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It might sound a little odd coming from a 20-something female with a mild case of credit card reliance, but I really can’t stand perfume. That sickly sweet, acidic smell makes me wrinkle my nose and pray for sweet release every time I walk past the fragrances counter. I may as well be sniffing bleach. I’m the odd one out amongst my peers, but I much prefer more natural, and less pungent products rather than 100mls of olfactory assault dressed up with Justin Bieber’s seal of approval. Ick.

I am not a Belieber. Sorry Justin.

Scent has a large effect on the emotions, and its not just a concept dreamt up by poets. For example, the smell of lavender relaxes me, cinnamon excites me, and the smell of Kim Kardashian’s latest release makes me twitch anxiously. Our olfactory receptors (our sense of smell in every day terms) are directly connected to the part of our brain responsible for emotions. Each scent may be different for everyone, but generally when a person smells something delicious their mood improves. Kind of like when you smell chocolate, or freshly baked cupcakes. Instant happy high!

This is the philosophy that the Aromatherapy Company has employed with their products. Using 100% essential oils, their wares contain no nasties like chemicals or preservatives. I managed to score some of their goods recently on a particularly crap morning, and they definitely wiped the angry princess sour puss scowl off my face.

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♥ Juniper Berry and White Thyme Massage Oil

The scent from this baby is subtle, relaxing and quite pleasant. It’s supposed to be used as a massage oil, but I found it works perfect as an after-shower all over body moisturizer. After the general slipperiness has subsided, my skin feels baby-bottom soft afterwards. It takes about 10 minutes for the product to absorb, and leaves little to no oily residue on clothes or bed sheets.

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♥ Cocoa, Vanilla and Cassia Soy Candle

You can’t really go wrong with Soy Candles. Their scent is far more potent than bees wax blends, they’re environmentally friendly, and soy wax is soooo much easier to clean off the carpet! Trust me! I find that this is the perfect candle to burn throughout winter – it reminds me of baking scones, drinking hot chocolates, and is temptingly spicy and warm. Perfect for the chillier months when you’re wrapped up in your doona cocoon, and the packaging is sleek and stylish too.

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♥ Lavender, Manuka and Wild Chamomile Essential Oil Blend

If you’re a light sleeper and like me have a serious case of ‘monkey-mind’ come bed time, give essential oils a go for a completely natural method of relaxation. This one’s made for use in a burner to achieve the best effect, but I can imagine adding a few drops to a nice, hot bath would be a sweet experience too.

Stockists: The Aromatherapy Company products are available from David Jones stores, and a few other select locations.

Have you tried aromatherapy products before? What are you favourite scents and benefits?

Review by Camilla Peffer, “Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”

Be well,

xoxo

♥

Those who know me and my style of baking are well aware that I try to use natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar in my baking projects. I am forever playing around with natural sweeteners such as coconut sugar/raw honey/date paste, in order to ‘healthify’ any dessert recipe!

You can only imagine my curiosity and excitement when a package of Natvia goodies was express posted to my door. The healthy baking goddess inside me was screaming out, YAY!

♥ Stevia Plant

♥ What It Is:

Natvia is a natural sweetener made from Reb A stevia, and erythritol. Reb A is the purest and sweetest parts of the stevia plant, and erythritol is naturally occurring nectar in fruits, such as melons and grapes.

♥ Health Benefits:

Natvia is 100% natural and fructose free, has 95% fewer calories than sugar, contains no aspartame, or saccharin and it’s great for baking and cooking.
Another bonus- Natvia tastes nothing like artificial sweeteners. Because it’s natural, there are no nasty chemicals and no bitter aftertaste.

♥

♥ Recipe Idea:

An interesting ingredient calls for an even more interesting recipe. But what could I possibly make!?!? Muffins…boring. Cookies…done that. Raspberry Streusel Bars that are both gluten free and vegan?…Delicious. These even got the thumbs up from the guys at work. Bonus!

Recipe adapted from: www.elanaspantry.com

Makes 16 bars

♥

♥ Crust:

– 2 cups almond meal
– ¼ teaspoon sea salt
– 2 tablespoons coconut oil
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon water
• Pulse ingredients together in a food processor until dough forms a ball
• Press dough into a lined square baking pan
• Bake at 180°c (fan forced) for 12 minutes

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♥ Streusel Topping:

– ¼ cup coconut oil
– ¼ cup almond meal
– 2 tablespoons Natvia
– ½ teaspoon sea salt
– 1 cup walnuts
– ½ cup shredded coconut

• Pulse oil, almond flour, natvia and salt together in a food processor until combined
• Briefly pulse in walnuts and coconut, so they are left coarse, not pulverized
• Set streusel aside

♥

♥ Filling:

– 1 cup raspberries (either frozen or fresh)
– 4 pitted medjool dates (soak in water for a few hours before to soften)

• Process raspberries and the soaked dates in a food processor or blender until combined
• Spread raspberry mixture over warm crust
• Sprinkle streusel topping over raspberry mixture
• Bake at 180°c for 15 minutes
• Cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours to set
• Cut up & serve!

Store remaining bars in the fridge for up to 1 week.

♥

These bars can also be served warm as a delightfully healthy autumn dessert. Just add a little vanilla ice cream or Greek yoghurt & raw honey. See, life without refined sugar isn’t so bad at all!

♥ Where To Find It:
Natvia can be found at Coles and Woolworths or online, try Aussie Health Products.

Find out more about quitting sugar with Sarah Wilson’s “I QUIT SUGAR” E-book!

Article by Kavisha, self confessed ‘health foodie’ who believes a little dessert is good for the soul. She is currently studying for her Master of Wellness at RMIT University and blogs at Style My Coconut.

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I like the idea of health-conscious cafes, but I don’t like the ‘judgy’ vibes some of them have. You go there happy to slurp up vege soup and crunch raw things, but while you’re doing it you also want to be able to chat to your mate about how you stayed up all night and drank a buttload of red wine, without having to deal with the ‘you should really cut back on the booze and try to get more sleep’ glares from your fellow diners (yes, you can say all that in a facial expression).

The better cafes are ones that put an emphasis on healthy eating, and healthy product purchases, but acknowledge that lifestyle enjoyment comes in many forms. Yelo Café really hits the bullseye in this regard: at Yelo, vegan wraps and green juices sit alongside giant slabs of chocolate brownies and strong creamy coffees, and nobody gets their goat up about which combo you choose.

♥

Formerly the Bennion Street Café, Yelo is right on Trigg Beach; its clientele are mostly local, and often hit Yelo post surf/power walk (there’s always a few doggehs out front!). That said, the surfers are mixed in with more urban yo-pros: it’s a real diverse clientele. Yelo’s ‘Clean Carparks’ fruit and veg juice is a healthy favourite, Yelo also do acai smoothies, and have a fridge full of coconut water (including fresh young coconut), fruit juices and organic sodas.

♥

Their coffee is made from Fiori beans and Bannister Downs milk and served in a BioCup: it’s the best for miles around (there’s two coffee machines on the go so you get it quick, too).

Hydration choices aside, the best thing about Yelo is their wholesome, fresh, home-made menu of ‘snacks’. Favourites reel: the Vegan wrap, the gluten-free spinach and mushroom frittata, the oatbran muffins, the gluten-free macaroon slice and the bircher museli, but there’s also plenty of breakfast wraps, tuna patties, croissants, sandwiches and sweet treats on offer: many of which are vegan, or gluten free.

♥

Take in the sprawling ocean views while you wait for your order: or be tempted by Yelo’s ‘provedore’ section, curated with wellness in mind: for sale are healthy cereal boxes, Yogi Bliss trail mixes, Serenade Organic Skincare, Abhi’s Bread, Ecoya soy candles, surf wax and plenty of other goodies.

Yelo is located at 331 West Coast Drive, Trigg.
Contact: 9447 9441 or email yelo@bigpond.com

By Thousands Perth City Guide editor Danielle Marsland, who, in the words of Donovan, is just mad about Yelo.

Be well,

xoxo

♥

My love affair with rosehip oil has spanned many years now, an old faithful amber liquid that when pressed gently into my skin each night results in a glowy complexion like no other, and a far lower incidence of breakouts.

It’s been a while since I shared my adoration of the hips of roses on here, so allow me to chat a little about the three latest rosehip oil variants that are currently visiting my face on a regular basis!

♥

♥ KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr – Luxurious Rosehip Oil

Let’s just be up front here. Anything that Miranda Kerr uses, the majority of the female population want in on it. Her rosehip oil with noni juice combo is no different. This product, rich in skin nourishing Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), contains noni extract, organic rosehip, jasmine, rose and pomegranate oils. Yum. This is a fantastic blend and a nice little variation on the plain rosehip oil formula. Just close your eyes and pretend you’re married to Orlando Bloom whilst patting it into your skin… $44.95 for 15ml.

♥

♥ Naturlea – Be Gorgeous Organic Rosehip Oil

I love this one for a few reasons. First up, the size is awesome for the price! 50ml of rosehip oil will last you a lonnnng time if you use it sparingly, and you only really need 2-3 drops if you’re applying it to your face. Don’t forget that your face needs to be wet when you put the oil on! This helps it spread out more easily and ensures your skin wont feel super oily.

The other great feature, is that this has a tiny bit of rose oil included in it, so your face will smell beautiful afterwards and the rose oil also has beneficial properties. An excellent value for money choice at $32 for 50ml! 🙂

♥

♥ Bloom Organic Rosehip Oil

This one is currently occupying most-reached-for status. Mostly because it’s in the easiest spot on the bench, and I really like serums/oils that come with glass droppers as it makes it really, really, really easy to get the exact amount of product onto your face or hands. The other two are in pump bottles, which is good for using over a larger area, but I find that nothing beats the glass dropper for precision rosehip oil application!

$25 for 15ml.

Have you tried Rosehip Oil before? Do any of these brands take your fancy? Lets chat!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

When I think of the ingredients on my shopping list that make my senses a little bit excited, my mind wanders: the fantastic pop of colour carrots add to my summer salads, the unique flour alternatives such as rice flour to mix through home-made muffins or pancakes, and beetroot, which is messy, but oh-so delicious. So you can imagine my surprise when I heard these foods were in the Ere Perez natural cosmetics I was to review! Since they arrived on my door-step, the oh-so delicious products continue to make me that little bit more excited every day.

♥

♥ Natural Rosehip Oil Lipbar – $21.95

I love everything about this product. From the subtle, nude colour, to the way it just glides onto my lips, to the hydrating Rosehip Oil and SPF15 in it. I’ve been using it almost every day, and unlike a lot of lipsticks and glosses, it doesn’t leave my lips feeling dry afterwards, instead they feel nourished and fresh!

♥ Natural Beetroot Cheek and Lip Tint – $29.95

There isn’t much sexier than a flawless face and red lip, and whilst the flawless face may not always be achieved on a day to day basis (unless you’re a Kardashian) a good red lip definitly can be! The Beetroot Cheek and Lip tint is perfect for adding glamour to your lips, however be sure to use it fast, as the tint does begin to soak in immediately and can look blotchy if you don’t apply speedily!

♥

♥ Natural Almond Oil Mascara – $28.95

Whilst I do swear by my L’Oreal mascara, this one is nearly as impressive. It lengthens and separates the eyelashes wonderfully, and also has the added goodness of containing Almond Oil as an extra treat for the lashes.

♥ Natural Tinted Rice Powder – $37.95

I don’t like to wear a lot of make-up however a sweep of bronzer always makes an appearance and Ere Perez has a fabulous bronzer. The Tinted Rice Powder in Rose is perfect for women of all skin tones wanting to add a natural colour to their cheeks or eyes with a chemical-free product, did I mention it’s completely vegan too?!

♥ Natural Carrot Cheek and Lipbalm – $27.95

Small, compact and nourishing, the Natural Carrot Cheek and Lip Balm adds a little bit of uplifting colour to your lips or cheeks for busy days or wine filled nights. I think it’s the ideal product to have in all of your handbags or to give to girlfriends as gifts.

What do you think of these all vegan and natural products? Would you give something like ‘carrot balm’ a go?

Written by Jade, lover of all things rosehip, carrots and a good red lip!

Be well,

xoxo