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1. 7 day green smoothie challenge

This past week I undertook a challenge to see what difference (if any) drinking a green smoothie each day for one week would make to my life. UNFORTUNATELY! I fell off the wagon a few days in, I’m definitely not perfect and nor do I claim to be 🙂 I did however drink a lot more of them than I usually would (4-5) in one week, and I have to be honest I’m feeling pretty darn good. I recently found out about the necessity of rotating your greens when making these type of smoothies, and I have to say I am amazed that nature is so clever. Click that link and read all about why it’s best to rotate… I’m sure it will amaze you as it did me!

In light of that I’ve been flirting with cos (romaine) lettuce in lieu of spinach and kale this week, and LOVING it!

Cos lettuce, blueberry & cashew smoothie.

1 x cup of frozen blueberries
4-6 x medium sized washed cos lettuce leaves
1/2 x cup of raw cashews
2 x cups of water
Optional: 1 x banana

Blend for 1-2 minutes. Will make enough for 2-3 big cups. I find this smoothie incredibly refreshing and it’s absolutely my new favourite, mmmm! Recommended!

2. Echolife Clay Cleansers

I lurrrrve the way this clay makes my face feel. It’s very different to cleansers I’ve gotten used to, being that it’s a lump of wiggly clay in a glass jar, but I take a 10c piece sized amount, rub it into my hands with water and then massage all over my face. It’s perfect for my skin type which is combination – few dry bits, few oily bits, few pimply bits – I’m certainly not blessed in that department. After only a few days of using this I’m already addicted and I love that it’s so natural, I’m really getting back to basics with skincare at the moment, so after cleansing I press a few drops of rosehip or jojoba oil into my face while it’s still damp, for a double hit of natural goodness!

There is also another version I like to use, that contains castor oil, for when my skin is feeling a bit drier (hello winter!).

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3. Toasted cereal topping

This stuff. What can I say? It has transformed my breakfasts in the morning. I put a teaspoon of this wonder-mix, which contains organic raw linseed, sesame seeds, buckwheat, sunflower kernels, almonds and cinnamon. It’s gluten free, no added oils, sugar or salt, GMO free.

I stumbled across it one day at Farmer Jacks, Subiaco and haven’t looked back since. It gives an awesome nutty crunch and texture to my porridge in the morning and it just feels so -good- knowing that I’m getting that extra bit of easy nutrition to start my morning off the right way. I also sprinkle it into my smoothies and it gives it a really interesting flavour kick.

There are heaps of other rad products by the brand, Real Good Food, such as mixes with goji and blueberries, rice porridges, delicious looking trail mixes and MORE! Ps. I’m not getting paid to promote these! I just found them randomly and LOVE the prods, so want to share my joy!

Me at yoga… hah! Nah, it’s number one yogini babe, Kathryn Budig. Crushin’.

4. Sunday Yoga

A couple of weeks ago I took part in a generally unheard of activity… exercise, on a Sunday.

It was amazing! Admittedly, I felt a little smug as I was doing sun salutation after sun salutation when many people would still be in bed nursing a hangover from the night before. I quickly got over that and realised I was doing it for ME, not trying to be better than anyone else. It was a great note to end the week on, and I’m looking forward to it again soon.

The Yoga Company near the Subi train station (across from the road from Wagamama) do Sunday classes, if anyone knows anywhere else that does Sunday yoga, please leave a comment!

Just a couple of links for you this week… we’ve been too busy organising some excellent new competitions to browse too many other websites, but do let us know if you’ve come across anything interesting on your travels! 😉

Linkies:

♥ Foods that promote collagen production
♥ Foods that can help relieve stress

Past week n a bit:

♥ We checked out some superfoods that go ON your body, not just in!
♥ Green Smoothies: A new kind of beauty therapy – one of our most popular articles of all time!
♥ Beauty and wellbeing routine: Ashlea Ingham, Model & Miss Universe Australia Contestant!
♥ Planet Eve Organics – another ab-fab Aussie organic brand, LOVE!
♥ Say bye bye to cranky winter skin!
♥ We reviewed Bikram Yoga in Scarborough to see if we’d survive…
♥ Beauty and wellbeing routine: Lauren, Beauty on the Grove this lass is only 26 and already owns her own salon. What a go getter!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo
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♥ Lauren ♥

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am 26 and have worked in the Beauty industry for 9 Years. In June 2010 I started my business “Beauty on the Grove”, which is a one stop hair and beauty shop. The business is combined with Setting Trends Hair studio in Parkwood. I love making people feel pampered and offer them plenty of time to relax so they don’t feel rushed out the door and there is absolutely no hard selling. I Love dancing with Friends, family summer holidays at Rottnest and spending time with my boyfriend Tim.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I use Oligodermie Skin Care which is based on various ingredients such as natural plant extracts, vitamins, essential oils, enzymes and marine algae.
I moisturize my whole body daily, cleanse/tone twice a day. Use eye cream, serum and moisturiser twice a day. During the week I exfoliate and mask once or twice a week. I also love to use Invisible Zinc and Youngblood Mineral Make up.

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

I can’t go past a Hair treatment and Blow dry; it makes my hair feel so fresh and silky smooth. The personalised hair Alchemy Service by Wella combines two benefits in a unique treatment created by mixing a mask and an infusion related to individual hair needs. The girls at Setting Trends recommended it and now I am hooked!

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

The team of girls at Setting Trends Hair Studio know just what I like and are never harsh with my hair. They give the best scalp massages and totally relax me.

Mediterranean Charm

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

My favourite at home beauty treatment would be making sure my nails look glossy and tidy before the next day at work. I love to use OPI and China Glaze Polishes. At the moment I am wearing Mediterranean Charm by China Glaze.

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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

1. Youngblood Mineral Foundation, It’s an ultra-fine, luxurious powder that creates a flawless coverage. It’s quick, easy and doesn’t feel like I am wearing make up.

2. Youngblood Ultimate Concealer, it’s great for under the eyes, as it has light reflecting minerals to hide imperfections and it also contains vitamins C and E.

3. Oligodermie Smoothing Body Lotion, it gives lasting nourishment and hydration to the skin, which regains its softness and flexibility. I apply it daily after a shower or bath.

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Plenty of sleep! It makes you feel so refreshed for the day and keeps you looking younger. Facial massage I do regularly as its great for any puffiness, it stimulates the skins circulation, lymphatic system and relaxes the muscles. To top it off I feel fantastic when I have an Aviva Labs Spray Tan as it gives such a nice glow with out being over the top!




♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

I have always thought about getting eyeliner tattooed as it looks great. I am just scared of the process and the pain…

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

A big breakfast is a must for me everyday to function properly. At the moment I enjoy multigrain Weetbix heated or cold, followed by some toast with home made strawberry jam.

Lunch is usually a salad wrap with chicken, ham or turkey.

Dinner is always different as I love to try new things. I enjoy Italian, Asian, Indian, spicy foods the list goes on….

During the day I am always snacking on oranges, nuts, muesli bars, chocolate, mums homemade cake or biscuits and all types of tea! I love my tea!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I am always on the go busy walking throughout the day in the salon and running errands. I try to do sit-ups, sometimes a work out DVD or go walking.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

I regularly go and relax with some reflexology. It relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body
Every morning I take Swisse Women’s Green Ultivite it contains spirulina, green tea, pomegranate, olive leaf and St Marys thistle. All which are rich sources of green ingredients.

♥ How do you like to relax?

I de-stress with reflexology, going for a pedicure, chatting with a friend over cups of tea or playing with my niece and nephews who are very adorable!

Lauren Hartley
Beauty on the Grove
78 Vellgrove Avenue
PARKWOOD WA 6147

9354 8899
0423 149 655

Thanks Lauren for taking the time to share your beauty and wellbeing tips with us! If anyone has any questions, please leave them below! xo

Be well,

xoxo

I had done hot yoga a couple of years ago when the first Perth studio opened in North Perth. I was completely impressed by the long list of health benefits, but in all honesty, I wasn’t a fan. It was just soooo hot.

However, two of my best friends had been going to the Scarborough Bikram Yoga and raved about it. One had a bad back and was told he wouldn’t run again, now his doctor is considering his appeal to run another marathon. From nothing to 42.2km! The other is just as much as sport nut and had bad knees. She’s gone from ITBs so tight she faced the dreaded “roller” every night after exercising to not needing it all and just competed in a Half Ironman triathlon. There had to be more to this yoga than a hot room. I had to go back.

My first session was hard. I counted the minutes and felt every bead of sweat dripping down my legs. The first exercise was a breathing one and the darth vader sounds were freaking me out, I felt claustrophobic. I didn’t notice what the yoga was doing for my body, I just did what the instructor said and waited for it to finish. One of my buds was there and applauded me for getting through the first session without having to lie down or leave the room. I felt a flicker of pride but admitted I wanted to leave, I just couldn’t get past the heat.

However, I had five sessions to trial and I went back for more. The second session couldn’t have been more different. My head had wrapped around the concept of the heat and I used the breathing time not wondering if I had packed a light saber, but on opening my lungs. Despite telling my friend that I hadn’t done any proper stretching in the first session, I now found myself in deep hamstring stretches, reveling in the glorious feeling of these tightly wound muscles lengthening. I noticed my quads strengthening in various poses and my hips opening in others. Suddenly the class was over… it had flown by and my body was singing, skin glowing and face smiling. It was an “aha!” moment where I realised that once you get beyond the heat, Bikram does incredible things for the body.

More things I like about Bikram Yoga – nobody seems to be body conscious. Most people wear sports bras and short shorts and the men don’t wear tops, practical for the heat. Nobody cares what anybody else looks like (well except me, I took note of a few exceptionally fit looking footballer types… only on the first session of course, before I was transformed) and they seem to embrace their bodies in this class. Nicer than gyms where people seem to punish their bodies rather than revel in them.

I also like that it detoxifies the system. With all that sweat, make sure you’re putting back in at least an extra litre of water than you normally would and your skin will boast the benefits.

Make sure you take a yoga mat and towel too to avoid the couple of bucks charged to hire them from the studio. Give Bikram at least three tries, apparently most people struggle like I did on their first go, but go back for another couple of tries and you will have a completely different experience.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Bikram yoga convert!

More info;

♥ http://www.bikramyogascarboroughbeach.com.au/
♥ Facebook

Bikram Yoga Scarborough Beach

A: 19 Scarborough Beach Road Scarborough 6019
P: (08) 9341 6095

Be well,

xoxo

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Winter. Arch nemesis of the skin. Ruler of the dry patches. Creator of sensitivity. All round bad guy. Every winter it’s the same thing. I have a shower, cleanse my face and once im out my skin feels tight and sore. I then tone and moisturise only to still have the same symptoms. It’s a never ending battle and frankly I’m over it. However there is light at the end of the dry tunnel, a brand whose cape is blowing in the wind, a brand ready to step in and defeat winter…. its name, is Dermalogica.

I have been using three products from the Dermalogica range over the last two weeks. Using them in my daily (this is the key ladies, no slacking off!) routine has created the soft supple skin I yearn for in winter. I’m going to give you the hard out facts now, as I know I can lose some people when I start droning on about the technical side of skin care.

♥ Miracle Prod Number One: Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster.

This little sucker has wonderful ingredients in it like Raspberry, honey and flower extracts, all aimed at calming and soothing your skin. This little bottle of wonder is a concentrated, oil-free liquid, which you can pop onto your skin after toning and before moisturising. It’s kind of like a serum buuuuutt it’s not. Go easy on this one, only a few drops will do. After application my skin feels less tight and itchy. We are on our way to beating winter!

♥ Second wonderful product: Dermalogica Barrier Repair.

A waterless moisturiser that contains Oat and botanical actives, vitamins C, E and a million other wonderful ingredients. This moisturiser comes out of the tube clear, and goes on silky and matte. As its name suggests it forms a barrier between the big bad Winter and your skin. As it does have a matte finish, I like to pop a light weight moisturiser over the top.

♥ The third Winter fighting product: Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Masque.

This mask is for extremely dehydrated and prematurely aging skin. Sounds drastic, but that dry feeling you get after the shower? That’s your skin prematurely aging. To combat this, the mask contains Evening Primrose Oil and vitamins A and B. I loved this mask, it’s thick, creamy and oh so nourishing. I also popped a little of the Soothing Booster on before applying it just to give it a helping hand.

So there you are, three wonderful products all assisting you in the fight against Winter skin. With these three powers combined, you WILL beat the Winter beast and come out with soft, glowing skin. Cue superhero music!

Just a side note:
*If you are worried about congesting your skin with these extra prodz, just pop a scrub into your shower routine twice a week and don’t forget to cleanse!

Review by Jacqui, blogger, makeup artist and winter skin sufferer!

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Just being told that a product is organic is really not enough these days, so when I’m told a product is Certified Organic and Cruelty Free, I tend to stand up and take notice. This is the case with Planet Eve Organics, yummy Australian-owned skincare products that live up to their name, with an abundance of natural ingredients.

I was lucky enough to trial the Facial Cleansing Oil, Luxe Body Creme and Super 5 Eye Firming Gel.

The cleansing oil is PERFECT for all skin types, which is a rarity. As someone with combination skin, I felt the smooth and nourishing cleanser was moisturising my cheeks, while my nose and chin didn’t have that oily feeling that makes you think you just washed your face with a margherita pizza. The perfect balance!

The Luxe Body Creme is exactly that – luxe. With the combination of rose, shea butter, jojoba and macadamia, I felt like I was treating my skin to the love it deserves. The first time I applied, I was aware of the strong smell, but this seemed to grow on me over the week. While it’s a lovely scent of rose, I’d put off use until the morning if you have a sexy significant-other staying in your bed and you haven’t quite hit the ‘long-term and in love’ phase of your relationship!

The Super 5 Eye Firming Gel was definitely my fav, with some excellent packaging bonuses. The gel comes like a pen, where you simply click the end to produce the gel and then gently roll the cooling ball around eyes. This allows the opportunity to massage the delicate eye area while revitalising and firming the skin. The Super 5 are incredible ingredients: Acai berry, gingko biloba, acacia, aloe and rose. This combination is both anti-ageing (you’re never too young to start thinking about this!) and ideal after a big night out (more to my benefit!). This product has already taken prime position in my handbag!

Let us know which products sound good to you?

Do you have any Certified Organic & Cruelty Free favourites?

Reviewed by Ellie Swift, part-time music industry participant and writer, full time product junkie.

Be well,

xoxo