Teas are a few of my favourite things

If a hug could come in a mug, it would undoubtably be a mug of tea.

After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Whilst the java jive can give you the jitters, a cuppa can calm you down.

See, tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid whose consumption is mildly associated with a calm but alert and focused, relatively productive (alpha wave-dominant) mental state in humans (that's us.)

This mental state is also common to meditative practice, and the ceremony of tea is one that has been practised across the world for centuries. I've watch enough TED talks to know that meditation is pretty key to mastering your dreams so therefore tea is too*

When I'm really feeling the strain and all I want to do is pack up and leaf, taking the time to boil the kettle and clutch a cup can really turn the day around. Before cafes were abundant, the classic catch up between friends and family began with boiling the kettle and bringing out the biscuits. There were doilies for the dainty and sugar cubes for the classy, but the thing that featured was the fellowship of sitting down to have the drink together.

In Swedish they have the word "fika" which basically means to hang out and talk over a hot drink. In many other cultures the tea protocol is well known and well practised, and the benefits are abundant. 

C.S Lewis said 

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

Whilst I could go on about this wonderful elixir, my cup is emptea and I must move on with the day, now all the more hydrated and calm.

I hope yours is a treat!

Jj

*coffee helps master dreams, but in a different way. Both are essential and can be consumed whilst reading this blog, telling your friends about this blog and just being the good egg that you are. 

Spring is the new You

You probably feel it.

I definitely feel it.

That slight warmth in the air. The waft of something fresh, and a breeze that's as gentle as the morning light at 7am.

It's Spring down-under. (Sorry to all the northern-hemisphere folk reading this as you re-fuel your snow ploughs)

Whilst some of us are re-adapting the "sun's out, clothes off" policy albeit hastily, there is no denying that the slight rise in temperature and Vitamin D levels has put the Spring in our step. I don't know about you, but I am happy for it to stay this way for a while- warm enough to not see your breath in the morning, but cool enough to still want to drink coffee that isn't iced and wear a chic denim jacket and boots not jandals and a Bali mumu.

It's not only the temperature that's making the difference; it's the colour, the smiles, the flowers and the salads. It's like when you swap to a different laundry powder- so refreshing you want to rub it against your face and breathe in.

If you have been in hibernation that involved onesies, sweet potato chips and sticky date pudding and are freaking out about getting rid of your winter coat (the one on your waistline rather than in your wardrobe) rather than worry about getting rid of things for spring, focus on taking positive things on.

A new season, abundant with freshness is more than reason enough to refresh your outlook.*

*Well that's what I'm trying to tell myself anyway, as a distraction from the "the year is almost over and what have I achieved feelings!"

**That and I bought new runners, which not only support my feet and look cool but they also match my teapot (priorities.....)

Spring is the new you. 

Winter you enjoyed staying in and watching TV series back to back.

Spring you prefers to go walking or riding when it's still mild at dusk.

Winter you doesn't get out of bed as early as Spring you.

Winter you didn't find themselves smiling at nothing because they are excited for how the rest of the day is going to blossom.

(and so on an so fourth)

If I'm waffling on worse than a new mum and you can't see the delight with the change in the air, then apologies. I don't know. I found myself feeling very lacklustre at the beginning of the week and sitting outside and soaking up a few of those rays helped start to turn it around. 

And the new runners certainly got me stepping in the right direction.

I have taken up Bikram Yoga again and hope to sweat, standing head to knee and savasana my way into the new season. I would love to hear if you are taking up something new, be it a routine or a smoothie or a new mantra.

Spring IS the new You.

 If you are stuck, just look around you, everything is BLOOMING brilliant.

Jj

36 things I learnt from my Dad

 It was my Dad's birthday last week, and also Father's day is around the corner so I think it's more than appropriate to dedicate a blog to him.
Growing up, my dad was the disciplinarian of the family, but always there with a giant wuddle and lap to sit on. As I've got older I've come to appreciate the loving and comical side of my father, as well as admire his strength and devotion to everyone in his life. This list touches on the practical, profound and priceless things I have learnt from him.

1. Read everything. Or as we call it in our family- "sniff." Just as dogs sniff everything as they walk, Dad taught me to read signs, books, posters and papers whenever and wherever I could
2. Grow your own veges, trim your own trees, chop your own firewood and always compost your scraps
3. How to change a car tyre
4. How to change a bike tyre
5. A Moro Bar  (Mars Bar if you aren't from NZ) is a reward worth striving for- whether it's the prize for hitting a tennis ball against the wall 10 times or keeping your room tidy for a week. It's not about the reward, it's about the challenge
6. He taught me to love exploring the outdoors, especially the NZ beaches, forests, fjords and mountains
7. Tucking your pyjama top into your pyjama pants is the warmest thing ever

8. Sing all you can, and if you don't know the words, make them up
9. You must never stop learning- since Dad has turned 50 he has learnt the piano, to bake and use an ipad
10. Money is not for material things but making memories
11. Go to bed early and get your chores done in the morning
12. "Sniff" out the bargains and be frugal
13. Don't whine
14. How to play golf, netball, tennis, football, checkers, run and dive
15. Immersing yourself in another culture adds so much depth to your life
16. Afternoon sleeps aren't just for cats
17. You are beautiful the way you are and don't need hair dye, make-up and fancy clothes
18. Be sunsafe- the pic below says it all!
















19. Do your homework, and not just when it comes to school, but do the research for things before making a decision
20. Sneezes always feel better if done very loudly (the same applies to other body noises)
21. Family comes first (Cricket is probably second)
22. You don't need medicines when you are sick, rather sleep and liquids
23. Downshifting to use engine breaking when driving saves fuel and your breaks
24. Teachers learn from their students things they could never be taught
25. The little things are worth getting excited about- like lighting the fire, turning on electric blankets, and buying juice from the supermarket
26. Pray
27. Stretch and do push ups
28. Carpe Diem- over the past year, my parents have been to Tonga, the South Island, drove 11,00km across Europe and climbed Mt Fuji
29. Those who feel like they are last in life will be the first into heaven
30. Yelling at a broken computer doesn't make it better, but it makes you feel better
31. Something scarier than death is if you don't know or care what's going to happen to you when you die
32. You can be happy living in a small house with an outdoor toilet and 3 t-shirts, a couple of shorts and some sandals
33. A wedding is about the lifetime of love and partnership ahead not the day and the dress
34. Be patient
35. Socks are a great gift, and hand made cards are the best
36. Share your smile, your talent, your time and let your own light shine

I could go on about how "I am so lucky to have a father who......." but really I just can't wait to have a wuddle and a sniff together in Melbourne next month.

Every family is different, your list wouldn't be the same as mine, and it's our different origins that make us interesting.

What's important is we recognise and take the time to acknowledge those who have shaped who we are today, and give them credit for all the nose and bottom wiping, car pooling and fee paying.

For the story telling, spell-checking and sick note writing.

And the house moving, international visiting and collect calling.

Overall, it's the loving.

Love you Dad,

Jj x