I was listening to a nutrition podcast on my commute to work and there was a guest speaker on the show  that caught me off guard – Stephen Covey. For those that recognize this name, Stephen is well known author who wrote, “7 Habits of Highly Successful People.” Yet, his book based on the idea of how to be successful was not the reason for his invitation to the show. He was honored to add his two sense on being a caregiver for his wife who has diabetes.

Never did I know. However, on the show he said that regardless of what you have going on in your life you need to have a purpose, a goal, and mission statement to call upon.

Ahhhhh yes, my mission statement. I have not been fully living my mission statement, which is: Changing the world one day at a time.

I have not been living it because I have not been influencing others beyond my whole 3 precious friends here in Australia. If I talk anymore glycemic index, gluten free food, paleo this or that, they might disown me. Therefore, I MUST blog more. I am so driven by health. It makes me happy and I truly believe it can make everyone happy. I all too well know the difference of what good nutrition makes in my quality of life. If I slip up either with gluten or sugar/carbohydrates I feel it. Even if you do not have diabetes, celiac or any other present health issue, strive for good health, make good choices – it will pay off in the long-run.

Today’s post will capture a day in my life, where I push to make every minute count and hope to influence everyone around me, near and far.

Cheers to you and good health!

The weekend arrived.

You know you are getting older when you do not have to set an alarm to be up by 7 a.m. on a Saturday and this particular morning I was all about rise and shine shortly after the sun came up. Typically, I start each morning almost immediately with breakfast. I crawl out of bed, heat water to brew one of my favorite teas, green tea, English breakfast or Earl Gray and heat the stove for some high quality protein.

Breakfast:

  • 2 poached egg
  • 2 pieces of lean short cut bacon
  • 1/2 cup steamed greens
  • Green tea

A standard agenda on a Saturday morning is a trip to the Prahran Market. I LOVE this place. It is full of great people who are extremely passionate about their produce, meats, seafood, etc and they are experts for suggesting ingredients for delicious recipes.

This specific day trip I picked up some pure vanilla bean extract (good for my almond flour paleo pancakes and other creative desserts I come up with), truffle oil and seafood marinara. I have had a taste for truffle oil that was not going to go away until I had it. So I made it a mission to find some truffles at the market. Making a few loops I decid nothing would go better with some truffle oil than a medley of fresh seafood: scallops, mussels, prawns, shrimp and white fish. I buy all of the above.

I move on and see what the most popular stands are in the market, pick up an organic long black and continue my curiousity for what is in season and what other meals I can create. I taste a few samples of grilled meat in the butcher area, I smell fresh herbs in the organic stand and literally take in the moment of how fun it is to be a consumer in a market such as this. There are dozens of vendors, 10 cafes squished in the market and a small jungle-gym for the kiddos to play on.

I get a craving to get in a workout and cook-up some amazing lunch with my new ingredients and finish my grocery shopping at the market and discount grocery near by. Before putting the groceries away, I typically rinse all the produce and cut the carrots and celery so I have quick finger foods stashed in the fridge for later. This prevents a few unneeded hand fulls of nuts throughout the week.

Visit to the gym: Saturdays are usually short and sweet. If the weather is depressing the session usually lasts longer. I decided on some weights (back, shoulders and abs) for the day and a brief cardio session. Appetite is roaring closing the workout.

Lunch:

  • Seafood marinara (scallops, prawns, shrimp, mussels and white fish)
  • Truffle oil
  • Chorizo
  • Cabbage

It rained buckets all morning and my fiance and I jumped on the idea of doing something random. We polished-up and headed out for a “date day.” And if you know me, I won’t forget my camera for anything.

Walking down the street I snap pictures playing a tourist card. The week prior we bought a Groupon for a photography class in the city and had not put our skills to use. At the end of the day I appreciated this splurge.

Snack:

  • Coconut milk
  • 1/2 sliced banana
  • Pure vanilla bean

(all combined in a cute wine glass. I love playing up the presentation of my food)

We decided on seeing a 3D movie at a near by theater.

Dinner:

Hopping from place to place I decided on the Blue-eyed fillet fish with grilled vegetables

Dessert 15 minute walk

1 dark chocolate truffle

Home

Herb decaffeinated tea prior to bed.