by Annette @ Wellness WA | Oct 21, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, At Home, Cheap / Free, Exercise, Products, Reviews
♥
A little while ago I did a callout on Facebook to rustle up the names of some of your favourite yoga dvds, as I’ve long been yearning for a home practice for those days that I don’t feel like venturing back out of the house after work.
One recommendation really caught my eye and since receiving the DVD’s I’ve been unashamedly having a bit of a love affair with them. Meet the first two members of my yoga video library (which I hope will grow with time!) – Yoga Easy and Yoga 2 Easy by the lovely Yolanda Pettinato.
Yolanda is truly inspirational, having overcome obstacles in her life that would defeat most people, she is the glowing example of everything that yoga represents – tranquility, wisdom, inner peace and honouring your body.
What you will need:
♥ Yoga Mat – I use my Mukha mat (which I wrote about here)
♥ The desire to stretch and strengthen your body, calm your mind and feel fantastic! (And who doesn’t want that?!)
That is ALL you need, and the DVD of course. If you want to ramp the relaxing factor up a notch you can also throw in:
♥ Oil burner with bergamot oil, my favourite
♥ A dark room
♥
Yolanda has a gentle, soothing voice and she comes across as a real sweetheart. For a woman in her late 50’s, she has a body that most women would in their 20’s would envy. I can feel her encouraging kindness traveling through the screen and into my living room when she softly says “good, that’s good” after many of the sequences, and I find it a comforting and reassuring addition to the practice.
The practice on both of the DVD’s is quite short – 30 minutes – but is enough to wind me down after a stressful or tiring day, it can also be used in the mornings to set you up for the day ahead and is a great way to ground yourself. In fact the length of the session is one of the best things about it, if you’re anything like me it can be hard to find an hour / hour and a half to head out to a yoga class, and that doesn’t include driving there and back! 30 minutes is just enough to be easily manageable, but also gain real results.
While this is by no means a cardio workout, there are some sections focusing on strength that are challenging, and the great thing about yoga is that because you’re working with your own strength and flexibility, there is always room for improvement as you begin to get stronger.
As Yolanda says “just do your best, and your best will get better” – I love that phrase!
Doing either of these yoga DVD’s leaves my whole body feeling stretched and relaxed, with a sense of peace and stillness of mind that I really look forward to. The class flies by and before you know it you’re lying in Savasana thinking how lucky you are to have this wonderful experience in your life.
She also has some meditation CD’s which are no doubt great (she has the perfect voice for it) and even her dogs have been convinced by her to try meditating š
Cost: $24.95 each, free shipping if you purchase more than one item
Suitable for: Beginners – experienced who are looking for a relaxation based yoga class with strength elements
Where to buy: http://www.yolandapettinato.com
If you have any questions about the DVD’s please let me know, I would be only too happy to answer them as I think I’m Yolanda’s new biggest fan!!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Oct 17, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, Interviews, Products
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I love being creative and discovering new things. I’m a stylist and writer (style editor) at Scoop Publishing where I work across everything from men’s and women’s fashion, health and beauty and homes/architecture. Every day is different and exciting. One day I’ll be running around picking up clothing for a fashion shoot, and the next I’ll be writing about an amazing new furniture brand in WA or international home. My job keeps me on my toes and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Iāve also started a website (www.clareryan.com) to showcase some of my favourite work and I blog there about fashion shoots I do in a behind-the-scenes style. Between work, my beautiful friends and family and exercising – well trying to – it can be hard to find some time to myselfā¦but the beach solves that problem. I feel at home when I’m at the beach and the best time is in the early hours of the morning.
♥
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
I don’t do much to my skin in the morning. I have a shower and wash my face with Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser – I’ve been using it since I was 15 and it has always worked for me so I haven’t changed. I know people say you need to change products as your skin gets older and has different needs, but I figure I’ll change when it stops working. In summer I use Invisible Zinc sunscreen and in winter i just use my NARS primer that has 15 plus protection. I’m at my desk for most of the day during winter so I can get away with only 15 plus.
At night I cleanse my face again and then depending on how dry or oily my skin is (it always changes) I either use Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, or Olay Total Effects. I have quite a few other beauty products that i use – it comes with the job – so I trial different products all the time. This sometimes results in my skin freaking out so I always return to my basics.
♥
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
What did women do before waxing? It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is I always have my set appointments at Strip Womens Waxing in Subiaco, Siobhan is amazing!
Lucky second is a light natural spray tan from Aussie Bombshell, Penni is the best! And knows how to make my pasty skin glow.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Zoe Harris from Be Ba Beau in Highgate. She is a pro when it comes to my hair. I’ve been seeing Zoe for years and she’s amazing and I always get compliments and asked who does my hair. Not only is she incredibly talented (she’s won a list of awards) but she knows how my hair needs to sit/be cut so itās easy for me to easily style every day. There’s been a few times I’ve walked into an appointment and mentioned certain styles, and I can tell by the look on her face that it is a bad idea! I think that’s what makes her a fantastic hairdresser.
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
An eyelash tint always goes down a treat. It saves me time in the morning and its fantastic in summer because I can wake up, go for a swim and not look like a pandaā¦there’s nothing worse than seeing a girl with black mascara running down her face at the beach. I go to Jana Beauty in Subiaco, the girls there are so sweetā¦.I think I’ve fallen asleep once or twice while laying there.
♥
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Eeek that is really hard. Lucas Papaw Ointment is always in my handbag. Um, I’m addicted to Batiste Dry Shampoo, it’s a lifesaver! I don’t have time to do my hair every day so as soon as it gets oily I just use a little dry shampoo and its good as new and smells yummy. I can’t live without De Lorenzo Elements Ocean Mist, it makes my hair look like I’ve just been at the beach. My hair has a natural wave in it already so it defines the wave and gives it a fresh and tousled effect.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
It’s not a beauty secret, but I honestly try not to drink alcohol during the week (which is very hard), drink lots of water and get enough sleep. I can tell when I haven’t had enough sleep because my skin struggles to keep up and looks dull and dry. For my wellbeing I head to the beach and sit on the sand and just relax for awhile – there’s something soothing about the ocean and I think the fresh air is good for you.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
I would love to go on one of those crazy detox retreats overseas. But I don’t have the time or money and I’m not sure I could live without chocolate for two weeks.
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
I love food and find myself munching on something all day! I start with eggs or whole meal grain toast, then I have some fruit or rice crackers and lunch is either sushi or a tuna salad – I work opposite Grillād, so burgers have been popping up here and there. I’m often on the road so I try and grab something healthy like a salad sandwich. Dinner really varies for me from pasta to chicken and veggies or a catch up dinner with the girls.
♥
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
I go to the gym twice a week and either do cycle or pump and I go for walks along the beach whenever I can in winter and most nights in summer.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I’ve been seeing a naturopath (Val Allen) since I was littleā¦at the moment I’m on iron tablets which is no surprise because I’m always burning the candle at both ends. I also have regular sessions of kinesiology by Coleen McClymans from Empowering Dynamics, I’ve been seeing Coleen for a few years now and I’ve really noticed a difference, she helps in all areas from injuries to day to day stress.
ā„ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
When I have the money, an amazing exfoliation/treatment from Bodhi J always relaxes me, otherwise it’s a long walk along the coast where I grab a coffee and sit on the beach and do nothing!
Thanks Clare!
If you have any questions for this lovely Style Editor, please leave a comment below!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Oct 16, 2011 | Dining, Food, Reviews, South of River, Wellness Tips
There are moments in our life when we feel truly inspired; following a challenging yoga session, after finishing reality TV shows like the X-Factor or The Renovators (as we start shifting our furniture whilst belting out Adele songs), when we receive genuine, full-face-smile inducing compliments or for some, simply after we finish a very strong coffee resulting in creativity and inspiration literally buzzing through our veins. Eating at Samudra; an organic, sustainable and vegetarian cafƩ nestled in the heart of Dunsborough, is now listed as one of my inspiring moments.
♥
The moment my Tony Bianco boots crunched the gravel path and I breathed in the fresh sea-breeze all thoughts of university essays and the Samantha Wills necklace Iād just lusted after in a shop window peacefully retreated from my brain. I was ready to convert to a Birkinstock wearing, yoga practicing, hippie vegetarian. Accompanied by my lamb-loving fiancĆ©, we weaved through the mass of large, natural wood tables and settled at a table perched on the grass, soaking up some indecisive September sun.
The inspiration began to emerge as my eyes flittered across the pages of the menu in excitement, lamb-lover not quite as enticed, pointing to the safest option Superhero Avo Sandwich- Yallingup Woodfired Sourdough topped w/ cashew cheese, tomato, avocado & alfalfa sprouts. I added to the order the Kombi Breakdown, gluten free –Ā A flavour explosion of cumin, coriander, cardamon, clove and one of our favourite superfoods – tumeric, served w/ quinoa and the Feel-good falafels- raw- gluten free- Delicious Egyptian-style falafel balls made with carrots, sunflower seeds & aromatic spices, cumin & caraway seed, served w/ handcrafted sunflower seed aioli and couldnāt resist the Super Green Smoothie- Pear, apple, lemon, orange & kale.
Inside Samudra ♥
Gazing around the Samudra landscape, from the organic eco garden where the chefs source the majority of their produce to the timber decked cafĆ© area, I realized I could keep my boots on as you did not need to have dreadlocks or favor hemp t-shirts to eat here (my apologies for the stereotyping, although a woman who obviously forgot to wear shoes or brush her hair resulting in long dreadlocks was purchasing an organic chocolate macaroon when I was paying at the endā¦. just saying!). There was a unique display of customers; from the tourists flaunting jeans with sport shoes (true tourist attire) looking slightly anxious reading the menu, to the couple sitting behind us loudly debating spirituality and money. Whether they came to The Kombi cafĆ© for itās genuine passion to inspire and nurture their guests by providing sustainable, organic, biodynamic meals or if they were there just because the line at the local Dome was hideously long, the air thick with relaxation and serenity was beginning to work itās magic on their minds and stomachs!
♥
♥
♥
As our order was placed on the table my inspiration levels heightened yet again. The smell, the colours and the delicate plating was enough to demand any carnivores attention (bringing their thoughts back from daydreams about sausage rolls and meat pies from the local bakery). The simple but favourite combination of tomato, avocado and ācheeseā (a cashew cheese alternative) was not a let down and the toasted sourdough provided the perfect foundation for these tasty flavors.
The falafel are one of the best Iāve tried, the dense balls just oozing good-for-you-ness, full of spices and nuts and resting on top of a sunflower seed aioli. The dhal with vegetables was served with quinoa was creamy with a noticeable heat hit and very very moreish. I would be a happy woman if I could eat a bowl of their Dhal each week night whilst catching up on Kids Masterchef, perhaps with a sneaky red wine which Iām not sure would be Samudra approved. My smoothie was a vibrant green colour and it was difficult to refrain from drinking as my fiancĆ© tried to capture the perfect picture of it, however in the end I gave in and gulped down the thick and delicious concotion. Just like the rest of Samudraās delights it tasted like wellness and health, delectable.
Empty plates!
If you are ever in Dunsborough and have worked up an appetite perusing the streets (in the process realizing you desperately needed several new scented candles, new bathers and of course you needed another decorative elephant statue) I would definitely recommend relaxing and filling your stomach at Samudra. You know they have your health and wellbeing at heart, their recipes are constructed with passion and knowledge with ingredients sourced from the garden, available also for your exploring pleasure. As my boots crunched the gravel during my (reluctant) exit from Samudra, my body and mind healthy and light, I felt inspired to recreate my meals with similar ingredients and love. When we know how beneficial the ingredients that go into your meals are for our mind, body and spirit itās easy to devour everything on your plate (and still purchase a goji berry bliss ball for the road). So how would I describe my experience at Samudra overall? Well it was absolutely dhal-icious š
♥
Address:
226 Naturaliste Terrace
Dunsborough WA 6281
Web: http://www.samudra.com.au
Article by Jade Jurewicz, inspiration by Samudra. You can find Jade’s blog over @ http://jadescinnamon.tumblr.com
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Oct 12, 2011 | Alternative Therapy, Food
♥
Do you know that eating far more fresh fruits and vegetables daily than the government recommendation of two fruit and five veg can completely change your health, your body and your life experience for the better?
In fact, eating a mostly vegetable based diet can propel your health to heights you canāt even imagine. They alkalise your blood, help to balance your body (and your moods!), allow better digestion and detoxification to occur and improve your chances of healing everything from acne to cancer.
Take my experience for example. I was reliant on daily steroid use to manage debilitating top to toe eczema for almost 25 years of my life. I was very frequently sick with the flu, colds and infections, plus I always battled with my weight. For ten years I tried every medical and natural route to heal my body of the symptoms and pain I lived with to no avail. That is, until I started downing green vegetable juice every day, eating a plant based diet of mostly vegetables, particularly leafy greens, adding in therapeutic natural foods and getting my colon cleansed. Yes, you read that last bit right.
This powerful combination transformed my health, body, energy, happiness and even my career and whole life experience in a way I never thought possible. This is the power of a clean, alkalising, plant based diet to start a revolution inside your own body. Of course, donāt forget your mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing too! Below is a look into a typical day for me, which keeps me feeling consistently wonderful. Please use this to inspire, not mimick. You and I are different and have different needs. That is why I coach clients to find their own perfect balance, but everyone can benefit from seriously upping their veggie intake.
7 AM: I wake up and immediately get my meditation on. I listen to a guided mediation, my much loved Blissitations or practice mindfulness meditation.
♥
7.20 AM: I drink lots of spring water and then shake my booty for anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. I am currently running a free Strong Is Sexy Fitness Challenge on my website which is great fun!
8.15 AM: Shower time! I brush my body in long strokes towards the heart with my natural bristly dry body brush to stimulate my lymphatic system. I shower and moisturise with organic, pure products and oils.
8.30 to 11.30 AM: I grab a litre of pure water with lemon juice and stevia and some Tulsi tea and head to my office to get started on my work day.
11.30 AM: I venture on to my back patio to catch some sunlight and breathe deeply.
11.45AML More clients, writing articles, blog posts, and other work. I feel so blessed to do the work I do.
♥
1 PM: I make a full litre of green vegetable juice. Some combination of cucumber, celery, zucchini, silverbeet, chard, parsley, mint, kale, cos lettuce with lemon and ginger. I drink more herbal tea and pure water throughout the day.
♥
3 PM: A snack of a smoothie made from spinach, avocado, blueberries, vanilla stevia, carob powder, cinnamon, water and ice fills me up while leaving me feeling light and energetic (similar to this recipe).
6PM: After finishing up my main projects and tasks for the day, I create an incredible salad of baby lettuces, carrot, beetroot, chopped garlic and ginger and cubed avocado topped with this winning Raw Japanese Caesar Dressing. I follow my salad with steamed cauliflower sprinkled with nutritional yeast, sea salt and dill. While making dinner, I listen to inspiring audios and dance to great music.
♥
8 PM: After some final work, scheduling, emails, chores and often a class, client or teleclass, I relax for the night with a hot carob āmilkā made with fresh almond milk. I spend quality time with my man, read, watch a film, do some stretches, go for a walk or just lay quietly until I go to bed. Every night I go to sleep listening to more Blissitations and smiling into my pillow, grateful that Iām alive.
Casey Thomas, certified Detox, Health and Life Coach, shows you how to get radiant health and energy, lose weight and heal naturally so that you can live the life you want in a body you love. Casey is based in Perth Australia and conducts phone consultations internationally. If you’re ready to ditch the frumpy feeling and start looking and feeling fantastic in 7 steps, get your FREE report, tips and guidance now at http://www.CaseyLorraine.com
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Oct 11, 2011 | Day Spa, Food, Wellness Tips
♥
1. Retreat for One
I’d previously experienced the Bodhi J Retreat for One and been pretty enamoured with it, so much that it has become my ‘go to’ for when I want to reward myself, which I did last week. At $125 for a half hour mud spa bath with champagne, fruit & mini choc, then a full body aromatherapy massage finished with herbal tea and more fruit, it’s an indulgence that I keep coming back to again and again!
♥
2. Ethically Harvested Lavender Oil
After being sent this product to try a little while ago, I haven’t been able to stop using it in my favourite way, which is to put a couple of drops onto my pillowcase about 20 minutes before I go to bed. This is probably not the best thing for my pillowcase, but it is definitely good for me! I love falling asleep surrounded by the soft scent of lavender.
And just what does ethically harvested mean?
“This denotes sustainable cultivation. An ethically harvested essential oil is derived from a herb, shrub or tree that is not harvested so aggressively that the species becomes depleted.”
I think that’s pretty cool.
♥ This is what coconut oil looks like when it’s not summer!
3. Coconut Oil
After hearing various friends raving about coconut oil, I was finally pushed over the edge by my naturopath Brooke, who said that it would be great for me and that she likes to eat it from the spoon. SOLD.
And so lately I have been including this form of virgin, unprocessed saturated fat in my diet. It has a “haunting vanilla taste” and is indeed yummy straight off the spoon. There is some debate around the health benefits of coconut oil due to it being a saturated fat, some say because it’s unprocessed it’s good for you, others are not so sure, however the research I’ve done and Brooke’s confidence is good enough for me š
♥
3. Candlez
I’ve never been much of a candle girl, due mostly to my mothers incessant worry that I would burn down the house if any semblance of fire made its way into my perpetually messy room. A fair worry for those who’ve never seen my room.
Now that I live out of home and have control of what objects are allowed through the front door, I’ve really been getting into burning essential oils and candles for the first time and I feel like I’ve been missing out all these years!
This Fig, Cassis & Mandarin mini candle from Palm Beach Collection is a soy candle that has found itself being lit pretty frequently over the past few weeks. It imparts a beautiful smell (the mandarin is most strong for me, which I love) that lingers throughout the house that is just great because it means I don’t have to clean up as much as I probably should… just kidding… sort of. At $14.95 these candles are a cheap way to spruce up a room or set the mood. Oo la la.
Just a quick one this week, thanks for reading guys! X
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
