnight world....
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Unfortunate events
Life's really not fair sometimes... but sadly I guess we have to start building another fucking bridge right?
In the scheme of things this is a small hurdle. Its an unfortunate one but there's nothing I can do about it but get over... or keep trying to get over it. I've got to stop being scared of what's going to happen and to just do what I can at the time. In a way, maybe this will help me in the long run. Its just hard to hear criticism.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Ink: Forever is not a very long time
So I did it and if I end up hating it by the time in 35 or it goes into a wrinkly blob one day then so be it. Things change so fast, we don't live long so why not? Why the words you say... well here goes my explaining.
The quote comes from Shakespeare's play "King Henry the VIII". Its meaning is to be strong, be fair and do not be afraid of what life throws. Obviously that is a shallow summary.
I started getting into Shakespeare's poetry and plays when I was in year 9. At that point I wanted to be a writer and he facinated me to the point where I would sit and analyse a piece for ages and try to somehow soak in all its beauty and the feelings in which he was describing as an expression of himself or something else. You also may or may not know that my name is in fact Shakespearian:
Miranda was created by Shakespeare for his play "The Tempest" from the feminine form of the Latin gerundive 'mirandus' (admirable, lovely), from the verb 'mirari' (to wonder at, to admire). This gives the meaning "she who must be admired".
"Be just and fear not" is the type of quote that I find an easy reassurance to any terrible situation. It is somehow always significant and there is strength, wisdom and compassion in its wording.
So there you go. It may seem like just words to you and it may even seem like just words to me in 10 or 20 years but who cares. Live without regrets. I know its there forever but after all- forever is NOT a very long time.
I started getting into Shakespeare's poetry and plays when I was in year 9. At that point I wanted to be a writer and he facinated me to the point where I would sit and analyse a piece for ages and try to somehow soak in all its beauty and the feelings in which he was describing as an expression of himself or something else. You also may or may not know that my name is in fact Shakespearian:
Miranda was created by Shakespeare for his play "The Tempest" from the feminine form of the Latin gerundive 'mirandus' (admirable, lovely), from the verb 'mirari' (to wonder at, to admire). This gives the meaning "she who must be admired".
"Be just and fear not" is the type of quote that I find an easy reassurance to any terrible situation. It is somehow always significant and there is strength, wisdom and compassion in its wording.
So there you go. It may seem like just words to you and it may even seem like just words to me in 10 or 20 years but who cares. Live without regrets. I know its there forever but after all- forever is NOT a very long time.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Mysterious man, Pirates and Barrel Rolls.
All I want to do is write and rant so heres some random stuff from the space in my brain...
For you.
Love. We say it so much, we think it so much but are we ever right? Sadly half the time all of the stories and stupid cliche`s prove themselves wrong. However I do believe that you know when you are meant to be with someone. You really do know but it takes a lot of time, more than when you first think it a possibility. It won't take one or two years... it will take more for sure. It may take a whole damn lot longer. Today I think I really do know. I don't really blog aboutt this stuff too often but now I feel the need. I know for a fact that being young and having experiences is very important. I also pursue my strong feelings/argument against marrying young. But there comes a time when you look at someone and your heart and mind take a step back for a moment and you think "shit. I could never imagine being here; I would never want to be here with anyone but you. I need you to be here with me, nobody else". And you think - I would travel the world with you, write a song for you, give you a kidney... among other things. You also realise that although sometimes you hate doing them, you LOVE doing what you do for the person you admire. I love that I'm sitting on a place with a boy's head on my lap and his body stretched out over the remaining row. I love that he reads magazines o the toilet, steals all the water when I shower and always seems to fart at the most inconvenient times. I love that he gets shy at the video store asking the guy where a movie is, hates returning products to stores because he dislikes being inconvenient, wears shorts in the middle of winter, gets awkward around people of authority to the point where he has to even ask me whether he has been to Africa in the last 6 days before he fills out the customs form; like the form is a trick and really is asking "are you african or have association with africa". But aside from what may seem like silly things there are other things I love. His stubble, his ring collectiong, that his face always smells amazing, that he plays guitar to me and rants about type faces and cars and internet sites. I love that he holds the door open for me, gives me the umbrella when it rains, when we rub noses, when he plays with my hair, makes me pizza and grabs my bum on staircases. He makes me coffee, tells me I look pretty, accompanies me to family events and appointments and can sit and chat to me for hours. That to me is love. That is all part of love but ONLY part. Thats where people get caught up and confused and think more of things than they are.
Despite how the song goes "Love is only a feeling", I think they are wrong (sorry The Darkness). Its far more technical than that so do not be mistaken. We do not constantly think about and feel out love for someone, it is just there. We experience whatever else life throws and we live and enjoy but love just stays - rising and falling; constantly fluctuating and half the time we are virtually oblivious to it. You accept someone for who they are but you do not settle for less than you deserve. It is an equal task love. Also it is a chemical thing. We build dependance and it changes us chemically to "need" someone.
So to all you "love sick" people out there that are young and want to go get married and have a million kids right away and miss out building the real chemical nature of love; I hope you realise you may be jumping to conclusions and you wait that little bit longer to experience the actual reality of it.
For you.
Love. We say it so much, we think it so much but are we ever right? Sadly half the time all of the stories and stupid cliche`s prove themselves wrong. However I do believe that you know when you are meant to be with someone. You really do know but it takes a lot of time, more than when you first think it a possibility. It won't take one or two years... it will take more for sure. It may take a whole damn lot longer. Today I think I really do know. I don't really blog aboutt this stuff too often but now I feel the need. I know for a fact that being young and having experiences is very important. I also pursue my strong feelings/argument against marrying young. But there comes a time when you look at someone and your heart and mind take a step back for a moment and you think "shit. I could never imagine being here; I would never want to be here with anyone but you. I need you to be here with me, nobody else". And you think - I would travel the world with you, write a song for you, give you a kidney... among other things. You also realise that although sometimes you hate doing them, you LOVE doing what you do for the person you admire. I love that I'm sitting on a place with a boy's head on my lap and his body stretched out over the remaining row. I love that he reads magazines o the toilet, steals all the water when I shower and always seems to fart at the most inconvenient times. I love that he gets shy at the video store asking the guy where a movie is, hates returning products to stores because he dislikes being inconvenient, wears shorts in the middle of winter, gets awkward around people of authority to the point where he has to even ask me whether he has been to Africa in the last 6 days before he fills out the customs form; like the form is a trick and really is asking "are you african or have association with africa". But aside from what may seem like silly things there are other things I love. His stubble, his ring collectiong, that his face always smells amazing, that he plays guitar to me and rants about type faces and cars and internet sites. I love that he holds the door open for me, gives me the umbrella when it rains, when we rub noses, when he plays with my hair, makes me pizza and grabs my bum on staircases. He makes me coffee, tells me I look pretty, accompanies me to family events and appointments and can sit and chat to me for hours. That to me is love. That is all part of love but ONLY part. Thats where people get caught up and confused and think more of things than they are.
Despite how the song goes "Love is only a feeling", I think they are wrong (sorry The Darkness). Its far more technical than that so do not be mistaken. We do not constantly think about and feel out love for someone, it is just there. We experience whatever else life throws and we live and enjoy but love just stays - rising and falling; constantly fluctuating and half the time we are virtually oblivious to it. You accept someone for who they are but you do not settle for less than you deserve. It is an equal task love. Also it is a chemical thing. We build dependance and it changes us chemically to "need" someone.
So to all you "love sick" people out there that are young and want to go get married and have a million kids right away and miss out building the real chemical nature of love; I hope you realise you may be jumping to conclusions and you wait that little bit longer to experience the actual reality of it.
Dreaming of Asia
So if you get the chance and the funds - go to Asia. Stay away from Bali and Phuket's main beaches. Soak in the beauty, wash in brown water, get sick from the food, feel the earth beneath your feet. Sip from a coconut and you will never feel better!
Thailand: Last night
7/7/10
Sitting on the balcony in the perfect night air. Its our last night in Karon and as usual the streets are alive with the sounds of 90's Karaoke. Our favourite guard has gone home from his shift and we are sipping on vodka and cranberry. The city never sleeps. I love the people, I love the warm. I'm sad to leave but somewhat looking forward to going home and resting. We've met some rad people - my favourite receptionist and house keeping lady, the guard that speaks to us, shirt man in patong, our elephant rider, Uum; our friend from an island near Khoh Samui. Its a beautiful night. Goodbye summer.
Sitting on the balcony in the perfect night air. Its our last night in Karon and as usual the streets are alive with the sounds of 90's Karaoke. Our favourite guard has gone home from his shift and we are sipping on vodka and cranberry. The city never sleeps. I love the people, I love the warm. I'm sad to leave but somewhat looking forward to going home and resting. We've met some rad people - my favourite receptionist and house keeping lady, the guard that speaks to us, shirt man in patong, our elephant rider, Uum; our friend from an island near Khoh Samui. Its a beautiful night. Goodbye summer.
Selfless v Selfish
5th July 2010
I don't understand every human being I meet; nobody does. Some are luckier than others and some have the potential be lucky and prosperous but deny the chance. How can people just sit and let themselves go to waste when others would give almost everything to have the same opportunities and experiences. Yes, there is a level of understanding and human empathy that I must give but it both angers and saddens me just how ignorant and careless people are. There are people back home that are so self centred, that will never be empathetic, that lay blame down on everyone and everything so that they look like victims. Yet somehow the lady cooking my buffet breakfast and homeless people lying in the streets smile and greet me like i am super human. They seem to sit and make things; sing, express themselves like its the best day of their lives. The poorer Thais with the local street market stalls are the same. They are always warm, always genuine, always happy. Sometimes they drive a hard bargain or put up a fight with you as you barter but in the end they bow their heads in thanks - "Kapunka"
I don't understand every human being I meet; nobody does. Some are luckier than others and some have the potential be lucky and prosperous but deny the chance. How can people just sit and let themselves go to waste when others would give almost everything to have the same opportunities and experiences. Yes, there is a level of understanding and human empathy that I must give but it both angers and saddens me just how ignorant and careless people are. There are people back home that are so self centred, that will never be empathetic, that lay blame down on everyone and everything so that they look like victims. Yet somehow the lady cooking my buffet breakfast and homeless people lying in the streets smile and greet me like i am super human. They seem to sit and make things; sing, express themselves like its the best day of their lives. The poorer Thais with the local street market stalls are the same. They are always warm, always genuine, always happy. Sometimes they drive a hard bargain or put up a fight with you as you barter but in the end they bow their heads in thanks - "Kapunka"
Lights, Booze, Music and Tuk Tuks
Patong. The place is so intense you can't even think straight when you're standing on the street. Everything is in your face, everything is open until 4am. There is a buzz of noise and lights everywhere. Tuk-Tuks line the road sides, clubs pump until sun rise and people will almost force you to buy their rip off shit!
An update on our outings - we've seen elephants, been to the world's biggest jewellery store, seen monkeys, buffalo, ridden in world war 2 vehicles, been to big buddha, shopped at markets and discount outlets, had $3 cocktails on the side of the road, bartered, been swimming, stood on the look out, experienced the butterfly sanctury etc.
Thailand: Cultural experiences
3rd July 2010
There are people here, old couples, families and even young people that come and enjoy the resort. They never leave... they arrive in a car, stay a few days and then leave. We see them dine at the hotel and not leave the pool, then go to happy hour upstairs on get drunk at the pool bars and challenge the bar people at connect four! Sure this place is amazingly luxurious but why would you want to miss the cultural experience? I don't et it. For me thats the best part!
There are people here, old couples, families and even young people that come and enjoy the resort. They never leave... they arrive in a car, stay a few days and then leave. We see them dine at the hotel and not leave the pool, then go to happy hour upstairs on get drunk at the pool bars and challenge the bar people at connect four! Sure this place is amazingly luxurious but why would you want to miss the cultural experience? I don't et it. For me thats the best part!
Thailand: Balcony thoughts
2nd July 2010
The world is so Westernized and ruled by such Western practices. Its like that we Westerners almost forget that other cultures exist and we are tricked into believing that we are superior beings. These people here live such simple lives with the help of the land. Everything is done by hand and for that I almost feel guilty buying something that takes 5 hrs to make and costs me $3 AUD. Its crazy to think how radical and intense the place where I come from is. Why cant we all be as wonderfully satisfied as these people and express ourselves as simply? I do not deny that this place is held up by the Western world through tourism and without it quality of life would be much more minimal. I just deeply admire the Thai for their resourcefulness. The land is rich in sun and rain; plants and soil. It is beautiful in its own way. The air is warmer, the grass is greener..... here... on the other side of the world.
The fruit is DIVINE - almost as divine as the people, so hospitable. I feel I could sit in this warm wind on our balcony and stare out at the divine dense jungle. Magic land of luxury is the way I will remember this land. If i ever return i would very much like to visit poorer, less touristy parts - see the children, see what they cook, how they live. I wonder what the hotel workers go home to? Do they get paid well enough to live well or do they just serve us in our luxurious rooms and then go home to their shack? Some of the elephant trainers live in small jungle huts along the trecking trail, amongst the spiders and the trees. They seem perfectly content with that. Why are we Western folk far less content with things although we have more? Perhaps we have less really. Perhaps nature is what makes for the happiest, most fullfilling life...
The fruit is DIVINE - almost as divine as the people, so hospitable. I feel I could sit in this warm wind on our balcony and stare out at the divine dense jungle. Magic land of luxury is the way I will remember this land. If i ever return i would very much like to visit poorer, less touristy parts - see the children, see what they cook, how they live. I wonder what the hotel workers go home to? Do they get paid well enough to live well or do they just serve us in our luxurious rooms and then go home to their shack? Some of the elephant trainers live in small jungle huts along the trecking trail, amongst the spiders and the trees. They seem perfectly content with that. Why are we Western folk far less content with things although we have more? Perhaps we have less really. Perhaps nature is what makes for the happiest, most fullfilling life...
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