This month our challenges are all about getting you to unleash your inner goddess and SHINE.  Challenge yourself to reach your own fabulous potential.

TAME

Embrace your winter hibernation instincts and stock up on loads of yummy, healthy soups. Make a warming pumpkin soup with a twist by boiling half a roughly chopped pumpkin till soft, mashing the pieces then adding them to half a litre of chicken/vegetable stock. In a separate pan, sauté one chopped onion, a teaspoon of crushed garlic and half a teaspoon of fresh chili and add to pumpkin with sweet chili sauce to taste. It’s a warming combination without the calories of creamy pumpkin soup.

Every morning this month, when you wake up, lie in bed for a minute and ask yourself how you’re feeling. Are you tired? Are you content? Are you unhappy? Identify what you’re feeling and ask yourself why you’re feeling that way. We often get into a habit of feeling unhappy, stressed or just gloomy even if there’s nothing to feel gloomy about. Put a smile on your face, get out of bed and tell yourself you’re going to have a wonderful day.

INTERMEDIATE

Put aside one night that’s just for you. Choose a time when there’ll be no one else in the house and be completely indulgent! Eat your favourite foods, read a great book or watch a movie, paint your toenails – do whatever you need to make yourself feel fantastic!

Learn to knit, or take up another handicraft. What better way to while away the long winter evening than sitting with your knitting needles (rocking chair optional). Make yourself a beanie or scarf or knit booties for someone you know who’s expecting a baby - you could even make a knitting circle with a group of friends. See www.knitting.co.nz for simple advice.

CHALLENGE

Get rid of the negatives in your life. Think of the people in your life and how they make you feel.  If there’s one person who consistently leaves you feeling worse after you’ve spent time with them, than you felt before you saw them, you need to get rid of them. Spending time with constantly negative people has a knock-on effect, making you view life more negatively after being around them. It’s hard to distance yourself from people because it feels so harsh, but it’s a crucial step to keeping yourself in a happy and forward-looking frame of mind.

Do a fun run! It’s a great way to make sure you get outside in winter and running will really help to boost your energy and keep your spirits up all season, plus you’ll get fit! Have a look at www.eventfinder.co.nz to find one near you and get training.

Isla