Search Results
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on December 14, 2012
♥
Eating healthy is a bit of a minefield. It’s not even about cutting out junk anymore; it’s about carbs, salt, proteins, a million and one factors, and the whole ordeal is a perplexing and stressful one. Even more so when confronted with things like health food shops – and believe me, as someone still trying to puzzle my way around the preparation of chia seeds, there is a lot to learn.
♥ Halp!
I jumped on the sample box subscription thing when it kicked off in Australia – and while I enjoyed it, I ended up cancelling them all because I was just collecting masses of tiny products, many of which for whatever reason I wasn’t going to use. So a sample box that mainly consists of consumables? Makes infinitely more sense. It saves you from the sizeable cost of buying a full bag of a product you don’t know how to prepare and likely haven’t even heard of (Kale? Maca? Acai?) and allows you to experiment before pursuing the products that you respond well to. In fact I think the sample box thing is far better suited to food/nutrition than cosmetics.
♥
Anyhow, subject at hand: Notoxbox is a monthly subscription box that combines healthy eating with some organic, healthy and naturally made products that all fall into that indefinable “green” category. All its packaging and padding is recyclable, there is no excess dressing up or ribbons or flounces or anything – it’s the box, a small explanatory sheet, and the products themselves. It’s rather wonderfully straightforward. The Notoxbox subscription is $25 a month – more than the beauty subscriptions, admittedly, but you’re also getting a fair few full sized products and a wider variety of things.
My box is the November one, and it’s pretty fabulous one.
♥
One a beauty front, I got a 20g Kosmea’s daily facial exfoliant (the rosewater mist is pictured instead above) and a Giovanni La Hold hair spritz (hairspray). On a hygiene front I received a Melrose organic hand sanitiser and a Pure Bamboo sports deodorizer (who told them I was a smelly gymrat? Who?) – and in the noms category I got a fullsized packet of Eat Rite brown rice tamari seaweed crackers, and samples of aforementioned chia seeds (The Chia co.) and Vital Greens, a powdered nutrient supplement. I actually already own Chia Co. Chia seeds and can now confirm that the least intrusive way to get em in ya is to throw them in with your muesli or into a green smoothie. I haven’t mastered anything with more finesse.
So this is essentially the learning experience of walking into a health food store and ensnaring a really, really good store assistant to boil it down to the basics for you. It’s low cost, low confusion and non-pushy, and pretty much genius as far as I’m concerned. Those who have contemplated making a healthy change but have no idea how to start would be advised checking these out – they’re a very beginner-friendly step to making some positive changes.
Do the samples in the Notoxbox appeal to you?
Review by Suzanne, who also blogs over at Don’t They Know Who I Am?
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Organic, Products, Reviews | 
1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on December 11, 2012
♥
♥ My Diamond Days
I’ve been talking about the benefits of meditation a lot lately, here on Wellness WA, as well as going on about it to my friends a LOT! I’ve also been creating a few little morning rituals for myself – 2 sets of sun salutations followed by a couple of minutes meditating, and it’s incredible how much better I feel on the days that I do this.
If you’d like to start meditating but are not sure how, then you need to check out My Diamond Days, a delicious program which gives you access to a large variety of high-quality guided meditations that you can listen to on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone whenever you want. My Diamond Days sends you a daily email with a new guided meditation, so you never get bored, and there’s such a big variety of meditations that if you’re not so keen on one, then you can easily go through the archives to find one that suits whatever you need at that point in time.
I like to listen to mine before bedtime using their mobile app, that 5 or 10 minutes helps calm my mind and ensure a great nights sleep. Highly recommended! Find out more at www.mydiamonddays.com
♥
♥ Style Your Hair
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the launch of a brand new smart phone and tablet app that promises to make the downtime between appointments at the hairdresser less of an ordeal. Enter – Style Your Hair.
Promising to teach you how to whip together a salon-worthy hairstyle in just a few minutes with its easy to follow videos, this app was created by two of the award-winning hairdressers from local salon Chilli Couture.
♥
There are 67 videos in the paid version ($2.99) and there is also a free lite version which gives you a taste of the program! Available for both iPhone & Android products, this is one to check out if you need a little extra help keeping your follicles in check.
♥
♥ 2 x Yoga in a Row
While I’m not quite at the level of the lass in the picture above… I’m a pretty big fan of yoga. You might know this by now. If you ever want to have a chat about yoga, get in touch! I’m lucky enough to go to a gym that has fairly plentiful, high-quality yoga offerings available, in fact it was the deciding factor in me signing up! One such yoga offering comes on a Sunday afternoon in the form of two yoga classes in a row. Most people attend one or the other, but there’s a few of us who’ve cottoned on to the fact that each class is different and that double yoga = double the benefits.
I can turn up frazzled and stressed, and walk out of class two hours later with a significantly lighter mind. A cheaper option is to do two different yoga DVD’s in a row – both are sure to have different focuses, and you’ll get a double hit of stress dissolving goodness. Let me know if you try it!
♥
♥ AEOS Beauty Body Shower
This organic/biodynamic body wash contains the gem & crystal essences. Yep. Amethyst, turquoise, emerald, quartz and more. AEOS stands for Active Energised Organic Skincare, and these guys know how to make some truly great, and very natural, products.
“A gentle cleansing wash for the body, containing a blend of organic and biodynamic essential oils, plant extracts and the energies of gems and crystals. Rich in rosemary, white birch and gardenia to leave the skin feeling fresh and soft, whilst the scent of lemon myrtle transforms your showering ritual in to a refreshing and uplifting experience.”
I’ve been enjoying using this in the mornings, and even though I don’t really know how the whole gemstone/crystal thing works, I can’t help but think it makes my mood a little more sparkly. Available for $18.50 from Be Genki Shop.
What’s making your beauty & wellness world spin this week? Share your crushes below, I’d love to hear them!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in Hairdresser, Organic, Products, Reviews, Yoga | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on December 10, 2012
♥
The silly season is here, and with it comes added stresses, plenty of parties and commitments, and if you’re not careful – the dreaded dull skin. We’re here to help you with our latest must-enter competition to win a gorgeous organic goodie pack, thanks to our friends at Organic Glow!
Organic Glow stocks only cosmetics and skin care products that are free (or as free as they can be) of toxins and other synthetic ingredients. They’re chock full of natural ingredients that have as little as possible added to them which means they’re better for your body and your overall health.
There are three fantastic prizes up for grabs for one lucky winner!
♥ Pangea Organics Skin Care Discovery Kit for Normal to Combination Skin (pictured above)
Discover youthful radiance in 5 simple steps!
Kit includes:
♥ Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange Cleanser
♥ Italian Green Mandarin & Sweet Lime Toner
♥ Nigerian Ginger with Lavender & Thyme Facial Cream
♥ Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub
♥ Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Mask
They sound good enough to eat! RRP $65
♥
♥ Baby Bear Shop Certified Organic Lavender Vanilla Relaxation Candle
Bliss out with this all natural candle, perfect during a bath, yoga session or before bed. RRP $50.
♥ Baby Bear Shop “All the Better to Kiss You With Organic Lip Balm”
Pomegranate flavour! Safe enough to use on babies’ lips. 100% natural, paraben free, cruelty-free. RRP 9.95.
To enter:
– Leave a comment with your name & favourite product of the three treats up for grabs
– Entrants agree to be signed up to the Organic Glow e-newsletter
GOOD LUCK & Happy entering!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in Other | 52 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on December 3, 2012
♥
♥ FAB Facial Radiance Pads
These babies are a chemical exfoliant, in an incredibly handsome jar (First Aid Beauty has gorgeous packaging. I appreciate such things). They're intended to be used after cleansing, but as a glycolic product, ultra ultra sensitive types might want to let a bit of time lapse after cleansing before using these. They clarify and brighten and are a joy to use in hot weather since the pads are generously saturated with product. Keep in fridge for optimal awesome. Available in David Jones stores & on the First Aid Beauty webstore (US Site)
♥
♥ Face of Australia Illuminators
It's hard to downplay the awesomeness of this range (there's four shades) – mixes well with standard moisturisers for a bronzey glow, a tiny bit lends a glossy blush to the cheeks, and the sheer size and value for money factor is astronomical. There's more in these illuminator tubes than most foundations, and at just over $12 a pop they are truly epic. I highly recommend mineral foundation (loose powder) with a dash of this on the cheeks – optimal effect with minimal layers on the skin, which is all for the best in sweatier months. Check it out here.
♥
♥ Cucumber Slices
It's old, and is likely the absolute first thing your first ever Dolly magazine told you to do. Of course, you could also use teabags instead (I heartily endorse peppermint teabags), and if you've got the time, a cold flannel across your whole face is going to do some pretty wonderful things in terms of de-puffing, de-redding and forestalling your summer lethargy.
♥
♥ Echolife Facial Mists
While Kosmea's Rosewater Mist is a popular favourite in summer, in terms of value for money I have to hand it to the Echolife range of sprays. There are four types, made to address different skin concerns – Lavender, Rose, Tea Tree and Witch Hazel. I'm a big fan of the lavender, and the 250ml bottle invites more liberal usage than Kosmea's dainty little spray bottle.
♥
♥ Klorane Dry Shampoo
Plenty of other dry shampoos have sprung up in its wake, but for me Klorane is still the best. Summer is a rough time for hair – you can be freshly washed but still saturated at the roots within an hour, and things like a rough dry towelling and some dry shampoo will do wonders. And also save you having to rewash and blow dry your hair, as blow drying in summer is a torturous and miserable endeavour. Klorane have also recently released a version of their dry shampoo with nettle to address oilier scalps (hoorah!) so those who have written off dry shampoos in the past would do well to reinvestigate!
Do you have a crush on any of these products too, or some crushes of your own? Leave a comment below and share the crush-love!
Crushes by Suzanne from Don’t They Know Who I Am?
Be well,
xoxo
zp8497586rq
Posted in Products, Reviews | Comments Off on Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes: Facial Radiance Pads, Illuminating Makeup, Cucumber Slices & More!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on November 26, 2012
♥
The ‘party season’ can be a lot of fun but can also leave us feeling tired and less than healthy. Be mindful this season as you engage in fun and celebration and you can sail through the festive time with a glow and vibrant health.
My top 5 tips this party season
♥
1. Stay hydrated: Water does more than quench your thirst and regulate your body’s temperature; it is also keeps the tissues in your body moist, especially the brain which is very sensitive to hydration levels. During the daytime ensure to get at least 1 litre, and have another litre for every hour of exercise you do. Consume a couple of glasses of water before a night out and add a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks. A great option for replenishing body salts after a night out is coconut water or a pinch of sea salt in a glass of water. Just a pinch and it needs to be Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt.
♥
2. Diet: Maintain a healthy balanced diet, with lots of greens such as kale, spinach, rocket. Choose seafood as it contains omega-3 essential fats or the ‘good fats’ which are great for your skin and protecting the liver from ‘bad fats’ such as those found in deep fried foods. Avocado is a superfood, considered a treasure trove of nutrients, fibre and potassium which we need for energy. It’s also rich in antioxidants which quench free radical damage and support a healthy liver.
♥
3. Tired?: The likely thing we turn to for a ‘pick me up’ is caffeine or sugary foods. Both are stimulants that instigate a dumping of sugar in your blood stream which is very short lived and can lead to further poor food choices, inevitable weight gain and ongoing fatigue. Instead of a sugar-filled muffin or caffeine boost go for a protein snack such as nuts and seeds, vegetable sticks with hummus or avocado dip. Best of all opt for nature. A walk in the nearest park or at the beach will get clean oxygen flowing through your body and energise you.
♥
4. Take a nap before a late night: Make it a power nap! Research suggests a 20 minute nap is optimal for restoration to the body both physically and mentally. A nap will improve alertness, increase productivity, stress relief and control appetite. If you have ever woken from a nap feeling groggy and more sleepy this is called ‘sleep inertia’ and is best avoided by maintaining the 20 minutes.
5. Limit sugar and alcohol: these substances will lead to weight gain. The amount of sugar found in a couple of pieces of fruit plus a teaspoon of refined sugar or honey daily is as much as the body can generally cope with. Any excess will usually be stored as fat. Sugars are in many processed foods so read ingredient labels often. Enjoy 1-2 standard alcoholic drinks daily but try to have at least 3 alcohol free days per week for healthy liver function. Drink less if you are trying to lose weight.
What are your top tips for staying well during the party season? Let us know in the comments below!
Article by Shannon McNeil, Wellness Manager and Senior Naturopath at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat. Find out more about special Christmas offers at Gwinganna here!
Be well,
xoxo
zp8497586rq
Posted in Wellness Tips | 4 Comments »
