Life Abroad: Updates & Such

G’day. Yes, I will continue to say G’day as long as I am in New Zealand. It’s totally justifiable. Plus it’s catchy, eh?

Well I thought it might be time for a wee update. I know a lot of blogs have been doing random life facts, updates, etc. and you know what? I like it! It gives me a chance to see (I mean read) about how this person is doing, what’s new, what’s on their mind, and so on. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good recipe and workout but the “friend” part of me likes a coffee talk catch up.

Here’s the deal. Lori and Michelle tagged me in a 7 random facts post (which I loved), so I thought I’d do a spin on it and tie it into a random post and New Zealand Life update. Maybe 7 random facts will be thrown in there, maybe not. Either way, it is random, it is about our current life, and it is factual. Sound good?

Training:

I have to say that God definitely has been hearing our prayers. The hubs’ knee has been well taken care of and his training for Ironman New Zealand is still going strong. The volume of training has increased, the strength and stretching has increased, the sleeping and eating has DEFINITELY increased, but most importantly, the CONFIDENCE has increased. Only 6 weeks to go till race day. WOW!

As for me? My training? Ha-ha, I‘ve been enjoying a few runs but mainly just walks and hikes in the park and hills. I wish I could say I was back to running every day, but no I still need to take it easy. I would love to train for a race, but now is not the time. I am working on getting my butt back, does that count? You see, without teaching my beloved spin classes, my rear has shrunk so am working on operation build-a-butt. Hence the hills, lots of strength and squat work, etc. I’m determined to get it my “back” back.

New Zealand:

Since we’re on a random roll, here are a few views from my afternoon strolls. Wow, I didn’t even to make that rhyme. Guess I am poet and I didn’t even know it. Okay, I’ll stop, really.

In all seriousness, this is what I love about New Zealand. The LIFE being LIVED here. Can you see it?

• Kids run outside and play, all day! No one rarely stays inside.
• The old folks are playing croquet. Cute!
• The mailmen/mailwomen ride their bikes to each mail stop. I have yet to see a mail delivery truck.
• Bikes are one of main sources of transportation for everyone, even grannies.
• Fast food? Not sure there are many around here. You usually find people sitting at a café for hours during mid-morning tea or having a late dinner with family and friends out on the patio.

• Life is SLOWER, it’s SIMPLER, and to be quite honest it took me a good month to change my own pace and my own perspective. At first I felt as if I had to be productive 24/7 here. Oh how I was wrong, and I for once I was glad to be WRONG!

FOOD:

Oh yes, food. I have been living in the kitchen, but like I mentioned before it is a place of relaxation for me. It’s where I find joy. Making food for others and myself. I can say this now because I do not have a 9-5pm work schedule. I do have time to cook each and every meal and for that I a THANKFUL!

But the other reason I am enjoying the kitchen is because I get to buy good food. Heck just about everything is local here; the meats, dairy, produce, etc. They pretty much all come from within 50 miles and it is so fresh.

Random “random” Note: Did I mention that High Fructose Corn Syrup and Food Dyes are banned in New Zealand? Yes!! When you look at ketchup, cola, candies, etc. you will find cane sugar in the ingredient list. Needless to say my Sprite consumption is much higher here. If I am going to drink sugar, at least it’s real sugar! And for the dyes, well they usually use beetroot coloring or vegetable juice color.

I will admit to missing my WHOLE FOODS and Natural Grocer, but at least I have the Wednesday markets  to make up for it. It’s one of my favorite outings! I think it’s because all the local vineyards are there for sampling and selling. Hehe, cheers!

Miscellaneous:

We have 5 TV channels at my mother in law’s house. I have become quite intrigued by This show and am now on a beet root kick because of This Beetroot Recipe.

Source

Random “random” Note: Beets and beet juice are supposedly a key ingredient for endurance athletes. I’ve got a great article to share about that HERE. I will now be making the hubs down this at least 3x a day, ha-ha. Joke. Well, maybe.

And last but not least, the HEALTHY BITES update. I’m quite bummed. I was not able to get a license to sell these at the markets so Healthy Bites is on sabbatical for the time being. I do make a few here and there but nothing to ship/sell. As soon as we get back to Austin, I will resume my orders. It has been a blessing in disguise though. A nice break and I am able to cook a lot more for the hubs. Oh and there might be a little “BOOK of BITES” e-cookBook in the future.

It’s a work in progress, like everything in life. ha!

Well there it is. A massive update post. Did you make it all the way through? I know my mom at least did.

Thanks Lori and Michelle for the tag. I am now too tired tag anyone else, so it’s fair game. And If there are any other random’s you’re just dying to know about, feel free to ask. I’m an open book, eek!

Cheers,

Long-winded LC

p.s.

Don’t forget to UPDATE your Tuesday Trainer workout over at Lindsay’s List. Yep, my last update. Promise!

Tagged as: food, hubs, life, new zealand, training, travel, tuesday trainer, update