Simple, healthy and nice

Lately, I’ve been making smoked salmon salad for lunch. Love it! Here’s how I make it. 1. I sprinkle spinach leaves over my plate. 2. I add thinly sliced cucumber and tomato. 3. I add a few pieces of pineapple and chunks of avocado. 4. I add a generous portion of smoked salmon. 5. I add super slim cheese. 6. I sprinkle almond meal over the salad. 7. I mix everything up. 8. Sometimes, if I want the meal to be a bit more filling, I add a couple of hard boiled eggs. So it’s very simple, and healthy too. I like to know that what I’m eating is doing my body good in some way. Now that the weather is getting cooler, I might start making different soups. I’m definitely not one of those who enjoy spending hours cooking. But pottering around the kitchen can be fun.

Stretching our favourite shoes that are just too tight

On the weekend, I was having lunch with a few friends and we were talking about shoes that are too tight. Wendy had just bought a nice pair of high heels, and after wearing them a short time, they were really squashing her toes. I suggested she took them to a shoe repair place and get them stretched, as that was what I’d done with a pair of boots that were a bit too small for my feet. But my friend had a better idea. “I’m going to put my shoes in the freezer. I saw it on youtube.” “Are you serious!” I said, thinking the idea sounded absurd. “How does that work?” So she explained. First you place one end of a plastic bag in your shoe or boot, pushing it right up into the toe. After filling the bag with water, you must seal it in a way that the water cannot escape. You could tie the end of the bag with strong duck tape or a small tight string. Note, leaking water can ruin your shoes. Place your shoe or boot into another plastic bag and seal that off. Then it’s time to put your shoes in the freezer. Leave them there for a full day, until the water inside is frozen. Apparently, as the water freezes, the ice expands and stretches your shoe from the inside. The next day, take your shoes out and let them begin thoring. Well, next time I have a pair of shoes that are a bit too tight, I’ll try this technique. It certainly can’t do any harm. I better warn my husband though, as he might get a bit of a shock if he opens the freezer to get his ice-cream, and finds a pair of my shoes there too!

Treating ourselves

Today, I had my nails done and bought two pairs of shoes. So I'm feeling very happy. I think most girls can relate to this. I believe it's important to treat ourselves every now and again. Of course, we need to live within our means, but doing things that improve our self-esteem, can be very worthwhile.

Being kind to a stranger

The other day, my husband and I were being served by a very surly receptionist. His hostile manner, deterred me from making conversation with him. My husband, however, shook the man's hand and warmly thanked him for his service. In response, the receptionist cracked a smile and said in a softer tone, "My pleasure." Often, a kind word can make a big difference in someone elses life.