JC Blog

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Photographer: @jcinsight

Kiwi Sensation 

Kiwi Sensation is a recipe that I found online. It is a green smoothie which I find to be both nutritious and delicious. In this hot weather I personally think smoothies are the perfect drink to be drinking.

Another you could do instead of drinking them is get a container (empty yoghurt), stick a popsicle stick in the mixture and stick it in the freezer, and boom you have a Kiwi Sensation ice-pop. 

Ingredients:

½ cup pineapple chunks

½ cup green grapes

¼ mango - peeled, seeded, and diced

¼ cup water

½ cup spinach

2 cubes ice cubes, or whatever is needed.

I found the following recipe at allrecipes.com if anyone wishes to have a look and find some more meals and such to try out themselves.

What are the benefits of drinking healthy smoothies?

Consuming the daily recommendation for fruit and veg. can be challenging. Blending a few into a smoothie can help ensure that you are getting the nutrition needed. 

Did you know that healthy smoothies can help and improve your digestion? Let your blender “chew” your food, it eases the burden on your digestive system. While at the same time you are simultaneously consuming plenty of dietary fiber which ensures an excellent digestion.

Smoothies provide your body with the nutrients it needs. It’s easier for your body to absorb and digest the nutrients in a smoothie as opposed to a meal. It helps you to excel during athletic competition, and recover after working out.

Drinking healthy smoothies is proven to help and strengthen your immune system and help fight against colds. 

Supply your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs in order to grow healthier hair and make your skin glow.

We all crave unhealthy foods from time to time. Reduce those cravings, by replacing what you would normally splurge on with a healthy alternative.

Happiness -  Experience a new sense of calm and well-being that good health leads to.

Making your own smoothie doesn’t take as long as preparing most meals, giving you more time for others things. Taking a smoothie with you is an convenient option because it is both quick and easy to prepare. 

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Photographer: JC Insight 

Things to do for fun !

So summer has officially arrived for myself, I finally have a bit of me time to unwind and relax. So I’m sure we’re always left sitting at home thinking to ourselves I’d love to do something fun. The funny thing is nowadays when people think of something ‘fun’ to do they usually think of the expensive options. 

I’ve personally began to learn to appreciate the small things in life. I want to start enjoying each day as much as possible, So I have decided that I will create a list of a few things to do so you can be free from boredom, and won’t break your bank either. 

1. Watch the Sunrise

Find out the time that the sun is rising in your area and get up early to go watch it. I’d advise to find out where would be the best spot in your community to watch it coming up, relax and enjoy the view. 

2. Go to the Zoo

The zoo is always a fun thing to do on a nice day, and generally not too expensive. I’d advise packing your own lunch to bring with you if you’ve got a small budget. 

I live in Ireland so if you go to Dublin zoo as many of you will know it is located in Phoenix Park.

3.Phoenix Park

The Phoenix Park was originally established as a Royal deer park in the 17th Century. It is completely free to enter and has lots within its gates. There is a playground within the park for the kiddies and there is a little cafe available in the park also if you want to grab a cuppa and something to eat. You can also hire a bike if you wish to cycle around the park instead walking. 

4. Go to a Museum

A lot of the time museums are free to go to, or may have discounts for students. So why not take a trip into the city and take a gander. I personally love going to different museums, so here are some that are based in Dublin:

Natural History Museum - Merrion Street Dublin 2. 

Archaeology Museum - Kildare Street Dublin 2. 

Decorative Arts & History - Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin.

There are also loads of free art and photography exhibitions in different galleries situated around the city centre. 

5. Bowling  

Why not grab a few friends and book a lane in your nearest bowling alley.

The bowling alley I always go to with my friends is situated in A.L.S.A.A . They have bumpers on the lane available if children need them. They also have somewhere to grab something to eat and drink. The prices are pretty reasonable, and the people are always lovely there. 

Prices

Adult Game €6 Child Game   €5.50 1 Hour   €35 Childrens Parties   €14.50

6. Have a BBQ

On one of them gorgeous sunny days why not invite some of your friends down for a BBQ, get everyone to bring at least one thing along with them. Set a place out in the back garden, get some tunes playing and have a good time with some of your closest friends.

7. Host a Movie Marathon

Get some pals over, get some sweets in and get comfy and watch away until your hearts content. You could have a rom-com night with the girls, or a comedy night, horror night, your options are endless. 

8. Have a Picnic

Why not go to the beach, or the park and bring a packed picnic with you? Or even better travel to a different town and have a walk around and find somewhere nice to sit down and have a bite to eat. There are lots of lovely places where you can just chill out and do this. 

You could also bring some cards to play with or a little radio for music, if travelling far though keep in mind you will have to carry it around with you. Remember to protect your skin and to clean up any rubbish before you leave also. 

9. Go to a Free Music Gig

I don’t know if this one is applicable to everyone, but you can find a lot free gigs around Dublin city. If you want to listen to some cheesy Irish music, I think you should check out Temple Bar, they often have people playing in the pubs where it is free to just walk in and sit down to have a listen. 

Whelan’s on Camden Street and Sweeney’s on Dame street get a lot of music fans attending their gigs. You get to see a lot of great up and coming musicians in these two places.

Also if you keep an eye out there are free events held in nightclubs often. Such as the Button Factory, Academy, and the Hanger. If you follow them on facebook it is the handiest way to keep up to date with all their upcoming events. 

[jc-blog]

Photographer Unknown

Positive Thinking

I think we can all agree that sometimes life can be a little too much to handle, and that’s perfectly ok. Everybody is facing their daily battles. What we need to be aware of are ways to channel our negative thoughts into a productive and a positive outlook.

I know it can seem easier said than done but that’s where we can start from. If you keep saying to yourself that you ‘can’t’ or are unable to do something you could eventually make yourself believe that is the truth.Try and push out the negativity and focus on the good things in life instead. Just do the best that you can do, and believe that if you try your hardest, in time you will achieve your goal.

A lot of the time when we are feeling down we tend to focus on only the bad things and the mistakes that we make. Thinking positive does not mean we deny that anything is wrong if it is. We simply just need a little time to ourselves to think. To think of possible ways we can avoid making the same mistake again in the future, or a way to resolve the situation. We all make mistakes, so even if you mess up in an area in your life don’t forget to allow yourself to be proud of the other things that you have accomplished. You deserve to give yourself credit for things you’ve achieved no matter how big or little it may seem, you have done well and should be proud of it. 

We tend to hold onto the past, this is something we need to overcome and let go of. Our past does not define where we will end up in the future, so why should we focus on it? Don’t let the past have the power to define your future but let it help to improve it instead.

Finding someone that you feel you can share stuff with can be beneficial also. Knowing you are not alone can be very helpful and supportive. Don’t be afraid to share your negative feelings with a friend, a family member or even a mental health professional. You’ll likely feel a lot better once you’ve gotten things off your chest.

The good weather is starting to come now and it is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy some new experiences. Get away from the desk for a while, get some fresh air, go for a cycle. Travel to a different town you haven’t been to before. Embrace your adventurous side. There’s lots to do , get excited and start making plans. I will hopefully get time to upload a post within the next few days with some ideas of some fun things to do and try. 

Wake up in the morning and be thankful for a new day, and a new beginning. Just because yesterday might have been an awful day doesn’t mean the next one will be too. Be optimistic and hope for the best outcome and if it doesn’t go well, don’t forget, there’s always tomorrow 

JC X