BERLIN BERLIN

I'm attracted to anything or anywhere with a story to tell. Raw, 'gritty', unpolished, multi-dimensional places intrigue me, which is why Berlin has been on my travel radar for quite some time now. 

And it didn't disappoint.

This city manages to encapsulate an 'anything goes' attitude with beautiful historic architecture and buildings in a wonderful way. It has something for everyone, but to fully enjoy Berlin in all its glory, you must be open-minded.

A stroll down the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall is a must, its called the East Side Gallery and is the worlds largest open-air gallery of art and graffiti - some of which are not for the faint-hearted. The gallery is a monument to freedom of expression, a concept I love.

If you're a foodie like me, you will understand when I say where you eat is just as important as what you eat. I have a knack for seeking out the best brunch spots no matter where I am in the world, and this trip was no different. This is serious business! I have to say though, I outdid myself with this one!

The first place we went to was called Avocado Club, embedded in the cobbly streets of funky Friedrichshain. When I first saw the name I legit thought I misread it thinking I'd dreamt it but nope, its an avocado-focused restaurant with lots of creative and delicious dishes to choose from.... Not to mention the most AMAZING pink interior!

The prettiest toilet I ever did see!! I am obsessed!!

The second place we visited was called Factory Girl, in Auguststrabe. The service here was fantastic, friendly and accommodating. We was even given a taste of the restaurants infamous Coco Angela, which is their signature secret recipe dessert.

The history in Berlin is remarkable, this city has been through so much and still stands with such strong pride and presence. Visiting Branderburg Gate was number one on my to-do list when I got to Berlin after Googling it for so long and I was in awe seeing it with my own eyes. What a truly incredible structure, up close it is just as breath taking as you'd expect. Cream solid stone topped off with the statue that's known as the 'Quadriga', which represents the goddess of victory on a chariot pulled by horses. Its crazy to think that what was once a symbol of division during the Cold War, is now a symbol of peace and unity, and is Germany's most popular landmark.

Another place I wanted to visit was the memorial to the Jewish victims that were murdered during the Holocaust. I wanted to pay my respects.

There are many connotations about the memorial, from what the grey slabs represent to the way the memorial is laid out. But one things for sure, its extremely upsetting. What those people went through is barbaric. I walked around the memorial alone, and in silence.

Never forget.

Of course no trip to Berlin at this time of year would be complete without visiting the Christmas markets. The Germans do Christmas better than anyone else! We spent a day hopping around the city from one to another and they were all fantastic, there's a market to suit every individual taste. From traditional Christmas markets which present nativity plays, live bands and choirs, to the ones where its food stall after food stall, to the markets where the focus is more on Christmas decorations, trinkets and keep-sakes. It's a truly magical experience and one that has left me 80% made up of Gluhwein (mulled wine) currently!

I have fallen in love with Berlin, in many different ways, just like I knew I would. Its hip, edgy and charming at the same time. 'Berliners' are cool, way cooler than anyone I've witnessed in any other place I've been. The fashion is alternative, dark and grungy.

It seems to come alive more at night, and when I say night I mean like 4am... It seemed strangely quiet in the suburban districts when we ventured out for breakfast, probably because everyone was still partying. It wasn't particularly expensive, I would say average city prices. We ate and drunk plenty, and visited all the tourist spots we wanted to which, as well as all of the above, included the Jewish Museum and Checkpoint Charlie, all for a reasonable price. Transport links are brilliant and easy to understand, you can get an all day ticket for every zone in the city for around 7 euro.

If you like culture, history, beer, cheese and carbs (giant pretzels FTW!) than I would highly recommend visiting Berlin. You won't regret it.

Lots of love,

M xx

AUTUMN SHOWS US HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS TO LET THINGS GO

Autumn is in full swing, the temperature has dropped and the air is feeling crisp. The fire is on and the pavements are buried under piles of rustic chestnut coloured leaves all around us. As much as I love Summer, I also love cosy knit and hot chocolate season. Weekends spent snuggled up on the sofa or going for fresh morning walks in the countryside followed by a roast dinner and a glass of rich red wine are my favourite! Autumn is definitely the most artistic season, I find myself stopping and looking around me in awe of all the divine colours and textures that surround me when I'm outside, almost every viewpoint is picturesque.

It's the season where life comes to an end in order to make way for the new, and shows us just how absolutely beautiful that can look.

It's the perfect time of year to really think about all that's passed and all that's still to come, what you want to part ways with and what you would like to happen in the new year that'll soon be here before you know it. I used to struggle with lettings go of things, I'm a creature of comfort and used to be a little apprehensive when it came to change, but I've since learned that change is essential for growth. Nothing ever came from being too comfortable (unless it's on your sofa in your PJ's, I'm talking about a different kind of comfort zone here!) 

The beauty of lettings things go is that it makes way for inspiration, exploration and development. I challenge you to take a moment, think about and move towards letting go of anything that doesn't serve you any longer. Something that worked for you then but doesn't work for you now, it happened, you extracted what you needed, you learned the lesson, and now its time move on. To transcend. It's OK to outgrow a feeling or situation and as humans it's natural for us to continuously evolve, so don't just stick with something because you feel you have to. Let it go, and let it become a piece of your past that was beautiful, but is no more.

Just like Autumn would.

Lots of love,
M xx

LIFE AFTER 25

On Tuesday I turned 28, another year older and another 365 pages in the book. The big 3 0 is slowly looming and it's got me thinking about how much I've changed over the last 10 years or so.

In my early 20's I was a bit of a nightmare, I didn't really know who I was or what I wanted in life and made a lot of bad decisions because of it. Up until the age of 25 I felt pressured to have everything worked out and if I didn't I'd be a failure, which was hard when all I wanted to do was spend my money on clothes or go to Ibiza :) I sometimes wish I knew then what I know now as it would've saved me a lot of tears, but then if I didn't have those tears would I be the same person I am now? Probably not. Mistakes are made for a reason. You see, most people wish they were younger again and at the age of 28 I have only just started thinking about getting older, when I was 21 I thought I'd be young and invincible forever. I can whole-heartedly say if given the chance I wouldn't want to go back. I had a blast when I was younger but I would never want to go through that rollercoaster of emotion again! And even though it would be nice to regain the superpower of astonishingly avoiding any kind of hangover after a night out, I'm totally OK with getting older. I know who I am now more than I ever have before, I know what I want and what I don't, where I'm heading in life and who I want by my side for it. I'm learning new things about myself every day and I love it. I used to want to change who I was but now I just want to improve the person that I am, there's a huge difference in that statement. As I've grown older I've learnt to appreciate the simpler things in life, like a cosy home, a wholesome meal, belly laughing with family or friends and binge-watching Netflix on a Sunday with my other half.

I went to Australia when I was 23 in the hope of some kind of revelation, yes I wanted to travel a beautiful place but there was definitely a sense of 'running away' deep down. I don't really know what I was looking for but whatever it was I didn't find it. What it did teach me is that true happiness is not exterior. It doesn't matter if you're sat on a blazing hot Bondi Beach or looking out from the window of your living room on a rainy day in England, if you're still on your path to self-discovery get ready for the ride and buckle yourself in because this shit takes time. True happiness is loving yourself, and I don't mean loving yourself when you lose a few pounds, or when you change your hair colour, or when you find 'the one'.... they are all 'goal posts' and you'll never be truly happy if you only give yourself permission to be when you meet these goals, you will forever be chasing the next thing. It doesn't matter if you're not where you want to be yet. Love yourself now. Fall in love with all your fails, quirks and character traits because its what makes you so damn special and makes your life completely unique to you, your story. 

 Who and where you are in your life is exactly where you are supposed to be right now, if you feel like you should have it all worked out please believe me it will fall into place exactly when its supposed to and not a minute before. I'm 28 and I feel like my life is only just beginning and it will probably begin again many more times from now. You're 20's are about falling down and getting back up again, experimenting, being indecisive and spending weekends galivanting with friends. Try different careers, get a qualification in as many different things as you desire and try not to worry too much when the guy you thought was 'the one' breaks your heart. I promise it will be OK.

 So as I delve into the world of 'fist signs of ageing' in Boots, I'm toasting to the last 2 years of my 20's, I'm excited to see what happens next!

Lots of love,
M xx

RESTORING CALM

The worlds a crazy place, we are all so fast paced and on a mission it's easy to forget how important it is to wind down. I am the worst for this, I'm naturally a high energy person so I find it really hard to relax, I always like to be doing something and get so irritable if I'm sat down for too long. I get that from my Dad, its not unknown for him to be up at 4.30am on a Sunday morning washing the cars before he finds a hundred other things he needs to do. It must run in the family!

Not only does this make me a really bad cinema date, it's also not that great for my overall health. Being high energy is good for my fitness, productivity and creativity, but resting and recharging is just as important and I'm continuously on that journey of finding the balance. I've all too often found myself feeling burnt out and exhausted and its only been the last 3/4 years that I've started taking my 'down time' serious and making it a priority. I know a lot of women can feel overwhelmed with the pressures and stresses of life and we are all expected to juggle everything with one hand and move mountains, but its ok to feel like you need a break sometimes. I've put together some of my favourite ways to restore calm back in to my life quickly and effectively without needing to spend lots of money or taking time off to do them and I thought I'd share them with you.

Magnesium
I tell anyone who will listen about the wonders of Magnesium. I first started taking it when I lived in Australia and was feeling nervous about being on my own in the outback when I went to do my farm work. I'd been researching natural ways to relax and came across the benefits of Magnesium so I decided to give it a go. I noticed a difference after the very first night I'd taken it. I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks and was astounded by it, I've never looked back since. Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies in the UK with over 75% of people not getting the recommended daily intake of it. It is an essential mineral which helps to relax the central nervous system, relieves muscle aches/pains, aids detoxification, and can also help to reduce the symptoms of neurological disorders such as anxiety and depression. This is because serotonin (the brains feel-good chemical) depends on Magnesium for its production.

I use a brand called Solgar and I go for the Magnesium Citrate because this is one of the most bioavailable forms of Magnesium and the one I've found works best for me. The price is about £14.00 for a jar which I know some people may find pricey but the cheaper versions are manufactured in a way that's much less absorbable in the body and are therefore a waste of money. I take 2 capsules, 30 minutes before I'm due to go to sleep and I do this in cycles of 3 weeks (3 weeks taking it every night, 3 weeks off)

If you're interested in reading more about Magnesium and its heath benefits - and I really would recommend reading more about it - I've found a great article here: https://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-benefits/health/

A Cup Of Tea
The classic British answer to pretty much any problem right?! I'm not a big alcohol drinker, I don't crave a glass of wine in the week very often, if I do it means I've had a very bad day! And it definitely doesn't chill me out (I get drunk off of one glass lol.) So every evening to help me chill out I have a cup of tea before bed. Camomile tea is the best for relaxing and aids digestion so that also makes it a good choice for after dinner. The one I'm drinking at the moment is the Pukka Night Time Tea which is a fuse of lavender, camomile, oat flower and liquorice and its so lovely. It has a gentle sweet taste and really helps to settle me before bed. There are lots of relaxation tea's out there so there will be plenty around to suit your tastes, the only thing I would say is to make sure it's caffeine-free otherwise it may contradict what you're trying to achieve. As a general rule, I don't drink anything caffeinated after 5pm on weeknights.

Meditation
This was another tool I discovered in Australia, meditation is not just for hippies! You don't need to be spiritual or have lots of spare time to do this. When I first started meditating I was only doing it for 3-5 minutes a night and I found it really shifted my mindset and helped me to become more present. The biggest benefit of meditation is the breathing techniques you develop. Busy/stressed people have a tendency to take short, sharp breaths and hardly ever inhale thoroughly and deeply through their nose and exhale through their mouth. Concentrating on deep breathing through your nose and from your diaphragm not only means that more oxygen is being transported to the brain but it also reduces tension and tightness in the whole body.

If you're new to meditation I would recommend starting at just a few minutes a couple of nights a week just before you want to sleep. Sit somewhere comfortable with your legs crossed, preferably somewhere dark. Close your eyes and start breathing deeply in through your nose for as long as you can and then out through your mouth. Bring your thoughts to the here and now and let go of the day that has just passed. It can be difficult to do at first but once you get the hang of it, it can be a saviour at the end of a long busy week!

Take A Bath
This is my all-time favourite way to wind down. I love nothing more than a candle lit bubble bath with a good book and a facemask. My boyfriend often wonders if I've fell down the plughole because I can spend hours in there at a time. It feels pampering and luxurious and gives time away from any kind of 'screen' or technology which I think is important in this day and age. To make the most out of your baths, try adding in 1/2 cup of Epsom salts (also know as Magnesium Sulfate, yep that magic M word again!) once or twice a week and try to sit in it for at least 40 minutes. The Epsom salts are detoxifying so you will sweat buckets but it does wonders for your overall health as well as being proven to help alleviate tension headaches, aches/pains, stomach cramps and improve circulation.

Get Into A Sleep Pattern

Simple but effective. Most of us know how many hours we really need to be able to function properly, and not every body needs 8 hours a night like we're all told we do. Me personally I need between 6 and 7 hours sleep but some people may need more, and some can function off less. Having a set bed time really helps gets you in to a rhythm of being tired and your body will then start to tell you when it needs to rest. Try reducing your blue-light exposure (TV, phones, computers, tablets etc) in the evening and stop it all together at least an hour before bed. Blue light technology can really interfere with your sleeping pattern, this is because it messes with your sleep-inducing hormone melatonin and knocks out your body's circadian rhythm. Even if you can't do it every night, try and reduce it a few nights a week and see the difference. I was really shocked when I started doing this. 

Set Boundaries
Set aside an uncompromisable time for yourself every week, whether its an hour or a whole day, everybody needs time to themselves. Turn off your phone, be unreachable for while and do something you love. It can be painting your nails, getting your hair done, reading a book, going for a drive, anything that makes you feel good and helps clear your mind of all of life's 'noise'. Even the most successful and busy people will talk about how important it is to make time for yourself. Learn how to say 'No' to people and things you don't want to do, its fine to cancel plans once in a while if you don't feel up to it and if you want to just chill out in your PJ's then so be it. Give yourself a break.


I hope you found these tips useful, if you try any of them please let me know your thoughts and if they helped :)


Lots of love,
M xx

YOUR PASSION IS YOUR PURPOSE

I'm happiest when I'm expressing myself or creating something. Up until August last year I was leading a team of wonderful women on a path to their healthiest selves through nutrition, exercise and mind set and I can honestly say it was the most rewarding and beautiful journey of my life. It brought out the best version of me, a side of me that I knew I had but never had the guts to pursue before 2016. I've always had a strong sense of feeling like I was put on this earth to help people. Everybody has that one thing that makes them feel alive, something that makes them light up from the inside out just from thinking about doing it. Maria Christinara Nutrition allowed me to connect with like-minded people and help them through what I am most passionate about, and also let me have my own little 'thing', a project in which I could call my own and put all my energy into. I loved nothing more than coming home from work, opening my laptop and putting together programmes for my clients, creating content for my Instagram and Facebook page and trialling out recipes. I absolutely loved it. Which leads me on to why I've started this blog.

 I hit a wall not so long ago - I felt underchallenged, lacklustre and like I wasn't using my spare time very well. I stopped nutrition coaching just over a year ago to focus on my 9-5 career and personal life (I moved to a new city, started studying again and changed jobs in the space of a month.) This occupied me up until recently, now I've got the qualification I was studying for and I'm settled into my new life in the new city. I'm so happy and content but there was just this one thing that's been missing which was my need for a creative outlet. And so, the thought 'What can I do next?' has been creeping up on me. I've never been the type to finish my day at work, come home and sit in front of the TV for the rest of the evening and be satisfied with that being my life. I like to be busy and I knew I'd resume coaching again at some point, but I feel like I wanted to add something else into the mix.

From a young age I have always loved writing, my earliest memory was in infants school where I used to write fictional stories about fairies and dragons in a land far away, I often used to sit and gaze out the window while the other kids played outside and I stayed sat in the classroom writing in my school book daydreaming about my little fantasy world. I remember it like it was yesterday. As I got a bit older I used to fill A4 notebooks cover to cover with song lyrics I'd made up whilst playing my keyboard, and at the age of 19 I published a book about my Mum (proudest achievement of my life). So writing has always been my thing and a big part of who I am, my form of escapism if you will. I could literally sit for hours at a time with pen to paper, once I start I find it hard to stop. Since setting this website up I have already written 6 posts waiting to go live in my drafts! I am obsessed! It's the most natural flow of energy for me to express myself through written words.

If there's something that you really want to do whether its trying a new hobby or a new hairstyle, a new job or a new home - no matter how crazy or unreachable you think it may be, my advice to you is to just go for it. I'm a big believer in that if deep down inside of you is really pulling you towards a certain something, then that is what you are made to do and that's probably what you're going to be your best at doing. Your passions and interests aren't there by chance, they reveal your truest and most authentic self and they are your calling. I've been wanting to start my own blog for so long now but I kept putting it off because of silly excuses I kept allowing into my head. But time waits for nobody and if it sets your soul on fire then its absolutely worth taking the risk. So just go for it! Take tiny baby steps if you have to, but make sure you are taking those steps. Every single day - write it down, set yourself reminders, plan, build up your self belief and go with whatever your heart and intuition is telling you to do. What's the worst that could happen?...

  I wanted to create a space where not only could I demonstrate my passion for writing, but so I could express myself as a woman in her late 20's, trying to carve her way through this rollercoaster called life. I want this website to be about love, positivity, health, empowerment and honesty. I hope somewhere along the way I can help you, make you laugh, inspire you or just be your Saturday morning accompaniment to go with your cup of coffee.

Thank you for reading

WELCOME TO MARIACHRISTINARA.COM!

Lots of love,

M xx