Mothering Sunday is a celebration of our Mothers, a chance to make them the centre of attention and appreciate all they do. Of course we can be appreciative all year round and often the smallest and simplest of things are truly valued by those who love us and we love too (just a thought). Some of the kindest most ‘mothering’ people I have ever met have never had children! They don’t limit motherliness to their off-spring, they love, care and nurture others (often unrelated by blood) without the expecting anything in return. I wish them/you a happy Mothering Sunday too.
Whilst watching the World Track Cycling Championships on TV I was involved in a conversation that really did ‘get a rise’ out of me. We were watching three women standing on the podium – Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists at THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, these women have risen to the very top of their sport, they were, on that day, the fastest female cyclists in the world. They had trained incredibly hard for many years of blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice to achieve this goal! Were the women sat near me impressed by that? No the comments were entirely about the size of their thighs and how unattractive they were! Now I will never agree with anyone (let alone another women) who disregards amazing ability, talent, potential and achievement because someones body or face isn’t the current (fashionable) idea of attractive! The worst critics of women appear to be women? How can we complain about lack of opportunity and lack of equality in education, careers and income when we continue to regard and comment upon appearance more than ability/achievement? Why aren’t women championing women; it seems that some women continue to believe in the ancient idea that require women to dress for a man, be slim to find a husband etc. I know lots of amazing, smart, intelligent and independent single women. Women who get things done and truly embody Girl power, however other women still suggest that their lives would be more complete if they were married with children! Fantastic women athletes like Rebecca Adlington have been criticized about their looks so mercilessly that it caused them real emotional distress (Rebecca felt compelled to have a rhinoplasty to quiet the trolls!)
These tendencies to judge harshly rather than look for and appreciate the value of someones personality, skills, talents and so on isn’t reserved for others, often the harsh spot light is shone on one’s self, leaving many women feeling ‘less than’, i.e. not pretty enough, clever enough, well dressed enough, slim enough and so on! After years as a Gymnast, Professional Dancer (doing some modeling) and athlete myself, I too felt that I was never enough! Then in my thirties after completing my NLP masters I realised that I am enough! Life got so much easier from that moment!
My message is keep self-talk positive, kind and supportive, the same goes for thoughts and comments about others! Value one’s self and others based upon our actions, abilities, personality and who we/they are (not their looks, career, power, money etc.) Value yourself enough to take care for yourself via your life style (health, nutrition, exercise, stress etc.) and live in alliance with your core values.
When we do this for ourselves, we can support others to live this way too, including the next generation of young men and women.
Bravo Olivia and Katie
I haven’t been involved with GB Sychro for some time yet I still follow and support the team. Two of the girls from the London Olympic team have qualified as a duet for the Rio Olympics. A massive achievement particularly considering that their funding was stopped three years ago. We are behind you ladies, all the way.
Congratulations
To Gen and Andy who are now engaged to be married yayyyyyy!
INDEPENDANCE!
BIG BALLS
Low Carb cauliflower Risotto (yummy!)
4 cups finely chopped (or grated) raw cauliflower
2 Tbsp butter
½ tsp salt
⅛ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
⅓ cup Mascarpone cheese
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
¼ cup prepared basil pesto ( I love the Waitrose one from the cool cabinet)
INSTRUCTIONS
(I prefer to heat in a pan rather than the microwave)
1 Combine the cauliflower, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a microwave safe bowl.
2 Microwave on high for 6 mins, until cauliflower is soft
3 Add the mascarpone cheese and microwave on high for 2 more minutes.
4 Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until fully blended and creamy. Cool for 2 minutes (so you don’t cook the pesto when you add it and lose the green color.)
5 Stir in the basil pesto and serve warm. With a green salad you can also try with Chicken or ham or added protein
NB. per serving: 225 calories, 21g fat, 4g net carbs, 6g protein
Wishing you a wonderful happy and healthy week, remember we get what we focus on so focus on what you want.
Love Helen x
