Ze lovely Sarah Devlin!

A little over a month ago I started on my journey to fitness once and for all, by enlisting the help of the lovely Sarah to help me navigate the jungle known as “Doing More Exercise Than Just Walking to the Bus Stop Each Day“.

It was an unknown world to me, full of strange creatures such as the wild lunge squat, the dreaded tricep dip, which tend to travel in packs of ten…(at this stage, I hear they get more prevalent the further into the jungle we go), the gentle plie (plee-yay) and the common press up. There are also some ultra rare beasts known as ‘rest periods’, but we haven’t seen too many of those during our travels.

Dreaded tricep dip, for reference!

So what have I learned so far on my trip? Here are a few of my discoveries.

♥ I am capable of so, so, SO much more than I ever thought possible. Despite being in the early stages of training, I had very low expectations of how much exercise my body could cope with. The great thing about this style of training is that we work on so many different areas (eg. not just cardio, although there is some) that most muscle groups are nicely exhausted by the end of the session.

♥ I was scared at first. In the past I’ve heard of trainers who make you work out until you can’t see / throw up / emotionally break down. My training sessions are not like this! By no means will Sarah let me slack off, but she’s not there to make me cry or be sick.

♥ My bum, thighs & tummy are getting tighter and stronger all the time. How do I know this? Well first up it’s the aches and pains that come the day / two days after training!! This has got to be the worst part, but I’m told it will get better in time. It just means I’m working muscles that have been taking it easy for WAY too long!!

Secondly, I can visibly see / feel that these areas are getting firmer and it’s such a great feeling. As a reminder, I’m pretty small already and not trying to lose weight, but I’m very happy to be getting firmer and more toned as that was my goal 🙂

A pic of me at the beach after some workouts… oh wait. Maybe one day?

♥ Better posture – as you can imagine, running a website requires a fair bit of computer time. My ‘real job’ also involves a hefty amount of staring at screens also, so partially rounded shoulders tend to come with the territory.

We’ve been working on my posture, strengthening up the back / shoulder / chest muscles and even the work on the core helps too! I’ve definitely noticed an improvement which makes me super happy! My spine is beginning to ♥ me again.

So overall starting personal training is definitely one of the best things I’ve ever done for my health & wellbeing and I’m only just beginning to see the results.

I can’t wait to see what happens as I continue with it!

If you want to find out more about Sarah see her website!

Tell me your personal training stories of joy / woe!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Everyday Zinc 30+ 50ml rrp $49

I recently met a woman who was in her early 40s, who had the skin of a 25 year old – smooth complexion without a freckle or hardly a wrinkle on her. The woman, who lives in England, surprised me when she told me her secret.

“I never go in the sun, and when I do I use a 30+ sunscreen” she said.

Feeling slightly cheated that I have lived in the Australian sun all my life, and at age 30 my skin is now showing the signs of this with slight wrinkles and a couple of sunspots, I jumped at the chance to try Ella Bache’s Everyday 30+ Protection.

After cleansing your face, apply a small amount to your fingertips and work it to become smooth. With its thick formula, a little goes a long way – so you do get value for money.

Dab onto your face then blend in. I found I looked a little ghostly as it left a slightly white cast over my face, however about 10 minutes later it had absorbed. I did notice that less foundation was required – or could most likely be skipped as you’re left with a nice translucent glow. By the end of the day I hadnt noticed that my face appeared any oilier, as some suncreens can make that happen.

The only cons about this product is that the smell is slightly chemical, and if you don’t shake the product before use you do get a bit of oil seeping out amongst the product (most likely from the lanolin content).

He’s coming for you!

Overall I would recommend this product to anyone seeking an everyday high sun protection. I imagine I would only use it on days when I know majority will be spent outdoors, and with summer upon us – that’s more often!

Using Ella Bache Everyday 30+ Protection, I felt good knowing that I had an ‘invisible shield’ against the sun, without the oilyness you would get just using a sunscreen.

Everyday Zinc 30+ is available at all Ella Baché salons and David Jones stores nationally. For
stockists call 1800 789 234 or visit our location finder at www.ellabache.com.au (Available online at StrawberryNET)

Review by Betty C.

Be well,

xoxo

♥

Hands up who likes to cut themselves shaving? I’m talking multiple wounds to the leg, cursing, stinging, band-aids required style scenarios.

You don’t?

WELL THEN! In that case you should steer clear of the Bic Soleil razor, this bad boy has caused my housemate and I much pain and multiple injuries which ended up turning into some pretty unpleasant and visual sores / scars (yuck!).

Now as you know, we don’t usually get too negative on here, because I like to champion the promotion of the “best of ze best” and celebrate the good stuff, but we both had such a bad experience that letting y’all know was a must!

On the other side of the cookie however, is a wonderful little shaver that has been making my legs feel silky smooth for the past month, bringing me joy and not stealing vital blood supplies!

RRP $8.39

With the scent of white tea, three blades and a really handy inbuilt shaving gel, Venus Spa Breeze has restored my faith in shaving!

Apparently it’s the first ever 2-in-1 shave gel disposable razor. All I know is that my legs are happy, so I’m sticking with it!

What is your favourite shaving product? Please share!

Have you tried the Venus Spa Breeze? Or the Bic Soleil?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Photo of Chakra Balancing Treatment by Sodashi

As soon as I read about the 90 Minute Sodashi Chakra Balancing Treatment on the Bodhi J website, I knew we had to be together.

“Deeply meditative, this experience aims to bring the chakras into alignment through a fluid combination of massage, specific essential oil synergies and beautiful crystals. Working subtly on the energetic body with profound effects, this truly unique experience leaves you feeling calm and in a state of harmony, resulting in an increase in wellbeing and spirituality.”

Yes please. Now, as you can imagine, one prerequisite for this treatment is a mind that is at least 2% open. Energy therapies are a relatively new player in the game and as such are often viewed with a skeptical eye.

I can’t say for certain they work, all I can let you know are my experiences, and after this treatment I felt on cloud 9 for about 3-4 days after!

Check out Chakras for Beginners for a little more info before reading on!

Going to the day spa can be a very intimate experience, we allow ourselves to be touched and comforted by people we usually don’t know, this treatment specifically requires you to be completely undressed (although your modesty is certainly preserved at all times), however disposable underwear is made available for those who might not feel so comfortable going au naturale!

♥ So after taking it all off, I’m directed to a beautiful eco-bathrobe. It’s all about the little things, and these unique robes are made of flax and are very low in pesticides, herbicides and fungicides! Pretty impressive and really comfortable, they are also available to purchase for $130.

♥ A quick test is done to see which of my chakras are imbalanced, turns out my 3rd (emotions) & 5th (communication) chakras could do with a bit of work!

♥ Before each chakra (from the base of the spine to the crown of the head) is gently massaged and worked on, I’m asked to inhale a Sodashi scented oil (see above) that corresponds to and will help to balance that particular chakra. It is incredibly relaxing and the scents are divine.

♥ After each point is worked on, a beautiful crystal is placed on my skin.

♥ I have to note at this point that I’m not someone who falls asleep easily, but I found myself dozing off at least twice!

♥ Once the back is done, the front is worked on (again, modesty preserved).

♥ The treatment finishes with a relaxing rest in the lounge area, some fresh fruit, tea and chocolates 🙂

The whole thing was AMAZINGLY relaxing. I walked out of there on a cloud and stayed there for 3-4 days. As someone who is very busy and always searching for ways to reduce stress, I found this to be one of the more effective treatments I have tried in a while!

If you have the moolah, the Sodashi Chakra Balancing Treatment weighs in at $185 for 90 mins, then I would highly recommend you high-tail it down there before even finishing this article.

If not, start wishing upon stars or putting away a dollar a day because this treatment is definitely worth your hard earned.

I wish I was back there right now! *dreams*
Contact Bodhi J

42C Grantham St (Cnr Nanson St)
Wembley, Western Australia 6014

ph: (08) 9387 5152
fax: (08) 9387 4548

admin@bodhij.com.au

Ever had your chakras balanced?

Would you like to? Lets chat!

Heath & Emma

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

Hi, I’m Em – I’m a 22 year old uni student and co-owner of The Raw Kitchen. The key aim of the The Raw Kitchen is to share and teach people about not only the incredible benefits of including raw living foods into our diets, but also how delicious they can be!

We currently run a raw food and smoothie bar down at The Fremantle Markets, where we also stock a wide variety of products, books, and appliances. We run raw food workshops and events and now have a RAW catering trailer out on the roads also hitting the local festivals and events!

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Fast and simple due to necessity! In the mornings I rinse my face with fresh water, while my evening shower is my main opportunity to cleanse my face and body using a natural, organic body wash or soap. I’m not too fussy with anything beyond chemical-free ingredients so I alternate between brands like Suki and Natural Instincts that offer great value, affordable hair and body products.

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

I’m not sure if a massage technically classes as a beauty treatment, but this is certainly the one indulgence I pick first every time! Perth’s best kept secret has got be the training colleges – I’ve had many a wonderful massage from students at Endeavour College of Natural Health for $20-$30!

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

I very rarely get my hair cut professionally – in fact I quite enjoy snipping away at my ends on my balcony!

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Coconut oil and/or cacao butter – these natural oils are such amazing moisturisers! I use them on my body, hair, lips and face (as well as in my food!) and they leave you feeling so beautiful and soft and without any fear or additives or chemicals, just pure, natural goodness.

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

– Good quality essential oils for when I feel like wearing a scent
– Mineral makeup – I’ve tried a few, currently I’m using an Australian brand – Claytime.
– Neem Leaf Extract – excellent for irritations, blemishes, itches. (ED: Neem leaf is also an ingredient in some La Mer products!)

Em lives on lots of whole, fresh, raw foods to keep her looking lovely!

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

As the saying goes, it’s about what you put inside your body and I’ve certainly found this to be true. Plenty of clean, pure water, ensuring the largest part of my diet is fresh, raw, living wholefoods, daily movement, and daily activities that I love.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

A facial from Cherry Blossoms Organic Beauty Salon in Subiaco – they use the most divine, high quality organic products from Europe.

An example of some chia porridge!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Breakfast is often light – either a smoothie, juice, fruit, a salad, chia porridge or similar.

For lunch/dinner we very rarely go without a big salad packed with greens, sprouts, avocado, seaweeds and then whatever other veg is in season and colourful!

For snacks I might have some flax crackers and dip or vege sticks, nuts, nori rolls, fruit, or a blended soup.

And of course desserts! At the moment I’m really into frozen berries and mango, but I’m fortunate to live in a house where there is often some wonderful raw creations being experimented with so there’s often something delicious in the freezer to finish the day.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Time is of the essence so I have to try to fit exercise into my day wherever I can. This often means walking/riding to uni, early morning walks, walks to the shops, stretches on the bedroom floor…and just in the last few weeks my partner and I have started attending classes as casuals at the local gym which has offered a great bit of variety and motivation.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

We alternate a large range of different superfoods and minerals in our smoothies and daily intake. Seaweeds (spirulina, chlorella, modifilan etc) are something I make sure to get in one way or another everyday. Chia is another being such an excellent source of omega 3s, calcium and more. As far as alternative therapies go, I’m lucky that my partner Heath is a naturopath so he takes care of my health needs!

Emma & Heath can be found at their food stall, The Raw Kitchen, at the Fremantle Markets on the weekends! x

Any questions please leave them below!!

Be well,

xoxo