Given this was the week I’d be learning to meditate it was supposed to be ommm but, Reader, I fell off that particular wagon before I’d even climbed onto it. In fact this week I fell off every wagon. I have excuses – of course I do, I’m extremely creative when it comes to excuses – but to be honest it was just one of those weeks.
I flew to Sydney to see my parents and to go into the office for the day job and so was completely out of routine – and I tend to struggle with that. Sydney was also very hot – Thursday was 38C – and I struggled with that too. It really brings home how completely spoilt I am to be able to flick the air con on at home. I’ve become such a princess.
Being out of routine for those few days was, however, worth it to spend time with my parents and to have a lovely catch-up with my sisters. And because it was a public holiday on Thursday, I got to go out and have morning tea with Mum. I can’t remember the last time I was able to do that – nor can I remember the last time I ate cake (I bake them but I tend not to eat them), but this gluten-free lemon poppy seed one was nice. Besides, after covid when I couldn’t get to Sydney for 18 months I vowed I wouldn’t take being able to see them for granted again… even in the middle of a Sydney summer.
Healthy Recipe of the week…
Not much to choose from this week as I was really only home on Monday night.
Last weekend I prepared a meal to celebrate Lunar New Year. Central to that was a soy-roasted chicken, the leftovers of which I used in Recipe Tin Eats Vietnamese Chicken Salad. You can find the recipe here. Fresh, tasty, and healthy without trying to be.
Next week…
It’s back on the healthy eating, time-restricted eating, and morning walk bandwagon for me. I’ll also be having a proper shot at the meditation thing.
And Anyways... 
Hi Jo, sometimes there are things and people in life that are way more important than our routine. I’m so happy you could see your Mum and Dad – despite the heat and no aircon. It’s been so hot and humid up here too, I’ve even gone for a swim in the pool which is very unlike me so it must be hot. Back to routine for this week and you’ve got this! xx
I spent quite a bit of time in Mum & Dad’s pool…& it was the first thing I did when I got home – jumped in ours. And you know what? I think I might go for a swim now too…
I’m so with you on the excuses Jo – it’s easy to let other tasks take over our goals and intentions but some excuses, such as seeing family are always legitimate. Re the mediation thing – you don’t need to do it for long and sometimes it might be easier to add it into your existing routine such as taking a mindful walk, where you really focus on the moment, noticing all the little things around you. I’m interested to see how you get on. Are you taking a course or just implementing it yourself?
I’m sort of trying to add in 10 minutes where I just breathe… Unfortunately my morning walks are far from mindful – always on a schedule or talking or trying to keep up with my husband. I used to find lap swimming really mindful but my ankle is still too dodgy to climb up the ladder.
Seeing family is worth going off the wagon. Like you I missed my mom during Covid and will take any opportunity to see her even when it throws all the regular stuff out the door. You will get back into the Just One Thing soon.
Thanks Bernie… back on track this week.
Seeing your mum is more important than starting meditation! The chicken dish looks good.
I’m beginning to think the whole meditation thing is over-rated…
🙂
Love your CNY meal! Such fun! and to visit with family is lovely!
It was fun making my dumplings – and even better knowing there are some in the freezer.
I love the freezer dumplings best!!! It’s the joy of discovering there stash on a day when I really need some!
I cook gluten free as my husband is celiac. It is frustrating to find good stuff when we go out for coffee. That teapot is my favourite colour!!
I am pinning that salad recipe, it would be perfect with a rotisserie chicken.
It’s a great salad for leftover chicken… Thanks for dropping by.
Hi, Jo – I agree with the others. You definitely have your priorities straight. And that Vietnamese Chicken Salad is to die for! 😀
It’s such a lovely salad for leftover roast chicken… or poached chicken…
Oh, man, that Vietnamese Chicken Salad looks fabulous! Routines and self-discipline are over-rated. The good times spent with family and friends are what you’ll remember.
Routines really are over-rated. Heavy sighs…
I think covid and isolation and border restrictions really reinforced the importance of physically being with our family – up until then most of us took it for granted. I love video chatting etc but NOTHING (not meditation, diet, or exercise) gets in the way of an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with family. So glad you got to enjoy yours and you’ll be back to your routines this week with a fresh vigour! 🙂
I used to take being able to get down there for granted, but won’t again!
Oh the excuses are so easy to come up with aren’t they?? It sounds like you had a lovely visit with your family.
Excesses are way too easy. And thanks, it was lovely to see the fam.
My sister-in-law is Vietnamese; she also enjoys making that chicken salad, with more added chilli for her and not us 😉 I agree that perhaps mediation is a bit overrated, and what is needed is more beach walks.
We’re massive chilli fiends in our house – the spicier the better lol. I’m giving the meditation another go this week & let’s just say it’s just one thing that won’t be going into next week…
Will be interesting to see how you go with mediation. It was suggested to me that I try it, I laughed.