CLEANSED, SPARKLY & REJUV'D - A Review

The delicious daily juice pack by Inner Ego

I am full o' beans, bright eyed and glowy skinned after my very first two day juice cleanse. I have always been interested in trying out a juice cleanse, after years of struggling with all sorts of digestive issues and troubles, but have never been able to source a local supplier. So you can imagine my delight when I discovered the beautiful instagram account by @innerego - a Perth based cold pressed, juice cleanse company. 

I had a little stalk of their beautiful website - do yourself a favour and have a looksie here - and decided that THIS was the supplier for me. The offer cold pressed, raw and fresh juices, delivered straight to your door in one, two or three day packs. The cleanse consists of eight juices per day, packed and ordered for your ease and convenience, that you enjoy in place of solid food. These juices are jam packed with essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients - so do not fear that you're not getting enough goodness in your body - you are! The beauty of these juice cleanses is that they provide short term detox and digestive rest. They are not designed to be consumed for more than three consecutive days in lieu of food - BUT Inner Ego do offer individual orders (minimum of six bottles) and have a few little stockists around the place for those of you looking for a daily afternoon energy kick! 

The box was delivered by the owners, exactly when they said it would be - and service with a smile. What could be better?! The box of juices is so beautifully put together and packaged - a handful of colourful straws, tips and instructions for the cleanse and, of course, 16 little jars of vibrant nutrition! They had me at hello. 

Each bottle comes perfectly portioned, labeled, numbered and ready to enjoy. The quaint labels use a very rustically inspired template that are easy to read and interpret. On the front we have the order number of the juices (one through eight), list of ingredients and an 'experience summary' (i.e. a sweet green remedy). On the back you can find information on the juice such as how it's produced//created as well as a nutritional panel for each and every juice. VERY handy if you are calorie conscious (although when it's good, real, plant based food - I really don't believe number crunching is necessary! S'all good!) or wanting to see a little more of the breakdown of the juices' nutritional punch. 

A few extra tidbits of information - the juices have a shelf life of three days as they don't possess any additives or preservatives. They are to be consumed within two hours of opening, so you can sip and enjoy your juices but not too slowly! When you grab them out of the fridge (and yes, they must be refrigerated!) they may look like they have separated with a bit of layering noted at the bottom - this is a natural part of the juicing process and they just need a little pre-drink shake up to mix it all up! The masterminds over at Inner Ego have created a brilliant FAQ page on their site which serves to answer all of your niggling questions. The owners are absolutely lovely - with an incredible mission to provide quality assured, easy to access, on the go nutrition for people who want to implement healthy changes into their lives but who are too time or resource poor to self juice!

Day one kicked off on a busy work day and I can't even describe how incredibly convenient it was to be able to have brekkie and lunch packed in no time. Easy peasy! I tried to space out the juices appropriately - with at least an hour and a half between each juice. I pretty much stuck to this plan and managed to get all my juices in. I was so full in the afternoon though that I needed to break up the juices a little longer. Inner Ego have done a great job in creating filling and satisfying juices! I felt a little headachy on the afternoon of day one, nothing too hectic, just a little spacey and achy! This sensation passed within the hour and I felt lovely and relaxed in time for bed.

Day two FLEW by and I guzzled down my juices with ease. I don't know whether it's because my body had become more alkalised or whether it was random coincidence but the juices tasted SO much better on day two. Very energetic, light, settled tummy and sharp mind. Day two was fabulous! No detox symptoms either which was a wonderful bonus. I must admit - I got a little hungry in the early evening but nothing too terrible or too tempting.

I thought the easiest way of sharing my experiences with you is to break down each of the juices - tell you a little about the flavours, effects and snazziness of these bottled wonders. Sounds good right? Let's kick it off ...

Juice One - Cucumber, celery, lettuce, lemon and mint
This one was very difficult to swallow on the first day - hello acidic body! It became much easier to drink on day two - but still holds sharper, strong flavours of lemon and mint. Very good for a mind/body wake up and uber relivitalising.
In a word - ZAP!

Juice Two - White tea, pineapple, lemon and mint
YUM! This juice had a very light, refreshing and subtle flavour that provided an amazing morning pick-me-up. The label says great for 'clarity' and I must admit I was sceptical - but it hits the nail on the head. Mental and physical clarity a go-go with this juice. It's made from Fujian white tea which possesses less caffeine than other white tea varieties so is nice and gentle for our bodies.
In a word - Refreshing.

Juice Three - Carrot, orange, lemon and ginger
One of my absolute favourites from the cleanse. Beautiful rich, full bodied, strong flavours of orange and lemon. This juice was a lovely mid-late morning kicker because it is a little thicker and 'heartier' than the other juices - very filling in my tum! The juice is also aesthetically gorgeous - with a vibrant orange colour that invokes an instant perception of freshness.
In a word - Zing!

Juice #4 - Carrot, orange, lemon and ginger

Juice Four - Beetroot, pineapple, celery and lemon
Strong, powerful and very earthy in flavour. If you're not a fan of beetroot - this one may not be for you. Luckily I love me some beetroot so my reaction to this juice was 'gimme'! It's slightly sweetened from the pineapple which leaves it tasting rather refreshing and energising. Like it's juicy predecessor - the vividness of colour this little juice packs let's you know it's full of goodens.
In a word - Earthy//grounding.

Juice Five - Green apple, pear, kale, lettuce and celery
For late lunch it's your typical 'Green Juice' - loaded with vital greens and sweetened slightly by the apple//pear - this juice is a fantastic early afternoon addition to the cleanse. I downed my juice at about 3-4pm, just prior to my workout on day two, and it left me feeling pretty dang good. It possesses a delicious, light and humble flavour that would make it an amazing one to consume on its own (separate from the cleanse pack).
In a word - Recharging.

Juice Six - Grapefruit, pears, lime and mint
I must preface this reflection by stating that I'm not a fan of mint. I'm one of those rarities that just do not like the strong flavour - whether it in a juice, salad or even icecream//chocolate! But I love and appreciate it for it's very refreshing and rejuvinating properties so I definitely can see it has its place in the world. My first reaction on day one was 'zing!' - I found the flavour so overpowering (rich in lime and mint) that I had to actually hold my nose to get it down. The beauty of biodiversity huh!? So many different taste preferences and experiences! Day two was a completely different story - whether the amounts of ingredients differed slightly or whether my body was more alkalised - it was actually a very light and enjoyable drink!
In a word - Full on.

Juice #5 - Beetroot, pineapple, celery and lemon

Juice Seven - Red apple, decaffeinated green tea, strawberry, pomegranate and tomato
Holy yum. I loved this (mainly) fruit juice! It has a very distinct berry flavour that is still only moderately sweetened by the fruit juices - very uplifting but not so much so that I was over-energised before bed - it's really such a perfect blend. Despite being derived from pure juices - this one is actually quite creamy and filling - it leaves you feeling very satisfied and refreshed.
In a word - Nourishing.

'Juice' Eight - Filtered water, almond, cacao, dates and spices.
The healthy foodie's take on chocolate milk. This delicious almond based night cap was soooo good at the end of the day - giving you the feeling of 'dessert' minus the guilt, heaviness and regret that late night dessert consumption usually brings. I think they saved the best til last with this baby but so perfectly placed it at the end of the day to provide your tummies with a smooth, delish and satisfying drink. It reminds me of a sort of cacao chai - not overly sweet, slightly spiced and so dang delicious. *Adds 15 of these to cart*
In a word - Indulgence.

There is quite a great deal of controversy at the moment as to the safety of such cleanses. It's my informed belief that two or three day cleanses provide a safe space for internal detox and mental clarity. They ensure that you are still able to get vital nutrition and nourishment to your cells - while allowing a bit of rest for your digestive system. If you do your research and choose good quality juices (or better yet, if you're not able to find a company that you endorse//support - create your own juices!) so that you can be sure you are getting optimal nutrition. The juicing regime that I embarked on encourages the consumption of eight juices per day - that's three litres! Other juicing trends//diets that have been recently under the media spotlight have reportedly involved having three juices per day with people reporting feeling hungry but embarking on the regimes in an attempt to lose weight. Cleansing and weight loss are separate things. I did not once feel deprived, starved or 'lacking' during my cleanse and never felt like I was consuming the juices out of obligation or in an effort to lose weight. It provided me with a chance to rest my digestion, get some good quality phytonutrients into my body and to promote mental clarity//sharpness. Set your intentions prior to your cleanse, and always ensure that your decisions are driven by love, respect and kindness for yourself and your body. 

Blessings, juicy smiles and a light, happy heart x

Disclaimer - Although I am reviewing the Inner Ego pack - I received no financial endorsements or incentives for completing this review (other than the initial cleanse pack). The opinions and review that I have provided is completely independent and reflective of my experience with the juice cleanse. At the time of this post - I am not an affiliate or employee of this company and all opinions//information stated above is entirely of my own. 

YOU DESERVE TO BE 'JOLLY, NOT JELLY' THIS CHRISTMAS (a freebie for you darling)...

As the song goes 'Tis the season to be jolly', but the composers must have been on a tight time schedule and weren't able to fit in 'tis also the season to be partying, and making poor food choices, and trading exercise for pudding, and waking up on Boxing Day feeling like a stuffed pig. Falalalalalalalalala'. Not as catchy is it? But the truth is, we have ALL been there. We have all stuffed ourselves stupid and excused that 'it's the holidays' but felt guilty with every bite. We have all foregone our early morning exercise sessions in exchange for chasing a few extra zzz's after a late night. We have all eaten (ahem, gorged on) leftovers all the way til New Years and then spent January 1st making outrageous promises that mean a few weeks of deprivation...

It's a shitty cycle ain't it? Firstly - it doesn't have to be. Secondly - when you realise and come to accept that life is all about cycles and rhythm, it kind of makes you feel calmer about the whole ordeal. I came across this message the other day and it resonated with me completely and I think actually could be interpreted and utilised during those periods in our lives where nothing seems to be 'set'.

"All of life is cyclical: the moon, the stars, and the very universe. Life inhales and then exhales again. So why should you be surprised or upset that you too have cycles? There are times when you feel energised, awake and alive. There are other times when you feel isolated and shy. Your body, too, goes through pronounced cycles and changes. Celebrate these rhythms, and embrace them as the essence of the lifeblood that courses through you!"

Maeve Angel Card (Doreen Virtue).

Sigh, isn't that powerful? I absolutely adored pulling this card and it's my life to a tee at the moment. Life was frenetically paced for the past few weeks and now its slowing a little. For me slow = scary. I have this mental program, which is entirely false and I'm working on rewriting it as we speak, that tells me that slow living = lazy living. The life that I have created means that my routine is fairly unpredictable and no two days are the same. I am flat sticks busy one minute and then twiddling my thumbs the next. But I am embracing it at the moment because it allows me to check in with you guys and leave a bit of extra love and attention around these parts.

But back to Christmas. Life is a balance and you have to make sure that whatever you do comes from a place of love and respect. Sure, eat a whole heap o' yummies over the festive season, if that's what you TRULY want and will serve you. Be present and happy in your decisions.

I have whipped up a printable poster for you to pop up at your desk, beside your bed, on your fridge or wherever will inspire you to make sure this season leaves you feeling 'jolly' and not like 'jelly'. Click here to download your copy now!

What will YOU do this season to ensure you enter the New Year rejuvinated, healthy and, above all else, happy?

Blessings and good tidings to you and your kin x

FEED ME MONDAY - The Cold Rock Edition

Sticky date pudding. Chocolate torte. Cheese board. As my eyes glossed over the desert menu during date night at our 'local' - I suddenly realised that none of these options appealed to me. Don't get me wrong - had it been another night maybe or had my stomach been craving these foods then I would likely be salivating over the options even again as I type this. But a peculiar thing has happened over the past few months. My, always seemingly tortured, relationship with food has come to an end. I no longer am wracked with guilt when I eat something 'naughty'; I no longer turn to food when I am stressed, upset or excited and I no longer look at food as a reward or something that I work to deserve. Food is fuel. Food is freakin' amazing, enjoyable and delicious sustanance and energy. I have learnt to listen to my body and have learnt to differentiate between 'hunger' and 'boredom'. I have learnt which foods serve me well and which impede on my ability to see out the day the way that I truly want to. I make choices. I may choose to eat something not gluten free and full of dairy (two of my 'tummy triggers') and I will enjoy every single bite and will deal with the physical discomfort that may come as a result. Some times tummy cramps and nausea are worth a piece of rocky road - cha know man? Another thing I have learnt is how much food I truly need each day. I am a self confessed snacker and mindless nibbler. Always grazing on 'healthy' options but grazing none the less. During my cleanse days, and in giving my digestive system a much needed break, I become acutely aware of my 'habitual' eating. Despite consuming far less than I normally would on these days, my energy and mood improves (note - not always and not always immediately!). So I'm baffled - but shouldn't I have more energy on the days I eat lots? Nuh uh girlfriend. Our guts need a break and when we exceed our caloric/energy requirements it takes more effort to digest and process therefore we are actually left feeling more sluggish than normal. These days have honestly changed and repaired my relationship with food. I prepare my food with care and love, enjoy every mouthful and feel completely satiated upon finishing. I have days when my hunger rears up earlier than the day before, but I listen to and respect what my body is telling me, and respond accordingly.

So why am I harping on about all of this? Well after my restaurant epiphany, I went home and snuggled up in bed with David to watch the football. My mind drifted to something sweet, an extra space in my tummy seemed rather grumbly and was awaiting something decadent to completely satisfy and send me off to sleep. But I didn't want to put any nasties in my body, especially just before bed. No preservative 228 or colour 104. Nothing that my body couldn't recognise and therefore couldn't process/digest while I cheered on my boys (who won and kicked butt by the way). I wanted something completely natural, completely easy and completely delicious. Is that too much to ask? And so this decadent little creation was born. And hooley dooley was it good. I licked the bowl clean, like a dog. And loved every freakin' minute of it, and my body did too.

So next time that you feel like that something decadent but know that it might not serve your body as best it could, or the detrimental effects and post-ingestion sickness might not be worth that 5 minutes of eating pleasure - then have a go with this baby. Life is about balance. If you are sitting in that restaurant and you see the chocolate torte and your tummy grumbles and your eyes light up and you salivate and you know that's exactly what you and your body want, then you happily and whole heartedly choose that delicious treat. But just try this concoction the next night ;)

Life Changing Chocolate 'Icecream' with Sprinkles

 

2 frozen bananas (peeled prior to freezing to avoid pre-hypothermic fingers)

2 Tbspns raw cacao

1 tspn vanilla extract

4-5 iceblocks

Splash of water or milk of choice

 

Pretty simple. Blend away! Be sure to scrape down the sides to ensure that all the delicious flavours are evenly spread throughout the mix. Be prepared for some loud noises to come from your blended, those iceblocks pack a punch when they hit the blades. Serve immediately (or refreeze if you're a clever little chicken and are preparing ahead of time or better yet are sharing with your nearest and dearest loves). Top with shredded organic coconut and bee pollen. Or get your fancy on and decorate as you see fit. Fresh berries, rawnola, crushed nuts ... the world is your oyster you culinary master!

 

Blessings and chocolate covered smiles x



BEING AN AUTHOR

Everyone is an author. Whether they are creative, inspired to put pen to paper, or whether they are even literate - they are authors. Because, the truth is, every single day we write our future. We write our immediate future, we write our long term future and we write and choreograph every single moment that occurs within our lives. I know that this can often sound like a big load of hogswash but it ain't. I am an absolute advocate for setting intentions, writing my future and having the universe conspire in my favour to see my dreams actualised.

One of my recent favourite films is a little known one called Ruby Sparks. Go and rent it NOW. It's an enchanting little film about an insanely talented and lonely author who sets about writing his next great novel. An already aclaimed and praised writer, he is lacking inspiration when he is overcome by images and dreams of his soulmate and 'perfect girl' and decides to write about her, their adventures and their love. He tells his brother that he finds himself writing whenever and wherever he can because he loves spending time with her. His written connection is so powerful that he smiles with her, he laughs with her, he feels her and, to him, she is real. Then, faster than you can say boomshakalaka, she is in his apartment and he has manifested his soulmate. The film is 'kin brilliant and I strongly advise that you see it. An obvious fantasy but a poignant message. I may have turned a little hippy but not so much so that I believe we can materialise things simply by writing them (soy decaf cappucino on my desk please universe), but I DO believe that the film resonates so strongly with what I'm on about. Calvin knew what he wanted, he was specific about his 'perfect girl', he knew how she felt, how she smelt, the exact shade of her hair, her subtle nuances, he knew how he felt when he was around her, he knew how they would interact. Imagine if we had that same knowing, that same utter conviction in our dreams and goals that having it come to fruition was really the only option. Once we have that pristine clarity and absolute cement-set intention - magic happens.

I also want to share with you, my darlings, a book I read recently that has had a huge impact on the way I view my life and moreso my 'problems'. It's called Zero Limits and it's based around the teachings of ho'oponopono - a Hawaiin born practice of connecting with your 'zero', where you act without ego and from a purely natural state. Dr Hew Len talks about taking complete responsibility for the world around you. And all the shit that it might include. I rejected this idea for so so long, wondering how the frick I am responsible for some of the nasty things that happen in the world. But by taking responsibility and acknowleging that fear led to its existance and by correcting it with love, you can heal your life and those things around you that are make up your world. The most interesting and phenomenal aspect of the book were the anecdotal stories that Dr Hew Len and others shared. Dr Hew Len worked at a high security correctional facility for mentally ill criminals, and was asked to work with the inmates in the hope of reducing the frequency of violence and 'unlivable' environment of the building. In just a few short years, only a few inmates remained (and were moved to lower security areas), the gardens were better maintained, a huge number of inmates had been discharged and so many more little by little changes occured. Seems fair enough, a psychiatrist was hired to do his job and did it. An impressive result but by no means a miracle. Until you read that Dr Hew Len's practice actually invovled NO direct client contact. He instead took personal responsibility for his fellow mans' current state and worked on 'cleaning' his own energies and rewriting what he saw. A little fru fru for you or want to know more - check out an article here that describes his approach and consequent successes. 

So for now I'll leave you with that. I am going to delve into this a bit more next week and talk more the 'hows' of setting your intentions etc. But for now just be aware. Get thinking about what you want to manifest into your life, what you want to remove and how exactly you will actualise your most authentic life.

Blessings from my turban wearing, mantra chanting, hippy self x

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

Want to get your heart rate up? Want to get sweaty? Want a fantastic total body workout that you can knock out in the comfort of your own home? Well then look no more baby cakes, I am here share a killer workout that I promise you I will test drive myself this evening (and will share my experiences via the Bless This Mess facebook page - so be sure to 'like' us and keep up with all the latest from BTM headquarters.

Melissa Ambrosini is another one of my current 'girl crushes'. David is starting to get uber suspicious and he is questioning my authentic 'orientation' as I'm forever quoting, googling and showing him interviews of all my favourite wellness leaders (majority of them being freakin' stunning beauties, and a few spunky boys!). Her blog is a beautiful compilation of recipes, interviews, inspiration and sweaty sweaty workout advice. Her body does the talkin' and she is an absolute spot of 'vision' of health and wellness. This morning she shared her personal trainer's workout, that she recently launched at her 'Babes not Bears' workshop in Melbourne, via her instagram. And it is a gooden my friends.

Burpees

Pushups

Squats

Sit Ups

Squat Jumps

10 reps of each; then 8s; then 6s; then 4s; then 2s

Oh I can feel the burn already. Let's lock it in. Let's break with convention and this afternoon put on our Sunday best (your Sunday workout best, of course) and smash this out. I'll be doing this circuit after my afternoon run (weather pending) so I guarantee my BTM update will be courtesy of some very sweaty fingers as I type it.

Blessings from, and wishing you a happy, sweaty, well and healthy workout Wednesday x

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

I was in a lull. Motivation gone. Rain, storms and the cold made the couch and a cuppa so much more frikkin' alluring than runners and a rain jacket. My daily sessions were brisk, short walks and yoga. My body didn't even want that though! I had a bit of a scare and fainted during a mat session the other night. It went a little something like this - downward facing dog, to full cobra, turn on my back and push up to full extended back bend and wake up in savassanah completely unintentionally and no idea where you are. Erm, not ideal!

So when my sister came down on the weekend we decided to mix things up, do something fun and active. So off we headed to mini golf! Sweat and burn here we come, right? Well we got a little distracted on the way and had a complete change in plans. An indoor rock climbing facility has just opened in my little suburb and I was uber excited to have a looksie. 

When we walked in it was a little overwhelming. Every square inch of the gym was covered in walls and 'those rock things' (I will be down with the lingo eventually, I promise). The first step was getting geared up. Our $30 entry fee got us all our equipment hire plus an unlimited day of fun, no time limits at all on how long you can stay climbing (or in my case plunging to near death). We got all strapped up and put on our spiffy climbing shoes and awaited the scary, but completely necessary, safety talk and instruction session. It's such a frightening thing to put your safety completely in another person's hands - especially your sister with whom you fight constantly and they have threatened you with your life in the past...

But psychosis behind us, we were ready for a day of funnnnnn! And fun it was. I have never ever laughed so hard in my life. I think it was because my body was quite weak and tired after a few hours that I became completely delusional, or maybe it was the elusive endorphin kick of the workout, but I was laughing so much pretty much the entire time. And as for a workout? Yes it was! My upper body, which resembles the strength of a noodle, struggled during the climbs. It was such a tough concept to utilise the strength of my lower body to compensate for my upper body's lackings. But I have never been so thankful for my chunky, powerhouse legs. They propelled me up and up and never gave up - thanks lower limbs!

Made it to the top alive - can I get a hellsyeaaah?

Sisterly love.

So what are the benefits of rock climbing?

+ 2946kJ an hour burn for women.
+ 3683kJ an hour burn for men.
+ Muscular endurance - climbing for extended periods definitely challenges sustained muscle firing - pow pow!
+ Power - utilising muscle strength to leap from and on the wall
+ Strength - particularly in your back, shoulders, abs, fingers and arms
+ Flexibility - right hand blue, left leg red and right leg all the way over therrrrrre. Yoga prowess definitely came into play!



Blessings from my sore gluteus maximus x

A DIFFERENT KIND OF 'FEED ME MONDAY' - My Food Philosophy

Today I'm coming at you sans recipe but loaded with lots of foodie and health inspired information!

This post has been a long time coming. I have been planning, drafting, thinking about and doodling down ideas for this post for the last month. The trigger for it, really, was when I suddenly realised that I couldn't pigeon hole my diet and say that I strictly followed any food rules, which is fine! In my journey in health and wellness I have met and discovered many people as 'into' health and fitness as I am but they are all able to define their diets and state it in one clear concise little word - 'vegan', 'paleo', 'vegetarian' etc. But then there's little Emily in the corner - I'm not strictly vegan, or even vegetarian. I occasionally enjoy things that aren't so brilliant for my health (not significantly detrimental but enough to classify them as a 'sometimes' treat) but in moderation. I eat mostly fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, fish and healthy fats (chia, avocado, coconut oil etc) and also consume free range and preferably farm raised meat once or twice a week. In a nutshell - I enjoy eating clean. 

'Eating clean' has been a bit of a buzz word as of late - but what does it mean exactly? Chowing down on dishwashing detergent and sponges? Mmm squeaky clean! Clean eating, to me, means consuming foods that give me energy without weighing me down, leaving me to feel bouncy, happy and healthy after every meal, and is really about the consumption of foods at or close to their most natural states. Unprocessed, untouched and un-unhealthy. I shop at farmer's markets where possible (I know - very very blessed to have that luxury down here!), I buy organic where possible, I experiment and listen to my body at every single step. What irritates it? What made me feel incredible? Our bodies give us hints, both subtle and blazingly obvious, every single day as to how they want to be fed, moved and nourished.

I came across a beautiful post by The Gracious Pantry that discussed the concept of clean eating and described the crux of it all so well. Please please please check out this beautiful site, and ogle over their amazing catalogue of recipes, but for convenience' sake I will outline the essence of their 'clean eating manifesto' below -

+ Eat lots of plants. Do I mean garden weeds? Heck no woman, put down the poison ivy! Fruits and vegetables and herbs and everything in between are nature's gifts to us. They can be consumed in their whole, perfect, complete natural state. If it grows on a tree, comes from the ground, or a vine - I eat it.
+ Include meats. Gracious Pantry advocates for meats straight from the butcher, not packaged or handled in any other way. This way, you know exactly what you're buying. I might also add to always try and source grass fed, farm raised meats; choose the leaner cuts of meat and look for the certified free range endorsement on the sellers' advertisements etc.
+ Enjoy grains. My rule? If there's a 'brown' option, choose that. I don't eat anything 'white' (other than the occasional potato of course) as I will usually feel the effects of white bread, white pasta, white rice etc fairly quickly if I choose these options. I have learnt the hard way that these foods just do not agree with my body - they flare up my IBS like nobody's business; make me lethargic and moody and I genuinely prefer the taste of my wholegrains! Choose grains that are as close to their natural state as possible, unprocessed and unrefined.
+ Read labels. This is a biggen! I lived off packet soup in my uni years because at 100-150 calories a pop, they were satisfying, diet approved lunch options! Win! Berm berrrrm. The ingredient list in these soups, and other similar packaged food items, are scary. I read an amazing piece of advice once in a book called Food Rules: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan (keep an eye out because I'll be doing a bit of a write up on this baby soon) that discusses packaged foods and the rules to abide by when purchasing them and Michael says "Avoid foods containing ingredients that a third grader couldn't pronounce". I love that! Simple but poignant advice. Of course there are certain exceptions to this rule, as I'm fairly certain a third grader could proudly and confidently read the word 'sugar' but it ain't something you want to consume when it's hidden in packaged foods. Refined white sugar, artificial sweeteners and sugar in all its other deceiving forms (HFCS; sucralose; glucose etc) are hiding in so many of our packaged foods these days and my general approach is that if there's added sugar - I don't buy it. I started off avoiding foods that listed sugar in its first three ingredients (as the ingredients are listed in order of the most to least amount of that substance in the item) and slowly have begun to avoid it all together. It just isn't worth it and we don't need it. Read your labels and choose wisely.
+ Eat fewer ingredients. It ties in quite nicely with the point above, but try to choose items (if you do buy packaged foods) that have the least number of ingredients. Something can be packaged but contain 100% whole wheat barley or 80% italian tomatoes and 20% fire roasted peppers or something. But ingredient lists exceeding 6 ingredients? Maybe just be mindful and make sure that everything that's in there you would be happy to eat on its own. Would you sit down to a bowl of Preservative 220? No. So maybe leave it out of your canned goods!

The biggest piece of advice or nugget of wisdom that I have learnt is this - define your own rules. What works for one person might not work for you and that is completely fine and should be cherished. We, and our bodies, are NOT all the same and thank frik because it would be so boring if we were! Although I've dished out some information and advice above I, in no way at all, am saying that this is the sole way to go. If you choose to eat whatever the heck you want because that's your choice then I will hug and love you regardless. I would never ever judge someone for what they choose to eat, and would hope for that same respect to come around the other way when people see me chowin' down on whatever superfood I'm crazing at that moment! 

I hope this information has helped to clear up a bit of confusion as to what exactly clean eating is and maybe even have inspired you to create your own food rules and listen to (and love) your body.

Blessings from my foodie face x

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY - From a Back Bending Love Inspired Amateur Yogi

For the record - I look just like this when I do it too ...

;)

Get sweaty; get movin'; get boppin'; get pumpin'; get bendy; get lean; get mean; get fiesty! It's Workout Wednesday mi amigos! The midweek injection of motivation and encouragement aims to rev your exercise mojo and maybe introduce you to a few new approaches or practices that you hadn't heard of!

Today I'm talking Yoga. I am a self taught, complete amateur yoga lover. I have done a total of 2 classes and have every intention of doing more but, with tightened little purse strings since the big ole mortgage chained me down, I've settled for teaching myself. Instagram is the absolute tits for inspiration and knowledge - there are a gazillion yogis who provide an unending supply of positivity, advice and a gamut of back bended inspirational poses!

My recently adopted routine has been, get this, no routine! I flicked an email to one of the amazing girls I follow on instagram (elle_fit) and asked her about her routine and recomendations for a newbie, and she told me that she simply practices 30minutes a day 'mat time'. Mat time is where you do whatever your body likes, you just move in flow and take it moment by moment. I would definitely support this suggestion of where newbies (like me!) should start. Initially I felt weird and would try a pose and fall a and then feel stupid because 'the lady in the book held it so well - why can't I?'. The thing that I, and I'm guessing a lot of beginners too, need to remember is that everyone starts somewhere. Don't be disheartened by others' strength or abilities, that could be you if you give it your all and instead be fuelled by the success of others! I have been blown away at the (reasonably) fast progress that I've made. I almost died when I successfully held a headstand (for a whole of 4 seconds!) and I can now hold my toes with both hands and rest my forehead on my leg in a forward fold! This is a huge thing for me. I always complained that I was born with dodgy hamstrings and had no flexibility in them whatsoever but now have blown that excuse out of the water.

Choosing to incorporate yoga into my practice and daily exercise schedule has been a natural progression. I still love high energy and high impact cardio from time to time, but overall I'm finding that I'm needing to ground myself a bit more often. I'm saying things that I never thought I would like 'I just need some me time' and I crave 10-15minutes of complete solitary isolation at least once a day. This never ever used to be the case. I used to be on the verge of tears all day if I was left in the house alone (for more than 5 hours). I had no idea how to just be and appreciate time alone and cherish the present moment. Who would've thunk that this all-her-life extrovert would slowly morph into an introvert huh?

If you find yourself thinking about amping up the yoga in your life then I advise you to go about playing around with the following steps -

+ Invest in a yoga mat - 'Nuff said. They will set you back approximately $20-30 and you have a friend for life. Worth the investment.
+ Find a class nearby - If you have $15 to $20 spare and you want to see what it's all about, I would highly recommend first going to a class. This will give you an opportunity to have a go with some of the poses; exposes you to a variety of yoga variations (ie. hatha, bikram, ashtanga etc) and sets you up in a supportive and supervised environment. It's a great opportunity to get early direction with postures and technique, which may prevent injury or incorrect practice in future. I came across a beautifully written summary on Daily Cup of Yoga - click here to find out what class might suit you best!
+ Go the 'gram - Have a look through instagram and be inspired! Some to look out for @gypsetgoddess; @sydneybrown_xo; @yoga_girl and @beachyogagirl.
+ Read up - Browse through your local book store, library (many public libraries also stock instructive dvds too!), google, try websites like Yoga Journal and just soak up as much info as you can. Be your own teacher! Cut and paste a few images that represent the goals you have set for yourself and go out and smash 'em!
+ Have a play - Pick a few poses and challenge yourself to trying them out during your 'mat time'. Day one, you might fall a few times but day seven might see you hold one! Just enjoy it and listen to your body.
+ Take photos of your progress - Because I'm an absolute hopeless techy - this isn't something I have mastered! But if you have a loving mother/father, sister/brother or boyfie/girlfie around - ask them to take a few snaps, maybe one or two a week, and watch the progress unfold! Nothing is more motivating then seeing the changes in your own body and strength.

I hope this post has helped to clear a few things up on how best to start integrating yoga practice into your routine! If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to shoot me an email or leave a comment below, and I will endeavour to answer as best as I can.

Blessings and namastes x

WARM FUZZY FRIDAY

I have had such a beautiful, restful, love and exercise filled week. I made a huge and very un-Emily-like decision to take the week off and just be. I have had a few odd bits and pieces that I have wanted to address and get done but mostly I've allowed this week to be entirely and selfishly about me. I've bounced out of bed, inspired by the day ahead and the bounty of possibilities. I have drunk approximately 12 million cups of tea and every single cup has tasted like heaven ... my addiction is getting out of control really. I have run, boxed, walked, yogi'd and planked my way through a great week of movement and sunshine. I have taken such good care of myself with nutritious and colourful meals. I have worked on some research and resourcing for the clinic (my other identity that sometimes takes a back seat when things get crazy!) with some very exciting things on the horizon. I have done some bloggy planning and am absolutely blown away by the support people have shown for this humble little corner of the internet - I created this space as an outlet for my passions and a way of getting 'out of my head' and 'down on paper' all the things that race around in my mind. I was a little over having chronic 'people envy' and wishing I was more healthy, more positive, more inspiring/inspired - so I got off my little derriere, started typing and tried to embody 'Be The Change You Wish To See In The World'. I want to live in a world where people are happy, healthy, positive and kind so how the frick was I to expect that if I didn't try and live that message daily? I haven't looked back and I have felt so incredibly empowered and invigorated because I am living 100% within my passion and as my authentic self. That is freakin' exciting.

Anyway - that was a bit of a brain vomit and these were just ramblings and thoughts coasting through my convoluted and ever churning mind. 

But I know why you came here, I know what yo' ass needs girl, I know what you're cravin' but I don't know why I'm talking like a seedy backstreet boy... You came for a big ole bowl of inspiration soup. So without further ado I share with you a bundle of happy pictures and messages and Friday Fuzzies. 

Today's theme is basic but pertinent. 
+ Trust the process of life. 
+ Look forward to the destination but embrace the journey.
+ Have faith that you are exactly where you're meant to be.
Peace out and enjoy homies.

Found here.

Found here.

Found here.

Found here. 

Found here. 

Found here. 

Found here.

Found here.

Found here. 

Found here. 

Found here.

Found here.

Blessings from my happy little nourished soul 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

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

Image found here

With no cold bugs, gastro bugs, migraine or fatigue in sight - the past fortnight I listened to my body to see what it now wanted to do. This month started off, riddled with bugs and colds, with very gentle exercise - lots of walks, occasional jogs, some core gym sessions and a lot-o-yoga! When I turned inwards and had a listen to what my, now very healthy, body wanted to do it was a loud and clear 'make me sweat!'. I have kicked, punched, rode, ran, lifted and stepped my way from basic workouts to a few weeks of pretty high intensity and am feeling ammmmazing! My body got the ass whooping it needed and it has left me with a clearer head, a more productive mindset and a little spring in my step.

For this Workout Wednesday - I wanted to share a review of a recent class I did that challenged me and ignited a burning desire to prove myself and never give up. I used to be the girl who's head got in the way whenever she was faced with a challenge, physical or otherwise. In a workout for example, I could be running along fine, feeling great and then all of a sudden the 'thoughts' and 'stories' come flooding in - 'I'm not a runner', 'I look stupid', 'Everyone is expecting 'the fat girl' to stop so just give up now' etc. In looking back on them now, from a distance, I can see that they are just stories and fictional ways of my ego flaring up and takin' over. Well, in the past few months, this negative self talk has been banished and I refuse to indulge my ego in letting even one thought sneak in! Of course occasionally  when your guard is down, these thoughts do come. It's important to acknowledge and refute ('I'm feeling x because I am tired and grumpy, I know I'm not x and am working everyday towards becoming the best version of me!') and then move on! Distract yourself - have a cup of tea, go for a walk, go for a run, call a friend who showers you with happiness. Don't sulk in your own misery, that's what your ego wants you to do. Jump up, declare a giant 'eff you' to your nasty bitch thoughts and move on.

Class Completed – The freakin' mother of all Mega Classes.

Details – 4 tracks Pump; 4 tracks Step; 3 tracks Body Combat; 3 tracks CX works and 3-4 tracks Balance.

Verdict - I may have been quietly dying inside and, in fact, a little on the outside too (cue sweat, asthma induced warthog sounds and wrinkly face) but boy oh boy this class got me fired. With the completion of each 'mini class' I became so fired up. I often segment my workouts into chunks and therefore acknowledge that I'm a third closer to the end or half way etc - I find it puts it in perspective and gets me to push harder! So with each segment done, I gave myself a mental high 5 and vowed to go harder in the next one. Favourite tracks? Combat and Pump. Least favourite? Step. I am freakin' terrible at Step! I am so in-coordinated and stumble over my own feet, let alone the elevated step in front of me! But I got to the end of Step with the BIGGEST smile because I never allowed myself to give up. Yes - I felt silly and out of my comfort zone and my legs were already quivery post-Pump but every time I stumbled I picked myself up and kept going. I absolutely loved this class and what a way to kick off the weekend! I wish they held these all the time - it is challenging, exciting and doesn't allow your mind or body to get bored because it just keeps spicin' things up! If you EVER have the opportunity to head along to one of these - please do. Your health, and ass, will thank you for it. 

Blessings from my sweat drippin', always movin', happy, healthy body x

FEED ME MONDAY - So Fresh and so Clean Edition

After a weekend of frivolities, food and friendly socialising I know just what your body needs, what your body is cravin'. And that, my darling little foodies, is a raw delight. An alkalising dish that will invigorate your cells and leave your tummy satisfied, not grumbly or bloated. 

This dish came about on a night when motivation and energy was low but my cravings for crazy nutritious food were high. I looked in the pantry and saw rice paper. I looked in the fridge and saw an array of vegetables, every colour of the rainbow, boasting live enzymes and poppin' full o' nutrients. And ... wollah! A raw dish was born. 

Raw Rice Paper Rolls with marinated tofu and vege sticks.

Marinated Tofu

300g firm tofu

5 Tbspn soy sauce or tamari

5 Tbspn sesame oil

2 Tbspn rice wine vinegar

1 clove garlic (finely diced)

1/2 chilli (finely diced)

1/2 tspn minced ginger 

Mix all marinade ingredients together. Cut tofu into 1- 1.5cm wide strips and lay in flat dish. Cover with marinade, cover with glad wrap and set in fridge for an hour.

Vege filling

1/2 cucumber

1 carrot

1/2 capsicum

Fresh coriander

Fresh rocket

Wash, peel and prep carrot, cucumber and capsicum into long, thin strips. Wash coriander and rocket and put aside.

Rice Paper 

To use soak each piece in warm water for approximately 10seconds, remove and lay on a plate. After about 2 minutes, the rice paper should be completely softened and ready to fill! Start by layering a bed of rocket, a strip of tofu and all the vege pieces scattered beautifully atop the glorious mound of heavenly produce. Finish with some fresh coriander. Now for the fun and always very awkward part of rolling these babies up! This recipe makes about 8-9 rolls and feel free to eat until your heart and tummy's are content! I had three rolls for dins and was left absolutely satisfied and it sat so amazingly in my tummy. 

I hope you love and enjoy this dish as much as I loved inventing (and ingesting) it!

Blessings from my phallically shaped dinner creation x