Daily Wellness Routine: Karen Fischer – Specialist Skin Nutritionist, Best-Selling Author & Creator of Skin Friend.

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First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

I am a nutritionist and mum of two, author and girl boss of Skin Friend, and I get a kick out of wearing hats, doing yoga and designing supplements.

My life in skin care feels like a natural progression from my awful teenage years where I suffered with severe hand dermatitis and a couple of years in my adult life where I had a painful case of head-to-toe eczema and severe multiple chemical intolerances that left me unable to eat much at all. Social isolation became my life until I found the solution to my skin problems. After my daughter recovered from eczema I wrote The Eczema Diet, and for the past 20 years I have worked with thousands of people with skin issues. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that skin wellness is not only about the foods you eat — this is important, but so is mental wellness, relaxation and dampening the stress response.

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I wanted to share this information so I have just launched my latest health book The Healthy Skin Kitchen.

I also have a new online program to help people with eczema at www.healthyskinkitchen.com.

What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

I wake up at 5.30am (most days) and aim for seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep is king.

What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?

I have a high-pressure job and I have recently successfully recovered from an auto-immune condition, so this routine helps me to stay well and feel relaxed and happy. It has been life changing. I usually wake at 5.30am, drink a large glass of water and then I meditate for 45 minutes or I’ll do a beach walk. Then I have breakfast and do creative visualizations and vagus nerve wellness exercises for up to an hour to calm down my nervous system. I’m obsessed with wildflowers and gardening so a few times a week I’ll wander through my garden, pulling up weeds as my two kittens follow me around.

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Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Food is joy. There was a time when I couldn’t eat much at all, so I celebrate meal times and make exceptions when I eat out with friends.

When I am at home, this is my usual routine:

♥ Breakfast is a massive bowl of porridge or overnight oats (1 cup of raw oats cooked in water and oat milk) and The Blue Healer smoothie from The Healthy Skin Kitchen.

♥ As I get up so early, I have a snack at 11am (leftover smoothie and a few protein balls) and then lunch at 12.30, which is usually a home-made wrap (Oat and Leek Flatbread) with a black bean San Choy Bau filling.

♥ Dinners can consist of some type of healthy soup, sweet potato vermicelli stir-fry with chicken, leek, spring onion and red cabbage, or a Sunday lamb roast with roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, carrots and potato and rosemary, which I enjoy with my family.

♥ I drink lots of water throughout the day.

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Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?

I naturally have super dry skin so I can’t live without my 24-Hour Rescue Balm, which I apply to my body each the morning after showering. It was a lifesaver when I had eczema. I also use a home-made face skin cream which has anti-aging peptides (I usually test my creations for years before I launch them online—this one is still in the testing phase). If I am going out in the sun I apply UberZinc by Synergie Skin, before applying light conceal-er, coloured lip gloss and a lick of mascara.

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Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!

In the morning I make a smoothie with an anti-inflammatory skin multivitamin, Skin Friend AM, and I add a teaspoon of hemp seed oil to keep my skin feeling hydrated. In the afternoon, about half an hour before dinner I have Skin Friend PM – it contains magnesium, calcium and glycine to promote a good night’s sleep.

Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

I used to have major sleep problems, so now I meditate and do breathing exercises before bed. I practice being present, which is basically focusing on my breathing and switching off any thoughts for as long as possible. Plus I use a massage ball to relax my shoulders and neck. This routine (plus Skin Friend PM) knocks me out at night — it’s brilliant.

What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?

Cooking in my kitchen, resting and drinking 2-3 litres of water daily.

Those are my wellness basics… if I don’t drink enough water I get headaches. If I don’t rest enough I feel stressed and lethargic, and if I eat other people’s food too often my skin looks awful.

♥ BSKT Cafe

Your absolute favourite healthy cafe on the Gold Coast is?

BSKT Café on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Best place to get a green juice or smoothie in your city?

Same as above.

Favourite farmers market or place to shop for healthy goodies?

Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market.

What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?

I do yoga 2-3 times a week. I previously did yoga every day but I have cut my routine in half as I have decided to chill more and be less busy.

♥ Blue Healer Smoothie

What’s the one beauty or wellness treatment you can’t live without?

I can’t live without The Blue Healer smoothie from The Healthy Skin Kitchen. I also recently treated myself to a hydra facial at Light Years Skin Studio in Broadbeach — it included LED light therapy which made me feel so relaxed and pampered.

You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?

I’m usually too busy to do much prep, but I might buy a new dress and get my hair blow dried at my favourite hairdresser before the event.

♥ Poondhara Falls by Steven Crook

If you could have the ultimate day of wellness & happiness, what would it involve and where would you go?

Wellness for me includes being in nature, so I would go to one of the waterfall walks on the Gold Coast, then I would drive to the coast and dive into the ocean and spend the afternoon under a beach umbrella with a good book.

What’s your dream wellness vacay?

I am a ‘stay at home and potter in my garden’ kind of woman but if I had to indulge it would be to a health retreat that included yoga, nature walks and daily massages—actually that sounds pretty blissful.

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And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

It’s usually an eczema product, but once a week I use Oat and Zinc Bath Powder as a face scrub during my morning shower. It ‘polishes’ the skin on my face to make it silky smooth then I apply moisturiser, it also helps my skin care soak in quickly for a lovely hydrated, matte finish.

Thank you to Karen for taking the time to share her wonderful, inspiring & skin friendly routine! To find out more and follow along, head to the Skin Friend website or Instagram!

Be well,

xoxo

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6 Ways to Enjoy A 5-Star Wellness Retreat At Home.

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If you’ve ever been on a yoga or wellness retreat, you’ll know the wondrous sense of wellbeing, calm, & mental clarity that they can bring to your mind, body & soul.

Yet, for many, taking a week off to retreat remains a luxury that can only happen once in the rarest of blue moons.

For some, overbooked schedules, projects at work, & feeling guilty about taking time off are the culprits. While for others struggle with financial concerns, not knowing what to look for in a retreat, or not wanting to go alone. But whichever category you fall into, we’ve got you covered with the next best thing…

Find your zen with these 6 dreamy, DIY wellness retreat tips & activities that can be incorporated into even the busiest of Google calendars. All you need is the comfort of your own home – you can choose to invite a wellness loving friend along on your soulful journey – or go it alone. And if you’re extremely time poor, why not select just one tip to weave into your week – every little bit counts.

Book It Now!

It’s amazing how quickly the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months. Time can fly by, and come July all our New Year’s Resolutions have faded from memory.

So instead of procrastinating on self-care, set a date for yourself now!

Pick up your favourite pen and diary (or Google calendar), choose an upcoming weekend you don’t have plans for already, and make time for YOU!

♥ Yoga mat from Wild Mingo

Dust Off Your Yoga Mat

What better way to reinvigorate your spirits than some targeted minutes of yoga & meditation? Meditation helps to relax your body, calm your mind as well as improve your mental health, and yoga will have you feeling relaxed and connected to your body.

We recommend investing in a beautiful mat to make your home practice even more luxurious – our top pick is the stunning, and eco-friendly, Wild Mingo ‘Dot’ Mat (pictured above).

To make your time even more worthwhile, guide yourself with some yoga & meditation apps.

Our favourite recommendations are Insight Timer (meditation), Soul Alive (meditation) & Glo (yoga) – for a virtually unlimited supply of zen-inducing inspiration to help clear and energise your mind.

For some extra inspo – check out our list of the best Aus & NZ yoga and fitness classes!

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Turn your Skin Care Into A Ritual

Really taking time with applying your skincare is a great way to get the retreat feels flowing. By using natural face and body products that are sans harmful chemicals and ingredients, you can truly feel & know on a physical & mental level that you’re taking care of yourself in the best possible way.

Find a time where you wont be disturbed, get cosy in a deluxe dressing gown, close your eyes when applying the products and be mindful throughout the process. Pay attention to how the product feels on your skin, inhale the scents, and enjoy this moment you’ve created for yourself.

You can light up some candles and play your favourite tunes in the background to relax. The bottom line is to be mindful when you apply the products, so the application process becomes a form of meditation in itself.

Pop on a face mask to prepare you for the next step…

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Take a Warm Bubble Bath

There are so many physical and mental benefits of bathing, especially if you include some luxe epsom salts & essential oils to dial up the experience, so indulging in a warm bath is another must-do relaxing activity during your wellness retreat – why not have a soak morning AND night if you really want to treat yourself?!

Remember – you are not in a hurry, so take the time to slowly prepare the bath, pour in the epsom salts & your preferred amount of oil, make sure the temperature is perfect for you, set the mood with some soy candles, & lay out that cute robe from earlier for when you’re done – our eyes are firmly set on these gorgeous Cactus Green & Muted Clay waffle robes from Kip & Co.

Slide into the blissful oasis you’ve created, keep your glass of wine (organic, natural & vegan, of course) at arm’s reach as you soak up all that loveliness, and listen to a self-love podcast while you wonder to yourself why you don’t do this EVERY weekend.

♥ Soulara Gochujang Goddess Noodles

Wholefoods are a Whole Mood

While we’re taking care of our outer wellbeing with stretching, skin care, bathing & long walks – let’s not forget to treat our inner self to some retreat-y goodness too.

This could be in the form of blitzing up green smoothies, lovingly putting together wholefood & home-cooked meals, or if you’d like to take the hassle out of it all and really feel like you’re on retreat, you could try a pre-prepared healthy vegan meal service, such as Soulara, Plant Made Crew, or a vegan My Foodie Box (if you wanna do a little cooking yourself!). All of their meals will leave you feeling completely nourished & cared for, so you can pretend you have a private chef for the weekend.

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Go For a Long, Slow, Walk in Nature

During the hustle and bustle of rushing to get to work on time, we miss out on many of the amazing natural sights around us. Our recommended way to start or end your wellness retreat is to go for a long walk in nature.

Take a 30-90 minute walk around your neighbourhood, local beach or even at Kings Park. Enjoy the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. Mindfully take notice of birds, local wildlife, flora & anything else that catches your eye. You’ll be amazed at the beauty you’ve been missing, and will definitely feel refreshed and more at peace afterwards.

The importance of having an exclusive ‘me’ time should not be underestimated. You don’t need to save for a whole month before you can enjoy a 5-star wellness retreat.

A day, or even just a few hours here and there can do wonders for your mind and body.

So go ahead and give yourself that much-deserved treat.

Written by Mel Driver & edited by Annette. Mel is an award winning skincare formulator and the founder of Merindah Botanicals, a 100% natural range of face and body care products for busy women who want something quick, easy to apply yet delivers results. Find out more about Merindah Botanicals on Instagram & Facebook.

Be well,

xoxo

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Soulara Vegan Meal Delivery Review – 1 Month of Plant-Based Eating, Sorted (2022).

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Recently I had the absolute pleasure of trialling a months worth of nourishing, plant-based, & best of all, delicious – meals (12 per week + drinks and a snack) from Soulara. I’d been seeing their stunning looking vegan meals beckoning me on social media for some time now, so decided to take the plunge when I was offered the chance to give myself a little nourishment, and break from cooking, for a month.

12 meals a week worked out to be lunch & dinner (sometimes I had one for brekky instead!) for 6 days of the week, and I allowed myself a day off to enjoy a yummy dinner & drinks out with my boyfriend one night on the weekend – because #balance.

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Week 1 – What’s in the box?!

Coming home from a loooong day running around at my retail job, I was thrilled to see my Soulara box sitting patiently on my doorstep on a balmy, late autumn evening – I felt filled with hope and possibility for the coming 4 weeks and super excited to unpack my box. After tearing it open and removing the handy ice-packs which will keep the meals cool if you’re not home when they’re delivered, I was very happy with my first weekly selection which included…

Morning Ritual – a nourishing and delish quinoa-based, brekky oats style dish with apricots and pistachios (pictured above) – I’ll take this moment to note, one of the best things about Soulara, is that their menu changes VERY regularly. Unfortunately this dish is no longer available – sad face – BUT there are currently some Raspberry Ripple Oats, Bushwalker’s Granola & Ruby Sunrise Chia Pudding that also sound like the perfect way to start your morning.

Cold-pressed cleansing juice pack – all of the juices taste so fresh, and the packaging is super cute. I used to run a juice cleanse company so I have high standards for juices, and these ones make the grade.

BBQ Black Bean Casserole – my fave of all the dishes! IT’S SO GOOD.

The first lunch dish I tried was a low-calorie Mushroom Bourguignon with Black Garlic Mash – the mushies are plump and the mashed potato tastes incredible. I love this dish, there’s so much depth to the flavours (hi red wine, herbs, olive oil, tomato, carrots + more). And it also reminds me just HOW GOOD mashed potato is, and that I want to add this healthy comfort food into my life more regularly.

The next morning I had a little misadventure. Hot tip for all – make sure you read the note that’s on top of the container! I accidentally microwaved my Morning Ritual brekky which was meant to be consumed cold, it was still super yummy though, and while I was a bit worried as it’s a somewhat smaller dish than I’d normally have for breakfast, it was very filling, and I found myself craving it on the weeks when this dish wasn’t on my menu.

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Week 2 – Feelin’ Nourished

By now my body is settling into the routine of regular, protein-rich, nutritionally-balanced meals that, admittedly, it may not have been getting so regularly before between working a day job, late-night job, running a website, being a cat mom, spending time with my boyfriend & friends, and trying to squeeze in some exercise and sleep somewhere in amongst the madness.

This week my highlights were…

Kombuchas! I really have to say, the Soulara team have absolutely outdone themselves with their kombucha offering – with super unique and delicious flavours (hello Coconut and Lime, Wild Berry, & Turmeric, Ginger & Pear). If these were available to buy as 750ml bottles, I would definitely have them on hand at all times as I reckon they’re better than anything on the market at the moment.

Work lunch has become a breeze – no more trawling Coles with the hope of finding a random vegan option. My colleagues can’t stop asking about what I’m eating, and I can’t stop raving about it in response.

♥ Cloud Tofu Hoisin Noodles

Dish of the week has got to be the Cloud Tofu Hoisin Noodles.

THIS. DISH. IS. BLOODY. INCREDIBLE. (Also how cute is the name?) I felt like I was having a life altering moment the first time I had it. Super high in protein, incredibly delicious, and I felt so stable, calm and nourished afterwards. Definitely include this in your menu if you decide to make an order!

Week 3 – Protein Powered

I ramped up my exercise this week in an effort to work towards shifting a couple of Covid kilos. I’m a strong believer in being comfortable with and loving your body at any size, but I’d gotten to the point where almost none of my clothes fit anymore, and the prospect of buying a whole new wardrobe wasn’t really vibing with the state of my bank account. In addition to this, a bit of work and blogging related stress had started to creep in, so I hoped that upping my weekly yoga & spin classes to a couple more sessions would help with that, too.

Due to this I decided to focus on some higher protein meals this week to give myself some more energy pre-training, and help my body recover properly post-training.

♥ Supercharged Satay!

Cue the Sunkissed Protein Pesto (30g protein) and Supercharged Satay (36g protein), the highest protein meals of the bunch. These two dishes had enough protein to impress my boyfriend, who is a keen gym-goer & very protein-conscious, plus I really felt like I did recover more quickly afterwards!

♥ Choc Chip Cookie Dough Bites… don’t mind if I do.

The bite-sized sweet treats really are the perfect little snack to have with a morning cup of tea, after lunch when the cravings inevitably hit, pre-workout, or before bed as a mini-dessert. The options are seriously endless. My favourites were the Choc Chip Cookie Dough Bites!

Week 4 – And the winner is…

It was an incredible month of nourishing meals. I shared a couple with friends and loved ones and everyone agreed – 100% delicious. I was the envy of my work colleagues and housemate, sorting out my meals for the day was always a breeze, and most importantly – I felt great.

Overall, my top 5 favourites and recommendations for those considering choosing Soulara for their plant-based meal deliveries are as follows:

♥ BBQ Black Bean Casserole – the well-balanced combination of flavours in this dish make it the perfect filling breakfast, lunch or dinner. While in the past I wouldn’t have called myself a massive seitan (a type of vegan meat substitute) fan in general, it’s done perfectly here. I would honestly eat this every day if I could.

♥ Coconut and Lime Kombucha – Put simply, this drink is bliss. It tastes like all your sun-soaked childhood summers distilled into a bottle. Plus it has the benefit of being loaded with gut-loving probiotics! Please infuse this into my veins immediately.

♥ Any of the curries – While all the meals were really yummy, where I felt Soulara really, really shone were their selections of Indian-inspired curries, such as the Golden Coconut Dahl, Earthen Seer Curry, Roots Unearthed Curry + more. These meals all helped me feel balanced, grounded and nourished, along with tasting amazing of course.

♥ Supercharged Satay – I’m a massive satay fan, and with 36 grams of protein, this dish is amazing for days when you’ve just come home from the gym and there is no known universe in which you’re going to have the energy to cook dinner for yourself. If it’s between UberEats and this dish, Supercharged Satay is winning hands down every time.

♥ Morning Ritual – the unique combination of quinoa, oat milk, apricots, pistachios, vanilla, minced ginger, maple syrup and coconut yoghurt all join together to create a real treat for the tastebuds. And leaves you feeling good all morning. 10/10 do recommend.

I loved my experience with Soulara and I’m looking forward to ordering from them again in future when I have a busy week or two coming up, it’s so comforting to know that you have a selection of fuss-free, 100% vegan dishes that are going to leave you feeling nourished at a moments notice, just waiting for you in the fridge / freezer. The other exciting thing is that Soulara’s in-house chefs and dietitians work together to create new and exciting meals every week, so there’s always something new and exciting being added to the menu. For someone like me who LOVES variety and fun in what they eat – this is a big one for me.

If you’re thinking of taking the plant-based plunge, feel free to ask me any questions below, or over on the ‘gram -> @wellnesswa & make sure you head on over to the Soulara menu to pick out some tasty dishes for yourself!

Be well,

xoxo

Annette

Posted in Food, Reviews | Comments Off on Soulara Vegan Meal Delivery Review – 1 Month of Plant-Based Eating, Sorted (2022).

Daily Wellness Routine: Katie Eales, Founder of Sabbia Co.

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First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

I grew up in Port Douglas, in a half Italian / half Australian household. Growing up diving the Great Barrier Reef, camping under the stars and eating 90% homegrown was where I found my deep love and appreciation for the planet. I moved to the Gold Coast to study marketing straight after year 12, I then went on to travel throughout many Asian countries, Europe and the States. In 2017 I met my husband Dave, in 2018 we found ourselves on a remote beach in Sri Lanka and were devastated over the amount of single-use personal items we were surrounded by.

When we arrived home we decided to minimise all single-use items in our home. As we started to research and test reusable products we fell in love with many amazing sustainable swaps. Our mission was no longer to overhaul our home but everyone else’s. And this is when Sabbia Co was born (September 2019). An ethical brand with minimal impact on the environment, that creates unique facial kits out of sustainable, biodegradable, reusable and chemical free tools. Along with sustainably sourced and packaged skincare that is formulated by myself.

Sabbia translates to sand in Italian. I’m half Italian and the purpose of what we do at Sabbia Co is to create sustainable products that can go back into the Earth like a grain of sand.

What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

We wake up at 4/4.30am each weekday and aim to get to sleep by 8.30pm – 7-8 hours beauty sleep is essential!

What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?

Dave wakes up at 4am, does his morning meditation and mini workout then comes in with coffee and I get up around 4.30am. I start every morning with coffee in bed and meditation before anything else. I then go for a beach walk, Pilates or yoga around 5/5.30, shower, breakfast and journaling if I have time before getting into the office at 7.30am.

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I start the morning with a glass of water then coffee with oat milk, I drink 3-4L of water throughout the day and limit myself to 1 coffee. Breakfast is either avo and egg on sourdough or coconut yogurt with muesli and banana.

Lunch varies between rice paper rolls, sushi and wraps. Dinner is also always different (stirfry, salad, rice bowls or pasta), I am currently pregnant so trying to incorporate organic read meat, chicken or salmon a little more than usual. We both have a sweet tooth, I try to make healthy bliss balls and cookies but we can’t go past a block of chocolate every now and then.

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Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?

Skincare is my biggest passion, hence Sabbia Co…

AM

Cleanse with konjac sponge and botanical glow cleanser, revive face mist, collagen c serum, multi-vitamin moisturiser, Ultra Violette SPF and Mineral BB Cream – everything is from our sustainable skincare brand Sabbia Co except for the sunscreen from Ultra Violette.

♥ Sabbia Co botanical glow cleanser

PM

Remove makeup with reusable makeup cloth, cleanse with konjac sponge and botanical glow cleanser, revive face mist, collagen c serum and multi-vitamin moisturiser. I alternate between facial treatments – matcha clay mask, overnight hydrating mask with multi-vitamin moisturiser or Gua Sha/Facial Cupping with our antioxidant repair oil.

Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

We eat dinner around 6pm so that we can clean up, have a stretch and begin to wind down. We have a no phones after 7.30/8pm rule which we both love!

What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?

Early wake up, meditation / movement and nourishment (food, mind, skin, soul)!

Favourite farmers market or healthy place to shop for healthy goodies.
Palm Beach farmers markets every Saturday. The olive sourdough is my staple! And I love being able to eat seasonal vegetables and fruits from local farmers.

What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?

Beach walk, pilates and yoga – I’ve done my yoga and pilates teacher training so I tend to create my own flows at home.

I studied at Studio Pilates in Brisbane, Essence of Living and Fire Shaper on the Gold Coast. I don’t teach as it was more of a self exploration study but I love to practice in the comfort of my home or reformer Pilates at Ritual in Palm Beach.

If you could only wear one brand of activewear for the rest of your life it would be…

Lululemon.

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

Gua Sha and Facial Cupping – seriously life changing! We have a free ebook so that our customers can learn and perform in the comfort of their own homes.

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t got around to yet?

Facial massage, I have done it to myself but I would love to find somewhere where I can have a professional perform it on me.

Are you into any woo-woo wellness trends?

Very much so, I read my cards and manifest with the new moon each month. The cards I use & love are Wisdom Of Gaia by: Toni Carmine Salerno.

Thanks to Katie for taking the time to share her lovely routine with us – head to the Sabbia Co website to find out more about their sustainable beauty products!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Interviews | Comments Off on Daily Wellness Routine: Katie Eales, Founder of Sabbia Co.

The 6 Can’t-Live-Without Pieces from Under Armour that you NEED in 2022 (Womens & Mens!)

♥ Under Armour Brand House – Karrinyup

With a brand new year comes brand new opportunities to rework the bits & pieces of your life that maybe weren’t 100% in 2021.

For me, I’m making health and fitness my top priority this year. I’ve cut down my work hours to 25 hours and have scheduled 3 days off each week, and the hours that I am working are based around attending specific yoga & fitness classes in the mornings and afternoons.

Put simply – ya girl is serious about getting fit again. I have about 10 kilos that I’d like to lose in order to be within the healthy weight range and feeling like my best self (I know it’s unpopular to talk about losing weight, but it’s my truth and I think it’s important to share that you can still love yourself, and also have weight loss goals).

With that said, when the opportunity came up to visit the new Under Armour Brand House Karrinyup, I was very keen! What better way to start a new year and kick some goals than with a fresh new wardrobe from one of the most popular activewear brands on the market? There’s just something so motivating about a new outfit, and I’m more than happy to draw on every available resource (psychological or not!) to help me hit my goals.

I have to admit that I was fairly unaware of Under Armour before trying their clothing – but after visiting them at their brand new Karrinyup digs late last year – now I can’t go a single day without spotting many multiple people sporting their gear!

I also convinced my boyfriend, Ben, who has some 2022 fitness goals of his own, to give a few pieces a whirl – and he’s also a convert.

We’ve put together a list of our top 3 pieces each in the Women’s & Men’s categories – to help you hit your own health & fitness goals in 2022 – let’s dive in.

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♥ Meridian Bike Shorts

Starting this list with any other piece than the Meridian Bike Short just wouldn’t make sense, it’s pretty much all I’ve been wearing for the past 4 months – chillin’ at home? Check. Going for a run? Check. Heated yoga? Check. HIIT workout? Check. Popping down to the shops for a bag of chips? Check.

What I like so much about this unassuming short, is that it’s the perfect length (8 inches), super soft and high-waisted while not being constricting and uncomfortable on the tummy, doesn’t cut in on the thigh, is squat-proof, and also has pockets (yaaaay!).

It really is the perfect all-rounder short for WHATEVER you want to do! I will admit, at first I wasn’t sure because I normally like my bike shorts slightly shorter than this, but I’ve since been won over and the little bit of extra length means I’m not constantly tugging down my shorts during my workout.

I will note that if you’re using this for more intense exercise, over time the fabric will become a little textured – not quite pilling but just a more brushed texture rather than smooth. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but having worked in the activewear industry for many years now – I know this is an issue for some people. So if you’re super particular about keeping your fabric 100%, I’d recommend hand washing in cool water, laying flat to dry, and just using these for more gentle exercise like yoga and pilates.

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♥ UA Rush Tank

What’s a pair of shorts without the perfect matching tank top to go with it? The UA Rush Tank is a light-weight, super sweat friendly tank top that comes in plain black and is the perfect pal to pair with your Meridian Shorts.

I find myself reaching for this one when I’ve off to a functional strength class at FitStop, a run, or heated yoga. I love that it’s a slightly looser fit, which I find very flattering and I don’t have to worry about fabric clinging. You can do a tiny tuck of the tank into the shorts so the top doesn’t fly over your head during downward dog, and the extra breeze on my arms during a super sweaty workout is very much appreciated.

It doesn’t stick to your body and is ultra quick drying too – love this addition to my fitness wardrobe!

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♥ HOVR Phantom 2 Intelliknit Running Shoes

I was immediately drawn to these shoes because I felt like they had a “cyber hacker babe” vibe to them, and that is how I wish to view myself moving forward.

The Intelliknits are super comfortable to wear, and I’m reaching for them without fail every single time I go for a lap around the local park, jog around Lake Monger, or even if I’ve just got a busy day filled with lots of errands about town.

They come in loads of different styles and designs, and truth be told I want absolutely all of them.

I would highly recommend these for anyone looking for a cute, lightweight walking / running shoe that’ll make you feel like you’re walking on air.

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♥ Rush Compression Long Sleeve Top and Shorts (Men’s UA Rush Heatgear 2.0 Long Sleeve & and half tights)

It is Under Armour’s compression line that intrigued me the most when I was browsing their collection. I have been using compression garments for years, and they have become particularly important to me as I have gotten older. I’m nearly 40, and increased muscle soreness is just a reality of staying active as you enter middle age.
I have tried a lot of brands, but never Under Armour and I have to say I am impressed. The first thing I noticed is just how light they are compared to other compression garments I have tried. It is a revelation. When I wear compression gear I just expect to be hot after a workout, but not with Under Armour Rush. It kept me cool and comfortable for my entire 70 minute session, and still provided me with the support I expect from a compression garment. If you have tried other brands and found the heat too much, I definitely recommend giving Under Armour a try. The Rush compression line really impressed me and they are very competitively priced.

You can find the shorts here, and the top here.

♥

♥ UA Streaker Run Short Sleeve

This, in my opinion, is the perfect workout shirt. It is so light weight and well ventilated that I knew as soon as put it on it would go the distance. As you can seen from the name, it is designed for running, but this top was equally as good in the gym. I had excellent range of motion and I barely felt its presence my entire workout. I love the cut of this shirt as well. Confidence is a significant element of a successful training regime. If you feel that positive energy about yourself, and about what you are doing, working out does not need to be a chore. I feel good in this shirt and that positive energy lets me push that little bit harder. I know that is a lot to put on shirt, but this is my go to if I am feeling little down before a workout and need a boost.

On top of that, it is literally half the price of other brands that are not even half as good as this. Highly recommended! You can find it online here.

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♥ UA Project Rock 4 Training Shoes

Okay, I admit it, I did not know that Under Armour did shoes. That is on me though because their collection is pretty impressive and includes a great selection of running and training shoes all the way to more practical varieties like hiking boots and protective gear.
I tried the Project Rock 4 Training shoes and what a find they were. I have always worked out in runners because I thought ‘Whatever, shoes are shoes.’ Well I was wrong, very wrong. In fact, I have been denying myself the extra support and stability you can get from shoes that are designed for purpose. Shoes that give you that little bit more confidence taking one those extra weight plates, that take the pressure off your ankle and let you power through a movement.

The Project Rock 4 does just that. As soon as you put them on you can feel the difference, with a knit compression collar that softly, but firmly, cradles your ankle. I immediately felt more stable. A rubber strap bisects the foot from the laces to the arch to provide that extra structure you just do not get with runners. This is a must for anyone looking to improve their balance doing weighted squats, lunges or deadlifts. You will feel the confidence you need to go for little bit heavier, and get those gains a little bit faster.

We tried on all of this fab gear at the Under Armour Brand House Karrinyup, where the staff were incredibly sweet, helpful and positive – it was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend popping in to check out their latest goodies if you’re in the area!

Have you tried the Under Armour brand before? What are your ‘must have’ pieces? Head on over to Instagram and let us know @wellnesswa!

Be well,

Annette & Ben

xoxo

*Products provided by Under Armour for consideration, opinions are our own.

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