I decided to go on a 6 miles run and as I walk outside the small drizzle turned into a thunderstorm. Ok maybe I’m exaggerating but it certainly started to pour down seriously. It kind of pissed me off (pun not intended). The thing is – I’ve been doing the same loop over and over again and it’s basically along the main road and utterly boring. So in addition to that it was pouring down like crazy. Sigh.

But then (!!!) I discovered a fantastic path. I have no idea why I never saw it before. So what started out as a 6 miles road run turned into a path/trail run.

I love trails. Love love love trails.

Gosh I had such a blast. Who needs partying when there’s trail running.

Gosh, running is such an unattractive sport. I looked like a mess when I got in but hey what are the chances I’m going to bump into the man of my dreams while running through the woods near Finchley.

But then again I also love surfing and that’s also not the sexiest sport out there. Well apart from if you’re a sexy surfer.

I had a fab recovery pudding when I got in. Silken tofu blended with berries and agave (inspired by Tamzin’s fab dessert). And Mel poured me a glass of cider. My kind of recovery drink!

Now that we talk about food may I mention that today has set a massive milestone. Do you have  a vegetable which you really hate? Well that vegetable would be – in my case – Brussel’s Sprouts. Ewww. As a kid I was convinced they smelled like poo.

So in all fairness I decided to give them a chance so I roasted some for dinner tonight (with coconut oil, a drizzle of honey and s&p).

And guess what? I rather liked it. Still not my favourite veg but it was lovely nevertheless.

And now I’m chilling in my sexy socks.

Rawwwr!

Happy V-Day! Are you excited?

Yeah, me neither.

In fact this morning – on my way to the tube – I was wondering why they were unloading a crapload of roses next to the florist’s. And then after a few seconds I realised that today was Valentine’s day.

Don’t get me wrong I think that day is lovely. In fact, I think we don’t tell each other not often enough how much we love them. However, I think it’s awful how businesses use it to cash in. And also, it puts people under so much pressure!

Singletons are once again reminded of the fact that they are single and people in a relationship need to do something special for their partner otherwise their significant other will be disappointed.

I think a nice meal and a film would do. Not much pressure, just a normal day in.

Despite the fact that I was in longer relationships before I never really had a Valentine (Or at least I can’t remember I’ve ever done anything special for V-Day). And you know what? That’s absolutely fine. I would rather have someone spoil me on 364 days a year rather than only on one. Heheheheee.

All love/hate of Valentine’s aside I think it’s the perfect opportunity for us to be grateful for loved ones – not only our partners but also our parents, sisters, brothers, friends, pets… Because sometimes we all get caught up in the troubles of life and don’t pause for a minute to appreciate the people who surround and support us.

So I encourage you to take a break now.

Think of someone you love.
And then send that person a message or give him/her a call.

We all need a sprinkle of love in our lives. We all deserve it.
Kx

Watch these two hilarious clips of Ryan Reynolds with 1) Ryan Hall and 2) Tara Stiles

Gotta love Ryan Reynolds. And Ryan and Tara (if you’re into running and yoga).

Not amused?

Here’s Rachel Bilson rapping.

Hasta Luego.

Not much has changed apart from the fact that my food blog turned into a rant-blog. But I still do it all with lots of love and sunshine. Ok scrap the sunshine, I’m in England after all.

Anyway.. Despite the fact that I enjoy my pint and pasta I’ve always been a bit health-police-ish. I brought whole wheat pasta back home which made my mum protest because “they are so grainy”. I secretly cringed when I heard people say that peanuts are bad for you because they contain a lot of fat. But I’ve also really felt sad for people who tried to lose weight but felt miserable because they had to stick to portions that wouldn’t even be enough for a mouse.

I believed (and still do!) that bird food alone doesn’t make you healthy. We also need food for the soul – laughter, friends and a good bottle of wine. And pizza. Let’s not forget pizza. And an other bottle of wine

Fast forward in September 2011 I picked up the phone (or rather: took my mobile) and called the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York and enrolled.

It was the scariest and most exciting thing I’ve ever done.

Scary because being a Health Coach means having my own business, which –to be precise- makes me an entrepreneur (albeit a very small one).

And excited because I can finally (“legally” ha!) help other people on their journey to health.

Because being healthy doesn’t only entail your 5 a day – it also means that all other elements in your life – for example your career, your relationships, exercise, me-time – are in balance. Everything is connected. Eating carrots alone doesn’t make you healthy. Nor does having a great family but eating a crap load of junk food.

So I’ve been studying like a little mad person and I’ve been soaking everything up like a sponge. I love my studies.

In March I can start seeing clients (I will graduate in October) and I am still brainstorming for a catchy business-name. I hope my epiphany will come soon. (In case you have some phenomenal ideas – let me know!)

In the meantime you can happily shoot me an email if you want to know more about my Health Coaching programme and/or want to become a client. If you come on board I promise you the best 6 months in your life to come (well.. unless you’re a lucky bastard and spent 6 months travelling the world or something amazing like that)!  Also if you’re interested in studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition but still have some questions, let me know and maybe I can help you.

Email me at givemebananas(at)gmail(dot)com

Love, chocolate, some chunky chips, salad, hugs and a swagger,

Karin x

These are my besties Daniela and Livia who may or may not kill me for posting their photo online. But hey, they’re beauties so they’ve got nothing to complain .

So three weekends ago they flew all the way to London to spend a weekend with yours truly and some super windy weather. We coughed (me and Daniela), we drank (me and Livia) and we got ill (only Daniela).

Despite the fact that the germs were against us we had a fantastic time.

We did the usual touristy thing..

..Went to see Backbeat (that guy who plays Stuart!! Awwww!)

..and took an appropriate trip to Abbey Road.

Have you ever been to Abbey Road? It’s so ridiculously funny. There are tonnes of people waitng to cross the road to pose like the famous Beatles album cover. There was lots of honking going on.

We also had a proper British lunch at the Porterhouse. I made them order Rekorderlig which must be the most delicious cider on earth. It’s like a strawberry garden in a bottle.

Unfortunately Daniela felt worse for wear with time and had to stay in bed for one of the best parts – dinner at Fifteen!!

It’s not a secret that I am in love with this place. I just love the concept and the amazing chance that these young people were given. Plus the food and service is absolutely perfect. In fact I’ve already booked a table for my birthday there (6 April in case you want to send me some presents hehehe). In fact I need to call my mum and tell her about that  – she LOVES Jamie Oliver.

It was still warm and gooey and melty and then I went to heaven.

Sorry, I know I am totally torturing Daniela now.. (We missed you!!)

I love it when friends come to visit – it really is the best thing ever (next to me visiting home )

xx

PS: I will post an update on my studies soon! I am brainstorming like crazy and desperately trying to come up with  a good business name. I am so excited about my health coaching pactice but more about that in a bit!

Pretty sure about that. Uh-huh.

Because…

Bart Yasso, aka Chief Running Officer of Runner’s World, is following me on Twitter.

Why? I have no idea!
But it’s fun.

I’ll let you know when Bartie and I have a nice little get-together.

So I signed up for one.

Indeed I did. And not just any marathon.. The Beachy Head Marathon which is famous for its endless hills.

But that’s a good thing. (No I’m not crazy)
You see, during a normal road race you constantly check your time. Even if you don’t want to – you still want to achieve a good time. So a hilly race makes it impossible to get even near a PB. Therefore you can easily kick back and just walk/jog when you get sick of the hills.

So anyway I was incredibly excited and instantly texted my dad, my running partner in crime. His reply: “Isn’t a marathon too big for you?”
Sigh.

Pap, I know you only say that to protect myself from my own stupidity but jeeeeez! (Can you see me roll my eyes?)

Let me tell you something (Not you, dad, but everyone else who’s reading this). Never listen to people who think you can’t do it.

Because in the end it comes down to you. And good training and/or preparation. Be it climbing Mount Everest, getting that job you always wanted or going from couch potato to 5k runner within a few months. You can do it.

So I am not going to worry about that marathon. Even if I would openly cry and crawl across that finish line. I am going to kick that marathon’s butt.

And so today, Pa, I’m not going to listen to you. Although I know you only meant well.

Now who wants to go to Eastbourne with me on 27 October?

Apologies for my not so constant posting. Life just hasn’t been all too exciting. However, my besties Livia and Daniela were here the weekend before the last so I will post the photos as soon as I’ve uploaded them onto my computer. It was such a lovely weekend…

Anyway, I realised the other day that my 25th birthday is fast approaching. Not that I care much about my birthday but since two-five is kind of more “important” than, say, 23 I decided to start making a list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 30.

And then I realised that this list mainly contains some proper badass stuff.

- Run the New York Marathon
- Run the London Marathon
- Run the Swiss Alpine Marathon (which is completely nuts)
- Climb Mt Kilimanjaro

Also on the list is having a successful health coaching business.

I am not the girl who wishes for a husband, a son and a daughter, a house, a dog and a garden. Although – don’t get me wrong – these things are lovely too and I definitely don’t want to end up as an old singleton but finding a guy certainly isn’t on my priority list. At least not until I’m thirty. Watch this space – in 5 years you’ll find me in dodgy bars famous for desperate people wanting to find a significant other. Or on dodgy dating pages where random guys send me pictures of their private bits. Hooray!

So yes (back to my list) I’ve got some crazy stuff on my radar. I think the marathons I could do alone but a solo trip to Kilimanjaro with strangers? No thanks. So if you want to join me: let me know!

What else do I need to add? What do you have on your bucket list?

Love, Kx

- I wish I would think ‘Mad Men’ is amazing but I don’t. It’s ok but I really don’t see why it’s so hugely successful. Chain-smoking pricks who are nasty to women get kind of boring. But John Hamm’s easy on the eyes.

- I grew up hating Brussel’s Sprouts and I want to give it another chance but for some odd reason I’m a bit terrified.

- I don’t know how to cook meat.

- I don’t like reviews. I always get the feeling that the reviewer thinks of himself/herself as superior. I also like having an own opinion and it often disagrees with reviews.

- I am currently reading ‘American Psycho’ and I am shocked and thrilled in equal parts.

- I’ve never watched any of the Godfather films.

- Alexander Skarsgard is my future husband.

- I sing when I snowboard. But never under the shower.

- My left foot is longer than my right foot.

- Working in an office in London is the same as working in an office in Bern.

- In a perfect life I would spend all my time volunteering and being a health coach.

- I wish I had a small dog.

- I like travelling – especially flying – on my own.

- My flatmates and I are currently obsessed with a Danish murder series called Forbrydelsen (The Killing). It’s in Danish with English subtitles. Danish is hilarious.

- I always print out lots of recipes what I never end up making.

- London’s club scene doesn’t interest me in the slightest.

- George was my favourite Beatle.

- I swear a lot. I need to watch the f-word when I’m in the office

- I like random facts.

So the least I could do was to join her for a swim today.

The thing is.. I hate swimming.

However, as I was swimming my lanes I came to the conclusion that I actually really enjoyed it – I just hate everything else that comes with swimming in pools.
The chlorine, all the people, the water in general (ewww pee!), the part between the shower and getting into the pool, walking around in my bikini… You name it, I hate it. But swimming itself is actually almost meditative.

Nevertheless, my hair smells chemical now. Oh well.

I suppose you could also say that I should choose more natural waters such as lakes or seas but heck I live in London and I sure as hell won’t be splashing around in the Thames any time soon. (After all I’m not David Walliams). So I guess I will have to stick to pools.

But to be honest I’d much rather spend hours in the cinema these days. There are so many great films on right now – I don’t know where to start!

Shame

Somebody give Michael Fassbender an Oscar STAT!

The Artist

A silent film in black and white? You’ve got to be freaking kidding me. Hilarious.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Because I wonder what Hollywood’s take on such a graphic book is.

War Horse

I actually like having a good cry every once in a while in the cinema.

Trouble is I have no idea when I would possibly have the time to go to the cinema…

Alright, got to run now. Love, Kx