Category: Blog
Beach Fun at Kapiti Coast
The sun shone and the tide was high when we went to the beautiful Kapiti Coast for a day of running on the beach and jumping in the sea. Imogen loved it and ran freely into the ocean, so fast that we had to be quick to scoop her up as the waves splashed over her chest.
I’m writing this with sadness as I think about leaving my parents, sister and family in beautiful New Zealand. We make our return to London in 10 days time. The last seven weeks have literally flown by. My parents have loved every second with their grand-daughter and it’s going to be so hard living half a world away, the bond they have formed is immense.
As well as Kapiti’s stunning coastline the region is also famous for amazing ice cream and this is where Imogen tried her first ice cream cone.
Kapiti Island Nature Reserve lies in the background where you can visit little spotted kiwi which are now extinct on mainland New Zealand. It’s an amazing nature reserve which is doing a great deal for bird recovery, especially since rats were eradicated from the island.
Top 5 Foods for a Good Night’s Sleep
Waitrose Bananas
There are some simply brilliant foods to help induce Zzz’s. These foods contain tryptophan which converts to serotonin and melatonin, the brain’s key calming chemicals. Serotonin promotes calm and melatonin helps to cause drowsiness and lower body temperature for a restful sleep. The perfect package for shut-eye.
I recommend trying one or two of these foods 90 minutes before you plan to close your eyes so your digestive system has time to process what you eat before slumber. It’s always a good idea to avoid caffeine and alcohol at least four hours before sleep and don’t go to bed when you’re either hungry or full as this will contribute to a disrupted night’s sleep.
Top 5 Foods for a Good Night’s Sleep
1. Bananas
High in serotonin and melatonin, bananas also contain potassium and magnesium which is a muscle relaxant.
2. Oatmeal
A small bowl of oatmeal contains melatonin and complex carbohydrates which can help more tryptophan get into the brain. Topped with some warm milk this is a healthy source of comfort food and if you’re slightly peckish it will keep those hunger pangs at bay.
3. Almonds
A handful of almonds contains tryptophan and magnesium to relax muscles.
4. Low-fat Cottage Cheese
Low-fat cottage cheese contains tryptophan and is a lean source of protein that will help keep your blood sugar regulated throughout the night.
5. Flaxseed
Known for their mood lifting properties. Sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of flaxseed on a small bowl of oatmeal or on a portion of low-fat cottage cheese.
If you feel like a warm drink before bed a cup of chamomile tea can help to promote calm thanks to chamomile’s natural soothing properties. If you want something a little richer a glass of warm milk contains tryptophan and calcium, known to reduce stress and stabilise nerve fibres.
Take your pick from these Top 5 Foods and see what works best for you.
Most importantly, don’t stress about not sleeping. Having a regular routine before bed will help to get your mind and body in the mood for sleep. A warm bath with some relaxing aromatherapy oils and reading a good book before bed contribute to winding down and preparing for rest.
The Photo Gallery: Girls
I love my little girl. She is pure and eternal sunshine with the cheekiest grin and a loud giggle.
We play, we sing, we dance, we paint, we love, we walk, we share, we read, we have fun, we hug, we talk, we laugh, we cook, we run, we dress up, we swim, we eat, we learn, we draw, we shop, we travel, we have the same curls in our hair, we enjoy every day together.
We’ve almost come to the end of our eight week holiday visiting family and friends in New Zealand. We’ve had an amazing time and our bond has grown even stronger, if that’s at all possible. This week’s Photo Gallery is Girls and I’ve loved being able to spend time here with my little girl, my mum, my sister, my niece and some of my best girlfriends.
Girls just want to have fun, right?
