Healthy Habits: WALKING

In one of my recent posts I talked about the need to go back to healthier habits, walking being one of them. I used to walk 5km a day 5 mornings a week and that stopped some time ago as a busier life took over. I am pleased to say that I have started walking again. When Alan returns from work, we now all go on a family walk or cycle ride in Miss P's case.

Although I have only just recently started doing this, I am already beginning to feel the benefits! Not only am I giving my body some exercise but I am giving my soul some time to switch off and take in the beauty around me. That is so important, it's all too easy to get absorbed with the more serious side of life and forget to allow yourself time to relax and take in the beauty of what surrounds us.

Tonight I went on such a walk and these pictures are some of the things I saw on the way.














The good thing about having a family walk is that you get to spend some quality time together and talk about each others day. Miss P has learnt so much from walks like these such as plant names, birds and other little creatures...

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

Glastonbury & Changing bad habits

With the busy lives we lead, it can be very easy to get absorbed by it all and forget about looking after our health. That is exactly what I have done for the past months or more like the past year....

My daily routine and way of life have changed since becoming busier with work and having to deal with various things that life throws at you. I have got into bad habits such as eating more sugary foods, convenient food to eat on the go and fewer healthy alternatives. I used to eat a lot more raw foods and not as many sweet things and felt great for it!
My daily 5 km walk stopped over a year ago. However busy I am, I realise that I cannot, must not compromise when it comes to my health, it must take more priority. The way I have been feeling lately has been a wake up call for me.

Time to take action!

I have made a list of the things I need to change or go back to:

1) Go back to walking (30 to 60 mins) at least 5 days a week
2) Try and go back to 50% of what I eat being raw.
3) Take up yoga
4) Learn how to meditate (I have tried before but found it hard switching off, my mind would keep wandering off to something I need to do)
4) Have an aromatherapy or Indian Head massage from time to time (My ultimate relaxation treat! It works wonders for body and soul)
5) Give myself quiet quality time to just relax - without feeling that I should be getting on with something around the house, garden or work related.
6) Catch up with my friends around the world, I am behind on writing letters to them and I don't like the feeling that I am neglecting them.
7) Try and accept more easily that sometimes I may not be able to get some things done by a deadline I set myself. I'm one of those people who when they have an idea in their mind they like to do it now and want it completed asap...

I'm sure I'll come up with more to add to the list but that is not a bad start for now.

Making this list may seem an obvious thing to do but it has helped motivate me in to doing something about the effects my busy life has had on me. I'd love to go back to being full of energy and putting a stop to the migraines.

Where best to go than Glastonbury! Home to alternative therapies, health food shops, crystal shops etc. I like Glastonbury, it's atmosphere, it's shops and the array of therapies available to all and guess what? We only live about 20 minutes away from there!


The High Street

One of my first stops was at one of my favourite health food stores
called Earthfare on the High Street. They have a fantastic selection
of health foods, organic fruit & vegetables, health magazines, supplements
and many more things.

















Nicholas Cage has a house in a nearby village and is sometimes seen shopping and walking around Glastonbury. We didn't spot him today though.





I like this little courtyard, pretty and magical looking



Whenever I go to Glastonbury, I always pop into Star Child,
it has a most wonderful selection or dried herbs,flowers,
spices, candles, essential oils and a lot more.









George & Pilgrims Hotel




Glastonbury just wouldn't be the same without these shops






Back home with some magazines to inspire me and healthy food to get me back on to the right track :-)

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

Walking to work

Although we live in the countryside, Alan is lucky enough not to have a long commute to work. He does not work in a town or a city. In fact it takes just over 10 minutes to drive to his workplace through the country lanes but most days Alan likes to walk or cycle there (6km).

This morning, Alan took his camera with him, so I thought I would share some of his photos with you.


When Alan set out at 7.30am, the skies were grey with the feeling of possible rain in the air. It didn't stop the sun from trying to make an appearance through the clouds.

Just before it began pouring down with rain, Alan managed to capture this beautiful shot of the dark menacing sky and the rainbow just below it.
This type of light is my favourite! A very dark sky, a ray of sunshine, it makes the the plants and trees look to very striking the shades of green look so much brighter. Very atmospheric!


The rain subsided and Alan continued on his walk until he reached the office he works in.





In the afternoon the sky had cleared and the sun was out so time to take more photos

A reservoir next to Alan's workplace












We are very lucky to be be surrounded by such beautiful countryside, there is an abundance of wild flowers and wildlife which we see pretty much every day.








Almost home...

Larry waiting to welcome Alan back home :-)

I will be sharing pictures of the school run which I do most days. Once again, all in the country lanes, not a single town in sight. I promise you some stunning scenery and views! That post will follow in the next week or so.

A bientôt!

Isabelle X