100% Jojoba + Rosehip Oil Review and Giveaway

August 4, 2015 · 68 Comments

I was pretty excited to find out that The Jojoba Company had a new product out combining two of my favourite things – jojoba oil and rose hip oil!

I have been trialling it for the last month or so and love it. I am also giving you all a chance to win some and a discount code to try it for yourself.

Okay, so what is in it?

It’s rare to find skincare with only two ingredients, but in 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil, that is exactly what you get. Just jojoba seed oil and rosehip seed oil.

What’s so great about these oils?

Well, jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, very similar to the wax sebum on our skin. This enables it to penetrate to the deeper layers of our skin. It is also a powerful antioxidant and contains vitamins A, D and E and omegas 6 and 9. Jojoba is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic so it’s amazing for all sorts of skin ailments from acne to cradle cap!

Rosehip oil has long been recognized as mother nature’s secret weapon for wrinkles and scaring! Being high in Vitamin A, it’s great for skin rejuvenation and healing.

Combining the two oils allows the rosehip to really get deep into our skin alongside the jojoba, making it work even better. It also extends the shelf life of rose hip oil which can go rancid easily. It’s a fantastic synergy!

Jojoba beans ready to be cold pressed.

So, who makes it?

I love this company and have featured them before on the website. The Jojoba Company is an all Aussie family business. Ian Turner and his family planted their first jojoba crop in Yenda, NSW in 2008 and have gone on to produce beautiful cold pressed oil for use in their skincare range. Find out more about the farm here.

The ethical practices and philosophy also appeal to me. They never test on animals or use animal derivatives and there are no nasty toxins in any of the products.

What’s it like to use?

I am always a bit nervous about oils for my skin as having oily skin for most of my younger life meant that I really used to shy away from adding any more oil! Some face oils I have used take absolutely ages to sink in and leave a shiny layer on your skin that doesn’t look particularly attractive and makes applying makeup impossible.

I have been using the 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil morning and night and I love it. The scent is very subtle and slightly woody floral (hard to explain!). Some rosehip oil products I have used smell so bad I can’t stand it on my skin so this is the first thing I check.

It’s also not a thick claggy oil (well, it’s actually wax remember), it’s very light in texture, spreads easily and sinks straight into the skin. I love the feeling it gives my skin – it’s soft and plump after applying. I feel like my skin is really sucking up all that hydration. I haven’t been getting that tight feeling that some moisturisers leave you with – you know, when you feel like you need another application.

Okay, tell me how much it’s going to cost?

You know I am a low-maintenance sort of girl and I don’t believe in paying ridiculous prices for skincare! I am loving that this product is only $24.95!! Even better, you only use 2 or 3 drops each time, so it lasts for ages. No fancy gimmicks or marketing spin, just two beautiful oils from mother nature.

What are the negatives?

I am actually struggling to find anything about this product that I don’t like. My only suggestion to The Jojoba Company is that I would love to see some greener packaging using recycled materials.

Where do you get it?

You can shop online straight from the company at their website, The Jojoba Company or you can check out their store locator to find a retailer near you. The range is in health food stores (Healthy Life and Go Vita), pharmacies and salons/spas around the country.

Would I buy it with my own money?

Absolutely! In fact, I am going to buy myself another bottle this week. Unfortunately due to an incident involving my teenage son and my dastardly dachshund (don’t even ask) my bottle has been prematurely used up! I really, really love it. I had just started rubbing it into the back of my hands that are showing a few signs of pigmentation and ageing. I will keep you posted on how that goes on my Facebook page.

Giveaway:

Want one to try for yourself? The lovely people at The Jojoba Company are giving me five bottles of 100% Natural Jojoba and Rosehip Oil to give to five of you!

The giveaway has now closed and the lucky ladies getting a bottle of jojoba and rosehip oil are Sara, Tania, Liz, Rachel and LJ!

How to enter:

Head over and give The Jojoba Company a like on their Facebook page and then leave me a comment below telling me why you want to win.

[box] Terms and conditions. Australian residents only. Winner will be chosen using a random number generator from those meeting the entry requirements, announced on this article and emailed. Giveaway closes 5pm 18th August 2015. Good luck![/box]

Discount Code:

Want to try some now? Use the code: NNAM001 to get 20% of the Jojoba and Rosehip Oil until the 18th of August. Only at the online store here.

{This is a sponsored post}

Love List – July 2015

July 31, 2015 · 4 Comments

Yes, it’s the end of another month and time for my love list!

July was a wonderful month for me – so many changes, trips away and new experiences.

What have you been up to? Did you find anything cool this month that rocked your world?

Here are some things that I have been loving:

♥ My very own eBook!

If you didn’t catch the news, I have released my first every eBook! It has been such a labour of love. The number one problem that I hear about from you is how to feed the family good food on a budget. Well, this is your answer! I have compiled loads of tips, recipes and resources on this very topic. And perhaps the best thing is that it is totally free.

Yep! You just need to be part of the NNAM community and it’s all yours. Join us here.

♥ Dulse Flakes

I use these all the time and put them in all our cooking from bone broth to curries and casseroles. I knew they were great but seeing Cyndi O’Meara at her seminar this month reinforced just how important they are in our diet. Many people have an iodine deficiency and adding dulse flakes (a type of seaweed) to your food is a simple, inexpensive way to fix it with real food!

It’s really important to make sure your dulse flakes are sourced from somewhere other than Japan as there is still an issue with radiation. Cyndi’s dulse flakes are from the Atlantic Coast in Canada. As for the taste, well I can’t taste it once it’s something and it’s only a slight salty sea smell. The kids never know they are eating a superfood!

Get it online here.

♥ Make a Music Wall for Kids

How amazing is this idea from Pre + K Sharing!? All you have to do is find some household items that make a great sound when played and attach it to a wall! I reckon the op-shop would be a great place to start. A beautiful outdoor activity, made from recycled items, that encourages kids’ creativity. It’s a winner.

Find out more here.

♥ Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Sausage Rolls

OMG! Amazing. Sarah Wong at Clever Cook really is a clever cook. I love her recipes. This time she has a delicious and healthy sausage roll recipe for us, free of gluten and dairy. Find it here.

♥ Create and Activate a Vision Board

This amazing blog post at Energy Muse has inspired me to not only update my vision board but to activate it as well. What a great activity to do with the kids or a special, soulful group of women.

Read it here.

♥ Musical Toothbrush

Seriously, can they make these in an adult version??? Popular natural toothpaste brand Jack n Jill have brought out this super duper electrical and musical toothbrush. Made from safe and recycled ingredients, this is an awesome way to get your kids excited about brushing their teeth. Such fun.

Get it here.

♥ DIY Gift Bows

I will admit right now that I am not the most crafty person, but I think I could give these a crack. So easy to make your own gift bows using magazine pages! Or you could use kids’ artwork, scrapbooking pages or the comics. You only need a pair of scissors and some glue or tape. Too easy.

Find the tutorial here.

♥ Celebrate your Life

My gorgeous friend Kirri from Kirri White Coaching is running her free 10 day e-course again, Celebrate Your Life.

It’s not about setting goals, hustling, or striving for change. It’s about embracing daily rituals that will leave you feeling loved up, positive and vibrant. It’s an opportunity to cradle your wellbeing in your own powerful hands and commit to nourishing yourself with wholehearted passion.

Get on board here.

This month’s articles:

♥ The Top 10 Books for Natural New Age Mums

♥ Smart Swaps for Single Use Plastic

♥ Pearls of Wisdom from Nutritionist, Cyndi O’Meara

This month’s bargains:

♥ Sarah at The Raw Food Store is having a massive clearance sale.

♥ Lisa at Happy Tummies has loads of allergy-friendly stuff on sale.

♥ 20% off all Coconut Magic products here.

♥ Lots of lunchboxes and natural make-up on sale at Biome.

Only skinny people do yoga (and other misconceptions)

June 25, 2015 · 20 Comments

Only skinny people do yoga (and other misconceptions)

I can’t do yoga.

I’m too big.

I’m not flexible.

I’m not fit.

I’m too old.

I have an injury.

I don’t have the right clothes.

Just some of the misconceptions I have heard from women in regards to yoga.

I have been doing yoga for about 16 years. I can tell you right now that you don’t have to be any of those things to do yoga.

I think social media has a lot to answer for in creating these misconceptions. We see wellness people on Instagram or Facebook showing their amazing skinny bodies, clad in bikinis, performing superhuman feats of balance and flexibility on some beautiful exotic beach or mountaintop.

Good luck to them – that’s their practice. I can tell you now that there are just as many regular sized mums with wobbly bits, in holey tracky-daks doing their yoga on a sticky floor in suburbia.

Yoga quite literally means to join, unite or attach.

Yoga is so much more than a physical practice. In fact the asanas (or poses) are just one aspect of yoga. Wait until you find out about all the awesome breathing practices and relaxation techniques like yoga nidra!

You don’t need special clothes (just something comfy and stretchy) or equipment (although a yoga mat is nice to have). You don’t even need to go to a class. Get hold of a book or a dvd and go for it. Your local library is a good place to start.

If you want to go to a class, choose a yoga teacher that is more spiritual based rather than exercise based. They should be encouraging you to go at your own pace, stop if something is hurting or doesn’t feel right and allowing you to find your own way. Some teachers also offer one on one teaching.

In fact, many of the yoga teachers I have had do not have perfect bodies or perfect flexibility. How refreshing! You will find people of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels at yoga classes. I have done yoga with a very flexible octogenarian!

Yoga can be done by anyone!

Yoga can be comfortably done with bolsters, cushions and blankets supporting you and poses can always be modified to suit the level you are at. I have a bulging disc so I am careful to never do forward bends. If you have an injury, get some advice from a qualified yoga teacher or ask an exercise physiologist what you should avoid. Yoga can also be done from a chair or in bed. You don’t have to get down on the floor if you can’t manage it.

It’s not about tying yourself up in a shape that resembles a pretzel (although if you practice for a few years you might want to do that!) To start with, it’s about moving your body, stretching it out and making it feel good.

If you don’t resonate with the first yoga you try, then try something else. There are many different types of yoga, each with different focuses. If you are a bloke, don’t be intimidated by classes! My hubby loves his yoga and he doesn’t mind hanging out at classes with me. Yeah, guys can do yoga too!

What I think I love most about yoga is that it fosters self awareness, mindfulness and appreciation of our bodies. The benefits of yoga are just too good to dismiss it because you think you are ‘too something’ or ‘not enough something else’!

It might be just what you are looking for!

Need some inspiration?

Check out the hashtag #curvygirlyoga or #curvyyoga on Instagram.

Curvy Yoga

Body Positive Yoga Australia

Yogasteya

Charlie Merton, Yoga Teacher

Resources

Rejuvenation Lounge

Yogi Tree Wellbeing

I will be talking more about yoga in the coming weeks. Those of you in our chat group asked me to put together five basic poses for the beginner to practice. Keep an eye out for that one.

I would love to hear your experiences with yoga! Let us know in the comments!

The Best Natural Makeup Brands

June 4, 2015 · 45 Comments

The Best Natural Makeup Brands

My daughter and I have had heaps of fun experimenting with brands and products over the last few months to bring you this epic round up of natural makeup!

I am pretty much a low-maintenance sort of girl and working from home means I only wear make up occasionally. However when I do wear it, I want it to be all natural and to look good! My teenage daughter loves makeup as is pretty normal with girls of that age. She likes totally different types and colours to me, so it was good to trial things from both perspectives.

Now just like skincare, makeup is such a personal thing. We all have different skin types and colourings and ages, so these are just our thoughts on how they went on our skin.

My tip is to try out some samples or travel kit sizes first and see how they go on your skin.

Why would you use natural makeup?

Well, regular make up can contain a whole load of toxic chemicals. David Suzuki says…

“One in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). Imagine what that does to your skin, and to the environment!”

You can download his full report on toxic ingredients here. It’s an eye-opening read! Anything we put on our skin gets absorbed into our bloodstream. One or two suspect ingredients may be okay for us to handle but when you think of how many products we use and the cumulative effect, it starts to get worrying.

I use another two trusted resources in working out what to put on my skin – The Chemical Maze books and the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Do your research and learn what to avoid and what is safe!

Thankfully over recent years, this information is becoming more mainstream and there are many companies making natural products.

Here is my round-up of the best natural makeup brands available in Australia.

♥ Ere Perez

Ere Perez are a big name in the natural makeup world and with good reason – it’s great stuff! Ere Perez is an Australian company, does not test on animals, has a vegan range and contains quality natural ingredients.

I am a long time lover of the Oat Milk liquid foundation – it’s beautifully light to wear and doesn’t feel greasy or weird on my skin. My daughter and I have been fighting over the Pure Rice Powder blush – it’s very subtle but gives you a nice healthy glow. Probably their best known and a little bit of a cult product is the Almond Oil Mascara. Yep, I agree – it’s fabulous! No itchy eyes with this one.

Ere Perez is in the mid range of pricing with foundations at $39.90 for 40ml and lipsticks at $29.90.

♥ MG Naturals

MG Naturals stands for Mama Going Natural and is also Kailah, a natural new age mum from Queensland. Her range is fairly new and it’s available online. You can get foundation, BB cream, blusher and lip glaze. MG Naturals are all cruelty free, vegan, chemical free, hydrating & soothing and they are one of the few brands in the world who don’t use Titanium Dioxide, Boron Nitride or Magnesium Stearate in their make up lines.

My daughter and I tested the BB cream and we like it. It’s a very sheer, light coverage so it’s good for her to wear to school as it doesn’t look like you are wearing make up but still gives a nice polished look. It was a little too sheer for me so I needed another application. It feels heavenly on your skin though – very light and in fact I forgot I was wearing it!

MG Naturals is very reasonably priced with the foundations at $24.95 for 30ml and the lip glazes at just $9.95 for 15ml. Find the range online and check out Kailah’s Facebook page, Mama Going Natural.

♥ La Mav

La Mav are an Australian made and owned company, despite their exotic sounding name! As well as being cruelty free and environmentally conscious, the range is based on scientifically proven bio-actives.

The make up line includes a BB Creme, mineral foundation, powder, bronzer and tinted lip treatments. All products contain Vitamin C and Rosehip Oil providing proven anti-ageing benefits while nourishing and protecting your skin from free radicals.

We totally love the amazing La Mav Organic BB Creme which has become very famous. I think it’s the best BB cream I have tried – so smooth on the skin and it looks invisible. We were equally impressed with the mineral foundation – it gives the skin a beautiful coverage with light-reflecting particles giving off a nice glow. The lip tint is also ingenious – it feels incredibly moisturizing and stayed on my lips and then I realized it was actually a hydrating lip treatment with bioactive, anti-ageing ingredients and not just a lip gloss! I tried the nude colour which was a very natural look with a hint of glossiness.

La Mav is in the middle of the pricing range with the BB Creme at $39.95 for 5oml and the Lip Tints at $19.95 for 8ml.

♥ Inika

Inika is a beautiful brand, with half the range certified organic and the other half all natural. Pure minerals, organic active botanicals and quality ingredients are used to give a natural finish. They are also certified vegan and cruelty free. I love that all the packaging is recyclable and some products are made from recycled materials.

The range is extensive and you will find everything you need from primers to lip tints. It’s great quality and lovely to use. The foundation is light, smooth and looks flawless but I found it a little too light in coverage for me. The Lip Tint that I tried (Cherish) was beautiful – gorgeously hydrating and smooth and great staying power. But being a natural sort of girl, I wasn’t a fan of the dark purple colour. The Champagne Creme eyeshadow is awesome as a base for your eye make up. I use the organic eyeliner regularly – the little sharpener on the end is brilliant.

Inika is a the high-end of the pricing range with foundations at $65 for 30ml and lipsticks at$36.50.

♥ Zuii Organic

One of the few brands to have the entire range certified organic, Australian made Zuii Organic stands out for its tag line ‘wear flowers on your face’. Floral botanicals are used in the creation of the products with rose and jasmine featuring. As well as being cruelty free, Zuii Organics are also vegan friendly, gluten free and toxin free.

The range is the most extensive I have seen, with loads of colours to suit everyone. They don’t do mineral powders, but they have liquid and powder foundations as well as primers. The products contain things like Vitamin C and E as well as the floral botanicals, so it’s actually good for your skin!

Zuii Organic is the first natural make up I ever tried. I am still a huge fan of the foundation – it’s exactly the right colour for me with flawless coverage and a smooth finish while still looking natural to wear. I also love the melon blush and the hibiscus lip tint. The products seem to last forever. The only thing I wasn’t keen on in is the concealer pencil – the texure is a little cakey for me and it didn’t sit well on my skin.

Zuii Organic is surprisingly in the mid-price range with foundations at $40 for 30ml and lipsticks at $26.

♥ Adorn Cosmetics

Adorn Cosmetics are also a popular name in natural makeup. The range is non-toxic, natural, organic, vegan, and Australian made and owned. They even have earth-friendly product refills and have no palm oil. All the range is made from natural, pure mineral and organic ingredients from sustainable sources.

They have a huge range including liquid, mineral and cream foundations, primers, bronzers, mascara, lip pencils and balms. I love the Hydrating Primer and think I need to add a primer into my makeup routine. It just makes the makeup sit so well on your skin (and probably that extra bonus for skin like mine that is no longer in the flush of youth!). I preferred the liquid foundation over the mineral powder and creme foundation, but that is a personal preference.

Adorn is very much on the higher end of the pricing scale with foundations at $65 for 30mls and lipsticks at $40 for 6g.

♥ Eco Minerals

Eco Minerals is a small Aussie company based in Byron Bay. They are certified vegan, don’t test on animals and contain no palm oil or nasties. As the name suggests, they specialize in mineral make up and the range includes mineral based foundation powders, blush, bronzer, eye shadows as well as mascara and concealers.

Check out the online colour match app which will help you pick the right shade for you. I selected a mineral foundation using the app and it was pretty accurate – perhaps a touch too yellow on me but nothing that looks out of place. I am not usually a fan of mineral makeup as I find it sits funny on my skin and doesn’t help the look of my large pores. However this one is quite good! The natural spf of 24 is a definite highlight.

Eco Minerals is in the high end pricing range with $33.00 for 5g of mineral foundation. I love that you can get a refill for your pot though, so it’s eco-friendly. Refills are $28.60.

Check out Eco Minerals online here.

♥ Lily Lolo

Lily Lolo is a UK brand of mineral makeup with everything from BB cream to nail polish in the range. My daughter particularly liked this range for the funky packaging (street cred!) and the affordable price. The quality is fabulous and free of any parabens, synthetic perfumes or dyes.

They are at the lower end of the pricing scale with lipsticks at $19 and foundations at $29.50 for 10g.

♥ Raww Australian Organics

Raww are a new brand in Australia and fast becoming very popular! All the makeup products are certified cruelty free, all natural and made in Australia.

The ingredient list includes superfoods like coconut water, avocado oil and green tea to nourish your skin. I have the Wildberry Foundation and it smells amazing. I love the light, natural feel of the foundation – you forget you are wearing it and there is no irritating itchiness. The coverage is medium but you can build it up with layers if you want to.

It’s well-priced with 30ml of foundation for $34.99 and lipsticks for $24.99

♥ Nature Delivers

I met the lovely Jo from Nature Delivers a few years ago at an expo. I love her makeup! It’s very affordable, it looks nice and it’s all natural. There is everything you need including mineral powders, blush, bronzer, concealers, eyeshadow, eyeliners, mascara and lipsticks and lipglosses. You can even buy a set and save a bit of cash – great for gifts.

My daughter is a big fan of the mineral powder and we order it regularly. I think my favourite is the eye shadows and the lip gloss wands – I love the natural look and the colours are all very subtle and natural. The mascara is also one of our favourites.

Nature Delivers is very reasonably priced with the foundations at $41 for 15g and the lipsticks at $24. Jo only sells at markets around Byron Bay and online (this is how she keeps the prices so nice). Check out Jo’s website here and on Facebook here.

♥ Benecos

Benecos are a German brand that’s recently landed in Australia. It’s the best budget-friendly brand I have tried. My teenager loves it because she can afford it herself and it’s still good quality and all natural.

I was surprised at how good the coverage was with the foundation when I used it myself! Recommended for those who want something natural but don’t want to spend a fortune.

Where to shop:

You can find some of these brands in health food stores or eco-stores, but I find the range to be limited. I usually shop online for the more extensive range of products available. I order samples and try out the colours before I commit to the full size products.

♥ Biome Eco Store. Founded by Tracey Bailey, this small family business is a favourite. They stock a huge range of things, that are organic, natural, recycled and fairtrade; makeup being just one of their lines. Tracey has a rewards program, free shipping over $130 and a 5% discount.

I couldn’t talk about make up without mentioning the great range of bamboo make up brushes by Eco Tools. They are vegan, eco-friendly and cruelty free.

Again, I will reiterate that make up is such a personal thing so get your hands on some samples and have a play. I would love to know your experiences with natural make up and what you love! Leave us a comment.

You might also want to read:

The Best Australian Natural Skincare Brands

The Best Natural Perfumes

The Best Natural Sunscreens

The Best Natural Insect Repellents

{this post contains some sponsored content and affiliate links}

Love List – May15

May 27, 2015 · 60 Comments

Well, that was May! Here is my love list for the month – things I have been using, trying, loving and crushing on.

♥ A Bit Hippy

Why, yes I am! I have been trialling this lovely natural skincare range this month and I am now a firm fan. My favourite products include the shampoo and conditioner (they make my hair feel sooo lovely). The deodorant works really well and has a very mild scent so suitable for either gender. The anti-ageing cream is gorgeous and I would use it again – for $30 it’s great value. My daughter loved the BB cream – as well as giving a light coverage, it also helps with acne!

They have a lovely baby range which makes a very cute gift. Also in the range is sunscreen, tanning cream, all sorts of products for the face, body wash and a body bar too. What I love is that it’s a really family friendly, affordable, natural range, made in Australia. The packaging and fun concept is also really quirky and appeals to me too! You can find it at some health food stores or pharmacies. Go here to find stockists near you or just buy straight from them online. Update: Free Shipping for all of June 2015.

GIVEAWAY: Yep the lovely hippies are giving away a hamper pack of their goodies to one of you to test it out as well. You will get a shampoo, conditioner, facewash and deodorant plus a heap of little samples added in as well. All you have to do is go and like the A Bit Hippy facebook page and leave us a message on this article letting us know how you are ‘a little bit hippy’! Read the terms at the bottom of this post too please!

The lucky winner was Rebecca F!!

♥ Anita Rossiter.

Anita is the awesome nutritionist at Eat and Three Veg and she lives near me now, so we get together and talk food and health! When Anita put up this post about Post Natal Depression and Nutrition, I was blown away. This info needs to be shared with anyone with PND or anyone about to have a baby. It’s time we support mums and nourish them after birth.

♥ The Happy Cookbook

Speaking of hippies, the biggest hippy nutritionist in Australia has to be Lola Berry. Her new cook book is amazing – all the recipes are gluten free and sugar free and based on real, whole food. She’s up on the latest nutrition so you won’t find any low fat in here! I love that it’s family friendly and simple too. A favourite for the collection.

Get it online ($15 off!) or wherever you normally buy good books!

♥ Nature Crown.

I am totally loving this project over at Mama Miss. It’s a gorgeous crown made from sticks! I think it’s so important to get kids not only being creative, but getting in touch with nature. Of course, non-plastic, eco-friendly, economical things to play with always get me excited too. This one is a winner.

Find all the details here.

♥ Happi Empire Gratitude Journal

I’ve actually had this for some time, but it’s been pulled out again and lovingly filled in. I like making my gratitude practice a lovely ritual – some quiet time, candles and oils and writing in a pretty book. There’s something more powerful about it this way. I adore Fran’s work – she is a graphic designer and sells some pretty and inspirational things on the side. I love the journal and it’s one of my favourite things to give my girlfriends for gifts.

Check out Fran and her Gratitude Journal here.

♥ Succulents in Recycled Tin Cans

How amazing is this project from Caz at Home Heart Haven? Make a very stylish pot plant for very little cost and effort. I love succulents – not only do they look spectacular, but they are hard to kill!

Read how to do it here.

♥ Red Boat Fish Sauce

Yummo – we have been loving the Red Boat Fish Sauce in our asian cooking. How amazing is this! Fish sauce with no sugar, no nasties, no preservatives. It’s made with traditional fermentation methods, it uses only anchovies and salt and it’s full of protein and vitamins and minerals. A two ingredient product? Unheard of! It’s a favourite with those following the paleo way of living too – many asian sauces are loaded with msg, sugar and all sorts of additives.

Get it online here (ps 10% off at the moment, see below)

This month’s bargains:

♥ 20% off Gourmet Organic Herbs and Spices only online here.

♥ 10% off all Eco Tan and Eco by Sonya products until 30th June, use code: NNAM

♥ 10% off storewide at Organics on a Budget until the 30th of June, use the code: celebrate

♥ Free 400ml coconut oil from the Wholefood Pantry range with every order at Nutra Organics.

♥ 30% off storewide at Miessence certified organic skincare, makeup and health products until midnite, 28th May. Use the code: tweet30

♥ 15% off storewide at Sustainababy until the end of May, use the code: NNAM1505

♥ The bargain bin at Shop Naturally has heaps of stuff up to 40% off!

♥ Check out what’s on sale at Biome Eco store (50% off a lot of natural make up)

♥ Allergy friendly food on sale at Happy Tummies here.

♥ 20% off all cookware at Zanui. Remember which ones are best in my last article!

This month’s articles:

♥ How to find a Holistic Health Practitioner

♥ How to Boost your Immune System, Naturally

♥ Roasted Cauliflower

♥ Top Ten Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

♥ Cookware: What is safe? What is toxic?

Join the gang:

Would you like me to send you the monthly newsletter? I have exclusive recipes, tips, giveaways and discount codes just for you. I have an amazing pecan and salted caramel truffle recipe for you in the next one.

Go here to add your email. You can take a look at last month’s newsletter here.

[box] Giveaway terms and conditions: This giveaway is open to subscribers (go here) and Australian residents only. Closes 9th June, midnite AEST. Winner will be chosen randomly from those meeting the entry criteria. Please check your emails![/box]

Top Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

May 21, 2015 · 11 Comments

Top Tips for Avoiding Dry Winter Skin

Winter time can exacerbate skin conditions and the wind and heaters can make your skin dry, itchy and lifeless.

Here are some tips for keeping your skin lovely and soft over the cooler months. I also have some of the best natural skincare products that are all especially for repairing dry skin!

♥ Stay hydrated!

The cold weather can mess with our thirst mechanism a little. Lots of water will keep your skin smooth and moist. Try drinking herbal tea or hot water with lemon if water is a struggle.

♥ Good fats

Making sure you have enough essential fatty acids in your diet. Keep up the avocado, nuts, seeds, good oils and healthy fats.

♥ Upgrade your face moisturiser

You may need to swap your moisturiser in winter for something richer and more hydrating, especially at night time.

Try: Antipodes Avocado Pear Night Cream or Mukti Marigold Hydrating Creme

♥ Swap to a cream cleanser

I love a foaming face wash – they are so quick and easy in the shower but I find in winter they are just too drying. Swap over to a lovely cream cleanser and see the difference.

Try: Cloud 9 Deep Cleansing Balm or Vanessa Megan’s Petitgrain Creme Cleanser.

♥ Add in a serum

If you love your moisturizer, don’t ditch it, just add in a serum underneath. They are so beautiful and you only need a few drops.

Try: Pomegranate and Rose Hydrating Serum or Good Vibes Omega Facial Oil.

♥ Use a hydrating mask

A lovely rich mask once a week is a nice thing to do for your skin in winter. You could just use avocado mashed up with some honey (yum) or find a nourishing face mask. Avoid clay face masks as they will dry out your skin even more.

Try: Antipodes Manuka Mask or Madara’s SOS Intense Moisture Mask

♥ Don’t wash so often

Now I am not suggesting you get all whiffy! If you are in the habit of having a hot shower or bath twice a day, cut that back to once a day and lower the temperature. Hot water will quickly dry out your skin.

♥ Ditch the soap

Don’t use soap!! It’s so incredibly drying. Switch to a rich cleansing bar, body wash or even skip all together and use a body cloth.

Try: Mokosh Olive Oil Soap or Divine Moisturising Body Wash.

♥ Use a body moisturiser daily

I know I can get a bit slack with this in summer, but if you are using something to hydrate your whole body daily, you will notice the difference in the colder weather.

Try: Blissed Out Body Oil or Lhami’s Lavender Body Lotion.

♥ Oil Bath

Seriously divine – add a good splash of body or massage oil to your next warm bath. It’s a bugger to clean the bath, but it’s worth it for the soft, soft skin you get afterwards!

♥ Don’t get too crazy with that towel

Don’t dry yourself too thoroughly in winter. Just pat skin dry and quickly put your body moisturizer on, sealing in some of the moisture.

♥ Exfoliate

Gently exfoliating weekly in winter will get rid of the dry skin cells. Use a body brush or a scrub on your body and a gentle exfoliant on your face.

Try: Lhami Wattleseed Exfoliating Cream for the face and Eco Tan’s new Organic Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub for the body.

♥ Keep it handy

Hands can really get dry, red and irritated in winter, but we have to wash our hands to keep germs at bay. Use a moisturising hand wash and keep a hand cream next to your bed or next to the kitchen sink to remind you to pop it on. Always use gloves to wash up and for cleaning. You can even coat your hands thickly and pop some cotton gloves on overnight to really replenish.

Try: Vanessa Megan’s Peruvian Flower Hand Cream or MV Skincare Hand Rescue.

♥ Pucker up

Keep your lips nice and hydrated with a lovely nourishing lip balm. I keep one next to my bed and in my handbag and apply often. If your lips are really dry and scaly, you can rub them gently with a clean toothbrush to get the flakes off and then apply your balm.

Try: Suvana’s Paw Paw and Honey Organic Lip Balm or Physic Garden’s Winter Lips Balm.

♥ Cover Up

If the weather is really wild and windy, protect your skin with gloves and a scarf.

♥ Spritzer

A hydrating spritzer can bring relief. Use it regularly throughout the day or pop on before your moisturizer.

Try: Raindrops on Roses Hydrating Tonic or Black Chicken’s Hydrate My Face.

♥ Extreme care

If your skin is really red and irritated, it calls for serious heavy duty products on the sore spots. Coconut oil is always my go-to, but you may need something a bit more intense. I advise against the popular pawpaw ointment on the market.

Try: TLC Intensive Repair Oil, Physic Garden’s Soothing Skin Salve or the always popular Weleda Skin Food.

♥ Eczema

Got eczema? Try these tips from our community.

I hope these tips were helpful and you find some relief from that dry, itchy winter skin! I would love to know your tips as well, leave me a comment and let me know what you do!

Love List April15

April 30, 2015 · 30 Comments

Love List

I have missed the Love List the past few months, so the April one is going to be a bumper issue! There are so many things that I have been loving!

♥ Rooibos and Fressko Flask

I am seriously addicted to rooibos tea! I have had to cut out a significant amount of caffeine due to adrenal fatigue (any caffeine puts stress on your adrenals). Rooibos is similar in flavour to black tea, but with a slight honey taste. Yummo.

Mandy at Crio Bru Australia has a new ground Red Espresso Rooibos out and it’s delicious. Roobios has zero caffeine and it has five times more antioxidants than green tea (can’t stand that stuff!) Great to brew in the Fressko flask – it has its own filter so you can brew all sorts of hot drinks or make fruit infused water. It’s insulated, so stays hot or cold for hours. The kids keep wanting to steal it, but I am not sharing this one!

♥ That Sugar Film

This movie has been creating a huge buzz over the last few months. It was very powerful viewing and one that I think that everyone should see. Find out more details at their website or pick up a copy of the book here.

♥ Upcycled Craft Aprons

So easy and so cute. Using the leg of an old pair of jeans, you can make your little pumpkins a super-cool apron for craft or cooking. Get the tutorial at Happy Hooligans.

♥ Kosmea Rescue Balm

I am so in love with this product!! It’s one of those all purpose balms and for me, the perfect alternative to pawpaw ointment. It’s full of rosehip, helichrysum and calendula oil.

We have been using it for everything from pimples to chaffing, insect bites, cracked lips and more. It works so quickly, I was amazed. Great to have in the handbag for all sorts of emergencies. Get it online here.

♥ Making Mandala Art with Kids

Such a great idea and a fun activity to do outside with the kids. Find out more at the Playful Learningwebsite.

♥ 4 My Earth New Food Bag

If you are a long term NNAM reader, you will know how much I love 4 My Earth! Rebecca has a new, fresh range out with five new funky prints and a new food bag. It’s a little bit smaller than the bread bag so it’s perfect for cheese (just what I needed) veges, muffins etc.

It also doubles as a lunch bag if you need extra room. The range is made of durable canvas and can be easily washed. The best thing about 4 My Earth is that it replaces plastic wrap and bags! Check them out online.

Well I think that’s about all for this month! What’s been on your love list in April?

How to support yourself in tough times

April 20, 2015 · Leave a Comment

I am so thrilled to welcome Kirri White from Kirri White Coaching to the blog today to share some expert tips on how to support yourself in tough times. We all have to go through bad stuff sometimes but having a few strategies to deal with it can really help.

Kirri is incredibly skilled at helping women. I can’t tell you how much her life coaching sessions have helped me this year. I have also done two online courses with her – both of which were life changing. I highly recommend checking out her fabulous new program (which you can win a spot in). More details at the end of the post!

♥♥♥

How to support yourself in tough times

I used to hide my battles from everyone, even those closest to me. Recurring bouts of depression, generalized anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress…My list of past traumas reads like a piece of fiction, and too often, I interpreted this as meaning that I was a complete failure at life.

But that was then.

Nowadays, I’m deeply relieved that I’ve not experienced a panic attack or a serious bout of depression in almost 5 years. (And if it happens in the future, that’s ok, because I know that I’ve got this!).

Every new day is reason enough to have immense gratitude for my life, even when it feels tough.

Social media fills our newsfeed with messages on how to live our best lives and how to be unstoppable dream chasers – but that can prove challenging when your doubts, fears, and emotions have become entrenched, recurring patterns that keep you stuck and in pain.

So how do you develop inner-resilience that will help you weather any emotional storm?

Here are the some of the most effective ways to support yourself when life gets really tough:

♥ Awareness is everything. You can’t change what you’re not aware of and we all have unhelpful habits that can rear their heads in times of crisis. Do you shut down and isolate yourself? Lash out at those closest to you? Numb out with food or work or shopping? The more adept you can become at identifying and noticing the themes in your experience, the easier it becomes to pinpoint exactly what it is that you wish to change, what you can strengthen and what you’re ready to let go of.

♥ Don’t look for blame. Most of us have a tendency to either blame ourselves, or others, when life throws us a curveball. When you blame yourself, you feel guilty, powerless and worthless. When you blame someone else, you feel angry, out of control and unable to slip back into the driver’s seat. When you’re able to support yourself, you stop looking for blame everywhere and start taking responsibility.

You might ask “What can I do to move through this challenge? What wisdom can I tuck in my back pocket for next time?”

It’s all about having a worst-case scenario plan with a best case-scenario attitude.

♥ Learn how to manage your state and release emotions: There are many effective modalities you can use for managing your state and releasing emotions. The secret lies in finding what works best for you, and then flexing or practicing those skills. Mindfulness, cognitive training, EFT, meditation, learning how to get out of your head and into your body, becoming more fluent in your emotions and being able to meet your own needs, are some of the most effective support tools you can learn and develop.

♥ Prevention is always better than cure. The smallest self-care practices can create the greatest shifts. If you do more to fill your cup, make time for what truly matters reduce your stress and actively invest in your own wellbeing, you will have more ‘money in the bank’ for the times when you’re feeling tapped out, or in despair. Taking exceptional care of yourself means that you are able to prevent yourself from getting stuck in that place of suffering for longer than necessary.

♥ Lean into your sisters for support. There’s a reason why friendships, communities, and tribes exist – because no one can do it alone, and we’re not supposed to! Human beings are wired for belonging and connection. It’s not a weakness to reach out for support; it’s a fundamental need.

The greatest gift isn’t the knowledge and wisdom that can be found in a group of kindred spirits – it’s having a sacred space to share. A space where it becomes apparent that the stuff you spend so much time worrying about is actually stuff that we all carry around at one time or another. And having people bear witness to your growth and your story? Nothing short of transformational.

♥ Self Kindness – Bad things may have happened in your past but you survived! Look back at how you responded and notice what you can be proud of. Find ways to honour and celebrate the woman that you are. Acknowledge that sometimes life feels really hard and you’re doing the best that you can. (This is far more effective than insisting you ‘woman up’ and pull yourself together, and it feels much nicer).

♥ Cultivate courage – Courage doesn’t mean that you always make the right decisions, that life runs smoothly or that you are able to overcome your fears and insecurities in 5 minutes. Courage means that you’re open to learning from your experiences, that you’re willing to explore new ways of meeting your needs and that you never make a bad day mean a bad life.

And finally, the most important piece for navigating tough times more effectively?

Understand that YOU are the greatest ally that you will ever have.

Wholehearted living begins the moment you decide to become her your own best friend – by standing in choice day after day, shifting your perspective on what’s possible and trusting that you will always have your own back, no matter what.

About Kirri:

Kirri White has a Masters in Psychology and is a certified life coach, heart-driven mentor, writer, speaker and Master EFT Practitioner.

Inspired by the belief that wholehearted living begins the moment a woman decides to become her own best friend, Kirri supports women in becoming conscious caretakers of their own lives and businesses.

After struggling for years with eating disorders, depression and generalized anxiety, Kirri reclaimed her life, through the modalities of holistic health practices and positive psychology.

She has now helped hundreds of women do the same, through her private coaching and online programmes.

A huge advocate of radical self care, Kirri writes regularly at www.KirriWhiteCoaching.com and can often be found on Facebook and Pinterest.

Three Mistakes I Made As a First Time Mum

January 22, 2015 · 5 Comments

Today on the blog is the gorgeous Paolo Espinel, nutrition and life coach from Be Wise Be Healthy. She is sharing with us the three mistakes she made as a first time mum.

♥♥♥

Three Mistakes I Made As a First Time Mum

When we women start a family, all the attention is focused in the pregnancy itself, the preparation for birth and the welcoming the baby home but little thought is given to the new life as a mum looking after a new tiny creature.

We are never taught formally how to be a mum, we do not know what to expect and how to best get ready to be responsible for another little human being. Yes, there are millions of books and information online, but this only creates confusion, guilt and doubt about the way we raise our children, especially those first couple of years.

Unfortunately, we tend to ignore the perfection and wisdom of our universe and the advice from the wise older mums; and as we walk on the self-discovery journey of being a mum we naturally do things that we regret later. For me, these are the top three mistakes that I made as a first time mum:

MISTAKE #1 – Not following a routine – I never believed in routines and was VERY flexible about how and when things were done. During the first two years of life, I took my daughter everywhere and she slept easily in the car or pram but rarely at home. There was no schedule for eating, bed time or any kind of bed routine at night. She used to cry a lot, especially when tired but I did not follow her cues. Days were long and I was tired. After many sleepless nights and exhaustion, I decided to follow routine and things changed overnight.

MY WISE ADVICE – Babies (and children in general) like a predictable world. Activities that happen at about the same time and in about the same way each day provide comfort, security and emotional stability and help children to learn to trust caring adults. Being able to anticipate what will happen next give also children opportunity to build their confidence and self control. Most importantly, routines allow you (the mum and carer) to have a rest, experience less stress in your days and live a more organized happy life. So, start by evaluating what routines you have in place and how well these are working for everyone. Keep in mind that every family is different, and you must create unique routines that suit your circumstances.

MISTAKE #2 – Wanting to control everyone – I created a stressful environment at home, as I was always complaining how my hubby was doing his job as a dad and how my little girl was developing and behaving. I had in my mind another picture and HIGH expectations and forgot that they were separate individuals whose behaviour I could not control. I had to learn the hard way to let go and accept that we all are different, we all do things differently. I had to remind myself about how lucky and blessed we were as a family.

MY WISE ADVICE – A large majority of us want to control the world because of FEAR! Yes, our own fears and insecurities are what make us behave like this. But it is only when you let go of control and surrender that you can enjoy all life’s possibilities and strength family bonds. By stopping trying to control others, you start to focus on yourself and in the process rather than in the outcome. So if you are feeling that you want to control everything and everyone around you I invite you to pause for a moment and ask yourself what is that you are afraid of. Is that true? Think how you can relax more, lower your expectations, and accept things as they are. Enjoy the feeling of freedom and peace that this shift brings into your life.

MISTAKE #3 – Being with my daughter 24/7 – I took a year of maternity leave and I spent most of the time with my little girl. I was pretty much with her ALL the time and did not give her much space or opportunity for independent play or self-soothing. She wanted mummy all the time, and after 4 years she still does. While being indispensable for a little cutie is an amazing feeling, it is also very tiring. I was craving help and some time for myself. Learning to separate from my girl was very hard but creating space and time for me and giving the opportunity for my hubby to interact more help him to strength the relationship with our daughter.

MY WISE ADVICE – As a mum you will be irreplaceable and your children will tend to prefer you over dad during those first years (most of the time). Give yourself permission to enjoy that feeling but create a healthy relationship with your children by letting them enjoy some time alone (always under close supervision!) and by allowing them to spend time with other family members or carers. And stop feeling guilty! You are doing your best, you will always love your kids and they know that.

Well, I could keep on going but I want to invite you now to share in the comments below what mistakes you made as a first time mum and what do you wish you have done differently.

Before you go, please grab a collection of my best freebies. You don’t want to miss out on the ‘Self-care Manifesto for Busy Mamas’ and the ‘Be Wise Be Well Mama’ recipe!

About Paola:

Paola Espinel is a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach at Be Wise Be Healthy. As a mother of two young girls, her mission is to empower mums of young children to reconnect with their inner wisdom, develop new skills and love themselves truly so they can thrive in life, experience abundant health and become great role models for their love ones.

Through her supportive coaching, she inspires overwhelmed and tired mothers who are finding challenging to lose the baby weight and look well after themselves helping them to make small gradual positive changes in their diet and lifestyle to create long lasting healthy habits. Visit her website for more inspiration, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Paola is currently working on an 8 weeks ecourse called ‘Busy Mamas Shine: Give Birth to the New You and Live Vibrantly While Raising Young Kids’, and hopes to share it with the world earlier next year. Get on her mailing list today to be one the first to know when it launches.

Ditch the New Year Resolutions for a healthier 2015

January 8, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Today’s guest post is from the lovely Jessica Donovan from Energetic Mama. She is sharing her expert tips on how to have a healthier 2015 – without the guilt!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Ditch the New Year Resolutions for a healthier 2015

Let me guess, you have set a New Year’s Resolution, focused on the fact that 2015 will be the year to drop weight, get healthy, quit sugar, get fit, ease up on the booze or quit smoking.

Maybe you have already ‘broken it’ by indulging in a glass of wine or a yummy dessert at your friends BBQ, after all it is the socialising season! Maybe you haven’t yet started because you can’t join the gym while the kids are still on school holidays.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but New Year’s resolutions don’t work and here is why. As soon as you slip from your resolution, which is usually unrealistic and depriving, you have failed; you have fallen; you have been unsuccessful yet again. This does nothing for your self-belief, you fall back into old habits and vow to try again next year! Sound familiar?

Set yourself up for success in 2015 with my tips for a sustainable healthy way of life

Health is a lifestyle not a destination

When we are focused on reaching a specific goal we forget to enjoy ourselves along the way. We put our lives on hold and waste precious time! Start doing the things that make you happy NOW. Don’t wait for that magical day when you fit into a certain dress size or are satisfied with the number on the scales to book your holiday to the beach or buy that little black dress. Live like you have already reached your goal, you will be happy and it will be much easier to achieve.

Count Nutrition not Calories

Counting and focusing on calories is not a healthy or sustainable approach to food. Focus instead on consuming food that nourishes your body nutritionally. Food is our fuel, it is our friend, not our enemy! Let’s have a look at a nutritionally rich green smoothie, containing fresh fruit, coconut milk, chia seeds and spinach, which contains close to 400 calories. Compare that to a can of diet soft drink that has 0 calories. Which is better? The can of soft drink contains no calories but no nutrition either? The artificial sweeteners (chemicals) will leave us craving sugar leading to unhealthy food choices. The smoothie however will fill us up and satisfy us nutritionally for hours. I know which I would choose!

Focus on getting the good stuff in

Depriving ourselves of the things we enjoy only sets us up for disaster. Our focus is on the specific things we are ‘not allowed to have’ and we now want them REALLY badly! Focus instead on filling ourselves up with the good stuff and your need for junk simply diminishes! I am not just talking about food here either, fill your life with things you love, surround yourself with positive people, work towards a satisfying career and make time for activities you enjoy.

Choose your language carefully

Phrases such as “I should”, “I must” and “I can’t” are not very helpful and often create feelings of guilt. As soon as we tell ourselves we should be doing something it creates a battle in our head. What we are really telling ourselves is we are not doing things well enough and we “should” be doing them some other way.

Restrictive terms such as “I can’t have sugar” or “I must not eat that” can work in the short term but are not usually sustainable and we fall off the wagon once again! It is human nature to rebel, even against ourselves! “I could” and “I choose” are much more positive and helpful phrases to use. “I could go to the gym”, rather than “I should go to the gym”. “I choose to eat a big salad every day” because it makes me feel good rather than “I can’t have a piece of cake because I am on a diet”, see the difference? The language you use both in your own head and when communicating with others has a profound effect on the way you feel and the actions you take.

How about making 2015 the year that you start the lifelong journey to FEEL better, wake up with more than enough energy to embrace your day and make food choices that make you feel fresh, light and energised? Who is with me?

About Jessica:

Jessica Donovan is a woman’s holistic health expert who helps mums get their sparkle back and become a more energetic, calm and joyful version of themselves. She is a one stop shop for all things nutrition, stress and hormone related. Jessica combines her deep naturopathic knowledge with a realistic, empathetic, inspiring and down to earth approach to empower women to look after themselves and take charge of their own wellbeing.

Jessica has created a brand new online course, Delicious Wellbeing, a 6 week program nourishing mums to vitality through real food, find out more here.

Find Jessica at her website or on Facebook.