As I have become more involved with From Me to You I have found myself writing more. Not just letters. I have taken up writing a journal again. For some years now I have been writing  Morning Pages, which involves filling three sides of paper with words, stream of consciousness-style, first thing every day. "There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages," Cameron writes. (She introduced the practice in 1992, in The Artist's Way.) This means you can write about whatever's on your mind:  worries,  plans,  rants and  random thoughts.

When it comes to the how, there are rules. 

• The pages must be done first thing
• They must be longhand.
• You must fill exactly three sides of A4 paper.

​My feelings are:

• The three-sides rule is key: on an uninspired day, you might start writing banalities, but if you keep going, having dusted the cobwebs away, you might find breakthroughs occur.
• After three pages, you must stop, to avoid "self-involvement and narcissism".
• Brain-sweep complete, it's time to get on with the day.
• I struggles with A4 so I chooses A5 paper and that works for me.
•  I find it calms anxieties, worries producing insights and resolving dilemmas

After all, the psychological benefits of externalising thoughts via journalling are well-established. And that bleary-eyed morning time has been shown to be associated with more creative thinking: with the brain's inhibitory processes still weak, "A-ha!" moments come more readily. 

Morning Pages are private. I always destroy them after I have finished. Not because I've divulge lots of  secrets, but because it's liberating to know I could and when I have I feel safe that they have disappeared so I can't dwell on them. Morning Pages create a private space which i find invaluable. In a way it is my way of writing away my woes if I have any. I always feel so liberated and more productive on the days that I have written my Morning Pages.
​

Last Friday I had my annual appointment with my consultant at the hospital where I had my initial surgery. It's strange to think that 6 years ago I was in hospital recovering from that surgery. Six years! 

I have been immensely fortunate that I have been clear of cancer for the last 4 years. 

Chatting to my consultant he said that they would continue to have a CT Scan every year for the next few years. Ordinarily he would discharge me from his clinic but because my cancer spread to my liver and lungs he thought it wise to monitor me for a while. I was so relieved to her this news. 

Then he went onto say that given where I had been 4 years ago I had done amazingly well. This was unexpected so i asked him why? Because only 10% of people normally survive for the period of time that you have following your prognosis. I was astounded!

I vowed ages ago that I would pay no attention to statistics for survival as I believed that everyone is different and statistics are just too general. I have never compared my recovery or illness with anyone else. I am so relieved that I did not as imagine how the last 4 years would have been if I had known what my survival percentage was!

So never compare yourself to others as you are you and not that someone else! You have no idea what their life or journey is all about.

Much of our eating and drinking is borne out of habit. I mindlessly buy the same foods when I visit the supermarket. So when it comes to mealtimes as I have the same things in the fridge or cupboard, is it unsurprising that I end up with the same food on our plates. 
Much of our eating and drinking is borne out of habit. I mindlessly buy the same foods when I visit the supermarket. So when it comes to mealtimes, as I have the same things in the fridge or cupboard, it is unsurprising that I end up with the same food on my plate. 

i was like this before I started eating healthily, eating the same things out of habit. Once I started eating healthily I didn't think that I would become bored with the food I am eating and falling  back into bad eating habits.
If I look in the fridge today, I have lots of healthy things to eat. Hummus, natural yoghurt, eggs, avocados, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables and more. The thing is that I am in need of inspiration to put these ingredients together in a different way. Otherwise, I will be thinking that less healthier foods are more attractive like chocolate and crisps. I have to confess that this has already happened. I need to get a handle on this before it gets out of control.

I normally eat porridge for breakfast every day albeit with different toppings. This was fine throughout the winter. Now that the weather is warmer I am looking for tasty alternatives. Instead of really thinking about what the alternatives might be, the last time I was in the supermarket, I bought a box of " tasty spelt flakes muesli". Healthy?  - Sort of - not really. The anticipation of it was better than the actual taste. I ended up adding things to it to make it taste good - yoghurt and berries.
If I had just stopped and thought about it, I could have made a healthier home made muesli which not only tasted so much better but also worked our less expensive. 
I have decided to take the summer off work. I will have more time and I have decided that I am creating new habits around the food I eat. 
I know that in the main, I eat healthily. It’s about making them having variety and making the food I eat more interesting.  I will be trying new recipes, buying different foods and experimenting. Why only buy red tomatoes when there are yellow and heritage ones on the shelves? Why buy the same type of lettuce when there are so many different varieties? They must have a different flavour.  I will experiment with new recipes. If it doesn’t work then so what  - I can always make something simple or go out to eat.
I have heard that new habits usually take  between a week and a month to kick in. It can happen faster, if you are prepared and open minded. This will be interesting and I am ;looking forward to this new challenge.

 It's been a little while - but I am back on track again - here's my latest trawl.Enjoy!

1. I'm liking these bracelets

2. Such beautiful writing and messages

​3. True

4. These are fascinating photos

5.This is the easiest snack ever!

​6. These will be colourful on my garden pots this summer.


7. What Britain buys - Mary Portas's view of what we are all buying - surprised how on trend I am without even noticing.

8. This was delicious and easy.

9. I'm booking a writing course here.

10. For anyone who uses the tube this is a fascinating read.

Happy Wednesday people.

Sorry this post is a bit late - I am in freezing Norfolk and have been exploring and walking in the bracing Spring air and sleeping when I went inside. I can't believe that it is almost the end of April and the temperature is 4 degrees centigrade. It's colder than December.

This morning it  has sleeted and hail stoned, so it's been a morning when I have stayed inside with the heating on and caught up.

I had almost finished this post, but it needed  tidying up. I managed to achieve this - so the inclement spring weather has had it's advantages.

So what's been impressing me?

1.  Apparently I am on trend - with this article on how staying in is the new going out.

2. Walking the dog makes you live longer and makes you look less creepy.

3. Something uplifting for you. I particularly like no 33.

4. This company makes booking a holiday cottage easy.
 
5. I so admire this guy's determination.

6. Reducetarian - something I had not heard of before reading this article.

7. I am definitely making this for supper.

8. Thank you New Yorker for a great article on Prince. I particularly like the last paragraph.

9. After following the Norfolk Deli on Twitter for the last 6 months actually visiting the shop and making some purchases.

10. Even though it is freezing outside it's bluebell time - don't miss them. With this guide you can find one near you.

Flaxseeds are tiny seeds that are bursting with nutritional health benefits. You can eat them whole (like the ones pictured) or milled and finely ground.

Personally, I prefer them finely ground. The milled flaxseed is perfect for adding to smoothies and porridge. I sprinkle them on my porridge every morning. The seeds have a slightly nutty, earthy taste. Most UK supermarkets now sell them as well as all good health stores.  You can even buy them on Amazon.



So, what’s so great about them?

Flaxseeds are the richest vegetarian source of Omega 3 fatty acids. I have written about  Omega 3's in an earlier post. in simple terms, the Omega 3 fatty acid group is known for the prevention of heart disease and has anti-inflammatory properties that could benefit diabetes and arthritis. 

Flaxseeds help your digestive system, help to reduce bloating, improve digestion and prevent constipation. They increase the water & bulk content helps to shift things along nicely - if you know what I mean!

Flaxseeds are a high source of gluten and wheat free fibre. They are a great way of hitting your daily recommended fibre intake, which the average person struggles to hit. Start off with a teaspoon a day & build up to 1-2 tablespoons. Starting with too much too soon can lead to a bit of discomfort, so be patient and start small.

Because of the high fibre content in flaxseeds, you need to make sure you increase your water intake. This just ensures everything flows correctly so is pretty important!

A good way to get the best from the nutrients of flaxseeds is to activate them. To do this, simply soak the seeds in a glass of water overnight, then drain the water away the next day and eat the seeds.

Try flaxseeds - for a little seed they can add a lot to your diet.

1. No it can't be 33 years since this classic album was released - where has time gone? Let's dance!?

2. How do you sign off your texts, emails and letters? This is insightful - who knew?

3.Being too hard on yourself is draining and it keeps you from moving forward and succeeding. So read this interesting article.

​4. It's all about the angle -  these photos play with your mind.

5. This is the easiest soup in the world!  

6.Harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer is one of the most exciting fields in medicine. Want a quick easy explanation - try this.

7. So how do you keep your brain young? This is good advice. 

8.Spring is here according to Nigel Slater.

9. This was delicious for lunch.

10. Strangely an enjoyable change from coffee or tea.

All the best x
( see 2 for an explanation)