Life in Lockdown

... You are not alone!

To think this has pretty much been our life since March is absolutely crazy!! I want to share with you a few things that have caught my attention and occupied some of my time during this longer lockdown period. If you are like me and are feeling a bit disheartened since the last announcement, maybe some of these recommendations can give you something new to try for yourself.  

Below, I will share a couple of recipes I've recently enjoyed, as well as some standout entertainment for me (book, movie, tv show), what my favourite relaxation activity has been during these months, and a new addition to our household.

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I’ve decided to go SUGAR FREE

Call me crazy, but a few weeks ago I decided to completely remove sugar from my diet for a little while. I felt that on top of an already emotionally intense time, my moods and energy levels were being even more affected by how much sugar and junk food I was consuming each day, simply due to being at home.

All my life I have had a VERY sweet tooth (thanks Dad!), so quitting sugar has been a massive step for me, and something interesting and healthy for me to commit to during isolation. Having more time at home has helped me to be able to organise and plan my meals better, so I always have some yummy sugar-free snacks around to help me in those times of craving when I go mindlessly searching the fridge and cupboard (yep, we’ve all been there).

To help me on this journey I’ve turned to Sarah Wilson’s book, I Quilt Sugar. Here are my two favourite, yummy recipes that help to satisfy those cravings!

Raspberry Ripple

1/3 cup Frozen Raspberries
1/3 cup Shredded Coconut (or coconut flakes for chunkier version)
1/3 cup Coconut Oil
80g Salted butter
2 tablespoons Raw cocoa powder
2-3 tablespoons Rice malt syrup (natural sweetener)

Choc-Coco Muggin

¼ cup Almond Meal or Gluten-free Self-raising flour
¼ teaspoon Baking powder
2 tablespoons of Desiccated coconut
1 tablespoon Raw Cocoa powder
½ tablespoon Rice malt syrup (or ½ teaspoon granulated stevia)
¼ cup Coconut milk or any type of milk
Greek style full fat yogurt to serve 

Method

Add all ingredients to a microwave-safe porcelain mug and mix with a spoon.
Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.
Serve with yogurt.

 

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A movie that has stayed with me

Queen and Slim – Queen and Slim’s first date takes an unexpected turn when they are pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The situation escalates, and Slim takes the officer's gun and shoots him in self-defence. Labelled cop killers in the media, the couple feel they have no choice but to go on the run. When a video of the incident goes viral, the unwitting outlaws become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people all across the country. A raw and captivating story that has stayed with me long after I finished watching.

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A TV Series I got hooked on

I was very late to the party with this series, but I finally got around to watching (and being hooked on) The Handmaid’s Tale. An adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, this is definitely not a show for the faint-hearted. It's a haunting and engrossing story that I believe we should not shy away from. A lot of the themes are very relevant in today’s society, which is why it resonates so strongly with so many – women’s bodies as political instruments, language as a tool of power, the role of women in society, complacency and the nature of imprisonment just to name a few.

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A book I’ve enjoyed reading

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - a story of ancient womanhood and family honour. The author combines outstandingly rich storytelling with an original insight into women’s society in a fascinating period of early history. This was the first book I felt completely hooked on in a while and I definitely recommend it!

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Favourite Exercise

YOGA – especially Yin Yoga at the moment. René and I do Yin in the evenings before bed. It is the perfect end to the day and I always have the best sleep afterwards.  I really want to share with you two of my favourite Yoga teachers whose classes are giving me so much benefit at the moment.

Sammy Lee –  I met beautiful Sammy in our store a while ago - and we have remained in contact ever since.  She loves La Sierra and is an incredible Yogi. Her nourishing, heart-warming offerings include A Journey Through the Chakra System as well as on-demand classes.  Sammy holds an incredible space for relaxation and has really helped me navigate some more challenging days.

 

 

 Tahnee McCrossin – Tahnee's Sunday Rest Club is incredible value ($20 monthly subscription, cancel anytime). Each week you receive a new class, which is then archived in an online portal to view whenever you like. You also receive bonus content, like Yoga Nidra and Taoist and Yogic meditations, as well as special classes, workshops and lectures. Tahnee shares an incredible amount of her knowledge on this platform.

Two of my favourite classes include Hips (as I spend a lot of time sitting at the moment) Shoulders and the Organ polishing meditation.

 

 And an accidental pet!

We accidentally adopted a beautiful little kitten during this time. We were looking after her when we went into Stage 3 Lockdown in early July, and we have had her for so long now and we love her so much that her owner very kindly said that if we wanted we could keep her! We couldn't be happier than to have adopted this little lady - she is such a positive influence on our mental health! I'm sure all you other pet owners would say the same thing - very grateful for our animals during this tough time.

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 … Thanks for taking the time to read what I want to share with you.  Hopefully you have found some value in it, or it simply gives you something extra/new to try during your day to mix it up a bit.

I hope you are all keeping safe and finding some little rituals to keep you grounded during your days. I know these are really difficult times and it has especially been quite a heavy week for Victorians. If you think that anyone around you may be struggling don’t forget to reach out and touch base with your loved ones, or share with them a few things you have been doing/watching/reading/cooking.

Sending love to you and your families <3

Sophia