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Situated on the peace loving side of South Fremantle, Ootong & Lincoln is my latest go-to healthy café. Serving breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, their exciting menu is quite extensive and offers a great range of vegan and vegetarians options. The range of deliciously sinful (in-house) baked goodies are your skinny jeans’ worst nightmare. BE AWARE. You will be overwhelmed by choice!

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This was my third dining experience at O&L. The first time I indulged in a delectably moist slice of carrot cake and a freshly squeezed juice (which came served in the cutest glass jug!) The second time, I enjoyed a tasty roast veggie frittata with a sweet potato side salad. This time it was breakfast time!

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Although the green smoothie (apple, greens, lemon, kiwi, banana, chia) sounded tempting, I opted for an iced green tea, along with the mushroom, tomato, fetta, rocket and basil pesto on sourdough. YUM! My vegan dining buddy also opted for a savoury option, choosing the tomato and avocado on sourdough. Both dishes looked amazing and were enthusiastically received. The food was so flavorsome and fresh and demolished accordingly 😛

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O&L use ingredients that are both locally sourced and organic (bonus!), and the prices are quite fair for the generous portions you receive. The service is friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed and casual. Grab yourself a comfy couch or a spot on the long communal table and share with friendly strangers. The place can get quite busy on weekends, so I’d get in early!

Ootong & Lincoln is open 7 days a week, serving breakfast & lunch from 6.30AM-5PM.

Address: 258 South Terrace, South Fremantle, (08) 9335 6109
Facebook: Ootong & Lincoln

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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As the summer warmth starts to fade, head indoors to try out the hot new fitness workout that is about to explode in Perth. Xtend Barre – total body sculpting with a fusion of dance, Pilates and ballet.

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A three day course in Melbourne last March with the amazing Rockell Williamson-Rudder was my introduction to the Xtend Barre ‘burn’. “This total body workout serves to strengthen, lengthen and stretch the body from top to bottom from the inside out. It gives the poise and grace of a dancer, with the strength and safety of Pilates, and creates stunning physiques.’’ Rockell Williamson-Rudder, Xtend Barre’s International Director.

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People of all ages are coming back for up to 3 to 4 classes a week. Those of you who are looking for a great cardio workout, a stronger core, increased flexibility and overall lengthening and firming of your muscles will love Xtend Barre. One of the best things about Xtend Barre is that we are able to modify every move so that everyone can get the best benefits for their body. It is great for pregnant ladies too, as most of the class is standing.

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Xtend Barre is a 55 min class using weights, balls and resistive tubing. After a little warm up to get the heart pumping, we add light hand weights to work the upper body. Did you always want to try ballet when you were younger? Or did you love your time at the barre and long to return? If yes, you will love the main part of the class which is at the barre. The leg work at the barre are all ballet focused moves (the best thing here is that you don’t have to have a ballet background for this). Finally we focus on the core and then follow with a warm down and stretch.

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All Xtend Barre teachers must have a Pilates accreditation so you can be confident you are in safe hands. We will always be observing to ensure your posture is correct and that you are getting the most benefit out of every move.

For the people out there who head to Jacobs Ladder (one of my personal favourite places) to give your legs and butt and great workout, you will love what Xtend Barre does. If Pilates sculpts the body, Xtend Barre chisels it.

♥ Renee

Check out www.xtendbarreaustralia.com.au to find a class near you.

See you at the Barre!

Article by Renee Kendall from RENZ Pilates. Renee is an Xtend Barre instructor, Pilates blogger at KORA Organics and general all-round fitness babe.

Be well,

xoxo

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I’ve read a lot of self-help books. They’re a not-so-secret pleasure of mine and I think they’re entirely under rated. I know a lot of people will march past the self-development section of the bookstore and laugh with scorn at the thought of guided self-improvement, but I’m pretty sure that when no one else is looking they tip-toe back and take a peek. And that’s okay.

It takes guts to admit that areas of your life need improving. So when you’re ready to take the leap, I’ll be waiting with a gold star for you. If you’re not quite there yet, then hear me out. Some self-help books are fluffy, self-indulgent tripe, but some are helpful at helping you pinpoint your erroneous zones with a powerful yet accessible message to get you back on that horse to Awesomeville. When Happiness Is Not Enough is one of the latter.

♥ Pleasure… or satisfaction? Definitely satisfaction!

One of the most important ideas author and psychologist Chris Skellett addresses first, is that we often think of pleasure and satisfaction as interchangeable. Do we take pleasure in our work? I’m sure many people do, but generally, we feel satisfied after a hard day’s work. I feel satisfied after I’ve spent an hour at the gym. But do I feel pleasure whilst I’m pounding the treadmill? Hell no!

Pleasure is short term, satisfaction is long term. And we need an equal balance of both. Even when I was reading the book, I had a goal in mind. Usually when I sit down to read a book, I try to get through 30 pages in one sitting rather than just enjoying the simple act of reading. Crazy, right? It’s much the same with other leisure activities, and I don’t believe I’m alone here. Overachievers will work hard, and play even harder. I really began to wonder if I actually enjoyed my hobbies.

When Happiness Is Not Enough shows you how the Pleasure/Achievement principle can be applied to all areas of your life, from work, to relationships, to family, to how to get the most out of leisure time. With equal emphasis on over-achievers and under-achievers, I found this book best read with small reflective breaks in between chapters to complete activities. If you feel like it’s high time you took your foot off the accelerator (or time to put your foot back on it), give this book a chance.

When Happiness Is Not Enough by Chris Skellett. Available from Amazon.com

Review by Camilla Peffer, Curator of Cunning Copy.

Be well,

xoxo

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There is something about the French – an attitude and a way of life that is so undeniably natural and effortless, a certain je ne sais quoi if you like.

Les femmes française (French women) have a lot to teach us Aussie lasses about their approach to beauty. The time I have spent in France and with French friends made me realize how little time they spend grooming. This is not to say they don’t put any effort in, they just don’t sweat the small stuff. Most let their hair air dry, wear little make up and generally engage in a healthy abandon we sometimes lack.

French women are adored all over the world for their elegant, chic and simplistic style and their coveted beauty, so it’s no wonder that the French produce some of the finest quality skincare and makeup brands in the world.

PHYT’S Naturo-Esthetique is one of these fine brands, specializing in certified organic skincare. The PHYT’S team have a passion for ecological sustainability and produce pure, chemical free therapeutic products that are not tested on animals. All PHYT’S products are certified by COSMEBIO – the Professional Association for Natural, Ecological and Organic Cosmetics. With products like this at their fingertips, its no wonder the French sport such unblemished, radiant complexions.

I was lucky enough to try out a few goodies from this gorgeous range of products and would highly recommend the following…

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♥ Activ’Peel Gentle Exfoliating Scrub – $38

I have un petit obsession with face scrubs. There is something about actually feeling the impurities lift from my face and feeling my skin refined and pores clear that rates highly with me when it comes to exfoliating. I’ve tried most exfoliants out there, but I absolutely loved this one! The smell (lemon oil, aloe vera, grapefruit oil, pansy oil and geranium oil), the texture and the refreshing feel afterwards: a glorious trio that make up the latest addition to my skincare regime.

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♥ Naturoderm Antiseptic – $31
I didn’t use this product as frequently as I used the others, mainly because it is for specific problems. When I did use it however, I found it was particularly effective on pimples – the St. Johns Wort ingredient helped to curb any of the bacteria spreading, while the sage and rose geranium helped to dry out and heal the spot. I am prone to breakouts and this antiseptic was great at stopping pimples in their tracks!

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♥ Shampooing Traitant – $36

This shampoo provided my hair with the exact amount of nourishment it was craving! After resolving to grow my balayage out (see, I am SO French!), I was on the hunt for some natural products to strengthen and restore my hair from it’s frazzled, dry and split end glory. The Phyt’s shampoo did just that, and my hair is now so much healthier and boasts a lovely natural shine. Infused with bitter orange and blackcurrant, it smells divine. I even had a couple of people tell me my hair smelt nice, which isn’t as weird as it sounds. And, it can be used daily…winner!

In Western Australia, only the residents of Bunbury have the luxury of receiving Phyt’s at Amanda’s Beauty, so head to the Phyt’s website to order online.

Review by Lucy, french skincare lovin’ lass.

Be well,

xoxo

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The evening of Saturday 31st of March saw about 20 health and wellness lovers get together at Performance Pilates and Physiotherapy Centre in West Perth to celebrate Earth hour by swapping lights for hundreds of gorgeous candles (some from Peachy Clean), and getting stuck into an hour long pilates class instructed by Renee from RENZ Pilates. I’ll admit this is not the usual way I spend my Saturday evenings, but it was such a special night and it’s made me realise that I do love exercising when the sun has gone down. There’s just something special about it!

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Renee had us stretching, toning, breathing and relaxing in varied and flowing pilates sequences. She is a great teacher, providing individual assistance to all participants and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience, I just knew my bum, legs, tum and arms were going to be sore the next day 🙂 Sure enough, for 2 days after the class I felt the sweet ache of exercise done well.

♥ A nice hip opener

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Audrey (owner of Performance Pilates & Physiotherapy) & our lovely instructor Renee of RENZ Pilates!

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Fancy pants advanced pilates moves after the class!

Hope you enjoyed reading about this fun and worthwhile event!

Wellness WA has plans to bring some reader events to you in the near future… would anyone be keen?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo