Things I’m Loving Lately – back from the dead!

Life has been flying past us. It’s crazy how quickly time is going by. I haven’t been blogging (obviously) and it makes me sad. I love writing my thoughts down, regardless whether people read them or not. Sometimes I dabble with the idea of just writing a diary now but again, time just gets away from me.

Anyway I thought I’d do an old school Anna The Apple blog…. Things I’m loving lately.

Puzzles

I recently got COVID and it was one of the things I thoroughly enjoyed just wrapping myself up in a blanket and doing (when my toddler allowed me if he was around). I can’t believe I managed to escape COVID for three years and then bang, we come back off holiday and all three of us test positive. I’d felt ill for more days than I would normally and kept waking up with a banging headache so I did a test… and straight away a thick line appeared. And for Kyle and Isaac too. Bad times! But the silver lining was discovering my love and addiction for puzzles.

I just find them so relaxing. The beginning where you’re sorting the pieces, then finding where they go. I just love it. I do it as a break from work or in the evenings when I get a chance, maybe watching a TV show as I go. I’ve so far completed two puzzles and I’m well on my way to a third.

Friarjacks Luxury Flapjack

Through Instagram I won a 2kg luxury Valentine’s Day flapjack and oh my goodness, let me tell you. It was INSANE.

Friarjacks Valentine’s Day flapjack

Chock-a-block full of chocolate, sweets and biscuits. It was so tasty! Kyle and I just ate our way through that thing in the week. It was dangerous to have on the side. But such a perfect afternoon snack with a cup of tea. I’ve since gone on their website and there are so many flavours I now want to try. Perfect present for a loved one who has a sweet tooth.

Naenka Bone Conduction Headphones Runner Pro

I was recently sent a pair of headphones for running from Naenka. They’re bone conduction headphones, so the sound come through your cheekbones rather than through your ears. They sit comfortable over your ears and round the back of your head and thankfully don’t bounce while I run.

They’re perfect for outdoor running when you want to pay attention to your surroundings but also listen to music as your ears are still able to hear external sounds around. This is key for me living in a city because it’s always so busy with pedestrians, cyclists and traffic. It can be dangerous to be fully immersed in the audio and so you’re not paying attention to the hazards around you.

I would say they’re best for music rather than podcasts though if you do live in a particularly loud and busy area because the sound isn’t as loud as it would be if it was a bud in your ear. It can be tricky to hear people talking compared to just listening to music. However in less busy areas where the traffic isn’t quite as heavy, it tends to be fine.

The battery life is great as well – over eight hours! So I don’t need to worry about charging them every other run. Amazingly they’re also waterproof so you can even use them swimming. That’s so cool!

Batch Cooking

I’m a huge fan of batch cooking to make our life easier in the future. This is especially true for Isaac. If I ever cook something for Kyle and I that I can also give to Isaac I just make larger portions so I can put some in little pots and pop in the freezer.

Every so often though I’ll make one big meal just for Isaac and I portion it all off for him. In the freezer I have so many little pots with things like pasta meals, chilli, cottage pie and now chicken pie.

I love doing this because it means in an evening when it’s Isaac’s dinner time I can just whip one out of the freezer, reheat and serve straight away rather than spending ages trying to think and prepare something for him.

Legacy of Hogwarts

I’ve also recently been loving playing the new Harry Potter game, Legacy of Hogwarts, on the Steam Deck (which is basically a handheld computer). Kyle’s playing his own version of the game on the PS5 which is fun as we can both discuss where we’re at and what we’re doing. It’s basically an open world role playing game.

I love open world game because it means you’re not restricted or forced to do certain levels/tasks. You can kind of free wheel it. This usually means I take ages though doing anything as I get distracted with side quests or exploring, but I love it. It’s available on most platforms I believe so well worth a look if you’re a Potter fan who enjoys gaming!

Edith and Blanche

For Isaac’s clothing we mostly use hand-me-downs from friends, peppered with Vinted and charity shop purchases. I’m a big fan of using second hand because for little ones they really aren’t wearing them for that long so the quality is still amazing. I don’t want to be spending a fortune and I want to be more sustainable in our purchases, so it works perfectly. When we do buy brand new items, we want them to be special and items that will last. This is why Edith and Blanche is our favourite children’s clothing (and toys) shop.

For Christmas, Isaac’s great grandmother, Ginny, sent us a voucher for their shop so we bought two items. Beautiful woolen rainbow dungarees and a pair of green trousers with patches on the knees. Both items look so cute and

And that’s my list! I really do need to get back into the groove of blogging… I’d love to do a recap of our Orlando holiday (which was amazing), my running and also a little Isaac update as he’s now 19 months old! But for now I’ll leave it there.

Do you buy second hand clothing?

Do you enjoy puzzles? Or what do you do to relax your brain and body?

**Full Disclosure: I was sent the headphones for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.**

5 Survival Tips For Your First Time in the Gym

I remember the first time I went to the gym. I was terrified. I had no idea what to do. I was also convinced everyone was watching me and thinking what a novice idiot I was. The reality is though… no one is watching and no one cares. Everyone is too focused on their own fitness journey. But these below handy hints may help for anyone who is new to the gym environment, which let’s face it, can be a bit intimidating.

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The start of a new year is the perfect time to start going to a new gym. Perhaps it’s the first time you’ve worked out in a long time. Perhaps you’re just looking for somewhere new to workout. Whatever your reason for going to a new gym, it can help to have some survival tips.

Tips for going to the gym for the first time can make your experience much more enjoyable. So, take a look at everything you need to know.

Bring a Towel

Some gyms offer a towel service but most don’t in an effort to be as cleanly as possible. When you begin to workout, you’ll quickly realize that you’re starting to sweat. Even if you keep your first workout light, you’ll still sweat.

Keep a hand towel with you during your workout to wipe your brow or sweat could get into your eyes and impair your vision. If you want to take a shower before leaving the gym, be sure to take a body towel with you too.

Prepare Your Body

If you’re just getting into working out again, your body will need as much prep work as you can manage. It’s a good idea to get some protein and carbohydrates in you before heading to the gym. This will help you to keep your stamina up while working out.

Protein shakes will also help you to avoid muscle aches the days following. You’re likely to experience some aching but you can decrease the severity. Similarly, use SARMs for lean muscle development if that’s your goal.

Limit Cardio Time

Depending on the time you head to the gym, you could find that it’s busy. Many people visit before and after work on weekdays and anytime at the weekend. If the gym is busy, you may need to limit your cardio time.

People will often want to use cardio machines so you should keep your cardio workout to no longer than 25 minutes. Move on to weights or other machines and finish with a quick cardio burst at the end.

Forget Your Phone

You may not want to completely forget your phone but it can help to leave it in a locker. Hearing someone’s phone ring or someone answering the phone in the gym can be a real buzz kill. There’s an unspoken rule that phones should never be answered in the gym.

Avoid using your phone to listen to music if you can. However, if you do use your phone for music, send any calls to voicemail.

Clean Machines

Germs and bacteria can be spread quickly in a gym environment so it’s important everyone looks out for one another. When you’re finished using a machine, wipe it down before someone else uses it. When you get into the habit of doing this, you can avoid picking up common ailments like the cold.

If you’ve found this article helpful, take a look at the others.

Do you enjoy going to the gym?

Do you have any good tips?

Novel Ingredients You Should Include In Your Diet Immediately

One of the things I’m really trying to do this year is each more varied fruit and veg. I’m such a sucker for routine and the same old same old. I get stuck in food ruts. But I want to eat a bit more varied. Especially as I’ve been feeding Isaac so many different things to get him used to different foods – so why shouldn’t I, eh? Here’s some interesting ideas for foods you could include in your diet.

Most people eat the same foods week after week. The majority of calories come from corn, wheat, rice, meat, and their derivatives (particularly oils). 

However, research shows that eating as widely as possible is beneficial. The more variety you can cram into your diet, the better you will feel. 

The reason for this is simple: plants contain specific nutrients not found anywhere else. Therefore, you have to eat them to get the benefits. You can’t derive them from another source. 

This post takes a look at some of the novel foods you should include in your diet immediately. These are substances that are fairly new to the western diet in the last twenty years and only rarely consumed before then. Check them out below. 

Amla

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The Amalaki fruit is prized in India and Bangladesh but is barely heard of in the rest of the world. It tastes awful and doesn’t go with any recipes, but it offers some of the most potent health benefits you will see from any ingredient. 

For instance, peer-reviewed research shows that amla reduces blood glucose levels significantly in people with diabetes, better than the leading drugs. It also slashes cholesterol and blood pressure, again more than the leading drugs. 

And the best bit? It’s dirt cheap. Amla is just pennies per day, meaning you can consume it all day long. 

CBD

CBD or cannabidiol is a hemp-derived substance found in many products, including Delta 9 THC Gummies. Again, it’s a novel food in the western diet but may offer significant benefits. 

For instance, CBD may reduce stress and chronic pain. It is also a prescription drug for some patients with epilepsy. 

CBD works by changing the way the body’s endocannabinoid system works. It is one of the only substances known to do so which is why it is essential to consume it directly. 

Hyaluronic Acid

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Hyaluronic acid is usually something you apply topically. However, consuming it orally offers substantial, additional benefits. 

Regular hyaluronic acid cannot penetrate the skin barrier. But taking it orally can get it into your body. That’s because hyaluronic acid of a certain molecular weight is able to penetrate into the bloodstream. 

Hyaluronic acid has all sorts of wonderful effects on the body. Everyone knows about the cosmetic benefits, but it may help to reduce cancer risk, too. 

Researchers believe this because of investigations done on the naked mole rat, a species that lives many times longer than similar rodents. It has high levels of hyaluronic acid in its body which appears to make the formation of cancer nearly impossible. You can gamma-irradiate these creatures, expose them to heavy metals and even change their DNA to make them more prone to cancer and they won’t develop tumors. 

Take between 200mg and 400mg of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid daily. 

Rapalogs

Never heard of rapalogs? Don’t worry, neither has anyone else. 

Rapalogs are substances that are similar to rapamycin, a medicinal product originally found on the island of Rapa Nui, also called Easter Island. Doctors originally used this substance to suppress the immune system in surgery patients. However, researchers later found it extended life in model organisms. 

Taking rapamycin in high doses is unsafe because it makes you more susceptible to infectious diseases. However, consuming compounds with a similar action in the body is generally regarded as safe. 

But which novel food substances look like rapamycin?

Perhaps the number one is ashwagandha. This substance appears to act in the body virtually the same way while offering some of the benefits of metformin. It lowers blood sugar and changes the way cells operate to make them healthier and last longer. 

Seaweed

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Blue Zones are parts of the world where the local population appears to live longer, on average, than everywhere else. In the 1950s, the tiny Japanese island of Okinawa had a life expectancy of 85 and more centenarians per head of the population than anywhere else on Earth. Remember, at this time, global life expectancy was only a little over 30. 

One theory locals lived so long is their consumption of seaweed. These individuals appear to have thrived on the stuff. 

Seaweed was a part of the human diet for centuries. However, it slowly fell out of favor in the west until people hardly consumed it at all. 

In the east, though, consumption continued. And because of this, local people thrived. Certain substances in seaweed activated their body’s defenses and made them less prone to chronic diseases. Therefore, they lived longer and healthier lives.

Do you eat a varied diet?

Do you take any supplements?

17 months of sleep still sucking

Life lately has been fairly busy. Work has gotten a lot more manic, which I’m enjoying, and having a 17 month old toddler definitely makes life hectic. But the lack of sleep that continues for us is the killer.

I wish I could say that the sleep had gotten better, but it hasn’t. I mean there are definitely better days and worse days. Overwhelmingly though, sleep is poor. I appreciate it might not be the most exciting of topics to discuss, especially if you don’t have children, but I want to keep it real and document the realities of having a small child who apparently doesn’t like sleep.

Throughout Isaac’s life he has always slept less than he apparently “should”. As a newborn he wouldn’t sleep in a cot, only on us or in a Cuddlepod thing (which we reluctant to allow as they were said to be unsafe). But newborn life you expect sleep to be terrible and you roll with it as this is a BRAND NEW HUMAN.

16 months on though and I would have hoped sleep would be better. On a good night Isaac will wake up once, then easily go back to sleep after a quick feed (yep, still breastfeeding over here) and then wake up post 6am (6.30am is an utter dream). However these nights are few and far between.

We normally get 2+ wake ups and somewhere around 5.45am full wake up. On worse nights we get 3-4 wake ups and a 5-5.30am start to the day. On truly terrible nights, like last night, he’ll wake up at 10pm and then stay awake till 1am. I go in, I feed, I try to leave; he loses his mind.

We can’t bring him into our bed as he starts playing and crawling/walking around. I can’t stay and sleep in his room (as I attempted last night) because he then stands and peers down at me or peeps his head through the cot, like a terrifying horror movie ghost child.

I’m not as naïve to assume Isaac would be consistently sleeping through the night but I don’t think it’s wholly unreasonable to have thought waking 2+ times during the night wasn’t ideal.

Isaac has recently been popping canines out like nobody’s business and has been jumping from colds to ear infection back to colds. And of course the dreaded 18 month sleep regression everyone keeps harping on about… Who really knows what’s happening? We sure don’t.

Of course we’d love to assign reasonings behind why these disrupted nights are happening (a lifeline to desperately hang on to so we can believe it will end) but in general we always go back to the fact that we’ve never had Isaac sleep through and he generally likes to be awake.

On the truly terrible nights there is definitely an element of external factors (teething and illness), but the general consistent wakings is a mystery. Have I made a rod for my own back by always attending to his cries? Should we have sleep trained? Am I overindulging him? Spoiling him? Creating habits? Letting him learn that when he does X, Y will follow.

Perhaps. There are a lot of opinions out there (social media, books, family and friends). But when I’m lying in my bed listening to my son scream for me, I cannot ignore him. I’m not judging anyone who can go through a process of sleep training but I’m not sure it’s for me.

We have a slight hope that things might change in January when Kyle and I go on holiday for nine days without Isaac (don’t even get me started on the mum guilt I’m already experiencing about this upcoming trip). He’ll be potentially unlearning habits when he stays with the Nanas (who, by the way he tends to sleep absolutely fine for!).

Time will tell.

Do you have any experience with the above?

How many hours a night to get to sleep?

Why Dressing, Without Obligation, Helps You Look Cooler!

I won’t lie, I’m not into fashion and I wouldn’t say I’m stylish. However I do have my own kind of style, as everyone does. The preference of certain colours and types of clothes. I’d love to be more fashionable – one day maybe!

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How do you like to dress? What do you think inspired those tastes? For some, they dress mostly practicality, in simple, subtle clothing that is both supportive and comfortable to wear. For others, a sense of style they try to follow might come with them, such as a cool surfing hippie during the summer season, or having fun with autumnal flavor in the colder months.

Outside of common decency, there are no ‘correct’ and ‘incorrect’ methods of dress, only what you enjoy looking like, and how you enjoy presenting yourself to the world. For this reason it can be worthwhile to see just how much obligation dictates your fashion choices, and how you might be free of that to be more creative in your approach.

Conventional wisdom can be a good guide for many, for instance, balancing the jewelry worn on each side of your body can help keep your look unified – but if you prefer to just wear a ring, bracelet and earring on one side of your body and not the other, that’s completely up to you.

So, how else can becoming obligation-free help us? In this post, we hope to discuss all of that and more!

Most Clothes Can Be Integrated

It’s important to recognize that if the clothes fit you, or if they’re oversized or undersized for a fashionable purpose, then you can pretty much wear anything within (and sometimes without), reason. For instance, you might love the idea of wearing a slim top with bold cargo pants and boots, looking excellent, both graceful and strong at the same time. Conforming different styles into one is the essential of style.

Fashion As A Celebration Of Life

Having fun with fashion can be a tremendous use of your time, because what else is it supposed to be for? We’re certainly not going to test you. So, if part of your recreational style that day is to use a little face paint to enjoy a unique design, or if you wish to make alterations to your jeans, or if you’ve been planning your outfit for a particular event so you can showcase your cultural heritage, go for it! If you’re not having fun, you might be doing it wrong.

You Don’t Have To Fit One Theme

It’s good to challenge yourself from time to time. It might be that as a young girl, you felt like you couldn’t really identify within your feminine side, and were more than happy to act just as you were – you. Now that you’re older, it might be that pushing aside that prior taste and considering if feminine clothes are for you again, even if that just means wearing a summer dress with some cool boots, could be a fun challenge and to test your biases. If you’re not happy, that’s confirmation. If you like the fun challenge, that’s exploration. Not being afraid to keep testing yourself without artificial constraints can help you grow, and will give you plenty more options to be proud of.

With this advice, you’re sure to dress without obligation and look darn cool doing so.

Do you follow fashion trends?

Do you enjoy dressing up?