housekeeping
Why am I admitting to the jumble in this utensil drawer under the hotplate? The drawer is actually longer than shown in the photo but a glimpse is enough, I’m sure. At first I only planned to remove all the plastic utensils but that led me to pieces I never use, such as a butter curler, to pieces that were duplicated and a few favourites that need replacing. I have ordered silicone tipped tongs and some silicone utensils and they’re on their way, but in the meantime, I’m enjoying the easy access I now have to everything.
Researching plastics and reading how they harm the environment led me to articles about plastics, such as utensils, leaching harmful chemicals into food when they are heated, contaminating the food. So, egg flips, plastic tipped tongs and some slotted spoons are out and so are a number of replicated utensils. Interestingly, during this purge I realised nearly all of our wooden spoons came from my grandmother and are still used frequently.
Drawer sorting turned out to be extremely cathartic. I have since sorted three more large drawers. We had a drawer full of airline kit bags. Totally useless! I have kept some of the bags. For years when we lived overseas we flew with an airline with pretty drawstring tartan kit bags. They’re perfect for storing all sorts of things and I kept the rest of them. Harvested all the socks, lip balms, hand creams, eye masks, perfumes, toothbrush/paste sets, some combs and hairbrushes and have put them in a box, along with some of the bigger toilet /wash bag sized bags to go to the Salvos. I hope they can use them.
In another drawer I found this box with my original Fitbit, a gift in 2013 . I don’t think my husband had any idea about the role Fitbit would play in our lives! Initially I did 10 000 steps a day as this was the recommended number, then went to 11 00 and so on up to about 15 00 but now aim for around 13 000 steps every day, done in all sorts of situations, but mostly around the house and walking outside, but also walking miles in airports, shopping centres and hotel rooms. I think I’m a bit obsessive! (Hear! Hear! – the Husband.)
My current devise is even more enticing as it allows me to check my heart rate, calories burnt ( I don’t think this is very reliable or I’d be stick thin ) and when I’m ‘in the zone’ for fat burning and cardio. I try to resist checking my sleep score as I’m a poor sleeper and keep reading that poor sleep is linked to dementia. I like to reach specific heart beat goals every week and always check my weekly feedback from Fitbit!
Really enjoyed a wander around the garden gathering some herbs to make a Tussie Mussie Posey for friends. A Tussie Mussie is a bunch of flowers or herbs, popular in Victorian times, intended to protect the wearer from noxious odours. This bunch smells wonderful. I think my dear neighbours will use this in their cooking!
exercise right week 23 -29 may
The focus of EXERCISE RIGHT WEEK is the idea that exercise should not be seen as punishment but should be fun. The benefits promoted by exercise are listed as move your mood, heal your heart, brace your body, boost your brain, gather your group and spoil yourself!
Apart from walking, I enjoy Pilates and yoga but have been unable to do either activity for a month so I sought the advise of a Sports Physiologist. After an assessment to determine my existing abilities she designed a safe and effective exercise program for me. Exercise Scientists and Sport Scientists can also create programs to meet your own goals.
The next term of yoga starts the first week of July and I am already enrolled. I have missed it enormously, not just the wonderful workout but our teacher and the lovely people in our group. I have been doing tai chi online for a month. When we lived in China I used to watch the elderly people in the flats across the road doing tai chi on the roof top. Their movements were choreographed and elegant, unlike mine. The local park was popular with groups doing tai chi in the morning and ballroom dancing in the late afternoon.
More information about EXERCISE RIGHT WEEK here
world bee day
Image Unsplash
Did you miss World Bee Day 20th of May? If you’d like to encourage more bees onto your balcony or into your garden, plant lavender, foxgloves, sunflowers, poppies or cornflowers.