Hello there and welcome to my thirty-fourth blog.

Thank you for your unbelievable response to last week’s blog. So appreciate all your feedback.

Today’s blog is a list. In my life, at the present moment in time, what are the things that I would struggle to give up?
In no particular order.

1. My cell phone.

Before I had Covid, I would tell you that this would be an impossible task, but when I was feeling poorly, I would actually happily turn it off and feel such peace and freedom. That being said, I always made sure that I knew that everyone was safe. Boys, Nana, and Pops. I also need it to keep connected and in contact with my friends, other family and my patients.

2. Retail therapy.

I have done so little in the last four months, so maybe it is something I could just do every now and again. What I am finding more and more, is that I would rather spend money on supplements, recipe, or wellness books. Have to admit to still loving the odd Woolies sale purchase.

3. Chocolate

So, I now eat so much more dark choc but still can enjoy the odd bar or two of Cadbury’s. I eat choc most nights and would prefer not to give it up.

4. Laughing

One of my biggest therapies and I really believe this will always be. So I can not give this up.

5. Social media.

I used to love this for the fact that I kept up to date with folk and their lives. Now I need it to get my name and brand out there. I would really not like to surrender this.

6. Exercise

Although I am still on a forced sabbatical from movement and exercise, it has made me even more aware of its importance in my life and for my sense of well-being, overall health, and vitality. I cannot give this up.

7. Champagne

During my virus time, I lost my sense of taste and smell and the taste of bubbles was horrid. Strangely enough not bland, but bitter. So, I did not have any for a long time. Now, I honestly believe I could give it up if I needed to, but perhaps I would enjoy a glass of red wine instead. The resveratrol in red wine is so very good for me and vital for my longevity. That is my story and I am sticking to it. Let us see what happens!

8. Hugging

Fortunately, I hope that I never need to do this. Up until I tested positive, I was able to give all my boys hugs and after testing positive, Rich and I could still hug. However, I really missed not giving my three boys hugs for two weeks and now I can do this again. Yay! Wish I could hug some more people, though.

9. My Physio.

I am so lucky to love what I do and do what I love. Even while I felt so grotty, my patients, their relatives and I were messaging one another constantly and now that I am almost mended and not allowed into the retirement homes due to total lockdown again, I am so sad and quite frustrated. Fortunately, I can visit folks in private homes and see patients in my practice at home. You see for the next while I am Covid free! You would think people would be banging on the door to be treated by me!!!! I mean really!!

10. Fizzy drinks

I wish I could say that I could easily give these up, I can not. However, I drink less nowadays so perhaps there is still hope.

11. TV

A month ago, I would certainly have believed this, but having isolated myself in our bedroom upstairs for a wee while without TV, I can honestly say that I could give up watching TV easily at the moment. There are a few series on Netflix which are quite fun, and I enjoy some of the chats on The Home Channel, and back in the day, I loved watching Wimbledon and the French Open but sadly that’s not happening at the moment.

12. Eating out.

Have actually forgotten what that is like, so do not think I could make an informed choice on this one. Suffice it to say, I think I would manage without this.

13. My friends

I have the most wonderful friends, each of whom adds so much value, in so many different ways, to my life. Not giving them up.

14. Uber Eats.

So, I missed this sorely, when we were not able to order from it in the early stages of lockdown and welcomed it with open and loving arms on its return. I  could push through not having this though.

15. Southbroom

I have really missed our Happy Place, a lot. Being able to sit on my patio and look at the sea, and hear the waves crashing on the shore, with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of bubbles in hand, is such enormous food for my soul. I would be very sad not to be able to do this, but if I could just watch the sea from somewhere that might do it for me.

16. Obsessing about my weight and what I eat.

A work in progress, and one I strive to, and would dearly love to, give up. Maybe one day.

17. My housekeeper, Helen.

We count our lucky stars that Helen decided to stay in Gauteng with us from the start of lockdown. Helen has been working for us since the day after we came back from our honeymoon.  She is the most outstanding person. She is always the same. She never gets grumpy and she has put up with me for all these years. She is positive and warm and loving, and we just adore her. She tidies and cleans and washes and takes deliveries and listens to my endless chatter. It would be hard to be without Helen.

18.  My long hair

Since my teens, way back when, I have always had long hair. it used to be my security blanket, now I just can not imagine not having it. That will change. I don’t envisage myself as a silver bun sort of chick.

19.  My dogs.

Never. My companions, my hot water bottles, my oxytocin fix, and just my very best.

20. Tanning

I would be devastated (slight exaggeration) if I were to have to give this up and I know that my sense of well-being is so very enhanced by my regular dose of Vitamin D in  “my lunch hour” during the summer months. I am so much more moderate (that word) now so I believe it is okay for me to do this.

21.  My foundation.

As a teen, I did not have full-blown acne but I had those dreadful whiteheads and blackheads and a few pulsating masses on my face. So, my kind and caring Mum bought me a foundation and I have worn it most days since then. So, this might prove to be a hard one to give up.

22.  Hand and body lotions.

I could not ever give these up. Apart from the fact that I have very dry skin. I spend my life washing my hands, even pre the miserable virus, and always want to apply lotion after. I also always apply body lotion after a shower, swim, or bath every single time. I have lotions beside my bed, in my car, in the kitchen, in my practice, and in every handbag.

23. Water next to my bed.

Never.  Decades ago, at the height of my unhealthy eating, it was a bottle of diet coke. Fortunately, I have grown (in the eating and beverage department) since then. I also have to have water in my car and with me on any form of transport.

24.  My iPad.

This is a relatively new one for me. When we travel (and it will happen again) I just love the fact that I can just buy a book wherever I am as long as I have Wi-Fi. I also love kindle unlimited where I can read a book for free, and there are some pretty decent ones out there. I have also bought some reference books recently and that is so cool.

25. My family.

Not ever. Never ever. Any, and every, second of time spent with them are my most precious gifts.

26.  My country.

I absolutely adore South Africa, its many warts and all, and this would be extremely hard for me to do without. Having said that, if Rich and I had to leave. I would manage, and would just cherish and treasure the trillions of memories that I have. My boys and dogs and Nana and Pops would have to come too.

27. Coffee

So in thinking about this one, I was reminded that I gave up coffee as soon as I found out that I was pregnant and found a herbal substitute that worked well through three pregnancies, so I could do this.

28. My home.

We are so privileged to have lived in our home for twenty-two amazing years where so many beautiful memories have been made. I would be very bleak to leave but would make new memories in another home.

29. Cheese

I honestly thought that this was one that I could never give up, but never say never, and although I eat cheese far less now, I have found the dairy-free substitutes. The cheeses made from coconut oil are delightful.

30.  Gossip

Why can I not be one of those girls or boys, who do not relish a good piece of juicy skinner? I can say that I  do this less now and get as excited about health and longevity, but I would be a tad sad if I never heard any gossip ever again.

31. Red meat.

I have not eaten red meat for a year now and do not miss it.  Beyond beef is so tasty as are some of the healthy soya substitutes.

32. Travelling.

I would miss this terribly. As long as I could just get into a car, and go somewhere, for a night or two. That would be enough for now.

33.  Nutrition and my health

Eighteen months ago I would never have believed this. Now it is part of my life and my quest to eat the best that I can, most of the time, has now become tightly woven into the thread of my life and I can not ever imagine ever this changing. My recent bout with Covid made me realize even more how essential my good health is and how lucky I am to be blessed with this. There is also my website and blog and nutrition advising business, which is all so positive and enrich my life so much.

34. Reading

Definitely not. I love to read with a passion. Everything and anything. I could not give this up.

35. Talking

Never. Oh, my word, to even imagine not doing this, sends shivers down my spine, and not nice ones.

Another blog, all about me! Wow! That was quite lengthy!

Wishing you all a magnificent weekend.

Tip number thirty-three.

I love this quote by Norman Vincent Peale, “Reach for the moon! Even if you miss, you will land among the stars”. Dream big, take action, and believe in yourself.