Path to Wellness

Guest post by Alina Berdichevsky

There are some fabulous ladies in my life that I haven’t seen in a while. And the truth is, I miss them.

There has been no terrible drama or falling out. It is, quite simply, just life.

Everyone is so consumed with their purpose and the busyness of work. For some, it’s a necessary 80 hour pursuit, for others, a consuming passion. A lucky few are in the throes of love or nursing babies.

And what happens is that weeks can go by without barely a connection, a hello… a random coffee or a rushed chat here and there. We rarely allow ourselves the luxury to sit, to be and to relax into the friendship as it once was. And when we do, it’s opened with the cry ‘it’s been too long!’ and we see how much we truly need each other.

Now, I understand that life today is hugely busy. Us girls have projects, meetings and deadlines – and that’s just at home!

Am I the only one to feel that acute pang of isolation from time to time – or are you feeling it too, my loves?

And more importantly, aren’t we hard-wired throughout thousands of years to be together most of the day – to laugh and sit around and chat as we weave baskets and tend to each others’ babies?

There must be a remaining cavity in our soul that craves today a similar level of connection. Although we can be hesitant to make arrangements due to looming deadlines, don’t we always feel so relieved after a good session with our dearest friends?

I’m sure men feel this too, but I think women do so deeper. Our very brain is wired for this connection.

Well I say, bring the luxury of extended girl time back in our lives.

That extra effort it takes to meet up and make a celebration of it, open our homes and  mouths to some delicious food, cute drinks and heartfelt conversation. I know we do this sometimes, but I say more often!

For I know, that where I have grown most is through the honest and discerning observations of my friends.

So ladies, shall we do that dinner soon?

I mean, where would the SATC girls be without each other?

About Alina Berdichevsky

Executive coach Alina Berdichevsky began her agency, Alina B Coaching in 2003 in response to the limited self-help options available to high-performing yet successful professionals. The service evolved into offering a range of workshops and programs specifically for women, called tongue-in-cheek ‘The Art of Being Sexy’.Already a certified life coach and Master NLP Practitioner, Alina studied mysticism and Tantra to find some ancient energetic techniques that could counter-balance the pressures of modern life – and help us feel beautiful and alive again. She started her blog in 2012 and is also a published writer and consultant who has been featured in SMH.COM, B&T Magazine and appeared on Today Tonight.

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Last week, I embarked on a three-day at home reboot. I did this because I felt to, to become even more crystal clear and ready for a kick-ass 2013.

Over the three days, I was doing an organic liquid cleanse from Orchard Street. Read all about it here.

As well as the liquid cleanse I did a few other things. Here’s what I did.

Monday

• Training session with my trainer, Christian Miranda from One PT
• Swam in the ocean
• Dry body brushing
• Read my book in the sun.
• Coffee enema (Thanks to my girl, The Wellness Warrior!)
• 20-minute meditation (Thanks to my awesome meditation teacher Tom Cronin)
• Bike ride in nature with my love
• Bed by 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday

• Meditation
• Journal session in nature
• Pilates
• Dry body brushing
• Coffee enema
• Bed by 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday

• Meditation
• Dry body brushing
• Coffee enema
• Journal session
• Training session with my trainer, Christian
• Deep tissue massage with Georgy (seriously the best massage of my life 0430 006 852)
• Bed by 9 p.m.

Creating a little three day at home reboot is so much fun plus your in the comfort of your own home.

Remember everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you. The best thing you can do is tune into your divine power and find out what your body wants right now. Our bodies are always talking to us, so open up and listen. 

The best bits:

The surprising thing was: I had so much energy throughout the whole three days. That is why I went and did Pilates and trained. But if I was feeling tired there is no way I would of done those.

Because I don’t eat processed foods, sugar or drink alcohol, I didn’t get detox symptoms such as: headaches and brain fog. My friends couldn’t believe how much energy I had. I’ve had people comment on how bright my eyes are and how clear my skin is.

What I realised:

Over the three days, I spent a lot of time alone pondering, writing, and meditating. I noticed how much we engage in unnecessary eating. We eat to supress emotions, out of habit, and boredom. Instead, we should be eating to nourish our beautiful temples.

After the cleanse, every time I put something to my mouth, I asked myself: Is this going to nourish me? If the answer was: No! I put it down.

Try this next time you go to eat or drink.

Ask yourself:

-       Am I eating to supress emotions?

-       Am I actually even hungry or am I just eating out of habit?

-       Am I eating because I am bored?

-       Will this nourish my temple?

-       Is this the best quality produce I can get?

-       Will this make me feel more energised or will it make me sluggish?

-       Is this organic and free from toxic chemicals?

-       Is this in alignment with my ethical beliefs?

If the answer is: No! sweetie, then don’t put it into your gorgeous temple. Treat your body with love and respect and it will do the same to you.

Now over to you, gorgeous! Join the conversation! Is there something you want to cut out of your life? Maybe it’s coffee, a toxic relationship or alcohol. Let me know in the comments below.

I have just finished three days of the most beautiful, organic, liquid cleanse from Orchard Street. I loved it so much that I wanted to share it with you.

Let’s dive straight in!

About Orchard Street:

Orchard Street is the brainchild of beautiful, blue-eyed Kirsten Shanks. Kirsten is a fully qualified naturopath, nutritionist, and herbalist with a heart the size of Mount Everest. I met this gorgeous soul at The Conscious Club and was immediately drawn to her (instant BFF’s). Our shared passion for using food as medicine and living a healthy, toxic-free life had us babbling for hours. Kirsten began to tell me about her ‘baby’: Orchard Street, a three-to-five-day organic liquid cleansing program.

Sounds awesome, huh?

Let’s keep going.

Here are the details:

• It’s chemical free
• Alkalinizing
• Raw
• Vegan
• Cold pressed
• Plus Kirsten uses local and fair trade produce grown using sustainable, organic, chemical-free farming methods.

Before we go any farther, let’s find out what the heck a cleanse is.

A cleanse is a means of allowing the body to restore, and to balance. A cleanse does this by removing all that may be hindering the full expression of your vitality. During a period of cleansing, it is important to avoid known toxins, any foods or beverages, and any ‘toxic thoughts’ which may be causing your body to react in a way that is not conducive to healing.

A liquid cleanse utilises the value of foods as medicine with a diet based on nutrient-dense beverages. The liquid cleanse floods the body with an array of phytonutrients to enhance detoxification processes whilst allowing the digestive system to simultaneously rest offering a unique opportunity to cleanse.

Why I decided to cleanse:

Over Christmas and New Year’s, I consumed one too many bliss balls and raw vegan ‘cheese’ cakes. I usually don’t eat sugar and even the natural stuff bogs me down these days. I was feeling a bit sluggish and noticed myself reaching for some dates or bliss balls at the same time each day. This is a sure sign that something needs to shift.

Some signs of toxicity:

• Feeling tired, sluggish or lethargic
• Trouble concentrating and staying focused
• Difficulty losing weight
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Headaches and migraines
• Hormonal imbalances
• Low libido
• Unpleasant body odor
• Frequent gas, bloating, or indigestion
• Allergies and food sensitivities
• Joint pain
• Susceptibility to colds
• Trouble sleeping
• Bad breath
• Skin problems like: acne, psoriasis or eczema
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Recurrent respiratory problems
• Back pain
• Mood changes
• Hemorrhoids
• Sinus congestion

What I did:

I cleansed for three days and tried one of each of three cleanses:

Day #1 – Green

Day #2 - Signature

Day #3– Pure

What I got:

Each day I got:

• 1 green smoothie
• 1 kefir tonic
• 2 vegetable juices
• 1 coconut water iskiate
• 1 activated nut milk
• 1 organic lemon
• 1 remedial tea and booster shots to enhance my cleanse
• A beautiful, reusable, enviro-friendly, lined jute bag full of goodies!

The cost:

1 Day = $85

3 Days = $240 ($80 per day)

5 Days = $400 ($80 per day)

My thoughts:

I didn’t once get tired or feel deprived at all throughout the three days.

I kept drinking filtered water throughout the cleanse.

I added a dandelion tea (which is a great liver detoxer) each day.

I wasn’t starving, at all.

I had energy and didn’t feel tired or lethargic.

I experienced no headaches or detox systems.

I felt satisfied by the delicious juices, smoothies, tonics, and teas.

I have done a few cleanses in my time and this was by far the most delicious, beautiful, easiest, effortless one I have ever done.

The best bits:

Each day, my cleanse was delivered to my door.

The package was simply divine, biodegradable, and totally reusable. (I am going to plant some herbs in my glass bottles!)

The cleanse comes in funky glass bottles, avoiding BPA-laden plastic. Thus, it is better for the environment and for us.

The taste! Each juice was a yummy surprise, overflowing with delicious goodness.

The booklet you get on arrival contains beautiful, self-love information plus helpful tips and tricks.

The daily emails overflowed with love, inspiration, and support.

Bonus:

As everybody is different, Kristen offers custom cleanses. Click here to find out more information.

Important information:

Please do not diagnose yourself. Consult a qualified medical professional about toxic systems. Remember: This was my cleanse experience. Yours may be completely different. No two people are the same. (Remember that!) What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Reach out to Kristen if you have any questions before you embark on your cleanse.

My verdict:

Love, love, loved it!

Now over to you beautiful, have you every done a liquid cleanse before? If so, how did you feel?

2012:

Growth. Love. Laughter. Tears. Wisdom. Hugs. Strength. Breakthroughs. Letting go. Gratitude. Acceptance. Creating space. Reclaiming power—here, there, and everywhere. Stepping in. Diving deep. Falling over. Getting up.

2012 was freaking awesome. I mean it! I have never felt more connected, real, or authentic. For the first time ever, I finally feel like I know who I am. I understand myself more than ever and I can’t wait to dive even deeper into who I am being in 2013. Bring it!

2013:

Adventure. Love. Passion. Travel. Dreams. Connection. Unity. Divine feminine power. Risk. Vitality. Grace. Bravery. Presence.

This year is all about stepping into my divine feminine power. Owning it. Living it. No more sitting on the sidelines. No more playing small. No more cursing alone. It’s going to be big. HUGE! Magnificent! I can’t wait.

It’s all about doing things that scare the crap out of me. Launching before I am ready. Leaping. Feeling that rush.

I remind myself: In every breath, I have a choice. A choice to eat that chocolate cake. Think those unloving thoughts. Buy those shoes. Say those toxics words. Not exercise. Skip meditating. Self-sabotage. It’s all me. Me, me, me. I am the one in the driver’s seat. I am the one in control. I am the only person who can turn it all around in an instant. I can choose to suffer or choose to fly. It’s all up to me. How empowering! Exciting. Exhilarating.

Are you ready to step into your true power? Your true essence?

Forget goal setting and New Year’s resolutions! (They never stick anyway!)  Instead, ask yourself: How do I want to feel this year? Who do I want to be? Pour your heart out, gorgeous, in the comments below. I want to hear what your heart desires for 2013.

Merry Christmas, beautiful souls!

May today, and every single day, bring you much love, joy, happiness, laughter, light, and peace. I hope you are surrounded by the people that you love the most and delicious healthy food. I sure am!

Thank you so much for making 2012 my most magical year yet! Writing and connecting with you all daily has been a complete joy that made me overflow with love. Each and every single one of you has made this journey absolute bliss. I can’t wait for 2013. It’s going to be HUGE!

If you can do three things over the break:

1. Do more of what you love.

2. Surround yourself with the people you love.

3. Take time for self-love.

I will be indulging in loads of self-love over the break. I hope you are, too. I am taking a break from blogging and the interwebs but will be back in January with loads of goodies. I can’t wait to share with you.

2013 is going to be massive. So, take this time to clear out all the clutter in your life and get set up. Set your intentions for who you want to be in 2013 and the magic you want to create.

Some of the things I want to create in 2013 are:

1. Live completely and utterly from my heart.

2. Choose love over fear in every breath.

3. Travel.

4. Write books.

5. Launch my online course.

6. Connect.

7. Be inspired.

8. Love.

9. Kiss.

10. Laugh—a lot!

11. Go on a retreat.

12. Launch my new site.

Now is the time to declare what you want to create in 2013. Tell me in the comments below what it is you see manifesting in 2013.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

All my love,

Melissa

Christmas is a time of giving that is why I am so excited to be giving you the chance to win up to $1000 worth of awesome prizes. Why? Because you freakin’ rock! You have been so loyal to me over the past year and I want to shine some light on you gorgeous.

So, here’s the deal today is the first day of my 12 days of Christmas Recipe Comp. I have 12 of the best health foodies in the biz sharing their favourite recipe with you. Names such as Lola Berry, Sarah Wilson and Lee Holmes are a few of the super stars that have come on board.

To enter simply make one of the 12 recipes I post on the blog and…

1. Upload the photo of the meal here

2. Get your family & friends voting

All the winners will be announced on Christmas Eve in my newsletter so make sure you sign up to find out if you won.

What you can win:

// Lee Holmes’ Superchargered Food cook book (valued at $34.99)

// From My Kitchen Organic festive hamper (valued at $40)

// Gift voucher from Nourished Life (valued at $25)

// Make Peace With Your Plate e-book by Jess Ainscough (valued at $19.95)

// Mixed box of Loving Earth Luvju bars (Valued at $37.50)

// 2 Adventures in Manifesting books (valued at $29 each)

// A box of self-love cards (valued at $22)

// A spot on the “33 Days of Self-love e-course” starting on Monday 4th February (valued at $33)

// Pack of Happi Cards from Happi Empire (valued at $19.95)

// Relauncher Voucher (Valued at $50)

// OVViO Organic Turkey Rub (which can be used to roast any meat) + the OVViO Organic Xmas tea (Valued at $33)

// Sans Ceuticals Bio Active Exfoliator from Flora Organics (valued at $43)

The grand prize for the photo with the most likes wins:

// Christmas pack from Peachy Clean (Valued at $330.85)

Good luck!

Click here to enter.

Christmas is a time of joy and laughter, the whole family gathering together and sharing food and memories. But for some Christmas can also make you feel a little bit anxious. For the health conscience the temptations to over eat are sometimes too strong. I want to share with you my top 6 tips on how to stay on your Path To Wellness (without offending anyone) over the silly season.

1.   Offer to make a dish

Weather it be salmon cakes or a quinoa and goji salad, at least there will be one thing you can eat on the menu, something that hasn’t been doused in margarine, table salt and sugar.

2.   Stop at one

Although tempting, try not to go back for seconds. There is usually an abundance of food on Christmas day and the temptations to go back for seconds or even thirds can be high. Instead, once you have had your meal simply walk away and engage in some sort of other activity, like playing with your baby cousin. The joy of the little bub will make you forget all about the Aunty Jan’s Strawberry Pavlova and the creamy coleslaw.

3.   Hold the sauce and dressing

Homemade sauces and dressings are great, way better than the bottle stuff but can still contain loads of sugar, margarine, cream, salt and milk. Which if you don’t consume on a regular basis might upset your tum tum. Ask for these on the side if possible. You don’t want to offend anyone by asking ‘what’s in this?’ ‘Is this gluten free?’ ‘Did you use free-range eggs and coconut oil?’ Best just to not have it.

4.   Go easy on the alcohol

If you have decided to drink over this period I would suggest a tipple of red wine or vodka, fresh lime and filtered water. And alternate with a tall glass of water.

5.   Keep moving

My Christmas day looks something like this:

• Wake up
• Exchange gifts
• Eat
• Go to my Mum’s side of the family
• Eat
• Go to my Dad’s side of the family
• Eat
• Bed

There is a lot of sitting, eating, sitting in the car and more eating.

Keep moving throughout the day, I suggest going for a family walk in nature after breakfast. Or if you have younger cousins play with them. Or suggest a friendly game of backyard cricket. Run around and keep moving. This will help aid digestion, stop bloating and stop you from feeling sluggish.

6.   Laugh

Laughter is good for so many reasons, it boosts the immune system, triggers the release of positive endorphins, protects the heart, lowers stress hormones, eases anxiety and fear, relieves stress, improves mood and enhances resilience, plus many more. It’s all round life’s best medicine and here’s the best part – it’s free. So warm up your cheeks and get giggling.

Last year whilst we were all still sitting around the table I got everyone to write down three things they were grateful for over the past year. Everyone put it in a santa hat and I read it out. It was a beautiful way to connect with the family. Another suggestion is getting everyone to write three things they love about each person, then reading it out. It’s such a beautiful way to connect and express how you feel.

I hope these tips release a bit of stress and anxiety you might feel leading up to the big day. Above all really connect with your family, stay light, catch up and find out how they REALLY are. Everyone wants to be heard! Take the time to connect and engage with each person and let them know how much you care and love them.

Have you got any tips you can share in the comments?

Those of you who are regulars around here will know that I quit sugar. So did my friend Sarah Wilson who bangs on and on about it. She’s onto something! She even wrote a book about how to quit. You can purchase it here. It’s awesome!

I used to have the biggest sweet tooth but I quit sugar about a year ago now and have never felt better. I have more energy, better skin, clearer eyes, no more cellulite or cravings + I am a much happier and nicer person. It has been totally worth it.

Why is white sugar so bad?

The thing with white sugar is: It’s highly processed and refined and has been duded an anti-nutrient. It contains ‘empty’ or ‘naked’ calories. This means when you consume white sugar your body doesn’t know what to do with it! It gets confused and leaches the missing nutrients from your blood and bones and uses up your body’s supply of calcium, potassium, thiamine, chromium and vitamin C. This is not something we want to have going on inside us.

White sugar is empty calories with no nutritional value whatsoever.

The bad thing is: White sugar is in EVERYTHING. It can even be disguised under different names such as High Fructose Corn Syrup (or HFCS).

Tip: ALWAYS READ THE LABELS.

If you are still not convinced here are 12 reasons to quit sugar:

1. Sugar suppresses the immune system.
2. Sugar causes depression.
3. Sugar causes weak blood.
4. Sugar causes mood swings.
5. Sugar contributes to diabetes.
6. Sugar makes you fat.
7. Sugar gives you cellulite.
8. Sugar is associated with cancer.
9. Sugar promotes inflammation in the body. Sugary foods can fuel excessive, inappropriate inflammation that serves no useful purpose and promotes aging and disease.
10. Sugar raises insulin levels.
11. Sugar leads to tooth decay.
12. Sugar causes bone loss.

But don’t worry! There are awesome sweet alternatives.

• Stevia – You need only the tiniest amount. The green leaves are better than the white.
• Coconut Sugar – I am a massive fan of anything coconutty.
• Organic Raw Honey – Use honey in moderation, as it’s still very high in fructose. Bonus points if you get organic, raw and local.
• Fruit or Dried Fruit (such as dates, figs and apricots) – You can stew fruits and add them to your dessert or breakfast. Why not add a few pieces of dried fruit (such as dates) to your green morning smoothie for some extra sweetness?
• Organic Maple Syrup – Maple syrup is great for cooking but make sure you get the organic kind and it doesn’t have any other added nasties.
• Yacon – Yacon is a close relative of the sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke. Never tried it? Give it a go. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Have you tried quitting sugar but failed? This is what I help people do. So, get in touch with me today for your FREE initial consultation. Tell me in the comments below what your favourite sweet alternative is!

Julia loves to spend her time going to Bikram yoga, cooking and experimenting with food and new recipes. She also enjoys spending the day at the beach and researching about health and nutrition. Oh em gee, me too!

It is important to Julia to start her day on a positive note, waking up and knowing how lucky she is to see another day.  She is an optimist who likes to see the good in things. Julia feels that most of us make it really easy to feel lousy and really hard to feel good.  Fuelling her body with good food is important. In the past few years, Julia has been learning why it is important and what certain foods can do to you.  She feels she is a lot more conscious about what she is putting into her body now. She questions foods: “Is this nourishing me?”  While Julia confesses to having a sweet tooth she has a lot more will power now. She believes: “We must take care of our body otherwise it will not take care of us.”

When asked what self-love meant to her, Julia had this to say: “How you love yourself is a reflection of how you can love and give to others. Learning to love yourself is often something we have to work hard on and make a conscious effort with. You are responsible for your own happiness so tell yourself you are worthy and want to be happy.” Julia advises her readers to  make positive affirmations every day. Be kind and positive and eliminating self-criticism.

Julia started her blog with her little sister, Libby, four months ago.

Libby is about to graduate as a Holistic Nutritionist and Julia is discovering new foods, juice cleanses, or detoxes. When friends started asking them questions relating to food and nutrition, they decided that a blog was the best way to share the information, recipes and tips.  They also set up a Facebook page to link posts to the website and started getting likes. Once they had an audience, they knew that they needed to post regularly. Their blog has gone from a portal to share information with their friends to a site that helps share ideas and educate their readers on matters of health and nutrition in an easy-to-understand format.

They enjoy hearing comments from people who have tried something new in their diet and it has helped them in a positive way.  Comments like that make all the time they put into their blog worthwhile.  Helping spread the message of good health is very rewarding for them.

Julia offers the following tips to stay healthy and happy:

• Be happy and grateful, wake up knowing you are lucky and blessed!
• Drink a green smoothie every morning to help fuel your body and keep your insides happy.
• Take time out for yourself; having ‘me’ time is so important.  It could be exercising, running a bath or meditating.
• Eat food the way it comes in nature as often as possible.
• Give love – a smile or a hug can have such a positive impact on someone’s day.

Julia and her sister hope one day to own their own Nutritional practise and open a health food store.  Their dream is to help others. Julia would also love to open an animal sanctuary.

Julia’s favourite quotes are from the Dalai Lama:

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible.  From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come.”

She also tries to live by the words of Buddha:

“The mind is everything. What you think you become.”

Connect with this beautiful ray of light:

Website 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram: @juliaandlibby

Having a morning and evening routine is so powerful. The morning routine sets you up for a kick-ass day and sends you out into the world with an ‘I can take on anything’ attitude. And a night routine helps you fall asleep quicker and into a deeper sleep.

There are a few things I do every single morning. I meditate for 20 minutes, journal, list what I am grateful, exercise and dry body brush. I do this every single day without fail. When I don’t do it I feel off.

Since dry body brushing my skin has become smoother, more even and I have even got rid of cellulite.

Here are 13 reasons to start dry body brushing:

1. Spreads energy through the chakras.
2. Opens the pores to release stored toxins.
3. Softens deposits of hard fat below the skin and prepares them for discharge.
4. Allows excess fat, mucus, cellulite and toxins to actively discharge to the surface rather than to accumulate around deeper vital organs.
5. Relieves stress through meditative action of rubbing the skin.
6. Calms the mind.
7. Promotes circulation.
8. Activates the lymphatic system, especially when scrubbing underarms and groin.
9. Easy massage and deep self-care.
10. Can be a sacred moment in your day, especially if done with candlelight and a drop or two of essential oil, such as lavender.
11. Creates a profound and loving relationship with the body, especially parts not often shown care, and especially for a person with body image problems.
12. Reduces muscle tension.
13. Reenergises in the morning and deeply relaxes you at night.

Dry body brushing can be done before or after your shower. I do it first thing in the morning before my shower. Do it both morning and night for maximum effect.

You can brush anywhere from 2 – 20 minutes depending how much time you have, obviously the longer the better. You can even turn it into a moving meditation if you like. Light some candles, dim the lights and start giving your body some love.

Important notes:

• Do not brush over sunburn or inflamed or irritated skin.
• Avoid breasts & genitalia area.
• Wash brush before use to remove dead skin cells.
• It has a deeper physical, mental and emotional effect if done at the sink and not in the shower.
• Brush from your feet upward and toward your heart.
• Brush from left to right side of your body.

Give it a ago hot stuff and prime your skin so it’s silky and smooth for summer.

Have you ever done dry body brushing before? If so, do you like it?