Gratitude

Another 3 months of check-ups have passed. Feeling super grateful for excellent results. There is still mending to be done, but I am slowly getting there. Illness takes so much out of you that no one really understands nor comprehends until it happens. Physically but moreso psychologically.

You just have to build yourself back together. To be better than you were, better than yesterday. Progress keeps you strong. Loved ones keep you even stronger. Love the ones closest to you. Take life seriously enjoying every single moment, because being moments, they do not last. Only memories do. So create a life worth celebrating. Be proud and give yourself credit where it's due, even in the smallest victories.

Happy month-si-versary O!

Love Alice xox

Year(s) on Today

30th April 2014.

Today is the 39th year commemoration since the fall of Saigon. The day the South Vietnamese were lead to believe that the Vietnam War had ended. No one seemed estimate the aftermath, especially the psychosocial effects in the form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) bought on by a life event being war. The effects of bloodshed war still resonate generations later, and even now as Vietnam rebuilds, we will never get to learn nor hear all the experiences through the eyes of the soldiers, civilians and victims.

Although I have heard many heartbreaking stories, I have yet to understand the all political happenings motivating the Vietnam War nor the propaganda, but I am eternally grateful to be here in a land where freedom of speech is granted, and I have everything I need in my life. Many things as aspirations, that one day will transpire into reality. All because my grandparents had sacrificed everything and fought for their homeland, families and human spirit.

This date today, also carries great importance for me. One year ago, I fought illness. 11 days fresh out of my second surgery. Life then was complex and fragile. But I was determined to keep my spirit strong. Everything I knew became unfamiliar again. Days spent in pain and tears, an emotional vortex. The hardest was the way I saw myself. My body looked foreign to me, and that scared me the most. Surgery disfigures you physically, yet most mentally. Although I still struggle one year on, I am eternally grateful to have had life saving surgery.

Like everything, I am slowly rebuilding. April 30 holds a renewal significance to me in many ways, historically and personally. I hold close to my heart the people who were there offering their support and love, and once again I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Here's to my wonderful family, Oscar, Tasha, Rosy, Laura, Amit, Komal, Dara, Hoeun, Lucy, Holly, Rose, Shani, Chucky, Fran, Zank, Kay, Faz, Lisa, Apitha, Sophie, Judy, Claz, Nam, Teri, Connie, Alexia, everyone from home and everyone else who has sat beside me whilst I've shared my story. I hope you all realise how much you mean to me.

Love,
Alice xox

Sunday breakfast sessions

Weekend breakfasts are always best. Never rushed and made better with sunshine and the right company. Pictured below is our Sunday breakfast session of blueberries, banana, apple, Greek yoghurt, cinnamon, chia/flaxseed/goji berry and matcha antioxidant mix.

Display of textures - sweetness from banana, tart flavour from blueberries, crispiness of apple, spice of cinnamon, sourness from yoghurt and crumbs of antioxidant mix. This combination was delicious and part of a clean eating regime I'm focussing on at the moment after a morning jog/walk with O.

For lunch we made grilled chicken with brown rice paper rolls wrapped with a combination of mint, coriander, cucumber, cos lettuce, pickled carrot and daikon, and vermicelli.

I hope everyone had a yummy and wonderful Sunday too!

Love,
Alice xox

Ao Dai Project

Welcome to the "Ao Dai Project." Unconventionally to the blog post title, it is about a venture that I have been thinking about for a while that had not yet developed. I've had a tough 2013 dominated by stress, surgery, illness, and recovery hence want to dedicate 2014 and the years that lay ahead into my health, happiness and well being. 

Personally, I have a great love of food. I won't deny it. I am a sugar fiend, hence my goal is to try and reduce my consumption of refined sugar life and eat more natural wholesome foods. It won't be easy especially as I love to bake, but in determination and moderation, I will try. I have promised myself even though I'm not one to make promises.

So the idea of this blog is to share my life's passions of food, food photography, and to now integrate my goals to healthy living. I'll admit, I've never been into exercise, and sometimes see it as a chore. But over the years, I've come to realise, that it isn't the enemy. I suffered from adolescent asthma, loathed running as I would always end up breathless and almost asphyxiated.  

I had life saving surgery in 2013, and am still recovering. The physical scars tell me where I've been, yet the psychological and emotional healing is an ongoing process. It still feels very raw. I've always been grateful for everything in my life, but I have learned that disease knows no discrimination. No matter one's status, socioeconomic, or ethnic background, disease happens. My perspective of life completely changed. I learnt how to be brave. Not because I wanted to, because I had to survive. 

My family back in Melbourne were distraught realising I was in hospital in London. But here, I had a London family, whom I cannot thank enough for being there for me when I needed it most. Amidst the pain and tears, I fought hard to recover. I have been given the all clear, and hence need to be the best person I can be for myself and my loved ones. I love my family, and miss them dearly.

My "Ao Dai Project" is motivation to get me into a happier and healthier skin. My weight has fluctuated over the last year or so with 20kg losses (incl. muscle) to rapid gains. This is a slow life changing process, so I'm determined to do it the right way. 

To source, cook and eat wholesome foods to nourish my body and to become stronger and more physically active. I've always wanted to be healthier and hence look great in an ao dai so here is my chance. My sister, BJ, is getting married this year, so I've got nothing to lose (fat) and everything (muscle) to gain. She is one of the most determined people I know, and an inspiration of mine. She CrossFits, ToughMudders, runs marathons and follows the Paleo mentality (adapted to her lifestyle), yet is sensible about it all.

Another inspiration in my life is Oscar. He motivates me to be a better person, guides me to become more food savvy, make less calorific choices when needed (yet indulges occasionally), but all in all is, and has been a huge support through my most testing moments. I wouldn't have been able to get through it all without you.

My morning started of deliciously with raspberry soy yoghurt, banana, blueberries, cinnamon, chia/flax seeds, goji berries and matcha antioxidant mix. I had this with a side of organic green chai tea. This will give me the energy to pack up my things, as I am in the midst of moving houses. 

Sadly, I've had to cancel my gym membership, meaning I'll no longer see Tasha, my support since I arrived in London and my gym buddy. We used gym time to workout and catch up. I miss those days.

Hopefully, I'll be able to update the blog with my progress along the way and share my food/exercise/life/heart moments.

Love,

Alice xox