Liebster Award & some interesting facts about me

Emily from Hope Nutrition kindly nominated me for a Liebster blog award.   Thanks Emily! When I discovered Emily via instagram, she had a familiar face and I couldn’t help thinking I knew her from somewhere. Then one day I clicked that about four years ago she sat next to me at a nutrition conference! We both didn’t know many people there and ended up hanging out for the two days at lunch time.  She was so friendly (which is nice when you don’t know anyone!) and I enjoyed her company so it was neat to reconnect via social media.

Emily lives in Marlborough on a beautiful orchid with fig trees and posts amazing recipes on her blog at Hope Nutrition.

Once nominated for a Liebster Award, the rules are as follows:

• Reveal 11 interesting facts about yourself
• Answer the questions designated by the blogger who nominated you
• Nominate other new bloggers for the Liebster Award
• Give your nominees a list of questions they have to answer

So here goes, 11 interesting facts or things you may not know…

1.  I love cookbooks, but I tend to look at the pictures far more often than I cook out of them!  I’m planning on changing this though, and have the plan of trying at least one new recipe each week.

2. I started out studying media and psychology before moving to nutrition. I’d always had an interest in nutrition, but changed my mind in the last year at school and decided I’d like to work in media or psychology.  Even though I enjoyed my psychology papers, I didn’t really enjoy my first year at uni and I switched universities to study nutrition.  I am so glad I made the switch.

3. I was a terribly shy child and was too scared to even say hello to my teacher when I was 5 and 6! It did improve over the years but I was still pretty shy at college too. But now I’m older, I do feel more comfortable in my own skin and I’m nowhere near as shy as I once was.

4.  I don’t really like smoothies for breakfast.  I prefer to eat something at breakfast time rather than drink.  I enjoy smoothies post workout or sometimes for lunch (often in the weekend), but only very rarely for breakfast.

5. I love coffee. A latte or flat white is my usual order.  The perfect coffee is such a simple pleasure for me and a good cup really does make me happy.

6. As much as I want to be a tidy, organised person my desk is usually in chaos.  I’m working on this and I think I’m getting better.  It should be so easy, but it just doesn’t come naturally to me.

7.  Driving in big cities terrifies me.  I have no sense of direction and I’m not sure where I’d end up.  For that reason I only drive in the city if I’m forced to or if I have to go for something important or that I really really want to do.  I’m hoping to get over this one day.

8.   I’m pretty uncoordinated and clumsy.  You’ll never ever find me in a zumba class, or any class that involves any ounce of coordination.  I once went to a step class and left after about 15 minutes as there was too much going on for me to figure out the routine!

9.  I was always a gym goer from college all the way through till I was about 22. When I moved back to NZ from Melbourne and joined the gym I found I actually didn’t enjoy it anymore.  Now I run, walk and attend a cross fit class (the scaled version) that we have specially for our work.  I also bike to work when the weather is good.

10.  I’ve never been great at falling asleep,  I need it to be really quiet and dark and I find it hard to switch off.  I’ve recently started practising mindful breathing in bed and it’s really great for helping me relax and fall asleep.  I’ve downloaded a mindfulness app called Smiling Mind, if you’re interested in mindfulness I’d recommend it.

11. When we got our dog Pippa, I was determined that I was not going to let her on the bed, feed her from my plate and she’d never be one of those dogs that pulled when we went walking. Turns out this didn’t last very long, and she’s moved from a bed area in the garage, to a bed in the lounge (decided it was a bit chilly in winter…) to spending far too many nights on my bed.  She also pulls when we walk.  So i’ve turned into a soft dog owner, although she is still fairly obedient which is a blessing 🙂

And here’s the answer to Emily’s questions:

• What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast?

  I love super crunchy peanut butter on Vogels or Burgen toast with tomato on top!  I also love oats with yoghurt and fruit.  In the weekends I’ll often have eggs with mushroom, avocado and tomato on toast.

• If you could be cooked for by anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

  Probably Yotam Ottolenghi.  I don’t yet own a cook book, but I’ve copied recipes from my sister in laws and they all sound so divine.  His cooking is influenced by Middle Eastern flavours which I do love and it’s flavours I’d not think of pairing together.  My other pick would be Jamie Oliver as I’d love to have dinner with Jamie.  I love his food philosophy, he is passionate about nutrition without being obsessive and I love his laid back, down to earth nature.  Plus he has some yummy recipes.
  

• Name your three favourite blogs…
  Just three?! To make it slightly easier, I’ll pick three of my favourite nutrition blogs.   I love The Nutrition Guru and The Chef, Thinking Nutrition and Dr Joanna. These blogs all share good evidence based information, and are really interesting.  

• Your preferred form of exercise or activity is…
  Running.  I love how it makes me feel.

• Name three foods you couldn’t live without…
  peanut butter, avocado, chocolate

• Which cookbook is on your bucket list to purchase next?
  Well I’ve just purchased Jess’ Underground kitchen but next up would be Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi.  I bought it for my sister in law and had a look through – so much goodness.

• Name your favourite local place to eat and what do you eat there?
  I have a few for different things! We go out for brunch most Sundays and at the moment I’m loving Strada’s Urban Benny. I get the hollandaise on the side and you can have it with bacon or smoked salmon. It’s delicious.  I like Entice for lunch dates and their amazing Green smoothies, and for a sweet treat it would have to be Ten O Clock Cookie Company which make the best custard squares and raspberry éclairs .

  

• Describe your most memorable food experience…
  Well it’s not memorable for a good reason.  But I dined out at Lonestar once when we were away for the weekend, and I ended up with food poisoning (well I’m pretty sure it was as I got sick a couple of hours after dinner out) and spent the whole weekend in the hotel bathroom.  Not a very nice weekend away!

• What is your favourite season and why?
  Most definitely Summer.  I love the long, warm days for spending time outside.  The beach, BBQs, alfresco dining, summer fruits, evening runs and gardening are all reasons I love summer.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and with whom?
  Definitely Europe with my husband.  I haven’t managed to get there yet, and it’s on my bucket list.   I’d love to go to France, England and Italy for my top three in Europe. I’d also love to visit Sweden as well. I’ve got Scandinavian heritage and I’d love experience their culture.
  

• Describe your perfect weekend…
  My perfect weekend would start with a nice sleep in.  There’s something lovely about waking up slowly, knowing you don’t have to get up just yet if you don’t want.  I’d then head out for breakfast with my husband which would include a delicious coffee, and probably an Eggs Benedict.   I’d spend some time in the garden, then catch up with friends.  The evening would include dinner at home and a movie (the husband would cook and do all the dishes!).  Also in my weekend would be a walk up the mountain with my dog Pippa and time lazing around reading magazines/books and a little bit of good chocolate for a treat. 
  

• What would be your number one piece of nutrition/healthy living advice?
  “Eat food, not too much, mainly plants”  Because that’s Michael Pollen’s advice, mine on top of recommending his wise words would be: Do not diet, eat intuitively/mindfully, including the foods you love.  Manage stress, move your body in a way you enjoy and nurture relationships. 
  

I’m nominating:

Sarah from Gratitude Through Food.  Sarah was in some of my nutrition classes at university and we’ve reconnected through the blogging world recently. Isn’t the internet great like that?  Sarah is quite an impressive yogi and a great swimmer too and has just launched a business selling amazing fitness clothing, Zeenya Clothing.

Rhiannon from In Rhi’s Pantry.  Rhi is a fellow member of Bloggers Club and like many bloggers I’ve connected with, she’s super lovely and talented.  She makes gorgeous food and I’m forever drooling over the yummy treats she creates.

Amanda from Move Love Eat – Amanda has been a regular commenter on my blog and has her own blog Move Love Eat.  She’s so supportive and I love how she’s followed her heart to become a personal trainer.

My questions for the lovely ladies above are:

1.  What inspired you to start blogging?
2.  What is your go to dinner recipe when you want something yummy and healthy but in a hurry?
3.  What are your top fridge and pantry staples?
4.  What are you reading right now?
5.  Do you have any quotes/words of wisdom that you’ve found that have really resonated with you/changed the way you think?
6.  Do you have pets? Tell us about them!
7.  What is your proudest achievement?
8.  What are your three favourite foods?
9. Are you a morning person or night owl?