Vidais on Instagram

This guy is amazing.

He only has 64 posts, yet his photos capture what is great about the summer. With rhythmic waves, surfers out at sea, skylines, mountain ranges in the desert, fluffy clouds and sunsets, Vidais is one of a kind.

The other day I commented on the post above, requesting a large file version of the photo. I want to frame it. I thought he'd send me to a website or give me his Bpay details. But no, he just emailed me one that day and thanked me for liking his photos. What an absolute legend. This photo, when framed is going to take pride of place on a nice little wall somewhere. Thanks Vidais, you're a star.

Check him out, and follow him by searching for Vidais on your Instagram account.

The Power to Change

Just a little thought from Louise L. Hay from her book 'Heart Thoughts.' It's easy to feel stuck, or always a victim of others. Yet, it's in you to make the changes you need to feel better, to look better, to act better and to know better. You want it for yourself, but we can also feel powerless to change things. But that is not the case. You need to see the power you have, and use it positively to change your circumstances. 

If you're feeling stuck in a rut at work - look for new challenges, roles, or an entirely new career. If that seems too daunting, just take on a hobby or small business of your own on the side. Who knows, maybe you'll be your own boss doing that some day. 

Or, if you're unhappy with your health or fitness levels, join up at a gym. Start eating better. Go for a run or a walk. Do some sit-ups during the ad breaks of a tv show. Get outside and stretch. Make yourself a juice. Enjoy life. 

You and you alone have the power to make the changes you need and want to make. Go do it. For yourself. 

My Healthy Eating Ideas

This is how my 20/20 diet has been going. For updates or to watch my progress follow me on Instagram at landoftakewhatyouwant. Try some recipes! 

"Beet Your Cold" Juice

You'll need one beetroot, half a pineapple, one green apple, one small lime, three carrots, and several sticks of celery. Stick them in a juicer. Serve. Enjoy. 

"I'm At Work But Feeling Good" Juice

You'll need a jar with lid, half a celery, cucumbers, two green apples, a lime, and a piece of ginger root. Chuck them all in a juicer. Pour into jar. Bring to work and sip away your stress. 

"I Want to Give My Liver a Treat" Juice

You'll need several sticks of celery, some spinach (blended), a large cucumber, a large pink grapefruit, one or two green apples, a small piece of pineapple, and a piece of ginger root. Put them all through your juicer. This one is a little bitter due to the grapefruit, but the pineapple and green apple will mask some of it. Your liver thanks you. 

"Roast Vegetable, Spinach and Fetta Quinoa"

You'll need a beetroot, a large sweet potato, a butternut pumpkin, white quinoa, baby spinach leaves, and 200g Danish feta. 

Cook the quinoa in a pot, one cup per two cups of water and boil lightly until liquid is absorbed. Then cool. Next, roast beetroot wedges, cut up sweet potato and pumpkin in olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper in a hot oven for 40 mins. Stir the roasted vegetables through the cooked quinoa. Then stir through the spinach. The heat will cause it to wilt. Next, add the Danish feta, crumbed by hand on top. Serve. 

"The Stir Fry"

You'll need: broccolini, carrots, a beetroot, a bunch of radishes, a small piece of ginger, chicken breast fillets (hormone-free and organically raised), and garlic, a brown onion and olive oil. You may also need sweet chili, soy and oyster sauces.

Add olive oil, onion and garlic to a hot wok. Stir for two minutes to release flavours. Add chicken pieces if desired (breast fillets, chopped into six pieces). Add sliced carrot and beetroot and grated ginger. Stir and simmer for three or four minutes. Lastly, add broccolini cut into three pieces along the stalk, leaving the heads in tact. Add sweet chili, soy and oyster sauce if desired. You can also add some radish sliced using a mandolin slicer. Serve.

Getting My Wedding-Body On

The 20/20 Diet

So I'm getting married in 7 weeks. I know, that's exciting. But three weeks ago I was talking to some people and in conversation one man said, "Well, I'm not as fit as I was on my wedding day." And that made me think about my own health. I'm certainly not as healthy or as fit as I was a year ago. I used to go to gym three or four times a week. Now I'm lucky to go once. And even then I'm not consistent. Which made me take a long hard look at myself. I'd sort've let myself go. 

Once the shock and guilt had subsided, I decided I wanted to lose the little beer belly I was developing, trim down, shape up and get fit. But how? I then started talking to a friend at work, and she told me she'd just downloaded a book by Lola Berry onto her iPad and was thinking of starting the diet. 

I immediately didn't think I wanted to do it. I don't like the word diet. But I do like the word 'nutrition' and Lola is a nutritionist. She'd lost 20kgs in 20 weeks. I needed to lose about 5 in 10 weeks. Clearly I was onto something. 

So, what is the 20/20 diet? Basically, it boils down to three four things: 

- No grains (including wheat, rice, rye, spelt, etc.)

- No dairy (including milk, yoghurt, yellow cheeses, etc.)

- No sugar (no raw, caster, white, or cane sugar of any kind)

- At least four sessions of 45 mins of exercise per week. 

That sounds dreadful. I know. But it's actually not bad. 

The hardest part was cutting out the sugar, but that was even alright after three or four days. The headaches fade and you feel like you can really go a day without it. Fruit helps with that too. 

So, if you're stuck in a rut, or feeling sick often, or you just want to get a fresh start to your summer body, get into the 20/20 diet by Lola Berry. It's nutritious and you won't end up hungry. The nutrient rich vegetables, juices, meat dishes (if you're not vegetarian) and fruits will have you feeling fresh, healthy and glowingly well.