Regression to the mean

Have you ever had a bad week, month or even year? Have you experienced those long stints of time when everything is going horribly wrong and you're in a negative state of mind that you just can't seem to shake? Then boy do I have a theory for you!

Okay enough with the sales pitch. On a more serious note, I believe that periods of (really high) highs and (the lowest of) lows are a part of the natural human experience. More than that, I believe it is something that we should embrace, even if those lows seem like something you'd rather forget. One of the most important things that I have learned to get through those difficult lows (and sometimes exasperating highs) is the regression to the mean.

The regression to the mean is the theory that ultimately, no matter how great things may seem, or how horrible life can get, you will always return to that "normal" state of being. During this time, there's probably nothing particularly notable happening in your life, no stressors or excitements. You're able to just go on living until that next peak or descent. That kind of makes it sound like regression to the mean is just a zombie-like state, and no one wants that! But I don't think that's true at all. I believe that these moments are necessary for us to "recharge" and reflect.

Without these moments I'd probably be exhausted, and feel as if I were in a constant state of flux between happiness and sorrow. I take those moments to plan ahead, and catch up on things that I may have fallen behind on during busier periods.

But to me, the most important thing about the regression to the mean is that constant reminder in the back of my head that eventually, no matter how long it may take, things will eventually be okay.

Easy Vegan Leek & Potato Soup

Yesterday, in a moment of domestic inspiration, I decided to get back into cooking and made my first soup of the season. Soup is undoubtedly my favourite meal to make; not only because it it delicious and nutritious, but it's so easy to make - and I'm all about being lazy when it comes to preparing food (hence the lack of cooking on a regular basis). But I think I rediscover this fact every time I get back into cooking: it's a bit like running; you forget how good it makes you feel until you're actually doing it. 

I also enjoy cooking a lot more when the weather is a bit cooler. During summer I'm all about fruit and smoothies and anything that doesn't require leaning over a hot stove when I'm already sweating bullets. So coming into the cooler months, I'm excited to make some of those warm-me-up, comfort meals.

Here's my recipe for the potato and leek soup I made yesterday adapted from the '500 Vegan Dishes' cookbook:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 3 large leeks, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 3 medium potatoes, chopped
• 1L vegetable stock (I used Massel stock because it's gluten free)
• 1 bay leaf
• sea salt and black pepper
• 500ml soy milk
• 120ml soya cream (I used King Land cream cheese, about 2-3 tbsp)
• ground nutmeg, to garnish

Method:

Heat the oil in the pan and add the leeks and garlic (you can buy crushed garlic in a jar but I highly recumbent fresh cloves, you'll be able to taste the difference). Let simmer for about 5 minutes and keep stirring the leek so it doesn't burn.

Add the chopped potatoes, vegetable stock, salt and plenty of black pepper. Add the bay leaf (this is actually important, I have made it with and without the bay leaf and it definitely makes the soup taste better). Bring to boil and then heat on low for 30 minutes.

When the vegetables are nice and soft, blend them with a blender or immersion blender until it's nice and smooth and creamy, you might have to do this in two batches depending on the size of your blender. If you like a little bit of texture don't blend the second batch for as long and you should still have some chunks of potato and leek. I actually brought a blender for this, I got this one from Target for $30 and it works really well, just as well as any expensive branded blender.

Pour the soup back into the pot and heat on low. Add the soy milk and cream, some more salt and pepper to taste and heat it through. Serve garnished with nutmeg if you like (I personally prefer without). It would also taste really nice with some fresh bread rolls, my neighbour actually brought some around fresh this morning!

I love learning new recipes and experimenting with healthy, vegan food. Let me know in the comments if you have any favourite, easy to make, healthy vegan dishes.

How I failed the juice cleanse and why I'd do it again

This past weekend I attempted my first ever juice cleanse... and failed miserably. But more on that later. First, I'd like to talk about what juice cleanses are and why I think that they are a good idea in small doses.

My first introduction to juicing was through the fantastic and motivational Mr. Joe Cross. Joe successfully cured chronic illness, lost his excess weight and basically saved his own life by undertaking a 60 day juice cleanse on a road trip across America in his documentary 'Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead'.

My initial reaction to Joe's juicing endeavour was "wow this is way too extreme!" But by the end of the film I was intrigued to say the least. If Joe could cure his illness and change his life then surely everyone could experience some sort of benefit to juicing. Of course, 60 days is extreme and I highly recommend watching the documentary to learn a bit more about juicing. After some research of my own I started drinking juice on a regular basis, however I had never attempted a juice cleanse of my own up until discovering a cleanse that seemed like a walk in the park compared to 60 days: the Juice Bureau's one day juice cleanse.

The premise of a one day cleanse just made sense to me; six juices in one day to reboot and nourish your body. I don't suffer from any illness, I'm not trying to lose weight and I eat well and exercise regularly, I was just looking for something to give me a bit of a boost and this cleanse sounded like it would do the trick.

Only one day of juicing seemed like a fantastic idea, but I also wondered why only one day? Every other cleanse I had ever heard of went for anywhere between one and 30 days to truly 'detoxify' the body. Well - apparently - the one day juice cleanse was designed to provide my body with the micronutrients I was potentially missing out on in my regular diet, but because juices are naturally also low in fat an protein, it isn't recommended on a long-term basis. One day is enough for a big ol' micronutrient boost and a kick start to feeling and looking better. Simple, right?

Well here's where I went wrong:

• I started the day I left town (and took my juices on the plane with me)
• I didn't get a good sleep the night before
• I didn't mentally prepare myself for the cleanse - and when people around me were eating, I wasn't prepared for the cravings
• I didn't try any of the juices before buying them (my tastebuds were unprepared and I could have made some changes for juices I would have preferred)

So I started my morning with the 'immune' juice. Because I don't often go for the green juice - usually opting for something a bit sweeter and smoother - the earthy, tangy taste I got was a bit of a shock at first. However, after sipping at it for a while I acquired a taste for it and actually enjoyed the hint of lime and apple. My second green juice was a bit more biting and I struggled to get it down, only managing half, and by the third juice, while everyone else was sat around me eating lunch, I was ready to cave. Although I didn't completely pig-out, I did allow myself a cup of tea with soy milk and some peanut butter; essentially sabotaging the digestive benefits of the cleanse. After that, I basically gave up feeling more than a little disappointed with myself. And so I had failed my first ever attempt at a cleanse. 

Despite the epic failure, I feel more determined to have another go at the one day juice cleanse. With a little more dedication and preparation I think I could really enjoy the benefits - I already felt more vibrant and energetic having only tried half of them. And on an even more positive note, tasting all of the juices in the cleanse has inspired me to incorporate a wider variety of juices into my regular diet as well!

Do you think juice cleanses are a good idea? 

Some room to think

I hope it doesn't seem materialistic or undiscerning of me to say that my physical surroundings have perhaps the most powerful impact on my life. In fact I mean to be the opposite of materialistic in a sense. One of my most important discoveries on my minimalist journey is that the less I own, the happier I am.

"Minimalism isn't emptiness for the sake of emptiness; but rather making room to move freely, think clearly, and open ourselves to the beauty and wonder of life" - Francine Jay

There's nothing that can clear your mind and motivate you more than a clean and relaxing space to reflect and unwind. Have you ever felt trapped, frustrated or unwelcome in your own home? That probably means you have too many things in your space. Remember: this is your place, everything inside of it should make you happy. If your place is messy or cluttered, you're probably feeling frustrated because you are unknowingly processing your physical surroundings - that coffee table that is only ever covered in papers, the bookshelf with too many books that you will never read, the mismatched armchair you never liked but kept anyway - when you could be focusing your energy on more important aspects of your life.

That's not to say that a blank slate of a home would make you any more relaxed. I imagine like everyone else I dream of the perfect couch, lovely open windows with white skirting, wooden floorboards and a niche little office (oh an office!) of my own to write in and decorate to my hearts desire... right?! These are some of the carefully selected pieces I will one day fill my home with. I will be able to list everything I own, I will cherish my possessions and be grateful for what I have and I will be able to easily maintain my home.

When I come home at the end of the day I want to be able to look around, sigh in content and flop onto that perfect couch without the weight of the world on my shoulders or in my house.

Check out some of my dream home ideas on Pinterest.

Why you shouldn't knock the new year's resolution

Well it's been a while since a wrote a blog post, but the new year has conjured up some inspiration in me and I have a lot to share!

As always, I have seen my fair share of both "new year, new me" posts on social media; both serious and sarcastic. The truth is, whether you take it seriously or not, the new year is as good an excuse as any to make positive changes, plans and goals for the future. I suppose rather than suddenly deciding to make a big change or promising myself that 'this year will be different, this year I'll finally achieve X', I see the new year as a time to reflect on my achievements for the past year, set new goals and plan for the future. It's also a great excuse to stock up on new stationery and yearly planners! That doesn't mean you should hold off until the new year to make a change in your life if you want to, but the new year inspires a lot of people to make positive changes in their life; naturally, it's a time for self reflection and that's a fantastic thing if you ask me.

Last year was truly a fantastic year for me. I finished my second year of university with a high GPA, started working again, met some great people, celebrated my 21st birthday, gained some new house mates (including Agnes the cat) and completed my first (official) half marathon. So this year it's time to aim a little higher.

I won't make any new years resolutions, I never have, but here are just a few things that I'd like to see in the new year:

• Finish my degree and maintain a high GPA
• Undertake professional work experience in the publishing industry
• Complete another half marathon - maybe a full marathon?
• Take some yoga classes
• Create more art
• Keep working casually whilst at Uni
• Save enough money to revisit Canada at the end of the year

And there it is. None of my goals may seem particularly exciting or life-changing, but they are all very realistic and it would mean to world to me to meet them this year. Any progress is good progress and setting goals helps me keep on track in the long run. It won't be the end of the world if I don't achieve them, but I'll try my best!

Happy New Year everyone! What are you goals for 2015?

Fashion vs minimalism?

My love for clothing and love for minimalism have always seemed like two colliding forces - a bit of an unstoppable force meets immovable object scenario. When I first discovered minimalism, I had multiple wardrobes overflowing with clothing. My shopping habit was so extreme that I once had to send a box full of clothes home from an overseas holiday so that I could fit everything else I had in my luggage (even then, my suitcase still exceeded the weight limit on my flight home...). Moving out of home changed all of that for me. I hadn't realise how much stuff I had accumulated over the years and during the moving process I had the sudden urge to purge.

I read minimalist blogs, books and magazines and suddenly I was so immersed in minimalism that I found myself moving with only one suitcase full of clothing and my love of fashion had taken a backseat to my new clean and simple life. 

Clearing my physical space certainly cleared my mental space. It was easier to keep track of everything I owned and my minimalist surroundings left more room for more important things in my life. I never lost my love of a beautiful piece of clothing however, and I sometimes felt torn between buying that new top and keeping my set 33 items of clothing. It didn't always feel this way but sometimes I felt perhaps I was depriving myself of something I really wanted. 

I soon learned this was not the case at all; in fact, I have recently realised that by maintaining a minimalist wardrobe, I have become more aware and in love with my style than ever. Since purging my wardrobe of the clothing that I barely wore and cutting back to what I considered my favourite and most essential clothing items, I no longer have the "nothing to wear" syndrome. You know what I mean: a wardrobe full of clothing yet you can't fathom and outfit you'd like to wear. All of that clothing and most of it isn't being worn - either by a regrettable purchase, a 'I'll start wearing it when I'm skinnier' piece, or something you own but don't have anything else to wear with it, so it stays in your wardrobe; unloved and stale from the cold dark space it's been left to rot in.

I can picture every item of clothing in my wardrobe, create more than one outfit with that clothing item, and I feel comfortable and happy in everything I own. I no longer let the clothing in my wardrobe go unworn, and if I find I haven't worn something in over a month, that's when I know it's time to donate it.

Before purchasing a new piece I now think more carefully about it, I ask myself: 'what can I wear this with?', 'do I feel comfortable in this?', 'is this really my style - does it suit me?' and 'do I just like this item because it looked nice on the rack or am I in love with it?'. I don't think I've ever thought twice about a piece of clothing I decided not to buy.

Minimalist doesn't have to get in the way of fashion - in fact, it should compliment it. I've avoided many fashion mistakes and regrettable purchases by being more careful about what goes into my wardrobe (I've also save a lot of money!).

Though I now own more than 33 items of clothing, I still maintain a minimalist wardrobe. Recently I was able to spontaneously pack almost my entire wardrobe into one suitcase in under five minutes to travel home and surprise my family with a visit. That is definitely more reward than owning a large wardrobe: being able to pack just about everything I own and knowing that I'll be able to wear any of it and feel comfortable and fashionable at the same time.

If you're interested in minimalism I recommended checking out these great blogs and look up 'Project 333' for a minimalist wardrobe:

• Minimal Student
• Miss Minimalist 
• Be More With Less 

I have never paid my therapist

When I first started running I had two things on my mind:

• I want to lose weight
• I am definitely not going to enjoy this

I was miserable all the time and for some reason I thought that losing weight was the answer to all of my problems, and that once I was super skinny all them would just magically go away... I wasn't completely wrong.

Losing weight definitely didn't make any of my problems go away, and it didn't make me and less stressed; in fact, when I first started losing weight I only felt more pressure to keep losing it and to be better. But running - the part I thought I wasn't going to enjoy - played a huge role in my happiness and mental health. 

When I first started running, I could barely make it to the end of the street after stepping out of the front door. I'd run to the nearest park and do a couple of laps before heading home. The entire time I was out there running I was in agony; my feet were blistered, my lungs would burn, and I'd get a stitch in my side so painful I was convinced I had actually been shot and I just hadn't heard the gun go off over the music I had blasting in my ears. But as soon as I stopped running, I had a rush of euphoria. I felt accomplished, my mind was clear, I was determined to make good choices for the rest of the day and become a better person - and I did. 

Over time as my fitness grew, I would run for longer and my mind would start to wander during runs. I had time to think about any issues in my life, set goals and plan my life (but mostly, I just pretended I was in a post apocalyptic wasteland running from the infected in a hardcore movie-like moment only I could survive due to my fitness and worldly knowledge). 

As my positive mindset - brought on by running - led to more positive attitudes and changes to my life, my mindset began to shift from wanting to lose weight to wanting to become a better runner. Rather than starving myself of food in order to lose weight I began to research what kind of food I should be eating to perform better, I started eating more, running further, and feeling happier - on top of that, weight loss started to happen naturally and I was feeling more alive than I ever had. 

Not only did running help me to accomplish my weight loss goals, but I had discovered something much better along the way: happiness. I'm now more focused during the day, allowing me to think more clearly and perform better at university, I'm more determined and goal oriented, helping me to achieve more in other aspects of my life, and overall I am a healthier and happier person. I've even started to look at other ways to exert positive energy and get fitter and have started personal training, incorporating weight training into my regime - which has not only helped me run faster and further, but has made me even happier than before!

I have even decided to sign up for the local running events, so in the upcoming months I will be participating in:

• The Colour-Run
• The City-to-Bay run &
• The Adelaide (half) Marathon!

I never knew what a positive influence running would have on my life but it is the best therapy I could ask for - and it's free (aside from the expensive running shoes... which I buy far too often)!

note: running will not always solve your problems, it can cause health and happiness but if you think that you need real help then seek it out - don't literally try and out run mental health issues.