The past is who you were; not who you are…

I was recently paid a visit by my past, almost instantaneously I became the person I USED to be.

‘I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.’ Thomas Jefferson

Amongst my life changing decisions it seemed all to easy to revisit the pleasurable (although rare) memory’s of this particular time and person. I was of course hesitant, my heart had rebuilt & restored, and in the process and particularly  built a wall for protection agains this person (my weakness).

However I was still tempted, to slowly take a step backwards and reminisce about the good times. Previously I would have run backwards as fast as I could to ‘finally’ have his love. A love I believed was  true. Unfortunately, I believe in true love and the greater good in people.

So, even though I was hesitant, protected, why did I find myself falling for his words, proclamations of love, all over again?? (We had been here, done this numerous times before, so many I couldn’t count). To revisit those tiny moments of happiness? When really in our reality they were rare treasures lost amongst the pain and hurt.

I have learnt and will attempt to continue to do so, that we cannot run from our past, we can choose to accept it, but it does not define us.
So what if you had a bad relationship? So what if you weren’t the person you are today? That is why it is the past. It is not the present, but the more time you spend living in the past, the more of the present you will miss.

‘If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at operate, you are living in the present.’ Lao Tzu

We consume ourselves with thoughts of what if, what more could I have done?

The (honest) truth is there is nothing more you could have done or could have been.

So just stop tormenting yourself with an illusion of something that isn’t/can’t and won’t be real.

Every day, we create our life, our paths by the choices we take, in this very moment.

You cannot change yesterday. But you have the power to change today.

I’m reminding myself that sometimes it’s ok to look backwards as a reflection off how far I have come, but don’t spend to much time looking backwards, you wont be able to see where you are going, and you will stumble and fall (you’ll end up going nowhere). Look forward to the bright shiny future that is yours.

 

So, After my recent trip backwards, I felt guilt, blame, upset at myself that I had let this occur (all over again). It wasn’t until I practised some of my self soothing habits (yoga, breathing & I always live a good pound the pavement stress relieving run), that I realised…so what. It was only a very brief trip down memory lane and if anything I should be thankful, appreciative because it only created a sense of belief & assurance that I was in fact in the right place, doing what is right for me, in fact this little trip backwards had in turn propelled me forwards, more grateful, more appreciative and more loving towards everything I have in my life now.

It’s ok to contemplate the what ifs, to reminisce, the past has contributed to the absolutely gorgeous person you are today. Be thankful. Then Let go. With love and light.

You cannot change the past, it’s already been written. In fact when you go re read it, you already know what will happen.
Appreciate today, write new chapters of your life, you are the author, the director and the movie star (wow, you must be super talented 😉

The oppourtunity is today. It’s yours.
Look forward towards the sunshine and those shadows will behind you.

‘Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.’ Mother Theresa

 

Diamonds are a girls best friend…

Not the ones you buy as a status symbol or statement (don’t get me wrong, diamonds are beyond beautiful); diamonds; of the true friend type…precious and rare.

 ‘A single rose can be my garden…a single friend, my world.’ Leo Buscaglia

Recently I have been overwhelmed by the pure kindness, support and love from some special people in my life.

Today’s inspired writing is for them in hope of sharing a smile and some magic and perhaps to inspire you to show your appreciation for the love in your life.

True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare. So rare, I can count them easily, the people who I know will always be there, the ones that love me unconditionally, and hold my hand and support me (even when they know what I may be doing could be a huge mistake, recent journey to the past, point).

‘A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.’ Elbert Hubbard

As I returned home, a genuine feeling of belonging, a complete sense of being washed over me (as I crawled into my much awaited bed after an emotionally exhausting weekend).

A sense that everything would be ok, I was home, exactly where I belonged and I would figure it all out on my own (I do admit independence can sometimes be my downfall) filled my mind, body and soul (this feeling of complete contentment is priceless).

As I reached out to my close friends; I was filled with genuine love for the support they provided me. The true love. How did I get so lucky to have such amazing wonderful, kind people in my life?

Some people bring out the best in you. My diamonds (true friends), bring out the very best in me. Somehow they make me want to be more, to be better, for you see, these special people in my life are held on pedestals, I love them, cherish them, worship them and would do anything I can to protect them and support them. I genuinely believe they are beautiful people (inside & out).

 ‘Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience; this is the ideal life’. Mark Twain.

Having friends you look up to and aspire to be like is one of the greatest tools of success (I believe).

Be with people who bring out the best in you and you will go places you never thought possible.

Be with people who bring out the worst in you, and you will find your dreams will just remain dreams. Life isnt designed to be easy, and to truly find our success we need a support system greater then self-love, sometimes we need a shoulder to cry on, or a hand to help us up when we fall down (and we all fall down, including myself, often actually).

As I contemplated my luck; feeling my heart full of love, I realised that I had created this life, I had created this circle of trust, respect and love.

When you choose to act morally correctly, the people with the same values will be attracted to you, like attracts like.

‘The only way to have a friend is to be one’. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I am no longer a ‘want to be the centre of attention’ party girl, in fact I cannot recall the last time I was in that scene, but I do recall, there were no diamonds, just fake friends (leaves, found everywhere) based on how pretty you looked and what designer you wore.

‘Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.’  Oprah Winfrey

Everyone is entitled to live their life as they choose, by their own moral standards. You will attract people who live by the same ethical code as you do.

I choose to live my life based on integrity, gratitude and love.

I will wear my heart on my sleeve, I will radiate love, and I will make a conscious effort every day to be kind and to simply; smile.

To do this, I will keep my priceless diamonds protected and safe with the loyalty of my Love.

True friendship cannot be brought in a store, true friendship will only be available to you when you yourself are a true friend. How do you treat the people in your life? Are you supportive of their dreams? Their desires? Do you listen? Are you truly ‘there’ when they may have needed you?

Taking this time to send my love to every (amazing) person in my life right Now. You may not realise, but whilst I have been reflecting on the changes occurring, the very thought of the gentle feeling of your hand holding mine, drives me to succeed.

I believe in myself, but why do it on your own when you can enjoy the journey of life, of creating a dream reality in the pleasurable company of friends? Life after all is a journey, not a destination, laugh at the confusion, smile at the madness and love with all your heart.

‘Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.’ Marcel Proust

Love & Light, Charlie x.

I am feeling blessed, supported and wrapped up in your love (thank you). This is for my true friends (diamonds) who are precious & rare.

Want it Now…Your Tea

With so many ‘latest and greatest’ products constantly arriving on our markets, I wanted to start a new blog; Want it Now; product reviews of the latest beauty, fitness & health trends. An insight to help you decide if these products are worth the immense desire, the ‘want it now’, and a must have purchase.

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.” Buddha

A product I am absolutely loving right now is Tiny Tea by Your Tea. If you are like me and follow anyone Fitness and health related on IG, you would have definitely been seeing this brand pop up.

I have always been a big advocate for Herbal Teas and their amazing qualities and benefits; so I couldn’t wait to get my delivery of my 14 day Teatox.

It is designed to be consumed 30 minutes prior to meals, with specialised herbs to aid digestion and beat the bloat.

I definitely felt healthier/leaner and cleaner and suffered from less of my normal digestive issues. The only note, was I struggled 3 x daily to get the tea 30 minutes prior (it is ok to have after a meal), I’m not sure if this alters the results. I will definitely do this again, with 100% commitment to 3 x daily prior to 3 meals.

So what is Your Tea?

YourTea.com is a reputable online shop specialising in organic herbal tea blends.  We started selling our tea’s to customers in 2012 however have been drinking them ourselves for years, safe to say our bodies have been enjoying the benefits! Our teas were created with the intention to help people reach various physical and aesthetic goals. All of our blends are derived from Chinese Medicine principles with each ingredient playing an important role in the overall performance of the tea.

 

‘Happiness is not a mater of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.’ Thomas Merton

2.    Everyone says TinyTea is ‘different’ to all the other ‘weight loss’ teas out there – can you elaborate?

Yes we certainly are and we really pride ourselves on this! The average ‘weight loss’ teas out there are pretty horrendous in the sense that they tend to contain a lot of laxatives.

TinyTeatox is a not a laxative tea at all!

 

TinyTea is a mix of 12 herbal ingredients that were chosen based upon Chinese Medicine Principles. The ingredients work together in the body to nourish the digestive system. From a TCM perspective, the digestive system is the corner stone of health – once this is functioning properly many positive side effects will follow on including; increased energy levels, rejuvenated skin, enhanced mood, reduction in cellulite/fluid and increased blood quality.

Basically TinyTea starts with the digestive system and creates the best game of dominos your insides have ever played!

 

3. What is your take on laxative teas then? Reviews can be mixed…

Laxatives are fantastic at making a person best friends with their toilet, but not much else. Apart from the fact that laxatives deplete the body of digestive and energetic well-being, they leave a person merely temporarily dehydrated… this is why people presume they’ve lost weight.

We don’t agree with or endorse laxatives as a ‘method’ of losing weight – however everyone is entitled to their own opinion!

4. If a customer purchases a TinyTea – do you recommend a particular diet or exercise plan?

Yes and we can’t stress enough how important eating well and exercising regularly is – both in general AND when doing our TinyTeatox.

 

With eating, our approach is quite different to the traditional Western way’ of eating. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, eating shouldn’t be about watching every calorie or limiting every fat. Your body needs to be nourished and this includes eating a balance of good fats, certain carbohydrates and protein. We endorse eating foods to serve a particular role of nourishment in the body. Food is your friend! More importantly, we promote eating meals that are easily digested by the body. The digestive system can become exhausted when trying to digest food that is difficult to digest such as cold fruits, raw vegetables and salads, starchy/fatty foods or too much water. When the system becomes exhausted, it’s ability to digest any food – good or bad – becomes compromised. This is where weight gain can become apparent. We explain the concept of creating and maintaining a healthy digestive system on our website at www.yourtea.com.

As for exercise – this is important! We don’t necessarily think everyone needs to slog it out at the gym each day as for some, it can deplete too much of their Qi.

 

Going for a brisk 3-5km walk each day, which some weight bearing exercises is vital for the body.

 “When people talk about the good old days, I say to people, ‘It’s not the days that are old, it’s you that’s old.’ I hate the good old days. What is important is that today is good.”  Karl Lagerfield

5. Can girls just drink your TinyTeatox and expect amazing body results?

Yes and no.

Customers should notice change within their body without changing too much.

However, that magic potion that you drink to transform your body into a Victoria’s Secret model… is non-existent!

 

6. So who is behind YourTea?!

That is something we’ve decided to keep anonymous… We wanted our products to speak for themselves – which they’ve done with ease! We are a group of young entrepreneurs who love tea!

We can say though, we are very passionate about health and wellbeing – particularly Chinese Medicine. We use TCM and teas on a daily basis and have done for years – as this held us in such good health this is where the concept of YourTea stemmed from. We knew that while TCM doesn’t suit everyone, it can and has helped a lot of people cure all sorts of ailments. From decreasing the size of a derriere, to kicking a hangover up the derriere.

Maybe one day we will show our faces?! Until then, we think that YourTea is doing a great job of holding up the fort 😉

7. We noticed that you have an ambassador for your brand, why have you taken this approach?

Our ambassador is a lady named Natalie Kringoudis and she is a qualified Chinese Medicine Practitioner. We would never offer a blend of tea for sale that hasn’t been approved by her as she guarantees and agrees with their promoted functionality. More importantly, we felt that it was really important to provide our customers with information about the herbs and the intricate roles each herb performs.

8. What are you top 5 tips for losing bloat and excess fluid quickly?

1.     Avoid raw fruits/salads/vegetables. Cook, heat up or blanch everything

2.     Start the day with a glass of hot water and lemon

3.     Eat larger meals in the morning, smaller at night and eat your last meal no later than 6:30/7pm (depending on what time you go to bed)

4.     Sleep with a heat pack on your stomach

5.     Unless you’re running marathons, try not to drink in excess of 1.5L of water, it can waterlog your body

9. What are your top 5 tips for beautiful skin

1.     Eat lots of green, leafy vegetables ie; baby spinach, broccolini, beans, bok choy, asparagus and Kale

2.     Take a handful of parsley and boil for 4 minutes in 2 cups of water – drink!

3.     Buy some cold pressed coconut oil and smother your face in it at night before bed

4.     Include almonds and flaxseeds in diet

5.     Avoid sugar – it heats up the body, bloats the skin and can aggravate blemishes

‘Beauty is only skin deep. I think whats really important is finding a balance of mind, body and spirit.’ Jennifer Lopez.

10. Do you recommend a tea for everyday consumption?

Once your body is harmonized and working well following a course (or a few) of our Tiny Tea we certainly do!

We’ve designed “Her Tea” for exactly this purpose – it’s a blend of ingredients that aid in keeping the body balanced ongoing.

Alternately, an Oolong tea is fantastic for everyday consumption too.  In addition to Oolong Tea leaves our ‘Her Tea’ contains Goji Berries, Juniper Berries, Nettle Leaf, Chrysanthemum, Lavender Flower and Ginger – a potent blend jam packed with antioxidants and vitamins to support your immune system and general well-being.

I sincerly thank YourTEa for their time (YES I am so curious as to who these masterminds are behind this amazing product!)

Follow on IG: yourtea.

Happy Monday gorgeous lovers; todays thought, be present in the moment, accept all that you are right now, and be thankful. You have created the amazing life that you are living.

Love & light, Charlie x.

Yourtea are sponsoring my event Be Well; 12 steps to Wellness, held at Anytime Fitness Randwick. October 9th – 6pm, $25, call now 02 9326 6155.

Making a commitement…

As my life is changing in ways I could only dream about, I find myself entertaining some fearful thoughts; what if you can’t do it, who do you think you are? It won’t work.

‘It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.’ Theodore Roosevelt

Negative, derogative, self doubting thoughts.

Every person I have spoken to about my decision, has genuinely been excited and expressed their belief in me. (So much enthusiasm it has genuinely surprised me, the true belief in me and support system I have created).

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”. Coach Carter

As I tend to be an over thinker and have been prone to creating havoc in my mind and my life. Today’s Sunday self-love exercise is a commitment letter to myself. I have struggled with making commitments in the past, I still do to this day.

But a commitment to myself; what better one to make? Especially in a time of great change, opportunity and risk.

A letter that I will write all my thoughts and dreams in, a letter where I will speak to myself as if I would a good friend: with compassion, strength and positivity. A letter that I can return to read in my times of need or emotional turmoil. A letter of dedication to my dreams, a source of inspiration and self-love.

‘You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.’ Eleanor Roosevelt

It’s a proven fact the mind is much quicker to think negative thoughts as a way to protect ourselves rather than to think positively.

This is why I find positive affirmations and exercises are so important to surround myself with. I need to plant positive seeds consistently in my mind, so they will develop and create a natural positive attitude, healthy habits that I can return to in times of turmoil or stress.

‘Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success.’ Napoleon Hill

Sometimes we search for answers in the world around us. I’ve found myself asking every person close to me their opinion about my life changing move; what I was really asking for was a positive reinforcement that I am capable of doing it for myself. Someone to tell me that I had indeed made the right decision, when in fact I already know within myself, my heart, body and soul, that to follow this dream is right for me. It is what I have been working for my whole life; to find myself, my passion, my calling.

All the answers we ever need are always inside of us. We just fail to look. We fail to truly be still and let our inner self direct us, our intuition. What is right for you will come to you.

I am a big believer of this. Everything that is occurring in my life is a step towards my dream reality, yet I still can’t help but fear failure.

I want to succeed. To do this, I need to plan and give myself guidance. So I am making a commitment to myself, that I will have faith and chase my dreams.

‘What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?’ Vincent van Gogh

Try making a commitment to yourself. Whether it be a letter, a thought, a daily goal. You are the only one responsible for achieving your goal and the sense of achievement is beyond measurement.

I am committing to giving myself absolutely everything that I have within me, every thing that I have worked for has led me to this point of my life, the opportunity to do it for myself.

I want to make it work, therefore I will.

I am the only one who can make it happen.

I am making a commitment to myself to be the very best version of myself that I can be, whilst giving and sharing love and wellness.

Love & light, Charlie x.

I believe.

Thursday Treat…Dark Chocolate Chip & Goji Cookies

 

 

 

I was lucky enough to have these little bite sizes of delicious made for me last weekend; I just HAD to share the recipe.

Dark Chocolate Chip & Goji Cookies

(Yes, I am wildly, insanely, head over heals in love with Goji Berries & Dark chocolate, definitely on my Top 10 list right now).

 

Recipe Kindly provided by Shaaron Williams.

 

‘A healthy outside starts from the inside.’ Robert Urich

 

Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups almond meal (or almond flour)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (I use organic butter)

1/4 Himalayan pink salt

Stevia to taste

2 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup Goji Berries

To prepare:

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Line a tray with non-stick baking paper. Get a large bowl and a wooden spoon. Mix the butter, salt & stevia together, then mix in the beaten egg. Add the almond meal (or almond flour) and vanilla extract, continue to mix. Fold in the chocolate chips & goji berries. Roll the dough into small balls (about an inch) and press them down gently onto the tray. Bake for 12-15 minutes until they’re golden brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool before moving. Store at room temperature in a sealed container.

Recipe makes 12 cookies

 

If you are like me, I crave a little tender sweet loving (treats) every now and then…and these are the perfect little indulgence, with no guilt (however I will warn you, be careful of having them to accessible…I found myself on ‘auto pilot’, back into the kitchen several times for these).

What made these even more special, is that they were made with love. It is well researched in the Macrobiotic diet that the emotions of the chef/cook whilst preparing the food are infused into the meal.

Think about it, have you ever whole heartedly/lovingly created the ‘perfect’ dinner, one that you were actually excited about, sourcing fresh ingredients, planning the complimentary wine, dessert, the evening? Prepared a meal for a loved one? This food is infused with love. You can fel it, and it creates feelings of happiness, warmth and belonging when consumed.

‘My personal goals are to be happy, healthy, and to be surrounded by loved ones.’ Kiana Tom

Like anything you do, I recommend not doing something because you ‘have’ to, do it because you want to. Something so small, like some delicious dark chocolate chip & goji cookies can brighten someones day.

Be kind. Give more. Share more.

Everyone deserves a little loving (and what better way to show you care by treating your loved ones to some healthy treats that are good for them on the inside?)

Have a beautiful day.

Love & Light, Charlie x.

‘Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your good health has vanished.’ Og Mandino

 

 

A Leap of Faith…

I’ve often heard this term and contemplated what it actually meant; how big did the leap have to be before it was determined a leap of faith? Were small risks considered? Did you have to risk absolutely everything for the chance to achieve greatness?

Faith: Belief without evidence.

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.” J.M Barrie, Peter Pan

Yesterday I discovered something that is truly priceless to me. Something I have never had before, self trust.

I took the (giant) leap of faith to chase my dreams instead of following them. Exhilarating yet scary, I found myself condoning old behavior and negative thoughts; what if it doesn’t work? Who do you think you are? You’ll end up with nothing.

I suffered an attack of my old friend self doubt.  (OLD, I broke up with him a while ago, but like real exes, he still likes to reappear every now and then).

‘We must walk conciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.’ Henry David Thoreau

For only a moment I allowed these thoughts in my mind, I was pleasantly surprised when a small gentle, warm thought passed over these negative, derivative contemplations…you can do it.

Wow. Like Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, pra,  love; she asks for a sign in her moment of desperation, a voice in her head says ‘go back to bed Liz.

You can do it.

Four little, yet momentous words that completely filled my body with warmth (light/passion/happiness/joy).

And it continued; I believe in you, you have been working your whole life towards this moment, embrace it, let it happen, make it happen. I have faith in you.

I trust in your ability.

Once upon a time I would have been too scared to take risks, to even contemplate taking a leap of faith, but I have always had a dream.

‘By leaving your comfort zone behind and taking a leap of faith into something new, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming’

I always wanted to create change in this beautiful world we live in, no matter how big or how small, even for one person, every little bit matters, yet it was my negative self talk, my lack of self-love, the fear I was holding onto of not being good enough that always held me back.

They say if your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough.

My dream is (SO) big, exciting and scary.

But I can do it.

Because I have found my passion. My life’s purpose.

‘To be inspired, mean to be ín spirit’ Wayne Dyer

It takes time to build and develop a sense of self, but if you work on a little self-love, a little personal development and have a little faith every day, you will have your very own ‘aha’ moment. A moment that is worth more than all the diamonds in the world, worth more than a six-pack of abs, something worthy of your everything. A sense of self.

It has been a long journey for me, through depression, bad relationships, personal health problems and wreaking havoc on my body for the desire to  look good naked. My journey will continue, no doubt with many ups and downs and sideways twists, but I am ready.

 “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin

All the hard work, the daily affirmations, the numerous books Ive read (I cant wait to have a wall of books!), the lessons I have been taught are all worth it to get to this point.

A place of self love, self-trust and knowledge that I can create the life I love, I can be anything I dream of being.

My dream is to share love. To share my knowledge, to inspire and motivate people to be the very best version of themselves. To look past the mirror, to look inside and truly feel beautiful, to radiate your inner grace.

When I start to get a little nervous…contemplating the ‘what if it doesn’t work’, I take a moment, breathe, smile (it does make a difference) and repeat mantras; love what you do, follow your passion, what is meant for you will come to you.

I have opened myself to the infinite opportunity of the universe, and I am ready to become what I am meant to be.

 “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Harold Whitman

Success isn’t about a destination, or having the latest car, handbag or hot boyfriend. It’s about the journey.

Regardless of what anyone has to say (it really doesn’t bother me if you choose to be judgemental), I am feeling successful. This is my life, my dream, my success. I am taking my leap of faith, unsure of what tomorrow will bring, but living for the now, planting seeds of love and positivity all around me so the beautiful garden that is my life will grow.

Every small step I take is a choice I am making to live my life filled with love.

Don’t let fear hold you back.

Don’t let tour negative self talk stop you.

Follow your heart.

Feeling inspired, ‘in  spirit’

Love & light, Charlie

I am available for individual wellness coaching, business consulting & public wellness seminars.

Are you in Sydney? Come along to my 12 steps to wellness Seminar on October 9th at Anytime Fitness Randwick.

I hope to meet your gorgeous self there!

I also offer Be Well; the Project, if you are hoping to create change and incorporate healthy habits into your life.

“Be at least as interested in what goes on inside you as what happens outside. If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.” Eckhart Tolle

Know your worth…

As I’m nervously trying to mentally prepare to step in stage tomorrow (READ Nervously!), I’m evaluating where it is my nerves and trepidation are stemming from.

‘Self worth comes from one thing – thinking you are worthy’. Wayne Dyer

The thought of being judged? The feeling of ‘losing’, being deemed not good enough, or the fear of being laughed at?

‘Only when you are aware of the uniqueness of everyone’s individual body will you begin to have a sense of your own self worth’. Ma Jian

After all, I am putting myself on stage, exposing myself (in a bikini) for the world to see…I should be aware of the fact that judgement and scrutiny is expected.

It’s 12 hrs before I’m due to get on stage, and I’m currently still unsure if I will (I do have some ongoing health issues I am dealing with).

 “Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about you. In the first place, if they had better things going on in their lives, they wouldn’t have the time to sit around and talk about you. What’s important to me is not others’ opinions of me, but what’s important to me is my opinion of myself.”  C. Joybell

Is my fear greater than my will to succeed? How much will it really matter if I don’t get on stage (after 12 weeks preparation)? Is it the be all and end all if I don’t?

 

I must admit I haven’t made the 100% commitment required for optimal results. As I’ve been studying wellness; living and breathing it, I have missed my superfood smoothies, my Superfoods (eating as much RAW food as I like/adding in) and my weekend healthy treat making.

Competition ‘diet’ (restrictions), I have found, are not for me. If this is the first time you are reading one of my blogs, I will tell you, I am an all or nothing, want to achieve everything possible, type of person. I have come to the realisation that to truly live the lifestyle I love; work, write, study, and exercise (and build strong relationships), I require effective nutrition, not only For my body, but for my mind and soul. I need to nourish the essence of my being. (I truly love exercise, running,w eights and Yoga, 3 hrs a day if I could!)

My personal happiness depends on it; Balance. Dieting or competing may be easy for some people, but to be honest I have struggled…My heart hasn’t been in it.

“Never forget that once upon a time, in an unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend.” Elizabeth Gilbert

One thing I have learnt and am continuing to learn on my journey of self discovery is that you must follow your heart, what ever it is that inspires you, motivates you and lights the fire within you, you must do everything you can to continue to keep that flame ignited.You must find your passion. you must do what makes YOU happy.

So regarding my current dilema (yes, I am an ‘overthinker’ and seem to always cause myself more stress than is neccassary) whether or not I get myself on stage tomorrow; well I’ll decide tomorrow. What I do know as a fact, is that if I do or don’t: it doesn’t matter. I have learnt more from this competition prep then any other. I have learnt that I am worthy of loving my body, worthy of nourishing my mind and soul with Superfoods, worthy of getting more from life, of expecting more from myself. Because I can honestly say, I love the life I live, everything, from the highs to the lows, to the little laughs at my (sometimes big/hard to laugh at) mistakes .

I am worthy of more than others judgement. I am worthy of loving my self. No matter what may happen.

I am entitled to make my own decisions based on who I am.

Once upon a time, it would have been everything and more to me if I had prepared for a Competition and failed to go through with it (quitting is something I’ve never been good at once I do make a committment), fear of deemed failure would stop me. What would people think? What would people say? Fear of not beign good enough.

But not now.

This journey has shown me that I am living my purpose, studying wellness, writing and generally living well and there is no better feeling then the feeling of reassurance that you are headed in the right direction, living your life as you were designed to. This is a feeling of growth, of compassion to myself, of understanding that my worth is more than whether I step on stage or not (powerful thoughts).

‘I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.’ Unknown

 

Every journey teaches us different lessons; be open to them, look for them, learn from them.

You are worthy of everything you believe you are.

If I get on stage tomorrow, well we will see, and if not, I will know it just want meant to be. (I am already so grateful for this journey, the lessons I have learnt and the knowledge it has provided me).

Love & Light, Charlie x.

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” Buddha

 

 

Thursday Treat; Raw Chocolate Brownie

The time of the week I get to share with you delicious recipes; that are all adding into a fast accumulating ‘to make’ list (after competition). These Raw chocolate brownies look like a little bit of heaven (and I have no doubt they taste like it).

‘One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well’. Virginia Woolf

Raw Chocolate Brownie

Recipe contributed by Carla Haining; Nourish Within.

‘This chocolatey goodness is to die for. Experimenting with raw deserts has been my passion of late and the more I learn about healthy living and wellness, the more I realise these healthy treats are so important in maintaining a healthy diet, especially for those who feel they will be deprived, leaving behind their beloved snickers bars or what have you. Raw deserts are a fabulous way to introduce more raw into your diet, to satisfy sweet cravings while consuming nutrient rich food that will nourish your body and to realise healthy eating is just so delicious!’

These brownies are made with very few ingredients, that should be of the best quality you can find or afford. Here’s a quick nutritional rundown of the brownie (as if you need a reason to try these bad boys!).

“Health of body and mind is a great blessing, if we can bear it.”   John Henry Cardinal Newman

Walnuts are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (about 72%) and are an excellent source of the all important omega-3 essential fatty acids. They are a rich source of many phytochemical substances that contribute to their overall anti-oxidant activity and are an excellent source of vitamin E, magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium and iron. Shall I go on…

Cacao contains over 300 compounds including: protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, iron, zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium. A superfood at it’s finest!

Medjool dates are wonderfully sweet, high in fibre, contain an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well-being. They have a significant amount of fruit sugar but this makes them a great alternative to other sweeteners and refined sugars. Honestly what would we do without them!

Mesquite powder is high in protein, low GI and a good source of fiber, meaning it digests relatively slowly and does not cause spikes in blood sugar. This gluten-free powder is also a good source of calcium, iron, lysine, manganese, zinc, and potassium. It also add a sweet, rich flavour to what ever you add it too.

“Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one.”  Astrid Alauda

What you need:

2 cups walnuts
2 cups medjool dates
1 cup cacao powder
1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
1 cup almonds, roughly chopped
1 heaped tablespoon mesquite powder

What you do:

Blend the walnuts until they are a fine, breadcrumb consistency, then add the cacao powder, mesquite and salt. While the food processor is running add the dates, a few at a time. You should end up with a crumbly mixture that sticks together well when pressed, if it doesn’t, add a few more dates. Stir through the chopped almonds then transfer and press into to a baking paper lined dish and refrigerate before serving.

Follow Carla on Facebook: Nourishwithin.

I sincerely thank Carla for contributing this delightful treat (I will definitely be making this on Sunday afternoon, post competition, unless of course one of my lovely friends makes it for me ;).

I hope all you beautiful people have a beautiful day, life is what you make it.

” The groundwork of all happiness is health.’ Francois Rabelais

Perfectly (Im)perfect…

Did you wake up this morning with loving, positive affirmations for your self? Or did you wake up with internal turmoil?

“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” Steve Maraboli

‘If you can learn to love yourself and all the flaws, you can love other people so much better. And that makes you so happy.’ Kristin Chenoweth

Tell me, When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Do you look into your own eyes with gratitude & self love, or do you look straight at your ‘flaws’; wishing you were prettier, taller, thinner?

These are 2 very different thought processes that will have create very different emotions about how you feel about yourself.

What if you loved yourself? (Not in an egotistical manner) What if you accepted yourself as beautiful exactly as you are?

What if you delighted in your flaws?

Learn to love your flaws, the things you may think of as imperfect and no one can use them against you. You may also be able to move forward in life whilst being aware of the ‘flaws’ and actively (if possible) grow, develop and alter them.

 “We are all wonderful, beautiful wrecks. That’s what connects us–that we’re all broken, all beautifully imperfect.”  Emilio Estevez

Perfectly (I’m) perfect… whose decision is it anyway to decide what perfect is? What is perfect beauty, perfect weight or the perfect body?

We are all beautiful as our individual selves. You were made to be different. Accept it.

Be the best version of yourself with what you have.

Nobody is perfect.

‘Perfect is boring, your imperfections are what truly make you beautiful’.

I’m currently in preparation for a Fitness Model competition.  During this time I have learnt that you really cannot achieve anything great without enthusiasm; that unless your heart is dedicated to your goal, you won’t achieve the optimum results you are after.

Results require hard work, every day. In every aspect of Life.

Evaluating myself, areas I can improve, I realised I havent dedicated or committed myself 100% to this competition prep. Which in turn leaves me  (4 days out from stage) still unsure if I will get on stage (or not).

‘Im a perfectionist. sometimes I hae to remind myself that its okay if there are flaws here and there.’ Tyra Banks.

Perfectly (I’m) perfect, I could be heart-broken or upset at myself, however, I know in my heart I haven’t truly committed or given the diet and intense training my all. Instead, I’ve been following my heart, writing this blog, working with clients, creating quotes/images…and that gives me soul satisfaction, my commitement is rewarded by finding and living my passion.

I’m not perfect, and I will never claim to be. This blog, my writing may be full of mistakes, but I write from my heart. That is what matters most. It’s perfectly imperfect, it’s perfectly me, flaws and all, grammar mistakes, poor English, but it’s truly me.

Learn to do the things you want to do with great love, accept that you might not get it right the first time; practice makes perfect. Commit to your goals, commit to your personal improvement and development and you will get there. You will get better at whatever it is you dedicate your heart and soul to. This is a fact.

My lesson; understand that I can do anything, but I cannot do everything.

Perhaps you look in the mirror and automatically think negative thoughts. These are affirmations. Simply…Stop it.

Instead look in the mirror, say  I love you’. What a unique feeling. Look in the mirror, say ” today will be a good day’.

See that little twinkle shining in your eye? That is your heart and your soul responding to those positive affirmations.

Perhaps you look in the mirror and think I wish I could lose weight? Stop wishing start doing! If you want to lose weight; firstly think about how good being healthy feels. I can promise you, if you change your mindset and every day just focus on being a little healthier, on feeling a little better, on moving your body just a little…the weight will disappear.

‘The big thing ive discovered, the big secret, is that its all about how happy you are. Its the ultimate thing. People forget your flaws and imperfections if they see youre happy.’ Sienna Miller

You may have flaws such as reacting rather than responding, being ill-tempered, being ‘self absorbed’. Try everyday to improve these traits.

Respond in a calm manner, don’t let your emotions get the best of you/act in a compassionate way, and instead of acting in a self absorbed/it’s all about me manner, remember that every single person is facing their own demons, their own life struggles. Stop judging. Accept we are all perfectly imperfect.

Every day, you can improve the small ‘flaws’, whilst truly loving who you are.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all, asked the queen. Every day the mirror answered, you are My queen. Until one day there was a beauty born, with love, compassion and a generous soul, the mirror replied, there is another; she is the fairest of them all… Snow White (words may not be the direct quote). Snow White became beautiful in not only her looks but in her manner, she was beautiful on the inside and it radiated outwards for all to see.

Develop love for yourself, compassion and care and your inner beauty will shine through.

Love & light, Charlie x.

You are perfect exactly as you are. You are exactly as you were meant to be.

Monday Motivation; Denver Steyn

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the weekend goes by, and were here at Monday again. How do you feel today? Are you rolling out of bed, already wishing the day was over? Or, are you full of life? Realising that ‘Monday’ is only a title, that so many use as an excuse to be unmotivated.

Get out of bed and make today happen! Do something good today.

‘In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself.’

My good deed is sharing with you one of my sources of inspiration; Denver Steyn. Denver (25) is a Strength & Nutrition Coach (Empire Fitness Centre on the Gold Coast), he is a natural body builder (yes, he works extremely hard for that body) and genuinely wants  to help others reach their health and fitness goals.

 

(This picture is for the ladies, I hope it gives you motivation for today/tonight’s gym session 😉

 

NBB: You are becoming well-known in the world of fitness, as a bodybuilder and also a ‘go to’ trainer, Why do you think that is?

I feel that social media plays a large role when it comes to connecting with others and provides a platform to interact in a way that can draw attention or create a following.

I think for myself personally, people come to me because of my experience and success in building a quality physique that is drug-free, and attainable with appropriate training & nutrition, guidance and adequate hard work over time.

 NBB: When did you decide to you wanted to be involved in the fitness industry? How does having a successful business feel?

 I decided I wanted to be involved in the fitness industry back in 2005 after 6 months or so of heavily researching bodybuilding as I had just started my journey and had seen great results in a short period.

During my last year of high school, I remember telling my teacher that I didn’t need to pass a particular computer-programming subject as I was going to be a personal trainer and it had no correlation. So I would utilise my time in that class planning my workouts, reading articles on bodybuilding.com, and eating my cans of tuna.

Looking back now, everything has come together perfectly and it definitely feels great to be successful.

‘ Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.’ Norman R. Augustine

NBB: How does it feel to be a successful Bodybuilder?

 Challenging. Success can feel short-lived when it comes to Bodybuilding. You are always striving to be better than you were yesterday, or the last time you stepped on stage. Things like injuries, social life, and business can sometimes hinder your progress or push you back, and it’s a long road before you can wake up and be satisfied with your efforts. Right now I am not in a position where I can say I am the strongest I have ever been on all exercises, or that I don’t have underdeveloped body parts, so I’m still striving for success.

NBB: Has there been any challenges along your journey?

Sure there has. None in particular that stand out but I am faced with challenges everyday to maintain a work/life balance and stay on top of the simple things like getting my meals and workouts in on a consistent basis. I tend to put others and business first, which challenges my personal bodybuilding goals at times.

 

 ‘You want me to do something… tell me I can’t do it.’ Maya Angelou

NBB: How do you maintain balance between your Career and personal health?

I’m working on it! I need to get back on track with this. I used to incorporate what I like to call reverse scheduling. This means I would block out times in my week for personal health whether it is workouts, meals, massages, or simple downtime. My available work hours would be allocated around my personal health. Although I know this is a great approach, it can be tough to turn away business for personal time.

NBB: You portray an image of balance and follow the IIFYM (If it fits your Macros) plan, can you offer an insight into how this works?

IIFYM (If it fits your macros) is something I heard about in my first year of competitive bodybuilding in 2009. To be honest I had no idea what it meant and didn’t look into it. I was already eating the “bodybuilding friendly” foods and measuring my food intake to ensure I was consistently eating an effective amount of protein, carbohydrate, and fat, which is basically what IIFYM is all about. The main difference is that IIFYM is not restrictive to “bodybuilding friendly” food sources.

IIFYM basically suggests that you can eat whatever food source you like as long as it fits within your macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) intake each day. This approach however can be greatly misinterpreted without some basic rules.

I prefer to use what is commonly known as “flexible dieting”. This is a better way of enjoying the balance of flexible food sources but also ensures adequate micronutrients are included in the diet. Simple rules include having a fiber intake goal, having a combination of fruits and vegetables in the diet, and vitamins and minerals from multiple food sources and/or supplementation.

Because I weigh my food and track my daily intake, I feel like I wake up with an empty tank that can be filled with whatever foods I desire up to a point where I reach my set requirements. I will always make sure that I hit my macronutrient goals each day so depending on what I eat during the day, sometimes I will finish the evening with some whey protein powder or almonds, or even Nutella, if I haven’t quite hit my desired macros.

‘Energy and persistence conquer all things.’Benjamin Franklin

NBB: How do you feel as an inspirational figure/mentor?

I am always happy to help others especially when I meet people who are so set in their restrictive lifestyles yet could do much better with a bit of coaching. I hate to see people with the right mindset but wrong tools. As a mentor my job is to ensure my clients see results from their efforts by utilising optimal training and nutrition protocols.

If I inspire people by training hard, hitting my macros, and staying true to myself then I’m doing something right.

 NBB: What do you believe are the keys to success in business?

1. Do what you love
2. Seek further education with an open mind
3. Find a way to help others
4. Maintain integrity

NBB: What is your advice for anyone who has a dream?

If you have a dream, you have to protect it. Other people think they can’t do something so they don’t want to believe that you can either. What may seem like a dream to you could already be a reality to others in this world. Success leaves clues so follow the path that others have provided.

 

 

NBB: What can we look forward to next from you?

Right now I am rebuilding my strength after a long diet, lower back injury, and holiday. Once I am confident that I am stronger than ever before, I am interested in entering the powerlifting scene.

In regards to bodybuilding, I am considering taking some time off from the stage to stay in an extended calorie surplus to keep pushing my natural potential. Every time I diet down for a show my focus shifts from building muscle to maintaining muscle, which slows progress.

‘Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.’ Mahatma Gandhi

NBB: Share something no one knows…

I am scared of heights, hate public speaking, and almost never train forearms, abs, or traps directly.

Top 3 Fitness tips:

1. Track your macronutrients (Protein, Carbohydrate, Fats)
2. Train body parts twice per week
3. Be flexible and always eat cake on your birthday (If you say so Denver!!!)

Want more motivation/inspiration? Follow Denver on his journey:

www.denversteyn.com

www.facebook.com/physiqueformation

www.facebook.com/denversteyn

 

I sincerely thank Denver for his time.

As always, I hope you have read this feature and felt a little light of inspiration within you. Every day is a great day to start change (Mondays are even better). Its a new day, a new week, stop holding yourself back with excuses.

I have chosen Denver as my personal nutrition coach for after competition dieting. Its important after preparing for a fitness model competition (following a restrictive eating plan) that you have a plan for AFTER (I’m secretly excited for Nutella, and to get my ‘treat’ baking back on, I have missed my kitchen!!!)

Love & light, Charlie x.

My style forecast: