This month I'm repeating one from last year. I'm going social media free for a month! I found this one really broke my habits of constantly scrolling through Instagram and Facebook whenever I had a minute to spare. Instead I will be using my time more productively by reading up on all things reflexology as there's always more to learn. 

September means back to school! So my challenge for September is "Learn Anatomy"! I studied anatomy and physiology as part of my course to qualify as a reflexologist in 2011 but feel like I need to refresh what I know. There are constantly new things being discovered and things can be forgotten. I'm going to go back to my study books and online groups and learn new things about anatomy and physiology...

I loved doing my daily meditations last month, and I think I'll even try to keep the habit up. I use the "Calm" app and find it really useful not only for meditation sessions but for relaxing music, sleep stories and even stretch sessions.

This month my challenge is to "read an interesting book"! So I have bought myself "A Little History of the World" by E.H. Gombrich to learn more about this wonderful world that we live in. I can't wait to get stuck into it.

This month I am doing "daily meditation". The countdown to my wedding is on now so this one was timed perfectly to keep me calm during the run up. I use the "Calm" app which is great. It's got daily meditation, sleep stories and music. I find the sleep stories great for switching off before bed and if I'm having trouble sleeping during the night. 

I am also looking after my own well-being this month by having regular reflexology sessions myself. I have booked my sessions in and am really looking forward to them. 

April is over but it seems to have left its showers behind! April's resolution was "no shopping"! I did this last year and found it was a great way to kerb my spending habits. I get quite addicted to online shopping and find this is the only way to bring me back to a "normal" amount of shopping.

However(!) this month I failed!! What with having my own wedding coming up in June, and a friends wedding in Spain, I found I HAD to buy things. So, I will be doubling up resolutions and re-doing this one in September.

For the month of May I will be doing "new workout app challenge". I've been following lots of different fitness influencers on Instagram to get some inspiration and will be mixing up my exercise routine this month. I've bought myself a new resistance band and can already feel the burn after using it for just a couple of days. One thing I've always learnt from going to different classes and doing different workouts is that your body will only change if it's put out of it's comfort zone. So i'll be challenging my body this month!

March's challenge was to try cooking 1 new recipe each week. I love cooking, but I find I get stuck in a routine of cooking the same things. So I really enjoyed this because it meant I had to try something new each week, and I even did more than 1 each week!

Here is what I tried (with links to the recipes):
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• Ottolenghi prawn and sweetcorn fishcakes with sweet potato mash with herb and lime salsa.
• Anthony Worrall Thompson baked plaice with olive tapenade 
• Diana Henry Harissa harissa roasted carrots with white bean puree. 
• Paleo baked eggs with pancetta and mushrooms
• Beef Massaman curry in the slow cooker
• Duck Panang curry

You can see some pictures of my "creations"! on my Instagram page: 
https://www.instagram.com/retreat4yourfeet_reflexology/

I have finally got round to writing my monthly resolutions for 2019! I've started January with Whole30 which is a great way to kick start the year.

Whole30 is all about eating foods that are natural, non-refined, and good for your body. It cuts out sugar, dairy, gluten, grains, additives, legumes, alcohol and carbohydrates for 30 days. During these 30 days you can definitely notice differences- in energy levels and general well-being. I love doing it in January to help reset the body for the year ahead. 
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I've tried to be realistic with my goals this year as it's going to be a busy year for me what with planning my wedding! I've focused on goals that will keep me interested, and active. 

A new month, a new monthly challenge. Can’t believe we are on 11/12 already!! Already planning my 2019 resolutions...
This one comes at a great time, just before the craziness of Christmas begins. Looking forward to feeling the benefits of cutting sugar out for a month. More energy, better sleep, and hopefully less pesky cravings by the end of the month.