Jumping on the Green Smoothie bandwagon

So I am really late to the green smoothie party. Years late. I have no doubt that they are now passe and something else is now the hot new thing. Whatever. I like them and they fill a nice niche. For me, they work when I am in a time crunch to get out of the house and the 5 minutes saved by not having breakfast at home is invaluable. Usually it is when I have been for a run in the morning and then have somewhere to be and do not feel like stuffing down my porridge in a hurry. Sounds attractive, doesn't it?

Here's my take on Green smoothies:

Green stuff. Fresh figs, banana, nectarine, peach, milk and protein powder.

• Lots of baby spinach and/or  kale (der - it's a green smoothie!)
• Banana or mango
• Lots of stone fruit - peaches or nectarines especially
• Protein powder - Vanilla
• Milk
• Greek yogurt sometimes

As it's summer here I have been loading up on all the gorgeous summer fruit. White peaches and nectarines are just divine in a smoothie.  Today's also included fresh figs, which is something new for me. In winter I will probably do more banana combos - banana and chocolate ( using cocoa powder), banana and coffee. I will need to experiment a lot.

Looks attractive, no ??!

This is the finished product, well about half of it. I make 'em  huge! I am sure that defeats the purpose but I am not really fussed. Looks really vile but tastes really good. The fruit makes it sweet and the protein powder and banana makes it creamy.

My next step is to work out if I can make them the night before and if they still taste good.

I also really need ideas about other combinations.. Any awesome recipes would be wonderful!
How do you Green smoothie?

Lily.

This week in running - Second week of February

Weekly mileage: 41km + hills

I have been lax in chronicling my running. Which is silly because I find the process quite useful and one that continually throws up some interesting insights.


The last few weeks have been about consistency. While I had time off work my aim was to get a run in 6 days a week and a few weights sessions as well. Mostly I was successful. Day to day runs were 9km ish, a hills speed session, parkrun on Saturday and a long run. I squibbed on my long run on Sunday and only did 10 km due to mental rather than physical reasons.


 The last week has been hard though, mainly due to extended family related stresses. I'm a worrier by nature. Worrying is something I am really good at. But worrying (about EVERYTHING) is crap. I would love to be able to just flick the switch and stop. But I can't, so I run.


Even though my running this week was sad, I am thankful for it. For being able to, for the mental/emotional balance it brings me, for the example I am setting for my kids, for the time I am spending with my kids and for the time I am spending with Mr MRWS.


 I am also shallow enough to admit that I love how my body looks. Perfect? Nope. I have had 2 kids and I carried low and massive. You can only stretch things so far and expect them to snap back into place! My body is strong and fit and firm and toned and I am proud of it.


Going forward, my goal this year is the Sydney Half marathon in May. I need to write a program soon. Last week soon. My long runs peaked at 20 km last week so I am well positioned to crank it up. Mr MRWS is thinking of stepping up to a marathon this year so fitting everything in will be interesting.


In the interim this week I need to write a program, keep plodding along and get back into the long run game.


Any tips or resources for half marathon programming?


Lily

What I wore to play - keeping it simple with a black dress

Summertime is simple. Dress. Shoes. Done. As much as I love layers, you have to think about them. Plan. Coordinate. Sometimes that just seems like work and I just want to get dressed!

I also love a black dress. Who doesn't? This is an old one from Metalicus. I drag it out every year and throw it on. The hemline is kinda short but it is balanced out by being loose and breezy. The shoes are Saltwater Sandals. I love the vibrant red and they are super comfortable. I have been eyeing off other colours. Would love a bright Kelly green pair!

Do you have a go to Summer look or summer favourite?


Lily

What I wore to play - a paisley shift.

Ever have one of those days? The type when your son flashes your undies to all and sundry at the local shopping centre by using your dress to steady himself on an escalator. The type when both children manage to either wee or poop all over the bathroom floor? ( and not at the same time so you have to clean up twice! Sad when you are just grateful that it was on the tiled floor). Anyway, that has been today. So I am celebrating the fact that a) I am dressed today and b) I quite like what I am wearing! But it also explains why I look like I have been dragged through a hedge.

I bought this dress a few months ago but have only just gotten around to wearing it. I think it is going to be a firm favourite. I bough it at Temt. They have zero online presence and the website is awful. The shops are a bit of a nightmare as well, to be honest, but I have to say that I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and finding the gem amongst the dross and the ugly. As an added bonus - It's cheap! I think this dress was $14.95.

 I was initially attracted to the print. I love a good print. The colour combo is not one that I would usually wear but I do love all the individual colours and wear them quite often so combining them seemed a good idea.

The hem length was an initial concern and still remains so.  I need to be extra careful when bending over! Having said that, I have enjoyed the short hem today. I am feeling really confident at the moment body wise and kinda enjoy showing it. I think the loose shape and covered up top balances the short length.


The shoes are also new. I needed new sandals that I could also wear to work. These were from spend less shoes, of all places. As a bonus, they have buy 1 get 1 half price at the moment so I bought them in Tan at the moment. They are actually really comfortable and are as substantial and well put together as much more expensive versions I looked at.

Shoes: Spend less shoes, Haze $29.95

So this is how I play. Very cheaply today! Do you have a summer "uniform"? I need one, stat!


Lily

What I wear to work - a Dressy Bessy dress with spots

This dress is one that I have bought fairly recently. Which actually just means post kids. Given that kid 2 is almost 2 it is not actually that recent! Anyway, this dress is lovely to wear. It's cool and comfortable and (I hope!) looks nice. I worry a little about the fabric, I think there is potential for shrinkage, but as we line dry everything I am hoping it will be ok for a while.

The brand is Dressy Bessy. I bought it at a local boutique. I really love small boutiques for finding something a bit different. The website here has some really amazing things. I think I will need to spend a bit of time perusing!

The pattern and colours are quite gorgeous. I love colour and pattern, I think it is my inner magpie coming out.


How do you dress for summer? Do you have a go to outfit or look? The cotton is quite cool and breezy to wear so it is especially good for steamy summer days...like the ones we are having now!


Lily

How do I fit exercise into my day?

muscles...this is all I've got

A friend asked me the other day how I worked exercise into my day. Like me she has a couple of young children but for her a regular exercise routine was just not happening. I can't say I have it all figured out but I am proud of how I have been able to regain some of my former fitness levels and routines.

(Disclaimer : I am [clearly] NOT an expert on exercise. I have no qualifications whatsoever in this field!)

So what do I do?

At the moment I run 5 days a week, go to the gym 1 day a week (weights) and try to do weights type workout at home/work 2 days a week.

How do I fit it in?

I make it a priority! It is both that simple and that complex!
For me, a regular exercise routine relies on two things - mindset and practicalities.

 Mindset has nothing to do with willpower. I have no more willpower than the next person.  What I do have is the right mindset. I have given myself permission to make my exercise a priority. Does it supersede all other family demands? Nooooo. Does it become the lowest priority demand? No, it does not. And that's what I mean by mindset. I allow myself to put a value on my exercise. Many women (Mums) don't. So they don't exercise.

The practicalities are also complex. The things that I do:

• I have a running pram.
• I have a supportive, runner husband.
• My gym has childcare.
• I am realistic and crafty about when I can squeeze exercise in.
• I work 3 days a week, and whilst I have zero flexibility in hours I do finish early enough to run before daycare pickup ( though I usually prefer not to but it is a backup).
• I have a GPS watch. It keeps me honest. A phone app would do the same job.

The running pram is just about the best money I have ever spent. We have a Bob Ironman Dualie and it is awesome. I cannot recommend it enough.

I run both days of the weekend with my husband, kids loaded in the running pram. Saturday we do parkrun, possibly the most awesome development in running ever! They are everywhere, runners and walkers welcome. (Check out parkrun.com.au)

Mondays, due to timing, I can squeeze in a hills session and basic weights at work before I pick up the kids. Hills are awesome. They take maybe 15 minutes and I am absolutely spent at the end of it. The weights I do are really basic. Full body, using dumbells and bars, sets of push ups. I usually allow about 15 - 20 minutes. It's rushed but that is the time frame I have to work in. I save time by doing abs later at home. (When I remember).

Tuesdays and Wednesdays I run with the kids. My oldest will still go in the running pram. For now. We have a little deal going. We run, then go to the park or playground and do whatever errands we have for the day. We are also lucky enough to run amongst great beauty.

At the moment the kids aren't doing any classes. They go to daycare 3 days a week and I think that is enough stimulation ( although swimming classes will probably be starting up in the New Year). Wednesday I also try to do weights at home - pushups, lunges, squats, simple handweight exercises.

Saturday afternoon I go to the gym while Mr MRWS stays home with the kids during naptime.
Because Mr MRWS also runs I am somewhat locked out of morning runs but my job gives me wiggle room in the afternoons so sometimes that is when it happens.

I run because it's just what  I do. I do have the advantage that I have been running for about 15 years so was in the groove before having kids. That has made it easier to slot back into running. I also know how good being fit and healthy feels and did not care for the alternative. I like being in shape!

Some will say that it is shallow/vain to worry about your exercise routine. But having a baby can do a number on your body. Not being a fan does not make you shallow or vain or a bad mother. Non mothers are allowed to care about their body image so why not mothers? It can make such a difference to your mental well being and equilibrium. Well, it does to mine anyway. When I get my runs in I feel so much better, physically and mentally.

The takeaway is that you need to find what works for you. Don't like running? Then don't do it! Find what you do like/love/enjoy. Realistically look at when you can fit it in. 20 minutes is plenty of time to get the heart pumping. Get your other half on board, there are plenty of benefits for him of a fit and healthy sweetie! Give yourself permission to prioritise your needs. As Nike would say "Just do it"!

Lily

What I wore to work - patterned silk and pants

Sometimes it pays to be cautious. I have had this top for some time. It originally had a long, empire waist tie that tied in the back. After I had the kids I pulled it back on. And then took it off. After 3 years of pregnancy/post partum/pregnancy the last thing I wanted was to look 4 months pregnant. So I put it back in the wardrobe. Some time later I pulled it back out and thought about wearing it without the tie. Much better! It now looked like a loose, breezy top, not a maternity one. So I cut the tie off and kept on wearing it.

It's old Country Road. Their current similar version is here.
Pants are also Country Road - their stock standard work pants. They always have them or something similar, colours vary. Current version here.

The sleeves on the blouse are a nice flutter sleeve. I think they are quite flattering.

The necklace is a lovely one from Tiffany several years ago, but is no longer available.  It has Diana, the Greek Goddess on one side and "courage" on the other. It's a talisman of sorts for me. Whenever I put it on I think  "Be brave today Lily. You are courageous". And then I usually start singing "I am woman, hear me roar", much to the kid's and husband's displeasure.  And I have a good old chuckle at their expense. Deal with it people! It's a nice start to the day!


Lily