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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 28, 2013
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1. Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation
Have you noticed Michelle Bridges is everywhere at the moment? There’s good reason for it. This woman is making a big difference to waistlines around the country, including mine! I signed up for the 12 week body transformation program for $199 and I was not disappointed. A weekly meal plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner is on there with a snack suggestion list accessible on the site) with calorie details, exercise plan and shopping list is emailed to you on a Thursday to begin the next Monday. It took some discipline and hard work on my behalf too of course (as Michelle says, she can’t do the training for you), but over the Christmas period I still managed to finish with 2.5kg lost and 20cm gone from around my body. Meals like butter chicken (minus the butter but just as tasty), nachos, pancakes and plenty of interesting salads were some of my favourites. It was thorough, inspiring, very well-thought out and I would recommend it to anyone who needs some direction and inspiration for their health and fitness.
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3. Zevia
The ingredient list of diet drinks is frightening and the sugar content of soft drinks is too high – but for those of you who can’t give the fizzy drop up, I have the answer. Zevia is a naturally sweetened (with stevia, a plant from the sunflower family) drink with zero calories. It comes in loads of yummy flavours (I like pink grapefruit and grape the best) and I found mine at the Subiaco Farmer Jacks (they stopped stocking it recently, but I’ve put in a request for it to return which they promised it would!) or PAWS in Northbridge. Try it!
4. Youngblood Lip Glosses
Ok, I love having bright matte lips like any gal around town at the moment but nothing screams summer like slightly pink, shiny lips – amirite? I love Youngblood’s lip gloss in “Devotion” which is a peachy pink with a hint of shimmer. Pucker up!
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5. Tulsi Sweet Rose Tea
I need something sweet after dinner. I know I shouldn’t and all the anti-sugarists will be shaking their heads and sighing at this, but I do and I like it! However, this new-to-me tea hits the spot without diving head first into a block of chocolate. Perfectly sweet, with a gorgeous rose flavour I just feel like a lady drinking it! Poured into my pink yummy mummy cup, there ain’t a better way to finish a lovely day. Available from most health food shops!
What are you crushing on this week? Share your current loves in the comments below! 🙂
Article by Lisa O'Neill, freelance writer, mama & sugar-free soft drink advocate!
Be well,
xoxo
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Posted in Wellness Tips | 
Comments Off on Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes: Michelle Bridges Program, Zevia, Natural Lip Glosses & Sweet Rose Tea!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 26, 2013
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Hi I'm Lauren and I'm from Perth.
At the end of 2011, at age 22, I had been eating whatever the hell I wanted for a very long time. I did very little physical activity. I had atrocious skin, no energy, no confidence and could be pretty damn negative about life more often than not. I had very high blood pressure – somewhere around 150/110. My Doctor suggested I go on blood pressure medication for the REST OF MY LIFE.
I decided that being on that medication was pretty silly as a young person who had a long life still to live (if lucky!). I was convinced that diet and lack of exercise was my problem – I thought if I really tried hard to sort this issue out by changing my life, then there would be no need for medication. If it didn't work, then at least I tried. At least I had taken control of the situation, rather than letting life happen to me. We have so much more power than we think we do!
I got a personal trainer (Chris Vavakis from Mobile Trainer) for a few sessions, so that I could start somewhere. I increased the amount of vegetables I had in my diet, decreased the sugar and salt and ate only lean protein with my meals. It was hard and I slipped up a lot. Every time I slipped, I remembered why I was doing what I was doing and I KNEW that it was worth all the hard work. I got back on that wagon.
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Results came slow but I grew to love the feeling of burning muscles. I knew that meant that my muscles were repairing themselves much stronger than they were before. I loved all the changes I began to see in my body and delighted in the knowledge that I was getting stronger! I became an exerciser and enjoyed the activity in itself! I used to hate cooking but grew to love the challenge of using spices instead of ready-made sauces and trying a difficult dish. Everything tasted so much better and I felt better about myself ten fold because I was doing this all for myself!
My skin improved, I slept better, I felt more positive about EVERYTHING. I became more confident in all aspects of my life. People started asking me for advice about exercise and healthy eating. I lost 20 kilos.
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I cannot describe to you the absolute feeling of euphoria and sense of accomplishment I felt when I first learned just how far I had come. After 9 months to 1 year of hard work, my blood pressure was a perfect 120/80. I went home and cried and laughed and screamed. I fist pumped in the car! I was on top of the world – I had changed my life. I am convinced there is nothing in life that feels as good as knowing that you have achieved something so incredible as changing your future – I could have easily taken that medication, but instead I changed my physical situation and I changed how healthy I was. Just me – I did that!
I'm an ordinary girl. I have 24 hours in a day. I went to university, I work full time. I have loads of awesome friends and a kickass family. I'm lazy and stubborn sometimes, I like to eat sweet things. I bet we're pretty similar.
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Why does it matter how similar we are? Because there is nothing that I have, that you don't! Where I succeeded, it was because I didn't give up. I don't have any special knowledge or training. I'm not better at exercising – I started out at the bottom, just like everyone else and learnt along the way. I didn't let my brain tell me that I needed to be at any particular level before I started trying. All champions of anything start out failing, again and again and don't stop until they get there.
There is no secret. You CAN do it, you just have to try. You are stronger than you think you are. Do it for you.
Have you ever wanted to change your life? Do you have an inspiring story as well? Leave a comment in the below as we'd LOVE to hear from you!
Article by the incredibly inspiring Lauren Foreman, life changer and health & fitness lover.
Be well,
xoxo
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Posted in Exercise, Other, Wellness Tips | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 25, 2013
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Hello! I have been making this cauliflower cous cous in my kitchen, at least once a week for a while now. Why? It provides a decent serving of vegetables, thanks to cauliflower being the main ingredient, the dish makes a perfect light meal or side, and it's a fabulous meal to have on hand for busy days. It has become a staple in my household in fact. Without further ado, the recipe…
Cauliflower Cous Cous (adapted from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
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Ingredients:
♥ 1-2 small cauliflower heads, trimmed of leaves, cored, and cut into large chunks
♥ 1 garlic clove
♥ 1/2 cup pine nuts or almonds, toasted and cooled
♥ 1/2 cup or so of parmesan cheese
♥ 1/3 cup pepitas
♥ A few tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes, drained of oil and chopped
♥ 1 tablespoon capers
♥ Half a bunch of parsely
♥ Generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
How-To:
1. Pulse half the cauliflower in a food processor until it looks like mixed sizes of couscous. Transfer the cauliflower to a large bowl, and repeat with the second batch, adding it to the same bowl when you are finished.
2. Pulse the garlic, almonds, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and parsley in the food processor until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer to the bowl with cauliflower, add the olive oil, pepitas, a few pinches of salt, and stir until combined. Top with more parsley if you like.
3. Enjoy it on its own, or as a pesto even, as the recipe originally states.
Yummo! This should keep in the fridge for about 5 days.
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You can play around with the ingredients, for example, use whatever herbs you have handy, parsley though is a favourite of mine. I hope this becomes a staple in your household too!
What do you think of this recipe? Would you or have you tried Cauliflower Cous Cous yet? Leave a comment below to let us know!
This delish recipe was written up by lovely foodie Hannah from Dear Asparagus.
Be well,
xoxo
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Posted in Food, Recipes | 1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 22, 2013
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A new year, a new home in sunny Dunsborough (yes Samudra calls my name even more regularly now), a new favourite coffee place (that know my name and coffee already, yes local status!), a new beachside jogging track and a new list of crushes that are at the top of my lust list. I’ve found these goodies not only look after the outside of my body but their ingredients are making my insides happy too.
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♥ La Mav Omega-3 Advanced Nightly Repair Crème
As women, at a young age we begin our beauty rituals, and whilst the products may change in bottle size, price and effects – we will always go back to what works for us. I feel that this crème is one of those products. In its stylish white and silver bottle La Mav Nightly Repair Crème (OFC certified organic and Australian made and owned I must add) is wonderfully thick and absorbing and has been leaving my skin feeling nourished and smooth from night to morning. It’s list of organic and delicious sounding ingredients (Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice) is endless, and they all work together to support the skins barrier function and enhance it’s repairing action. Available from Organic Glow for $59.95.
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♥ Apteka Relief Scalp Shampoo
In our ritual, whilst we want our products to feel nice and make us look nice, we also want them to smell lovely too. Apteka Relief Scalp Shampoo has no parabens, sulphates or artificial fragrances and smells like fresh peppermint, that means yummy smelling hair. I would recommend this product to anyone with a sensitive scalp, especially in these warm summer months. Their healing blend of organic rosemary, organic pepperming and organic tea tree will cleanse and refresh the scalp after all your time playing mermaid at the beach and frolicking in the sunshine. Available from Organic Glow for $29.95.
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♥ Cookbooks
I know we all wish that the vibrant photographs in the pages of our favourite cookbooks would just magically materialise into the bowls in front of us without the necessary food shopping, prep and cooking time. Alas, this only happens in dreams (and if we are talking dreams the food would also have no calories and be followed by a very chocolately dessert). However I have found with my two new favourite cookbooks that cooking can be quick, easy, colourful, healthy and delicious.
Now who doesn’t have a Donna Hay cookbook or 5 in their bookshelf? I’ve found with her newest edition Fresh and Light that her recipes have taken a healthier, lighter and more exciting turn. Still using her signature few ingredients and easy to follow cooking techniques, but she has introduced favourites like quinoa, light but flavoursome salads and less of the heavy carbohydrate focused meals.
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Jamie Oliver's 15-Minute Meals
has followed a similar path too and after flicking through the pages I found myself wanting to re-creating the majority of the meals featured. And whilst there has been much debate over if these meals really take 15 minutes (take it from me, they don’t!) they are simple, so tasty and will impress anyone you whip them up for. Yum!
Do any of these beauty products or books take your fancy? What skincare and haircare are you loving at the moment? And what cookbooks? Would love your recommendations! 🙂
Written by Jade, new down south local and mermaid.
Be well,
xoxo
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Posted in Wellness Tips | Comments Off on Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes: Dunsborough Living, La Mav Skincare, Apteka Haircare & Cookbooks!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 21, 2013
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Nestled amongst the beautiful houses and quiet streets of South Perth, Cove Day Spa provides an urban wellness oasis. Coinciding with my 6 week liver and kidney detox (a decision I deeply regretted on Australia Day!), I decided that now was the perfect time to take advantage of Cove Spa's awesome summer special- the full body cleanse!
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After changing into the standard fluffy white robe I was led to the relaxation room (filled with lemon water, snacks and tea) to fill out a quick questionnaire and settle in. Shortly after I was greeted by my warm and very knowledgeable therapist Kylie, whom escorted me to my treatment room.
The full body cleanse package consists of 5 treatments:
♥ Urine PH and Heavy Metal Test
We started off with a 20 minute health and lifestyle consultation, which included a urine pH and heavy metal check. It was exciting and very interesting. Kylie explained the results of my test and gave some good lifestyle tips including the benefits of dry body brushing and green drinks.
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♥ Far Infrared Sauna
A hidden sanctuary houses the infrared sauna and has a very tropical feel. I was given a glass of fresh coconut water to hydrate and left to myself for the next 30 minutes to relax. Infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas in that they heat the body not the air. They warm the muscles and joints and stimulate fat cells to release toxins. Afterwards I felt quite warm, but wasn’t overly hot and sweaty like I would normally be from a traditional sauna.
♥ Full Body Massage
After hopping up onto the most comfy massage bed ever (think fluffy pillowed clouds), I was massaged all over with a special blend of detoxifying essential oils. The smell was divine and the pressure was perfect.
♥ Body Scrub, Wrap & Chakra Balancing Facial
The sugar crystal scrub felt amazing, exfoliating every little bit of my body. I was then wrapped up while my facial got underway. Along with an awesome face massage, warm amethyst crystals were rubbed all over my face to stimulate the internal detoxifying organs and get rid of negative energy. So good!
♥ Disco Shower, AKA Swiss Shower
Finally, I was left to rinse and re-energise in the Swiss shower. Swiss showers feature multiple showerheads that alternate warm and cold water. A highly invigorating experience! This particular shower also had flashing coloured lights (hence my nickname for it), which I was told was a form of colour therapy. One wonders whether Swiss showers are sold on Gumtree….
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Finishing off in the relaxation room with a cup of the spas signature tea (a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and cloves) and a delicious bowl of probiotic yoghurt with berries, I was definitely in bliss town 🙂
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Overall the service was professional and welcoming. The spa was very clean and the attention to detail was great. A perfect gift for a mother, sister, friend, yourself or even a significant male friend. Whomever for, if you’re interested in a little relaxation, detoxification and a brand new start, this treatment would be perfect!
** This special wellness promotion has been extended especially for Wellness WA readers until the end of March, mention Wellness WA upon booking to gain access to this gorgeous & life-changing 2.5 hour package for $260!
Cove Spa
47 Tate St South Perth WA 6151
(08) 9367 1877
Visit Cove Spa online at:
♥ www.covespa.com.au
♥ Facebook
Review by Kavisha, self confessed ‘health foodie’ & spa convert. She is currently studying for her Master of Wellness at RMIT University and blogs at bebalancedbewell.tumblr.com
Be well,
xoxo
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Posted in Alternative Therapy, Day Spa, Reviews, South of River | 2 Comments »
