I use to entertain quite a destructive relationship with food (and myself). I hated food. Loathed it! And didn’t really want anything to do with it. Sound familiar?
I saw food as the enemy. I would binge on sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates giving myself minimal nutrition or nourishment. Until my body carked it. At the time I didn’t realise it was because of the way I was treating myself but looking back it’s a complete reflection of my internal battle.
When I lived in London working as an actress and dancer I use to drink a large caramel latte from Starbucks for breakfast and lunch, then dinner would be grilled tofu (please don’t try this at home). I didn’t care about myself and would take drastic measures to stay thin.
Why was food the enemy?
Because I was desperately unhappy and needed something to blame, it was “easier” to blame something externally instead of taking responsibility and looking within. I was miserable and dealing with depression, panic attacks and anxiety and there’s no way in hell that I wanted to be responsible for that. The truth is I was the one orchestrating all of this. It was my movie and I was playing the lead role.
But it all got too much and my body said no more. As I lay in hospital I turned the mirror around to me and took a long hard look at what was going on. I was stick and tired of depriving of feeling the way I did and restricting my body of vital nutrients it needed and was sick of blaming everything and everyone else externally including my food. It was time to take responsibility, reclaim my power and own my own shit.
I realised as a result of being unhappy I would turn to sugar, refined carbs, processed foods and food definitely not made with love. Then, I turned inward and address my emotions and unhappiness. I started to lean toward high vibrational food made with love and care. My body was craving organic, home cooked and nutritious foods. Now when a client comes to me and shares what they eat this is a direct reflection of their state of being. It tells me a lot about that person.
Now I look at food with such love and appreciation. I use it to nourish and am so grateful I have access to organic fruit and vegetables, grass fed and grass finished animals products and wild caught fish. How beautiful is that. I have all of this on my doorstep.
Since dealing with how I was feeling internally my relationship with food shifted. I have settled into my perfect weight and am able to stay here. No drastic fluctuating, dieting, depriving and limiting myself. I eat what my body asks for and needs in order to function at optimal levels.
So my darling are you turing to food rather than dealing with your internal turmoil? Take a moment to journal it or share in the comments below.
If you’re read to nourish your body you’ll love Step 1 in my new eBook ’12 Steps to Wellness’, download it now and start your path to wellness today my gorgeous friend.
- Melissa xo
Age: 32
Where do you live? I moved to the Gold Coast then Brisbane last year, although a born and bred Sydney girl.
Current occupation: I’m the proud Director of Earth Events and a Holistic Health Coach.
Tell us a little bit about your beautiful self: My musician husband, our two old cats and a recently adopted rescued pup “Jazz” are the loves of my life. I’m a certified holistic health coach however I’m really focusing on events at the moment and helping get some incredible speakers and messengers out into the world through my new business Earth Events. I’m obsessed with oracle cards, animals and mermaids.
Why is fuelling your body with beautiful food and thoughts important to you? It’s the ultimate ticket to freedom and inner peace. I intend to be around for a long time and contribute to positive change in the world. It’s harder to do that with a mind or body full of junk.
What does self-love mean to you? In one word – EVERYTHING! I believe that self-love is the miracle cure for everything in our lives. Ultimately it’s the only way to truly heal our bodies, relationships, finances, inner peace – everything.
Through my entire teens and twenties I had absolutely no self-love at all and ended up with depression, anxiety, a drinking problem and breast cancer at just 29 years-old.
Tell us why you started your blog and what it means to you?
Originally I started my blog as a way to share my cancer experience with the people in my life and other women going through a similar experience. It was really lonely at the time, as everyone I knew was walking one extreme path or the other – healing naturally or taking the conventional route. I wanted to do both, and I did and I do – for now it’s working for me and I coach other women through the same challenges. Yes, you can do chemo and drink green juice. I’m a cheerleader for integrative oncology.
Your top 5 tips to stay healthy and happy?
1. Include self-care activities and rituals in your daily life. It’s the greatest gift to yourself and those who love you.
2. Eat and Drink your greens everyday.
3. Nurture and Respect your body clock, get plenty of rest.
4. Sweat everyday
5. Live True To You. The #1 regret of the dying is not having the courage to live true to yourself.
What are your big dreams, goal and aspirations? I want to help the world see that being healthy, spiritual and caring about Mother Nature is fun, beautiful, empowering and our ultimate ticket to a life of joy, love and freedom. That’s exactly what my events company is all about.
I love that I am helping inspiring women and their messages get out into the world.
Your favourite live by affirmation, mantra or quote?
“I am beaming with radiant health” is my simple life affirmation/mantra.
My favourite quote though would probably be “Rock & Roll isn’t about coke-taking, leather-trouser-wearing rebellion. It’s about not caring what anyone says.” that I stumbled upon in Rolling Stone Magazine.
What are your favourite recipes?
Oh I absolutely love food, although I don’t spend much time in the kitchen.
I tend to just make myself quick green smoothies and salads. And anything with nuts, avocados or coconuts tend to be my favourites.
Where can we find you?
Instagram @yvetteluciano
I have just spent the last four days at Mum and Dad’s place in QLD. It’s been bliss! So nice being with them and being able to connect. I love it.
However, my Mum get’s really bad allergies, her eyes get very itchy and sore I asked her if she was doing anything different. She said, ‘no’. I then noticed around the house several of those smelly diffusers you plug into the wall, candles with synthetic scents, chemical cleaning products and reed stick diffusers. Immediately I asked her when she started using all these. She replied, ‘just recently, surely it’s not those’. I walked round the house collecting everything toxic and popped it in a cupboard (for now). Within the hour Mum’s eyes stoped itching and had cleared up. I did my research and looked up exactly what was in all these products and nothing but nasties came up.
I am all about creating a sanctuary of wellness. My home is a reflection on me and is always kept as clean and toxic free as possible. I deep dive into this in 12 Steps to Wellness, walking you through exactly how to detox your home step by step. Today we’re going to cover off a few basics.
Think about your home as your sanctuary, your goddess space. It’s the place where you spend a lot of time nurturing and nourishing YOU, so its imperative it’s toxic free.
Why have a toxic free home:
- Helps with allergies.
- Helps improve skin conditions and other health issues or concerns.
- You’ll have more energy
- It saves you money (yep! It’s cheaper)
- SO much better for the planet
How to detox your home:
- Get rid of your bathroom, kitchen and laundry cleaning products. Read the labels and make sure you know exactly what you are spraying around your home for you and your family to breath in.
- Let in fresh air every day. Even in the middle of winter.
- Wash your clothes, sheet etc in good products. You will not only feel better but sleep better also and everything will last much longer saving you money.
- Bring in plants and flowers. These act as detoxifiers and really lift the energy in your home.
- Let there be sun. Open the blinds and let in as much sunlight as possible.
- Kick off your shoes. Your shoes can bring in so many nasties so kick them off at the front door either leave them there or carry them in side to your wardrobe.
- Get rid of clutter. Mess just collects dust and dust causes allergies so keep your home as minimal as possible.
When it comes to cleaning treat yourself and your home to THE best. Murchison & Home literally create couture cleaning products for your home. They smell divine but best of all they are 100% non-toxic and because they’re plant based ingredients they’re safe for our gardens, oceans and planet!
Right now my friends at Temple & Webster are doing a HUGE sale on the entire Murchison & Hume range so you have no excuse not to detox your home and start treating your senses to some bliss. They’ve got you covered from the bathroom to the kitchen, even your laundry and windows!
My Fav 3 Murchison & Hume products:
Ok, so these 3 you seriously can’t live without:
1.Coriander Surface Spray – love it in the kitchen!
2.Boy’s Bathroom cleaner - even if you don’t have a boy in the house this stuff is the BOMB!
3.Fig Liquid Handwash - be gentle on your hands!
Create your very own sanctuary!
Temple & Webster are giving you the chance to create your very own toxin-free sanctuary at home.
Win 1 of 3 incredible Murchison & Hume gift packs.
1. Simply, tell me how you’re going to detox your home this weekend for the chance to win.
2. I’ll announce the winners in my newsletter on Friday 15 March. You can sign up now.
Wow! That’s the only word I can describe my weekend at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat! It’s on the Gold Coast and I was lucky enough to spend 3 days there with my two soul sisters Jessica Ainscough and Rachel Magahy.
Back in the real world I am still reaping the benefits of my three days bliss out. That’s what I want you to think about – do you need to escape the ‘rat race’, take a break from the everyday world and bliss out? Because I can tell you I feel so much more clam, centred, grounded, connected, focused, recharged, open, fluid and flexible than I did a week ago.
I set myself three intentions for my stay at Gwinganna:
- To be present
- To unplug (yep, mobile off!)
- To experience joy
The most profound thing for me was unplugged. I have written about it before here. Social media has started to feel like a full time job for me – it’s where I get to connect with my tribe everyday, but it can also be a big energy drainer if we let it. ‘Disconnecting’ for a few days I feel reinvigorated, refreshed and overflowing with inspiration and energy.
So even if you can’t escape to your own Gwinganna bliss out I want you to consider joining me for what I call ‘Social Free Sunday’s’ – a chance to unplug and spend a day completely living in the moment, your moment.
Over the weekend we had so many tempting and enticing activities to choose from and instead of playing it safe and doing things I normally do such as yoga, boxing, and pilates the girls and I decided to go for things we knew nothing about. We wanted to push ourselves out of our comfort zone and do things that sacred us.
Bodyplay was one of them. Before this class started our beautiful retreat leader Kay instructed us to turn off our judgment button. Once this was off we were no longer allowed to judge others or our self. At this stage I still wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into but was excited nevertheless. I don’t want to spoil too much about Bodyplay in case you plan to head to Gwinganna but I will let you know that in the class we moved, danced, twirled, flowed and acted like a 6 year old. It was just wanted I needed.
15 of the best bits from my stay at Gwinganna (it was hard to keep this list short!):
- The staff. Seriously the most beautiful people.
- The comfy beds. I had the best sleep of my life.
- The organic food. All organic and totally delicious.
- Deep water running class. Again something I had never tried and was blown away by how hard it actually is.
- Bodyplay.
- Running in the rain with the girls.
- Hot stone massages.
- The sound of the pouring rain over the cottage whilst I dose off to sleep.
- Steam room and ice cold showers.
- Bonding and deepening my connection with Jess and Rach.
- Greenery galore.
- Kangaroos, Kookaburra’s, cows and other wildlife roaming the grounds.
- Hiking up the mounting in the pouring rain Bear Grylls style.
- Relaxation class.
- No phone reception.
I have never felt so at peace and totally blissed out. My weekend at Gwinganna was a beautiful reminder of how much I need to unplug more often and reconnect with nature, slow down, take myself out of 5th gear and come back into 1st to be completely and utterly present. It was a powerful reminder – NOW is a perfect moment.
Gwinganna is a perfect place to unwind, relax, discount and recharge. If it’s good enough for Hugh Jackman (who’s part owner of Gwinganna) I am positive you will love it also – seriously book it!
Oh and since the food was so AMAZING I wanted to give you the chance to win your very own Gwinganna cookbook. The recipes in this book are so tasty, simple plus jam packed with nutrients. Trust me, you’ll feel like you’re blissing out in your own kitchen.
TO WIN A COPY OF THE GWINGANNA COOKBOOK:
+ Tell me in the comments below how you are going to unplug today?
T&C’s: You must be signed up to my newsletter to be in the running for this awesome prize. I’ll announce the winner on Friday 15th March so be sure to enter between now and midnight Thursday 14th March.
— Melissa xx
p.s.Unplug this Sunday, then tag me in your #socialfreesundays Instagram pic’s (on Monday) xx
In my new eBook 12 Steps to Wellness I shared my story, literally baring the high’s and low’s in my path to wellness. Since then I’ve had a lot of people thanking me for sharing this so openly and honestly. But truthfully, in a way it wasn’t that hard – I’d already done the toughest part 4 years ago when I was laying in hospital with cold sores all over my face, in my mouth and down my throat.
Yep – not a pretty sight! It was a VERY different me that you see today. Along with the cold sore virus I had a cocktail of other health conditions including adrenal fatigue, anxiety and depression. My body had shut-down and my mind was exhausted. I couldn’t talk, eat, drink or breathe properly.
Laying there in the very un-glamorous hospital room I got to the point where I could no longer point the finger at any one else. I was the reason I was laying there, not Mum, Dad, my ex boyfriend that shattered my heart (or the one before that), or my ‘friends’ that decided to dump me. It was me all me. And you know what? I was so sick of banging my head against the wall blaming everyone else that I stop and took responsibility. For the first time. In a way I had no other choice – I’d hit rock bottom. So I could either stay right where I was (relying on a cocktail of anti-biotics and other drugs to keep me going) OR I could go in the only other direction – up!
And so that’s what I chose. I decided enough was enough – I got real with myself, my actions and my beliefs. It started off with listening to Louise Hay and the realisation “holy s%$t! I created all of this”. I realised this entire experience including my health was my manifestation. “WOW how powerful am I!” I thought.
This was such a big realisation for me to take in, almost too big for my tiny body. But in that exact moment I made a promise to myself. To never point the finger again (at myself or anyone else). Now that’s a huge statement, especially when I’d been blaming myself and other people for years. It meant instead of having to push upstream I was going to start living in the flow and co-creating my life with the universe.
I remember asking my parents to bring me a new journal and a vegetable juice from the cafe across the road (hospital food was not in line with my new way of thinking). I spent hours sipping on veggie juice after veggie juice (thanks Dad!) and scribbling away in my journal. I wrote down all the ‘stuff’ I’d been caring around, all the things I’d been judging myself for, the toxic thoughts and the negative behaviours. I also wrote about what I wanted life to be like – and more importantly how I wanted to feel in every moment.
Here’s 2 of the really powerful things I wrote:
- I am in full control of my destiny.
- I am the one in the drivers seat.
But, this new power and strength was overwhelming in a way. I didn’t know how to use it in the right way yet. That took time. In the months following I ‘fell down’ quite a few times. Sometimes people assume that once you make a decision like this (or have an experience like I did) it’s all smooth sailing – let me tell you right now, it’s not! Change takes time, you slip up along the way. But, every time I got stronger and more determined to keep going. I was running the marathon on my path to wellness, I wasn’t prepared to sprint to the finish line – I wanted to do the hard yards, go through the mud (really old stuff) and strip back all the masks and layers I no longer needed.
I keep connecting with the promise I made myself and still do to this day.
So here’s what I want you to know gorgeous.
- Taking inventory on our actions IS confronting, it’s also REALLY worth it.
- It’s so much ‘easier’ to point the finger at our parents, friends or partner and blame them for how ‘effed’ up we are. But, it’s not going to set you free or make you happy.
- When we point our finger at someone remember there are three pointing straight back to you. Everything around us is a mirror of what’s going on inside us. Look into the mirror.
Perhaps I’m a little crazy but I like to imagine a world where everyone took responsibility for his or her actions. A world were no one judged or blamed anyone else yet first looked within. Oh how different things would be!
Well, you know what. You can make this possible! Seriously, it starts with you.
Ask yourself – “How often do I stop and take responsibility for your life and your actions?” and “Am I dishing out blame left right and centre?”
Gorgeous, getting real with myself was one of the best gifts I ever gave myself. I also know it’s going to set you free and unlock the path to happiness, love and wellness. So the question is, are you ready?
- Melissa xx
P.S. if you are ready pop on over and check out my new eBook 12 Steps to Wellness. This will guide you through step by step how to get real with yourself in every area of your life.
I met this beautiful soul over Instagram (yep you heard me..good old insta). Sharing a passion for health, happiness and life we instantly became buddies. I hope you enjoy finding out about Jen as much as I did.
Name: Jennifer Kass
Age: 32
Where do you live? NYC
Current occupation: Writer, Speaker and Holistic Happiness Coach
Why is fueling your body with beautiful food and thoughts important to you?
The first thing I tell everyone is that our thoughts are our primary food and whether they’re aligned with fear or love will indicate how we’re feeling physically and emotionally and if we’re having a positive and happy experience in all areas of our lives, whether it’s in our work, relationships or even our food choices and physical activity. When our thoughts are aligned with love, we are naturally guided to the foods that best serve us and we don’t want to eat or drink things that make us feel bad or be in toxic relationships or work that lacks inspiration—we choose all things that make us feel good.
Food changes everything. When we’re eating fresh, organic whole foods and avoiding harsh stimulants like alcohol, sugar and coffee, we’re able to draw on our natural supply of energy and connect more easily with our intuition, so that we can make the best choices in our lives, with more focus and clarity and less doubt and struggle. Living from a place of ease is the goal—when we’re making healthy choices with our thoughts and foods, there’s less worry, stress and doubt. Making healthier food choices is the gateway to making healthier changes in all areas of our lives, so it’s a great first step I like to integrate in my programs.
What does self-love mean to you?
Self-love is the baseline of happiness, health, and spirituality. When we are in a pure space of self-love, we achieve sustainable happiness allowing our internal abundance to reflect back to us with beautiful relationships, purpose-driven work, and financial freedom; our bodies cannot manifest illness in this space–if we are currently struggling with a health or weight condition, self-love puts us on the fast-track to healing.
Self-love is the crux of a spiritual practice. When we return to love and away from fear, which can look like judging, attack, blame or worry, we return to who we really are, the non-physical part of us that lives within. As Carl Jung famously said, “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” So our work is to clear our fearful perceptions and shift them back to love, which reveals our perfection and wholeness. In truth, we don’t need to be fixed and nothing is wrong with us—these are just the stories we’ve been telling ourselves. When we let go of them, we can finally experience freedom and our highest potential.
Tell us why you started your blog and what it means to you?
I started my blog to begin guiding my readers and clients to get them to the next level in all areas of their lives. My community consists of high-achieving, high-potential people who are motivated and willing to break past what’s holding them back. I’m currently working on launching a new website this month with some exciting new programs, and a downloadable guidebook for achieving ultimate happiness from a holistic and spiritual approach, which is called The Happiness Experiment (hint: My coveted 3-day home cleanse guide will be included, which was previously only available to my private coaching clients—this is working it from the inside out!). And I will be introducing to the blog short, powerful 2-minute videos that will guide you to know exactly what you need to do to overcome blocks and live in a miraculous way.
Your top 5 tips to stay healthy and happy?
- A daily practice of prayer + meditation. Without consistently going inward and reconnecting with ourselves and asking for guidance, we can be left feeling confused and in a place of fear, which drives us to control outcomes. It is only when we connect with our inner selves and surrender our plan that we can truly align with our highest possibilities and desires.
- Cultivate self-love. This means choosing loving thoughts, actions and behaviors. This opportunity is in every moment, so this is why slowing down and becoming more mindful is so helpful.
- Happiness is a choice. By simply choosing to be happy each day, we can experience happiness.
- Ask for guidance around what to detox from. In your meditation, ask your inner guide what you need to let go of whether it’s old limiting beliefs, a relationship, job or something you’re eating or drinking. Ask your inner guide if less sugar, alcohol, caffeine, or animal products would be beneficial for you and where to begin? Know that you will be guided to exactly what you need to do to get to your optimal health and vitality.
- Yoga. Doing physical activity that you love makes it much more beneficial for our health on all levels. Practicing a contemplative physical activity like yoga is my favorite because of the mind/body connection. I just feel more like me when I go to yoga every day.
What are your big dreams, goal and aspirations?
I’ve already experienced my first dream, which was to align with my true purpose and calling. This work is so much bigger than me, so everyday I surrender my mission to God/Love/Universe–any name will do, and to my higher self so that I may serve on the highest level, connecting with as many people as I can because I’m shining my light. My overall dream and soul’s purpose is to lead thousands and eventually millions toward growth + expansion, self-knowledge, love and enlightenment. I’m writing my first book this year, another dream come true.
Your favourite live by affirmation, mantra or quote?
Only love is real.
I grew up with Buddhist parents, so I got a big dose of wisdom at a young age, but I first connected with the teaching that only love is real when my first spiritual book was handed to me in high school called Only Love is Real by past-life regression therapist Dr. Brian Weiss. I instantly connected with the teachings and wrote a paper in high school English that I titled Only Love is Real. I love this mantra because when we know the truth of what is real and what is a false illusion (fear), we remember who we are and step into our power, our highest potential.
What are your favourite recipes?
Some of my favorite recipes are from my childhood. Growing up with macrobiotic parents, the foods were always simple, organic plant-based meals with the signature Japanese ingredients like nori and umeboshi plums. Here, some easy ones I’m making right now.
Kale chip pizza is the ultimate best of both worlds—you don’t even miss the cheese! Most of my recipes are plant-based animal-free because it’s best to eat food that is alive and fresh, and keeps our system clean and free of pain-energy.
I love curating my own green smoothies, focusing on unique detoxifying ingredients like dandelion root tea and blue-green algae, like me Total Reboot New Year Smoothie I did for Well+GoodNYC.com.
Where can we find you?
On Monday I wrote about real beauty and what it means to me. To sum up
Real beauty comes from within.
It’s a deep sense of self-acceptance, acceptance of what is and self-love.
Since then peeps have been asking what I use (well actually I often get asked this so I figured it was time to bare all). Here’s a peek into my beauty cupboard right now.
For My Hair: I recently went to the relaunch of A’kin and Al’chemy and was blown away with how beautiful their products are and having been using their delicious shampoo and conditioner. They’ve created products with “purity” and “goodness” in mind, and they smell AMAZING. I also use Original and Mineral and love coconut oil for a leave in treatment.
For My Skin: I use Pai moisturiser and cleaner from Flora Organica.
For My Body: I use Indah Organic coconut oil on my body. It’s about the purest you can get, is fair trade and harvested sustainably with local Balinese farmers. The product is gorgeous and so is their philosophy.
Make Up: I don’t wear it often but when I do I use Jane Iredale.
Lady Products: I use TOM Organics. You can’t get any better that this, and the packaging is super cute.
Whenever I’m considering trying out some new products I always pay really strict attention to what they’ve put into the ingredients but also the quality of ingredients they’ve used. I also think it’s important to support brands with a good ethos as well as a good product. Next time your wandering the beauty isle’s – pick up a bottle and turn it over. There’s some scary things (usually very long and scientific sounding) that just shouldn’t go near your skin.
Final Note: if you wouldn’t drink it, think twice about applying it to your skin. I talk about this and heaps more beauty secrets in my eBook 12 Steps to Wellness. you can get it here now.
What about you beautiful! What’s in your beauty cupboard?
I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be telling you this – I’ve been invited to host my first ever retreat!
The name says it all – it’s called The Heaven on Earth Retreat and it’s in Bali! Imagine it, 6 nights and 7 days in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
I think everyone deserves a holiday in Bali this year, especially you gorgeous! It’s the perfect place to escape the rat race and spend a little time nourishing the mind, body and soul. What’s more you’ll be soaking up the benefits of your very own Melissa Ambrosini designed wellness program. From scrumptious organic meals, indulgent massages, daily yoga and meditation plus one on one coaching sessions with me! I’m literally going to guide you through the 12 Steps to Wellness and help you transform your life. You will be treated to the best nourishment and nurturing we can give you. Oh and did I mention we’re staying in 5 star private villas?
I’m not doing this alone either, I’ll be joined by some amazing healers including a very special Balinese priestess called Ibu Jero. She’s a 4th generation spiritual priestess with incredible healing skills, intuition and a loving spirit. And she’s agreed to conduct a personal tour to a sacred Balinese site and give us all a spiritual blessing! How awesome is that?!
I’m so excited that you, my gorgeous tribe can come with me to a place called heaven on earth. I’m going to help you to reconnect with your inner self, rejuvenate your body and reinvigorate your love of life!
What you need to know:
The Heaven on Earth retreat is running between 10 – 16 April 2013 in Bali (just near Seminyak so you can shop if you want to!). For full details visit Heaven on Earth. There’s a really limited number of spots (only 12 guests!) so if you are ready to visit heaven on earth and start your path to wellness book your spot quickly.
This retreat is all about helping you live a life of wellbeing, balance, happiness, harmony, love and above all freedom. And seriously, you deserve heaven on earth!
- Melissa xx
Since launching my new eBook 12 Steps to Wellness I have had many people commenting about the photo’s throughout the book with many people saying things like:
‘You look so natural in front of the camera.’
‘How do you build up the confidence to pose in front of the camera like that?’
So, tribe – I’m going to get real with you. The night before the shoot I was actually feeling nervous and a bit anxious about the shoot. In my head I was imagining the photo shoots of days past, back when I was a model and actress. So, as I sat with this uncomfortable feeling, here’s what came up for me:
FEAR!
The last time I had stood in front of a camera I was very unsure of myself. I was scared, lost and lacking self-love and self-confidence. I’d been thinking thoughts like:
What if they judge me?
What if I am not good enough?
What if the photos turn out badly?
What if I can’t do this anymore?
All these were running through my head again the night before the shoot. I kept thinking ‘why is this coming up for me now?’.
The answer of course was that I was holding on to how I felt the last time I did a photo shoot as a model. I was holding on to an old ‘story’, one that no longer served me. One way I like to work through these feelings is to journal. It’s a great way of getting all the mind chatter onto the page. So, when I journalled about this I saw the truth.
The fear I was holding onto from the past no longer needed to stick around and in that moment I made a choice – I decided to let go of that fear. I could have held onto it for the whole two days of shooting but I choose to drop it right then and there. It really is as simple as that.
When I sat down in front of the camera on the first day of shooting I remember feeling more beautiful than ever before. But a different kind of beauty, a deep sense of self-acceptance. Apart from loving what I was doing nothing else mattered. A hair out of place, makeup not right, clothes not ironed – nothing mattered and I didn’t actually care what anyone else thought. Even though I had three people constantly staring at me I was overwhelmed with inner bliss, peace and joy. Even when they would say ‘that pose isn’t working Mel, lets try something different’, I didn’t take it to heart (like the old me would of).
Wow how far I have come!
This shoot was SO different to my old photo shoots where I’d constantly get poked with makeup brushes until you had so much makeup on makeup on makeup that I’d feel like a greasy pancake. They’d tease and backcomb hair and through the fog of hairspray I’d look into the mirror and think ‘have I been electrocuted?’.
Usually the photographer wasn’t the warmest of people (which didn’t help), they just wanted to get on with the job and the catering was full of sugar, caffeine and highly processed foods. For 8 hours or more I’d hear things like ‘move left’, ‘nope stay there’, ‘actually little to the left’, ‘no that’s too far’, ‘go back, half an inch forward, back, nope, stop, it’s not work, trying something different’.
But this shoot was totally different, I did my own makeup, I got a blow dry on the first day and my hairdressers did such a great job that I didn’t even need to re do it the next day. Actually I didn’t even touch it. Without all the hair product, makeup and highly toxic chemicals that come along with it I felt more beautiful than ever.
This is because real beauty comes from within! It doesn’t matter how much you put on your body, if you don’t feel and love yourself from deep within there’s no point. Trust me!
Some of my gorgeous tribe regularly bump into me around Bondi and as they’ll tell you I won’t be wearing makeup. I just don’t feel the need to lather my body in toxic junk. I choose to let my real beauty shine from within.
I really want you to understand this. There’s so much value put on the highly retouched images that come out of fashion shoots and magazines. But, I was there and I can tell you – it’s not glamorous, rarely beautiful and there’s a lot of work done post shoot to get the models looking like that.
But the shots you see of me on my website and in my book are me! We removed a few fly away strands of hair, balanced the lighting but otherwise you’re seeing me. The real me! Happy, radiant and loving life.
So, what is real beauty?
Real beauty comes from within.
It’s a deep sense of self-acceptance, acceptance of what is and self-love.
I know you’ve probably heard that before. So I want you to sit with it. Really sit with it. Next time you’re in front of a mirror, look at yourself – really look into that gorgeous face of yours and allow your beauty to glow from within. If you find this tough, don’t worry – it’s not easy to do when you’re self-love barometer is a little low. My 12 Steps to Wellness book has an entire chapter dedicated to helping you with this!
I’m going to finish with an affirmation, practice saying this to yourself, ideally looking into your eyes in a mirror.
“I am radiant, my skin is luminous, I embrace my natural beauty and shine from within”
What do you think gorgeous, do you believe real beauty comes from within? Leave me a comment or pop on over to Facebook and share your real beauty stories with me.
Get ready to salivate over this little munchkins website. I recently came across this little darling a while ago when a friend emailed me and said “you would love this girl check her out”. So I did! And yes she’s amaze balls.
Name: Carly Morgan Gross
Age: 21 years old
Where do you live? Gainesville, Florida USA
Current occupation:
I’d say my occupation right now is a student…of life. I’m finishing up my Health Education studies at The University of Florida, but on the side, I’m studying holistic nutrition, reiki, crystals, and aromatherapy on my own. I’m also a part-time blogger.
Tell us a little bit about your beautiful self.
I am a lover of all things health and fitness. I see the beauty in every situation, every being, and every message. I am deeply compassionate and I care about the wellbeing of myself, my circle, your circle, and the planet.
Why is fueling your body with beautiful food and thoughts important to you?
I believe in a healthy mind, body, and spirit: Making the right food choices take my body and mind to a higher frequency level, ensuring that my spirit follows along the same path. When you are on the level of vibrancy, vibrancy is all that can exist in your physical realm!
What does self-love mean to you?
To me, self-love is total acceptance of the now; whatever that may be. The media is jam-packing us into thinking that we’re not good enough- how to get perfect hair, 5 foods that will make you lose weight, and such, are popular magazine and commercial articles in today’s society. Girls are constantly being told that they aren’t skinny enough, pretty enough, or knowledgeable enough. I believe that this type of thinking is the stem of all disease in the first place. Maybe we can prevent disease before it starts: by altering our minds when we are young, and continuing that practice throughout life. My self-love is nourished by bright and beautiful foods, mirror affirmations, self-massaging and using aromatherapy oils, and just totally accepting the now as it is.
Tell us why you started your blog and what it means to you?
A couple years ago I went through a major change in my health: I had digestive issues, parasites, yeast, anemia, among others. I started searching everywhere: from website to website, book to book, doctor to doctor on how to heal holistically. Although I have been on this (yes I’ll say..) amazing holistic lifestyle path for so long- it taught me an even bigger message about food and about life: relaxation, love, appreciation, and gratitude~~these are what truly heal the body. (YES I LOVE HER!)
Now, I have SO much knowledge on healing the body through natural means. I am still a huge fan of healing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with food, and my blog displays that, but it also shows my love of love.
I am a self-taught holistic health chef- and my love for food, and the art of, is a huge passion of mine. Putting food onto a plate is to me like putting a paintbrush is onto a canvas. My love for healthy food and sharing recipes is what brought my blog into existence.
Your top 5 tips to stay healthy and happy?
1. Appreciate what you already have! Each morning, repeat this mantra: “I give thanks for all of the things in my life that have opened my eyes and brought to this physical world everything that is real for me. I will create more of these blessings today.”
2. Meditate. Connecting with yourself and your breath is one of the most powerful and healing modalities that you can do. It seems subtle, but your body will thank you!
3. Write! Document things in your life that you would like to get rid of: attitudes or beliefs about yourself, destructive behaviors, it could be anything. Write these things down, and then tear it, burn it, or throw it away. Just like that, those things are gone. Now get out a new paper, write the things you want to create in your life, and hang that baby up on your wall! Read that list every day.
4. Eat plants. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with vegetables…there is so much dietary confusion out there today. One thing they all have in common: vegetables. Enough said.
5. Believe in yourself. Whatever you want to create, whoever you want to be, wherever you want to go: you can do these things. It all starts with a belief. I believe in you. <3
What are your big dreams, goal and aspirations?
I want to inspire people (girls in particular) to love themselves- and this all starts with the plate. Having a fresh, gorgeous plate of food to eat actually creates the right type of neurotransmitters in the brain for mood elevation, and you just downright feel sexier when you eat sexy lookin food!! Mostly, I will be a healer working with people energetically, emotionally, and physically. I will be a holistic nutritionist, but I want people to leave my office (one day) feeling more at ease, secure, and well. (So many times I have actually left nutritionists offices in tears) I’d like to eventually have a sort of catering business and home apothecary. My journey has led me to read, seek, and gain everything there is to know about digestion: I know it can be such a traumatic thing in a persons life, as it has for mine, so I will help people heal their gut. There are so many things that I am passionate about, and I can’t wait to pursue them and see where it all leads me.
Your favourite live by affirmation, mantra or quote?
“Don’t seek, don’t search, don’t ask, don’t knock, don’t demand – relax. If you relax, it comes. If you relax, it is there. If you relax, you start vibrating with it.”
And…
“Don’t ask what the world needs; ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs, is people who have come alive.”
What are your favourite recipes?
Oh, I have so many! There are a bunch located on my blog that you can check out, but here’s one that hasn’t made it there yet for a minty fresh green smoothie. I eat this almost every day…!!
What you need:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 zucchini
- 1 cucumber
- 1 cup nut milk
- 1 tbsp liquid chlorophyll
- 1 tsp spirulina
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs
- 1/2 tbsp bee pollen
- Stevia to taste
I make this almost every day! You can totally add in some vanilla or chocolate protein powder if you’d like.
Top it with your favorite crunchy goodness! Mine has toasted pumpkin seeds, sprouted buckwheat groats, and raw dark chocolate!
Where can we find you?
