2015. A blank page

This is it. The start of a new year. 

It always feels a bit daunting - what can unfurl from this beginning? 

I went to bed before it struck midnight, I was fast asleep as others celebrated. 

But 2015 holds much promise. What can it yield? What can I dream? What can be accomplished?

I am going to look after myself better. Invest in me. 

When you first become a mum - the people around you implore that unless you look after yourself, you can't look after your baby. Then life gets busier and busier, and you seem to fall by the wayside. But it's important to pick things back up - because it's true. Unless you take care of you, you can't take care of others. Of course it applies to everyone. Not just mothers. 

But this is not the year it starts. This is the day. And day by day, I will endeavour to do right by myself. 



(you can buy the print featured above at The Motivated Type)

6 tips to create an exercise routine

It's long been documented that I am probably the most fickle exerciser that ever roamed the planet. 

I get a whiff of it and I'm into it, and then something happens (i.e. a chair lands on my foot and breaks my toe) and I am off it. 

It's simple really. I dream of being an athlete. And yet the stark reality is this. I am not. 

Every year before New Year's happens - I make pre-New Year's resolutions. Because New Year's resolutions (in my mind) are meant to be broken. Whereas a commitment beforehand is based on more mettle. 

So my pre-New Year's resolution is this: to stop being fanatical about exercise, and find a gentle rhythm where I can feel good and happy, and look after my body. A place where I am not obsessed, but where it's just part of my everyday. 

I once read Sarah Wilson write that exercise shouldn't be about slotting it in three times a week for 40 minutes, but a better investment would be every day for 20 minutes. It somehow makes it feel more manageable. Increments is what I can deal with. 

So today I'm sharing six tips with you to get yourself out the door and moving more:

1. Get your kit ready: Before bed, I lay out my exercise gear. That way it's pretty simple. Hit the alarm. Jump up. Get my gear on. A spray of deodorant and boom - I am out the door in under 10 minutes. And by the way - set your alarm and get up earlier. You CAN make time for exercise. And if you stick to my tips you will miss it if you don't do it. The University of North Texas research has shown that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick with their workout than those who exercise later in the day. 

2. Organise your tunes: I have a good playlist that I love for my walks/runs/cartwheels around the neighbourhood. But you have to mix things up. You gotta keep things fresh. Rihanna is a no-brainer, those beats, yep, they get me moving, but find out what songs your friends love to work out to, and stick them on your iPod. 

3. Commit for 21 days: A long, long time ago I read about how to create a habit. A good habit. And it takes 21 days of solid commitment before that habit is made. Showing up is half the battle - once you're there, you're in! 

4. Take a friend: If you have a friend to pump iron with, you'll be more likely to show up. And have fun. And be less intimidated if you're joining a gym. Buddy up and tone up. Together.

5. Write it down: I know. This might sound crazy, but I tried this and felt like I really accomplished something. It might make you think of me as a five year old girl, but putting a cross on my calendar every time I exercised made me keep going. 

6. Perhaps the most important: Make it fun. If it's not fun, my brain starts to think of all the other awesome things I could do. Like Sleep. If you hate running, don't run. If you don't dig the gym, don't join up to the gym. Find something that you love doing, and if it starts to get laborious - switch it up.

This year it's high on my agenda. Hold me accountable. 


This post is brought to you by Rexona Clinical for Women. 

Cholesterol Happy Brownies (Sp)

Matt got told a few months ago that his cholesterol levels were not good. Not good at all. 

Not only was this bad news for him, it was bad news for me. Firstly, you don't want high cholesterol. Secondly - I need to bake. 

I looked up what I could do to help him get his cholesterol in check. He started exercising at least five times a week. He reviewed what he was eating. We feel like we've got this stuff figured!

But baking? How could I still bake when Matt was fighting bad cholesterol?

Enter Flora Pro-Activ. The good news? I've switched it in instead of butter, so I can still bake, and Matt can still enjoy my baking! Hoorah!   

This is a super simple no-fail brownie recipe that I love. And because you've been so good dear reader, I am willing to share!

Lexi's No-Fail Double-Choc Double-Happiness Brownies

180g Flora Pro-Activ, melted

3/4 cup cocoa

1 1/2 cups castor sugar (or brown, whatever takes your fancy)

a teaspoon of good quality vanilla extract

4 eggs, lightly beaten

100g sifted plain flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of chocolate, chopped

small pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 160C. Line a brownie tray with baking paper. 

Mix Flora Pro-Activ and cocoa in a large bowl. Once combined add sugar, vanilla and eggs. Stir through remaining ingredients. Pour into prepared tin and bake for 25-30 minutes until quite firm, but moist (I like mine a bit gooey, so I take them out a little early - when the top is quite firm). Allow to cool in tin and cut into squares. Dust with a little icing sugar. Serve with a strong coffee. All will be well.

What is cholesterol? Even if you think 'Oh I am too young to have high cholesterol!' - you should get it checked. Click over to learn the difference between 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol.  

* This is a sponsored post. Very occasionally I will do sponsored posts - when they resonate with me, because maybe they'll resonate with you too. This is my honest opinion which is why I can blog openly about it.  I wanted to share. 

How to nail a good night's sleep (7 tips)

Sleep is such a big thing for me. 

I hate insomnia. I mean that in itself is the dumbest statement ever. I never heard someone they love insomnia. 

Lying in the darkness, ticking through conversations, your to-do list, and any other detritus lying about in your brain. You roll over and look at the clock. 2:21am. Surely you'll fall asleep soon. You lie there for what feels like forever. Toss, turn. Rearrange the covers. Toss, turn. Repeat. Look at the clock 2:26am. Ouch. You count sheep. Those sheep keep coming. Those sheep are not going to stop. 

You get up. Wander around the house. Find that the only movie on right now is Escape from Alcatraz. Not exactly the best sleep inducing fodder, but given your obsession with crime shows, it will have to do. At least the strolling and Clint Eastwood's hairline distracts you. Shakedown.  

After a while you think you'll test the waters and crawl back into bed. It's now 3:42am. Pretty soon the birds will start their morning song. The sun will start creeping it's way into the sky. Life outside your walls will become louder. But you just lie there. Blinking in the darkness. The frustration only works to further awaken you. 

You toss, you turn. Repeat. 

It's not until much later that your eyes become heavy. Your body starts to relax. And voomp. You're asleep. It's just flipped over to 5:16am. You're alarm goes off at 6:02am. 

Sleeplessness. Such a cruel beast. 

I've gathered seven tips to help make for a good night's sleep. Well here's hoping.

1. Don't go to bed with your phone: In fact, ban phones from the boudoir. You don't want your last waking hours to be staring at a lit up screen, being stimulated. Bedrooms are meant to be sanctuaries. Spaces of relaxation and rest. Research shows that you should have a full hour of screen-free time before you hit the sack. 

Oh but you use your phone as your morning alarm? Get a real clock and ditch your incessant social media check ins. Your sleeping self will thank you. 

2. Take a bath: It's science baby! Your body temperature naturally dips around 2 hours before sleep time and bottoms out at around 4am according to a 1997 study conducted by New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in White Plains, N.Y. When you soak in a hot bath your temperature rises, while the rapid cool-down afterwards relaxes you. A shower, though less effective, can work too.

3. Make a list: So often my mind is churning through the day that's been - and the day to come. I'm processing thoughts, to-do lists, and sometimes it won't stop. I'd love to be able to turn it off, but instead if your brain is busy, make a list. Keep a notebook and pen next to your bed so you can jot down anything that's keeping you up. There's a reason Santa makes lists and checks them twice. So he can sleep.

4. Routines aren't child's play: Get your mind into sleep mode with a routine. Putting out your pyjamas, brushing teeth, washing your face - it all helps your brain get prepared for sleep. 

5. Cut the caffeine: It's really a no-brainer, but try not to drink caffeine after 3pm, try a herbal tea instead.

6. Evict the electronics: By doing something relaxing, such as curling up in a comfy chair with a good book you'll be slowing down your brain. Try cutting out the tv and computer before bedtime so you can really relax. This will help melatonin production (a hormone that helps you get ready to sleep) - production of which is reduced when you're in bright light.

Which brings me to another point, dim the light in your bedroom, and use a small bedside light for reading and getting ready to tuck yourself in. 

7. Exercise: I find days when I exercise, sleeping can be a cinch. My body's worked hard, it's ready for a rest. And we've got the rhythm baby! But try not to exercise late. It brings your body temperature up, it stimulates you. And if you think you can't exercise because you're using the old "I'm too tired" line - that could be your problem. 

Research shows over and over that regular exercise improves heart health and blood pressure, builds bone and muscle and helps fight stress and muscle tension - and lifts your mood. 

Exercise can also help you sleep for longer and more soundly, and help you feel more awake during the day. WINNING!

Got any solid gold sleep tips to share?

Tory Burch for FitBit

So I was doing some FitBit research the other day to get myself back motivated to exercise when I discovered that Tory Burch has done a collab - and this is the result. 

Holy cow. Fitness just got fab. Well more fab than fitness can be. It got fashionable. It got glam. Oh I don't know. It just got a heck of a lot cooler. Look at this collab for goodness sakes. 

I've long written about how fickle I am when it comes to fitness. And that if I have something new, something exciting to wear - I am more likely to go and move my body. You can only imagine my glee. 

When a luxury lifestyle brand such as Tory Burch works with FitBit - I think it's time I put my pedal to the metal, and got out moving. 

With three pieces to the collection: the open fretwork pendant (my favourite), the brass hinged bracelet and the silicone printed bracelet - there's definitely something to suit a range of styles. I imagine these pieces will fit seamlessly into everyday so no one need even know you're ravenously counting your steps. 

Speaking of which - definitely read this piece by David Sedaris about his obsession with his FitBit. Funniest article EVER. 

Shop now. 

Ordinary Walks of Life

Fresh days bring so much with them. They're good as a clean piece of paper. Full of promise, they can unfurl in so many ways.

I've managed to pull myself out of bed early to go walks a couple of times this week - I'm up to 75% of my four walk target. I could go into bonus time a la Luigi and Mario. 

On my walks I've been busy observing. With nothing but my mind to occupy me (oh and that magpie that kept trying to swoop me - ice cream bucket anyone?), my eye has been seeking out small beauties. 

Simple beauties. 

They're all around when you're attentive. It's the season when spiders decorate the trees with their weaving. And when Mother Nature leaves a fine mist to highlight them strung up in the branches. They're beautiful artworks, and if you're very careful, you can find them hidden in odd places. 

Or how about an ocean walk when there's no one around. The rain has scared everyone off. It's just you, the sand and the water lapping. The sunrise creeping up, quietly, but the surety is comforting. 

It's my reminder that there are bigger things in life. 

Bringing Exercise Back

Guys. It's been a while. I have been totally slack on the exercise front (I know, we have definitely been here before. A number of times. Here we go again.) and I am back. And I am going to stay on that horse.

Over the last few months I've noticed the love handles making a cameo appearance. Cameo? Because they are not going to stay around because I actually feel totally disgusted at myself. I don't feel good in my skin and I am going to do something about it. 

Stress is the biggest contributor to my weight. I make concessions and think: "Oh yes, I've been working hard, I totally deserve that chocolate" So I can have a heart attack?! NO thanks!

I went for a big walk with our family this afternoon, and I've already got my gear ready to get up early tomorrow morning. Boom! It's on like Donkey Kong.

When I think about the excuses I come up with to not exercise, well I am too kind on myself. Matt's working in the evenings, which means I can't go to the gym like I was, however it was like a petri dish for excuses for not getting out and moving. 

No more! 

Those days I need to race home for pick up are the days I need to pull my sorry ass out of bed an extra hour earlier so I can clock up some steps. 

Those days I don't have to race home - well I can fit in a half hour at the gym. 

I read a quote recently that said we should treat our gym/exercises sessions with the same respect we treat an appointment. Turn up, don't make excuses. Because it is that time for you to look after yourself (plus it's my time to turn over conversations, stress etc and get them out of my body).

I'm going to do it. I'm going to aim for four exercise sessions a week. Four GOOD exercise, and build up to more. It's really not that hard when you think - half an hour every day, so I am going to kick start - this is it. No more excuses.  

Bring back energetic, healthy, happy Lexi. Game on with my inner voice who tells me to go back to bed. This time I'm playing to win! 

And if you need motivation hit me up on Pinterest. Anyone would think I'm a buff gym babe. Sadly, no. But I am going to try and transform myself. Fit before 40. (That fit before 40 thing just sounded catchy, but if it takes me five years to get fit, someone - shake me.)

No Dessert For Me

So I skipped Bikram last night. Which yes, I know, was incredibly naughty. Scandalous!

Something's got to give, and dinner didn't really satisfy, but instead of going for a chocolate fix after dinner, I made Matt and I a quick and healthy smoothie. 

It's filling, it gives us two serves of fruit, plus the added bonus of chia, the Omega-3 and protein from almond milk and it was sweet - satiating that thing in my brain saying: gimme, gimme!

This is what you need:

1 generous cup of frozen raspberries (or you could use fresh if you have them)
1 small ripe banana
1 cup of almond milk
2 tablespoons of chia

I tossed everything into the Kitchenaid blender - 30 seconds later - yeah baby, fresh, cold, tasty. 

And totally worth skipping Bikram for, right?!



* I am a massive fan of KitchenAid, and have been lent some of their products to try. They are ace. Totally ace. And the blender matches my pink KitchenAid mixer. It must be love.

Back to Bikram Yoga: 7 Tips For Beginners

Stop the press. I went to Bikram today - for the first time in 12 years. 

I might as well have never been, or even tell you that I've been before - because 12 years is a long time ago, and the only reason I am telling you, if we're going to be completely frank, is to make you think that once upon a time I may have been a bit flexible.

Way back then I was completely hooked on Bikram. But let's fast forward to this morning. Oh man. I've never loved savasana SO MUCH!

I've put together seven tips for beginners, to make it less intimidating. And to brainwash you into coming with me.

1. Wear as little clothing as possible. And make it form fitting - and if possible sweat-wicking. Most people wear hot pants, crop tops. I wore cropped tights, and slim-fitting tank top. Do not wear baggy clothes because I am telling you now, those wet clothes don't feel good swinging on your body and will distract you. And don't wear cotton. Take it from me. Baggy, cottony clothes - not your friend at Bikram.

2. Don't be afraid to sit down - or go into savasana (hellooooo savasana). No one else is focussing on your practice. You do your thing, they do theirs. And you do it at your own pace. Take a break if you feel dizzy, or if you just feel like - holy mackerel, I need to escape this hotbed of a room, and if like me, you have the flexibility of TinMan from the Wizard of Oz. 

3. Speaking of which - don't leave the room. The first session is about staying in that ridiculously hot room - and reaping the health benefits. Stay there. Lie down. Kneel. Whatever you need to do. But stay in there. I had fantasies of running out and standing under the water filter - and then driving off into the sunset. But I lay down and looked right at this picture instead. 

4. Take a big water bottle. And a big towel. And a little towel. You are going to need them. The water - you need for sipping on during the class. The big towel - it's going to go over your yoga mat and stop you from infesting it further with sweat, and things will be a lot less slippery. The little towel - I like to have it to wipe my hands. And my brow. And from my eyes when the sweat stings them. Am I selling this to you?

5. Don't go in thinking the room smells of roses and unicorn farts. There's one thing that doesn't smell good - communal sweat. 

6. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water the day before - not just an hour before. Drink plenty of water afterwards. And whatever you do, don't go hungover. You'll be in a world of pain already. And hungover? Whoa. Not a good combo. 

7. Try to stay up the back. In your first class you don't know whether you're Arthur or Martha. Try and stay up the back. Not only will it allow the hard-core yogis to get on with their practice, but I watch what they do to fine-tune my own. 

Maybe I will see you there? If I do, don't talk. No one talks in the studio. Except the teacher. 

Rebooting: C25K - Week One

So ages ago I started C25K. I got to the middle of week two (I think), and then stopped.

This was about the same time I fell off the apple cart. 

Today I rebooted, got out there and knocked off day one of week one. The first leg I wanted to cry and sit in the gutter. It was poorly timed on my behalf, as the first run started on a massive incline, setting the tone for the rest of the workout. 

Given so many people were running the City to Surf, I thought I should take to the streets and sneak in some exercise for myself. 

By the time I got home I was completely KOed. And now on the flipside I feel pretty good - not only physically, but mentally retuned and ready for the week ahead. 

And ready for day two and day three of C25K (the first day is the worst day, well that's my mantra anyway). 

I think I stopped exercising after holidays because work was busy, and life was busy, and I stopped prioritising myself and my time. Please don't get the world's smallest violin out, but when you're a mum, everyone else is above you in the food chain. It's called Burnt Chop Syndrome for a reason. 

I am back in the saddle friends! 

On Doing Stuff

This is supposed to be the Winter of content.

This year I made it a priority to invest in some warmer clothes, which in turn was meant to not only make me feel warmer, but make me happier. Being so chilly makes me grumpy. And if you know me when I am cold, then you have experienced grumpy. True unbridled grumpiness.

Part of the investment in warmer clothes was to also trick myself into thinking that rising in the dark was ok! I was going to be warm! It would be fun!

Oh - how naive I was!

Getting up at 5:30am in the thick of Winter is no mean feat. Getting up at 5:30am in the thick of Winter to EXERCISE is no mean feat. Getting up to exercise at 5:30am in the thick of Winter to exercise when it's raining. AYE CARUMBA! Anyone who does this should automatically receive some kind of award. And it should be served warm.

However, I have managed to do it a few times. High five myself. I'm still moving more than I was a year ago, and I've been dreaming about working more movement into my days, I've just got to make it happen.

Pretty soon we're going on a small family holiday. I am beside myself with excitement. And as nerdy as it may be, I've already decided that I must exercise every day we're away. Even if it's just a leisurely walk. I want to keep my momentum rolling ready for my summer reveal (JUST JOKES PEOPLE - NO BIKINI SHOTS COMING YOUR WAY). 

Last week I had an epiphany that having time for myself - where it was not in dark hours, where I could sit in a cafe for an hour with avocado on toast, a coffee and a magazine did majorly restorative things to my head. I never get to do that. It was good. I'm going to schedule more time to do this. I got to read an article in one sitting. 

I know I'm crazy, but that was pure luxury.

Making Spirits Bright

Are you busy getting your Christmas on? I've been doing bits and pieces of Christmas shopping, and yet the house is a complete and utter sha-mozzle. You might think it's got a light dusting of mess, but nope, we've been well-committed to fully sullying the house with as much stuff as possible. 

Next week it's going to be better. And yet, how, because it's going to get busier.

How do you handle this screech into the Christmas season? 

Me? My sister, Sarah, and I have joined a morning group personal training thingie. We've been twice already - and this morning will be our third time in the week. My stomach muscles are saying BOO - but my head is saying YAY!

I've cut right down on sugar - I haven't touched a drop of alcohol - and before anyone starts speculating - nope. I am not pregnant. I'm just looking after myself like I haven't for a long time. It feels (achy breaky) good. 

And can you believe that in a space of three weeks I've turned myself into a morning person? 

My cleanse with Nat was the catalyst, and from there I've felt like I can keep rolling. 

By Christmas - if all goes to plan - I'll be ready for a bikini (wax). 

Are you into exercise? What's making your spirits bright? 

(image via Minted)

Do You Know Your Own Skin?

Do you check your skin regularly? I am guilty - I don't, and I should. 

My beautician told me a few months ago that I needed to go and get my skin checked - she saw some skin changes near my hairline on my forehead. 

After watching these videos, I've booked an appointment with a skin specialist so I can get checked properly. It might be nothing. It might be something.

I was silly in the sun when I was younger - and I should be more savvy. 

I'm going to take Matt with me too, so we can both get checked. I'll report back with the findings. 

It's Almost Summer:: Cleanse-o-rama

I've been feeling so sluggish and pretty disgusting. Physically I feel bloated and tired, and mentally, I'm not coping with the whole work/life/stress balance. As a result, last week I drank almost a whole bottle of wine two nights in a row. It's not something I am proud of, and afterwards I had a talk with myself and decided it was time to do something. Being a boozehound is not the solution for stress. 

As well, my weight has been ever so quietly sneaking up behind me. On my bottom. Yep. Baby got back.

And my moods? OH EM GEE! I am totes Moody Judy. 

So what PMM? So what do we care? I know. I can hear you through the computer screen (and I can see dead people). But quit being cynical. 

I'm taking the bull by the horns. 

A while ago I did this great cleanse with health and wellness guru, Nat Kringoudis. I was so intimidated by the thought of it, but threw myself in, and mid and post cleanse felt incredibly good. Plus it kick started me to get back in to looking after myself better. 

I'm doing it again peeps! Starting tomorrow, I am a-cleansing! 
And if you're not up for a pre-Christmas cleanse (and why not?!), Nat is running another after Christmas - so you can wash that Christmas funk right outta your hair. 

And remember earlier this year I was walking like a complete and utter champ? And then the chair fell on my foot just before Easter, and well, I turned into a man and didn't go to the GP? Uh huh. Well I've shirked off my responsibility to my body and not done much moving since then. I know. Lexi. Bad. Bad. Bad.

But you'll never guess. I am booked in for my first session at the gym on Tuesday morning. I know right! I am so excited I even got some new sports bras. CRAZY! 

What are your top tips for fitting exercise and healthy eating into your day? 
Will you cleanse along with me? 
And can you squat like the lady up there?

Sneaky McSneakerson: (Kale) Smoothie

On Saturday the smalls were given some chocolate by a well-meaning friend. We're by no means perfect and pure, but I have been trying to remove refined sugars, colours and so on from our pantry - not in a nutty way - just in a 'we don't need this crap in our diet' way -  and replace it with more and more wholefood. 


All afternoon the kids had been in a slow decline, naturally becoming tireder towards the end of the day. (Halleluljah!)


And then they ate the chocolate.


Literally within minutes Tiny was bouncing off the walls. She was back on. I felt so defeated. Deflated. Meanwhile, she was a helium balloon. Up, up and away.


Fast-forward to this afternoon when I thought, I am going to gazump those little kittehs, whip up a knock-out Vitamix smoothie that they love to love.


I chucked in the following for a delicious smoothie that the Doctor rated as the highlight of his day (high-five!). Just wait 'til you see what I snuck in there:


1 x banana
1 x cup mixed berries (frozen)
2 apples
1 tablespoon of honey
1 small handful of kale. YES KALE! 


Blitz. Serve to two small children - and they will never know the kale is in there. Scout's honour. 


I was so stoked to find kale at my fruit and veg today. The lady at the shop I think was a little bewildered by my excitement - I've been trawling all the local shops looking for it.  It's in season now folks, and is super duper good for you. Get into it!