Bravery in transformation by Marlien Wright

Living a life that radiates with vitality & creativity starts with nourishing body and mind. But where does one start, and how do you find the right path to a radiantly healthy you? Unfortunately there are no golden rules, we are all different and we need to find our own way, but I do believe that there are some basic food & lifestyle rules you can follow to make the path there clearer.

Choose quality over quantity, for me this means being mindful of what I choose to put in my body and which habits I allow to take root. Food choices for example should be delicious and nutrient dense, every single mouthful, at every meal….even when you are eating on the run. Don’t settle for just filling a hole with whatever is available. This may mean a bit of planning ahead, but your food choices needn’t be complicated or time consuming. Often the simple things are most delicious and satisfying. A bowl of perfectly made guacamole with some crunchy vegetable sticks and perhaps a few natural corn chips can be a fabulously satisfying and nourishing affair. Similarly, when choosing how to spend some ‘you-time’, be picky of who and what you let into that space. Only positive people and nurturing activities allowed!

Middle Eastern Butternut Stew

Allow some creativity and playfulness back in. For me this means some silly dancing in the kitchen whilst cooking a new recipe (glass of red wine in hand off course), or taking a mouth-watering picture of a new dish. This is where I can play and be creative, and at the same time nourish my family and self. Sometimes it simply means taking 20 minutes out of a crazy day to flow through some of my favourite tension busting Yoga Postures. For you it could be a brisk walk or drive somewhere beautiful, or even just sitting in a coffee shop with your hands wrapped around a comforting hot drink, daydreaming happily. Whatever rocks your boat, make it happen…. and do it often

To stimulate your creative juices, hang out with the right folks, feel inspired by the beauty others create and celebrate it. Recently I was lucky enough to choose some super sexy ceramics out of the new RialHeim range for my new cookbook. I love working with their sensual and often playful designs. To me it says ‘eat from me, lick me…make a romantic, yummy supper for your lover’.

Be brave. To make positive changes and live a ferociously happy & meaningful life, change needs to happen. But shifts and transformation are uncomfortable. If you want to transform, adjust your expectations and prepare yourself for a time of discomfort. If you expect it and allow it, you have a far better chance of living the life you really want.

Switch off your devices, fast a little, become quiet, do whatever it takes to screech this life that you are unhappy with to a halt, get off the bus and start walking in the opposite direction.

For me it meant switching off the television and tablet, and instead spend my evenings and free time writing and plotting my first cookbook. Being brave meant diving into the deep end of possible rejection and failure. It was a time of intense energy and creativity channelled into one project.

If you want to live your best life, start with what you are choosing to eat, clear out the kitchen (throw away any product your great granny wouldn’t have recognised). Re-arrange your kitchen and make it a beautiful space where you want to hang out. Spoil yourself with some gorgeous bowls and platters that will inspire you to fill it with delicious and nourishing food. Find some time to plan ahead, count colours on your plate instead of calories and make some time to awaken your senses.

Clear out your old tired habits and create new ones. Join an evening class, or Google a ‘How To ’and start a new project at home. Choose a positive community to surround yourself with and allow them to inspire you, let go of the ones who are dragging you down. It may mean saying; ‘fuck this shit’ (swearing can be very therapeutic)’ and being ruthless in your pursuit to change the landscape of your life. Clear out some of the old to make room for the new. And above all, be brave.

Marlien Wright is the author of the Cookbook’ The Yoga Kitchen – 100 Easy Superfood Recipes’, blogger, yogi, mom & bozo. She enjoys eating real food (and is highly suspicious of those who dislike food & cooking).Creating healthy foodporn and swearing silently are two of her favourite activities. She believes that being healthy is sexy, insists on living authentically, honestly and diving in at the deep end. Keep an eye out for her next cookbook filled with some more health transforming yummy meals served on some sexy ceramics by RialHeim.