I’m home!
At 5:30am in Belgium – eager to start our journey to Toronto!
Safe and sound – and it feels great to be back. I arrived in Toronto, early Saturday evening, after a long and turbulence-filled flight. I know it is harmless, but who else is not a fan of crazay turbulence on places? I honestly felt like I was on a roller coaster for a good part of the flight due when we were passing through a windstorm. You can probably imagine how happy I was to be on ground again and to reunite with my family! It’s always such an emotional moment walking out of the arrival doors and seeing my family waiting for me at the airport. Words can’t explain what a magical moment that always is 😉
It’s so funny how once you’re reunited with loved ones (and your pets – that’s Mavi posing for the photo!) it always feels like no time has passed. The first few days home have been filled with pure awesome busyness – catching up with friends and family, celebrating, baking, cooking with family, family dinners, a bit of working out and just hanging out with people I’ve missed so much over the past few months! Soaking up every moment I have here during the holidays.
And in, Ceara’s Kitchen fashion, I’m trying my best to maintain balance over the holiday season. Guilt-free, Eat Happy, Live Happy, Balance! From years past, I know that it’s easy to cave into the slippery slope of “guilt” over the holiday season – but there’s no guilt, whatsoever, in this kitchen this year! Because, who has time for guilt, during all the Christmas cheer anyways? Not this girl!
Breakfast: Tofu Bruschetta Scramble, Salsa, fresh multigrain bread, pink beet juice and a side of blueberries – delicious.
I’ve been baking up a storm since I got here and been enjoying the Christmas treats that only come around once a year (like my mama’s shortbread!) but I’m making sure to balance it out with some green smoothies and juices plus some awesome, enjoyable activity as well. I find after a couple sweets my body craves the instant nutrition in fresh, homemade smoothies and juices anwyways – so it’s an easy fix!
This juice is made with spinach, kale, apple and carrots – talk about a powerhouse of a green juice! And, like always, it’s #boyfriendapproved! 😉
And of course, the holidays always call for cookies. This morning I baked Vegan Chocolate Chunk Cookies with my little brother (haha, yes we do have a couple years between us!) and he told me that he can’t wait till he’s old enough to have his very own food blog! He’s an absolute natural in the kitchen.
Chopping up the Dark Chocolate Christmas bark for the cookies!
And as for the activity – let’s be honest, it’s cold here, so I haven’t run outside just yet (I always need to work up the courage to face the Canadian cold in spandex lol!) but I’ve been enjoying the treadmill more than ever before! (Any tips from experienced runners in the cold are appreciated!). It’s actually kind of nice to switch up my workout from my usual jog outside anyways. My goal is to do 30-60 minutes of enjoyable activity everyday over the holidays. Not just to “stay in shape” but to maintain balance as well – there’s nothing like 30 minutes to yourself to reflect on the day, take some time to breathe, and soak in the Christmas craziness! 😉
We start celebrating Christmas this evening in my family and the celebration is non stop until the evening of the 25th so I better go and continue helping!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with happiness, a bit of craziness and lots of good eats surrounded by lots of love! A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my kitchen to yours <3
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I’ve been on the flight for more than 24 hours (crazy) from Melbourne to Oregon and I don’t like crazy turbulence on planes either! I’m so happy you are reunited with your family in Toronto and safe home! Hope you had a wonderful holidays, Ceara!
That is a crazayy long flight! I’ve never flown for that long! Happy Holidays 😀
Yikes, turbulence is no fun 🙁 We had a bad experience one time and now I”m terrified every time there is shaky turbulence too. So glad you’re home safe. Yay for holiday baking and enjoy the rest of the holidays with your family 🙂
No fun at all – and that experience sounds dreadful! I know they say turbulence is normal – but it’s not fun at all! Hehe! <3 Thanks, Kelly!!
Turbulence is the absolute worst (OK, almost the worst…). Sounds like you have a solid plan for managing the holidays. Making sure you move your body and give yourself a bit of “you” time is excellent.
I used to run in the cold a lot but have lost my fortitude over the years as I enjoy the cold less and have expanded my workout activities so I have more options. BUT, here are a few tips from “back in the day”:
1. Layers! Be sure that you have stuff you can easily adjust and keep them lightweight. Bottom-most layer of wicking athletic fabric is a solid choice. Do not be so covered up that you get wet with sweat.
2. dress lightly, but cover hands and head. This will allow you to wear clothes that help you move.
3. warmup a little inside. Do some burpees and core stuff to get the muscles going and warm (not too sweaty), then quickly put on the clothes and get going!
4. Use the mental game. Feel good about how tough you are!
5. Careful with the footing. Never run when its icy.
Enjoy your holiday!
Those are honestly some AMAZING tips, Greg!!! All love all of them – especially the tip about covering your hands and head! Cold hand, especially at the beginning of my run, are the worst! I also love the tip about “playing the mental game” – because so much of it is really mental! And for the last one re. ice – I totally agree! I got some spikes to put on my shoes for winter running which do help a bit though 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
I love Mavi!! That must be so nice go be home for the holidays! Turbulence is the worst and always scares the crap out of me! I love the photo of your bright smoothie with the snow! We still haven’ gotten any snow yet, but it has been pretty cold lately. I hope you enjoy your time with your family! Happy Holidays 🙂
I hope you are having an amazing time back home.
I hate turbulance too. I get so scared when it happens. On the way back from Mexico last year I actually cried it was so bad.
<3 That sounds dreadful! I hear ya on not liking turbulence! ;) I hope you're having a great holiday as well!
SO glad that you are having a great time with your friends and family! 🙂 Looks like you are having some lovely eats as well! You always find a way to eat so healthy and well!!
Thanks, Cailee! Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful holiday season!! Happy 2015!
I am sure you are having an awesome time with family Ceara!! Happy New Year to you & your family! 🙂
Thanks so much, Manali! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season and Happy 2015!
Awww so glad you got back home with your family! I can tell how happy you are reading your post. That is soooo cute that your little brother said he wants his own food blog…so cute!! I laughed reading about your turbulence because I am the same way…in fact…one of the last flights my husband and I were on (a few years ago now) the turbulence was so bad that the plane kept dropping and I swear I thought I was going to die!! It was horrible and I just wanted to go home and I am honestly scared to fly again…it was horrific! I hate turbulence!!
Anyways, hope you are having a wonderful time with your family! Merry Christmas and those cookies look soooooo good! xo
Thanks, Brandi!! I can totally relate to your experience with your hubby – been there done that! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday 😀
That awesome! I actually just left Toronto to go home to Vancouver, Feels good to be back!
I LOVE Vancouver – one of my favorite cities eveerrrr!!! Have a wonderful time back home 😀 Happy New Year!!
Have a great amazing time Ceara with your family. There is nothing like being back home for the holiday. Wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Thank you so much, Hadia!!! Wishing you a very Happy New Year as well 😀 Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday!
My hand is raised Ceara! I don’t like flying and I am terrified of turbulence. I think my husband has scars on his hand from my lethal grasp during those moments. 🙂
Welcome home! It looks like you and your family are very happy to be together. Your little brother is adorable. 🙂
Have a wonderful Christmas!
I can only imagine! J and I had to fly separately and I think my arm rests have permanent marks from my tight grip during the turbulence! 😀
So glad your trip back home went well, besides the bad turbulence! Sounds like you having a wonderful time with your family and friends, Ceara! Your cat is gorgeous! Looks like he totally knows how to pose for pictures! 🙂 And your little brother is adorable! How fun that he wants to create a food blog, too! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your time back home!
Thanks, Gayle 😀 Hope you’re having a great day!
HI Ceara! Glad you arrived safely in Toronto. Sometimes the hardest part of travel is leaving pet friends behind. Beautiful cat! I’m trying to balance everything too with smoothies (you nailed it with your green smoothie recipe, that’s exactly how I like it). So tasty and helps out when you constantly nibbling =) Trying to exercise everyday (with enjoyable exercise) as well in that same 30-60 minutes range, but it’s getting tough to find time! So many presents to wrap and food to cook and you know how it is! Merry Christmas!!!
Thanks for the kind words, Laura!! I agree 100% re. green smoothie – I especially like to have one around when I’m doing lots of baking! Keeps the nibbling at bay 😀 Hope you’re having a great day!