by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 7, 2017 | Other
♥ local lunar babe @chi.borrello
Hey 2016! You were actually an awesome year for me, thanks for existing and allowing me to exist through you. I love to reflect, so the following are some of my health & wellness highlights:
– Self-care became the top priority. After a few years of insane stress + anxiety, working 24/7 & zero holidays, all of that changed when I finalised the sale of my old business. Actually – it took a little longer if I’m being honest. At first I felt relieved, but also out of sorts. I’d been working so much that it felt wrong to have downtime, so I started freelancing & picked up a few ongoing marketing clients who were all AMAZING, and the extra money was terrific, however I was back to working 7 days a week and exhausted. Any days off I had from my regular job I was face deep in other work & I was burning out. Something had to shift, but I wasn’t sure what it was quite yet. All of this lead to…
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– Another life changing Bali trip (full review to come soon!). In June I spent 10 days in Ubud with my boyfriend & bestie, and it changed everything. We decided to create a DIY yoga retreat, this meant 2-4 yoga classes per day, meditation, incredible vegan food, loads of coconuts, cold-pressed juice & kefir, Ayurvedic treatments, pool time, a little exploring & lots of rest too.
It was here that I realised what I had been doing. I was focusing so much on work that I had absolutely no time to take care of myself. Being constantly tired, daily 2-3 hour afternoon naps, fluctuating moods & regular junk food cravings had become my new normal. I knew what I had to do.
As soon as I returned home I contacted my clients, thanked them for being wonderful & bowed out. I now enjoy 2-4 days off a week for the first time in around 5 years and have never felt healthier.
♥ Sunshine + cats!
– Moving House + Sunshine!. Prior to my Bali trip, probably the biggest event of the year occurred. I moved house! From my teeny tiny falling apart-ment of 6 years, containing zero sunshine opportunities & zero landlord fucks (the place was practically in disrepair, but I did love it), to a giant, beautiful old house with a cat, huge backyard, plentiful slices of sunshine, AIR CONDITIONING (a big deal!!!), fireplace, amazing kitchen and a million other great things. Let it be known that having space to dance around, a couch outside to enjoy the morning breeze & birds, loads of flowers & trees, and a little bit of heating/air conditioning does wonders for your overall wellbeing – who knew 😉
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– Seeing a Naturopath. I wrote a big article outlining the reasons why I saw a Naturopath when I was feeling healthier than ever. And I can now attest that it’s absolutely one of the very best things that happened last year.
I’d seen Marnie a few years ago and loved her down-to-earth approach. I was already feeling great, but knew I had a few lingering deficiencies that could be improved upon. Actually they were pretty important ones! My iron was incredibly low (just below the lowest acceptable minimum) and my vitamin D levels weren’t great either, more than likely due to living in the no-sunshine-home mentioned above.
Both of these have a huge impact on mood and energy. Having struggled with intense chronic anxiety and low energy in my life, I knew it was time to get on top of these once and for all. I’m now spending a little bit of time in the sun every day, taking Vitamin D supplements to help & taking Iron supplements too. Interestingly, low iron is a pretty slow fix. It may take up to 2 years to get the levels to their peak, but I’m feeling better every day and excited to continue on this journey to full health. If you need a Naturopath I can, and always do, highly recommend Marnie Downer in Mount Lawley / Inglewood.
♥ Running around Lake Monger
Running. I’ve always found it difficult due to the aforementioned anxiety and low iron, however in June of last year I decided to recruit a friend and finally give it a real go. We decided on Couch to 5K, which is an 8 week program available as a phone app or you can just time your runs (the app is much easier!). This program does as it says and gets you from the couch, to being able to jog without stopping for 5K.
I have a confession to make, however! Due to my yoga teacher training, other fitness classes that need to be taken as part of my job, sicknesses, weather and general life – my pal and I are actually only up to ‘Week 5’ of Couch to 5K!!! But we’re both okay with it. At the beginning neither of us could jog for even 60 seconds and we are now able to cruise through 5-8 minute runs without collapsing. We’ll get to the full 5K this year 🙂 The mental and physical benefits have been fantastic – increased confidence, calmness, flatter stomach, better sleep, increased overall fitness – the list goes on.
If you are able to stick at it 3 x per week as the program suggests then you will get there much quicker than us, as we’ve only been able to squeeze around 1 per week in.
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Hot Yoga Revelations. Listen closely, I’m about to share something that might change your life, as it is starting to do so for mine. So, as you may have gathered I do a bit of yoga and take a few fitness classes, partly because it makes me feel fantastic & partly because my job at lululemon requires it (cool job!).
What I’ve only JUST realised after all this time, is how incredible I feel the day after a hot & sweaty yoga class, but the kicker is that it HAS to be in a heated room. Why? I have absolutely no idea yet! All I know is that the day after sweating it out in warm to hot yoga, I feel INCREDIBLE. The only way I can describe it is a childlike feeling of joy and contentment that permeates through the whole next day and often lingers into the next.
You best believe I’ll be experimenting more with this in 2017!
So that’s my wellness year laid bare for you, I’d absolutely love to read your personal wellness discoveries of the year – and if you have any exciting plans for 2016, so share with me in the comments below! 🙂
Be well,
Annette xo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jan 30, 2017 | Interviews, Yoga
♥ Lara Zilibowitz
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am an artist and yoga teacher with a long-standing passion for creative expression through the body. Movement and creativity have been the keystones in my own quest towards health and I feel extraordinarily privileged to share these learnings with students.
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I am the co-founder of Back2Roots Retreats, hosting yoga, meditation, creativity and nature immersions around Australia and abroad, a synthesis of luxury and wilderness woven with heart. Alongside my love of movement, is my passion for creative expression. I have become known for my handmade, hand-carved mandala-designed ceramics. Each piece is unique with no two the same, and the process of creating each mandala is a meditation practice.
The most recent collaboration with the ABC for the Classic Flow podcast has also been such a joy to create – a gift of exquisite sound and sensation available to the global community.
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?.
I’m a pretty low-maintenance kinda gal when it comes to beauty routine! Sun, swims, lots of yoga and good sleeps tend to be a foolproof combo!
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Saltwater from the sea for my hair, coconut oil for my skin and frankincense essence for fragrance.
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you – brekky, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks – the works!
I’m not strictly vegetarian, but I eat a lot of fruit and veg. And I’m a snacker! Because I’m on the move so much of the day, it’s rare that I’ll sit down for a solid lunch. I make my own granola that I have most days for breaky with seasonal fruit and yoghurt, but then throughout the day may very from chopped veggies with hummus to toast with almond butter and apple, or a good smoothie and a muffin. I eat all-sorts for dinner, too. I worked for many years in food magazines and I love to cook – from quick and easy stir-fries and frittatas to a roast dinner with all the trimmings.
♥ Lara Z
♥ How do you like to get your body moving? Describe your weekly fitness routine.
I practice yoga every day, if not at the studio then on my deck at home. It’s not only my physical practice, it’s essential for my sanity and sanctity. And a solid walk out in nature is my preferred way to get the heart rate up.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, we’d love to hear about it!
When I was 18 I had a life-threatening encounter with a glass table which left my nervous system in a state of severe shock. My yoga and meditation practice has been the best medicine for me during a long-time skirmish battling post-traumatic stress symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. Over the years I have also found craniosacral therapy extremely helpful for settling my nervous system.
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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Getting out into nature is the antidote and I am absolutely in my element down by the ocean. There’s something about immersing myself in the vastness of the sea that clears all mental barnacles and details that may be clinging to my mind, to help me detangle stress. Getting my arms elbow-deep in silken clay, painting, drawing, carving, creating, is also a meditation practice for me.
♥ 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 bedtime routine is very strict, as I have struggled for so many years with sleep-related issues. Getting to bed early is rule one, and I sleep with an eye mask in a dark, quiet room. I turn my phone off after dinner so my head isn’t full of work-related distractions, allowing my system to start to slow.
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♥ And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Enjoy the skin you’re in! I firmly believe looking beautiful comes from feeling great from the inside. Indulge your passions, pursue what makes you happy and keep orienting towards pleasure and joy.
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Thanks Lara!
Lara Zilibowitz will be leading Classic Flow Yoga at Perth International Arts Festival – a free Vinyasa flow class paired with live classical music on Saturday 18 February and Sunday 19 February at UWA, as part of Chamber Music Series. Register on Facebook here!
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jan 26, 2017 | Food, Yoga
Hello! It’s been a little while between green drinks, I’ve been busy working on Wellness WA’s new look & layout, plus hitting up LOADS of cool new (and old favourite) wellness options that are popping up around Perth.
Coming right up are 4 things that I have been LOVING lately.
♥ Spray-On Aloe Vera
Being ultra fair skinned, I was raised to fear the sun above all else. I’ve now arrived at the age of 32 with zero tan to speak of, a bunch of freckles & am often mistaken for 8-10 years younger (thanks, kind pals!). While I can’t necessarily put the last one down to just hiding from the sun – #babyfacegenetics – there’s a lot to be said for maximising your pre & post-sun exposure routines to prevent skin damage. I recently wrote an article on what I recommend pre-beach, which can be applied to any sunshiny activity.
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Post-sun, and particularly if I happen to get slightly more pink than expected, the best bets I’ve found are: 1) A cold shower for as long as possible to counteract the burn, similar to if you burn yourself in any other way! 5 minutes plus is recommended to take some of the heat out. 2) Two to three cups of green tea to boost antioxidants. I’m not a medical professional but the personal research I’ve done on antioxidants is enough to make this a consistent habit for me. 3) Aloe Vera! It’s known as the “burn plant” for a reason. Applying aloe ASAP after sun exposure promotes skin healing & relieves stinging and itching, my current favourite is this Surf Life Saving spray on mist which makes applying it a breeze. I spray it on every couple of hours and before bed + after my shower in the morning if I’ve been burnt and it really does the trick!
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♥ Homemade Healthy Choc Smoothies!
Due to an upcoming retreat (hellooooo Sri Lanka!), I’ve been trying to save some money by making more smoothies at home, and saving brunch splurges for things that there’s no way I’d ever be able to make at home (cue, Flora & Fauna). With this in mind I set out to create my own version of a cacao, banana & peanut butter smoothie – the bonus being I can use all my favourite brands, additional supplements & get it tasting exactly how I like it.
After many trials I’ve come up with my favourite recipe, give it a whirl! It gets my morning started in the best possible way, after this I’m loving life, full of energy and prepared for whatever the day throws at me.
Choc Bliss Morning Smoothie
♥ 1 x cup of frozen banana chunks (if you’re lazy like me, Creative Gourmet now sells packets of pre-chopped, frozen banana at Woolies & Coles – life changing!)
♥ 1-1.5 x cups of coconut water (depending on how thick you want it… 1 cup is more of an icecream texture, 1.5 cups is a smoothie texture)
♥ 1-2 x tsp cacao, or more if you prefer. I like a gentle buzz.
♥ 1/2-1 x tsp peanut butter, I use Mother Earth Smooth variety
♥ 1/2 x tsp local honey
OPTIONAL!
♥ 1/2 x tsp organic sesame seeds
♥ 1/4 x tsp ground vanilla
♥ 1/2 x sachet of Juice Plus chocolate protein powder, or other protein powder
♥ Quick grind of himalayan pink salt
Method: Place ingredients in blender in above order and blitz on high + pulse for 30 seconds. I use a Froothie which is similar to a Vitamix and it works really well, but any high-speed blender will work.
Makes 1.5 – 2 cups depending on how much liquid you use, and will put you in the best mood for the rest of the day. Let me know what you think if you try it!
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Twisting Peacock Yoga Studio, Osborne Park
My latest obsession. The yin classes at Twisting Peacock are out of this world, and SOMETIMES a tiny hound called Potato pitter patters around as well! #mustlovedogs obviously, which I do with all my heart. The studio owner and totally lovely human babe, Melissa Howard, exudes ease & grace, and her classes are an incredible mix of soulful yogic philosophy interwoven with meditation, restoration and thoughtful sequencing. I leave every class on a high. The other teachers are fantastic as well and I can’t wait to explore more of the classes & very well-priced events that they run regularly.
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Z’kin Brightening & Hydrating Masque
One for the chocolate lovers. This Zkin masque smells EXACTLY like chocolate mousse/chico baby lollies and it’s taken everything in my power to not squeeze the tube directly into my mouth. This has become my go-to mask pre-event or if my skin just needs a little boost. I haven’t found it to make much difference on small pimples, but it’s not really designed for that – so I spread this over my entire face but skip any areas with a pimple, where I’ll apply a separate mask which is specifically designed to dry those out. I’d suggest using this one anytime you feel a choccy craving coming on, but want to brighten your skin whilst indulging – delicious.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments below! x
Be well,
Annette
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Dec 8, 2016 | Events, Exercise, Food, Inner City, Yoga
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Lots of fun going on this week! First up Power Living are hosting a free yoga class in Hyde Park this Sunday 11th December. After a longer than usual Winter, they’re hoping to salute the ACTUAL sun on the weekend (fingers crossed for good weather!) with a 90 minute outdoor flow + yogi DJ’s and good vibes.
If you’re feeling in the giving spirit, optional cash donations to local charity The Smith Family will be welcomed.
To find out more and book your spot, head here!
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Long time vegetarian favourite & “pay-what-you-feel” restaurant, Annalakshmi on the Swan, are now delivering their healthy, Indian eats to city workers for lunch, YES!
For the ridiculously good price of $10, which includes free delivery within the Perth CBD, you’ll receive their Vegetarian + Vegan Combo Meal Lunch Box containing – fresh Basmati rice, dhal of the day, potato or vegetable curry & a chapati (Indian wholemeal bread).
Orders are to be placed by 11am each weekday, and to book in just email vegemeal1@gmail.com or call the restaurant on (08) 9221 3003.
♥ Eat Drink Raw!
Speaking of amazing delivery services, UberEATS have once again upped the game and are now offering deliveries from many of their partner cafes from 7AM! No more waiting til 10am to get your fix of coffee / healthy smoothies / avocado on toast – next level convenience.
They’ve also onboarded a whole host of healthy new restaurants in many areas including one of my personal faves, Eat Drink Raw! I’m hanging out to order the Raw Nachos (SO good!), Raw Coconut Wraps, I’m Immune Smoothie + Blue Crush Smoothie and… well, basically everything on their mega-healthy menu!!
The Wolf, The Bean & The Walnut & The Juicist are also two healthy new additions available in the inner city ‘burbs. Now if only Flora & Fauna would get involved, I’d never need to leave the house again…
♥ La Fit Hits Highgate!
After a sneaky little mention in one of the previous wrap-ups, the owners of La Fit have finally let the (super toned) cat out of the bag with the VERY exciting news that they will be bringing Ride + Megaride classes to their new Highgate location, officially opening on Monday 12th December!!
RIDE – a dance party on your bike.
“This high intensity, low impact cardio workout will burn up to 700 calories in a 45 minute session. Each Ride session is different, intense and addictive, pushing you to dig deeper, ride harder and put your cardio fitness to the test. You will feel empowered, alive, inspired, challenged and in-sync with your mind, body and soul. We ride as a pack and draw strength from that unity.”
Megaride – the ultimate 50 minute high intensity training combination class.
“25 minutes of planks, pikes and power on the Megaformer focusing on your core, obliques and upper body. Remember, in this portion of the workout we take it slow to keep it lean.
Then comes time to turn up the tempo. You slip straight into your sneakers and onto your bike. A 25 minute cycle class of hard, fast sprints and hills to get those big calorie-burning muscles in the lower body moving and heart pumping.”
YES! Cannot. Wait.
The new studio will be located at 91 Brisbane Street, Highgate. If you want a sneak peek, the gals are having an open day this Saturday 10th December with all classes FREE to come and check out, make sure you book as they’ll go quickly! Head over to their timetable & check the Highgate + Saturday box to book 🙂
Do any of these sound good to you?! Let’s chat in the comments! xo
Be well,
Annette
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Nov 25, 2016 | Alternative Therapy, Food, Wellness Tips
♥ @breakfastinperth
One of my favourite things to do in the Perth Summer is, not surprisingly, hit the beach with friends and enjoy our incredibly beautiful coastline.
Deep blue water, bright blue sky & shimmering sand. On any given day above 30 there’s a high chance that I can be found at Cottesloe, City Beach or Floreat, basking in a little sunshine and gently working on my freckles.
Growing up with fair skin means that the fear of the sun has been drummed into me from a tender age, and as such, you’ll also find me covered from head to toe with SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat & a light shirt for extra protection if needed. Couple this with multiple sunscreen reapplications and a once yearly skin cancer check at my doctors (I highly encourage this for anyone who spends a bit of time in the sun or is fair skinned) and I generally feel like I’m pretty much set up for sun smart success.
However, there is one more avenue we can take in order to boost our bodies’ amazing ability to protect us from the sun, especially when we’re dealing with old mate ‘hole in the ozone layer’ here in Perth – what we eat!
While it may sound like a pretty hippie concept, hear me out, your tastebuds & skin will thank you. Quick Q & A time:
Q: Why are some specific berries, fruits & veggies so high in antioxidants in the first place?
A: Because they have evolved over time to create extremely high levels in order to protect themselves from the sun. BLOODY GENIUSES! One of the main functions of antioxidants in plants is to prevent them from burning & wilting, so certain plants that are exposed to high levels of sunlight work extra hard to produce more, and in turn these benefits are passed on to us when we consume them.
If you’re now wondering what foods are best to snack on pre-beach, try one of the following:
– Acai berries. As one of the highest sources of antioxidants, this tasty berry is definitely on the list. Beaches and frozen acai bowls are a match made in sun-protection heaven, and as a bonus cool you down & contain lots of healthy essential fatty acids for smooth skin. I absolutely cannot go past the Acai Bowl at Natures Harvest in Cottesloe, topped with the gluten free muesli & dried figs, followed up with a dip at Cott Beach. It’s the most refreshing way to start a Summer morning!
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– Cacao anything! Cacao is packed with flavanols (a special type of antioxidant) that improve the bodies ability to protect against UV-induced sunburns. Pick up a NOOD Choc Nut Smoothie and be on your way.
– Goji berries. Similar to acai, goji berries are packed full of an impressive variety of antioxidants. My New Roots has an amazing little recipe for Goji Ginger Lemonade that looks incredible & is on my list to try before the next beach date!
Hopefully you’ve found this helpful, do let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them or have a nutritionist do so on my behalf!
Happy beaching! xx
Be well,
Annette
