A basic Green Smoothie recipe!

I don’t think I’ve posted this recipe before, and I’ve had a truck load of people wanting to dip their toes into the wonderful world of these murky looking smoothies!

Green smoothies are one of a few things that make me feel on top of the world, full of energy & song. I cannot recommend them highly enough! Don’t be fooled by their sour looking appearance, they are actually pretty sweet and taste just like a regular berry / fruit smoothie (minus the milk!).

So, without further interference from me, here is a super basic recipe for a green smoothie from which all other recipes of mine stem from!

♥ 1/2 x cup of apple juice
♥ 1 x cup of water
♥ 1-2 x cups of washed, fresh baby spinach (you don’t generally want to use regular spinach as the taste is bitter / stronger)
♥ 1 x decent sized banana or 2 x small bananas
♥ 1/2-1 x cup of frozen fruit (your choice: blueberries, mango, raspberries… they’re all good!)

Get all that whizzing around in your blender and soon you’ll be be a convert, I 99.9% guarantee it.

If you would like some extra tips for experts, check out this Vogue Forum Green Smoothies thread for inspiration galore!

Let me know if you decide to try a green smoothie, otherwise you can come round to my joint and I’ll whip you one up PERSONALLY! Probably not actually, but I have converted a fair few skeptics this way!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Posted in Food, Wellness Tips | 18 Comments »

Product Review: Juice Beauty Cleansing Gel & Nutrient Moisturiser.

Juice Beauty- The Organic Solution

Most of us know the benefits of eating organic food such as less exposure to harmful pesticides and chemicals, but what about skincare? When you think that your skin absorbs up to 64% of what you put on it you probably want healthy ingredients in your skincare too. I’ve gradually been getting rid of as many nasty chemicals in my life, everything from cleaning products to shower gel has been changed and that’s when I stumbled upon a brand called “Juice Beauty”.

Juice Beauty was created in California by Karen Behnke a wellness entrepreneur whose mission was to create authentic organic beauty solutions to people worldwide. Juice Beauty contains no parabens, propylene, butylenes glycol, petroleum, sulphates, artificial dye and fragrances. What the brand does do, is contain is high grade certified organic ingredients, support local organic farmers, use solar power, and package its products using recyclable products and soy ink.

I’ve been using two products from the Juice Beauty range, the Cleansing Gel and the Nutrient Moisturiser.

The Cleansing Gel contains cherry and lemon juice both full of potent antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins A, B and C. This is combined with soothing sugar and coconut to gently remove impurities whilst protecting the skins natural barriers. This cleanser is suited to skins that are oily/combination, a great summer cleanser if you are prone to an oily T-zone like my skin. The cleanser has a light citrus smell which for some may take a little getting used to.

After cleansing I smooth on some Nutrient Moisturiser, a jar full of certified organic grape juice, vitamin rich carrot extract and nourishing essential fatty acids. This cream although designed for dry/mature skins actually works really well with my skin which is prone to dehydration in the cooler months. It’s rich in antioxidants and hyalauronic acid which nourishes and protects skin. Once warmed in hands and applied to skin, it is absorbed immediately for fresh, hydrated skin.

I only have one negative with Juice Beauty, it’s made in the US and not in Australia. Now if only I can find a comparable company in Australia! My search continues…

Reviewed by Hannah.

http://www.juicebeauty.com

Available at selected David Jones stores and online retailers.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Products, Reviews | Comments Off on Product Review: Juice Beauty Cleansing Gel & Nutrient Moisturiser.

Pre-Weekend Procrastination!

♥ hehe ♥

Roll up, roll up (they were pretty tasty snacks yes? albeit terrible for young teeth!) welcome to my array of interesting beauty & health related links that I have dutifully collected over the past week so that I can share them with you, my loving reader, just in time for the countdown to the weekend!

♥ Beauty Q&A with Annette of Wellness WA – that would be me 😉

♥ OPI’s revolutionary iPhone application! – ever wondered what a particular shade would look like on your nails, but found those plastic nail doo-dads in the beauty section too difficult? ME TOO. With this iPhone application, while it doesn’t use a picture of your actual hand, you can adjust the skin tone and nail of the image & test out every single OPI colour to determine whether or not it’s what you’re looking for, before forking out for it!!! How great is that?! A: Prettydamngreat.

♥ Iz you a salon playa? – musings on the pros & cons of being non-monogamous with your salon.

♥ Healthy Tipping Point– okay, I love this blog. An American 25 year old documents her marathon bike riding adventures & vegetarian cooking. Very inspiring stuff.

♥ Be Genki May Ritual – Be Genki is a wonderful product company / website / blog / inspiration station & this ‘May Ritual’ has some great advice, make sure you check this one.

♥ Warm Sunny Salad – our friend Heather puts together a visually magnificent salad to nourish you & your tastebuds.

♥ Additive Free Kids Parties! – psychotic children no more, calm them down without compromising on taste with this handy cookbook by two local mums.

♥ Blush Day Spa Facebook Page – these guys have been known to give away free treatments and incredible specials on Facebook at random times during the week!! Last week they were offering free massages to the first few commenters!

♥ White Bean Bruschetta – can’t wait to make this yummy variation on a definite favourite.

♥ How much to spend on keeping up appearances? – an interesting look at how much & why we spend on looking good for our careers.

It’s a wrap! Have wonderful Friday’s everyone 🙂

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Posted in Food, Wellness Tips | 3 Comments »

Alternative Review: Mi:Skn Cosmetic Acupuncture, Highgate.

Acupuncture doesn’t really have great connotations for those who don’t know about it. It contains the word “puncture”, who would willingly put themselves through that?!

I would. This week I visited mi:skn for a complimentary Facial Rejuvenation Treatment. The idea of having needles stuck in my face wasn’t my idea of fun. However, I have to say, I’m converted.

Francesca owns and runs mi:skn, the first Perth clinic to focus purely on cosmetic acupuncture. Other clinics may provide these treatments, but they’re not specialised. Having studied in the UK for four years to get her acupuncture qualification, she then went on to study for another two years to become a specialist in the field.

Forever learning, Francesca has developed her own unique approach and she’s been working in cosmetic acupuncture ever since.

The Facial Rejuvenation Treatment works to break up the natural collagen structures in your face. This process causes the body to try to fix it, and over the course of several treatments, plumps up those “life lines”. Now it won’t be as drastic as Botox, however, it will be more natural and more gradual. Research shows that Botox can cause other areas to become more susceptible to “life lines”.

Now, don’t be mistaken, cosmetic acupuncture doesn’t just work to fill in those lines, it also works with acne, headaches and cellulite. Francesca told me of one young lady who had a rather bad case of acne. The purple colour had reduced in just one session. It can also address headaches for those who are prone to them regularly. There is also a non-acupuncture option for Facial Rejuvenation if you’re not so sure about the needles.

Of course, you don’t have to be older to get these treatments; it’s a preventative approach to aging. It’s natural to age; we’re just slowing it down a little.

Your medical condition will be taken into account and if you have very sensitive skin you can rest assured that only natural essential oils are used in the treatment. If you’re not one for needles, you don’t have to worry, they are very fine and flexible enough to bend without snapping.

The music is relaxing and Francesca talks you through the process. The treatment starts with a hot towel on the face to open pores and extract impurities. A facial massage wakes it up and prepares the skin for the treatment. Jade is used to start smoothing some of those lines and cool the face down.

Francesca took my pulse before starting the acupuncture. She could tell a lot more than just whether or not my heart was beating. On the left, she picked up that I’m susceptible to back pain during my cycle. On the right, she could tell that my body wasn’t processing fluids properly. Correct on both accounts.

Needles are also placed in the lower leg to balance your natural energies and make sure not all your blood and energy rushes to your head.

Everyone is different, but for me, the needles didn’t hurt. I could still move my face and legs while the needles were in, without hurting myself, or even feeling them most of the time.

You’re left for twenty minutes before the needles come out. You can use the time to meditate or just relax. I tried to meditate, but my mind kept wandering, so I just relaxed and had some “me” time. After the treatment, I felt more awake; I could already feel that my face had more tone and it felt a lot fresher. Even if you just want something different to a facial, I would recommend this treatment.

A Facial Rejuvenation Treatment is $120, and for the best results it is good to go once a week for ten weeks. There is a discount for purchasing all ten treatments. They also have a member’s option which is cheaper again.

Mi:skn is located at 307 Lord St, Highgate, on the corner of Court St.
http://www.miskn.com
Ph: 0414 277 761

Review by Liv Bambola, pretty in punctured.

Posted in Alternative Therapy, Inner City, North of River, Other, Reviews | Comments Off on Alternative Review: Mi:Skn Cosmetic Acupuncture, Highgate.

Tasty, healthy snack: Hot Popcorn!

Image from www.popcornboxes.net

Winter is the perfect time to get poppin. Picture this: snuggled up by the heater with a loved one, pet or solo (we don’t judge!), your favourite movie playing & the scent of popcorn wafting around your house like it’s your own private cinema. I’ve sold myself on it and I don’t even have a popcorn maker yet!

I was reminded of this old-fashioned, simple treat by a friend a few nights ago on a particularly frosty night. We made a huge bowl of FRESH fat-free popcorn, none of this microwave packet super oily, super salty business! Granted, we did add a smidgen of butter & a sprinkle of salt to taste, but it was a fairly pure experience. Sweet tooth’s could even use a light dusting of icing sugar, but you didn’t hear it from me! 😉

The great thing about popcorn is that it really satisfies the desire for something crunchy, usually I would be very likely to reach for a packet of chips or biscuits, this is a much healthier alternative!

Here’s what you’re gonna need:

♥ Popcorn Maker

Crazy Popper or other popcorn maker! This one is the cheapest I could find at $49.95 RRP

♥ Popping Corn

This brand can be found at supermarkets, and is about $1.50 for 100 grams. Bargain.

♥ The desire for a healthy, tasty treat.

♥ A couple of minutes.

VOILA. So much better for you than chippies or chocolate!

My popcorn lovin’ girlfriend lamented to me that she wished someone would bottle the scent and sell it: lucky for her, the fragrance company Demeter has got it covered!

Popcorn Fragrance!!!

Get popping the next time a chilly night rolls around, and let me know if you do!

Be well,

Popcorn converted Annette.

xoxo

Posted in Food, Other, Products, Wellness Tips | 6 Comments »