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Yesterday while out shopping, I stumbled across the Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping 2011, a compact little resource to take with you to the shops so you can make the best decisions about where your ‘dollar vote’ goes.

Like to shop locally and Australian made, boycott companies that test on animals and avoid companies and industries that take part in some horrendous practices? This is a fantastic companion and I sincerely urge you all to check it out and buy it if you’re interested in this kind of thing (which should be all of us!).

It’s only $6 and can be picked up at most bookshops or online.

It really is up to us to look after our animal friends. They don’t have a voice, and most of them can’t fight back. The saddest thing that I found out today when I was looking into it a bit more, is that beagles are one of the most common dogs tested on because they are so gentle, friendly and loving that they don’t fight back as much. This broke my heart.

And it’s why we’re not going to be reviewing products that test on animals from here on out. This means that some much loved brands wont be getting featured anymore. But it’s for the best, for our conscience, the earth and for the animals.

I hope you all understand and will still support us! 🙂

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Sam ♥

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

I am wholeheartedly devoted to helping inform and inspire women (and men) about true natural health and beauty, whether it be via my website Be Naturally You or my body care range, Be Genki. I have a consuming love for the beach, countryside and nature. I absolutely adore animals. I choose to be vegan. I love traveling and constantly challenging myself and raising my level of consciousness.

♥ Active Energised Organic Skincare ♥

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Face care: about 6 months ago I came across a fab brand from the UK called AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare) that combines bio-dynamic and organic ingredients with the energies of liquid crystals and gems. I’ve been using their complete range morning and night. It is amazing! And will soon be available in Australia.

Body care: in the mornings I dry skin body brush, shower and apply Be Genki Body Oil all over.

In the evenings I spritz magnesium water all over my body.

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

I couldn’t live without swimming in the surf. Always leaves me looking and feeling more naturally beautiful. My favorite place to swim is … any of the surf beaches in Australia. We’re so spoilt for choice here.

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

Last time I popped in to Bkind Organic Beauty Bar in Subiaco I received the best advice from Jennifer who recommended John Masters Organics for my hair, and it has seriously made a difference.

♥

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Dry skin body brushing.

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

1. Be Genki Body Oils
2. AEOS Gentle Cleansing Lotion
3. AEOS Enriching Moisturiser.

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

Make the conscious choice every day to be fully present and engaged in your life; nourish your body and mind with wholesome organic produce and happy & healthy thoughts; and ALWAYS follow your heart which in turn fills you with joy.

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

I would LOVE to try acupuncture but am way too scared of needles. I know it doesn’t hurt, but the thought of needles stuck in me totally freaks me out.

A kale salad!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Breakfast: freshly squeezed organic juice: carrot, celery beetroot and ginger OR kale, cucumber, celery and parsley.
Snack: piece of spouted grain loaf with turmeric and nut spread
Lunch: big green salad and a protein smoothie packed with all that my body requires to function optimally.
Snack: coconut water and a piece of homemade raw chocolate (cacao, coconut oil, hazelnut oil, cacao butter and maca powder)
Dinner: miso soup with veggies.
I drink lots of herbal tea and water throughout the day

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I love to practice Zen Ki and Bikram yoga during the week; and on the weekends I love to start the day with an early morning jog on the beach followed by a swim in the surf.

♥

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

I LOVE alternate therapies and am always trying out new or previously experienced ones. My one constant is that I get a deep tissue massage once a fortnight. I don’t take pills (supplements) but I do pack a lot of goodness in to my protein smoothie (all in their raw forms): udo’s omega 3-6-9 oil, chlorella, cacao, aloe vera juice, maca powder, camu camu powder, probiotics, hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, psyllium husks.

Pranamat Eco – $138.

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

My favourite way to relax/de-stress is laying on my Pranamat for an hour, deep tissue massage, or a soak in the bath with lights dimmed, natural scented Be Genki Candle burning, essential oil scented Be Genki Bath Oil, eyes closed and mindful breathing.

Please leave questions below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

Three lucky winners will be sent their choice of either jojoba or rosehip oil!

It’s time to rejoice 🙂 Wellness WA have teamed up with the wonderful folks at Echolife (they offer the purest and best quality yet affordable products to maintain health and well-being!) to offer three very lucky readers their choice of a bottle of jojoba or rosehip oil.

Both of these oils are organic and have a huge list of benefits, so take a look, then leave a comment with which one you’d choose and why! Who knows… you could be finding a bottle of Echolife oil on your doorstep very soon!

♥ Naturally fights wrinkles
♥ Contains powerful antioxidants, Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E
♥ Similar molecular structure to skin, so easily absorbs and nourishes
♥ Helps treat acne, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, cradle cap, nappy rash and other skin conditions
♥ An excellent hair treatment, applying a few drops after washing imparts a great shine.

♥ Excellent natural source of vitamin C
♥ Packed full of antioxidants and other goodies like Omega 3, Omega 6 & Omega 9
♥ Helps minimise uneven skin tone and acne scars
♥ Rich in vitamin A, which is good for oil skin, sun damaged skin & signs of premature ageing.

Basically, both of these oils are FABULOUS, and you’ll have a hard time choosing which one you’d like! When you do, leave a comment below indicating your preference, and a winner will be drawn on 15 April 2011.

BONUS ROUND: Echolife have organised a special discount code for Wellness WA readers to receive $5 off any order until the end of the year! All you have to do is enter the words ‘wellness wa’ (without quotes) during checkout, and $5 will be taken off automatically. There is no limit per person per use so anyone can use it as much as they like for the rest of the year!

GOOD LUCK 🙂 x

Be well,

xoxo

♥ We had 2 prize packs worth $260 each from Alison Jade to give away! ♥

Gather round everyone… the two lucky winners have been chosen based upon the answers I loved the most!

Please say congratulations to:

1. Heather – “I would love to win this Alison Jade prize pack as I have never tried mineral makeup before, and it is something that I have been wanting to try for a while. I try to live well by eating organically and I don’t use any products on my body that have chemicals EXCEPT for my makeup, and I feel it is about time that changed! Mineral makeup can be quite pricey, which is why I haven’t tried it yet, so this prize would be a wonderful way for me to experience this beautiful mineral makeup so that I can allow my healthy lifestyle to finally expand to my makeup as well!”.

&

2. Rosemary – How could I be any more deserving than any of these lovely ladies who would love to win amazing Alison Jade products?
I have been sick for the past 2-3 months and am finally getting the energy to live again and would love to feel like a woman again! I think I remember having the energy to wax my legs and put on makeup. 
One of the first things I would do is to get dressed up and go on a date with my husband of 4 months. I would love him to see me as a stunner again. (In his eyes anyway.)

Both you ladies had such lovely answers and I felt you’d both be perfect recipients of the Alison Jade range.

We have a runner up winner, too, from Nicky, who I will be sending a little goodie pack out to as well (not AJ products, but I’m sure you’ll love it too!!)

Thanks for entering everyone, it was a really successful competition and we have LOTS more in store for the rest of the year 🙂

Much love!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Lumikello provide(d) Scandinavian spa treatments & wellbeing services.

I’m sad to say that Lumikello is closing down in a couple of weeks, it’s close to my apartment and I experienced a massage treatment that was very different from those I’ve tried before. It reminded me why I review in the first place, because there are so many different and unique experiences to be had… and I want to help you find the best ones!

The good news is my masseuse, Kelly, will continue to run a mobile service after the closure, so I can continue to reach cloud-9 on a regular basis.

Massages are one of my favourite things. Love ’em. Can’t rave enough. The feeling of pure relaxation that’s experienced afterwards can’t be beaten. This one is no different and I swear I left feeling like I could float out the door on a little white cloud, and slide into bed. Unfortunately I don’t think they make personal clouds yet, maybe one day?!

Snuggling stomach down into the table and placing my head in the hole, I notice a couple of rock crystals on the ground below – a lovely touch which I haven’t seen before. This gives me something nice to focus on when I’m not almost dozing off!

This is where I’m headed…

The highlights of the treatment for me were:

♥ Warm oil drizzled onto the particular body part about to be massaged – O M G! I realise this sounds a little like a food recipe, but it was a very interesting feeling… and extremely enjoyable 🙂

♥ Again, the crystals were great.

♥ The touching at the end of the massage, now reading back that sounds sketchy, but what happens is spots like your shoulder and leg, are touched at the same time gently. It feels very grounding and it’s one of my favourite parts of massages when it happens!

♥ Not a highlight per-se, but I find it really interesting that most masseuses have well kept feet and toenails! It makes sense, cos you are face down looking at the floor, so the feet are in view. Kelly had nice feet!

After the treatment there was no way I wanted to leave the little cocoon I was in and go home, but unfortunately I had to.

I felt fantastic and if I could, I would get two of these massages a week!

Kelly suggested I try the lomi lomi massage next time, and I might do that.

My relaxation massage at Lumikello was $80, which is what Kelly also charges for a mobile massage:

Kelly Hutchinson
0438 820 015

Email: kellyhutch20@hotmail.com

I’m really disappointed that Lumikello is closing down, but am happy I got to experience it at least once.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo