My November Fitness Routine

Please not that I am not a professional in any shape or form, I just found that this routine works for me.

Things have changed a bit. I have recently left my old gym to join a new one, and I've got to say, I am really happy!

Here is my November fitness routine for 2014:

Monday am: Kickboxing for 40-50 minutes (with pushups, squats and sit ups inbetween combo sets)
Monday pm: Yoga/Core/Meditation

Tuesday am: Yoga/Core/Meditation
Tuesday pm: Body Conditioning Class (a 45 minute strength training class that involves dumbbells, kettlebells and body weight training)

Wednesday am: Kickboxing for 30 minutes and Spinning bike for 20 minutes
Wednesday pm: Yoga/Core/Meditation

Thursday am: Yoga/Core/Meditation
Thursday pm: High Energy Class (a 30-45 minute HIIT class incorporation cardio and strength training using kettlebells, dumbbells and body weight)

Friday: Kickboxing for 30 mins and 3 sets of 10 reps of 5 strength machines using heavy weights (I usually just use the machine that I feel like using that day)

Saturday: any workout dvd that is either cardio, strength, yoga, core/pilates or meditation (usually between 10-50 minutes, just something to keep me busy on that day)

Sunday: Rest/Lazy Day

I have never been a fan of pure cardio workouts such as running/walking/cycling I tend to get bored easily but I have been doing cardio kickboxing for over a year and fell in love with it.

I also do two workouts a day because I like to incorporate yoga and core workouts into my schedule as they are equally important as strength and cardio.

Always warm up with light cardio and stretch after EVERY workout to prevent injury.

Insane TBR list

Book Club: Insane To-Be-Read

My name is Heather and I am a compulsive book buyer. I have no idea what has driven me to this insanity of collecting books but I continue to visit the nearest Bargain Books and spend most of my savings and time rummaging through the sale items. I sit here typing this on my bed with my "to be read" pile (more like an avalanche) taking up half of my bed. So I'm going to share with you the books that I have bought but still have to read.

E-Reader

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
2. Six Earlier Days by David Levithan
3. The Time Machine by HG Wells
4. Dash and Lilys Book Of Dares by Rachel Cohn/Daid Levithan
5. Positive Discipline for Children With Special Needs by Steven Foster
6. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
7. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
8. Unremarkable Heart by Karin Slaughetr

Paperback/Hard Cover

1. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
2. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
3. The Scent of Lemon Leaves by Clara Sanchez
4. The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory
5. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
6. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
7. Cujo by Stephen King
8. The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory
9. Perfect by Rachel Joyce
10. The World's Greatest Unsolved Crimes 
11. Oos Van Mamagele by Jack Hurter
12. Spud: Exit, Pursued By a Bear by John Van De Ruit
13. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
14. The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory
15. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
16. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
17. The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
18. White Dog Fell From The Sky by Eleanor morse
19. The Prince, The Princess and the Perfect Murder by Andrew Rose
20. The Young Victoria by Allison Plowden
21. Poison Farm: A Murder Unmasked by David Williams
22. Silver Ring Thing Abstinence Study Bible
23. The Little House by Philippa Gregory
24. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (Happy 186th Birthday, Leo!)
25. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
26. Bridget Jones Diary Omnibus by Helen Fielding
27. Out of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys
28. Operation World by PJ Johnstone
29. Readers Digest Book Collection (Before I go To Sleep, Siege, Women And Children First, Outwitting Trolls)
30. Shakespeare by Another Name by Mark Anderson
31. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
32. The Man Who fell In Love with His Wife by Paul Burke
33. Saving CeCe Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
34. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
35. Key of Light by Nora Roberts
36. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale
37. Brand by Henrik Ibsen
38. Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham
39. Three Years to Play by Colin MacInnes
40. The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue
41. The Borgias by Mary Hollingsworth

49 books in total!! I better get right to it then.

-Heather McIntosh

Next Week Tuesdays post: The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks review

Our Deepest Fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.We ask ourselves, ' Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'. Actually, who are you not to be?..." - Marianne Williamson

The above is a quote from my favorite film, Akeelah and the Bee, which tells the tale of young girl who despite the odds against her, excels in spelling bee competitions. I have watched it quite a number of times, and yet it never ceases to leave me with feelings of inspiration tinged with nostalgic memories of my own spelling bee days.

I cannot even fully capture how pertinent this quote is. As we navigate our way through life: school, relationships, health, spirituality...Fear pops up like a pus- filled pimple in our lives. 

We are too scared to audition for that play, because there are so many other better performers. We shy away from applying to that school, because, heck, who would accept me with my grades? And we are too afraid to write, and share our work with others unless it is " perfect". Perfection remains elusive.

This quote is especially pertinent right now as I am a candidate for a position in the News Department of my school's community radio station. Applying was the first step. Then I got the interview, and got enrolled in the training program where I am now to learn how to write and produce a news broadcast.

 But there is a catch. Over the next couple weeks, the station is to monitor or assess our progress during the training sessions, and make the final decision. Not everyone is going to get into the News Team. Our station manager described  it as a "Hunger Games" type of situation where we are all competing for the same title...And they can only be one victor, and the rest of us just die ( BTW: if you don't know what the Hunger Games are, do read Heather's review:  http://imaniandheather.blogspot.com/search?q=Hunger+Games+). 

It is quite intimidating to think that one of us might be sent packing. I often have to snap out of those thoughts of comparing myself to others whenever I am placed in competitive environments. 

The thought of failing scares me. The thought that I am not the only person is the world with the similar aspirations.

Comparison then sets in. You become so focused on what other people can do better,that you miss out on your own unique attributes.  That is not to say that we should just sit around, and not improve ourselves. But we shouldn't be so transfixed on our inadequacies, that we neglect actually addressing them. 

So my approach this month is drumming into my head that each and everyone of us in this " Hunger Games" -esque is special.  We are all meant to shine.That is why we have been shortlisted among heaps of applicants. 

And thankfully our lives are not on the line. 

Peace and Love

Imani Dlamini 

Do feel free to comment and share your thoughts.
 

The difference between infatuation and love

• Definition for infatuation according to the pocket oxford dictionary: "To have an intense passion for."

• Definition for love according to the pocket oxford dictionary: "a strong feeling of affection."

We have all been there before. Whether you are 14 or 80 you will get these insane crushes, where you start to think that you are falling in love with that person, but is it really love?

Despite those two definitions sounding similar, there is actually a  huge difference between the two.

Infatuation, in layman's terms, is nothing more than you having a crush on someone that you don't even know that well but you have fallen for their persona. These infatuations can actually be quite hurtful and obsessive if not dealt with properly. I know plenty of friends who have had their hearts broken simply because the relationship moved too quickly to begin with. A recent incident happened with someone that I knew, she met this guy on our first day of vacation and by the second day they were in a relationship and he was already telling her that she was the love of his life. A little over a week later she broke up with him because he was getting too possesive and in return called her some hurtful names and made her feel bad.

Love is different in the sense that it is more complicated. Too be completely honest, I am 21 now and have never been in love (in a relationship sense). Its a strong word, and I don't believe that it should just be thrown around. We are born to love our family members and love in friendships grows from bonding with that person. Love in a relationship sense, however, is meant to grow like a flower. It starts off with friendship, then from that grows respect and trust and then you learn to love that person for all their positive and negative aspects.

Be careful of using the word "love" as it is so powerful. Don't ever hurry falling in love with someone because it won't last. I personally don't believe in love at first sight as I believe that it is actually infatuation. Some people beliefs about love are different and I respect that, I am simply sharing my advice with you.

Next Monday's Blog: Friends With Benefits: Yay or Nay?

- Heather McIntosh

The Kite Runner - film review

 The Kite Runner Review – 4.5/5

Amazing. Terrific. Electrifying. Words do not suffice in expressing how I found this adaptation of Afghan American author, Khaled Hosseini’s novel by the same name.

The Kite Runner tells the tale of Amir – a young Afghan boy growing up in Afghanistan amidst tumultuous political events – the 1979 Russian invasion of Afghanistan, the mass exodus of Afghan citizens to places of refuge, namely Pakistan and the United States of America, and the genesis of the Taliban regime.

The story opens up to decades later- when Amir, having fled from Afghanistan with his father, following the 1979 Russian invasion, on the eve of a book tour of his novel, receives a phone call from a family friend, who asks him to return to his homeland in Afghanistan to help out the son of his childhood friend. 

The film is told in a series of flashbacks, tracing his childhood in Pakistan and the undying loyalty that bound these two friends together embodied in one of the most memorable quotes of the film : 

" For you, a thousand times over" 

This film had me cheering, sitting at the edge of my seat and metaphorically chewing my popcorn a little faster – in the metaphorical sense.  Everything about the film, from the actors, the cinematography, soundtrack and all those technical and artistic elements were great.

And what added to the authenticity of the film was that some of the actors were locals, despite most of the scenes being filmed outside Afghanistan (due to safety reasons). It is a beautiful piece of work and I would recommend this if you’re looking for a story of loyalty, friendship, betrayal, historical, actions, romance… heck, just watch it already!

Imani Dlamini

·         * Image : http://www.imdb.com/

My week as an introvert #1

This is a weekly diary series of the struggles of not being able to always speak your mind.

This week was a rollercoaster, and I'm not exaggerating.

Tuesday: 
 I returned to the gym classes on Tuesday where everyone was apparently in the mood for chit-chat and kept on asking questions about my mentorship, which is not the kind of conversation you want before a yoga session. Chit-chat is just the worst for me "what are your plans for the future" "how are the studies going" can't they ask me something a little more miscellanous like: "who is your favourite author?" or "Which Cary Grant film do you enjoy the most?". The rest of the day was fine, I stayed home and worked on a bit of my Afrikaans. "Hoe gaan dit?"

Wednesday:
Wednesday was a better day for me. I attended gym class with a big smile on my face as I found out that I passed all my exams and to celebrate I got 16 books for the low low price of R500. I also celebrate with nutella, enough said. It was one of those days where I felt confident and invincible.

Thursday:
This was probably the worst day for me. I got in a huge fight with my mom, I was stressing about my application for my degree in August and I had a huge headache. Not a day that should ever be repeated.

Friday:
This day was chilled. Went to a circuit training class with my sister, ate popcorn and watched Episodes and hashed things over with my mom.


-Heather McIntosh
@heatherluvpink

Book Club: Paper Towns by John Green

"Quentin Jacobson has always loved Margo from afar. So when she climbs through his window to summon him on an all-night road trip of revenge he cannot help but follow. But the next morning, Q turns up at school and Margo doesn't. She's left clues to her disappearance, like a trail of breadcrumbs for Q to follow."

After reading Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, I have to be completely honest by saying that I was a bit disappointed in this one. I actually started to get bored of the story after a while. Don't get me wrong, I love John Green, this novel just didn't captivate me like the other two did. But it is the perfect novel if you just want to chill out in your PJs all day and read.

Next Week: The Importance of Being Earnest and other plays by Oscar Wilde

Written by: Heather McIntosh
Twitter: heatherluvpink
Tumblr: mcheathermc
Instagram: mcheathermc

Book Club: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Written by: Daniel Handler
Illustrated by: Maira Kalman

"This is the box, Ed.
Inside is everything.
Two bottle caps,
a movie ticket from Greta in the Wild,
a note from you,
a box of matches, 
your protractor,
Joan's book,
the stolen sugar,
a toy truck,
those ugly earrings,
a comb from the motel,
and the rest of it.
This is it, Ed.
The whole story of why we broke up."

The entire book is a fictionalized story of what could be a very real break up. The main character, Min, writes a letter to her high school boyfriend, Ed, about why she broke up with him. Accompanied with the letter is a box. The box contains memorabilia that Min collected throughout their entire relationship.

This was probably one of the most captivating novels that I have read this year, so far. It truly felt like I was breaking up with my boyfriend. I loved the film culture references that this novel contained, as well as my two favourite quotes from the book: "I'm a fool is what." and "You either have the feeling or you don't" by Hawk Davies.

This novel brought me to tears and the illustrations brought life and a sense of beauty to the story.

Book Club Tuesday: Middlemarch by George Eliot

Ok, I need to make a confession. I am a impulsive book buyer. Which means that I just buy books for the sake of buying books. A couple of weeks ago I visited a second hand book store and got 7 books under R500, which is a major bargain here in South Africa. I bought this book mainly because I was intrigued that a 854 page book only costed me R50. Now I have never heard of George Eliot, and I only found out that she was a female author when I did extra research in the middle of reading this novel. I also looked up reviews on Goodreads before I read it and I knew that I had to read it first.

This book had ups and downs but you can't help but fall in love with this book. I even took longer to read it so that I can soak up every word into my brain. I even loved the fact that my copy of the book had quotes for every single 86 chapters. It set the mood for the book. I love the themes that are discussed, especially with regards to religion.

If you haven't read this book already then go out and find it and enjoy the wonderful story that George Eliot created.

Twitter: heatherluvpink
Instagram: mcheathermc
Email: imaniandheather@gmail.com

Geektastic stories from the Nerd Herd by Holly Black review and April TBR

Stories included:

• Once you're a Jedi, you're a Jedi all the way by Holly Black and Cecil Castelluci
• One of us by Tracy Lynn
• Definitional Chaos by Scott Westerfeld
• I Never by Cassandra Clare
• The King of Pelinese by M.T Anderson
• The Wrath of Dawn by Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith
• Quiz Bowl Antichrist by David Levithan
• The Quiet Knight by Garth Nix
• Everyone but you by Lisa Yee
• Secret Identity by Kelly Link
• Freak the Geek by John Green
• The Truth about Dino Girl by Barry Lyga
• This is my Audition Monologue by Sara Zarr
• The Stars at the Finish Line by Wendy Mass
• It's Just a Jump to the Left by Libba Bray

Ok, this title definitly attracted me when but to be completely honest, I wasn't as into it as I thought I would be, maybe its because I had a difficult week. The one story that I did enjoy though was I Never by Cassandra Clare.

April To-be-read

• Middlemarch by George Eliot 
• Just One Day by Gayle Foreman (re-read)
• Wide Awake by David Levithan
• The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa bank

Book Club Tuesdays: Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan Review

Never have I ever poured my heart out so much into one book. I purposefully read it slowly just so that it could last longer. This book is centered on three teens and how the tragic 9/11 event affected them. I loved this book and even though I live in South Africa and was only 8 at the time the twin towers were all over the news so I remember it quite well. Give this book a try even if you prefer comedies.

Up All Night Edited by Laura Geringer Review

This book is a collection of short stories by well-known authors. The stories are:

1. Phase 2 by Peter Abrahams
2. Not just for breakfast anymore by Libba Bray
3. The Vulnerable hours by David Levithan
4. Orange Alert by Patricia McCormick
5. Superman is Dead by Sarah Weeks
6. The Motherless One by Gene Luen Yang

For the first new book to get me out of my reading slump, it was a darn good one. Each of the stories had a good amount of drama. My favourite though was Superman is dead by Sarah Weeks.

Skin Fruits Review and Updated skin care routine

Top: Skin Fruits Night Cream
Right: Skin Fruits Face Mask
Bottom: Calming Facial Toner
Left: Face Cleanser

This is by far the best (affordable) skincare brand that I have ever tried! I am constantly chaning up my skin care routine and when I saw this at my local dis-chem, I just had to try them. These products will not only clear up your skin quickly but they will make your face feel as soft as a baby's bottom.

Updated Skin Care Routine

Night Cream: every night before I go to bed and after I washed my face
Face Mask: Once a week before bed, after cleansing, I will then moisterize with my Clean and Clear Moisterizer after the Face Mask.
Facial Toner: Straight after cleansing (morning and evening) and before moisterizing
Facial Cleanser: I used after I finished with my gym session (morning and Evening)

Book Club Tuesday: TBR and David Levithan??

Ok so it seems like I am slowly getting out of my reading slump. My friend has been asking me to read David Levithan books for the past couple of months so that is what I will be reading to get me out of that funk, expect to see reviews soon. I am also re-reading my Harry Potter books as it is annual thing that I do, I'm weird...

My to-be-read for the next three weeks in March will be:

1. Up all night edited by Laura Geringer.
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
3. Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
5. Geektastic Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black

February Favourites

Beauty: Fruity Night Cream

Food and Drink: Herbalife Shake Products

 
Music: Dragonforce

TV Show: Parks and Recreation

 
Movie: Frozen

 
Random: Guitar

 

Reading Slump and How I Plan To Get Over It

I think I speak for every reader when I say this: once we read a ton of books (like i did for my challenge last year) its difficult to get excited about new books again. And even though I am doing a book detox where I am not allowed to buy books I still have plenty of old and interesting books at home for me to read. Maybe once I complete all of my assignments in the next couple of weeks I'll feel better but right now I have other priorities and I'm not going to stress myself out about it.

Hope you have a fantastic day!

Heather
xxx

Twitter: mcheathermc
Instagram: mcheathemc

My Top 5 Favourite Authors

The majority of books that I read are written by female authors. I don't know why but that just how it is :). 

5. Marian Keyes
Anybody out there; Sushi for beginners

Her books are the complete definition of Chick-lit. I  love to read her books on a rainy day, snuggled in a blanket with my cat purring near-by.

4. Enid Blyton and Jacqueline Wilson
The Tower in ho-ho wood; Vicky Angel

I included these two together as my number four because both of these two ladies built the foundation for my love of reading. I would love to pass down their books to my daughter someday.

3. Nora Roberts
The witness; Whiskey Beach

Although I only started reading her books last year. I read numerous of them for my book challenge and each one captivated me.

2. Jodi Picoult

House rules; Nineteen Minutes

Her book "House Rules" is what sparked my passion to teach special needs. Her books don't last three days with me. They are inspiring.

1. JK Rowling
Harry Potter Series

And of course my number one female author is the brains behind Harry Potter. My entire childhood I've reread the books and have watched each of the movies at least a dozen times each.

50 Random facts about me (Heather)

1. My birthday is 14th July 
2. Therefore my star sign is cancer
3. I am 20 years old
4. I was born in Boksburg, South Africa and I lived there for 14 years.
5. I went to a catholic school for 9 years.
6. I was baptized in a baptist church.
7. I am now agnostic about religion but have a spiritual way of thinking.
8. My natural hair colour is ash blonde
9. I've been dying it brown for a year.
10. I am now in the process of dying it back to blonde.
11. I am obsessed with tea (especially herbal and green teas)
12. Íve been a vegetarian (lacto-ovo) for about 2 and a half years.
13. I could never get tired of eating quinoa
14. I love eating healthy.
15. My favourite cheat treats are: chocolates, cupcakes and cookies.
16. I eat a lot when im very stressed.
17. My favourite colour is grey.
18. I am attracted to anything pink, like a moth to a flame.
19. I have a habit of planning ahead.
20. I have completed three short course qualifications (Early Childhood Development, Education Management and Real Estate Training).
21. I am currently in my final year of Archives and Records Management.
22. I still plan to do my degree in Early Childhood Development and honours/masters in Education Psychology.
23. I want to be fluent in French, Spanish, Sign Language and Japanese.
24. I am if Scottish, Afrikaans, Dutch, German and Spanish descent.
25. I can listen to any kind of music, except club.
26. I listen to classic rock on a daily basis.
27. My moms side of the family is very musical and only recently have i expressed a desire to learn to play guitar.
28. My greatest wish is to be able to sing 
29. Paris is my favourite place in the world.
30. I have an old soul
31. I think that clubbing is boring
32. Glee is my guilty pleasure.
33. Friends is my favourite show of all time.
34. I am usually a forgiving person but I never forget.
35. I am obsessed with cute earrings.
36. If i have no plans for the day I stay in my PJs
37. I am asthmatic
38. Therefore I struggle with Cardio exercises and I would rather lift.
39. I have commitment issues 
40. I am very self motivated
41. I love fruity-sweet scents like DKNY Be Delicious.
42. My favourite adult movie is Dirty Dancing.
43. My favourite kid movies are Brother Bear and Frozen.
44. I tend to put too much pressure on myself, my parents dont even out pressure on me.
45. I am best friends with my sister.
46. I am short and curvy and I love it.
47. I get anxiety in big crowds.
48. I want to cure all poverty in africa.
49. I want to teach special needs as they are more willing to learn.
50. I want to learn to love someone without getting anxiety

Why every girl should watch the movie "Frozen"

We've all seen those Disney princess movies where the guy saves the girl in the end and they live happily ever after. The new Disney movie, Frozen, is completely different and heres why...

1. The songs are catchy. My two favourites are: Let it Go and For the First Time in Forever.
2. Its an emotional roller coaster.  The movie will send you on a whirl wind between laughter and tears. There are even a few plot twists that will keep you on the edge of your seats.
3. Teaches girls a valuable lesson that we don't need a man to save us.
4. Shows us the true meaning of love.

Weather you are 4 or 40 this movie will melt your heart. And its by far the best animated film I have ever seen.

Love,

Heather

twitter: heatherluvpink

instagram: mcheathermc

5 Reasons Why Harry Potter Will Always be A Part Of My Life

1.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was the book that started my love for reading. I was seven when i started to read them by myself.
2. Even if the movies didn't always do according to the books you can't help but be intrigued when your favourite characters came to life.
3. Hidden life lessons. For a fantasy franchise there are many quotes and life lessons to be found. My favourite is from Dumbledore when he says: "For in dreams we enter a world entirely our own".
4. The movies are done so well and the books are written so well that you can't help but feel lost in the story. Its a world that you grow to love.
5. Each and every character is different and they start growing on you after each book and film. And when they die you will cry along with the other characters.

My Skin Care Routine

This routine will only work if you have dry sensitive skin like I do. I didn't mention the product names because I change them very often.

• Massage a cleanser into your skin. I like to use a cream based one because I leaves my skin feeling extra smooth.
• Rinse your face with cold water.
• Massage toner onto your skin to keep it looking glowing and healthy.
• Rinse toner off with cold water.
• Massage a moisturizer onto your skin and leave it on.
• In the mornings I like to use body butter on the rest of my body and in the evenings I use a special cream for my dry skin.

Extra Tips:

• Take supplements. Flax Seed Oil and Zinc are brilliant for healthy skin, hair and nails.
• Get plenty of sleep. 7 to 8 hours usually does the trick.
• Wash your hands regular so that you don't transfer all the dirt onto your face.
• Get your fruits and veggies. Make it a habit and you'll start craving it more than chocolate and chips.
• Drink Green or Herbal tea. My face always looks more refreshed when I drink a lot of Green Tea. Its full of anti-oxidants and you can get all sorts of different flavours too.
• Drink lots of water.
• Enjoy life. Stop stressing about the small things and start enjoying the bigger things in life like family and friends.

My Top 10 Sitcom Shows

These are my personal pick of the top 10 sitcom shows.

This is probably my favourite genre for TV shows, its light hearted and the perfect de-stresser. These are my top 10 go-to sitcoms that i watch to lighten my mood:

10. Big Bang Theory

9. Parks and Recreation

8. Modern Family

7. Trophy Wife

6. 2 Broke Girls

5. New Girl

4. The Neighbors

3. How I met your mother

2. Arrested Development

1. Friends