So here’s a confession. I am a control freak. In fact I am such a control freak I try to control my control freakism. If I had it my way I would pre plan every discussion, meeting, encounter and situation so it would go the way I wanted it to. In the past I would imagine upcoming events and discussions and try and envisage every possible scenario or conversation that might occur.

There are plenty of us out there. Outwardly we look very confident and in control, and possibly a wee bit on the bossy side. But I will let you in on a little secret – most of us share the same thing underneath it all.

FEAR

Deep down us control freaks have a very similar fear that we don’t even like to admit to ourselves – that something might happen and we won’t be able to handle it.  So here is what I have been trying lately, and boy it has been working a treat. I have been practicing letting go of control of future situations. Weird huh? It ain’t easy to start with, but it gets better. Here is what you do.

• Imagine a situation that is coming up, and you can feel yourself over analysing
• Literally hand it over to whatever you believe in – God, your inner guidance system, your intuition, the universe, whatever works for you. Say it out loud -” I hand this situation over, knowing it will work out for the best.” (roll with me on this one if it sounds a little hippy)
• Let it go. It will work out for the best and you can handle it.

It was tricky for me at first to believe that I had the inner wisdom or guidance to cope if I stopped  pre planning, but I learned a few things.

• If I am going into a situation without any pre conceived idea of how it must go, I am much more relaxed.
• Often the outcome turns out in a completely different way than I would have imagined if I had forced the situation, but it is actually a better outcome.

I am not saying don’t be necessarily prepared by the way. If you have a presentation coming up, or a job interview etc - do the preparation you need and be as up to date on information as you need to be. Then hand it over and don’t try to force the outcome.

Weird? Wacky? I don’t think so. Give it a go a couple of times when you notice yourself desperately trying to control an upcoming situation, and see what happens.

You can handle it.

cheers

Ali

It’s Monday Meal Day!!
For your gastronomic delight Mark whipped this up for us last night. I was busy studying, so I asked him to do some searching on the Internet and find something gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian. I must have him well trained as he mosied over (without gritted teeth this time at the various food restrictions outlined)  to my go-to site The Healthy Apple and made a variation of Aimee’s Pistachio Orange Pad Thai. He swapped around a few ingredients to match what we already had in the pantry and fridge, and I’ve gotta say it’s a winner!
Here is what you need.

Ingredients:
4 Tbsp almond butter
2 tsp agave syrup
1/3 cup gluten free soy sauce
juice of two limes
juice of two oranges
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1 chopped onion
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 cups mung bean sprouts
1 packet pad thai noodles
1 small bunch of spring onions
small handful pistachios
zest of one orange
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil

Directions:
Prepare the pad thai noodles as per instructions.
In a mixing bowl combine the almond butter, agave syrup, soy sauce, lime juice and orange juice.
In a wok or large pan stir fry the garlic in a splash of olive oil, then add the onion and stir fry until lightly browned.
Add the almond butter mixture, chili flakes, bean sprouts and noodles. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens.
Serve into bowls, and sprinkle chopped spring onions, orange zest, a handful of pistachios and fresh basil.

Serves approx 4 adults.

Super simple, and so good!

Enjoy
Cheers
Ali

Question for today: Who is the cook in your family? Do you have a partner or family member that is happy to cater to your dietary needs/restrictions when they cook?