It Is Only With the Heart That One Can See Rightly; What Is Essential Is Invisible To The Eye.

I want to do everything on earth with you.

Happy family of three (haha).

Do you see what I see? Hint: body ink.

Guys, this night at the symphony was definitely the best night of my life. Really. It may seem melodramatic but it truly was the happiest I’ve ever been. Everything was perfect. Just like the movies. Ah, I am so lucky. My heart is bursting.

Pumpkin pie smoothie bowl from Daily Juice.
And for me: mango, banana, spinach, maca, avocado and coconut milk.


The best backward skater you ever saw! And the cutest ;)

Peace! (I’m still Japanese).


After my first fall LOL.

Make A List

If you haven’t heard of Dallas Clayton, you’re missing out (big time!) so please check him out here right NOW!

Welcome back! Isn’t he an unfairly talented guy? To me, he is a huge inspiration. I only wish to inspire like he does. Last night, when I was pondering my new found smile, I came across Clayton’s latest work of art:

How could I have missed something so simple? I mean, I was trying my best to live a good life, the countryside was so beautiful. I’d started new hobbies including cycling and yoga and made unexpected friends like this ojichan (old man) and yasu. But that didn’t mean I was actively engaging in activities I knew I loved. I know this sounds vain, I really do, but in this city, I am happy because I am filling my day with activities I know that I like. I am exercising (not sitting on my bottom for 8 hours straight in a suffocating room), walking walking walking (not driving for one hour to get groceries, alone), eating healthy, dressing pretty, writing in artsy cafes, appreciating diversity, purchasing freshly-made green smoothies and enjoying the odd glance from a boy. My new life makes me feel alive and it makes me feel young!

So how about you? What makes you happy? Painting? Drawing? The ocean? Cooking? Dining out? Road-trips? Building Lego? Dancing to the Beatles? Collecting fruit-stamps, watching old movies?

Are you doing it? Could you be doing it more?

Sister visit, day 5/6.

Christmas themed green smoothie bowls, home-made granola, quinoa loaf and fresh fruit, all because we ate too much ramen last night.

1 banana
1 green kiwi-fruit
handful of fresh spinach
3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk

Another green smoothie and my favourite Japanese illustrator

Good morning! How is it Wednesday already? Time really does fly (on a jet plane) but today, I ain’t complaining because in exactly 23 days, my sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit me in JAPAN (not that I’m counting or anything). I’ll be honest, I’m rather homesick.. I miss Christchurch. I miss the atmosphere of the Riccarton Bush Farmers’ market, I miss C1s vegetarian sliders, I miss Cafe Valentino and my CV family and I even miss my stupid dog’s (sorry, my SISTER’s stupid dog’s) non-stop barking. Oh and my friends and my mama and my papa as well.

I have two things for you on this gloriously cold Winter day:

First, another green-smoothie recipe:
1 banana
1 kiwi
handful of kale
handful of spinach
3/4 cup of water


Notice the fruit sticker.

Next, my favourite Japanese illustrator:
Mitsuie Yusaku

Someone once said, good art is that which reflects a little or a lottle of yourself. Well, actually I just said that but I’m sure someone once said the equivalent. I first came across Mitsuie’s work in an adorable stationary shop at Osaka station and his illustration (below) of a lady with a top bun writing on a large desk with an open drawer and a hot cup of tea by her side instantly reminded me of myself. In other words, I could relate. That’s the whole point of art isn’t it?

Below are a few of my favourites but if you’d like to see more of Mitsuie’s work and consequently, a piece of yourself in his illustrations, visit Mitsuie’s website by clicking his name.

the countdown is on!

So, it’s ten days to my 23rd birthday (I can’t believe how young I am, I feel like I’ve lived an eternity) and as a gift to myself on the day, I’ve decided to concentrate on eating super good until then. First up, breakfast.

Day 1: a simple acai bowl
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1/2 frozen banana
3/4 cup of water
2 tsp acai powder

Day 2: light green-smoothie 
1 frozen banana
a big handful of washed lettuce
a chunk of fresh pineapple
1/2 cup of water
(To be honest, lettuce in smoothie form tastes kinda gross – spinach is much better. Ah well, lesson learnt.)

Day 3: carrot bowl
2 small frozen bananas
1 cup of 100% carrot juice
Day 4: pumpkin pie
1/2 frozen banana
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup cooked pumpkin
a little honey and cinnamon
Day 5: chocolate for breakfast
2 small frozen bananas
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
3 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tbsp honey

a simple green smoothie recipe

Because i ate too much yaki soba last night

1 frozen banana
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp honey
1/4 avocado

das it.

popeye smoothie

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
a big handful of organic spinach

Blend all ingredients together and reap the goodness!

PS I poured a civilised glass for the above photo then I took my straw to the blender and sucked out the rest hehehe living alone isn’t that bad after all!

Review No17 Green Stop

Superfood juice(juices?)/smoothies are so hot right now! However; many of us don’t have the equipment and/or the time (ain’t no body got time for that!) to produce one from the comfort of our homes. If you find yourself nodding  in agreement, then Green Stop is the stop for you (see what I did there?). Situated in the South City mall food court (next to Yoghurt Story) is a superfood goldmine. Everything Green Stop serve is nourishing and delicious; ready to fuel/refuel you at any time of day – well, during their opening hours (9am-6pm). Their extensive colourful juice/smoothie combinations include kiwi/pineapple/pear, kale/spinach/mint/apple/avocado and beetroot/lemon/apple (my favourite). In saying that; visiting Green Stop is similar to having a shoulder angel/devil. Your shoulder angel (and jeans) scream: “green smoothie” whilst your shoulder devil (and heart/stomach/entire being) howl froyo with sprinkles!

The question is, which path will you choose?

 

Blend It Like Beckham

This is my ‘light’ (in both senses of the word) green smoothie. Because no one actually likes green smoothies. And if they say that they do, they’re lying. Packed full of nutritious goodness, your body and tastebuds will love you for it. 

Avocados are one of the healthiest sources of natural fats. They’re high in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant vitamin that keeps skin cells strong and hydrated and B vitamins like niacin, which assists in detox and DNA repair and also reduce skin redness and inflammation. In addition, avocados fire up the natural detox processes of the liver, which helps our skin to stay clear. Although packed with goodness, avocados should be eaten in moderation (1/4-1/2 an avocado per day is a good limit), but don’t get too caught up in this as avocados burn easily for energy. In addition, avocados fire up the natural detox processes of the liver, which further helps our skin stay beautiful and clear.

Kiwifruits are insanely high in Vitamin C. Just one liddle widdle fuzzy kiwi gives us a day’s worth of C for less than 50 calories!

Pumpkin seeds are extremely rich in zinc (one ounce contains more than 2mg of this beneficial mineral). Zinc is beneficial to our bodies in many ways, including immunity, cell growth and division, sleep, mood, our sense of taste and smell, eye and skin health and insulin regulation.

So what are you waiting for?

Blend it like Beckham.

1 frozen banana
1/2 avocado 
1 green kiwi fruit
1/2 cup almond milk
handful of pumpkin seeds