Tea + Toast

Breakfast
* two slices of toast with vegemite + avocado

Lunch
* lean beef burger (I know it is my last maccas meal ever again!!)

Dinner
* chicken parmigiana with garlic + chive roast potatoes (first time I've ever made chicken parma it turned out AWESOME)

Snack
* carrot

Dessert
* 2 lamingtons + choc chip ice-cream

Beverage
* 1L water
* 2 cups black earl grey tea
* 1 pepsi max (tomorrow am cutting out all soft drink)

Millie <3

Tea + Toast

Flickr image by abbietabbie

Breakfast

* bacon + egg toasted sandwich

Lunch

* vegetable noodle soup

Dinner

* 1 lamb chop with salad - tomato, cucumber, beetroot + cheese

Snack

* NA

Dessert

* fruit iceblock

Beverages

* yep, you guessed it - lotsa WATER! but I did have;

* 3 cups honeydew green tea - soooo goooood!

Millie <3

Sparkles + Dreams ~2~

Flickr image by Crystal Writer (Power out at home)

* Make your lunch every day! Trust me, you will save so much moolah!

* Make a collage of your inspirations - words, people, objects, etc etc. Hang it somewhere you will see it everyday. If something new inspires you add it to your collage (or create a new page).

* iCiNG Transformation Challenge - Miss Gala Darling (!!!!) begins this Sunday, 1st February. I am SO excited that Gala is running another iCiNG Transformation Challenge. Have a think about how you want to challenge yourself this month + join in! Maybe some of your New Year goals. It's fantastic, everyone supports you as you go, you can encourage others too. Gala will write motivational articles to help you out during the month. Talk about inspiration-excitables overload!!

* Take your camera with you everywhere. You will never complain that you'd wished you had your camera!

* Wear black + white for a day.

* If you had your own flag, what would it look like? what would it represent? Paint it on canvas or material , attach jewels, beads, anything you want (it's all about you). Hang it up where everyone can see it + be proud.

* Re-read your favourite novel. You may read a section you did not notice the previous time.

* Make yourself a notebook. Get 2 sheets of A4 or A5 card (depending on what size notebook you'd like - you can get plain or coloured card too). Place sheets of lined or printing paper (the same size as your card either A4 or A5) between the two cards - one at the front, one at the back. Make sure they are all level, and hole punch 2 holes one side of your (almost) notebook (you can place a bulldog clip at the top to hold them all in place if that's easier). Thread your favourite ribbon, shoelace, cord through the holes, tie it in a bow. Feel free to decorate the outter card to personalise it even more - Voilà! you have created your own notebook.

* Create a playlist of your favourite of all time songs and dance your butt off!!!

* Write a list of what you are greatful for this week.

Millie <3

Tea + Toast

Breakfast

* Up + Go - it's equivalent to 2 weetbix in a bowl :D

Lunch
* 1 tuna + avocado sushi roll, 1 tuna + cucumber sushi roll

Dinner

* small piece of steamed fish (with garlic, chilli + scallions) + vegies

Snack
* NA

Dessert

* few spoons of organic natural yoghurt

Beverage

* water, water and more water - I think i drank over 2 litre's today - I did I drank a bit over two 1.5L bottles!! :D and still drinking it! it's a bit annoying having to get up 3 times at night to pee hehe but it's so worth it!!

Millie <3

Back At The Gym

Tonight I joined a gym. I did previously have membership with this club but at a different location, however personal commitments forced me to cancel at the time. The personal trainer I had wasn't very encouraging and was negative, she would say "you're not doing it properly!" but never showed me what exactly I was doing wrong. Despite me enjoying the group classes, I became even more selfsconcious and just did not want to be there anymore - just because of one negative person.

Over the past year I wished I didn't let that person get to me, I wished I didn't cancel as I really enjoy exercise - the relief of stress, the confidence I felt, loss of weight and toning. I felt great when I worked out - especially pilates. So while I was not a member to any club I bought several fitness DVDs, but made excuses to not use them or only watch them once + they sit in the DVD stand for months collecting dust. I would constantly complain that I am putting on weight + feel sorry for myself, when really I should have been doing something about it instead of sitting on my butt and sulk.

This year has been incredible for me already, I have such a positive outlook on life and my surroundings. My BFF, Libby, asked me last week (after several previous attempts last year) if I would join the gym with her as both her and I need support with our fitness - gym buddies :D. We were out shopping last Thursday and she ran into the manager of the gym - Wayne, they talked for a while, I was introduced to him and she advised him I was thinking about joining the gym too (yeah I kept saying I would think about it), Wayne asked me "well, how about I give you a free month and see how you go?". I accepted. Then Libby asked me to have a personal training session with her on Wednesday I said yeah why not - it was super cheap too.

So tonight, I went to the club, wrote out my details for the free month, spoke to Wayne for about half an hour then Libby came in. Our session was at 5:30pm we said our goodbyes to Wayne, but he asked me to come see him afterwards to get my temporary card. We met our trainer - Michael. He worked our BUTTS off, and thighs, calves, upper arms, and stomach. I am feeling muscles I never knew I had! He was very encouraging, delivering his attention to each of us equally, gentle but firm, showing us the how to do the exercises, informing us of what area's of our body will benefit from them. Michael is a fantastic personal trainer. I think I thanked him 3 times. After we stretched we gathered our bags and headed to the front desk to see Wayne. Wayne handed me my temporary card... I ended up joining the gym - not because of the way they usually persuade you - I really enjoyed the workout and felt this is what I want to do - plus I had to be a member to continue PT sessions with Michael + Libby. We booked another session for next week.

I feel oh so great that I joined! I still got my free month too :) regular workouts were a major in my New Year goals so I feel I am slowly (but positively) getting my life to the way I want it to be. Healthy, Happy + Positive.

Have an awesome rest of your week! (I'm sure I will be aching in pain tomorrow but it will be the best pain I've ever felt XD)

Millie <3

Purple Hearts...

flickr image by CupcakeMomma Singapore

I am...

excited + participating in Gala Darling's iCiNG Transformation Challenge

sourcing out what computer desk to purchase this weekend

re-reading The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield - read it it's fantastic!

happy :D

I will...

begin my "transformation" on Sunday!!
be painting my nails with my new fuschia polish

be applying for 2 jobs this week

I have...
major regrowth - natural sandy hair meets longer black hair doesn't look too pretty (HA!)

been writing in my journal everyday :D

many creative ideas

I can...
not believe how good I am feeling lately!

do anything I set my mind to

I definately need...
to make a hair appointment with Kristi next week

a computer desk, all my laptop gear + notebooks are strewn all over the dining table + living room

to put my creative ideas into action!

I miss...

fluffy-butt (my kitty when I was younger)

I find it difficult...

staying focused lately, I need to take fish oil tablets to assist with my concentration (could be the 5 weeks I had off work though hehehe!)

I love...

+ appreciate my family + friends
seeing everything as a positive, not a negative

food

What are your purple hearts?

Millie <3

Tea + Toast

Vegemite

Breakfast

* 2 slices light rye toast with vegemite + sliced avocado (it's sooooo yummy! try it!)

Lunch

* chorizzo potato salad with seeded mustard dressing

Dinner

* 1/4 roast chicken (breast) with roast vegetables

Snack

* carrot sticks

Beverage

* 1 milky earl grey tea (with breakfast)

* 1 black earl grey tea

* water

Millie <3

First day back...

Well! Today wasn't as bad as I built it up to be. It was actually a HUGE relief... however as soon as I walked out of the lift on level 22 (top of the building) I was blessed with a gigantic pile of papers... papers in which I had to get onto right away due to the urgency. Of course, you know that wasn't it. I walked through the secured door to my unit, spoke to my collegues for, oh, say 10 mins, walked to my desk and sighed. It was as though I had never even left.

It was the strangest thing, hearing the phone ring for the first time. I dont have a home phone, only mobile. So hearing this strange familiar sound coming from this object on my desk with a blinking red light *drIiiiIIIIIiiiiinNNNNNNGGGGGG* sent chills down my spine. "What is that noise I hear? OMG it's the bedevilled phone. What do I say? OMG I've forgotten how to answer the phone!" Honestly, I did! I forgot what to say when picking up the phone! 5 weeks is quite a long time away from what comes natural to you every other day, but after that freak-out moment I was A-OKay! Well, on the phones anyway. I managed to forget what my password was on my computer. And how to swipe my card to get into the door... AND I had this HUGE pile of work on my desk (not just the pile I had just been given).

Overall I had a very productive day + am actually glad to be back behind my desk... (let's give me til the end of the week and ask me how I'm doing K? :D)

Have a fantastic day tomorrow :)

Millie <3

Tea + Toast

Cat Tea Party
Beautiful artwork by Ruth Sanderson - Golden Wood Studio

Breakfast

* greek yoghurt with honey + blueberries

Lunch

* toasted chicken, avocado + cheese sandwich + side salad

Dinner

* char siu with rice, home grown chillies + capsicum (Iain's specialty :D)

Snack

* NA (was wayyyy to busy to snack!)

Dessert

*NA

Beverage

*water, water + so much more water

*oh! + 1 black earl grey tea

Millie <3

Tea + Toast

Flickr image by Zalita

Breakfast

* pancakes with fresh blueberries, dollop cream + icing sugar

Lunch

* steak sandwich

Dinner

* left over Wonton Soup

Snacks

* NA

Dessert

*NA

Beverage

* 1 bottle of champagne - Yellowglen Vintage 'Bella' - Celebrating Aussie Day - classy :D

* lotsa water - more than usuall due to the champers

Millie <3

Happy Australia Day!!

Earlier today Iain + I went to the beach for lunch. The amount of Australian flags flying around, on cars, fences, verandas, flag poles, boats and even kites is awesome to see. Makes me feel even more prouder of being a true blue Aussie :D

Right now, we're in our beer garden, watching the cricket and listening to Triple J - Hottest 100 (which is an absolute must on Aussie day). Oh, I am being a little more upper-class drinking sparkling pink wine, while Iain drinks his XXXX Gold :)

Happy Aussie day!! And happy Chinese New Year.

I wouldn't normally do this, but you should check out Gala Darling creator of iCiNG - her post for today Lightcasting Day is fantastic information.

Millie <3

Millie's Wonton Soup

Millie's Wonton Soup

What you'll need (4 serves as main meal or 6 serves entree):

Wontons

- 1 tablespoon peanut oil

- 1/4 cup scallions (green onions), finely chopped

- 1/4 cup leek, finely chopped

- 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger

- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

- 500g pork mince

- 1 pk wonton/dumpling wrappers - approx 30

(available from your local grocery store in cold section)

- 1 egg, lightly beaten

Soup

- 1 tablespoon peanut oil

- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped

- 2 L chicken stock (I add 4 teaspoons of massel chicken stock to 2L water)

- 1L water (yes extra water than just the stock)

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste)

- 1/4 cup scallions finely sliced

- 1/4 cup leek finley sliced

Preparing + Cooking the Wontons - Heat oil in large frying pan, medium heat; cook scallion, leek, garlic + ginger, stirring continuously (so not to burn) until scallion + leek is soft. Add pork mince, stirring until pork is just browned. Stir in soy sauce. Set aside to cool - place in fridge if preffered. Once wonton mix is cooled, place rounded spoons of the mixture in the centre of each wonton wrapper. Brush edges of wrapper with beaten egg, pinch edges together to seal. Repeat with remaining mixture + wrappers. Steam wontons for 10 minutes.

Cooking Soup - Heat oil in large stockpot, medium heat; cook garlic, stirring for 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock, water and soy sauce, bring to a boil; once boiling bring heat down to simmer for 15 minutes. (Soup can be covered and refridgerated overnight or frozen if you prefer to make ahead to this stage). Just before serving (while wontons are steaming) add scallion + leek.

Place steamed wontons in serving bowls, pour over hot soup. Eat with chopsticks and deep spoons :D

Bon Appétit!

Millie <3

Tea + Toast

David Murray (c) Dorling Kindersley

Breakfast
* light rye toast with cinnamon, raw sugar + sliced banana

Lunch
* salad - consisting of baby spinach, home grown (h/g) tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, h/g capsicum, kalamata olives. With a drizzle of oil and balsamic vinegar.

Dinner
* wonton soup (will post recipe later this evening)

Snacks
* carrot sticks
* cheese + rice crackers

Dessert
* cookies + cream icecream with pudding

Beverage
* 2 cups earl grey tea
* lotsa water


Millie <3

Tea + Toast

Toaster Teapot

Tea + Toast = my daily meals.

This is not just for you to see what I gobble down everyday. It's more to help me keep track of what I eat - like a diet journal.

Breakfast

* yoghurt and sliced banana

Lunch

* salad sandwich

Dinner

* grilled salmon steak with grilled asparagas + mashed potato

Snacks

* carrot sticks

Dessert

* NA

Beverage

* 1 cup earl grey tea

* I am currently doing the 2L water a day challenge, so I drink lotsa water!

Millie <3

Sparkles + Dreams ~1~

Ohio Bat Girl

* Write your New Year's resolutions + goals on a colourful piece of card, decorate it with much glitter + prettiness, glue cut outs of inspirational pictures. Hang it in a place you'll see it daily.

* Wear bunny ears for an entire day! It will make you + everyone else around you smile :D

* The years go by so quickly. Start a journal. Write daily entries about how your feeling, your inspirations and your dreams. Re-read it after your last entry and keep it to see how much you've grown in later years.

* Go to Lush Cosmetics and purchase something gorgeous for yourself. A few of my favourites - Karma, Bohemian & The Godmother soaps + Sunny Side Bubble Bar :) They smell divine!

* Write to someone special - your partner, your best friend, your mother or sibling. Tell them how much you love them and why you enjoy them being in your life. Seal it with a kiss.

* Decorate a photoframe with glitter paint, glue sea shells or glass pebbles to the boarder. Place your favourite photo inside.

* Set up camp in your living room turn off all your lights and leave the TV off. Read + make animal shadows with a flashlight. Sleep there overnight.

* Use all your old clothes (in which you keep holding onto) and make a quilt or cushions with them.

* If you could be any mystical or fantasy creature what would you be? Paint it on a large canvas. Hang it on your wall.

* Register as a volunteer for Clean up Australia Day and make a difference to your environment.

Millie <3

Purple Hearts...

purple heart garland

I am...

relaxing on the couch

eating a fruit icie-pole

wondering about what tomorrow will bring

I will...

be making french toast for breakfast

be in bed by 11pm (I didnt say I'll be asleep though)

upload all my photos from my new camera this week

start my new daily routine tomorrow (a change is as good as a holiday!)

I have...

coral coloured toe-nail polish :D

sunburnt shoulders

major regrowth that desperately needs re-dying

I can...

bake terrific cupcakes

stop myself from sneezing by pushing my tongue against the roof of my mouth

now drink 2L of water a day without it seeming like a chore

I definately need...

a hot tub (a house without a hot tub isn't fun at all - oh I miss my baths!)

to use my angel + tarot cards more

I miss...

listening to franciscus henri as i did as a child

ooh! reminds me of mike jackson -"rufty tufty runs around plays hide + seek all through the town..."

I find it difficult...

to not sing in public

to watch an old disney movie without tearing up (esp. lion king I)

I love...
eating icie-poles while freezing in the aircon

water

this video of white pyjamas by franciscus henri :D

Millie <3

How to buy a new Digital SLR camera

"I read as much information as I could find. I narrowed the many to choose from down to one. I bought the one which suited my style best."

How I did it: I read as many articles, blogs, reviews and manufacturers websites as I could get my head around. There were many times that I was fed up with reading and thought nah this cheaper one shall do me fine. The next day I did more reading and found the perfect camera for my style and what I wanted to use it for. The one I was going to settle for was not what I was after.
I went into camera stores and tried them out, got a feel for different cameras, the weight etc, then I went back home and read some more. The next day I went and purchased my ideal camera and I couldn't be happier.

Lessons & tips: Read. Read, read, read - as many articles, reviews, blogs as you can! I can't stress this enough. I found the perfect camera for me using a website I came across - www.digital-slr-guide.com - "How to pick a digital SLR Camera" - 4-Step Guide. It helped me incredibly.

Resources: http://www.digital-slr-guide.com 
http://www.cnet.com.au
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au
http://canon.com.au

It took me 5 days.

It made me Awesomely Happy :D

See more progress on: Buy a new Digital SLR camera