We all need a break once in a while

Rest. A four letter word that isn’t frequent enough in my life. I come from a family of people that are constantly on the go so it’s just been instilled in me as being the way to live. Yesterday was a remarkable moment in my life. I relaxed and did absolutely nothing but watch some good old Netflix.

Maybe it was because I was still recuperating from my trip to London or the fact that I’m sicker than a dog but all I really wanted to do was to shower and watch tv, another thing I haven’t done in the 4 months I’ve been abroad. If you know me well enough you will know that this is something I NEVER do. No matter how hungover, sick, bored, tired I am… I always feel the need to leave the house and wander or do something. I like to think I get this on the go demeanor from both sides of my family. I mean, good luck EVER reaching my mother at home or my 75 year old grandmother who doesn’t stop from 4am on wards when she’s starting her mail route. I feel so blessed to have such hard working women in my life as role models because I wouldn’t want to be any other way. I can say it’s defiantly made me more productive of a person but at some point you just get worn out and need to rest.

So what did I learn from taking a day to just reposée as the french would say?

That I need to do more of it. I feel rejuvenated and so much less stressed, even though there really shouldn’t have been any in the first place. I watched a whole series of The Mindy Project, baked muffins for tomorrows breakfast and did a load of laundry. The whole laundry is actually quite a big accomplishment considering it takes a whole 3 hours just for the washing cycle to do its process. Oh, and why I just decided today to get hooked on this amazing TV show is beyond me. Mindy, my friend you are one funny chick. Upon picking my girl up from school I realized how much better of a mood I was in than I typically am when rushing from Paris to make the train in time. Since I had the whole day to do what my heart desired all I really wanted to do when we got home was to entertain her, which hasn’t happened in a long time since being here. Today I’ve finally realized that while I’m constantly trying to be as productive as I can be with the time i’m given, sometimes the most productive things are actually done with the least amount of effort. This relates back to my struggle with perfectionism and always trying to be the best, make good decisions, and accomplish as many things as I tell myself i’m capable of doing. We often put ourselves such a high pedestal of having these unrealistic expectations of ourselves and then when we fail we’re disappointed. If we lower those expectations ever so slightly and accept that no matter what we do in the course of a day, we will not find perfection, happiness will be found.

Let’s just say, these whole rest days will be happening more often.

Process (so far!)

Alright so I thought I would fill my au pair followers of maybe even potential au pairers about my process of applying for an au pair so far! First things first, why did I chose to au pair this year? – I’m graduating in June from my business administration program and honestly I don’t feel I am ready to get sucked into a life long career just yet. There are so many things I want to do and see before I start working a set job so I thought why not try the au pair way. I created an account on aupair-world.net and made my profile including my dear family letter! I added pictures so the families could get a little insight of who i am and my lifestyle. I started getting e-mails from families in Germany, Holland, France and Spain and responded to some. The very first family I came across that interested me, I instantly messaged and guess what.. that’s the one that I’m going with! When writing to them I was scared they would reject me but after months of talking here I am waiting for the final contract in the mail so I can send it back to them! I have scheduled a bank and doctors appointment because i need to show proof I have money to come home if I have to and also a health check (in french). I have contacted my school to get transcripts to show my enrollment and progress and school as well. Then I had to write a letter to say why I want to come into France and what I will be doing while I am there. I will send all of these documents along with the signed contract ( 4 copies) back to my hsot family for approval! So now all there is to do is wait and work the summer away! I work 7 days a week right now trying to save as much as I can so that I can enjoy Europe and travel while I am there. It’s going to a stressful summer but it will be worth it come August 20th! 😀

New Beginnings

well it’s pretty much official! I will be leaving little nova scotia behind for 11 months this August to head to Paris, France to be an au pair! I have been in contact with my host family for the past month or so and he will be mailing the contract off today. It wasn’t an easy decision to turn away a career within the banking industry which would be the start to my life.. but honestly I don’t feel ready to start “life” … i’m young and currently have no ties so what better time to go and experience the world!

In order to be able to travel I need to get to a stronger mental place or the trip is off. This summer my motivation to get healthy, not only physically but mentally is going to so strong. I want this and need this experience.

I can’t wait for everything to start falling into place!

BAKED ZOATMEAL

So I have been extremely busy with the ending of school, and my god awful mutual fund exam.. kill me now right. I’m still keeping up with my eating but experiencing INSANE night binging habits.. and when I say insane, it’s so abnormal… well from whatI’m used to anyways.

I’ve talked to alot of people in recovery and they are experiencing the same thing which is reassuring but it still feels so wrong at times. Every single night I will get out of my bed 4-5 times are eat carb and sugar rich foods. This may look like i’m restricting during the day but i’m not at all.. i have been tracking my macros these past couple of days to make sure i’m on track, and I seem to be. I can’t wait to get past this stage in recovery and start eating intuitively. I swear, i’m hungry 24/7. Anyways, about them zoats…

This morning I made these beautiful and easy baked oats in a ramkin from my all time favorite store – DOLLARAMA, holla haha. They have so many cool dishes that are always no more than $3.00 so you can’t go wrong haha.

RECIPE:

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup milk (almond, cows, soy)

1/2 cup shredded zucchini

1/2 mashed banana

1 tbsp flaxseed

1 tsp cinnamon

any other add-ins you want!

Place all ingredients into a mason jar and let sit overnight in the fridge. In the morning preheat oven to 350 and pour mixture into a ramkin or any small baking pan. Bake for 15-20 mins and serve with greek yogurt and nuts, or chocolate if you need the sweetness 😀

Carrot Cake overnight protein zoats

I had a carrot stick left in the back of my fridge and I am not one to waste food so last night I prepped a jar of carrot cake overnigth oats for this mornings breakfast! I love overnight oats because i’m always on the go so they are so easy to just grab and go and the variations are endless!

Recipe:

• 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup grated carrot
• ½ scoop vanilla protein powder
• ¼ cup zucchini
• •1 tbsp raisins
• •1 tbsp flaxseed
• •1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

Combine all of the top ingredients together in a jar and top with enough water until covered completely. Shake and store in fridge overnight. The oats will expand by morning and the texture should be thick! You can serve cold or heat up in the microwave like I did for these! Be careful to watch the oats or they will explode and you will have a mess! Top with the following ingredients & enjoy 😀

• 1 tbsp walden farms pancake syrup
• Greek yogurt and almonds for topping

Oatmeal is my go to breakfast option and they are packed with nurtrion!

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

Something that I used to love before I started restricting were peanut butter cookies. I can’t believe I gave up peanut butter in general for over a year; now I go through jars like crazy!

Flourless chocolate peanut butter cups

Is it possible that these are healthy? They are flourless, sugarless and downright delicious!

Recipe:

1 1/2 cups all-natural creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

½ tsp baking soda

1/2 cup carob chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together and then fold in the carob chips. Grease a small cupcake pan and place dough into each cup. Bake for 15 mins, and let cool on wire rack! Easy as that folks 😀