This is probably the most inspirational thing I've seen so far this year. It's a three part-series my friend shared with me. Anytime I think my training is getting a little bit tough, I think of this guy and I inevitably find I can push just a bit harder. Proof that there is always an excuse, but never one very good.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Henry on a horse!
We are super lucky that our very friendly neighbours have heaps of animals. This afternoon they kindly let us ride the horses, and let Henry feed lots of the animals. It was great fun, and not scary at all! (Well, not scary after we got used to it.)
What a great afternoon!
 |
| So excited! |
 |
| Mr cool is totally relaxed |
 |
| Total cowboys |
 |
| Feeding the ducks |
 |
| Feeding the chicken |
 |
| Patting Cherry, the goat - super excited! |
What a great afternoon!
Sunday, 6 October 2013
A laugh to finish your weekend
In Berlin, I purchased a copy of this book and sat in a restaurant on my own, reading and laughing my head off. The guy at the table next to me kept staring, but I couldn't help myself.
Here are a few highlights from the blog. Though the photos on their own are hilarious, it's the captions that make them.
Here are a few highlights from the blog. Though the photos on their own are hilarious, it's the captions that make them.
 |
| My favourite part of this is that the family decided to pose with a glass of white wine for Nana. Oh, and the strategic placement of bananas. |
 |
| Trust no one |
 |
| Presumably all the other props were taken. |
 |
| Even the baby is in on the hair action |
Henry and Lizette
On Friday evening, we had a lovely family meal in Ambrieres. Henry was quick to make friends.
 |
| After playing for a short time with Lizette, Henry ran up to me and said "Fun! FUN!" |
 |
| Kisses and cuddles! I love the big smile on both their faces. |
Does eating cheese give you nightmares?
Every time I come to France, I eat my weight in cheese. Well ok, I eat a lot of cheese. I can't seem to help myself. I go to the supermarket and there is just so much, delicious looking cheese, I can't help but buy it.
And then when I get home, I can't help but eat it. I feel guilty for being "wasteful" - I don't want to let the cheese just sit in the fridge all on its own. I can't exactly justify buying yet more cheese, unless I've eaten what I've already got. and so I take it upon myself to EAT. (I usually go home a kilo or two heavier, but I figure, as far as cheese goes, it's worth it.)
But now, despite it being past 6.30am and Henry is still asleep (!?), I am wide awake because I've been having really crazy, vivid dreams. (I dreamt I was in labour, but then I left the hospital because the contractions had slowed and I needed to get first to French class, and then get on a flight. I'm neither pregnant, taking French classes nor flying soon.)
And every time I come here and start eating cheese in copius amounts, I consistently have these crazy dreams.
Now the anecdotes of a sample size of one is not enough to prove the theory that cheese causes nightmares. The only "scientific study" I could find was by the British Cheese Board (I've finally found my calling - cheese taster!) whose inherent bias is to promote cheese. Still, they reported that eating different types of cheese before bed could cause certain types of dreams. For example, Stilton-eaters had the most bizarre dreams, people who ate Red Leicester dreamt about the past, and people who ate Cheddar were more likely to dream about celebrities. There was no real explanation as to why this should be the case.
However, research by the BBC suggests that tryptophan, an amino acid present in cheese, could actually cause strange dreams because tryptophan is used by the body to produce the mood stabiliser serotonin.
This could indeed be the cause of the "cheese effect".
In fact, there is an old class of antidepressants which prevents the breakdown of chemicals such as serotonin. These drugs also prevent the breakdown of tyramine, which occurs naturally in cheese.
However, the buildup of tyramine can cause serious health problems, and can ultimately prove fatal. So while they are not commonly prescribed now, people taking this type of antidepressant are given strict warnings to avoid cheese and other foods including cured or pickled products.
So there is a possible explanation for me as to whether eating cheese before bed causes strange dreams.
The alternate explanation for my crazy dreams could just be that eating large amounts of lard (well, fat) before bed causes indigestion, and subsequently disrupted sleep.
It's not entirely clear whether it's the cheese causing my dreams or not, however at this point I'm prepared to continue with the "experiment". If the cost of massive cheese consumption is strange dreams, then I'll suffer through!
And then when I get home, I can't help but eat it. I feel guilty for being "wasteful" - I don't want to let the cheese just sit in the fridge all on its own. I can't exactly justify buying yet more cheese, unless I've eaten what I've already got. and so I take it upon myself to EAT. (I usually go home a kilo or two heavier, but I figure, as far as cheese goes, it's worth it.)
But now, despite it being past 6.30am and Henry is still asleep (!?), I am wide awake because I've been having really crazy, vivid dreams. (I dreamt I was in labour, but then I left the hospital because the contractions had slowed and I needed to get first to French class, and then get on a flight. I'm neither pregnant, taking French classes nor flying soon.)
And every time I come here and start eating cheese in copius amounts, I consistently have these crazy dreams.
Now the anecdotes of a sample size of one is not enough to prove the theory that cheese causes nightmares. The only "scientific study" I could find was by the British Cheese Board (I've finally found my calling - cheese taster!) whose inherent bias is to promote cheese. Still, they reported that eating different types of cheese before bed could cause certain types of dreams. For example, Stilton-eaters had the most bizarre dreams, people who ate Red Leicester dreamt about the past, and people who ate Cheddar were more likely to dream about celebrities. There was no real explanation as to why this should be the case.
However, research by the BBC suggests that tryptophan, an amino acid present in cheese, could actually cause strange dreams because tryptophan is used by the body to produce the mood stabiliser serotonin.
This could indeed be the cause of the "cheese effect".
In fact, there is an old class of antidepressants which prevents the breakdown of chemicals such as serotonin. These drugs also prevent the breakdown of tyramine, which occurs naturally in cheese.
However, the buildup of tyramine can cause serious health problems, and can ultimately prove fatal. So while they are not commonly prescribed now, people taking this type of antidepressant are given strict warnings to avoid cheese and other foods including cured or pickled products.
So there is a possible explanation for me as to whether eating cheese before bed causes strange dreams.
The alternate explanation for my crazy dreams could just be that eating large amounts of lard (well, fat) before bed causes indigestion, and subsequently disrupted sleep.
It's not entirely clear whether it's the cheese causing my dreams or not, however at this point I'm prepared to continue with the "experiment". If the cost of massive cheese consumption is strange dreams, then I'll suffer through!
 |
| These boys look happy because they are shopping for cheese. |
Inspiring! The work you are making WILL be as good as your ambitions
As someone who ultimately wants to get paid for being a writer, I was inspired by this. Even if you are not the creative type, I think the message holds true; I could apply it both to my running, and also to my writing.
Check it out!
Check it out!
Our house in France; first impressions
This is what I saw;
 |
| The grapes above the front door |
 |
| The roses beside the Gite |
 |
| The Gite |
 |
| The garden |
 |
| Running to see the horses - so excited! |
 |
| The horse on our field! |
 |
| The lavender and roses I picked from our garden |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)