Giving blood...

 Australian Red Cross Blood Service 

I donated blood yesterday, and I must say I'm feeling pretty good! A sense of satisfaction coupled with no side effects (I felt a little faint last time I donated).

#selfie while donating 

The first time I donated it was a bit of a lengthy process (questionnaire, health check, explaining the process) but the visits after the first one are easy and quite quick. I was all done and enjoying some free but less than healthy snacks within 30 minutes. Had to keep my energy and fluids up.

If you are eligible to donate I really urge you to. When you think about it all you are donating is your time (and a bit of courage if needles and blood freak you out),. It doesn't hurt (I promise) and the staff are always lovely, your well being is their primary concern and are so appreciative for what you are doing. Go online today to see if and when you can visit a donor centre.

http://www.donateblood.com.au/

You receive an donor card and adorable thank you letter after you donation. So cute!

Enjoy!
Megan x

Running

This week I adore....
Running

Run for the Kids #r4tk #r4tk2014 is fast approaching on April 13th.

I have been running for few years now. I started running to step my fitness up a notch. I always played sport and exercised growing up, but was never a born athlete so it was never a natural ability I posses. To say I adore running is a stretch, but the time I get to zone out with my thoughts, listen to music and the way I feel afterwards (aside from the aches and pains) makes it my regular past time.

“We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.” – Emil Zatopek

My goal us to this year run a marathon. There... I said. It's out in the open so now I guess I have to do it now. Note I'm not starting from scratch, (crazy, but not that crazy) I have run two half marathons before. So, as my first warm up for the year, to get fun-run fit, I will be running the Run for the Kids - 15km run that raises funds for the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. This is probably my favourite run - the course runs through the Domain Tunnel and over the Bolte Bridge and around the CBD. This route is a real novelty, the only time these roads are closed for foot traffic only and you see Melbourne from new perspectives. 

15km course map

Steve Moneghetti, Australian marathon runner and R4TK ambassador sets a training plan for the 5km and 15km courses for those starting from scratch or getting back into running, that is published weekly in the Herald-Sun. In one of his first weekly training plans he wrote of how you are either walking or running and doesn't recognise jogging, as no matter how fast or slow you are going it is still running. I love this! It is an excellent reminder for all those giving it a go, to not be do hard on yourselves and that running is not easy and you should be proud of the effort you put in. I know I always am. We all have our own goals in running and I've always believed you are never really racing anyone but yourself.

Selfie after R4TK12 with Steve Moneghetti

“It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.” – George Sheehan

My advise get out and do it! You don't have to run a marathon tomorrow or ever for that matter. It's not a race, so don't be disheartened by not running as fast or as far as others because you are better for it than yesterday and doing more than those who do not run at all... 

If you have any tips or need some motivation to get going drop me a line! 

http://www.runforthekids.com.au/
http://www.mapmyrun.com/

Enjoy!

Megan x

“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. 
Try to be better than yourself.” -William Faulkner

Instapic after today's 15km run

Sunday Breakfast

This week I adore...
Sunday breakfast

Feeling a bit flat at the moment and it's these times when I fall back into bad habits.

I saw on Facebook (I think) where someone had made flourless banana pancakes (so I am not claiming this recipe as my own), though I didn't actually look at the finer details, and have decided to wing it.  Thought these would be a great way to convince myself I was having a cheat breakfast but without the guilt. 

Mix together:

1 banana 

1 egg

1 tsp of chia (my addition)

In a large frypan, spray with canola spray spoon batter into pan. Flip once cooked on each side when golden brown. 

I have served mine with a few raspberries and a drizzle of light agave nectar.

Berries balance the sweetness of the banana. For some extra crunch I will next time sprinkle some crushed almonds.

I have calculated this to be about 300 calories with the Canola spray, syrup and berries. When you compare that to a serving of pancakes with maple syrup to be about 600 calories (and this is without the protein and with the carbs) I know which one I will opt for.

The great thing about this was it was SO easy. It was mixed and cooked in less than 10 minutes! 

Enjoy! 

Megan x