Well, it’s been a few weeks and it feels like time to check in with you all again! April went (I felt) amazingly, and although I didn’t manage to follow exactly what I set out to do every single day, I felt my health (physical and mental) improve drastically. A lot of what I started I’m still going strong with…I’ve been converted into believing that Yoga is the best thing EVER, we are eating almost no processed foods (I can’t think of any), and we’ve even starting growing our own salads and veggie bits too! I’m spending much more time outdoors, I’m practicing mindfulness and for the most part still feel more relaxed…yet, somehow I’m still allowing bad habits to creep back in. Over the last week or two it’s been a glass of wine or two most evenings, a junk food binge here and there, staying on my phone until 10:30 at night…and yet I KNOW the benefits of not doing those things! As soon as I stopped at the beginning of April, I felt those benefits immediately. How strong are these drugs that we’re encouraged to consume daily? STRONG! I know that by not eating sugar and not having a glass of wine I’ll sleep better, for longer and wake up feeling amazing…yet somewhere in my head, I think, ‘ah, a bit will be ok’. And although I’m not back to where I started, I’m writing this at 4:30 in the morning, and I feel like I’ve already been awake for hours. This is the bit that I really hate.

And so, my action plan! It’s time to strip it all right back and start again. I need to re connect with what I started, and remember my reasons why. I think after being away, I’ve come back and got stuck in a rut (mainly through wanting to be outside, which has been lovely) and I feel like all of my organisation and control has left me! And for me, that’s a big thing…I look around and I have this feeling of, it sounds so dramatic, but drowning hopelessly in life (does anyone else get that??), but I feel that I have been able to recognise it quickly before it gets chance to consume me.

I may have laid here awake for hours, but it will not be in vain 😂. TODAY is my sorting day. I have decided, I’m getting on top of (what a funny phrase! The things you notice when your sleep deprived 🤪) all of my piles of folded, clean clothes that just seem to grow and grow, tackling my spare (junk) room, and at least making a start on some batch cooking to prepare for the coming weeks. I am doing what I can take make life smoother and simpler. And I’m going to go back into this with the focus that I had at the start of April 🙂

I knew that this wouldn’t be a quick fix, it’s a complete lifestyle change and it’s hard at times but as I say, I’m not back to where I started. It’s just about taking steps to getting back to what I achieved by the end of April, and continuing even further in that direction. Eventually this will become my normal!

Also, I made this curry which was AMAZING!! I also added a tin of chopped tomatoes and a tin of butter beans, sooo good, I thought I should maybe share. Super human vegan curry – I Nourish Gently

https://inourishgently.com/super-human-vegan-curry-to-sky-rocket-mental-and-physical-performance/

Time to yoga!

Have a great day everyone 🙂 x x 🙏

The last few days I’ve felt distracted and unsettled, but I guess that’s more to do with circumstance than anything else, and it’s not something I want to dwell on at the moment…

The lifestyle change is still going well, I’m missing having a glass of wine less and less as time goes on…I think I’ve had a drink 5 nights throughout this last month but I’d normally be lucky to have 5 off, so I’m counting that as a success!!

As I say, I feel a little off balance these last few days, but funnily, I do feel a lot more balanced on the whole, like I have more control of my emotions…alcohol probably has a lot to do with that too, but I’d also guess that yoga and mindfulness practices have played a big part.

Another big one for me, it’s cone back round to my time of the month and no migraine!!! No horrendous aches in the bottom of my tummy and back, and only feeling mildly lethargic (can you feel mildly lethargic?? You know what I mean lol)…I don’t know if this is a coincidence, but it must be the first time in years!!

My skins been looking clearer and fresher and still my days are wonderfully busy ☺️ I’ve been out levelling the garden and moving mounds of earth for hours on end, I’ve spent quality time with my babies and I’ve socialised with family and friends. And at the end of the day, I’ve made a proper meal for us (or used one of my batch-cooked meals if the day really was that hectic).

All in all, things definitely seem to be improving for me, inside and out 🙌 It’s hols next week, and that really will be the test, but I’ve felt so much better recently, I’d like to think that I’ve made long term lifestyle changes that are going to stick! It would be nice to come back from a holiday for once and feel truly rested, rather than a little ropey and hungover haha! I may just keep going with my little blog too, cause I’m kinda enjoying that as well 🙂

***I know that some of you have been reading this, I’ve spoken to people about the health benefits of celery juice, the dangers of cooking with foil, the benefits of fasting etc…if anyone has anything that they would like to share, please leave me a comment or send me a private message. I feel that there’s nothing more important than what we do to improve our general health and wellbeing, and I’d like to continue on my little journey that I’ve started! Thank you all for your support so far 🙏

Although I know this isn’t related to my health journey, it doesn’t seem right to sit here tonight and not speak about a friend who left us yesterday. Anyone who knows me well will know a bit about what my family has been through over the past 18 months, for anyone who doesn’t, it was due, very simply, to the horrendous dis-ease of addiction and all of the mental health problems that go hand in hand with that. Our friend was working a recovery program at the time and he was a true support to all of our little family when we were going through the worst time that you can imagine. He and I weren’t ‘mates’ and we didn’t hang around together, but he was a true friend when we needed one. It feels that nothing that I can say can quite do him justice, but anyone who knew him already knows. This disgusting, horrible, painful disease also got its claws back into him and a truly good soul has been lost. It seems like such a huge injustice that someone so selfless, kind and genuine should be taken from us in this way…but I understand, from seeing it first had within my own family, the pain that this battle had him living in and hopefully he can be in peace now.

I will forever be grateful for the help you gave to Jamie when he was fighting to come back from the darkness, I wish that you had managed to find another way. The world has lost a good one. You may be gone, but never forgotten Steff x

“I destroy homes, tear families apart – take your children, and that’s just the start.

I’m more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold – the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

And if you need me, remember I’m easily found.

I live all around you, in schools and in town.

I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street, and maybe next door.

My power is awesome – try me you’ll see.

But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I’ll own your soul.

When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie.

You’ll do what you have to just to get high.

The crimes you’ll commit, for my narcotic charms, will be worth the pleasure you’ll feel in your arms.

You’ll lie to your mother; you’ll steal from your dad.

When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you’ll forget your morals and how you were raised.

I’ll be your conscience, I’ll teach you my ways.

I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate from friends.

I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I’ll be with you always, right by your side.

You’ll give up everything – your family, your home, your friends, your money, then you’ll be alone.

I’ll take and I’ll take, till you have nothing more to give.

When I’m finished with you you’ll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned this is no game.

If given the chance, I’ll drive you insane.

I’ll ravish your body, I’ll control your mind.

I’ll own you completely; your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed.

The voices you’ll hear from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions you’ll see.

I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.

But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part.

You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do.

But you came to me, not I to you.

You knew this would happen.

Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

You could have said no, and just walked away.

If you could live that day over, now what would you say?

I’ll be your master; you will be my slave.

I’ll even go with you, when you go to your grave.

Now that you have met me, what will you do?

Will you try me or not?

Its all up to you.

I can bring you more misery than words can tell.

Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.”

I can’t begin to tell you how much better I feel than I did 2 or 3 weeks ago!! I’m sleeping SOOO well, my energy levels are up, my skin looks better, and feel a kind of peace and happiness that I haven’t felt for I don’t even know how long. I think more than anything it feels really good to be doing something good for myself, showing my body, heart and mind a bit of self love ❤️

I know I’ve still got an awful lot more I can work on but in the last few weeks I’ve pretty much cut out all processed foods, I’ve hardly been on my phone (candy crush was deleted and has NOT been missed 😂), I’ve done yoga almost every morning, I’ve cut out a wine (the biggy!) and honestly, it’s made a world of difference! By 2pm each day instead of feeling like having a nap we’ve been baking or gardening or out and about somewhere, and the days seem to count for a lot more than they did before. I’ve also managed to spend time learning new things, which I’ve wanted to do for so long and just could not gather the motivation to get started, but finally here I am!!

I feel, sincerely, that the future is looking positive and that is making me very happy. I don’t know if any of you guys chose to embark on this journey with me, or if your considering making some of these changes, but I would honestly say, don’t even hesitate. I started this with the attitude that it might work, it might not…I might totally fail and not manage any of it, but for the sake of one month, 30 little days, what does it matter? But I’m so glad that I did, and I can say with confidence now that the changes that I’ve made so far will be staying for good, and I’ll keep working towards the next ones. Good luck if you do decide to give it a try, and please let me know how you’re getting on!

Thank you for reading 🙏

Old habits die hard! Last night I caved! And, after half a bottle of white wine, I woke up at around 1am, and laid there until nearly 6am, thinking of every single thing that has ever happened or could possibly happen in the world. I mean everything! I spent 15 minutes wondering how you grow more potatoes if you want to eat the potatoes (one potato grows into a full plant, growing into more potatoes…if you were wondering).

So, the conclusion I’ve come to is that alcohol makes insomniacs out of over thinkers. The positive that I’m taking from this is that now I have a pretty good understanding of where my sleep problems are coming from, and hopefully I can feel a little bit more peaceful about chucking the rest of the bottle away! My goal for the next week is to find a new (healthy) trigger that means ‘time to relax’ 🙂

Have a wonderful weekend everybody 🙏

Day 10 and still going strong! About 5pm definitely seems to be my tough time, Monday was a really busy day and by 5pm all I wanted to do was shove a pizza in the oven and sit down with a nice cold glass of wine…but I didn’t!

Mornings on the whole are much easier, for the first time this morning I missed yoga following a tough night with the kids but I’m hoping that I’ll get chance to fit it in within the next hour or so (although I might be used as a human climbing frame 😂). I’m still really enjoying this start to my day, and I definitely think that it’s something that will stick at the end of the month.

The worst thing I think I’ve come against so far is feeling REALLY bloated through the night! If anyone has any ideas on why this would be, please share!!! I don’t feel that I’m eating too much of an evening, although maybe I’m eating a little too late…the food that I’m eating is healthier than it was…whatever it is, it’s bloody uncomfortable!!

On the whole, I feel like my days are much busier doing more fun and productive things, I feel better equipped to deal with the days and although I’m shattered come bedtime, my energy levels aren’t dipping the same by mid afternoon and I’m more awake in the mornings 🙂 I’m enjoying this life change, and I hope the positive effects continue and increase…Life is feeling good!

One week down! It’s certainly had its ups and downs…I would have always said that I didn’t really have a sweet tooth but the cravings I’ve had for sugar have been crazy! I’ve missed having a brew on a couple of occasions, but I think that’s been more about wanting to sit down with a hot drink than the caffeine, and I’ve fancied a glass of wine every night at about 5 o’clock 😭 HOWEVER, for the most part I feel that I’ve stuck well to the healthy eating, I’ve drunk BUCKET LOADS of water, and luckily it hasn’t been overly hard.

Cutting out alcohol I feel has made the biggest difference so far, I’ve slept much better almost every night and the one night that I didn’t I knew that it was because I’d eaten too much and too late. I don’t think I would have recognised that if I’d been drinking too, but I feel like I’m slowly starting to read my body a bit better.

Each morning I’ve been up at 6:30 at the latest and although so far it hasn’t been a sweaty exercise routine, (I managed about 2.5 minutes of a hiit workout this morning before my thudding woke the kids up) I have done yoga each day and what a lovely start it’s been! I’ve been following Yoga with Adriene on YouTube, I love her! https://m.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

I’ve also managed to be in bed for no later than 10:30 each night and I think the bedtime routine of getting showered, pjs on, window open, snuggle down, as well as no phone after 9pm has also helped me to get a good nights sleep.

I had really bad sinus pain and a horrible cough for what felt like months and months before I started this and that’s cleared up too…maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I feel it’s get more to do with some of the changes that I’ve made, and the awful headaches that I was suffering with at the start of the week have disappeared!!!

So…my goals for this next week are to continue what I’ve been doing but ALSO

Cardio

30 minutes leisure time outdoors each day

Start learning something new

No food after 6:30pm

Meditate

And once again, if you guys have any suggestions about what helps to achieve the happiest, healthiest ‘me’, please add a comment, I’d love to hear it!

I hope you guys have had a great week too, thanks for reading 🙏💕

Yesterday afternoons migraine was, if possible, even worse than Monday afternoons, and lasted longer to boot. This really effected the end to my both of my days so although we still ate ok, my evening routine went to pot. I pretty much managed a shower and falling into bed by 9:30/10:30 each night. Funnily enough both Monday and Tuesday night I slept right through till around 5/5:30am, giving me around 7 hours each night! This for me is a miracle, and if that is the only good thing to come out of this month, I’ll consider myself a winner!!

Both yesterday morning and this morning I was up by 6:30 (later than planned, but given the headaches I think I did ok) and followed some great yoga videos on YouTube, only about half an hour each morning, but I’m really enjoying this start to the day 🙂

This morning it was boiled eggs & banana smoothies for breakfast, which was an easy, tasty start to the day and was demolished by us all…I’m still drinking my turmeric water too, and I’m starting to think it’s really not so bad!!

I went for a massage this morning, which was wonderful and although it didn’t immediately shift the headache, I’m sure it has a lot to do with me feeling so much better now. The time out that this gave me from me normal day, really helped me to reset and brought a little bit of peace to my day 🙂

This afternoon, for the first time since starting my detox, I’ve had some real cravings, first for chocolate, then for a brew, and finally for wine, however they all passed, as cravings do, and I’m feeling good for not caving. My headache has finally subsided, although I still feel shattered, so I’m hoping for another good nights sleep tonight, the jobs can wait until tomorrow morning again…and hopefully tomorrow I might be a bit more successful with the full daily plan!

For now, it’s phone off, chill out for a bit, Epsom salt bath and another early night I think!

Day one is almost done, and it’s been a KILLER…After a few 3am starts, mixed in with today being the start of my cycle, I’ve felt exhausted! A very large coffee and hot cross bun would have been delightful this morning but I stuck with marmite on super seeded bread and turmeric water (that’s…different). I did however trade my planned hiit session for a slightly more relaxed 20 minute surfer yoga, which I really enjoyed 🙂

A headache that started at around lunchtime turned into a full blown migraine by 2:30, and this afternoon has pretty much been a write off. Thankfully in preparation for this month I’d done some batch cooking so tonight’s spag bol was already made and just needed heating. Anyway, the headache’s finally started to ease a bit now, it’s 9pm, so phones going off, I shall finish a bit of housework, wait for my Asda order (already in my PJs) and then gladly snuggle into bed for 10pm. Night all x

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton