Minneapolis Adventures | Big Things

Hello All,

Another update filled with American adventures for you. 

Where to begin?

Since my last check-in I have been exploring Minneapolis. 

My first adventure was to Minnihaha falls. It is a nature park with a beautiful waterfall. We jumped the 'closed' sign to get a better look (no one seemed to be paying any attention to the sign). After appreciating the waterfall and wishing we had brought a picnic lunch with us we went for a nice walk along the river. 

The next weekend we spent Sunday at the Mall of America. In total we were there for 8 hours of shopping fun. It is hard to describe exactly how big the mall actually is but to give you a few examples there is an indoor theme park and it took us 4 hours of shopping just to cover the first level (there are 3 levels in total). To begin our adventure we tackled the theme park. After a ride on the roller coaster and the log ride we were ready to shop. Without getting into detail I spent a lot of money for one day but it was a fun day. 

                                                                                  Mall of America theme park

                                                                                     Mall of America at night

                                                                                    Pretty Christmas tree

The week that just went we had a few little events. On Thursday we went to a charity bingo night raising money for junior rugby in Minneapolis. It was a lot of fun and the first time I had ever played bingo. Sadly we didn't win any money but a lot was raised for the kids. Friday night we went on the Movember bus. Movember is a campaign to raise money and awareness for mens' health. This event was organised by the Rugby clubs in Minneapolis. Fun was had by all. 

On Saturday Ryne and I went to the sculpture garden at the Walker Art Centre. It was freezing cold!! We took in the sights very quickly and got back in to car to warm up. We did manage to take some pictures though!

                                                            Spoonbridge and Cherry- Minneapolis sculpture garden

                                                                                             Minnesota wildlife 

                                                                                                     Snow!!

This final picture is the beautiful Minneapolis Skyline. It is prettier at night but all those photos have been rubbish because I took them while we were driving. 

I hope you have enjoyed this little update. I am going to endeavour to bring my proper camera around with me more often to take better pictures and also to get Ryne and myself in the pictures occasionally as well (a bit of proof we actually did those things and that I didn't just use a Google images picture). This Thursday is Thanksgiving I am looking forward to learning about this holiday. From what I have heard there is a lot of food involved and the next day a lot of shopping. 

Bridget x

How to Shop Healthy and Cheaply | Bites

Since arriving in Minneapolis it has occurred me that I can’t rely on my parents to make me dinner and buy groceries (I knew it was going to happen obviously but I didn’t think of the logistics). So after an unorganised shopping trip where we managed to squish the loaf of bread, I have decided to set myself the challenge to 1. Becoming better at grocery shopping and 2. Making healthy meals without spending a fortune (leaving more money for exciting adventures). As a newbie to fending for myself I have done a bit of research and together with everything I have learn about nutrition come up with a few tips I am going to try and stick to.

1.   Buy whole unprocessed foods. Most of the time it is less expensive. For example it is cheaper to buy a bag of oats and jazz them up yourself (with fruit, nuts, or cinnamon) than it is to buy a flavoured sachet of oats.
2.   Buy frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables where possible. For obvious reasons these last longer meaning you can buy them in bulk without the worry of spoilage (providing you have room in the freezer). A common misconception with frozen fruit and veg is that they have less nutrients compared to their fresh counter parts. This is not true they can actually have more nutrients because they have been frozen close to harvesting and haven’t been sitting on a shelf where nutrients can seep out. When choosing tinned products make sure there is no added salt in the vegetables and that fruit is canned in natural fruit juice or water to avoid excess sugar.
3.   Buy generic brands. A lot of the time the food product is the same without a fancy label. This doesn’t mean you have to buy everything generic even just getting the basics like rice and flour from these brands can make a difference.
4.  Drink tap water rather than buying beverages (I'm pretty good at this already but it is still a good tip).
5. Buy vegetables in season. They are less expensive and a lot of the time better quality because they are fresher.
6.  Look to buy cheaper proteins (meats, eggs, legumes) and make them more exciting by adding flavours yourself. Less expensive meats such as beef mince or tinned tuna. You can make mince go further by adding lentils or beans to bulk it out a bit.
7.  Making a shopping list and sticking to it. It is easy to impulse buy when shopping (I have found it especially tempting shopping in the US because of all the different products. I want to try everything). By doing this the shopping trip will be quick and more focused.

Something else to consider for us is that it can be cheaper to eat at a restaurant than it is to buy food at the grocery store. The aim is to find a healthy balance in life and just enjoy meal times.

There you have it the 7 little things to try and stick by over the next few months. I might do another post in the future about how practical these tips were and anything else I have learnt.

Hopefully this post is helpful for anyone who has recently started doing their own grocery shopping.

Enjoy!

I’m in the USA | Big things update

Today I have a quick update on what has been going on over the last week.

I finished up with work and then following that I spent the next few days catching up with friends and packing my two huge suitcases (I could have probably filled 3 suitcases if I was allowed to).

Finally it came time to go to the airport. I arrived at Canberra airport to find my original flight had been cancelled and that I had been booked onto an earlier flight (thanks goes to mum who made sure we were at the airport early). I was a bit sad when it was time to board my flight and after a tearful goodbye I was off to Sydney.

I was lucky enough to have a pass for the Qantas club lounge so I had a nice relaxing wait and took advantage of the free food and beverages, However I didn’t manage to find where everyone was getting the ice cream from. I was desperately hoping for an upgrade on my flight (even though I knew it was never going to happen but hey, it never hurts to dream) I got the next best thing two seats to myself 4 rows back from the front of economy. The flight was pretty smooth occasionally a bit of turbulence just to keep it interesting. With the extra room I was able to lie down and sleep.

When I arrived in Dallas I had about an hour and 10 minutes to make it to my next flight (which was in another terminal). Luckily I had a smooth run through customs and immigration making it to my flight with 10 minutes to spare. The flight from Dallas to Minneapolis was picturesque. From the air I could see a distinct line where the snow started. There was also a beautiful pink/red sunset before landing. When I finally arrived in Minneapolis I was so so happy to see Ryne there waiting for me J.

That night we went to dinner at a place called Psycho Susies and then a quick drink at one of the local bars. The following day we went shopping for warm clothes (which are much needed) and that night we went to the team’s local bar where everyone was friends and welcoming.

So far the weather here is close to what winter is like in Canberra. It is supposed to be a top of -2°C and a low of -8°C on Monday so that will be an experience for sure. I think this cold is going to take some getting used to. A few quick things I have noticed here: there are squirrels roaming the streets and the snow is very pretty to look at and a bit of a novelty for the time being.

I am going to try and post regular big thing updates. I also hope to have a nutrition post out some time in the next week.

Bridget x

Chia Seeds

Over the past few years there has been an increased interest in chia seeds (amongst other seeds). Someone asked me the other day about what they are and what they do. I realised I didn't really know the ins and outs of these little guys very well either so after a bit of research this is what I have come up with.

They are small black or white oval seeds. They can be used in sweet and savoury dishes. Some examples of what they can be added to are salads, smoothies, sandwiches, ground up and used to thicken soups just to list a few. 

What are the benefits?

•  They are rich in essential fatty acids which are beneficial for cardiovascular and neural health.
• Chia seeds can help regulate blood sugar levels. This is done by the seeds absorbing liquid in the stomach to form a gel. This gel slows the absorption of sugar into the blood stream. The regulating properties of chia seeds is particularly good for diabetics. 
• The ability for the chia seeds to form a gel in the stomach also makes you feel full faster. This is the result of the soluble fibre and is an added bonus for anyone trying to lose weight.
• The soluble fibre found in chia seeds also helps with digestion.
• Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids can be found in chia seeds. They are important for your heart and absorption of other vitamins.
• The seeds contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which all help to keep your skin, hair and nails healthy.
• Chia seeds are very absorbent and when mixed with water can make a gel to be used as a healthy substitute for certain oils.
• They help you to stay hydrated and to retain electrolytes for longer because they absorb and hold on to liquid in the stomach.

In my opinion introducing chia seeds to your diet would be beneficial for your body. It is important to remember that chia seeds are not a cure for illness or a body transformation miracle worker, incorporating chia seeds into your dishes is simply a step you can take to improving your health.

After my research I am excited to give them a go.

Have you tried chia seeds before? Are you now convinced to try them? What is your favourite way to use chia seeds?

Carbohydrates Are Not The Enemy

I feel like over the last few weeks I have been spending my time reading blogs and neglecting my own blog so here is a little nutrition bite to set me back on track.

Eliminating Carbohydrates from the diet has been a trend in fad diets for years. The misconception when it comes to weight loss and carbohydrates is that they are all bad and will make you gain weight. The truth of the matter is that you need carbohydrates to live. The only food your brain can live off is blood glucose which you get from carbohydrates. Many people don’t realise carbohydrates aren't just in bread and sugary products but they can also be found in fruit and most vegetables.

Grains and carbohydrates provide a vital source of energy that is easily accessible to the body. This makes them effective for fuelling physical activity. Carbohydrates from grains also provide vital nutrients such as vitamins and fibre.

I think when it comes to the grains food group it is all about making smart choices.

-Choose Healthy forms of Carbohydrates. If there is a multigrain option available choose that over the processed white bread or pasta. Wholemeal is the next best alternative. The more refined the flour is (white flour is most refined) the more nutrients are lost. High fibre cereals are also smart choices because they fill you up for longer. Cakes, donuts, and pastries do not fit in the carbohydrate category they are often high in sugar and saturated fat.

-Be aware of portion size. The Australian Dietary Guidelines say that men between the age of 19-70 years should be having 6 serves of grains per day, for females between 19-50 years 6 serves, and for females 51-70 years 4 serves. An example of a serve of grains is 1 slice of bread, 1/2 a medium roll or flat bread, 1/2 cup of rice, pasta or noodles. If you compare these serving sizes of the food you prepare at home or buy at a restaurant it will give you an idea of if you are over consuming carbohydrates.

-Don't be afraid to try something new. There are many different types of grains to choose from. As the saying goes variety is the spice of life. Some you might like to try could be quinoa, buckwheat or barley. 

-Timing of carbohydrate rich meals. Meals that have lots of carbohydrates are best eaten at the time of day where you are most active. For example before or after physical activity or at meals during the day. If carbohydrates are not used as energy they will eventually be stored as fat.

Reducing sugar can be beneficial but it is a different thing to cutting out carbohydrates completely.

When it comes to making food choices I like to use the theory everything in moderation.

Big Things Update

Graduation!

 

Last week I graduated from Uni! Although in the days before I wasn't really all that excited, when graduation day rolled around I was very happy to finally have the degree I worked so hard for in my hand.

 

I wasn't very organised when it came to putting together my outfit. I went shopping a few weeks before with my mum and sister for fashion advice. I chose this white Dress from Zara. It has a high neckline and a large cut out on the back from the waist up to the top of the back where it connected with 3 buttons. This was not originally the style of dress I was looking for. I wanted a skater style dress. Once I tried this one on I was comfortable, liked the dress and the price impressed me as well coming in at about $90. The white looked good against the black of the gown and the colour didn't clash with the red hood. I borrowed a pair of nude coloured peep toe heels and a gold necklace from Caitlin (who is particularly good at saving the day). To complete the outfit I wore an engraved gold bracelet Ryne gave me for Christmas last year and a rose gold bangle with little crystals in it from Ryne's parents which was a gift for graduating.

(Not the best quality photo sorry it was taken on a phone)

 

It was an early start arriving at Parliament House at 9am, and all over by lunch time. It was nice to have My family and Ryne's parents there to celebrate. I had a nice lunch with my family and a glass of champagne to make the occasion.

 

I've booked my tickets to the USA!

Yesterday I booked my flights to America! I am really excited to be going to visit Ryne and hopefully do a bit of travelling. I will be gone for about 2 and a bit months and as much as I am really looking forward to being in the USA I also am going to miss my family and friends. I will be posting about what I get up to on my travels.

Ryne's team is doing really well and is still undefeated in the 6 games they have played so far. 

Keep your eyes peeled for another nutrition related post coming soon.

How To Save 20 Minutes When Getting Ready

As a child I was an early riser. I had no problem getting up early. These days every extra second that I can sleep in makes me happy. So you can imagine anything I can do to reduce the amount of time it takes me to get ready is a good thing. One thing that takes up a chunk of my morning is washing and drying my hair. This is where dry shampoo comes in.

How does it work? Spray it into the roots of your dry hair and the powder soaks up any excess oil. Massage it through. Then brush out any of the powder that is left in your hair and style it as you wish. By doing this I can get away with washing my hair every second day.

Dry shampoo freshens up your hair and gives it an extra boost of volume without having to wash it. I even use this product after letting my hair air dry completely to give it some extra volume. Other benefits of dry shampoo include less damage to your hair from heat styling and not stripping too many natural oils from the hair.

I use the dry shampoo by Batiste. I especially like the one that is for medium and brunette hair because the powder has a brown tint to it making it easier to blend into the hair. It also has a delicious vanilla scent. 

The price varies depending what size and where you are buying it from but generally the biggest size (400mL) is less than $18. Honestly I can’t say exactly how long a can lasts me because I can never remember how long it has been between repurchasing.

Have you tried dry shampoo? Do you have any tricks to save time in the morning?