Recipe | Super Smoothie

Hello you! Happy Monday! Hope you're having an excellent start to the week! :)

As some of you might know, I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences (more nutrition than food science, though, if you ask me). Doing this degree does make me question the things I eat sometimes *cough* KFC *cough* McDonald's--in my defence I live right above KFC (probably not the best idea), but it has definitely made me try and eat a somewhat healthy diet (for fear of being judged). But honestly, I believe in everything in moderation. If you've been craving those KFC wicked wings, have them, just not every day. 

One of my favourite things to do is to make smoothies. There's something extremely satisfying about throwing whatever you've got in the fridge into your blender, whirring it up, and voila a nice refreshing drink/snack. Some days smoothies count as breakfast for me. I've never been a big breakfast eater, but smoothies help get the engine up and running. 

 Top 10 Benefits of Smoothies:

1. Smoothies are a great way of getting your vitamins and minerals in. Fruits are filled with all kinds of vitamins: citrus fruits are hold a lot of vitamin C, bananas are packed with potassium, berries are antioxidant power houses. 

2. It's true that eating the fruit itself gives you more fibre, but you can still get lots of fibre from smoothies. 

3. Quick and easy (hassle free).

4. Good way to get kids to eat fruits and veggies.

5. Depending on the ingredients you put in your smoothie, it can act as a detoxifying drink.

6. Aids in muscle repair and rebuilding post workout.

7. Strengthens your immune system.

8. Gives you energy to go through the day (healthier than a shot of coffee).

9. Helps to give your brain a boost, improving your mental clarity, focus, and memory.

10. It's fun!

Today I'm going to be sharing with you one of my favourite smoothie recipe's. I call this one the Super Smoothie because it is packed to the brim with vitamins, protein, and other minerals. 

You can use any kind of fruits that you like/ have. Tweak this recipe to your liking, I just used whatever I had in my fridge. Wash and cut up your fruits.

I used a quarter of a rockmelon, a handful of blueberries, 5 strawberries, and 1 ripe banana

1. Rockmelon: full of vitamin C and potassium
2. Blueberries: full of antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese
3. Strawberries: antioxidant-promoting, vitamin C and manganese
4. Banana: contain essential B group vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothetic acid, folate and vitamin B6. Also a good source of potassium

*Option: add greens like baby spinach or kale for a green smoothie with extra oomph 

I used Greek yoghurt for this smoothie because Greek yoghurt is an excellent source of protein (more than regular yoghurt). This particular yoghurt packs 10.2g of protein in every 100g. You don't necessarily have to use Greek yoghurt, any other vanilla/fruit flavoured yoghurt will do just as well :) Use whichever yoghurt you prefer to tailor this smoothie to your own taste, it may take a few trials before you get the perfect smoothie for you. 

In this recipe I used coconut water instead of just regular water because it is packed with electrolytes and helps in hydrating your body more so than water does (not that water isn't good, it's excellent). 

*Option: I used my Superfood Kale powder for extra antioxidants, calcium, and phytonutrients. You can leave this out :)

Of course, you're going to need a blender for this. If you really enjoy making smoothie's I would recommend to invest in a nice blender.  

Place your fruits into the blender

Add coconut water. I don't have an exact measurement I go by. Start with a little bit because it's easier to add more than to take out. 

*Option: Here is where you would add your superfood powder or any other kind of powder supplement that you want to.

Add your Greek yoghurt. I used 3 tablespoons, you can add more or less depending on the smoothie consistency you're looking for. 

Blend. Once nicely blended add a handful of ice for that extra crunch, pour into a mason jar for extra hipster-ey vibes and voila! There you have it, your very own super smoothie. 

Add a straw and some berries for garnish and enjoy your smoothie that not only tastes good, but it's packed full of good for you vitamins.

Hope you guys enjoyed this different type of blog post. I was thinking of perhaps doing a recipe a month or something. Let me know if there is any recipe's or any other kind of blog post's that you would like to see :)

Be blessed

Sarah

x

Blender: Kambrook Power Drive Blender

Photos taken with: iPhone 5 

And edited using: VSCOcam

Finding Yourself in a Pursuit of Something Greater

"Where on earth could it be???"

I exhaled, frustrated and tired as I drop to my knees. Sulking in the middle of my room that now looks like a hurricane ripped right through it, I glance around, thinking hard--trying to remember where I had misplaced my key.

"It has to be here somewhere.."

My words trail off as I try and retrace my steps, hoping that somewhere in my subconscious there is a memory of where I may have put my key.

I continue to rummage through my room, and I find a hair tie that was hiding in the pocket of my coat. I add it to the pile of things I had already found earlier: a pen, bobbie pins, more hair ties, my boost members card. I start looking in places that my key couldn't possibly even be, just for the sake of looking and in high hopes that somehow it has magically appeared in a place that it never was to begin with.

How many of you have lost something before? And in the pursuit of said thing that was lost, you found things that you had previously lost? In some twisted logic and fate you found other things that you had once lost but had given up searching for when the one thing you really wanted was still in limbo.

In many ways, life is a lot like finding a lost key. This epic journey that we all label as life is full of surprises. We gain somethings along the way and sometimes we lose things too. Most often we're caught looking for the things we seek in the wrong place.

Oftentimes during the pursuit of whatever it is we want in life, we sometimes lose ourselves--temporarily and sometimes even permanently. In the scavenge for the one thing we wanted most in life, we became blinded and lost our way from the path.

From the strenuous journey, just like an athlete training for a 32km marathon, we feel tired, and lose strength, we may lost sight of the vision, and give up on it after the disappointment of not having achieved or found the thing that we set out to do.

I believe that we all have a purpose in this world and that we all have a path that has been paved for us. Sometimes when we search the world to find something that can fill the void that we feel within ourselves. We get into relationships that eventually hurt you, leaving you more broken than you were before.

As a Christian, I believe that God has a plan for my life, that He paved a path for me. Sometimes I may venture off the path, I may veer a little right or a little left, but He always brings me back on my one true path and knowing that comforts me. That the one who created everything that you can see is watching over me and loves me with the purest of loves.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

My advice to you: don't you ever give up on the search, no matter how hard it gets. 

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going

The great explorers will tell you that they never found something the first time around. Thomas Edison didn't just conjure up a lightbulb out of nothing just like Alexander Graham Bell didn't just wake up one day with the schematics on how to make a telephone. They all had to go through trial and error, experiment after experiment, expedition after expedition, before the came to the end product: the thing that they set out to invent or find. 

I hope you find whatever it is you seek. 

Be blessed,

Sarah 

x

Are you half full? Or half empty?

"Ugh, this sucks. I hate this place. I just want to be out of here."

Any of you ever felt this way? Life is terrible, you've got nothing going on, that really cute guy you like has a girlfriend, college isn't fun, you have no friends, you don't have a job, and you're broke. 

Resonate with any of you?

How many times have we gone through life with a negative outlook. Like it seems that 'Life' itself has turned its back on you and has has made it it's sole mission to make your life a living catastrophe. You feel like you have nothing going for you anymore and you're just about ready to give up. 

Well, I'm here to tell you different. 

Stop. 

Mmhmmm. Stop it. 

Those negative thoughts in your head right now? The ones that keep tugging at your mind and playing tricks on you. Stop them, right now. 

I know it's been a tough ride and you're tired, but that was never reason enough to give up. Don't give up because things are getting hard and uncomfortable and you wish that you could just rewind it all. 

No one else out there is like you. Absolutely no one. No one has had the experiences you've had, may they be good or bad. They haven't read all the books you've read. They don't know all the people you know, the one's you've encountered once, exchanged glances with on the subway, the people you've accidentally walked into, or the people who've been in your life for years. They don't have all the songs that you have on your iTunes, the Hannah Montana soundtrack you deny to affiliate yourself with, all the alternative, indie, pop, jazz, blues that you've got in your favourite playlist. They don't have the same song that you play over and over and over again. They haven't eaten all the things you've eaten or swam in all the pools and oceans that you've swam in. Even twins don't share the same experiences even though they may share the same DNA. 

Whatever you have been through, that's made you the person you are today. Maybe you've hit rock bottom. Maybe you haven't. The mistakes you've made have taught you to be more careful, so you don't make the same ones again. And the right's that you've made have helped you become better. 

Without those events in your life, you might not be where you are right now. 

Right this minute. 

Look around you, look where you are. A foreign country? Or one you've lived in all your life? A new school? Or an old school? A new house? Or an old house? With new friends? Or one's you've had for decades? 

Wherever you are right now, I want you to know that you're loved. That you are so incredibly blessed. That sacrifices were made to get you to where you are right now. You are important. You play a significant role on this planet. Who cares what other people think of you. When they're not looking, and no one's around, do you like yourself? 

Isn't it more important to be in love with who you are than to make yourself into someone that society loves? 

Ignore them, because at the end of the day, when no one's watching, you should love the person that you are.

And you may not know it, but you've probably impacted or changed someone else's life. Even if you didn't know it. 

I say, keep on going. Do things that you've always wanted to. So what if you fail? Failure doesn't mean that you're a bad person. It just means that maybe it's just not the right timing. I admit, I hate failing too. You feel embarrassed, ashamed, doubtful, regretful. All those emotions. But just think about how great it's gonna feel when you finally do succeed, because I know that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can do anything. 

So be fearless. Live without regrets. Stop spending your days on your phone claiming to be on 'social media' which I think is the least social thing anyone can ever do. It's sad that we all resort to being 'social' online and we forget that we can be social in person with the people that are right there with you. I know I've fallen victim to this too. When you look back on your life, won't you want to tell your children, your grandchildren, and maybe even your great grandchildren about all the adventures you've been on, the places you've explored, the cities you've gotten lost in. But how can you do that if you look back on your life and all you see is you on your phone, or your iPad, or your laptop doing who knows what that no one even remembers anymore. 

Today I challenge you. To seek adventures. To read books which will take you to some places you could only dream of going. To take chances and never look back. Live life the way you were meant to. And always, always choose to love yourself. And when people ask,"Are you half empty?" you can tell them, "No, I'm half full." 

Take charge of your life. Seek greatness. And be the change. 

Put that phone down. Log off. And make life your own. 

Be blessed,

Sarah

x

Melbourne Adventures

Hey guys! Sorry for the 2 week hiatus. My two week semester break just ended and I've been caught up with uni assignments and group meetings and I guess I loss track of time.

One of the reasons that I haven't posted in a bit is because I took a little trip to Melbourne for a week with my housemate and good friend, Yong Zhin. It was an incredible trip full of laughter, great memories, exploring of the city, and definitely way too much food. Here are some of my favourite memories from the trip.

 Hardware Société was our first stop. We caught an early flight an arrived in Melbourne at 8 in the morning. Hardware's ambience was cozy and lovely, but the food was excellent. Perfect way to kick off the journey. 

Green tea soft serve's at Rice Workshop.

THIS was probably one of the best meals. Nasi Lemak and Maggi Goreng at Mamak on Lonsdale Street.
Did I mention we ate here two nights in a row?

Reunited with Jesse :) Was good to be a trio again, so much so that it didn't even feel like we were
in a foreign city. 

 Sitting by the Yarra river, talking about everything with the girls, watching the world go by its business. Office workers in their suits and heels rushing from point A to point B. Dog's of all shapes and sizes being walked by their owners. Little children running around the park. Sometime's its nice to just sit, reflect, and take the city in. No words necessary.

Breakfast was on point at MART130. 

Did I also mention that we bumped into Malaysian YouTuber Jinnyboy at St. Ali?
What were the odds? Sometimes the world is too small.
Still waiting to 'casually' bump into Ed Sheeran.

Soft shell crab burger at Top Paddock was EXCEPTIONALLY incredible. So so good. Typing this and staring at it is making my hunger pangs quite extravagant. Sigh. 

The famous graffiti lane

Tesselaar Tulip Festival up in Mount Dandenong

Peonies

All around it was an amazing trip. Felt good to get away for a week, but it felt even better coming back from the trip, refreshed, and ready for the last 5 weeks of the semester. It hasn't been an easy semester but taking some time to reflect on everything that I have been provided with has made me stop and realise how incredibly blessed I truly am. I am surrounded by people who love me; life isn't too bad. Just a reminder that sometimes when things get too much, pause, and take it easy. Whatever you're going through right now, you're going to make it. 

 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.  The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

-Deutoronomy 31:8

Have a little faith. Everything's going to be just fine. I promise.

Be blessed

Sarah

x

"If you allow your self worth to be based on what other people think of you, it's the beginning of the end"

Before you do anything else and if you haven't already, watch this really inspirational video by Tyrese Gibson talking about self love and self worth.

Facebook link to the video

"The day that you start living your life according to everyone else's opinion, is the beginning of the end."

There is truth in Tyrese's words. How many of us go through life with that view? We dress well because we're afraid that people will judge us if we don't. We talk with an accent or use words that we don't even understand because we think that it'll make us sound better, more classy, or smarter.

But the truth? None of that matters. 

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."-Dr. Seuss

Have you ever looked at someone who was confident with themselves and thought,"I wish I could be as confident as her/him"? The truth is: you can.
We are our biggest enemy. We see ourselves a certain way, most times with disgust and disappointment because we think that the way we look isn't the way that society deems "acceptable." Newsflash: beautiful hair, being skinny, having the latest clothes and the newest iPhone 6 does not make you better than the person next to you. That's just what the materialistic world is trying to convince you but don't buy into it.

You are worth something. You are beautiful. You are strong. And you are valuable.

Just because someone says you're not doesn't make it so. Don't make those negative comments speak over your life. If you think you're cool and you're awesome, then you are. If someone says that you're not, that's just their opinion. Don't let it tear your own view of yourself down.

And for all you singles out there? If you don't love yourself first, how can you expect to love another? The day that you start loving yourself and being who you truly want to be, they'll find you. Stop chasing after that girl/guy in hopes that they can fill that empty void that you feel. Because what happens if it doesn't work out? You'll feel empty again. Invest in yourself. Become the person that you were meant to be. Fill that void with God, with love, with things that make you who you are. No one can take your happiness away from you if you don't let them because you are responsible for your own happiness.

How many of us have been sucked into the social media whirlpools? Where we base popularity and coolness on how many likes you get on a photo or how many "friends" and followers you have. Put down the phones, turn off the computers. Pick up a book, go outside, explore the world that it out there. Don't feed this frenzy that is coming to plague our generation. Is this all there is left to life? What life are we living if we're all "living" it online. Don't waste your life.

And for those of you that are lost, don't fret. It's not over yet, you can't give up right now. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth, and the life. I believe that He has a plan for every single one of us and no matter the wrongs you have done and the mistakes you have made, He still loves you and He will always love you, no matter what. Unconditional, selfless love.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.-Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Today, I challenge you. I challenge you to put down the views of this world that you have adopted that say that you should dress a certain way or be who you're not.  I challenge you to seek God. I challenge you to go after your dreams, to speak your mind and to be heard. But most of all, I challenge you to start loving yourself every single day and to never forget that you are precious. 

The world needs change, but it starts with you.

Today, everything changes.

Start now.

Be blessed,
Sarah
x

Desk Essentials and Room Decor Ideas

Decoration has always been a prominent thing in my family and my life. Ever since I was a kid I remember always being excited about coming home, in hopes that my mum and dad had rearranged the living room or my bedroom. It was like having a new house or room, but still with all my favourite things.

Living abroad as an international student makes things a little different. I live in a student apartment that is fully furnished so there isn't much leeway when it comes to furniture, but I've found ways to make it seem and feel more like a home and not just some stake out joint. I spend most of my time at home if I'm not out at uni, grocery shopping (which is common, coles is just too enticing), or sweating it out at the gym.

Also, there is an upcoming 'best presented room' competition that my building is hosting and I'm really hoping I'll win (source of motivation for this post).

There are lots of places on the inter web where you can search for decoration ideas and contrary to popular belief a lot of them are do-it-yourself-able (Is that a word? We'll just go with it).

The place that I probably spend most of my time is: my desk. So I tried to make it as homey as possible, I mean considering the hours I'm putting in doing homework and assignments and uni work, may as well make it an enjoyable space.

On the wall in front of my desk I taped up polaroid pictures, inspiring quotes, postcards that I have collected, my gym timetable and other pictures that make me smile. I used the ever magical washi tape that, if you take a close look to the window sill on the right, you'll see I have quite a collection of. My mom started off this obsession :) I love washi tape because there are thousands of colours, patterns and designs to choose from and the best part? Wait for it: it's not going to ruin your walls. So you can kiss blue tack goodbye because that sucker is a pain to get off walls. Trust me, I speak from experience.
On the shelf above my desk, I just have my hair dryer, camera collection (instax mini and Canon AE-1 film), a wooden 'dream' sign that I painted to give it an ombré look, a wooden sign with a beautiful quote that my boyfriend, Justin, got for me from the states, and the cutest tissue box ever.

A birds-eye view of my desk.

My urban ears, iPad mini, a binder that I DIY'd myself, portable phone charger and some nail polishes. 

Pencil case from H&M, stickers from kikki.k, phone, devotional book, and some sneaky washi tapes.

More pens.

My room also came with a cork board, but the backing of it was green and green isn't exactly my favourite colour so I spruced it up a little with some scrapbook paper from my mom's store, Modern Vintage.

Before

After

I then proceeded to pin up things that make me happy and make it feel more like home.

If you have ever visited my room here in Adelaide, or back home in Penang, you'll know that I've been sticking up pictures on my walls for years now. I love how it instantaneously transforms a bare wall into a piece of art, but at the same time, it serves as a huge photo album/ collage and I don't have to go through old photos to see them.

Again, I taped everything up with my trusty wash tape. The bunting was from a cute store that was closing down near Port Adelaide and the cute pom-pom like garland above my bed was a DIY that I made from LaurDIY. Laur has many many DIY projects that you can totally make easily :) Check the video out here: DIY Garland
Lastly, my bedside table is another thing I love. I've always loved having a little table beside the bed (duh, Sarah, bedside table), that you can put your alarm clock on, or somewhere to place that cup of hot chocolate while you're cuddled up in bed, or just as a storage area for all kinds of paraphernalia.

Some of my favourite books that I have read and other's that I have yet to read, my Snoopy clock from Typo and some hand and body lotion.

Well, that's all from me for now. Feel free to share or leave a comment down below :)

Check back next Friday for another new post. 

Be blessed,

Sarah

x