GETTING WHAT YOU WANT IN 2014!

When I look back on 2013 I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful moments I've experienced, like getting married, honeymooning in Thailand, turning 30 and starting a new design job! It’s New Years Eve and I’m armed with a cup of coffee and the morning free to think of this past year, how I’ve grown, but most importantly, what I’d like to achieve in 2014. NYE is a powerful day to let go of the past and set new goals and intentions. 



Usually I write down my goals somewhere in my new journal for the year ahead as a way to manifest them in the coming months. This year I’ve taken on a different (and better) approach to getting what I want in 2014! 

Create your own secret Pinterest board, 

2014 Intentions 

If you’re like me and totally addicted to Pinterest, this is the perfect tool to create your own 2014 vision board, or if you’re new to Pinterest make sure you check it out… This is how it works:

1. Create a new Pinterest board. I chose to make mine secret so that it’s just for myself to see and focus on, but you can always make yours public if you’d prefer. Make sure this board is purely for pinning goals you intend to achieve in 2014.

2. Think of what it is you really want to achieve in 2014. Be specific! Find images online that are associated with your specific intentions and Pin them to your board. By pinning the image you have put out a wish to the universe and subconsciously expect them to manifest next year.


3. Keep adding more images to your vision board and in the caption write a sentence on what your intention is. For example, I am totally in love with Pugs and my husband and I would love to get a pug next year. I found an adorable image and below that have written, “To welcome our cute new little pug into our home by the end of 2014”. You can set intentions relating to health, relationships, finances, travel, career and more!




4. Refer to your vision board throughout the year and use it to stay focused on getting what it is you want!

Remember to use your imagination and don't be afraid to dream big!

I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year and I look forward to sharing more with you in 2014! (Another intention on my vision board!) I have a lot of exciting goals set for Love Living Raw and I would love to hear what you would like to achieve in 2014 too! Feel free to leave comments below or connect with me on Pinterest. Happy New Year!

~ Arielle Ralph x

Motivation Tuesday - Part 1 Crossing out the excuses!

Last night I got to thinking about setting myself some new goals and started writing down ways to get there. Who knows how easy it is to list goals or think about the things that you want, but actually putting them into action or attracting them to you is the hardest part?

 

I've started riding my cute cruiser bike to work and have got to admit that sticking to my new fitness routine isn't exactly easy. I find myself waking up early with excuses like, "I'm too tired" or "It looks like it's going to rain" but manage to find my runners and push myself out the door to make it happen. Why is it so natural for us to make up so many excuses? It's like the movie 'yes man' - just start saying yes to opportunities to realise how often we say no!

 

Today is the short & sweet part 1 of 3 posts I'm going to write about getting what you want in life and being more motivated to make it happen. I really believe that to be truly happy starts from the inside out. We have to be happy in ourselves to attract more happiness and the things be want in life.

 

If you have a spare half hour (and I really recommend it) check out Marie Forleo's free video on how to get what you want.

Marie Forleo is one of my favourite online mentors who I follow to keep myself motivated and my mindset positive. I did the 3 steps she shares on her video and already feel more focused.

My challenge is to stop saying "I can't" and look at how I can. My next post will follow on with 5 keys to living the life you want based on Forleo's steps. I'd love to hear what you think!


~ Arielle

Beautiful nature photography by Chaipuck

I love these beautiful photos by Thai photographer, Weerapong Chaipuck. The colours, light and textures remind us how amazing nature is.

1. Sunrise at Borobudur, Indonesia

2. Zhangjiajie Mountains, which inspired James Cameron's movie Avatar

3. Catcat village, Vietnam
4. Rice field, Thailand
5. Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand

Stress less & smile more

My mantra for the month of April: have an open heart and a positive mindset

~ Arielle x

All images sourced from The Purple Buddha

Summer Smoothie - Coconut Pine Delight

 

When I think of a making a tropical, summer smoothie, the fruits I crave are bananas, pineapples and coconuts!  Here's my recipe for a delicious Summer Coconut Smoothie, I made one for breakfast this morning and it really re energized me.

Here are a few reasons why drinking coconut water is good for us.

"It boasts zinc, selenium, iodine, sulfur, manganese, boron, molybdenum, ascorbic acid and B-group vitamins." (Body and Soul)
 
"Coconuts are rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, and boosts the immune system." (Coconut Nutrition)

According to nutritionists, health benefits of coconuts include:
• Helps you lose weight, or maintain your already good weight
• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• Lowers your cholesterol
• Improves conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue
• Improves Crohn’s, IBS, and other digestive disorders
• Prevents other disease and routine illness with its powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents
• Increases metabolism and promotes healthy thyroid function
• Boosts your daily energy
• Rejuvenate your skin and prevent wrinkles




For my smoothie, I've used 100% Cocobella Coconut Water rather than milk, but you can use fresh coconut water if you have the time.

 

SUMMER SMOOTHIE: Coconut Pine Delight

Ingredients
(serves 2)

1 small pineapple
1 x 250ml Cocobella coconut water (straight up)
2 x frozen bananas
1 x lime
1 x tablespoon organic coconut butter

Chop up the pineapple and bananas and put in the blender. (I keep frozen peeled bananas in my freezer to make smoothies the next morning)

Next, cut the peel off the lime and chop into quarters. Add to the blender.
Add the coconut water and coconut butter and blend till smooth and creamy.

Serve with a chunky wedge of pineapple.

Enjoy!

~Arielle

 

 

Bean & Bourghal salad with lime and fresh Garlicky Guacamole

On the weekend I had a craving for some healthy mexican style food, so I decided to make some delicious sides that are nice and cool for a hot day - and full of living food goodness. The bean and bourghal mix is really nice on a burrito with guacamole, lettuce, tomato and salsa.

Here are two recipes that are quick and easy to make:

Bean and Bourghal salad with fresh lime

Ingredients

1 cup fine grit bourghal

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/4 cups boiling water

2 cloves organic garlic unpeeled

1 400g can organic red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup canned whole kernel organic corn, drained

1 cup canned organic chick peas

1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

(optional) 1 jalapeño pepper minced

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 limes freshly juiced

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the bourghal, cumin and sea salt, stirring in the boiling water. Seal with cling wrap and set aside for 10 minutes.

2. In a small pan, cook the unpeeled garlic cloves over medium heat until toasted and the skin is golden brown. Once the bourghal mix is ready, peel the garlic and mince, combining with the bourghal.

3. Stir in the red kidney beans, chickpeas, corn, onion, jalapeño, olive oil and lime juice. Serve warm, cool or on a burrito wrap!

Fresh Garlicky Guacamole

Ingredients

2 avocados

1 teaspoon sea salt

3 cloves organic garlic, minced
1 lime, juiced

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine avocados, sea salt, garlic and lime. Mash with a fork until a smooth, rustic texture with smaller chunks of avocado

Hope you enjoy!

~ Arielle

Year of the possible

After the best new years eve countdown to date for me, it's clear that 2013 is shaping up to be an amazing year. A lot of people are calling it the year of the possible, saying that 2013 brings positive change. What I love about starting a new year is the feeling of letting go of any negative energy or stress from the past and embracing the freshness of a new phase. 

The word 'possible' also means achievable, imagined or 'a person that has the potential to become or do something.' Most of what we have in our lives at the present is only made possible because we've either thought or done something to have it in the first place. I'm a big believer in attracting what we want, but also that we have to chase our goals and meet them halfway. Believing it is possible is the other half. I'm not trying to make out I'm a metaphysicist, but I am expecting big things this year. So what do you want to make possible? It can be as big or little as you want. 

Here are a few quotes on 'possible'


"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Francis of Assisi 



"The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible."
David Viscott


"Success is determined by those whom prove the impossible, possible."
James W. Pence


"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." 
Dalai Lama 


~ Arielle

Image credits: 1. 2013