♥

Let’s face it, beef jerky kinda sucks, and up until now there hasn’t been an option available for plant eaters who are keen to get their teeth into something spicy, chewy and delicious without splashing out on exy dehydrators. Enter pre-packaged Watermelon Jerky from Pure Glow Cleanse.

This stuff is so delicious that you’ll want to make sure you buy more than one packet at a time, because your first one will definitely be inhaled quicker than you can say “Watermelon jerky CHANGED MY LIFE, baby”.

With just 3 simple ingredients, watermelon, lime juice & cayenne pepper, it’s a a snack you can feel good about and even eat everyday if you wanted to. Hop to it!

Have you tried watermelon jerky before? Is there anyone else dishing out this delicious vegan delicacy in Perth? Let me know in the comments below!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Lately I’ve been getting into a whole range of new skincare products which have been rocking my world, so this edition of Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes is solely dedicated to all things skin!

♥ @thebeautychef

♥ Carla Oates Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost

I’m a HUGE fan of the concept of ‘internal skincare’, and Carla Oates is all about it too. Her catchphrase “beauty begins in the belly” resonates with me, and is a nod to the exciting new research into the effect of probiotics and gut health on all systems of the body – including the quality of our skin.

Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost tastes fantastic and is PACKED full of probiotics, antioxidants and other goodies. I’ve just started to include a tablespoon per day in a glass of filtered water. I definitely feel that when I take this beauty elixir I’m helping to give my skin & body what it needs to thrive and can’t wait to see the long term results of taking it daily! As an added bonus it’s really good for your digestion too.

♥

♥ Qsilica Naturally Clear Skin Cleanser

I’ve been using this product for a couple months now and I have to say, this is a really good cleanser! My skin never feels too dry / too oily / stripped afterwards. It just feels soft, dewy and perfectly cleansed. For me, this cleanser doesn’t stop most breakouts, my skin is mostly affected by what I eat and drink – so it wont prevent a breakout if I’ve “accidentally” consumed half a block of Whittakers Coconut Chocolate and 3 ciders, but it does stop any pesky little spots caused by “accidentally” falling asleep in my makeup. And it makes my skin feel amazing regardless, so I will continue to use it while I pray that coconut chocolate becomes a thing of the past so that I’m not regularly tempted by it (probably not going to happen).

♥ @gotoskincare

♥ Exfoliating Swipeys by Go-to-Skincare

This product. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! I’ve been following skincare saviour and all round quirky gal Zoe Foster Blake since her days penning her first blog, Fruity Beauty. She’s the ultimate “it’s totally okay to be kinda weird but also cool girl”, and for a while now she’s been killing it with her own beauty range, Go-to-Skincare.

There are a number of pretty special products, but the Exfoliating Swipeys are my DEAD SET FAVOURITE!

First, the name. Very good. Next, the results. Also very good. Each swipey, which is a little cotton pad, is full to the brim with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) and gently dissolves dead skin cells, unclogs pores, refines skin and generally just makes your skin totally ace. I like to use mine in the shower after cleansing, I get swipey on my face and then do other showery things for a minute while keeping my face away from the water so the AHA’s don’t wash off. After 60 seconds you can rinse away to your hearts content.

The best thing to do afterwards is massage 4 drops of rosehip oil – Kosmea is my current favourite – into your skin, wait 10 minutes and then apply Very Useful Face Cream, which is another Go-to-Skincare prod. My best advice is to do this right before bed, get a long snooze in, and then wake up to incredible, glowy skin that you’ll really want to touch (but you shouldn’t!)

SO! Those are my current recommendations. Like it? Lump it? Leave a comment below and let me know! Xo

Be well,

Annette

♥

If you haven’t heard of Taline Gabrielian yet, you’re in for a real treat. This gorgeous babe has one of the prettiest Instagram’s I’ve EVER seen, and the best part is it’s all super-healthy food related. Win. From rainbow superfood toasts, star studded rice paper rolls & smoothie bowls to make your mouth water, Taline has got it goin ON. And she’s just released her first recipe book so that us mere food mortals can get in on the brightly coloured superhealth action.

Here are three of Taline’s top tips for looking & feeling your very best – enjoy!

♥ Instagram: @talinegabriel

1. What is your top smoothie recipe for glowing skin?

My fave green smoothie has all that you need for glory skin – lime, avocado, ginger, cucumber and leafy greens. Nourishing, tasty and beauty boosting – the right combination.

♥ Instagram: @talinegabriel

2. You have a SUPER busy day ahead, what meals/morning practices do you make sure to squeeze in so that you can make the most out of your day?

Organisation is key. I will often start with a power smoothie in the morning (my blueberry smoothie is a powerhouse!) to give me energy to get through my day. I pack myself snacks like nuts and fruit or a carrot muffin if I have one on hand. And I often prep ingredients for dinner in the morning so that when I’m home after work, it simply involves a throw together of pre-cut veg. Pre-cooking quinoa or pasta is also really handy.

♥ Instagram: @talinegabrielian

3. How do you wind down after a long day?

I’m all about grazing with my family or besties to wind down and sometimes that will involve some sparkly drinks, olives and my snack platter – which includes some super tasty flax crackers I make (recipe in my new book!) and a variety of colourful dips. Other times, when I want some quiet me-time, it’s a candlelit bath, some loungy tunes and a warming spicy chai latte. My favourite ritual!

Thanks Taline! If you want to find out more you can follow her on Instagram, or check out Hippie Lane – The Cookbook and you’ll be whipping up beautiful and incredibly healthy food in no time!

Be well,

xoxo

♥

One of my latest skincare obsessions has been the Qsilica Naturally Clear Skin Cleanser, which I’ve been using for about 2 months now. Why do I love it so much? WELL…

♥ It feels really, really good on the skin
♥ It’s non-drying
♥ Leaves skin dewy, hydrated & clear
♥ Smells good
♥ Contains silica, vitamin e & jojoba oil. All skin-loving natural ingredients.

So that you can have the chance to be as in love with this cleanser as me, Wellness WA + Qsilica are giving you the chance to win one of two Naturally Clear Skincare Kits, valued at $59.95 each!!!

These packs contain the Naturally Clear Skin Cleanser, Naturally Clear Skin Support Tablets (vegan!) and the Naturally Clear Spot Gel. Your next breakout wont know what hit it, if you even get one. This is a powerful trio and you’ll be well on your way to your Best. Skin. Ever.

To be in the running all you have to do is leave a comment below with your email address, letting me know why you NEED to try these Qsilica products (and trust me, you do!).

Winners will be announced on Monday the 17th of April. Good luck!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I wasn’t always someone who was passionate about green smoothies, Leafy greens and looking at nutrition labels. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia. I found that while some medicines could alleviate symptoms, they couldn’t bring me health and happiness. This is when I turned my life around, looking at food and cooking as more of a healing instrument and included it more jn my lifestyle.I love creating healthy, delicious and simple food and want to inspire other people to do the same! I’m an author, blogger, a yoga teacher, wife and a mum! I advocate listening to your body and your gut – your body is an amazing machine and will be the first one on board of your health journey if you let it!

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?.

I love to keep my skincare routine as simple as possible! The first thing I do is drink a scoop of my Heal Your Gut Powder. I truly believe that natural beauty comes from within, so this is a non-negotiable part of my day. I then wash my face with Natural Instinct Cleansing Oil, followed by their beautiful Rosehip Oil. I always make sure to apply Natural Instinct Tinted Natural Sunscreen SPF30 before heading out for the day.

Before I go to bed I love to apply my Supercharged Food Earth Mask & Scrub as either an exfoliating scrub or mask. I apply it and then rinse it off in a nice warm shower. I then make sure to dab Rosehip oil at night and sleep with it on – there’s nothing better than the feel of Rosehip on my skin!

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

I love having massages. After long days working at the office, I just need a release! I couldn’t think of anything better than the tension to literally just drop off my shoulders by the hands of a professional.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair, and why?

I don’t have a particular place I go to and am really lazy when it comes to hair care I normally only wash it once a week and then add a bit of coconut oil as a moisturiser, I learnt that trick whilst studying in India 🙂

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

My favourite at home treatment is applying my Supercharged Food Earth, Mask & Scrub as a mask, lighting a candle, putting on soft music and having a ten-minute meditation!

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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

I love Natural Instincts Rosehip Oil, my Heal Your Gut Powder and Southern Nature’s Colostrum!

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet?

I would love to go to a Salt Therapy room but just haven’t had the chance! I love the idea of negative ions and would love to test out the salt room for myself! (ED: Check out Salts of the Earth in Vic Park & Wangara!)

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you – brekky, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks – the works!

I love having eggs for breakfast! I usually make my Café-style smoked salmon, eggs and asparagus from my new Fast Your Way to Wellness book.

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For lunch, I usually enjoy a delicious salad with leftover protein from dinner, lots of greens and some of my favourite filling foods: avocado!

♥

I usually snack on carrots or celery but I’m also a sucker for berries in summer! If I have any left in the freezer, I love snacking on my Turmeric Fudge and have a special surprise coming up about that soon – be sure to check my blog in the next coming weeks!

My hot drink of choice is always homemade chai! Maybe it’s because of my Indian roots but nothing warms me up quite like it.

I love sharing meals with my family. There’s something so special to be about sitting around the table and sharing food with the people you love. Right now for a quick lunch I’m loving these veggie nori wraps as they are delicious, nutritious and easy to make from my new Fast Your Way to Wellness book!

♥ How do you like to get your body moving? Describe your weekly fitness routine.

I start most mornings with a walk along the coastline! I know it sounds very simple but there’s something just so magical to me about a solo walk, appreciating the view and clearing my head. I teach yoga a few times a week and make sure to get my practice in too!

♥

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, we’d love to hear about it!

I’m lucky enough to be an ambassador for the wonderful brand Southernature! Anybody who knows me is probably sick of hearing about my passion about the brand. I take Omega 3 to reduce inflammation, Colostrum for keeping my gut in check and the Good Night Sleep to calm me down and help ease me into a restful night’s sleep.

♥

♥ You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?

I practice intermittent fasting 2 days a week. I go into detail about intermittent fasting in my latest book Fast Your Way to Wellness, but I’ll give you the down-low! On my ‘fasting days’, I consume 500 calories and for men I recommend 600 calories. The calories I do consume are made up of organic, non-processed and nutritious food. Fasting helps to increase fat burning, control your appetite, reduce inflammation, give the digestive system a rest and help you look and feel the best you can! I usually fast the day before an event so that I go into that day feeling light, not bloated, and excited! If you want to read more about intermittent fasting, or if you would like to purchase my new book, you can check it out on my blog.

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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

When I have too many things going on, I know that it’s my time to switch off completely. I turn all my electronic devices off, put a candle on and sit in a bath filled with Epsom salts and a good magazine or book. I find sometimes I get too caught up in work and forget to breathe! I know for me personally, it’s so important to take time out and just remember to put everything into perspective – whether it’s work, university or school work, things always work out for the best and it’s important to stay positive and smiling!

♥ How many hours sleep do you usually get each night? Do you have any bedtime rituals or tips to help you get a great nights sleep?

My younger self would be shocked at the sleep routine I have now! I like to go to bed early and aim for 8 hours of sleep a night. Before I go to bed, I make sure to stay away from all electrical devices for at least an hour, take a Southernature Good Night Sleep supplement and spray my pillow with lavender essential oils to calm my mind.

♥ And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Look after your gut! Not only is the gut at the core of your health, it is closely connected to your immune system and your brain, and I’d say those are two important parts of the body! Some easy tips for looking after the gut is to avoid gluten, stay hydrated and manage stress. If you want to know more about healing the gut, you can check out my 4 week Heal Your Gut Program or, my 2-day Heal Your Gut Maintenance Program.

If you have any questions for Lee, please leave them in the comments! I hope you’ve learnt something from her interview – let me know who you’d like interviewed next!

Be well,

Annette

xo