As I am currently unpacking, making tomorrows lunch, catching up on phone calls and trying to find some time of Zen before bed – this post will be short, sweet and consist of mainly photos.
I will elaborate during the week of course
ALSO, apologies for the lack of posts recently! 

This weekend I flew to Sydney to partake in Miranda Kerr’s public yoga class.
It was one of the funnest weekends I have had in a long time!
The yoga class had such a beautiful atmosphere filled with health, gratitude and good intention. 
I will share some photos this week of the class, and intend to start practicing yoga regularly

I also ventured into Newtown to a Raw Vegan Cafe to try out their menu – it was AMAZING! 
So tasty and such a cute little random area!
I had the chance to meet up with a beautiful group of girls whom I keep in regular contact online. I had only ever met one in person and it was such an incredible experience having the group of us meeting in real life!

We had dinner together in the city at an all vegan place called Bodhi Bar – it was such a cute, cosy and tasty place!
Although I don’t usually drink, I had a couple of wines and completely relaxed into the evening which was very pleasant.

Here is a little photo log of food/places/experiences from my stay in Sydney.
I hope you have had a beautiful weekend xxx

 x x x

It really hit me last week how stressed, cranky, unhappy and freaking busy some people are – especially ones working in big fancy offices for big corporations. 
With this new job comes a lot of eye opening situations and realities – some which I was not expecting!
My co workers are stressed. They are so lovely, friendly and welcoming – but they are unhappy and VERY unhealthy! Cigarettes and coffee are keeping these people functioning at the fast paces they have to in order to make a comfortable income. I wonder if it is worth it? 
Does a lifetime of stress and general unhappiness seem worth while when they look back on their lives?
It is certainly no wonder that most people look forward to knocking back a couple of drinks on a weekend and letting go!
I however don’t relate!
Today I finally got a chance to leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head west…it was so refreshing!
I had forgotten how recharged you feel after a day in the forest.
Fresh air, fresh water creeks and streams, bare feet and no phone/internet reception reconnects you to the earth and to nature – the serenity and peace out there is so infectious!
If only more people would wake up and realise that there is a way to function with lots of energy, vibrance and appreciation with just a few lifestyle changes!
Anyway – there’s another rant haha.
I took some photos of the forest and creek today – so beautiful!

Here is what I nourished my cells with today:

BREAKFAST:

- Coconut water, blueberries, dates, maca powder & mesquite powder smoothie
- Dates

LUNCH:

- HUGE green salad 
- Organic Coffee with Soy Milk (very rare!)

DINNER:

- Raw Sprouted Bread with hummus
- Chocolate Mint Smoothie
(Cacao, Rice Milk, Banana, Blueberries, Cacao Nibs, maca powder, mesquite powder, chia seeds)
- Lemon Water

EXERCISE:

- Evening run along the beach and a cheeky evening swim

I hope you get the chance to reconnect with nature some time soon. 
Remember to breathe deep and be grateful xxx

Is it possible for a Vegan and a Meat eater to share a happy, understanding relationship?

Today one of my Mums childhood friends posted a link on my wall saying:
“Hey beauty-full ♥ saw this and thought of you ;p”
…Automatically I was interested.
I clicked the link which lead me to an article posted on BBC titled Vegan dating: Finding love without meat or dairy  and it was very interesting!

I have only been in one serious relationship and it was with a vegetarian. We clicked in the beginning because at the time, I was also vegetarian. We ate the same things, shared a common love of vegetarian cuisine and weren’t ever worried about receiving a ‘meat kiss’ from one another.
This worked great for the the both of us…until I went vegan. People don’t seem to think that there is a huge difference between the two, however when you eliminate eggs and dairy from your diet, the sight & smell of them become disgusting! My ex was a HUGE fan of dairy and eggs – Im talking 2 eggs for breakfast every day accompanied by a big glass of milk. He would go through at least 3 big glasses of milk on a daily basis.
I don’t like to think that we broke up because of milk & eggs, but to be honest – that did play a BIG part!

I wonder for vegans who are in relationships, what ratio are both parties vegan?
And if one is a vegetarian or meat eater, how does it effect the relationship if at all?

I would love to hear your thoughts
Meanwhile in my vegan world, here is what my body got to enjoy today:

BREAKFAST:

- Coconut Water, Blue Berries, Dates, Maca Powder & Mesquite Powder Smoothie
- Apple, Beetroot, Lemon and Orange Juice

LUNCH:

- Green Salad with Tahini, Sweet Potato & Mushrooms

DINNER:

- Vegan Pizza from Mandala Organics Arts Cafe

DESSERT:

- Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls

I look forward to hearing your opinions on the relationship topic – I also hope you’ve had a beautiful day xxx

Today I realised a reason as to why all of my co-workers rely on coffee and cakes…LACK OF VITAMIN D!!!
During my lunch breaks I have been walking across to the water, sitting in the sand and eating my salad lunch in the sun. Everyone has been questioning why I could be bothered walking to a park when I can just eat my lunch at my desk like the rest – UM HELLO!
That one hour of midday sun I get to enjoy seems to recharge my mood and focus, as well as re connect with the earth by taking off my shoes and sinking my feet into the sand!
I wonder how many people even get enough sun? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a compulsory hour lunch break where every business/indoor workplace put up a sign saying ‘back in an hour’, and were made to eat a big healthy lunch in the sun somewhere? Gosh we’d have a happy society! Not a fakery happy one dosed up on drugs/stimulants. 
Anyway, thats my little rant before bed, here is what I nourished myself with today:

BREAKFAST:

- Smoothie of Dates, Frozen Blueberries & Coconut Water – YUM!

LUNCH:

- Green Salad 
- Orange

DINNER:

- Sweet Potato & Turmeric, Mushrooms and Onion, Green Salad & Tahini Dressing

DESSERT:

- Raw Vegan Chocolate Mint Pie with Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls

I hope you’ve had a beautiful day, talk soon xxx

I am so emotionally hungry today.
After a huge day of work followed by a big run, all I wanted to do was lay down and cuddle someone – I don’t have that option…so alas, I ate lots of Raw Vegan Chocolate Mint Pie for dinner followed by organic corn chips to ease the pain haha.
After I had finished, it made me wonder – why don’t I reach for a big salad when I feel like this?
Is it the taste sensations that temporarily distract me from my feelings? If s thats silly, because afterwards I feel uncomfortably full, even more emotional and lonely.

I know I am really learning for the first time in my life how to be me – without a boyfriend or parents to influence my thoughts or decisions. As freeing as that is most of the time – sometimes it can be really tough e.g today.
I thought all day about humans and their needs:
The basics:
-Food
-Water
-Shelter &
-Love??? Do we need love just as much as food and water? Physically our bodies die if they go long enough without these two needs…does that mean that spiritually/emotionally we die if we go long enough without love and intimacy?
Sorry, I know this is a really deep post, but I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions…

In the meantime, here is what I physically fed my body today:

BREAKFAST:

- Raw Sprouted Bread with Coconut Oil
- Smoothie (Banana, Coconut Water, Dates & Blueberries)

LUNCH:

- Green Salad
- Beetroot Juice

DINNER:

- Raw Vegan Mint Choc Pie
- Organic Corn Chips

EXERCISE:
5km Run

xxx

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last couple of days guys!
I have been a very busy little vegan bee in preparation for a new full time, full on job. 

Today was my first day and I put all excuses of ‘I don’t have time to be healthy’ to rest – you MAKE time to be healthy with preparation. This way of eating/living is a lifestyle – not a diet.

I am now working in a big office with lots of co-workers who dress in suits, wear cologne, drink Coke and eat some of the most highly processed foods I have seen in a while!
Muffins sprinkled with bleached white icing sugar, bacon and eggs dripping with fat and grease, triple shot coffee with 3 sugars and then of course sugar free gum/mouth mints to get rid of the horrible after taste/smelly breath! 
After working as a part of a family business for the past however long, I had forgotten that drinking a green smoothie out of a mason jar, eating a HUGE green salad and lots of fruit – not forgetting the umpteen litres of water – isn’t normal in this society…it sure is a great ice breaker on your first day tho!
I noticed that at 3pm when the majority of the office seemed to be filtering through the kitchen and making themselves a coffee – I still had so much energy from my smoothie and salad and the thought didn’t even cross my mind!

I am up early for a run before work tomorrow so I better get some sleep, but here is what I nourished myself with today:

BRAKFAST:

- Beet, Carrot, Kale, Orange & Lemon Juice
- Cacao, Banana, Maca Powder, Mesquite Powder, Cinnamon, Rice Milk, Chia Seed Smoothie

LUNCH:

-Green Salad (Kale, Broccoli, Corriander, Parsley, Lettuce, Cabbage, Chia Seeds, Orange Juice
-Green Smoothie
-Orange 

DINNER:

-Green Salad (Same as lunch)
-Sweet Potato & Tumeric
-Mushroom & Onion

DESSERT:

-Raw Vegan Homemade Chocolate Mint Pie!!!!!

Hope you have had a beautiful start to the week xxxx

Today I was invited to a Kids Helpline Morning Tea after they saw my video blog.
I was able to meet some of the team working for this amazing charity and the reality of why I am trying so hard to raise this $10,000 really sunk in after hearing some horrible truths about the thousands of calls that go unanswered due to lack of funds.

I was also introduced to Jessica Kershaw who is a fellow fundraiser.
Everyone has a story I know, but I thought this one had to be shared!
This is what Jess wrote on her fundraising page for the reason behind her efforts:

“Growing up, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. Given the option of corrective surgery or a back brace I opted for the brace and spent 5 of my teenage years wearing one day in and day out, naturally & unfortunately to great ridicule. Complications stemming from this have continued and in my early 20s an innocuous incident in a nightclub caused significant damage to my hip which has required regular visits to a physiotherapist over the five years since. I have been told that having a child could incapacitate me, if I am able to at all, but I am determined to strengthen my core, gain the best fitness I can and give myself a shot at some degree of normalcy for the first time in my adult life. Suffering from depression on and off over the years, I think the kids helpline is the perfect charity for me to support during my personal achievements.”

I didn’t eat very much today after this morning tea – the shocking realisation that Kids Helpline receive over 9000 calls a week and they can only answer 5500 of them made my stomach sick.
If you or anyone you know are in a position to donate anything you can – I would be so grateful.
http://fundraise.bridgetobrisbane.com.au/supportsarahmae

Here is what little food I was able to stomach today:

BREAKFAST:
- Dates & Walnuts

LUNCH:
- Celery & Carrot sticks with Vegan Cheese (made with Cashews)

DINNER:
- Leftover Sweet Potato & Lentil Soup

EXERCISE:
- 6km Run

I hope you’ve had a beautiful day and remember to be grateful for everything/everyone you have in your life – there are some poor children/adults out there who are suffering xxx

The last couple of days have been soooo crazy and I haven’t had time to write any blogs!
Tomorrow I am off to a Kids Helpline Event & I am planning to film a video blog!
For now, here is what I have eaten in the last 2 days

DAY 7

BREAKFAST: 

- Beetroot, Carrot, Kale, Lemon, Grapefruit, Apple & Ginger Juice

- An Apple, A Banana & An Orange

LUNCH:

- Green Salad
(Kale, Lettuce, Chia Seeds, Parsley, Corriander, Mint, Brocoli & Orange Juice)

DINNER:

- Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup
(Lentils, Sweet Potato, Onion, Coconut Oil, Water, Corriander Seed, Himalayan Salt)

DAY 8

BREAKFAST:

- 4 Bananas & A Coconut Water

LUNCH:

- Vegan Pizza & Nachos at Mandalas on the Gold Coast

DINNER:

- Leftover Sweet Potato Soup

DESSERT:

- Dates

EXERCISE:

- 6km Run

Im sorry that this one wasn’t as eventful as the others, however I need some sleep asap!
Hope you’re having a beautiful week – can’t wait to share tomorrow with you!!

xxxx