Inspiring Souls Series - The Beauty of the 'Beast Training'

This is by far my favourite little segment of the blog. I find this series so freakin' motivational and transformative and I have absolutely loved having getting to know these 'Inspiring Souls' a little more. 

Today I'd like to introduce you to Billi. This lady is an absolute inspiration and soul-spiration. She has done a complete 180 and overhaul of her health and lifestyle and has the rig to prove it! Her instagram account is overflowing with gorgeous images that perfectly encapsulate this healthy girl's approach to life and her incredible mission to spread the health and wellness message far and wide. It is an absolute pleasure to share with you all the incredible Billi Jane...

1. Describe your health approach in three words.

Patient, consistent & open-minded.

2. How did you gain your ‘health nut’ status? (What led to your decision to choose this lifestyle?).

My trip to Europe in June 2012 put things into perspective for me. When I returned I didn’t want to continue getting drunk every weekend It was time to grow up and treat my body right. I was unhappy in my job and looking for a passion. I did some meditation at the time, the universe was encouraging me to experience new beginnings, and I strongly believe this guided me into the right direction. I had always worked hard in the gym but was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and I just couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t seeing results mentally and physically. I woke up one morning and it was like I had an epiphany and knew what I had to do with regards to diet and I just did it, I went to the shop and bought clean food. I personally believe the ultimate goal in life is to be happy and accepting of oneself and when I had finally found that there was no way I was keeping it a secret! Instagram definitely helped gain the health nut status, I have such a wonderful network of people who inspire me every day! 

3. What is the most over used ingredient in your kitchen?

 I would go through chicken and oats the most. I would also eat dates all day every day if I could! 

4. What have been the greatest challenges for you in your quest for total health?

I think the greatest challenge has been family being concerned and not understanding why I have changed. Also friends not supporting me and talking behind my back and not accepting that this is what I want to do and that I have changed my life for the better. But at the end of the day you can’t please everyone, you have to follow your dreams and the people who matter will support you.

5. Who are your greatest influences and inspirations?

My boyfriend inspires me a lot. He is very passionate and dedicated to his hobbies and he was the one that said if you want something it’s not going to appear, you have to go and get it and make it happen. Lorna Jane inspires me, not just for her gym clothes but her approach to health and wellbeing through her Move Nourish Believe Philosophy and her health advocates  such as Laura Rixon and Essena O’Neill. Also my friends on instagram inspire me, I see people achieving their goals every single day and it’s puts a smile on my face to be a part of their journey.

6. What has been your most radical change? 

 I feel like my most radical change was losing the hair extensions, fake nails and tan. I thought I could never live without them now I can’t even imagine having them. A full head of 22 inch extensions are heavy to run with and takes about 2 hours to wash blow dry and straighten there is no way I have time for that now haha. Now my hair and nails and skin are better than they have ever been!

7. What would be your 'recipe for success'? 

My recipe for success would be - 1. To research everything yourself. There are so many debatable statements made with regards to fitness and nutrition and I think it comes down to the fact that everyone is different. We have different body types and dietary requirements and we process foods differently. It important to do your own research and find what fits you. Understand why you are doing something and how it will show results rather than doing something because someone says you will lose weight. 2. Find a way of exercising which you enjoy so it doesn’t feel like a chore. Have fun and try new things, routine is the enemy. 3. Surround yourself with a network of positive people on the same journey as you. You will have bad days and you will get discouraged at some point, these people will help you more than you know. This is why I love instagram :)

8. Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day would include working out first thing (weights!), no matter how tired and unmotivated I feel when I get up, after splashing my face with cold water and sweating it out for 45 minutes I feel 100% positive and happy! Food shopping is also enjoyable for me, I love being in control of what I am going to eat for the next week and choosing fresh clean ingredients to cook new and favourite recipes with, its therapeutic and filling the fridge is so satisfying to me :) Ultimately the perfect day is to remain positive no matter what life throws at me. I have days where I get rained on and people are rude on the train but with a positive mind, no amount of negative circumstances can upset me. The way fitness develops your mental strength is the biggest reward. Clarity is the best way to describe it!

9. What are your words to live by? 

I could write a whole list but I think one that I have learnt that is most important in living a happy fulfilling life is – "To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself"  Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist Monk. Any Buddhist quotes fill me with joy.

10. Message for the wannabe wellies?

KEEP GOING! No matter how many times you slip up, eat chocolate or miss a workout. It is the journey more than the destination. Have fun and don’t be too hard on yourself. Try new things, variety is the spice of life JDon’t focus on skinny, focus on healthy and block all negativity from others. Remember why you started and do it for yourself. 

Blessings and gratitude for this week's inspiring soul x

FEED ME MONDAYS - The Wake Up and Shine Edition

Happy Monday lovers! I am hoping, especially after last week's 'Pro Monday' entry, that you are all entering into this new week with enthusiasm and zealous!

Today is a super duper quick post. Just stopping by the blog to provide you with a recipe, love and then leave you!

This is an easy peasey recipe and one that I'd hardly even refer to as a 'recipe' as you can free measure everything and play around and just go nuts. It's oatmeal and, hooley dooley, do I love me some oatmeal! I am obsessed with this simple, nourishing and cold-morning-warming breakfast. I am particularly lovin' this meal because I've changed my brand of oats to a gluten free variety and can honestly feel the difference. I used to love every mouthful and then start to feel really slow and sluggish come 10am but now I love every mouthful and am bouncing off the walls until lunchtime!

So play around with this recipe, make it your own and become a breakfast person. I adore it!

Wake Up and Shine Oatmeal

Apologies for the keys in the background - I realised too late! Hehe

1/2 cup oats (I use GF quick oats)

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)

Honey (approx 1/2-1 Tbspn)

1 tspn cinnamon

Chopped small handful of walnuts or almonds

1 apple (grated)

Put oats, water and milk of choice in a saucepan and pop it on the stove on a medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to thicken, reduce heat and continue to stir. Add your honey (to sweeten, so your choice of measure entirely) and cinnamon to the saucepan and stir baby stir. Remove from the heat and move to a bowl. Top with grated apple and chopped nuts. And voila! A magical, nutritious and hearty breakfast for those chilly mornings!

And because I love you so much I will add in a few bonus facts on what makes this dish all the more fabulous. Fact number one: Cinnamon is a wonder spice, it naturally lowers the GI (Glycemic Index aka low GI equals sustained energy for longer) of any meal it's added to! This rockin' bowl of oatmeal just became a more efficient energy provider - thanks cinnamon! Fact number two: Grated apple is amazing for people with digestive issues (hello!) and naturally alleviates upset tummies or gastrointestinal bugs/symptoms. I lived on grated apple during my last Gastro infection and I believe it helped so much with calming the symptoms and giving me a bit more energy. Next time you have a sore tummy or IBS flares up - just give this a go. It's better than taking something synthetic and risking side effects, you have nothing to lose!

Blessings from my happy, sa-tis-fied tummy x

FEED ME MONDAYS - The Berry Good Edition

I hope that everyone has had a very blessed, happy and healthy Easter! :)

This week I am dosin' you up with essential fatty acids and omegas my lovlies! There is an abundant and seemingly endless amount of research floating about at the moment about the benefits of 'fat' in our diets and reflecting on just our fatphobic obsession has led to an overweight, unhappy and unhealthy society. Healthy fats found in nuts and seeds, coconut oil, fish and chia seeds (just to name a few) reep amazingly fabulous benefits for our health, skin, nervous system and happiness! Do some reading - get to know your good fats and then add away baby! A little dose of healthy fats each day will make a notable difference to your overall wellness.

Ch-ch-chia is our focus today though chickadees. This post by the fab Wellness Warrior details why exactly we should add these gelatinous little buds of bliss to our diet - read the full article here but for ease of reading I've copied her top reasons for adding chia to your day below!

1. Chia is gluten free

2. It is super high in dietary fibre, making it great for digestion and healing digestion issues.

3. It contains 20% Omega 3 ALA, making it a super food for the brain and heart. Chia has eight times more Omega 3 than salmon!

4. It boasts 20% protein

5. The protein is a complete protein with all 8 essential amino acids

6. It is high in antioxidants (It has a four times higher ORAC value than blueberries)

7. Chia contains five times more calcium than milk

8. Chia contains seven times more vitamin C than oranges

9. It contains three times more iron than spinach

10. It contains twice the potassium content of banana

11. It is food for healthy skin, hair and nails

12. It has a positive impact balancing blood glucose levels (making it awesome for diabetics)

13. Chia makes a great egg replacement. Just combine with water to form a gel, and add it to recipes that call for egg.

Raw 'Berry Nice' Chia Pudding

4 Tbspn chia seeds

1 Tbspn raw cacao powder

1 cup soy/nut milk

1/2 Tbspn honey

Mix all ingredients together and set aside in fridge overnight.

In the morning grab your little pot' of love and sprinkle a Tbspn of gojis and 2 Tbspns fresh (or frozen) berries. I added a bit of extra 'berry juice' from the thawed frozen berries and allowed it to drizzle through the pudding. Eat and enjoy!

Blessings from my iron enriched, potassium boomin', fibre crunchin', protein punchin' brekkie for one x

FEED ME MONDAYS - The Morning Boost Edition

Hello my three day weekenders! 

Hoping that everyone has had a beautiful Australia day long weekend and has celebrated it by spending as much of the weekend being as 'authentically Australian' as possible. And no that doesn't necessarily mean having a 'sausage cook off with ya mate Bazza' - but rather I think that it means spending time out and about, smiling, laughing and appreciating your time with friends and family. I had an absolutely idyllic weekend with my beautiful family and experienced the perfect mix of beach, food, fun, laughter and Nintendo 64. A highlight was sharing a green smoothie with mum and having her say that she ('surprisingly' to her) liked it; however a lowlight was dad knocking over my share of the aforementioned smoothie and my having my retro green floral carpet go just that little shade greener.

Just because it's a public holiday doesn't mean that I'm leaving you guys in the lurch for 'Feed Me Monday'! And this week it's by special request from a dear and darling friend.

This is an easy to throw together, nutrient dense, filling, delicious, beautiful looking dish and an absolutely brilliant way to say 'hello world' first thing in the morning and guarantee optimum energy and clarity for an amazing start to the day.

Up and at 'em Muesli

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 small handful of sultantas

1 small handful of goji berries

1 small handful of mixed sunflower seeds and pepitas

1 Tbspn chia seeds

A few sprinkles of coconut (shredded; chips or flesh)

Mix all of these little bites of goodness thoroughly and evenly. Add some milk (I use almond or soy but any milk of your choice would easily translate here - I just find almond in particular makes the dish feel a lot lighter in my tum!). I tend to add just enough milk that not everything is submerged but its just about to rise up above the oats mixture. Put in the fridge and let it chill for 10 minutes. Then, when your timer goes off, run back to the fridge as fast as you can and gobble this baby up!

Blessings from my goji scattered kitchen floor x

FEED ME MONDAYS – The Green Edition

It’s time to get our cookin, bakin, pureein, smoothyin and eatin on! It’s recipe time – chikka chikka yeah. Today’s a really short and simple post because a) it’s a freaking easy recipe and b) it’s probably the most requested ‘how to’ that I am asked by family and friends.

It is the green smoothie – my green smoothie to be more specific. It has sort of evolved over time and I’ve added bits and pieces to make it more ‘me’. I am blown away time after time at how warmly received this drink is when I serve it to the people I love. Case in point – my David. He’s a man’s man, labourer, surfer, bearded rugged blokey bloke and, after a hard four weeks on the mines, comes home and requests a green smoothie most mornings (or at least every morning that his lovely girlfriend is already making one for herself). There’s something rather hilarious about a shirtless hairy man sitting on my couch drinking a green smoothie and saying ‘yummy’.

The Green ‘Good Mornin’ Smoothie

My pictures do NOT do this beautiful drink justice - so I pinched this image from here.

1cup almond milk (unsweetened is best)

½ frozen banana

1tspn maca powder

½ tspn vanilla extract

1 generous handful spinach (I add extra for more iron dense green goodness)

Options – 1tbspn chia seeds (these thicken and ‘chunk’ up the smoothie but also add lots of good fats and omega 3); 1tspn honey (for a little sweetness); 1tspn raw cacao (for a chocolaty hit and extra antioxidants)

Put all ingredients in a blender and enjoy right away! It tends to set a bit funny if it is left out or in the fridge so best to drink immediately.

Blessings from my crazy green kitchen x