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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on October 17, 2016
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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m the manager & resident yoga instructor at COMO Shambhala Urban
Escape. I was first introduced to yoga when i was 16 as method of coping with stress and anxiety. I credit the practice for providing a close-knit community, support and guidance that I so desperately needed, something I’m now recreating with COMO Shambhala Urban Escape, Perth’s urban wellness center in the heart of Perth CBD.
I have practiced yoga for more than a decade, and have completed my Level 1 (350 hour) Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda teacher training with Tamara Yoga, in Western Australia. I have also trained with internationally renowned yoga teachers; Sarah Platt Finger, Alan Finger, Seane Corn & Simon Borg-Olivier.
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?.
Self-practice! I can not walk out the door without doing my own practice. I HAVE to check in with myself every morning and every night! I’m also a bit of an obsessive shower-er, I have been known to have 4 showers a day… some may call that OCD…
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Hair cut!! I started going grey at 24 (eek!) and I cut my hair every 8 weeks.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Alicia from Baseline Hairdressing in Subiaco, she’s the bomb!
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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
Massaging sesame oil all over my body.. it’s whacky but it’s incredibly nourishing & calming and a fantastic remedy for anxious or ‘Vata’ types.
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Bare Minerals Powder, Nars Laguna Bronzer and toothpaste.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet?
You wouldn’t believe it but i have never done Jacobs Ladder… I seriously have to get there!! Otherwise Indoor Cycling scares the CRAP out of me but I’m game. Also, I’m rather curious about this new buzz on pole dancing!
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you – brekky, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks – the works!
Oh gosh, I’m really quite simple. I’ll have a smoothie and a cup of tea before I head out the door. Lunch is generally eggs in some form either on a salad or on toast with avocado and vegemite and dinner is greens with tempeh, salmon or roasted vegetables with some sort of tahini apple cider vinegar. I kind of do things on repeat…
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♥ How do you like to get your body moving? Describe your weekly fitness routine.
Yoga yoga yoga! And a walk once or twice a week. I am also occasionally dragged to a cardio session with friends… kicking and screaming though!
♥ Reece Carter (The Herb Nerd!) Dose Vitality Tonic!
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, we’d love to hear about it!
I am always trying out weird and wonderful things. I get a remedial massage once a month from Louise @ Resolve Remedial Massage in Claremont, I went through a stage of getting bowen therapy, acupuncture and reiki once a week, I practice a lot of Tantra and I take 5ml of Reece Carter’s Dose Vitality Tonic once a day. Also.. chocolate!! LOTS OF IT! Is that a supplement? (ED: Yes.)
♥ 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?
Sleep, meditation, yoga, water and clean eating. That’s it. Not complicated. Straight to the point and very
manageable. I’m not one for big diets or restrictions. These are my non- negotiable and they work.
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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress? Yoga, Meditation and my body coated in sesame oil with a cup of tea and a good book. I’m currently reading: Relax & Renew, Tantra: The Path of Ecstacy & The Girls.
♥ 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?
I sleep 8 hours a night… without fail. I will always have a shower before bed and brush my teeth. Reading a book with a cup of peppermint tea & dark chocolate is a pretty common practice too.
♥ And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Be authentic!! Always be yourself. Trying to be something or someone else will only create suffering which in turn will leave you feeling unfulfilled. Being you, being bold and being brave will always reward you! And then of course.. yoga, water, meditation, self-reflection and lots of self care will help you along.
You can find Steph @ Como Shambhala Urban Retreat Perth:
1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth
Website: www.comoshambhala.com/perth/classes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/comoshambhalaperth
Instagram: @comoshambhalaperth
If you have any questions for Steph please leave them in the comments below so she can reply! 🙂
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Exercise, Inner City, Interviews, Yoga | 
1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on January 23, 2016
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After the craziness of Christmas & the silly season – cue late nights, champers & plenty of delicious festive treats, it’s not unusual to be left feeling a little flat as our bodies try their hardest to recover from lots of leftovers and (more than likely) a lack of exercise.
I was invited to try out the COMO Shambhala Ultimate Wellness Package ($195) – and if I could, I’d prescribe it to everyone in my life who needs to press restart on their health & wellness in 2016. Take two hours at this luxury Perth CBD day spa and call me in the morning.
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The Ultimate Wellness Package consists of the 75 minute signature massage, followed by a super healthy main course & juice/smoothie of your choice from the COMO Shambhala menu at the on site restaurant (POST).
I’ve been lucky enough to try out many massages over the years, so I don’t take it lightly when I tell you that this experience with Jennifer my masseuse was, without a doubt, one of the best massages I have EVER had! I almost don’t want to share this review because it was THAT good and the word will spread, making it harder for me to book back in 😉 But I just can’t keep this gem to myself.
The pressure was firm, yet nurturing, & a gorgeous combination of essential oils – Bergamot, Thyme, Geranium & Marjoram mixed with a base of sweet almond & vitamin e – were expertly applied and massaged into my tired muscles, bliss.
I’m all about the little details and these were all on point. Hot towels on the feet AND neck (my absolute favvvvourite part of most treatments!), a home-made ginger, lemon & honey tea + healthy cookie (!!) post-massage, making sure I knew what was going on each step of the way, and a facial and head massage to complete the experience.
I floated out of there on Cloud 9, and promptly found myself on Cloud 10 upon reaching POST restaurant.
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Choosing one of these incredible options and a juice proved tough – the all sounded AMAZING! After much deliberation I decided on the Green Goddess (this is usually a starter, but the staff kindly prepared a main size for me) & a gorgeous mixed veggie juice.
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This was a warm green soup, and one of the best I’ve had, however my favourite part of the dish was the biggest flaxseed cracker I’ve ever seen – I’d eat this every day if I could! I felt so nourished and relaxed after slowly enjoying the meal and juice that I started wishing teleportation had been invented so I could click my fingers and instantly be back home, snoozing happily in bed.
Since this technology is not available yet, I said goodbye to the friendly staff & made my way home with a smile on my face, and a deep relaxation that I hadn’t felt since my holiday to Bali 6 months earlier.
If you can’t quite spring for an island holiday, this is honestly the next best thing. Thanks to the Ultimate Wellness treatment I’ve been able to start 2016 with my best (and most relaxed!) foot forward, and can’t wait to pay this beautiful new spa a visit again soon 🙂
For more information and to book, check out the COMO Shambhala Perth website & feel free to tell them I sent you!
Be well,
Annette xo
Posted in Day Spa, Food, Inner City, Reviews | Comments Off on Ultimate Wellness Package @ COMO Shambhala – Perth’s Best New Day Spa.
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on September 14, 2015
Hello!
It has certainly been a long time between healthy drinks. The past two and a half years have seen me immersed in building up the business I co-created, Pure Glow Cleanse, from scratch & I’ve now left my role there and am back on the wellness wagon so will be updating a little more frequently – yay! 🙂
So what’s been going on? I recently took part in a life-changing health & wellness retreat in Bali, run by Perth company Reflection of Balance. To say this retreat was what I needed would be an understatement.
It was exactly what I needed x 25 million. I will be doing a full review of my experience very soon – but the cliffs are that 7 days of rest, swimming, fitness, amazing company, fantastic trainers & retreat facilitators, sunshine & no computer (I didn’t even open my laptop for 7 days – pretty much unheard of) allowed me to gain incredible clarity into what I wanted to invite into my life moving forward for the rest of 2015. And did I mention the food? INCREDIBLE.
#takemebackasap
So after this I knew I needed to make some changes in my life. Cue shaking things up, leaving the business, going back to work @ lululemon & starting a Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Space – thanks, Reflection of Balance! 🙂
I don’t know what the rest of 2015 is going to bring – other than lots of green smoothies, 5 yoga classes a week & hopefully a few massages sprinkled in here and there, but what I do know is that I am very excited to get back in to blogging here.
Wellness WA will become a little bit more personal, too. For a while there was around 25 people contributing articles so that we could cover as much of the local wellness scene as humanly possible.
I’ve realised that stripping it back and giving a more in-depth insight into what is really working for me & what I am loving might be more beneficial than lots of scattered opinions.
Let me know what you think, I can’t wait to get connected again.
Lots of wellness & love x
Annette
Posted in Other | Comments Off on New Beginnings – Yoga Teacher Training, Bali Wellness Retreats & Mental Space.
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 1, 2014
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First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Jackey and I am the Loving Cook. In the day time I work in branding and marketing but in all of my in-between time I think about food and ways to eat healthily, hence my website, The Loving Cook.
Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
I wear moisturiser each day with a SPF, I use Nivea or Olay as I don’t like overly perfumed creams. I tend to have dry skin so keeping moisturised is important. After I shower I lather myself in thick Nivea body cream. I wear concealer everyday around my eyes and L’Oreal lash architect mascara. I also use a Natio bronzer each day as my body is more olive-toned than my face – I don’t tan my face ever – ever!
What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to beauty treatments as I am gun at giving myself weekly manis and pedi’s (I’ve been doing this since I was a teen), but I can’t live without regular massages. I can get really sore from training and sitting at a desk all day so I try to make time to keep my massages as regular as I can. I visit my physio or Skin Essentials in Elwood (Melbourne).
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Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
I adore Bio Oil, I often lather my face and hands, particularly in winter when my skin is so dry. It’s not expensive and a little bit goes a long way. I also dab Calamine lotion, available from pharmacies, on any pimples. But be sure to only pop this on your pimple and not your entire face as this lotion can dry out your skin if used liberally. When I lived in Europe I also used olive oil as a body and face moisturiser, it works well in small quantities.
Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Lucas’ pawpaw treatment, I use it as lip balm and on any cuts. Bobbi Brown concealer, it’s thick and provides great coverage and my moisturiser, if I have none left anything will do, Sorbolene – anything!
Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Because everyone is so busy, I think it’s important to focus on what you’re doing at any given time. If you’re exercising, train hard and give it all you’ve got. If you’re about to go to bed, relax and unwind beforehand. I think it’s about balancing and prioritising everything that’s important to you and dedicating time to what’s important. It takes effort and I struggle sometimes but when I get that balance right, I feel great and like I’ve personally succeeded. That feeling is then reflected in how I look and feel. Oh and drink water! Lots of water!!!
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What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet?
I’d like to try threading, I love IPL but would love to try threading for things like shaping my brows.
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Describe a typical day of eating for you.
For breakfast I often have my Loving Cook muesli, then mid-morning I have some veggies with my hummus or some berries and yoghurt. For lunch I have 1/2 a cup of quinoa, some form of protein and as many vegetables that can fit in a bowl.
In the afternoon I might have some fruit, some corn cakes with cottage cheese, but something crunchy is always a winner for me. For dinner I try to eat healthy and limit my carbs, I might have Slimmer Pasta with sauce and vegetables or even a roast but I try to eat more vegetables and protein or fish rather than piling up carbs which leave me feeling flat and sleepy.
I LOVE vegetables and I am pretty careful with what I eat during the week as I often review on weekends so want to enjoy my social meals while making my every day meals as delicious and nutritious as possible. I also drink up to 3 litres of water a day (including peppermint tea and warm water with lemon).
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Describe your fitness routine.
I do about 3-4 spin classes a week, I’m addicted. I also do a day of training with a trainer one day a week and either a pump or circuit class or hit the weights room at the gym. I also try to walk as much as I can as I like to get outside, being stuck in an office makes me crave the outdoors.
Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I couldn’t live without my magnesium supplement. After studying nutrition I investigated higher dosages of magnesium as I was suffering leg cramps throughout the night due to all the cardio I do. I love how magnesium relaxes my muscles and nerves and gets my body relaxed before bed. I also enjoy acupuncture and cupping on occasion when my body needs it.
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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?
Sleep is so important. I make sure I get at least 7-8 hours a night. I often wake up at 5:30am for a morning spin class so that means I get quite sleepy around 10pm each night. My routine is to tire my mind as well as my body each day so falling asleep is not a problem. Before I go to sleep each night I apply an Aesop hand cream that smells amazing.
How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Relaxing is something that doesn’t come easily to me as I am always busy but invigorated by all the projects I have on the go. I give 100% to everything I do: work, The Loving Cook, reviewing, training, socialising etc. To relax I like to spend time outdoors, ideally doing ‘incidental exercise’ as I call it. Going for walks or eating a meal and NOT reviewing it is relaxing. I also like to spend time alone and read the paper or spend time in the kitchen, without thinking too much. Switching off can be hard for me though!
You can find our more about Jackey and keep up with what she’s up to in the following ways:
FB https://www.facebook.com/TheLovingCook
Instagram http://instagram.com/thelovingcook
Twitter https://twitter.com/thelovingcook
Posted in Other | 1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on October 17, 2013
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Every now and then, I have what I like to call “ahh” moments. Something will cause me to pull my focus out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to sit back and appreciate the beauty of what is in front of me. I had one of these “ahh” moments as I arrived at Nature’s Paradise Wellness Retreat. Situated in Mundaring, about 45 minutes drive from central Perth, it feels a million miles from the daily grind, without actually being that far away at all.
Nature’s Paradise opened at Easter just this year, and owners Neil and Jenny have worked wonders to create such a beautiful space. The forest provides a breathtaking backdrop, and the retreat itself is a grand beauty. Neil welcomed me as I arrived, and gave me a tour of the retreat, which features 3 suites, each with access to the wrap-around balcony, plus a library, a guest retreat area and communal dining and sitting areas. The guest retreat area comes complete with an outdoor, claw-foot bath, hammocks, a massage room and infra-red sauna – just what this city girl’s aching muscles called for!
♥ The view from the Library
♥ The guest retreat area, with hammock seats and bath
♥ The outdoor bath
After showing me the house, we moved on to the gardens. Neil has worked incredibly hard to bring Nature’s Paradise to life, and his passion for the retreat is infectious. We toured the veggie garden, which provides an increasing amount of the produce used in the kitchen, and the various rock paths Neil has created to cater for guests who want to get some fresh air without straying too far from the comforts of their room. I wanted to see more of the forest, and Neil was more than happy to oblige- we walked for about an hour through the trees, stopping to take in some beautiful views of Mundaring Weir and the dam, as well as dropping by the Learning Centre, before coming home for a relaxing herbal tea and a chat with Jenny. On our wanders we spotted an echidna, wandering very lazily over the trail, which shows just how close to nature this retreat really is!
♥ The veggie patch
♥ Mr Echidna
♥ The views of Mundaring Weir
♥ The beautiful forest surrounding Natures Paradise
I have to be honest, at this point I didn’t think my visit could get much better, but it did! At Nature’s Paradise, all food is catered for- guests have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, tea and coffee, plus delicious treats made by Jenny throughout the day, and meals are served in the dining room which showcases the stunning forest scenery.
All food is vegetarian, organic, made in-house and mostly prepared according to raw food principles, but meat-eaters do not despair, you won’t feel like you’re missing out at all!
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Dinner began with a pumpkin soup- warm, hearty and delicious, served with spelt bread, butter and olive oil with balsamic.
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Next was Nature’s Paradise’s specialty- pizza! This pizza was no Domino’s variety though- made in a dehydrator with a buckwheat base full of herbs, and topped with avocado, olives, mushrooms, onion, capsicum and a cashew ‘cheese’, it tasted amazing and was as good for my body as it was for my taste buds! The recipe is a well-guarded secret, but Neil did share some tips with me which I am keen to try in my own kitchen!
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The meal would not have been complete without sampling some of the home made ‘fruit & nut’ chocolates, which were absolutely divine!
Earlier during my tour of the property, I had gushed over the beautiful claw-foot bath on the deck in the outdoor guest retreat area. Jenny was kind enough to run me a macrobiotic sea salt bath after dinner, and as I lay in the bubbling water, looking up at the trees in the night sky, the cool air above me, I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt so relaxed. It was truly something special.
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After my bath, I returned to my very spacious room, with its luxurious king-size bed and spa bath ensuite, and fell straight asleep (no prizes for guessing that I slept like a baby!).
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♥ My very spacious Grande Deluxe room
Unfortunately I had to get up well before the sun in order to get back to my day-to-day responsibilities, but even then, Jenny made sure that a beautiful continental breakfast was laid out for me. Had I stayed, I was told that I could have expected a beautiful cooked breakfast, including eggs, buckwheat pancakes, fresh fruit and juices, plus tea, coffee and almost anything else my heart desired!
Nature’s Paradise is perfectly named- it is exactly that! Neil and Jenny are fabulous hosts- so welcoming, generous and knowledgeable- and they have created a place that truly caters for every interest. Whether you want to relax in the gardens, soak in the bath, challenge yourself with a personal training session, meditate or hike in the forest or ride trails through the trees, they have thought of it all! I have been reading lots of articles lately about the benefits of spending time with nature, and I absolutely agree. I left Nature’s Paradise feeling so well-rested, renewed and reinvigorated and would recommend it to anyone looking for a retreat to truly nourish mind, body and soul.
You can visit www.naturesparadise.com.au or telephone Neil 0412 977 487 or Jenny 0403 718 050 for more information.
What do you enjoy doing to “retreat”? What makes you feel rested and renewed? Let me know in the comments below!
Article by Katie, a wellness-focused career girl with a newfound appreciation for the power of nature.
Be well,
xoxo
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Posted in Day Spa, Food, North of River, Reviews | Comments Off on Perth Wellness Retreat: Nature's Paradise, Mundaring.
