Eat, move, create, live.

Just something to think about...

A long break again, but I'm back with a new post. As always I'd love your feedback x

https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=77

Switch Off – Eat Move Create Live Switch Off Posted on July 6, 2021July 6, 2021 by hippiekath Wow, it has been forever since I wrote a blog post, and believe me, it is not through lack of trying! What a crazy 16 months it has been since the UK went into our own pandemic lockdown, and as we move towards restrictions ending in our cou...

Hello! It has been a while, but I am still here. Life has got a little frantic and crazy over the past ....months, and as much as I have wanted to research topics and blog - well, you know what it can be like, time just seems to move faster, we blink, and were almost 1/3rd of the way through another year.
So what have I been up to? WORK WORK WORK - however I have followed my own advice and begun to get more creative again.
I am lucky that I have a lot of different crafts I love and can do (and of course a lot more to learn) but I find creativity AND enthusiasm come in waves, and while one week it could be sewing, another 2 months could be reading. For about 4 months now my knitting mojo has returned in a BIG way.
I have destashed bags and bags of yarns that have kindly been bought by others or passed on to knitting friends who I know will use them or pass them on. But that inevitably leads me to buying more....
I have been more determined to finish projects, I have taken on new ones that will teach me knew techniques or cement some I have tried in the past. I am taking part in a knit a long project to make a blanket, I have bought hand dyed yarns in 4ply and am knitting myself a tank top (the thought of knitting a garment in such a fine yarn has frankly terrified me in the past) and I have pulled back long forgotten projects that wouldn't fit if I finished them so I can repurpose the yarn.
Yes I probably have enough projects to keep me going another 5 or 6 years, but the benefits have been extraordinary.
I have been having a lot of sleep issues for a few years now, mainly connected to an overactive mind waking me up in the very early hours. I find knitting something challenging, following charts, learning something new that takes ALL of my focus is actually switching my monkey mind off. My sleep is gradually improving, and my anxiety is slowly lessening. If I am awake at 5am with no hope of sleep, I make a coffee, get out my knitting and just sit and focus and sip until the alarm goes off. and the strangest result... my little boy is also calming down and settling into school more - not 100% sure the two are connected, but who knows?
Do you have something that helps you focus, switch off or relax? something that calms the monkey mind? I think Knitting is my meditation...

❤️❤️❤️SPECIAL OFFER❤️❤️❤️
14th Feb - 6th March
6 week countdown course - that’s 6 weeks for the price of 5 AND this amazing free recipe book worth £4.95
Existing members 6 week countdown £29.75( reduced for senior)
New Members 6 week countdown £34.75 (includes half price membership fee)

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas in this strange year.
The new year is almost upon us, traditionally a time for setting resolutions. Yet, how many of us are still sticking to them in February never mind December?
We tend to want great things from ourselves, to lose loads of weight, to join a gym, to do couch to 5K etc. but is January really the right time to do this? Yes, it might be the start of the calander year, but we are in deep midwinter, it's dark outside, it's cold, muddy, rainy, and Christmas is over and done with.
Last year I resolved to not set any resolutions, to walk the walk, and take on challenges as and when I felt I needed to.
This coming year, I have a few goals in mind but I won't be putting pressure on myself on January 1st to make them all happen.
There are still so many niggling little parts of my old eating habits I want to work on, I would love to fit in some yoga daily, but weekly would do! I want to walk, to cycle, to explore - but I will listen to my body, consider my family and work holistically towards better health mentally and physically. Over Christmas I switched Facebook off for 4 days, wow, what a difference that made to my mind and sleep - so I will probably be doing more of that at the weekends so that time with my children is focused on us as a family and not on what others are doing. I am not expecting miracles regarding pandemics on 1st January, I am preparing now for what could potentially be another year like this one, with a feint optimism for some improvement by 2022 - with the understanding that I can actually make the most of this time, it will be what it is and if I look after myself and my family, then we can all come out of this better people than we went into it, because I will admit, prior to the pandemic, I was getting world weary, fed up with the speed of life, the hectic none stop nature of living, fed up with the pollution, the greed, the endless cycle of consumerism. If this year has taught us anything, it is to appreciate life - it is fragile, it is precious, and it is limited. So yes! set goals if they are achievable, work on goals that take longer, but never miss an opportunity to get to know yourself better, to figure out what makes you tick, what makes you quit, what drives you. and LIVE

O

Life has been hectic here for a few weeks, hence the lack of blog posts. I'm hoping to have a new one before the end of this year! In the meantime have a happy healthy Christmas # # #

So many people turn to food when emotions run high, it soothes and comforts - but the effects are temporary and more than often result in us feeling guilty or even more emotional than before we ate it!
Exercise on the other hand is often seen as hard work, too much effort, expensive, or just something other people do.
For me, walking is the anti-depressant that gets me through the tough times, even in the worst weather there is nothing that lifts my spirits like wrapping up warm, donning my wellies and getting out - even 20 minutes gentle strolling around the village leaves my mind clearer, my skin glowing and a sense of achievement - whats your exercise of choice?

My latest blog post is available now. This is one for anyone wanting to start a diet or struggling with the diet they are following. As always I speak from the heart, experience, observation and research. Have a fabulous day
https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=72

Mindset – is your’s fixed? – Eat Move Create Live Mindset – is your’s fixed? Posted on December 1, 2020 by hippiekath When it comes to weightloss (and this can also be applied to many other aspects of your life) what is it that is really stopping you get where you want to be? And do you know where it is you really want to be? We all have our ow...

Good morning everyone - whatever challenges you face, whatever your goals are, enjoy the journey, learn from every step, don't feel you have to make it a race and be PROUD that you are working towards it ❤️

Hello! I'm back this week. Moving the blog along to the "create" section this week, and taking a look at how craft and crafting can benefit our mental health.There are so many crafts out there, so so many! They can be a great way to unwind and switch off the monkey mind that feeds our anxiety and stress. Some of you will be avid crafters already and know it's benefits, others may think it's just not for them (I believe you just haven't found the right one!) - have a read, and give me some feedback on how it benefits you - of if it's something you have always thought about doing but never got around to.

https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=65

The Crafter – Eat Move Create Live The Crafter Posted on November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 by hippiekath The CrafterSo far in my blog I have focused on “eat” and “live”. This week I want to make a start on “create”. One of the biggest constants in my life has been craft, and some of my fondest memories are of crafting in...

Good Morning! It's been a frantic week here this week - my son was off school for an extra week over half term, and my workload suddenly doubled when a work colleague suddenly left, and I had to take on his members in the middle of a lockdown! So, I decided it was best for my mental health to not worry about writing a blog this week. my phone has never stopped this week and when your 4 year old tells you he is fed up with mummy pinging - you have to listen!
Now he is back at school, and I am slowly getting organised I will be hopefully writing this week ready for next Monday!
If you haven't already checked out my blog, take a look - and I will be back very soon!

When lockdown 2 was announced last weekend, my workload suddenly doubled. I could have gone into meltdown as I have in the past - but this time, I accepted that for months to come life and work are going to be less predictable than ever before, but we need to keep walking forward, supporting each other - even if it's from a distance, and commiting to make healthy positive change in our lives. There may not be a blog this week, but I won't stress about it, I will get on top of all my extra jobs and look after my body and mind, so I can then look after those around me - stay safe everyone x

My latest Blog post - just a short one today with it being half term and having a 4 year old at home!
How do you feel about getting older and hitting those milestone birthdays? A short reflection on my upcoming 50th in lockdown.
https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=58

Turning 50 – Eat Move Create Live Turning 50 Posted on November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 by hippiekath November is my birthday month, and this year I turn 50.I have been thinking about hitting this milestone since turning 49 last year, mainly because I really struggled with 30 and 40. I have always been like a giddy child when it com...

With the country going into a second lockdown, the nights drawing in, Winter around the corner - it's more important than ever to take care of our mental health.
A small step is writing a daily journal - reflecting on life, looking at what we can do to help ourselves in order for us to help others - and also finding something to be grateful for every day - even the smallest of things written down and reflected on can help.
What are you grateful for today?
For me today it has been...
Some lovely messages from my Slimming World group members ❤️
A stressless walk with my little boy and the dog ❤️
Memories of a beautiful day out yesterday with my daughter ❤️

This week's blog is about how we can grow, learn and ultimately heal ourselves through reflection. As always I value your input and feedback. Enjoy!
https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=54

The Reflective Practitioner – Eat Move Create Live The Reflective Practitioner Posted on October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 by hippiekath A few years ago I was studying for a degree in contemporary textiles. As part of the course, there was a whole module dedicated to “the Reflective Practitioner” – we learned the tools and techniques needed to ...

😂😂😂

Good Morning!
Here is the link to my latest blog post. A little shorter than my other posts as it stirred up a lot of negative emotions for me - but now these have been brought to the surface I hope I can work towards resolving and working through them.
I hope you find something in it you can relate to, and as always I truly welcome your feedback.

https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=50

Does School Nurture Body Positivity? – Eat Move Create Live Does School Nurture Body Positivity? Posted on October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 by hippiekath In September my little boy started reception class. We are very lucky with his school that they have a fabulous amount of space outside as well as inside. There is so much for them to do, and they are encou...

I have been working on tomorrows blog post, it is about how school can effect our own body image and how damaging some seamingly innocent activities can be. It is a shorter post as it dragged up some deeply buried issues for me and would possibly have turned into an epic self pitying rant.
It will be published at 9am tomorrow morning, I'd love your feedback and feel free to share if you think a friend would be interested x

When it comes to your life goals, and your health goals - do you have self confidence? Do you believe in your own abilities to succeed?
Even when the whole world 🌍 believes in you, you will struggle to succeed until you believe in yourself ❤️

My Instagram feed can sometimes be a bit of an eye opener!
Why?
If I post a food image of a healthy meal that looks like it's not all that healthy, maybe there's melted cheese on it, or a sprinkle of chocolate, or a buckwheat pankake that looks indulgent - then the 'likes' go through the roof!
However if I post a meal that is full of healthy vibrant fruit, or vegetables, or nuts and seeds etc, the 'likes' really drop...
So many people want to lose weight by continuing to eat exactly what they ate that gained the weight, but when your mind shifts from looks to health - wow - that's where true change begins - eat to live or live to eat...

I've embarked on many journeys in my life only to reach the destination and realise it wasn't the right place for me - but along the way I learned new skills, made new friends and connections and I then alter my route and move towards my next destination... See every journey as a lesson in life ❤️

I've already had some fantastic feedback from yesterday's blog post about "cheat days" and using food as a reward - if this is something you do, or struggle with, check out my blog at
Https://eatmovecreatelive.com/

Are you following a weight loss plan? Do you incorporate "cheat days?" or reward or commiserate using food?
A little something to make you think about if you truly need to do this or are you playing a risky game? Is there any benefit to them?
As always, I value your feedback!

https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=46

Cheat Days & Rewards – Eat Move Create Live Cheat Days & Rewards Posted on October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 by hippiekath Cheat Days cheat daynounINFORMALplural noun: cheat days a day on which a person following a diet disregards restrictions on the amount or kinds of food they can eat.“I eat well but I have cheat days”Definitions from Ox...

When we think about our health, it is usually focused on our diet first, exercise second - but our first priority is our mind. This is our first line of defense in any situation and has a profound effect on every aspect of our life. What are you doing to nourish your mind today?

Do you try and eat seasonal foods?
These days we can have any fruit and vegetables from anywhere in the world at any time - but local, seasonal foods are always the best choice for our body, purse and planet!
What’s in season this month?
Aubergine, Apples, Beetroot, Blackberries, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chestnuts, Chicory, Chillies, Courgette, Cucumber, Elderberries, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rocket, Runner Beans, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Summer Squash, Swede, Sweetcorn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Wild Mushrooms, Winter Squash.

Are you looking after your mental health? Mental health is the first thing we need to work on before any other aspect of our health ❤️

Well Autumn is definitely here - glorious colours, conkers and acorns underfoot - mud...
But also cosy fires, scented candles, nourishing soups and stews - wrapping up in warm clothes, seeing your breath on a frosty morning, the smell of bonfires - what's not to love?

It's Friday! How do you spend your weekend?
Maybe try and adopt a few self-care habits, weather you are on your own or with family, spending time doing things that enhance your well being and reviewing your habits can leave you feeling satisfied and revived for the week coming up 💖

Self belief is a powerful tool - my grandma used to say "there's no such thing as can't" believing you can is so powerful x

It's Wednesday! I hope the sun is shining in your life today x

Recently I have been researching Ayurveda, a health system that is over 5000 years ago - it is fascinating! For lunch I have made Kitchari - this is a nourishing and supportive dish not just for the body but mood as well and is suitable for anyone. The recipe is made with Ghee, a clarified butter, but as I didn't have any I used a measured amount of olive oil - there are lots of recipes on the Internet for it and it is delicious! Is this something you can incorporate into your meals?

Good Morning! I hope your Monday has started off well.
This weeks blog is inspired by a question someone asked in a Facebook group I am in around what stops us from losing weight, what gets in our way, and I share with you how I overcame my own dieting demons. This post took a lot of self reflection, and is quite open and honest - It is what worked for me - and I hope there is something in there that may help you, or help you to take a deeper look at what may be holding you back.
As always I value your support and feedback.
Big Love everyone!

https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=33

40 Reasons why you can’t lose weight – and how I overcame them… – Eat Move Create Live 40 Reasons why you can’t lose weight – and how I overcame them… Posted on October 5, 2020October 2, 2020 by hippiekath The other day someone posted a simple question in a Facebook group I am in that focuses on health.“What’s difficult for you when it comes to eating better and losing weigh...

This question came up this week and in my Monday Blog post I will be talking about how I overcame many of the barriers that have stopped me in the past. What do you find difficult when it comes to weight loss?

When it comes to meal times, how do you stop when you're full?
Have you ever tried 'mindful eating'?
This is a brilliant technique to help you learn how to guage your own satiety plus if you ever suffer from bloating, or wind 💨 it may help.
And it's simple.
Try it once and see how you feel!
How?
1. Sit down to eat (not on a bus or in your car, or while walking etc)
2. Have no distractions - so no TV or smart phone
3. After each fork/spoon full put your fork/spoon down
4. Notice how the food feels, its texture and taste
5. Chew - at least 32 times - the digestive enzymes in your mouth are the first step in proper digestion, if you don't chew until it is liquid then your food doesn't digest properly
6. Notice how your stomach is feeling - you may begin to recognise a full feeling sooner than you think!
7. Avoid big drinks while eating, just sip water a little at a time if you need to.

Try it once, see how it goes and repeat if it helps!

Good Morning! It's a foggy start here today, autumn is here and I am embracing the change in the seasons. I love them all, but the darkness of January and February can be a battle for me.
There are so many thoughtful memes, phrases, and advice out there - more so now than ever - we read them, think "yes, that's wise" then forget them and carry on with life as usual - but a few stick with us and pop into our head when we need them most.
Most positive changes we want to make in life can seem daunting, we think we'll just never be able to do it, we predict our own failures and so we don't even move off the starting line. Just 1 step is all it takes to start and journey...

How many diets have you been on? If you ever wanted to lose weight, I bet it's more than 1!
In my first post I give you a brief guide to the (at least) 10 diets I have put myself through over my 40 year dieting career. Check it out and let me know if you have tried any of them, if you succeeded or ditched them, and why.
Over the coming weeks I will be delving deeper into the phycology of weightloss, the quick fixes and fad diets as I get to the nitty gritty of mindset, belief and how you can be best friends with your body and weight. Give me a follow to keep up with my latest posts and my journey to better health!

https://eatmovecreatelive.com/?p=21

10 Diet Plans I have tried. – Eat Move Create Live 10 Diet Plans I have tried. Posted on September 28, 2020 by hippiekath How many of you have Never been on a weight loss “diet”? Not many I should imagine, if you are reading this right now… How many of you have been on just one “diet” got exactly to the weight you always wanted to be and s...

Welcome to the latest step in my ongoing journey to better health and wellbeing, sharing with you what has worked for me, how I can help you, and keeping up with the best research, information and guidance available - feel free to contact me, comment, share and don't forget - smile 😊 x