#BeTheBestYou - The Final Week!

So, for those of you who have been following my journey on #BeTheBestYou (you can follow here) you will know that it's a 6 week program that I've been taking part in with Claire from Volta Fitness. So with the final week beginning, I've been reflecting on how my progress has been so far. 

Initially at the start of the program, I was 100% on top of things. My slips were few and I exercised as best I could. I could see the changes in myself and I could also see how salad really isn't all that bad with a little imagination! 

The last two weeks seemed to have changed all of that. For those of you that are parents you will know there is nothing like your child being thrown out of sorts to put you off course! With my husbands recent work trip, some sleepless nights and and anxious three year old, I feel I've been turned upside down. 

I've felt it difficult to remain motivated about salad etc and trying to get any exercise done. As you will have read in my update last week (you can read here) my focus has been on my children. Their needs have been my priority and I've left #BeTheBestYou at the back of my mind. I know if I tried to eat healthier and exercise more I would probably feel better in myself but it really has been tough. 

Today for me is a brand new day and while I'm not in tip top form, I'm going to do my best this week to get back on track. As Claire herself would say, sometimes life gets in the way and that this is about making lifestyle changes. For me I'm looking at the long term. 
For this week, I'm going to focus on getting myself back on track and planning my meals better so I can #BeTheBestMe not just for 6 weeks but for the future. 

I'm quite looking forward to this week and sharing with you my final results! Who know's, even with my 2 weeks of falling off the wagon I might even achieve my goal which I set with Claire! 

How do you get yourself back on track when you "fall off the wagon"?

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see how I'm getting on during the week. 

Also, if your not already, follow Volta Fitness for some great tips on her Facebook page and her blog. 

Mindfulness for Children

Recently when I was on #Mummypageschat and I met @buddabugzz aka Aislí Madden. Some of you may know Aislí from the RTE TV Series, Domestic Diva's. Well, Aislí has a new project she has been working on and I must say I love the idea. Aislí has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for her new book "Buddabugzz - 'Zenji Heals His Muzzy Bug"

Aislí has spent three years researching, writing and illustrating her first book "Zenji Heals His Muzzy Bug" which is a bedtime story for children. She believes that the book will help children sleep quicker and better than before! This I know for me is music to my ears I must say since my my sons recent change in his bedtime routine. 

Watching and listening to Aislí explain the book in her Kickstarter campaign I must say it sounds quite magical and I can understand why children would enjoy it. 

http://bit.ly/ZenjisKickstarter

I love the idea that the book is all about mindfulness. It makes sense to teach this to our children at young age so that it can help them not only to sleep well but to deal with changes in their lives. We are all aware how important mindfulness is yet we don't always practice it so well. 

With children too it can be tough for them as they are going through so many changes that are naturally developmentally and then within their home environment. 

I hope that Aislí can make her dream come true and raise the money she needs to spread the word of her Zenji and his upcoming Buddabugzz. 

I look forward to soon reading all about Zenji to my own children ..... might even help this tired mammy too!  

Check out some recent articles here about Zenji and Aislí's Kickstarter campaign. 

MummyPages

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You can follow Aislí too on her Facebook page here

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Trying to Be the Best Me!

I must apologise for being a day late with my Monday post. The last week hast taken its toll on me and yesterday I was still trying to play catch-up on myself.  

So week 5 of #BeTheBestYou begun yesterday and I must say, I'm delighted week 4 is over! Not because of the program itself but because of the week I had. While I had every intention of #BeingtheBestMe being home alone with the kids took its toll on my mental attitude! 

My husband was away for work in Paris for 5 nights last week. This is the longest both of us have been away from each other in over 10 years so I knew it was going to be strange him not being here. 
Thankfully I'd the car so I arranged some day trips to distract my son and daughter as well as myself! And with the weather the way it was too I was ever so grateful to have the car as I think I was have gone crazy(ier) trapped indoors! 

Before my husband left last Sunday I'd every intention of being even more focused on #BeTheBestYou but my focus was quite the opposite. For me I needed to make sure my 3 year and 14 month old were kept busy and myself while daddy / husband was away. 

So while there was a lot going on during the week, lots of running up and down the stairs at bedtime there was something that put a smile on my face. One of my visits was to meet with my good friend Grainne author of Hope from a Butterfly. 
I haven't seen her since Christmas and that was unfortunately a brief meeting so I was really looking forward to seeing her and finally meeting the newest addition to her family. We'd a great catch-up while our children played. Its wonderful that our children are similar in age .... we planned our friendship well without realising it! 
With Grainne already having all she needed for her two beautiful girls I wanted to get her a gift that was personal. I'd spoken to Turra Crafts some weeks back at Clane Farmers Market about making a piece for Grainne. 

While I knew Grainne was pleased with her gift, I was delighted to read her latest post in her series Moment of the Week which you can read about here and again a mention in her Silent Sunday Series which you can see here. 

While the week was long while my husband was away it was topped off when I picked him up from the airport, meeting with Grainne along with some family and reading Hope from a Butterfly's recent posts! 


Meet Hope from a Butterfly on #MeetTheBloggers here and also LilliWhiteRose here .... we may not have met this week as planned LilliWhiteRose but we will soon!! 

See how #BeTheBestYou has gone for me to date here 

Check out Volta Fitness for a great competition she has currently running on her Facebook page here 

Easter Crafts and Bonnets!

So everywhere we've looked the last few weeks has all been about Easter and now it is only days away! There's lots of chocolate, spring colours and even more chocolate! 

With my son now getting older (he's 4 in July) and having his little sister (she's 14 months) I thought some Easter fun was in order! So on Monday as a distraction while their dad is away for a few days for work I thought we'd pop into Tesco Naas for some Easter creative fun! 

As I strolled the isles making my way to way to where I knew the crafts were, I was amazed at how big the selection was since I last picked up some pieces! Tesco's Go Create range is fantastic and also at brilliant prices. They seem to cater for all ages which is great! 

As I searched through the selection I was a little disappointed at the lack of Easter related crafts and then I recalled that they've a festive / seasonal isle! So, off we went with the trolley and my two "driving" it as they sat in it! 

When I reached the isle I was delighted at the selection so much so I stupidly forgot to take some pictures to show you! 

There were bunny's, chicks, ribbons and hats along with some additional crafts for bonnets and baskets and much more! I wanted everything but I held back and got what I felt was needed and some extras!!

So here's some of what we picked up. Everything ranged from €1.50 to €2.75 so great prices. 

So, when we got home and I settled my daughter for her nap, myself and my son got started on making some decorations for the Easter bunny! 

The first was the "Easter Bunny, Stop Here" sign. This was only €2.75 which I thought was great value for the content and sturdiness of it. 

The final piece with a lovely glittery egg that came in a pack that we decorated! 

The next item to tackle was the Easter Bonnet! I loved the hats they had available to decorate so was looking forward to making these with my son. 

Great precision in placing the glue on! 

A brief History!

After my post Mother Sunday "Clucks and Downs" where I shared some history about Mothers Day, it got me thinking about the history of the Easter Bonnet, so with a quick search, here's what I found! 

According to Hats and Veils and DGreetings.com the history of the Easter bonnet goes back further than we make think. Seemingly, they go back further than Easter itself! the first bonnets were usually a circle of leaves and flowers that symbolized the beginning of Spring and the cycle of the seasons. Easter then which is a Christian holiday celebrates new life and rebirth with pure and new clothing. 

As time progressed the “Sunday of Joy,” was born which was the first Easter after the end of the Civil War. On this day, mothers and daughters were allowed to come out of mourning and wear pastel colors and incorporate spring flowers! 

The Easter parade began then in the 1870's in New York. At the parade Church goers would carry their Easter flowers from St. Thomas Church to St. Luke's Church. The social elite would attend these services and join the parade giving onlookers and themselves a look at their Easter hats and bonnets!

I must say on reading the history of the Easter bonnet, I found it quite interesting  and pleased too! When we chose our date to get married we chose Spring. For us Spring was and is a time of new beginnings and an Easter bonnet seems a perfect way to celebrate these new beginnings!

So here's my sons creation to show off and celebrate the new beginnings Easter will bring this year. 

My daughters bonnet, is a "Work in Progress". While I had it completed, as all 14 month olds do, she pulled everything off! So, I think it will be a needle and thread needed to hold everything in place! 

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see the final result of her bonnet and also to see what other Easter decorations we've created!  

What are your Easter treats?! Do you make a bonnet? I'd love to hear what you do to celebrate Easter if you do at all?

Take a Chance and make a Change!

Some of you may have already read in my recent post Remembering the Days and know that Friday, 27th March 2015 was my 6th Wedding Anniversary. If you've also been following me on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts, you will know too that the day brought a big change! The 27th March was not only a day of celebration, it was the day my husband got a new wife!! 

Earlier in the week I said to my husband that I was thinking of getting my hair chopped! I showed him this image below as an idea as to what I was thinking of getting done. 

When he saw the image, he response was "Go for it, it will grow back if you don't like it" I was delighted when he said that. I was thinking the same and we all know a change is as good as a holiday! 

So, on the morning of our anniversary I chanced my arm to see if there an appointment for that morning in my local salon, Salon Five. I've been going to Salon Five since it opened and have been very lucky with the lovely Lorraine. I can go into her with my eyes closed and I'm always happy with the outcome. 

When I phoned I was told Lorraine was on holidays and was offered another stylist. I was very anxious making such a big change with another Senior Stylist but I also knew if I didn't just get it done it would be another few weeks before did and in the meantime I'd be driven crazy with my hair as it was! So, I took a leap of faith and trusted Damian (the owner) with the task of my new hairstyle! 

So, the picture below was how my morning began. As it neared time to go to Salon Five I will be honest I was a little nervous but looking forward too, to a new me! 

When I arrived I spoke with Damian about my likes and dislikes and also showing him the same image I'd shown my husband. After that I placed my hair in his hands. While I was nervous, I put my faith in the expert! 

As the first pieces were cut away, there was no turning back! I'd an image in my head but as my hair fell to the floor my nerves grew! 

Damian took great time and precision in cutting my hair and when he was done, it was time for colour! While I knew I'd grey hairs, with going shorter I was quite shocked at how much grey there actually was! 

When the colour was complete Damian returned to dry my hair and explained the cut in more detail to me and the best way for me to dry it and I felt more at ease with my decision. 

If I'm honest as Damian cut my hair I thought I'd made a big mistake! When I saw the final result though, I knew the change I made was a great one! 

Tah Dah! 

As I drove home I got anxious again wondering what my children and husband would think! As I opened the door my son who's nearly 4 smiled with delight that I was home and told me my hair "looked mad"! Thankfully he meant this in a funny / nice way and was happy with the result as was his little sister and more importantly so was my husband! 

I must say for the day I couldn't stop checking myself out! I was taking a selfie or two also as my husband and I drove to see Leinster versus Glasgow Warriors that evening in the RDS to celebrate our anniversary. 

 Journey to the match! 

 Short Hair and Cold weather means a hat now! 

The one thing I'm still getting used to is the crazy bed head in the morning! After a shower and some TLC, I'm ready to rock my new look! I'm trying out VO5's soft moulding wax to keep my hair in shape for the day! 

1st Morning of my new look! Crazy Bed Head! 

What do you think? Was I crazy? Or do you think I made the right choice? 

I'd love to know what your favourite hair products are? Have you ever made a drastic hairstyle change?

Irish Parenting Blog Awards!

I've a cheeky ask! 

Tomorrow night, 31st March 2015 is the end of voting for the Irish Parenting Blog Awards!

I'd love if you could vote for me if you haven't already (and even if you have!!) take the time to follow the link http://www.irishparentingbloggers.com/nominations/

I'd like to say THANK YOU for all of your support in following my blog x  

#BeTheBestYou - Week 4 begins!

Well, I cant believe we're already at Week for of #BeTheBestYou Lifestyle change! And to my amazement I'm pretty much sticking to it! Don't get me wrong, I haven't been a saint but on the days I've been behaving 90-100% its making a difference. 

Let the numbers speak! 

So as we all know, it's the numbers that do all the talking and show how I'm really getting on. So here they are! 

                       3rd March          16th March          30th March

                       Inches                         Inches                  Inches

Bicep              11.8                      12.2                      11.61

Thigh              21.65                    21.65                    21.25

Calf                14.17                     13.77                    13.77

Waist              40.55                    39.37                    37.79

Hips                42.51                    40.15                    38.77

Chest             41.33                     39.76                    40.15

Weight lbs    166.5                     165                        160

I think one that surprised me the most was my waist measurements. The reason for my surprise was that I didn't get to exercise as much as I would of liked. Sleepless nights from a 14 month old has a way of knocking the energy out of you! 

Overall considering my lack of exercise I'm quite pleased with the results. While I could tell myself I could of done better, and yes, I could have, there is no point me being negative. This is about making lifestyle changes and the main thing I'm focusing on is the numbers and they don't lie! 

What am I eating!

So, going on the results it just goes to show that what we eat makes a difference too to our waist line. As the weeks have progressed I'm finding it somewhat easier to try and plan my meals better and to make the things I'm not so fond of such as salad more palatable. 

Lunch!

Warm Chicken Salad with Chili Flakes

Warm Beef Salad with Sesame Seeds

I was always one to cook from scratch, we never buy sauces such as for pasta, we like to make our own. For me then this made the plan somewhat easier when it came to dinner time as I didn't have to cook something different for me and then another meal for the rest of the family.  

The main thing I needed to take into consideration was portion sizing which I've learned to control better over the last few months. And, my carbohydrate intake. This was something I needed to plan better. For some meals I've cut them out altogether depending on when I got my exercise done. 

Dinner!

Homemade Meatballs in homemade tomato sauce

Homemade "Pizza" using a Wrap and some of Hilda's Chutney from Clane Farmers Market 

Steak, Veg and some homemade oven chips

As you can see, I've eaten quite well! A typical day generally starts with a banana as I make my children's breakfast. I try to hold off from the porrigde to save my carbohydrate until after exercising or to have a small amount with dinner! 

Later in the morning then, I have bacon and poached eggs. Lunch then I try to have a salad or an omelette and then dinner is similar to above. 

Fluid intake is also key. I still have my mug of coffee in the morning sometimes even two! When I remember I try have a green tea or two which is great for boosting your metabolism. The main drink though I try to focus on is water! 

For me, I try to aim for at least three jugs of water per day. It can be tough sometimes so I bring the jug about the house with me to remind myself. I know that drinking a lot more water too has made a big difference to me. 

I'm quite looking forward to seeing how the next two weeks go for me. Overall so far, I'm feeling quite good in myself and I can really see how these changes can stay part of my lifestyle. 

For the next week, I'm going to focus on trying to get more exercise done as I know that this is important if I want to see further results. I've my first 5km this Saturday too for Bumbleance, so I need to make sure I eat well and not over do it. 

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see how I'm getting on during the week. 

Also, if your not already, follow Volta Fitness for some great tips on her Facebook page and her blog. 

I'd love to hear what your fitness and healthy eating tips are? Are you currently trying to make changes in your own life? Let me know in the comments below!