♥ All photos © Glennys Marsdon

I have to admit the thought of exploring the Stirling Farmers Market on a steamy thunderstorm induced morning, didn’t have me bouncing out of bed, still I’m quite partial to wandering around markets, and I’d heard a few good things about this one on the local grapevine.

Situated in the shadows of the Council building, it was a pleasure to drive straight into a car space, without having to tail a vegetable laden customer snaking their way back to their car. With parking for 350 cars the first signs were good for the growing market.

♥ Free range ‘Eggs by Ellah‘

Strolling around the stalls my gait resembled the limited trajectory of a chess pawn as I bounced from one shaded area to another. Thankfully the vibrant colours of the produce took my mind off the heat and the stall owners were quick to chat about their produce. I even overheard one arranging to personally deliver an order later in the day.

♥ Marchetti and Sons Roleystone, Fruit

The trays of apricots were gone by 9am, and the tomatoes selling quicker than they could be bagged. It was a delight to buy fruit that wasn’t already teetering around its use by date. Even more delightful was having the stall owner’s son carry larger orders to your car. You don’t find that at your local megastore.

Trays of ripe avocados

Moroccan spices

Tomatoes

Raw juices

Other stalls were equally enticing – artisan breads catering to a range of dietary needs, natural honey, local garlic, Moroccan spices, a multitude of mushrooms, flowers and an array of freshly squeezed juices, some thick enough to stand on their own, sans bottle.

Mushrooms

Organic bread from Abhi’s Bakery

Two years in the planning, the markets first opened on December 18th. Organised by the Karrinyup Rotary Club, all produce must be locally produced. The aim is to extend the range and possibly offer one stall free of charge to local clubs holding membership drives or community awareness programs.

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With my car boot full of produce I ended my morning sitting under a shady tree nibbling on a moist apple coconut slice, while watching crepes being cooked and hoping the markets get the community support they need to continue beyond the trial period of February 26th. I’m definitely going back next weekend if only for another piece of the apple slice, but first… does anyone know what I can do with a tray of avocados, two bags of tomatoes and six huge, crisp pink lady apples?

Stirling Farmers Market is located on Cedric Street, Stirling, Sundays 7.30 – 11.30 am until February 26th! It needs as much support as it can get to continue operating, so please check it out if you’re nearby (or even if you’re not!) 🙂

Review by Glennys, writer & farmers market advocate!

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I felt really lucky to be selected to attend the Perth Online Media Media event (#POBM) as one of the writers of Wellness WA. As you may know I contribute by writing articles about things that I am most passionate about, that is; exercising around Perth, cooking delicious food and treats to make yourself feel good and look pretty.

After our gorgeous day of pampering, eating raw food from The Raw Kitchen and meeting all the lovely girls, I finally had time to delve into my massive goodie bag. There were so many amazing products to choose from but I managed to pick 5 favourites. Here’s why they made the cut:

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1. A’kin Instant Radiance Facial Masque

This product was first given to me by Annette to trial and before that I had never tried any A’kin products before. I love this 100% natural botanical product and how it takes no time at all for this product to take effect. Apply on face, leave for 5-10 minutes then rinse! The masque is light and if your skin is looking a bit tired and dehydrated then I recommend it, it brings instant results for me. I even took it with me in my travel beauty bag on my recent international trip for pick-me-ups after a long haul of flights.

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2. Palm Beach Coconut and Lime Candle

At the moment, I am currently obsessing over the range of Palm Beach candles. Actually before I received this sample, I had already bought myself the bigger version in Wild Peony. It makes my room smell like a fresh bunch of flowers. The coconut and lime scent is just as good. Perfect size to sit on my tiny bathroom bench, and I love showering with a gorgeous tropical fragrance in the air!

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3. Echolife Cold Pressed Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

For those of you who don’t use or own any form of serum, I recommend this organic cold pressed rosehip oil. I’ll admit though, I had never tried rosehip in the form of oil before receiving this sample. I tried it after cleansing and exfoliating, then I placed two drops in the palm of my hand and gently pressed it on my face before bedtime. When I woke up, my skin appeared more smooth and hydrated, a winner product and a new step in my beauty regime.

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4. OPI Samoan Sand

Big fan of OPI and their colour range, but I have to tip my hat off at them once more, Samoan Sand is the perfect colour for my skin tone. It’s the natural look without being too pink, and corporate enough to wear in the office. I feel like this is going to be one of my go to colours when I don’t know what to wear on my nails.

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5. Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Salmon

Ah, as a recent convert to Bobbi Brown, this colour is perfect for summer, otherwise described as a pale peach, it’s just that right amount of splash of colour to add to your outfit. I love the feel of their lipsticks that contain Vitamin E, C and bees wax, it doesn’t feel dry and the colour has incredible staying power.

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And last but not least, a snapshot of my beauty haul. (Flowers not included!) I’m sure I’ll have new favourites next week when I finish going through them all!

Reviews by Kelly-Anne, graphic designer & beach lover.

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There’s a lotta love to be had for products that have more than one use, not only do you save money and time, but you also save on precious bathroom bench space, something which is worth an increasing amount these days!

Here are my three current favourites:

♥ Jane Iredale Antioxidant Spray

Packed full of antioxidants and smelling like delicious oranges/tangerines, this product has a lot more uses than just pepping up your face on a hot day.

♥ Sets mineral makeup, of which Jane Iredale produce some pretty awesome varieties.
♥ Use to wet brushes to use with eyeshadow and make liquid liner, genius!
♥ Spritz over hair to control static.

The great news is that you can do all of this while smelling like summery citrus fruits. RRP $39.

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♥ Essential Kit Multipurpose Wonder Balm

This stuff beats regular paw paw balm any.day! It’s certified organic, smells absolutely amazing – kinda like a chocolate orange, and 100% of the ingredients are from a natural origin. Plus NO animal testing or animal products and it’s made in Australia! SIGN ME UP 🙂 It even tastes yummy… should you accidentally (or not so accidentally) lick your lips.

Can be used for…

♥ Lip balm, smoothing eyebrows, giving your cheeks a highlighted glow, moisturising nails & cuticles, a thick body moisturiser, smoothing flyaways, soothes dry heels, protecting cuts, shaving… AND under wetsuits on long swims apparently!!!

It’s fast becoming a staple and comes with me everywhere. So much love! RRP $22.95.

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♥ Tisserand Ethically Harvested Lavender Oil

I’ve only just started to really get into essential oils and candles, but have always had a soft spot for lavender. Ah, quell-er of stresses, easer of sleeps! It’s always been good to me, and I’ve recently discovered that it has a lot more uses than I initially thought, lets have a look:

♥ A natural way to take the sting out of burns
♥ Super successful zit zapper – have been hitting this one up a lot lately, and it’s working!
♥ 6 drops on a damp flannel to help a headache
♥ Disinfectant for cuts & to help new skin grow
♥ And of course, a few drops on the pillow to de-stress & help you fall asleep 🙂

What are your favourite multi-tasking beauty & wellness products? Share with us below!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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

Well hello! My name is Haley but I get called Peachy-my nanna was called Pinky as she only ever wore Pink…not just any pink ‘HOT’ Pink! From head to toe! She knew what she loved and so do I. I’m a total nerd for organic skincare! Give me a Friday night researching the effects of things like bromonitrodioxane and diethanolamine and I’m one content little peach! I’m one of those annoying people who won’t let you pull a tube of Lucas Paw Paw ointment out of your pocket without giving you a 15 minute speech on why it’s so toxic- I’ll then make you buy an organic replacement before I let you out of my sight (here’s one we reviewed earlier – Ed.)…I’m also one of those people you call 2 days later saying “thank god you converted me to natural products-I look and feel so much better” ha!

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I’ve been a Television Presenter, Radio Announcer, Columnist and MC for the last 10 years so I’ve used a lot of products in that time. I can honestly say that since learning about and switching to natural products-my skin has never been so clear, hydrated and smooth. My passion is my new business Peachy Clean Organic Beauty Boutique! I have personally tried every single product on the site and only sell the brands I find really luxurious and effective!

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

My daily beauty routine is a total treat! I’m lucky I get to wake when the sun is peeping through the trees (and not to some loud beeping-although I do occasionally wake to some loud snoring thanks to my boyfriend!) I believe a good nights sleep and plenty of water are two of the best beauty treatments you can get-but who really ever gets enough of either?

That’s where good skin care comes in. In the morning I use the Vanessa Megan Organic Rose Spray to freshen up and throughout the day I can’t live without my Savi Organic Pomegranate and Passionflower face mist (you can’t get too much of a good thing and a beautiful face mist is definitely a good thing!).

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In the shower I love the Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash (It feels like whipped cream and leaves your skin so silky), Vanessa Megan Love Scrub (with rose and lavender petals um-mar it’s good!) usually followed by my Sodashi face care routine of-Rejuvenating Concentrate, Clay Cleanser with Lavender (just the best clay cleanser available!), Calming Rose Face Mist (yes-more mist!), Rejuvenating Face and Neck Moisturiser and either Sodashi Vanilla Body Butter or Vanessa Megan Peruvian Flower Body Moisturiser. My skin care is so natural that if I ever got stranded on an island I could eat it!

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

My favourite beauty treatment is an all over exfoliation with just 3 drops of Sodashi Rejuvenating Concentrate. Just a little of this liquid gem goes a long way and after using it on my face, I use the rest of the mixture to exfoliate from head to toe (using my Dr Hauschka Organic Cotton Compress)-it’s the only product that is as gentle on your face as it is tough on dry legs and heels! Seriously-it’s a miracle treatment that takes place right in my own bathroom. You should wear a cape and wave a little wand while using it (a ‘Ta-Da!’ is optional but always encouraged).

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

For years I have searched and spent outrageous amounts of money on fancy hair salons with big advertising campaigns and now I’m finally satisfied! One of my best friends is Natasha Walker-an amazing at home hairdresser and getting my hair done is now fun. A good chat and then whip your hair over the laundry sink before driving home with your head hanging out the car window like a pampered puppy! She listens and has saved me a small fortune too!

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

The best and cheapest beauty treatment is so simple. Be grateful, be loving and be kind. Flip everything on it’s head and be positive. The most beautiful people in the world are happy people. Corny-but so true! Be as healthy as you can but also realise you can’t do everything right all the time-switching to natural skin care is an effortless way to make sure you’re doing something healthy for your body everyday.

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

Just three?? I’m a total product addict-you should see my bathroom cabinet and bedside table! I can’t live without my Savi Pomegranate and Passionflower face mist (I keep it in the fridge on hot days), Sodashi rejuvenating concentrate and the certified organic Eco Tan fake tan-it doesn’t smell or stain and contains chocolate as an ingredient! It gives the most amazing bronze colour. (My 4th would be a beautiful Floriosa soy candle burning in the living room-my fave is the Blackcurrant, Rose Petal and Nectarine-that’s one helluva candle! I have one burning right now!).

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

Definitely! I only use ALL-natural products. The preservatives in most ‘commercial’ skin care actively dry your skin out and cause fine lines and skin irritations. Ever used a lip balm only to feel like you need to keep applying? It’s the parabens (preservative) that dry your lips out! When your lips are so dry, the feeling of putting the balm on your lips makes you feel like it’s working when it’s actually what’s causing the problem! It’s such a mean cycle-and it’s the same in most moisturisers and cleansers. Natural products are the only way to treat the largest organ of your body (your skin) if you want genuine long lasting results. The medicinal Organic Soothing Cream has done wonders to reverse skin irritations caused by sub-par products on many friends! If you have dry or itchy skin problems I recommend it.

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♥ 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 a retreat for a few days. Massages, good food, peace and more massages! They get so pricey though! Using luxury products, even just a nice hand cream or room spray is how I bring the day spa to me! It’s important to treat yourself!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I’m terrible in the mornings-before I notice it’s 1pm and I haven’t had breakfast and then I usually have a massive meal at bedtime! It’s not a good habit so I’m currently sorting it out by having protein shakes with chia seeds and blueberries in the morning, a bigger lunch and then eating lots of fish and veggies for dinner. I naturally prefer healthy foods (nutritionist and cookbook author Janella Purcell is my kindred food spirit-I totally recommend her books – Janella Purcell’s Elixir: How to Use Food as Medicine
) but I don’t deny myself either! I love a fancy champagne and if you take cheese away from me I cry! You gotta enjoy yourself too 😉 (my ‘happy people are beautiful” comment earlier justifies me being naughty whenever I want ha ha!)

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

My fitness routine is…a little on the whimsical and inconsistent side! I live near the beach so I go for a big walk along the coast daily or just as often as I can-it’s just so good for my heart and my head. I sing quite loudly and often skip and grin like an idiot the whole way. It’s great when you smile at someone, then they smile, then someone else smiles back-it’s contagious! It makes looking a bit silly totally worth it!

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

I try to use food as medicine (my fave nutritionist Janella Purcell has an amazing book called ‘Elixer‘ about this). Your body responds so well to nature! I try to enjoy as many superfoods as I can every day! I do love to get regular massages-I take my own Savi Organic Wellbeing Massage Oil with me to ensure I get a natural treatment-even the masseuse now buys it to use on other clients!

♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

A head to toe beauty treat using products that I know are good for me and smell like heaven in a jar relaxes me every time! I also love to cook and potter in the veggie patch! My boyfriend and I treat ourselves to some fun when we can too-camping in Esperance or a sunset with some oysters and bubbly never fails to re-boot the system and remind you that little worries are never as important as being loved, being healthy and having a giggle!

Thanks to Haley for taking time out of her super busy schedule to have a chat with us and share her deliciously natural routine! 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

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Poynter Farmers’ Market, ahh to have a Saturday off, visiting this place was definitely on my list of things to do. It may be small but it’s loaded with fresh local produce, rainbow beetroots, carrots, silverbeet, sweet mangoes, berries and amazing bananas – all the seasonal foods you’d hope for!

The aroma of fresh breads, pastries, cakes, chutneys, herbs and flowers decorate the entrance and I wanted to take it all home… but I could only fit what I could into my backpack, so I made sure it was an array of mixed colours, letting the leaf tops burst out my back pack to ride in the wind on my cycle back home.

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Before my cooking begins, a pot of herbal tea to hydrate the soul;

♥ ½ – 1 diced purple carrot
♥ zest of one large lemon,
♥ a good chunk of finely diced ginger

My market haul

Steep in your favourite teapot for 5 – 10 minutes and sip away whilst getting stuck into a Rainbow Beetroot and Purple Carrot Salad;

♥ 2 large purple carrots
♥ 1 large rainbow beetroot
♥ bunch of coriander
♥ 1 large green apple
♥ 1 lemon
♥ ½ red onion

You could dice all ingredients by hand or better still combine all ingredients into a processor or Thermomix (I don’t have one of these luxury items yet, but my mum’s is amazing) season with a wee bit of salt (or crushed celery seeds) and drizzle with some cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy on its own, with quinoa or a fresh salmon fillet.

Bon appetit!

Poynter Farmers’ Market is a fortnightly market located at:

Poynter Primary School
Poynter Drive, Duncraig

9am-12noon – check their website for the next market weekend!

Have you tried purple carrots or rainbow beetroot before?

Review by Adele Plumridge, Natural Medicine Naturopath & food coach; offers personalised consultations, detox programs plus food & health workshops.

Be well,

xoxo