50,000 page views! My top 5 landscape photos - No. 5

Wow! My blog has now had over 50,000 page views! Not what I anticipated when I first started but I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read my blog and hope you have gotten something out of it :)

To celebrate 50,000 views I am sharing my top 5 views of my favourite landscapes with you in pictures over the next few days, with a little bit about why I chose it. I will post 1 "view" for every 10,000 page views (love a good play on words). These pictures are all my personal photos of places I have been (unless otherwise stated) and therefore are pretty limited to my favourite holiday snaps within Australia and parts of the United States.

In no necessary order:

No. 5 – Moraine Lake – Alberta, Canada

Thursday Thought - Show Up to Life

If you read my blog often, you will notice I like consuming wellness content! I am a giant sponge and want to soak up all info I can get my hands on because I like learning and it keeps me motivated. After attending two wellness related workshops this year (review here and another one soon) I started writing some tips if you are attending any sort of wellness session. As I wrote I thought, “hang on”, these things should not only be applied to workshops but life in general!

The lovely background image is named escape of the dandelions by Ines Perkovic

Do you show up to your own life? You may show up for your loved ones, work, that dentist appointment you have been putting off, but what about your life. It can be hard not to go through the motions while your mind drifts off elsewhere or take the path you should follow over the one that you want. This is a pretty big topic and there is lots of online content going way deeper into this. 

Tips for attending Workshops Life

How to get FIT for FREE - Ways to work out without spending a cent - Part 1

So you want to get fit but you either:

a) can't afford a gym membership;
b) don't like gyms; or
c) can't be bothered going to a gym.

FIRSTLY - you need to be self motivated for these methods to work (so option C does not really help you here), there won't be a personal trainer or class instructor there pushing you, that part is up to YOU! The fact that you are reading this at least says you have some form of motivation inside you.

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily." -  Zig Ziglar

Yep, it's on you to get out there! Need some help? Enlist a friend to go with you, meeting up for a walk is a great way to catch up one on one with your pals without distractions, and is a lot cheaper and healthier then shopping or having dinners and drinks.

We all love free stuff so here are some ideas on things you can do to get moving, without joining up to a gym and parting with those hard earned $$$$.

Part 1 - Get Outside

Wise Words

I stumbled across this list online tonight and just had to share it with you all immediately! The existing images were pretty boring so I created this graphic using an old instagram photo and added it to Pintrest for your pinning pleasure.

They sound quite easy don't they? Take a moment to check in with yourself and think about how many of these things you actually practice in your everyday life. How often do you allow others to control you, hold onto something, give up or not be your authentic self? Share your thoughts in the comments below or jump on twitter.

A simple truth is always the best truth. Nice one Ghandi.

Flick xx

Thursday Thought - Get out of your comfort zone

Hello everyone!

Just a quick post to say sorry I have been away for so long, the real world 'out there' has been keeping me very busy lately with exams at University but I am now on holidays, yay! That means that I will be getting back to my regular posts. In the meantime each Thursday I will share some of my favourite thoughts that I find floating around online. You have probably seen this one,  it is from good old Pintrest, I just love the graphic.

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet me @flick_kitty.

Flick xx

Book Review - Melissa Ambrosini - 12 Steps to Wellness

Melissa Ambrosini is an Australian health and wellness blogger. After attending her babes not bears event I decided to purchase her e-book because I got a lot out of the workshop and wanted more!

 Ordering

The whole process was pretty simple, the website was easy to navigate, I paid using paypal and could download the book instantly.

The book is $18 (AUD) and available as a .pdf document. The downside is that for copyright protection purposes you can download the book on one device only. It would have been useful to be able to read it on my computer as well as my phone or tablet device.

The E- Book

Spring is Here!

 

If you live in Australia, winter is finally over. The days are getting longer and brighter again. You can feel it in the air, that renewed sense of positivity that comes with sun shine and freshness in anticipation of the months to come. Apart from wanting a wardrobe update and cleaning your house, the start of a new season is always a chance for a fresh start, and to set new goals and new intentions. 

“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits.” 
Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Sounds simple, if you are a fan of sunshine and flowers then Spring = happiness and there are no limits, right?

There are articles all over the place about what goals to set for spring but I think the start of any new season or phase is also a really great time to reflect on the last 3 months and take stock of what has happened. What, if anything, did you achieve? Do you know what you want to get out of the next few months? What are steps you can put into place to get you to what you want? How do you feel right now? How do you want to feel?

Whoa, sorry that got intense! What I am trying to say is that we all have milestones or goals but sometimes you need to look at the feeling or intention behind it to discover what you actually want. How are you supposed to do something if you don't know why you are doing it?

Final impressions and summary - Your Tea Tiny Tea - 28 day tea tox challenge - 2 weeks on

Tea tox officially complete!

Well... Almost!

Final Effects and Results

Whilst I didn't loose much weight (summary at the end), the tea pretty much did everything it said it would do, lets have a quick review what their website says should happen:

• Toxin removal.
• Reduction in body fat.
• Reduction in fluid retention.
• If you have any cellulite, it should clear up significantly.
• Your skin and eyes will clear up and when TinyTea is consumed along with a healthy diet, your mind & spirit should feel more grounded, less agitated.
• Feel more energised and full of life.

I don't feel bloated, I didn't really to start with though*. Although I have not lost much weight, I can definitely notice increased muscle tone. I have been going to strength classes the gym regularly so it may affect you differently if you are not exercising during the tea tox. Reduction in cellulite, tick, didn't notice a change in my eyes at all. Feeling more grounded and less agitated, BIG TICK.

"You will however, feel much more energetic and as a result you may feel inclined to increase your work-out!"

This increase was huge! This was the single biggest change that I noticed during the tea tox and my biggest improvement! I just felt so great and energised the entire time and that happened almost immediately after starting the tea. I think the results speak for themselves, I went from 2 gym sessions in week 1 to 5 in week 4, crazy. My mood was great, and I really did become a lot more mindful about my portion sizes, what I was eating and whether or not I really wanted something, or if it was just a habit to eat it (especially snacks). That feeling of being so full after a meal took me a while to get used to. I went into this expecting more of a dramatic weight loss and that is about it but I found the opposite that everything else is affected and for me the weight was secondary. While I am disappointed that there was not much of a weight loss,
if I had of cleaned up my diet more I suspect that I would have had stronger results, I did want to test the effect of the tea only so I think it is a reasonable result.


Read more >>

Week 4 - Your Tea Tiny Tea - 28 day tea tox challenge

The Tea

Last week! The teatox is nearly at an end. I am feeling a little sad that I won't have my regular cuppa. While it will be a relief not to be so regimented I am actually a bit worried about how I will feel when I don't have the tea pepping me up anymore. I am curious to see if I notice a difference, I may not, or I may crash and burn!

Going to miss my study buddy!

Effects and Results

One thing I was not expecting to see was cellulite reduction. I didn't even realise it had happened until I was putting on some body lotion the other day. While it has not completely disappeared, any reduction is always welcome. I was pretty surprised with this result, I double checked the your tea web site and they do list this as a possible effect, what a bonus! If cellulite reduction is all that is you are looking for, Your Tea do an Anti C tea for that (I have not tried this).

Read more >>

Melissa Ambrosini workshop review - Me, Myself and Winter - Babes not Bears

Melissa Ambrosini is the author of the heath and wellness blog Path to Wellness. After receiving and email from my local Barre fitness studio promoting a workshop hosted by her, I decided to give it a go.

The Babes not Bears workshop is all about getting motivated during winter to improve your health and wellness, here is what her web page says about it:

Babe, Excuses are for men. Fall in love with winter, and more importantly you. Forget the summer fling, it’s time for a Winter romance.

Remember there is a body hidden under all those layers, it’s time to change things up:

Track Pants for Gym Gear

Hot Chocolate for Herbal Tea

Couch for Yoga Mat

Ugg Boots for Runners

Join me to learn all about looking after yourself inside and out this winter. Think of this as the perfect Saturday afternoon with the girls. We’ll swap skincare tips, talk love and share our wellbeing secrets.

Workshops took place in various locations around Australia costs varied depending on the location. I attended the Hobart workshop which was $45. Within hours of receiving the email, the two sessions were completely sold out! There is definitely a high demand in Hobart for these events.

Prior to the workshop I checked out her blog and downloaded the free excerpt of her e-book so I had an idea of the kind of night I was in for. I found the content very relevant to me so I was quite excited to attend!

Week 3 - Your Tea Tiny Tea - 28 day tea tox challenge

Three quarters of the way through the teatox and I am feeling excellent! 

The Tea

I was a little naughty this week and I only drank 2 out of the required 3 cups of tea on a few days. It was always evening tea because I either forgot, wasn't home and didn't have the tea with me, or I got home and dinner was already cooked and waiting and I wasn't prepared. This highlights the importance of organisation as it is week 3 and I should have it down by now! Realistically we all have busy lives and if you spontaneously decide to go out for dinner you cannot plan a drink 30 minutes in advance.

Always in my bag

I attended the babes not bears, me myself and winter workshop (a wellness/ fitness workshop) hosted by the lovely Melissa Ambrosini. This was really perfect timing for where I am at right now and has definitely contributed to my outlook and motivation (you can read my review of the event here).

Effects and Results

My energy levels have gone through the roof and I have unintentionally DOUBLED my gym attendance this week. I actually wanted and felt like going to the gym, what is going on! I am very curious to see how energised I am feeling when I am no longer on the teatox because I am really addicted to this feeling right now!

Read more >>

Week 2 - Your Tea Tiny Tea - 28 day tea tox challenge

HALF WAY!!! Wow, 2 weeks go by so fast! I am now in the routine of drinking tea before my meals.

Tip:  Set the timer on your phone for 30 minutes after drinking it so you know when you can eat!

The Tea:

I am now used to the taste of the tea and liking it a lot more. Make sure you let the tea steep for long enough before you drink it, or better yet, leave the bag in the cup (I am normally one of those people who hates doing this because I think it makes the flavour bitter). Your Tea recommends letting it steep for 5-7 minutes but I don't usually have that much time to stand around waiting so I now leave the bag in the cup. There is no point in paying $55 for tea if you are going to drink it weak. I want to gain the full effect of the ingredients it contains!
 

Warm cup of goodness, should have left the bag in!

Read more >>

Week 1 - Your Tea Tiny Tea - 28 day tea tox challenge

Well it has been 7 days already! So the first week hasn't gone exactly to plan (more on that later) but I am enjoying it so far.

My new morning pal

My biggest challenge so far is ensuring that I drink it 30 minutes prior to each daily meal. It has made me appreciate how much I am used to immediate gratification of having a meal whenever I feel like, I am a lot more conscious of when I eat now. There have been a couple of occasions which I have forgotten to have it and I drank it with a meal or after a meal, mainly at dinner time. Your Tea advises against late night consumption so I will be a lot more conscientious from now on .

Read More >>

Your Tea Tiny Tea Teatox - 28 day tea tox challenge and review

Join me on my journey over the next 28 days as I undertake the Tiny Tea 28 day tea tox! Will Tiny Tea will get the Flick of Approval?

The tea tox:

Pretty simple, 28 days, 84 cups of tea. Drink 30 minutes before each meal, no changes to diet or exercise required. I will be posting weekly updates of my progress and also a final review after I have completed the tea tox.

Will tiny tea = tiny me?

Read more >>

Game of Thrones: "Valar Dohaeris" Review - IGN

Spoiler Warning:

Winter is finally here!! After what seems like forever Game of Thrones is officially back and the first episode did not disappoint. My only complaint (apart from the episode ending) is my favourite storyline about Arya Stark was not featured this episode but as we were not left with an urgent cliffhanger at the end of last season, it was not a surprise that she did not feature. After watching the promo for next week on YouTube, episode 2 looks like it will deliver!

I'm Back!

After a lengthy hiatus of a year, which I am sure my thousands of followers (read: zero) have been lamenting, I am back online with a revamped look and many more posts to come!