by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 25, 2013 | Food, Recipes
Hello! I have been making this cauliflower cous cous in my kitchen, at least once a week for a while now. Why? It provides a decent serving of vegetables, thanks to cauliflower being the main ingredient, the dish makes a perfect light meal or side, and it's a fabulous meal to have on hand for busy days. It has become a staple in my household in fact. Without further ado, the recipe…
Cauliflower Cous Cous (adapted from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
)
Ingredients:
♥ 1-2 small cauliflower heads, trimmed of leaves, cored, and cut into large chunks
♥ 1 garlic clove
♥ 1/2 cup pine nuts or almonds, toasted and cooled
♥ 1/2 cup or so of parmesan cheese
♥ 1/3 cup pepitas
♥ A few tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes, drained of oil and chopped
♥ 1 tablespoon capers
♥ Half a bunch of parsely
♥ Generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
How-To:
1. Pulse half the cauliflower in a food processor until it looks like mixed sizes of couscous. Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl, and repeat with the second batch, adding it to the same bowl when you are finished.
2. Pulse the garlic, almonds, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and parsley in the food processor until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer to the bowl with cauliflower, add the olive oil, pepitas, a few pinches of salt, and stir until combined. Top with more parsley if you like.
3. Enjoy it on its own, or as a pesto even, as the recipe originally states.
Yummo! This should keep in the fridge for about 5 days.
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You can play around with the ingredients, for example, use whatever herbs you have handy, parsley though is a favourite of mine. I hope this becomes a staple in your household too!
What do you think of this recipe? Would you or have you tried Cauliflower Cous Cous yet? Leave a comment below to let us know!
This delish recipe was written up by lovely foodie Hannah from Dear Asparagus.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 22, 2013 | Wellness Tips
A new year, a new home in sunny Dunsborough (yes Samudra calls my name even more regularly now), a new favourite coffee place (that know my name and coffee already, yes local status!), a new beachside jogging track and a new list of crushes that are at the top of my lust list. I’ve found these goodies not only look after the outside of my body but their ingredients are making my insides happy too.
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♥ La Mav Omega-3 Advanced Nightly Repair Crème
As women, at a young age we begin our beauty rituals, and whilst the products may change in bottle size, price and effects – we will always go back to what works for us. I feel that this crème is one of those products. In its stylish white and silver bottle La Mav Nightly Repair Crème (OFC certified organic and Australian made and owned I must add) is wonderfully thick and absorbing and has been leaving my skin feeling nourished and smooth from night to morning. It’s list of organic and delicious sounding ingredients (Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice) is endless, and they all work together to support the skins barrier function and enhance it’s repairing action. Available from Organic Glow for $59.95.
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♥ Apteka Relief Scalp Shampoo
In our ritual, whilst we want our products to feel nice and make us look nice, we also want them to smell lovely too. Apteka Relief Scalp Shampoo has no parabens, sulphates or artificial fragrances and smells like fresh peppermint, that means yummy smelling hair. I would recommend this product to anyone with a sensitive scalp, especially in these warm summer months. Their healing blend of organic rosemary, organic pepperming and organic tea tree will cleanse and refresh the scalp after all your time playing mermaid at the beach and frolicking in the sunshine. Available from Organic Glow for $29.95.
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♥ Cookbooks
I know we all wish that the vibrant photographs in the pages of our favourite cookbooks would just magically materialise into the bowls in front of us without the necessary food shopping, prep and cooking time. Alas, this only happens in dreams (and if we are talking dreams the food would also have no calories and be followed by a very chocolately dessert). However I have found with my two new favourite cookbooks that cooking can be quick, easy, colourful, healthy and delicious.
Now who doesn’t have a Donna Hay cookbook or 5 in their bookshelf? I’ve found with her newest edition Fresh and Light that her recipes have taken a healthier, lighter and more exciting turn. Still using her signature few ingredients and easy to follow cooking techniques, but she has introduced favourites like quinoa, light but flavoursome salads and less of the heavy carbohydrate focused meals.
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Jamie Oliver's 15-Minute Meals
has followed a similar path too and after flicking through the pages I found myself wanting to re-creating the majority of the meals featured. And whilst there has been much debate over if these meals really take 15 minutes (take it from me, they don’t!) they are simple, so tasty and will impress anyone you whip them up for. Yum!
Do any of these beauty products or books take your fancy? What skincare and haircare are you loving at the moment? And what cookbooks? Would love your recommendations! 🙂
Written by Jade, new down south local and mermaid.
Be well,
xoxo
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by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 21, 2013 | Alternative Therapy, Day Spa, Reviews, South of River
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Nestled amongst the beautiful houses and quiet streets of South Perth, Cove Day Spa provides an urban wellness oasis. Coinciding with my 6 week liver and kidney detox (a decision I deeply regretted on Australia Day!), I decided that now was the perfect time to take advantage of Cove Spa's awesome summer special- the full body cleanse!
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After changing into the standard fluffy white robe I was led to the relaxation room (filled with lemon water, snacks and tea) to fill out a quick questionnaire and settle in. Shortly after I was greeted by my warm and very knowledgeable therapist Kylie, whom escorted me to my treatment room.
The full body cleanse package consists of 5 treatments:
♥ Urine PH and Heavy Metal Test
We started off with a 20 minute health and lifestyle consultation, which included a urine pH and heavy metal check. It was exciting and very interesting. Kylie explained the results of my test and gave some good lifestyle tips including the benefits of dry body brushing and green drinks.
♥
♥ Far Infrared Sauna
A hidden sanctuary houses the infrared sauna and has a very tropical feel. I was given a glass of fresh coconut water to hydrate and left to myself for the next 30 minutes to relax. Infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas in that they heat the body not the air. They warm the muscles and joints and stimulate fat cells to release toxins. Afterwards I felt quite warm, but wasn’t overly hot and sweaty like I would normally be from a traditional sauna.
♥ Full Body Massage
After hopping up onto the most comfy massage bed ever (think fluffy pillowed clouds), I was massaged all over with a special blend of detoxifying essential oils. The smell was divine and the pressure was perfect.
♥ Body Scrub, Wrap & Chakra Balancing Facial
The sugar crystal scrub felt amazing, exfoliating every little bit of my body. I was then wrapped up while my facial got underway. Along with an awesome face massage, warm amethyst crystals were rubbed all over my face to stimulate the internal detoxifying organs and get rid of negative energy. So good!
♥ Disco Shower, AKA Swiss Shower
Finally, I was left to rinse and re-energise in the Swiss shower. Swiss showers feature multiple showerheads that alternate warm and cold water. A highly invigorating experience! This particular shower also had flashing coloured lights (hence my nickname for it), which I was told was a form of colour therapy. One wonders whether Swiss showers are sold on Gumtree….
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Finishing off in the relaxation room with a cup of the spas signature tea (a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and cloves) and a delicious bowl of probiotic yoghurt with berries, I was definitely in bliss town 🙂
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Overall the service was professional and welcoming. The spa was very clean and the attention to detail was great. A perfect gift for a mother, sister, friend, yourself or even a significant male friend. Whomever for, if you’re interested in a little relaxation, detoxification and a brand new start, this treatment would be perfect!
** This special wellness promotion has been extended especially for Wellness WA readers until the end of March, mention Wellness WA upon booking to gain access to this gorgeous & life-changing 2.5 hour package for $260!
Cove Spa
47 Tate St South Perth WA 6151
(08) 9367 1877
Visit Cove Spa online at:
♥ www.covespa.com.au
♥ Facebook
Review by Kavisha, self confessed ‘health foodie’ & spa convert. She is currently studying for her Master of Wellness at RMIT University and blogs at bebalancedbewell.tumblr.com
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 20, 2013 | Other
March is still the new year, right?! If you’re needing a little boost to your New Year’s Resolutions to be healthier, happier and make 2013 the best year of your life – then we’re here to help. We’ve teamed up with the lovely folk at The Good Vitamin to give one VERY lucky reader the ENTIRE RANGE – which is 16 products all up, valued at over $90.
The Good Vitamin is an affordable & Australian made vitamin brand, with pretty cute packaging too.
The prize includes the following products…
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Multivitamins
♥ Multivitamin
♥ Children’s Multivitamin
♥ 55 Plus Multivitamin
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Joints, Bone & Muscle
♥ Vitamin D3
♥ Glucosamine
♥ Magnesium
♥ Calcium + D
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Body & Beauty
♥ Nails, Skin & Hair Care
♥ Iron
♥ Vitamin C
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Mind Health
♥ Mega B Energy
♥ Sleep Well
♥ Mega B Complex
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Heart & Inner Health
♥ Fish Oil
♥ CoEnzyme Q10
♥ Liver Cleanse
It’s time to start…. New Year, New You– enter for your chance to WIN a The Good Vitamin pack valued at RRP$90.00 and kick start 2013 on the right track !
To enter, all you need to do is is leave a comment below letting us know which vitamin supplement would be most useful for you right now – and you’re in with a chance!
Best of luck, competition drawn on 3rd April 2013!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 17, 2013 | Alternative Therapy, At Home, Other
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♥ Acupuncture
I’ve used acupuncture a couple of times before and always found it helpful. My digestion has been a bit sluggish lately, so I decided to see Jacinta at the Perth Natural Medical Centre. I find the sessions extremely relaxing and always leave with a gentle buzz of energy and feeling really refreshed. The dietary advice has been so interesting and also counter-intuitive. Apparently my system works best without cold and raw foods according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. I’m not sure where that leaves my green smoothie habit, but it’s worth a go!
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♥ Swimming at the new Beatty Park Pool
I started to swim regularly in my teens and it’s the one aspect of my exercise routine that has stuck. I've tried many types of exercise but, for me, nothing beats the soothing, meditative effects of lap swimming. I absolutely love it and always sleep so well after a long swim. I’m feeling very lucky that my local newly renovated pool at Beatty Park is so lovely. The works haven’t been totally finished yet but it looks like the centre will be amazing when it’s all done.
♥ Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
This is my new mantra! There’s nothing like summer to make you more body conscious. I’ve been using the hot towel scrub method lately to make my skin silky smooth. Just grab a flannel, warm water and soap or shower gel, lather up and scrub away! For my face I’m enjoying a lovely scrub from the Smitten Organic skin care range. My skin tends to be quite dry so I avoid harsh scrubs, but this one is a very gentle, creamy and really effective.
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♥ Hands and Feet Pampering
I'm loving Burts Bees Tips and Toes Kit at the moment. I’m pretty busy, so find it hard to fit in a mani-pedi and I also find them pretty boring treatments. This kit is great for some quality at-home pampering.The hand creams are also the perfect size to throw into a handbag or purse. They’ve thrown a yummy pomegranate lip balm into the kit too! All of their products are earth friendly, in fact they were one of the pioneer natural skin care brands as they started in 1984. It’s a pretty affordable range too.
What are your favourite budget and at-home pampering tips?
Article by Karen, whos certain she was a fish in a previous life!
Be well,
xoxo
