4:30pm I had intended to go to Aerial Hoop practice and then to Intermediate Spin or go home and study for my last exam and do freelance work but I ended up getting completely sidetracked due to tiredness. My energy levels were just not up to keeping my brain functioning. Instead I essentially killed time on the Facebook chat, whilst researching for an article and reading Suri’s Burn Book and information on Advertising courses. Not very productive but I think my brain needed a rest.
8:00pm Finally, dinner time. I treated myself and a friend to dinner and we shared a Yasai Ramen, Agedashi Tofu and Eggplant with miso, plus a bottle of sake. A tasty meal, which came to $31.50 all up. Bargain!

I feel bad because after dinner I got sidetracked on the #EatKit twitter conversation and should have put my phone away. I just get so excited about health, nutrition & food conversations on social media.
So today ended up being quite a good day even though I didn’t get everything done that I wanted. When was the last time your plans didn’t work out?

10:00am My Management exam began and I felt a little bit apprehensive when I saw the questions for the essay section. But it’s done now!
11:30am Exam being done and last minute coffee plans being cancelled left my hungry tummy to be filled. On the walk down from the exam venue I noticed that there are really a lot of sushi places in Melbourne! I chose a vegetable & tofu noodle soup, switched to rice noodles, and gave myself a generous serve of chilli sauce. Delicious.

12:30pm Tummy satisfied, I headed over to my lunchtime meeting with a new freelance client, my favourite bar! They’re updating their branding & website so I’m helping out with that. Best client ever! (Can I get paid in wine & vegan flatbreads? Haha). Since I was there, I used the time to go over my notes for my next exam. I also picked up some red licorice as a treat for exam time and snuck a few chocolates into a nearby apartment to make someone’s tough morning a little better ;)
2:30pm Exam number 2. Accounting & Business Finance is hard. I think I did okay on both my exams but I didn’t feel like I had enough of a grasp of the topics to give a good quality answer. We shall see. Straight on the train afterward though, no time to stress about it!
4:30pm My evening shift started at my second job and as it was quiet I tried to get some study in for tomorrow’s exam. Ended up idly eating the rest of the red licorice along with my real dinner of brown rice, broccoli & tempeh with tomato purée.
8:30pm Work finished early so I managed to catch the last half of the #HealthyChat on Twitter on the train home. I love reading people’s answers on the topics; tonight was children’s nutrition.
10:00pm Time for a cup of tea, a nibble of something and a look over my notes for tomorrow’s exam. It’s going to be a big day so I should probably pack my lunch and dinner too.

That was my Tuesday, for this week anyway. What’s your least favourite day of the week?

7:30pm Went to my pole class and revised all the terms tricks and my end of term routine.
8:30pm Smashed an Arbonne chocolate protein shake whilst with my client discussing copywriting changes, photo submissions and website edits.

10:30pm Got home (to a delivery of a purple trench coat from ASOS, yessss!), had a cup of rosehip tea and a handful of cashews & almonds and read over my notes for one of my exams tomorrow. Now I’m ready for bed!

So that was Monday. How did your week start?

My whole life has pretty much been working and lots of this…

This week I have 4 exams for my Uni course, 2 freelance clients to do work for, 1 article to write for Viva La Vegan, 5 shifts across 2 jobs, a winery tour for my friend’s birthday on Saturday, a comedy show and catch-up with a good friend, 2 pole comps to go and see plus I want to try and make it to 5 pole/hoop classes. Since I haven’t had time to blog about anything else I thought I might take you along for the ride.

When I get home tonight after class and just before I go to bed, you’ll get the first insight into what it’s like in my busy, busy life. I hope you enjoy the ride :)

Tonight I had a brief conversation with my former housemate about our 25 before 25 goals, as she wrote a list also. It reminded me that my last progress report was September 2011 so I should probably give a bit of an update about how we’re going now. I’m thinking I might give myself until the end of my 25th year, given how much I take on, I think 2 years is pretty good, I might even add some more goals to this list to build on the ones I’ve achieved!

1. Pay off my credit cards – Now that I’m back at the parents my “rent” will be smashing my cards. I’ve managed to stay on top of them but they’re still not really going down.
2. Finish a qualification – Have managed to keep up with Uni work so far this semester but it’s going to be a bit longer than this list. I will change it to “Pass all subjects”.
3. Leave the country – My Nanna has generously offered to contribute to a trip overseas for my birthday. I was going to go and see her but now I’m thinking…
4. Book my US trip – … that maybe the week just my birthday is a good opportunity to scoot over to California for a week or so!
5. Get to Advanced level 3 Pole and Advanced level spinning pole – I’m in Advanced 1 now, I think I can pass and get into A2 next term, so we’re almost there!
6. Pass Intermediate 3 Aerial Hoop – I’m in Intermediate 1 now so I’m thinking I can get to Intermediate 3 but passing might be ambitious.
7. Get my drivers licence – Still haven’t organized more lessons. Did pass my hazard perception test though – progress
8. Learn to skateboard – A project for Uni holidays!
9. Improve my language skills – Currently learning Italian on my tram rides, Mind Snacks is such a great app for that - progress
10. Get my braces removed – It’s on my To Do List, I swear.
11. Have my jaw surgery – Still psyching myself up for this one.
12. Go to Ezard/Vue du Monde/Jacques Reymond… I went to Ezard on March 13th. Done!
13. Have another dinner at Amusé – Sometime this year, thinking October unless I get to Perth earlier.
14. Cook everything in Veganomicon – I’ve made about a dozen items but over Easter I will be ticking off a  bunch more - progress.
15. Submit my SG photo set. I have ideas, I have someone in mind, it’s still possible this year - progress.
16. Be able to run 10km. Signing up for an 8km run in May and then a 10km in June - progress
17. Relaunch healthypartygirl.com. I’m working on it, you may notice a different header and font scheme… progress.
18. Get a paid writing job. Still writing for free currently but am actually working with freelance Marketing clients! progress.
19. Go to Pole Camp. Didn’t make it last year but lock in this year! progress.
20. Return to my “fighting weight”. Working on it. Slow & steady. progress.
21. Get the 180B back on the road. No comment…
22. Be able to do the splits. Working on it, my flexibility is much better, I’ve been partner stretching & taking classes. progress.
23. Do a pole photo shoot with Adam Jay. Had one in October and will be doing another in August. Done!
24. Quit social smoking. So close… was doing amazing for months and started slipping up again but back on the wagon now.
25. Turn a profit with my Arbonne business. A project for Easter break but I’m working on it. progress.

The Love Infinitely Project

A movement to spread love by letting people use their natural talents to give back. To transform the world through giving and being love.

Love Infinitely encourages people to be activists, educate people and get involved in supporting causes. This project inspires me to give more of myself to causes I care about. They also champion women who are doing great things and changing the world for the better. At the moment they are contributing to these great projects;

• Animal Aid Unlimited
• Elephant Nature Park
• Free The Slaves
• Fur Free LA
• Lotus Elephant Sanctuary

If you’d like to know more, please go to the Love Infinitely Project website.

Gala Darling’s Radical Self Love Bootcamp

Sometimes I get bitterly depressed and down about myself and the things that I am (or aren’t) achieving. Well, I am a very positive person most of the time but there was always an element of not quite believing in myself and knowing what I am capable of… until I discovered the Radical Self Love Bootcamp. A 30 day exercise in learning how to love yourself including having gratitude for the good in your life, setting goals and changing negative behaviours. I’m still working through the 30 day program but I’m hooked! I also bought Gala Darling’s book, Love & Sequins, which is 12 chapters on all different topics including love, career and so much more. I can’t express how inspiring this woman has been – even to the degree of making sure there is more colour and sparkle in my life!

Arbonne

I’ve been using Arbonne’s Vegan friendly, no-nasty-chemicals, botanical skincare, cosmetics and protein powder for going on to a year now. I love the protein powder very much as it tastes like melted chocolate ice-cream or uncooked chocolate cake mix and packs a whopping 20g of protein per serve – I’ve been making sure to have one a day when I’m busy as I know that protein is at the foremost of my thoughts, and one after training as it really aids muscle recovery. The hair & body products are fantastic and all the cosmetics are beautiful. I especially love the liquid eyeliner, mascara, red lipstick and recently I have discovered the mineral make-up which is just a dream, as I don’t like feeling that my make-up is caked on. I am registered as an Independent Consultant for Arbonne but haven’t made it a priority to really sell the products, I just love using them myself! In saying that, if you are interested in sampling Arbonne products or becoming a consultant yourself, please see my page fore more information.

The Organic Kitchen

My beautiful friend Noula owns & operates a business called The Organic Kitchen and she cooks the most amazing food. I helped out at a function and she sent me home with leftovers including an amazing chickpea & pumpkin curry on quinoa with roquette, all organic and Vegan! She does catering for functions, corporate and the busy person and all the food is made with so much love.  One day she had a spare meal and dropped it over to my house so it wouldn’t go to waste and I must say it was an absolute godsend!

The Organic Kitchen is based in Melbourne, Australia. For more information go to http://theorganickitchen.net/ (which I will be helping Noula update very soon!)

Writing reviews

I’ve been doing a little bit of writing lately which has included a series on Pole Dancing & Aerial Hoop for Viva La Vegan – a challenge but also a great exercise in research! I’m really enjoying having to come up with topics and learning more about the industry I’m already involved in. My most recent article was published yesterday;
http://vivalavegan.net/community/articles/261-a-history-of-pole-dancing-a-aerial-hoop-part-2.html
Plus I’ve written a couple of reviews – not nearly as many as I used to but my favourite one of late has been for Tone Deaf which was a review of Dashboard Confessional who came to Australia as part of the Soundwave tour. If I had more time I would love to review a lot more but right now my focus needs to be on University studies. But if you would like to read my review you can find it here;
http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/137452/dashboard-confessional-2.htm
Although now I’ve gone and found that link, I’m disappointed that people say things like “Hate to tell you…” when they seem to be getting a buzz from correcting you. Writing reviews is not easy work, and often you have a very short timeframe in which you are expected to write a review. If you aren’t the kind of person who goes to see a band or artist already knowing every single song that they have ever released, you need to do your best to find out the name of as many songs as possible so that fans can find out what was played. Still, I love writing and any way that I can do it is a good thing!

Chickpea & Living Vegan magazines 

Recently I discovered a magazine which is just for Vegans and is beautifully put together… and available for free online! The first issue was around 100 pages which is huge. I love magazines but stopped myself from buying them because even just the remaining stack that I kept and didn’t cull after I stopped studying Fashion Design is up to my waist years later, and I hoarded Donna Hay magazines for years. Now I have a reason to buy magazines again and I don’t have to worry about the paper! In saying that, I have subscribed to the Living Vegan magazine which is produced by Animal Liberation Victoria, Uproar, Vegan Society of NSW and more…  so I can still get my magazine fix. I’m so glad there are quality publications like these coming out, targeted at Vegans but still in the same quality as mainstream magazines. Chickpea is available in print as well which would make amazing coffee table reading.

This tweet from Eric Thomas

@Ericthomasbtc The next time you feel slightly uncomfortable with the pressure in your life Remember No Pressure, No Diamonds. Pressure is a part of Success.

Well that’s all for now, I’m sure there will be plenty more things between now and next Friday! Have a great weekend everyone.
If something has been inspiring you lately, please share in the comments!

Barre Body studio, Flinders Lane

This morning I got up at 6am (okay, I snoozed until 6:20am) and dragged myself into the city for a Barre Moves class at the recently opened Barre Body studio. It is located inside the gorgeous Endota Spa and smells just amazing. Note to self: book in for a massage next time I’m in for class. The class was a combination of traditional Ballet barre exercises think demi & grande pliés in first and second position – and flowing yoga. It may haver been the humid morning but I definitely worked up a sweat, especially with my DOMS from Pole Power/Advanced Pole on Monday night. Even after assisted stretching and a massage, my legs and abs are still recovering. I noticed a few celebrities being spotted at Barre classes and thought I’d give it a try. I will definitely be going as often as I can get myself out of bed that early!

Pole Divas stand at FitX

Last weekend the FitX Sports & Fitness Expo was on and Pole Divas had a stand. I was there “manning the booth” on Saturday and we had two instructors doing demonstrations like the lovely Giada pictured. We also ran the FitX Pole Power Championship which was a real test of strength amongst all the pole dancers competing. Two of our instructors came first and second place which was great! The competition was pretty tough, there are definitely some really strong women in this sport. I didn’t get much of a chance to see the rest of the Expo but I did get to meet Amanda from Me vs the Bulge! I could see a bit of the strongman competition from the stand and it was pretty crazy, the guys were lifting and carrying hundreds of kilos and it was very impressive!

My life right now

So yes, I have been very busy. I’m taking four subjects at Uni this semester and it’s halfway through week 3 and so far I have managed to stay on top of everything. It’s been hard as I’ve only received one textbook and two study guides but since I don’t drive I can read on public transport which is awesome. My life has pretty much consisted of working, studying, trying to fit in Pole classes (and now Barre and maybe a few runs) and not a lot else! I have moved house, been to a couple of exciting things like Soundwave and a couple of the side shows,  had an amazing Vegan degustation at Ezard which I may write on later – I didn’t take any pictures because I just wanted to enjoy the whole experience, and written a few things like reviews and a series on Pole Dancing & Aerial Hoop over at Viva La Vegan!

City of Melbourne's Food Policy Discussion Paper

In my “spare time”,  I’ve been trying to keep up with my personal interests including reading The China Study, my local council’s Food Policy Discussion Paper – which I have been taking notes and answering questions about, in order to provide a detailed response to how I think our food policy should be developed. It’s so interesting! Never thought I’d get into policy but then again I never thought I’d get into Economics which I’m taking this semester, and I have.

Yes, I’m very busy but I am happy and that’s the best part! For more regular updates, please make sure you follow me on Twitter & Instagram@healthypartygrl.

Barre Body – 69-71 Flinders Lane, Melbourne – http://www.barrebody.com.au

The China Study – http://www.thechinastudy.com

City of Melbourne Food Policy Discussion - http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/Health/FoodPolicy/Pages/FoodPolicy.aspx

First, I decided that caramelized balsamic vinegar is the greatest dressing to have with a drizzle of olive oil on my favourite salad which includes baby spinach, cherry Roma tomatoes, red capsicum, avocado, cucumber, Kalamata olives and 5 bean mix. I actually missed the taste of it hours later. Can anyone say “Salad Nerd”?

Confession: I ate a whole (small) tub of hummus with carrot sticks and rice crackers for afternoon tea one day this week. The tub was less than 200 calories and it was really tasty. But I decided not to buy another one for a few days anyway, just to try and exercise some control.

I did discover Minikins though. Miniature pumpkins which I thought would be great stuffed with quinoa. Alas, quinoa was either out of stock or out of my budget so cous cous it was. I also got to play with the work pizza oven since it was a quiet night at my evening/weekend job. See my action shot at left. Basically I put cous cous, chopped almonds, chopped dried apricots and salt & pepper together inside a tiny pumpkin, covered it in foil and roasted it for around 25-30mins at about 190-200degrees. About 10 minutes to go I took the foil off and put cherry tomatoes, broccolini and a mushroom on the tray.  The pizza oven was annoying, because in between doing other things I’d have to come back and run it through again. But you make do.

Roasted minikin with apricot & almond cous cous

 I thought that being on a budget was probably an indication that I should probably cut down on burritos, which made me sad. But then I remembered that I could probably make something close enough to the real thing and I was happy again. I cooked rice with a little lime juice and salt & pepper added at the end, cooked half an onion with a can of black beans and put it some on top, then about 1/8-1/4 of an avocado mashed coarsely, some corn, a couple tablespoons of salsa, and a small handful of shredded nacho cheese flavoured Cheezly. I ended up being able to make 2-3 small burritos and then I got a bit excited and decided to toast them in the sandwich press at my day job. So very, very tasty.

Black bean & lime rice burrito with things

Last but not least, tonight’s dinner was leftover cous cous from the Minikin last night, with a vegetable and chickpea stew. This is totally the easiest thing ever but it looks pretty special if you serve it in anything other than a plastic container. Warm a few tablespoons of olive oil in a big pot. Dice vegetables to about 1/2-3/4inch cubes – eggplant, zucchini, red capsicum, tinned tomatoes and also half an onion (can you tell I was preparing two meals at the same time?) then add a can of chickpeas and season with salt, pepper and any spices you like eg. cardamon, cumin, cloves etc. It’s a bit Moroccan if you use the right spices or you can use oregano & basil, maybe rosemary to make it a bit more Italian. Whatever you want to play with. Seriously, go play!

If you hadn’t figured it out yet, I have a pretty laissez-faire approach to recipes and cooking to a formula. I learnt to cook from eating, reading recipe books, watching my Daddy prepare meals and a whole lot of trial and error. Generally if you pay enough attention to food to watch someone cook or stop and think about the flavours and what goes into a meal, you’ll generally be able to cook basic things without much training.

I get excited by food and having a Vegan diet means (among other things) I can eat lots of things and larger amounts of things so that suits me given I am crap at portion control. I also get excited about pole dancing and aerial hoop for fitness which I am now writing about once a month over at Viva La Vegan so go and check it out, there’s also writing by Robert Cheeke of Vegan Body Building and a bunch of other amazing Vegans so I’m super proud to be among the ranks over there.

Chocolate Protein Pancakes

Self-raising flour ~1/2 cup
Besan (chickpea) flour ~1/2 cup
Raw sugar ~1/4 cup (or more to taste)
Cocoa ~1 Tbsp
Non-dairy milk ~3/4-1 cup
Mix dry ingredients together then stir in milk a bit at a time until the mixture is thick but runny. Use a non-stick pan and cook just as you would normal pancakes, flipping once there are plenty of bubbles on the top and the edge lifts up easily.
Serve with syrup, berries, a pat of Nuttelex, or whatever takes your fancy. I recommend adjusting the sugar (or just adding more topping) if you feel the Besan flour is a tad bitter for your tastes, I don’t mind it but I eat 85% cocoa chocolate and don’t have a sweet tooth so do play with the sweetness.
You may possibly need maybe half a teaspoon of baking powder depending on how fluffy you like your pancakes, and this is probably enough for two people or one very hungry person. I was a very hungry person but I was definitely full just before I finished them. Besan flour packs a whopping 22g of protein per 100g, so if you eat the whole stack you’re likely to meet 50% of your protein requirement for the day, just make sure you have alternative sources like whole grains, seeds, nuts, tofu and other legumes to ensure you get complete amino acid intake.
No fail iced coffee
1.5 tsp instant coffee
1 tsp raw sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Ice ~1/2 cup
Non-dairy milk to fill
I use my favourite Kirin beer glass which is a schooner but any glass around 300-400mL is fine, just adjust strength to your taste. I put a tiny bit of hot water in to mix then fill with milk and add ice last to avoid melting. Tasty!
Get Vegucated!

I have ordered a private viewing license of the film Vegucated and would love to host a movie night in February complete with snacks and drinks in order to raise money for not only the Vegucated causes but one of our local causes as well. If you are in Melbourne and would be interested in coming, please let me know. I’m going to try and get a community room with AV equipment probably on a weeknight. Find out more about Vegucated at the website.
What are you doing today? How do you gear up for doing something you’d rather not do?