I don't think I've ever not read all three books of a trilogy series. (Double negative confusion? Me too actually…) Let me rephrase, I always read all available books of a story. Usually, by the third one I am dying to know what happens because the second leaves the characters in shambles and I can't wait to see how the destined-to-fail pieces will miraculously be put together. I'm the type of reader who rarely picks up a book and doesn't put it down until the last page. (What is with me and double negatives tonight? What does it mean?! Was that even a double negative?! I think it was just awkward...) What I mean is that I don't give up on books. I only put it down after the last page. Not halfway through and definitely not a chapter in. I have to finish what I start. Simple as that. So, when I finished the second book of the Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons, knowing full well there is a third book waiting, I was confused. I'll try and not spoil the story for you because it's a great read, but when a second book ends with a happily ever after, who needs a third book? What were you thinking Paullina? Was it in the book deal contract? Because, you didn't need a third one and to be honest, I'm not going to read it. Ever. And that is quite a call coming from a thorough reader like myself. You tied all the knots! Did you want to do a double knot? Earth to author, these aren't your sneakers. Your hero succeeded in their ultimate conquest! The love story unfolded with everything finally falling into place! What more could a reader want? Nothing actually.
Nonetheless, I recommend reading the story. Definitely book one and two. I can't advise on the third. Actually, I wouldn't advise. Trust me, you'll see.
If you want to read a romantic, historical fiction novel about two tragic lovers stuck in the Soviet Union as the Germans attack in 1941, I highly recommend The Bronze Horseman and The Bridge to Holy Cross. Yes, you have to get through the sometimes endless pages of pointless dialogue between the two main characters and the repetitive nature of the writing in the second book, but who wouldn't feel intensely for two young lovers having their rights unraveled before them? It's a page turner most of the time.
Want to read an actual review?
http://paullinasimons.com/books/the-bronze-horseman/
Happy reading!
Tuesday 27 January 2015
Tuesday 20 January 2015
Daily Medicine - Wheel Pose
Sometimes medicine feels good when you take it and sometimes it feels bad. But, after the fact, it usually helps and is usually what you need. I like to think of yoga poses as medicinal. You know the ones that you despise and have to literally force your body into? You hate doing them because your body never seems to do what you want it to do. Your breathing is uneven and laboured and every second spent in it is one second too long. Plus, there is always the person in class who is a legend, and compared to them you look like football player trying to do the splits. Awkward, to say the least. Well, yep, those poses are the best medicine. They are hard or hurt because you need them the most.
On the other hand, there are poses that you love to do because your body responses well to them. It bends how you want it to bend and you even surprise yourself sometimes at how deep into the pose you can go. These can be medicinal as well. You need them because they give you something you know you require. Your body likes it because it feels good, and it's what it is asking for. And, instead of not being able to go deeper into it, you end up having control over your breathe and pushing deeper, opening your heart and receiving what you need.
In a nut shell, some poses are kids gummy vitamins and some are Betadine you have to gargle. Blahhhh.
One of my gummy bears is wheel pose. I love it. It gives me the feeling like….like…if I were I bird it would be when I stretched my wings. It opens up my shoulders, my back, my sides, my hips etc etc. Plus, I love looking at the world upside down. There is something really healing about an upside down perspective. It is seriously calming and when things get a little overwhelming, being upside down is grounding.
But, the benefits of this particular gummy bear don't stop there. It is super good for the spine, stretching it and relieving compression. It improves respiration. It is energising. What else? It ignites all 7 chakras. For 10 reasons to love wheel pose, visit this page:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5661/10-Reasons-to-Love-Wheel-Pose.html
Don't know about chakras? That's another day and completely separate blog post. Although, you can visit this page for a super quick, condensed overview:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-91/The-7-Chakras-for-Beginners.html
Now go take your daily medicine. Stretch, bend, push…and open your heart so you don't miss out on receiving whatever it is you need.
On the other hand, there are poses that you love to do because your body responses well to them. It bends how you want it to bend and you even surprise yourself sometimes at how deep into the pose you can go. These can be medicinal as well. You need them because they give you something you know you require. Your body likes it because it feels good, and it's what it is asking for. And, instead of not being able to go deeper into it, you end up having control over your breathe and pushing deeper, opening your heart and receiving what you need.
In a nut shell, some poses are kids gummy vitamins and some are Betadine you have to gargle. Blahhhh.
One of my gummy bears is wheel pose. I love it. It gives me the feeling like….like…if I were I bird it would be when I stretched my wings. It opens up my shoulders, my back, my sides, my hips etc etc. Plus, I love looking at the world upside down. There is something really healing about an upside down perspective. It is seriously calming and when things get a little overwhelming, being upside down is grounding.
But, the benefits of this particular gummy bear don't stop there. It is super good for the spine, stretching it and relieving compression. It improves respiration. It is energising. What else? It ignites all 7 chakras. For 10 reasons to love wheel pose, visit this page:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5661/10-Reasons-to-Love-Wheel-Pose.html
Don't know about chakras? That's another day and completely separate blog post. Although, you can visit this page for a super quick, condensed overview:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-91/The-7-Chakras-for-Beginners.html
Now go take your daily medicine. Stretch, bend, push…and open your heart so you don't miss out on receiving whatever it is you need.
Saturday 17 January 2015
Best Home Workouts. Hands Down.
As I'm lying on the floor recovering, I have to share with you what the best online, in the comfort of your own home workout there is out there. No lies. There are three reasons why I love these online workouts.
1. There are hundreds of videos to chose from depending on what area of the body you want to target.
2. They are short. Most are under 10 minutes.
3. They are not sissy workouts. There are the hardest few minutes of your life.
I find that the worst thing about most workout videos is that they take so long and are slow paced so I lose interest, and then they just become another household chore to add to the list.
That's why I love #blogilates
She has quick, seriously difficult workouts that target the yucky spots that are so hard to get sore. Or, so hard to force yourself to combat because who wants to do a million sit-ups? She mixes it up and has some innovative yet extremely effective Pilates moves to kick your butt. You can do a couple videos in succession and bam! you're sore for the two days. My fav are the abs and waist videos.
So, what are you waiting for?! Seriously, give it a try! You will die… but in a good way.
https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates
Need a little more enticement? Here is my fav video at the moment. See if you can finish it. I bet you can't!
1. There are hundreds of videos to chose from depending on what area of the body you want to target.
2. They are short. Most are under 10 minutes.
3. They are not sissy workouts. There are the hardest few minutes of your life.
I find that the worst thing about most workout videos is that they take so long and are slow paced so I lose interest, and then they just become another household chore to add to the list.
That's why I love #blogilates
She has quick, seriously difficult workouts that target the yucky spots that are so hard to get sore. Or, so hard to force yourself to combat because who wants to do a million sit-ups? She mixes it up and has some innovative yet extremely effective Pilates moves to kick your butt. You can do a couple videos in succession and bam! you're sore for the two days. My fav are the abs and waist videos.
So, what are you waiting for?! Seriously, give it a try! You will die… but in a good way.
https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates
Need a little more enticement? Here is my fav video at the moment. See if you can finish it. I bet you can't!
Thursday 15 January 2015
36 Questions to make you fall in love
I was scrolling through the Jezebel website (Haven't heard of it? Well, it's a kinda sorta feminist site) a couple days ago and came across this article...
…Which is one of many written about a love lab study conducted years ago. (Why do I not have the job of a Love Psychologist? I need to figure out why I am not that, pronto.) This study, which was recreated recently by an academic/author, seems to support the idea that by scripting questions and manipulating the conversation between two people you can speed up the intimacy of verbal exchange and thus make two people start to feel love for each other. (Ummmm, that is definitely not a scientific conclusion - that was my verbal blahhh from the article.) So, by the end of the 36 questions, you're closer and more comfortable with the other person because you have made yourself vulnerable and in a way that you probably never would have done left to your own devices.
Interesting, right? I encourage you to not only read the article but also the 36 questions and ask yourself how they make you feel.
To conclude, too things have really stuck with me since the article. Two things that I had never really considered. The first is a concept that is in the last bit of the article:
... love not as something that happens to us, but as an action we take, a choice we make.
Whhhhat?! We don't fall in love?! We actually have self control?! We choose our partners?! Yeah, I guess that makes sense but that sure doesn't go along with the hollywood love stigma. Just like we choose our partner, we choose to love them.
Second thing - Is this study showing only that we can speed up love or that we can essentially fall in love with anyone? Whoa. Ever considered girls? Boys? Why not?
Ok, this is blowing my mind. Just read the article.
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Get a little more Wabi-Sabi into your life… 7 cultural concepts you should consider adopting
Ever thought that you might not be celebrating or even acknowledging the right things in life? Maybe you need a reason or even a word to express what you already do or believe?
We can all learn a thing or two from other cultures. This article I came across through #collectiveevolution is yet another opportunity to use the already brilliant, proven ways of others.
Here are some reasons to celebrate the old, the new, the indoors and the outdoors:
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/7-cultural-concepts-we-dont-have-in-the-us
Friday 9 January 2015
Seriously, are you aware of your potential? Because I'm not.
I was folded in half in yoga today and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Literally, my nose was resting between my toes. Now, half of me is in pain and I'm struggling to walk because my hips are so sore. It's awkward and my muscles hurt. But, at the same time I'm stoked because I did something that I never thought I'd be flexible enough to do. Yes, it's always weird when the yoga instructor practically lies on you to encourage your body to stretch, but if they hadn't have pushed me I won't have ever pushed myself that far into the poses today. I felt kind of yucky still from being sick, weak at the same time and was taking it easy but even so, on a bad day, I did something I find amazing. I was able to fold myself in half, in two different poses! Miraculous!
Or maybe not. How much more is there that I'm capable of achieving yet I hold myself back from? What would you do if you had no fear? No sense of consequence? Embraced your child self a little more often? Maybe didn't kill your your own creativity? Think of how much more we could all be achieving! I honestly believe we have no idea what we are capable of achieving, as individuals or as communities.
Maybe it's because we are creatures of habit or maybe it's just because sometimes we need someone to give us a little push in the right direction, but either way it's still our own potential and there is so much of it that we need to tap into.
So, the next time you are considering all the reasons why that dream job role is so out of reach, or the pretzel yoga pose is just too crazy outside of your abilities, if it feels impossible, there is a good chance you'll be able to achieve it. Plus, you might even be good at it.
We have so much potential. Let's use it for the good. The good of ourselves and the good of our world.
Love, gratitude, strength, empowerment.
Or maybe not. How much more is there that I'm capable of achieving yet I hold myself back from? What would you do if you had no fear? No sense of consequence? Embraced your child self a little more often? Maybe didn't kill your your own creativity? Think of how much more we could all be achieving! I honestly believe we have no idea what we are capable of achieving, as individuals or as communities.
Maybe it's because we are creatures of habit or maybe it's just because sometimes we need someone to give us a little push in the right direction, but either way it's still our own potential and there is so much of it that we need to tap into.
So, the next time you are considering all the reasons why that dream job role is so out of reach, or the pretzel yoga pose is just too crazy outside of your abilities, if it feels impossible, there is a good chance you'll be able to achieve it. Plus, you might even be good at it.
We have so much potential. Let's use it for the good. The good of ourselves and the good of our world.
Love, gratitude, strength, empowerment.
Tuesday 6 January 2015
Low Carb Diet: Fact or Fiction?
As I mentioned in a previous post, I love ideas that challenge society's normal way of thinking.
Especially when it's based on science.
The ABC channel's show Catalyst might just be my new fav show.
Plus, the video still above is of #avos. Love that. Love them.
The Benefits of Honey Lemon Water
Have you heard of the benefits of drinking warm honey lemon water? The list goes on and on! So when I woke up feeling yucky this morning, I took the advice I'd been given and made two cups of boiled water, squeezed a lemon into each and added a tablespoon of honey. It's an intense mixture of sweet and sour but it's actually really refreshing as an early morning drink.
Intrigued yet? I was. I had heard that it was good for you but I had never given it much attention. So, I googled it, like you do when you want to know something fast.
Want to know some of the benefits?
Well, the list is too long so just google it.
JK! But seriously it is. In the meantime, here are a few:
#anthromugs
Want to know some of the benefits?
Well, the list is too long so just google it.
JK! But seriously it is. In the meantime, here are a few:
- Aids in better digestion
- Helps weights loss
- Improves oral health, bad breath and skin
- Helps your body maintain a higher pH which helps your body fight disease
- The Vit C helps the body fight colds
- Helps keep constipation at bay
There a million articles out there so get reading and get drinking!
Erciyes Turkish Restaurant in Sydney
I can't for the life of me say the name of this place but #omg the #turkishfood is amazing. No, that's an understatement. Last weekend when S and I went there on a last minute whim, without a booking, I think I died and went to turkish heaven. In this heaven, there are 7 different types of dips. That's right, 7 ways of doing dips. That pretty much makes it 7th heaven I would assume??!! #lamejoke. Anyway, the deliciousness doesn't end there! The dolmades are killer and the kebab plates are deadly. The pictures can't even begin to do the flavours justice. #foodporn
And the name of the place? Erciyes. I can't say it. Where do I even begin? Isn't there a mountain named that? And even if I do get a string of sounds out of my mouth that sound somewhat like a word, I still know it's wrong. No hope there.
Monday 5 January 2015
Handstands Everyday
Handstands. They're hard. Well, for most of us they're difficult. My granddad was a legend at them. Story is that in high school he walked down 3 flights of stairs inverted! My sister was born and then bam! she was walking on her hands. (At least I'm convinced that's how it must have been.) She's more comfortable upside down walking on the beach then right side up. Me? It took me more than a year to stay up for 5 seconds. Yep, that's where I'm at. Five seconds in the air before I topple over, and don't even mention walking. Give me another year or possibly five.
Yet, in saying that, this year is all about pushing out of the comfort zone. Don't be a square. Make yourself a little uncomfortable. Make a New Year's resolution with your heart, not with your head.
Did I mention that the world looks a whole other beautiful upside down?
Plus, did you know there are a whole lotta benefits to inversions? Here is why you should be doing them everyday:
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/01/04/5-reasons-you-should-do-handstands-everyday/
#collectiveevolution
So…
Kick up, open your heart and remember to breath.
Yet, in saying that, this year is all about pushing out of the comfort zone. Don't be a square. Make yourself a little uncomfortable. Make a New Year's resolution with your heart, not with your head.
Did I mention that the world looks a whole other beautiful upside down?
Plus, did you know there are a whole lotta benefits to inversions? Here is why you should be doing them everyday:
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/01/04/5-reasons-you-should-do-handstands-everyday/
#collectiveevolution
So…
Kick up, open your heart and remember to breath.
Saturday 3 January 2015
Summer smoothie recipe
It's hot in Sydney. So hot that in yoga this morning the heat wasn't on, the windows were open and I was sweating like I'd just run a desert marathon. Coming back home (or crawling back home) I wasn't into just any regular breakfast and definitely nothing cooked on the stove. I needed something that was cool, refreshing and fruity. The epitome of summer refuge. So, I threw some ingredients into a blender and voilà! Definitely a flexible, easy recipe that's a keeper. And, to be honest, that's something I highly value in a recipe - flexible and easy.
Banana Smoothie
serves 2 people
1 whole tray of ice cubes
2 bananas
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1/2 c. almond or coconut milk
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Or mix it up and add or replace with any fruit you're craving!
Banana Smoothie
serves 2 people
1 whole tray of ice cubes
2 bananas
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1/2 c. almond or coconut milk
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Or mix it up and add or replace with any fruit you're craving!
TED Talk - Schizophrenia
I love a good TED talk. Especially when it challenges society's normal way of thinking.
Eleanor Longden: The voices in my head
#tedtalks #mentalhealth #schizophrenia
Thursday 1 January 2015
Word of the Day
I have this kinda sorta obsession with new words. For the life of me I can't remember them after the fact but beside that fact I still religiously read my dictionary.com Word of the Day emails.
Today's word - flapdragon
Umm, really? #wtf
And now that curiosity has gotten the better of us…
noun.
an old game in which players snatch raisin, plums, etc., out of burning brandy, and eat them.
Sounds like a circa 1500s drinking game. Revival anyone?
By the way, don't look it up on urbandictionary.com
Thanks #wordoftheday
Unique Wedding Gift Idea
Ever want to get a newlywed couple a unique, thoughtful gift? Maybe something that isn't on their registry or the standard home wares? Well, look no further because I've got an idea for you!
Last year I got married and my sister gave the cutest gift - a set of 4 custom engraved sugar spoons! Not your average wedding gift idea, right?! They're adorable and useful! What more could a happy couple want?
So, the next time you want to give something that is both thoughtful and unique, I would definitely recommend the spoons. Hands down.
Thanks Sis!
spoons by #jessicandesigns
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)