-Savoring simple daily pleasures-  

Ever since my early teens, I have taken care of my skin. Enjoying the process and ritual of applying make-up over cleaned, primed skin in the mornings, and equally removing all traces in the evening and nourishing my face with good moisturisers overnight.

These routines have, of course, changed and developed over the years, depending on age, my skin's requirements and my budget. Yet has always remained an intrinsic part of my daily habits, through less than sober bedtimes during my university years, to early motherhood, and now as I embrace my late forties. 

But beauty isn't only skin deep. It's just as important to take care of ourselves in a more holistic way, in addition to cleaning, toning, moisturising and those elements we think of, we need to consider:

* Hydration

- Keeping up the H20 is top of the list as I believe its the basis of good health. When we properly monitor and pay attention to our hydration, the benefits are many. Our blood transports nutrients and oxygen more efficiently, toxins are eliminated and expelled more rapidly, cognitive function improves, as does sleep, our body temperature regulates better, and hydrated akin has more elasticity, is plumper and tends to appear smoother and, yes, more youthful. And it's free!

* products

I have one or two products that I have returned to many times over the years. These are ones I enjoy using and which my skin is happy with. I don't have especially sensitive skin and thankfully, I've never been prone to breakouts even in my youth. The most significant change that has occurred on my skin has been the sensitivity and dryness around my eyes, attributed to hormones and perimenopause. 

For decades now, Clarins has been a go-to that I know will deliver on quality, that I won't react to and that always smells great. I am not into fragrance-free- I enjoy the feelings and sensations fragrance conjures up.

I tend to stick to their moisturisers, their mascara and almost exclusively their eye makeup remover. 

La Roch Posay , is another faithful - their now iconic sun screen fluid has been in my bathroom drawer for close to 20 years and for the last several years he only eye cream I can use confidently is their Toleriane dermallegro. Affordable and gentle, and the one product I DO have with no fragrance as its used directly around the eyes. 

Savon de Marseille. In my humble opinion, the holy grail of soaps. This classic olive green cube has been produced for almost 700 years! I always have one of the iconic blocks in my shower and by the bath- and usually a spare in the drawer. I wash my face with it every morning and the scent to me is just clean and no nonsense. As it has no fillers or nasties, it's good for all skin types. 

*Routine

Being consistent is key. While it's nice to try new products once in a while and switch things out, the most important part is to have a routine that you stick to: cleanse skin twice daily. I wash my face as a freshen up each morning in the shower after my workout, but at night I remove all traces of makeup with a cleaning balm, then wash my face with a clarins clenser, then I tone every few nights, exfoliate every few nights (or mornings) and use a good eye cream, then a lighter moisteruiser in the day and a variety of moisturisers and night creams in the evening. I vary my nighttime routine with a facial oil and a heavier cream or serum. I never miss these steps. No matter how tired, sick, busy, rushed I may be- I honestly don't think I have ever climbed into bed with the day's makeup left on or not freshened up in a morning before the day kicks off. 

The only ongoing issues I have now into my forties are the dry, sometimes painful and swollen skin around my eyes (I know attributed to stress, or a change in eye shadow... all my beautiful Bobi Brown ones set me off sadly) and my hyperpigmentation/melasma left over from my pregnancies. 

*fresh air

Get outside! the is no blush or bronzer that can provide the warmth of a genuine (safely) sun-kissed glow or rosy cheeks from a bracing windy walk. Vitamin D and sunlight have been somewhat demonised - particularly here in the southern hemisphere as we sit under the hole in the ozone. But we still need some, just safely and in moderation. I'm not condoning tanning or baking, just let the sunlight touch your skin a little every day.  It's good for the soul, too.

*sunscreen

I grew up in the UK, holidaying in France or Cornwall usually. I'd spend entire days on beaches in my swimsuit, no hat, eating gritty, sandy baguette and playing in the shallows. No sunscreen! I vaguely remember some Ambre Solaire being handed around to those who wanted it- perhaps once over the course of a baking summer day. But that was it. I even went as far as sunbathing with coconut oil when I was in my senior years at school! YIKES! 

Now we know better, and New Zealand and Australia are particularly pro sun protection - and have the battle wound to prove what happens otherwise!  These days I wear sunscreen on my face every single day. La Roche-Posay Anthelios fluid 50+ is my go-to, but even my foundations have at least SPF15 in them.  I up the anti in summer, but even in winter, I still have a level of protection. In the summer, I also apply to my body and any exposed places- And while I love to lie on a beach with a book and dip into the bubble waves, when I get too hot- I'd never consider it without at least a factor 30-50. As a family, we like the brand SUNBUM. It smells like holidays to us now. 

*exercise

Let's be honest, even if you were to apply all the tips and products above, and eat a well-balanced diet full of leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, minimal processed food and zero alcohol- if your body isn't fit and healthy, your skin will remind you! 

Move your body every single day- get the blood flowing, lubricate those joints and get a sweat on! We are designed to move, and as we all know, if we don't use it, we lose it! I'm not saying you need to throw yourself into a back-breaking endurance workout routine and long-distance running, but daily movement incorporated as part of a sustainable lifestyle routine- yoga, a daily walk, a sport or dance class. 

By moving our bodies daily, we increase blood flow, reduce stress, experience endorphines, flush toxins, promote collagen production AND improve our skin tone and texture. Win win!

So as I sit here on this early Sunday morning of a long weekend, my lemon water to hand and the sun streaming through the trees, I will leave you with these thoughts and recommendations and hope that some element here will speak ti you today and encourage you to pay a little more attention to an area you may be neglecting somewhat. I'm off to have a run and make some pizza dough. 

Until next week

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

Lately, its occurred to me that while women- including myself and the vast majority of my peers- are embracing a new found comradery, extensive medical and nutritional information and support during their various menopausal stages, there is also an element of scaremongering which must be rather daunting for younger woman who are some years away from even thinking about this stage in their lives. 

I remember as a young pregnant soon to be Mother, whishing people wouldn't take such pleasure in telling me their horror birth stories- carrying a baby, growing a new human and wrapping your head around actually giving birth, let alone parenthood is so enormous- why do other women (And occasionally men too) take such alacrity in shocking you with all the gory details of their journey?!

SO, todays post is intended to put a fresh, positive spin on "the change" and whether you are in the throws of perimenopause, a twenty something sprightly thing, or an experienced seasoned "Queenager", there is joy, beauty and energy to be found, and embraced in these transitional years.

I took a longer walk than usual this morning, the weather was just too glorious not to make the most of, and while I had a list of weekend chores to get stuck into, I was so, so happy to be out in the sunshine, savoring the beauty of a sparkling autumnal morning. 

As I walked along at a brisk pace, it occurred to me, and not for the first time, that despite my advancing years, I can honestly say I have never felt stronger, fitter, more contented or so tuned into my true self than I do at this stage of my life.  I had a literal spring in my step as I began to write this weeks post in my head , bursting with the desire to share the joy and vibrancy of, well, LIFE. Everydays. Seeking the things that bring us joy and not allowing ourselves to feel guilty for doing so. 

Reaching our late forties and early fifties is not how it was in my grandmothers day, we are not past it, soon to retire, pinny wearing, blue rinsed fuddy duddys! (Nor was my grandmother but you get the sentiment) We are the tip of the spear of social change in this developing society- women at this stage in life are just coming into their prime- with experience, knowledge and a deeper understanding of who they are and their self-worth. while there is still along way to go in terms of gender equality, we have forged new paths that our courageous daughters will expand and fortify. 

I like to imagine entering the perimenopause as a wintering- but after winter comes spring. And we get to have another season, another glorious spring- if we take care of ourselves, listen to our bodies and trust our inner compass. 

So yes, the years of perimenopause can be tough for many women, myself included, and it may involve over coming challenges we've never had to face- sleepless nights, hot flashes, and anxiety- we can absolutely come through it, and even have many moments of joy and happiness while we navigate the stormy waters of hormone fluctuation. Reassured that is isn't taboo to mention it now, there are facilities, resources and support out there from homeopathic drops to good diet, friendships to HRT- and through this journey you'll find an inner strength and fierceness you didn't know you possessed. And in those darkest of wintry moments is when the new shoots of spring, and promise, reach out their vibrant green tendrils and seek the light and warmth of the sun. Think of pruning and cutting back your shrubs and perennial plants, getting rid of the dead wood and straggly stems, to allow for new fresh growth. 

The wintering is maybe only our body's way of restoring and regenerating so that we are ready, equipped and energized for the next chapter- or season-of our lives. Post menopausal- which may yet be half our life still to lead! Certainly not the beginning of the end! 

We owe death a living first- surely!? Think of all the wonderful pioneering women paving the way before us, making it ok to age, that wrinkles can be beautiful, grey hair attractive, and that life after 50 can be even more fun, fulfilling and meaningful that the previous years even. 

So, while I absolutely advocate and encourage you to be informed, and knowledgeable about what your bodies going though, how to make that transition as smooth as possible for you personally and how to equip yourself to deal with the bumpy bits as best you can- don't fear it. Its puberty in reverse but its kind of even better. we get to rediscover ourselves all over again with the maturity and experience to embrace it, savor it and then fully and completely and unapologetically live it. 

Picture a ski slope with all the Criss cross tracks and groves cut into the snow by a day's activity of all those skis and boards travelling down it until dusk. Now picture a thick, powdery silent dump of fresh snow, covering all those trails so that come morning, nothing but deep fresh pristine powder is visible. Yesterday's tracks are still underneath, but you get to carve out a fresh path and cut through that beautiful glistening powder however you wish to first- today. 

Don't fear this stage of your life, and don't let others scare you into dreading it. Embrace this part of the journey, learn, become informed, read, share, give yourself space to change and permission to forge your own pathways. 

Savor the joys and the little things along the way and enjoy creating the life you want to live each day. Secure, grounded and vibrant in the space you occupy as the best version of you yet. 

Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures -

I've talked frequently on this blog about the benefits of meal planning and leaning toward healthy eating.  A simple weekly pleasure I enjoy as part of my weekend reset is planning the evening meals for the week, and making sure I also have the ingredients to hand for nutritious and satiating healthy breakfasts and lunches for me and my family. I sit down, usually with my planner and look through the various activities and commitments during the week ahead and plan meals around them accordingly- some super quick and easy if we are rushing out the door or have a short window between activities and others a little more relaxed and leisurely. 

This serves several purposes:

Being organised in this way helps to prevent food waste as you tend to stick to what's on the list for specific meal ingredients, rather than buying things that just look good or are appealing. There can certainly be wriggle room- switching out various seasonal vegetables and fruits or cuts of meat etc, but the general plan remains.

It helps to sick to a budget rather than buying on a whim- food costs these days are sky high and climbing, and while I am pretty vigilant at sticking to the list , we do eat well, and our grocery bills are pretty substantial- Often requiring a top up of a few bits through the week like fresh salads, or milk and bread. (The last two for the kids rather than my husband and me)

It prevents that 5.30 pm stress of not knowing what's for dinner and scrambling.

And equally importantly, sticking to a healthy meal plan- you just can't wing it out there! The outside world simply isn't set up to accommodate our healthy eating goals. Temptation is EVERYWHERE, and even if you are trying to make good choices and keep on track, often ordering out comes with so many hidden ingredients and extras, in conjunction with the impulse to indulge further- fries with that? Would you like to see the dessert menu? 

We all know its not wise to do your grocery shopping when you're famished-  just as much as its a good idea to stock the things you want to eat at home so that meal prep is a breeze and your never left standing in front of an open refrigerator dipping into a box of crackers...or worse!

You can still have a little fleexibility- for instance, if you decide you'll buy 5 different sources of protein, so you can pick one each night rather than sticking to a rigid plan, double one for leftovers and then at the end of the week make a giant "Pot Luck" salad or frittata, pair each meal with a selection of the vegetables and salad ingredients you bought and maybe have a (relative) treat night once a week- maybe its always homemade pizza on Friday so you prep the dough that morning ready to go, and have your toppings on hand in the fridge. Inevitably a healthier choice than takeout, and you know exactly what's in it. Plus, you can tailor it to accommodate your family- Gluten free, no olives etc. 

Does any one else start the day feeling disciplined and fully in control, you prepare your smoothie, or over night oats or whatever it might be, then you eat your salad at lunch which is protein heavy to keep you full, then home for the evening....and boy if I don't fall off the wagon at 5pm after a walk while Im preparing dinner I sure as heck cling on for dear life after dinner if a sugar craving sets in- so plan for those too! Stressors affect our hormones, which in turn affect how we burn and process calories for fuel too. After a bad night's sleep, I'm always more hungry and inevitably crave carbs, sugar, and a sprinkle of salt. 

Good Diet isn't accidental. 

We need to be conscious of it, make informed decisions, and keep working on it. We have to work to change, but we also have to work to maintain to a certain extent. Celebrate working toward and achieving your personal milestones- reaching a week with no sugar, quitting snacking after 6 pm, putting sleep first, and making it a priority, whatever it might be for you. Pat yourself on the back- you're doing it against the many challenges and roadblocks. 

We get attached emotionally to our food - it holds memories, nostalgia, tradition or ceremony. And this is fine, provided it's occasional. What's less fine is throwing yourself into the latest diet or regimen when you are not willing to let go of your current eating habits. 

There is conflicting advice EVERYWHERE, we are bombarded by information. Much of it is science-backed and endorsed by some health expert or nutritionist. But really, we just need to find a balance that works for us. We already know what's not a good choice. We know we should be eating more fiber, fruits, vegetables, good proteins,and a little good fat. We know we should shop around the edges of the supermarket and avoid the middle aisle. We know its preferable not to consume anything from a packet or a box or with a barcode. The reality is, most of us will, sometimes, just as we will indulge in a decadent dessert at a restaurant, some french fries shared over lunch, A slice of birthday cake, an ice cream wandering beachside just because. And so we should! Life is to be enjoyed, and these moments are to be savoured. Just not too frequently. As long as we educate ourselves and make conscious and mindful choices, the 5% we indulge shouldn't be enough to derail our efforts. 

And if you're only just starting to educate yourself and begin a journey towards a healthier you, give yourself some grace. You can't do it all at once- consistency is key. Dont let the ego come into play either- much like deciding your going to go to the gym, and go from nothing to 6 days a week lifting heavy- you're not designed to adapt that quickly and the most likely out come is an injury where you will experience a set back that may de rail your good intentions entirely. Start at a manageable place FOR YOU. If that means 5 reps, 3 sets of a 3-kilo dumbbell, then a walk. That's great! Do it again tomorrow. Gradually increase as your strength builds and your knowledge of proper form develops, and keep going. It's a lifelong investment. 

As with food, if you're currently on a diet of Uber Eats and Door Dash and a tub of Ben & Jerry's at 10 pm, start with a manageable plan. Clear out the pantry of foods that won't serve your goal (Easier said than done if you have a family or share a home- I get it!) Make a list and create a meal plan. But make it realistic. Maybe a good place to start is smaller portions, no snacking, and prioritizing a good sleep routine. 

We have to work to change AND maintain. Quick fixes aren't a solution. 

Once you get over the initial hurdle, and yes, cravings, you'll start to feel energised by your decision making and will power- it will get easier and your body will thank you for it. 

If it helps, try one of the many food tracker apps- just don't take it too seriously. I use an Oura ring in conjunction with My Fitness Pal, just to keep me mindful and on track. Orinionally it was a learning curve as you start to become famililar with the nutritional values- or lack there of of foods you frequently consume, now I can probay tell you most of them off the top of my head but I still like to be accountable and feel empowered by the data it provides so I dont veer off course too wildly for too long. Last night, I had a bowl of hot cross bun ice cream I remembered was tucked away in the freezer from Easter- I even topped it with pecans and a drizzle of maple- can you imagine!!!! So today, I was hungrier earlier due to the sugar dump before bed. I listened to my body as I'm also not 100% with a bit of a head cold. I ate a good, nutritionally balanced and protein-rich breakfast two or three hours earlier than I would normally. That way I hope to reset a little, and will look at making a nice big salad around noon to keep me on track. I haven't had coffee today, which is rare,  as I am nursing a headache and just didn't want stimulants. 

Now though, as the rain pours outside, I'm going to put on some laundry and make some gluten-free pizza dough ready for a cosy Friday night home with all of us in for Pizza and a movie. (I might go heavy on the salad and light on the pizza after yesterday's indulgences, and I'm going to investigate what's left in the fridge to get inspired before I do a grocery shop!) 

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

I had planned to get into a deeper dive into nutrition and a few gems and lessons I've learned along my journey so far.

However, its been a huge week in our household, and several events gave me pause to take a long look and truly evaluate all I appreciate and value in my everyday. 

So here are a few thoughts and ponderings of Petits Plaisirs I am fortunate to experience, and savor, in my everyday. These little jewels are such a poinignant reminder of the preciousness of life, and the abundant joys within it. 

The communal garden thrush.

I adore these perky little birds. Their song is so uplifting and pure when they are in the trees or in flight, but they are poised, quiet and watchful when busily looking for a juicy worm or scratching in the dust. Their posture lengthening their necks as their beady eyes watch me, admiring their plump, flecked breasts. 

Toadstools

We have had a lengthy period of very wet, mild weather—perfect for mushrooms to sprout! Ever since I was a little girl, toadstools of all shapes and sizes have been fairy villages to me. I would get lost in my imagination of the tiny worlds tucked away in the cluster of delicate, spongy, velvety softness. I still find them enchanting and can't pass them on a walk without peering closely and, usually, snapping a picture. 

Morning routine

Weekend or weekday, the ritual of being the first downstairs (Usually), drinking down a tall glass of water, brewing a strong coffee and greeting the cats, who patiently await their breakfast and to be let out- honoring their own rituals too, of grooming one another as I prepare their food. Albie patiently waiting to clean up whatever his sister leaves in her dish, and then wait to be let out to assume their positions on the deck during their morning ablutions. I find it so rewarding and grounding to start my day in such a peaceful way, with two fury bals of energy and love.... and great coffee. 

After Dinner Kitchen Reset

It's not so much that I enjoy doing the dishes after dinner, but I do enjoy restoring order to the kitchen. Making sure everything is clean and put away and calm and in its place, ready for a new day. I usually involuntarily let out a deep sigh when I finally hang the dishtowel up and admire the empty countertop and scrubbed sink. Then its time for peppermint tea.

Daily walks

I've always walked a lot- even when I was at Grammar School, I belonged to a hiking club where we'd go tracking over the Brecon Beacons and various parts of perpetually damp and beautiful Wales at weekends. I think if I was to pinpoint a time it became an essential daily ritual for body and mind, It would probably be during the Pandemic. I'd get my work done for the day, no doubt the bread would be proving or the baking cooling, and at around 2pm every day I would go for a walk - regardless of the weather. It was something I looked forward to and increased in duration over several weeks. These walks became a lynchpin of my days, and the habit and pleasure has continued. 

Fresh Sheets

Not daily- although wouldn't that be nice! But a weekend pleasure is climbing into fresh sheets after a bath or a shower with my book, and if I'm lucky, a cat. 

Makeup

I actually really enjoy applying my makeup in the morning. I find it quite creative, and it feels like I am ready for whatever the day has in store. I also enjoy the pleasure of removing it at night and taking a hot shower when everything is tidied up and done for the day.

Breakfast

I think it has to be my favorite meal of the day, and on a more leisurely morning, I love creating a nutritious smoothie, garnishing it would something crunchy and good, or plating up a beautifully balanced bowl of yoghurt and berries, or a sumptuous and decadent stack of pancakes drizzled with maple. Its such a treat on the handful of evenings a year that, for whatever reason- perhaps after lunch out and a matinee theatre performance, or an extra long day- Indulge in breakfast for dinner!

Mowing the lawns

The scent of the just-cut grass, the company of the cats making sure I keep the standards up, and the enormous satisfaction of seeing them all trim and tidy with the fresh scent still lingering. 

Pillowy Pizza Dough

I don't make this daily, but certainly regularly. When Ive been organised to make the dough early in the morning and let it prove all day while we are out- the yeasty smell permeates the house in the afternoon, then I lift the teatowel that's been covering it and punch down the pouffy dome. So satisfying. 

Sunrises

In fact, make that sunrises, sunsets and clouds. Im an unapologetic sky gazer- the ever-changing beauty and vastness is utterly captivating.