I have some good news...and some bad news. 

If you look back to 11 days ago, you will see that I posted about feeling "under the weather". What I didn't know at the time was that all that rest and "healing" I was doing... was just prolonging my illness...

The bad news: Doctor says I have strep throat... which would explain why for the past two weeks I have barely been able to eat anything other than mushy food and why I am suddenly out of pain killers. I am now on antibiotics for 10 days to clear it up. I have been instructed to rest for a few days (which I've already been doing.. so it truly is a virus that needs to be cured because I swear to you, my body has been given more than ample amount of rest to heal itself!) and that I should be back to normal in a week.  Lucky for me the weather has turned so my few days of rest will not be spent mourning over my lack of playing in the sun... as there is no sun to play in!

The good news: Well, it's kind of good news... more so "interesting" news I'd say. This is the third country that I have experienced strep throat in! The first being my home country Canada, the second was in 2007 when I was in South Africa. That was a very disappointing time to be so ill as it was a 6-week trip...not a lot of time allocated to "rest" and "healing". And this, the third time, in New Zealand. 

Sure experiencing strep throat in multiple countries may not seem like something to boast about.. but hey... when you've been on the couch for a few days, you're sipping on water and wincing every time you swallow and sleeping so much it's hard to remember the last time you went outside... I'd say it's fair to look for any and every teeny tiny positive thing to cling to!

And that is my update. May you all be healthy and well! 

siiiigh, after trying so very hard to ensure I was getting enough sleep and down time to kick the bug I could feel setting up camp in my throat... I am sick. Oyi I hate being sick. I just don't see any point to it really! honestly.. on this trip I swear I am getting more sleep than I ever got when I was home, I am eating healthier, getting heaps of exercise... why does my body need to be attacked by some silly bug? How... Rude! 

So, I am spending time on the couch, sipping hot lemon and honey, wishing this little bug will find a new home soon. Hope everyone else is feeling well, rested and full of energy!!

Quotes written by Bonnie Vaughan, Good Health New Zealand Magazine

I have been a very busy bee lately, been doing as many hours as possible at work (an attempt to bring in as many dollars as possible before the heat of summer hits and all I want to do is hit the beach!) and have been working on a brand new project. I have been enjoying this blog so much that I thought it was time to start a new one. I haven't had the "official launch" yet, but you can get a sneak peak: www.healthytoes.weebly.com

This new website is focused around fitness, healthy foods and generally living a healthy lifestyle! I have been having a great time putting it together, photographing all my foods and blogging about my fitness. Fun fun fun! If you have any recipes you'd like me to include, just send them my way (preferably with a great photo you took of your masterpiece) and I'll put it up!!! It's all about sharing the wealth...aka delicious knowledge!!

In other news, this past weekend Luke celebrated his birthday and it was a lot of fun! We had a few friends over for an evening, Luke wore his beautiful birthday gifts from our roomies and fun was had by all. The next night (his actual birthday) we went to Terri's place for dinner and got to meet her new baby cows. Boy they are cute! I had one suckle on my fingers and it was such a unique experience!! I loved it. 

Today Luke and I are travelling to the wonderful land of Mana Retreat Centre, on the Coromandel Peninsula. We wwoofed here for three weeks in May and are very excited to be headed back! Luke will be wwoofing again for the few days that we will be there, and I will be doing a yoga course. I have never done a yoga retreat before.. or even more than a few yoga sessions in a few days... so it will definitely be a challenge. A really good one I think!

Updates on how the weekend went will be coming in a few days!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Today was an absolutely wonderful day! I got to wake up late, made my way to the couch and was greeted by a delicious cup of tea! After getting myself very acquainted with the couch through a few episodes of Modern Family and a delicious breakfast, Luke and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine outside poking through the clouds (a rare occurrence lately) and hike up our beautiful Mount Mauao! After a slightly sweaty hike up to the top, we enjoyed the view at the summit and discussed our future plans here in New Zealand. Life is good! 

We spent the rest of the day relaxing on the couch, eating delicious food and even took a trip to the Library!  Towards the late afternoon the clouds began to dissipate and the sun really shone through! As I cozily sat on the couch and read through a magazine I decided the best way to take advantage of this late day sunshine was to go for a beach run. 

I have been aching to do this ever since we moved here, but for some reason I always held back. I am not a big fan of running and have found it hard to get myself into it. I've been working hard on the treadmill and finally felt ready for the big leagues! The Beach! :o) 

The run was glorious, exhilarating and fantastic! With my music pumping, the sun shining and the waves crashing in, it was exactly what I wanted to be doing at that moment!! Bliss!