FIVE tips to WELLNESS over the Festive Season

I love the festive season it's great! We’re very lucky in Australia, it coincides with summer, it's warm, it's light, and it’s fun times. And with fun times come lots of social occasions with lots of eating and drinking! Here are some of my secret tips for you to have a successful and healthy festive season.

1. EAT: I know you all love food, and why not, after all it is the season to be jolly.

• Portion control is your friend, taste everything, why not – but just a taste, you’re not eating for 10 men!
• Make ‘healthy’ choices, avoid the deep fried option and go for the fresh sashimi instead
• At home, eat lots of fresh food, lots of vegetables and salads, remember my 3 handful rule
• Enjoy the warmth of the weather and eat lots of fish, steamed veg and salads of salad, drizzle olive oil
• Try a green juice – let me know your thoughts
• If you have indulged skip a meal and replace with a protein shake

2. DRINK: It’s inevitable at this time of year; even if you don’t drink you drink! Tips on the best way to combat drinking too much or feeling the effects of drinking:

• On arrival drink a glass of water, it hydrates your body and makes you feel better for it the next morning
• Alternate drinking a glass of water between each alcoholic drink
• Drink plenty of water during the day, it’s summer after all
• Drink organic herbal teas; make a jug of iced peppermint tea
• Even opt for soda water in a wine glass – it will definitely put you in the party mood
• If hung over try Dandelion tea to kick start that liver and aid in liver detox
• Wake up this season to a morning dose of warm water and a tsp. of Apple cider vinegar – you won’t know yourself

3. EXERCISE: Oh yes you can, it’s the perfect time of year because you have TIME

• Just 10 minutes of exercise will get you eating and feeling good for the rest of the day
• Try something new – a yoga or Pilates class, a jog, go swimming, even stretching
• Ride your bike to pick up the paper instead of driving
• Make that catch up with your mate a brisk walk instead of a coffee date

4. REST: Its also a perfect time of year to rest, take time for yourself and rejuvenate those batteries, repair yourself and clear your mind, it will make for an easier 2013. Step away from the family; be kind to yourself do something EVERYDAY for you.

• Write a journal
• Meditate
• Practice Stress relieving exercise
• Bike ride, Swim, Walk, Run
• Read a book

·     5. NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS: Be kind to yourself, start your resolutions before the 1st of Jan

• Make only a few, you then have a greater chance of sticking to them
• Think about your life and what you would want, what you want to change and how you can do that
• Think about your health and how you can continue to maintain it
• Even think of doing a January Detox, it can clear that emotional and physical stagnation that isn’t allowing you to move forward.

   I wish you all the very best in health this Festive season and wish for you to Welcome the New Year with a fresh, hydrated, energized YOU. Happy Holidays.

Hints and Tips to make you think about your HEALTH

• Bad breath? Eat a small pot of Natural Yogurt, which contains 'good bacteria' such as lactobacilli for a 2 week period and it can neutralise the 'bad' bugs that give you bad breath!
• Hold on North Queensland thinking of you. Remember 'Rescue Remedy' will help calm your nerves and anxiousness. Keep safe.
• Have a cup of Organic Peppermint Tea, not only is it refreshing and uplifting to the senses but it will also settle any upset tummies or gastrointestinal complaints. To seek benefits the herb must be in fused for at least 10mins.
• Eat QUINOA - it has twice as much PROTEIN as brown rice and the MAGNESIUM can relax the blood vessels to ease potential migraines. What is your favourite grain?
• Magnesium is not only great to help aid tired and over sore muscles but will help support you nervous system, so if you have a lot on your plate and anxiety is coming into play bump up your magnesium load. Do you know what foods can you get magnesium from?
• Mosquito's? Try spraying Listerine (yes mouth wash) around the deck to protect you from being bitten. Have a good weekend.
• Have you drank your 8 glasses if water today?
• Time for a HAIR TREATMENT? Comb OLIVE OIL through your hair. Wrap a HOT wet towel around your head and let the warmth open up and moisturise the hair follicles, leave it for 20mins, wash with your favourite shampoo and conditioner. Tell us how beautiful and healthy your hair looks and feels.
• KISS the one you LOVE. It helps our brain produce oxytocin which promotes a sense of CALMNESS and increases WELLBEING. Happy Valentines Day.xx
• Feeling tired or run down, want advice on nutrition or even pregnancy? Book in for a health assessment or any underlying health problems. Come see me Lvl 1/99 Queen St City. 03 96709400 - 0408397298. Please tell your friends too.
• Need a good solid SLEEP, have a glass of WARM MILK - the tryptophan in it aids sleep - your grandmother was right! Sleep tight
• Have you had your exercise today? What was it? I had my circuit training and feel amazing for it!
• Did you know that a brisk walk burns about 21 kilojoules a minute and if you turn that into an hour it is the equivalent of a half an hour run! And better still is that walking is far kinder to your joints than running.
• For BEST results from EXERCISE - remember to EAT within the 30MIN window post exercise. Your MUSCLES will thank you and your ENERGY levels will be sustained through out the day.
• How sporty are you? I spent the weekend at a Sports Nutrition Seminar are you up to date on what FOODS and SUPPLEMENTS are best for you? Take advantage of my current up-to-date knowledge. Call me for a consult 03 9670 9400.
• We're getting bendy this weekend - a four day YOGA festival - what are your plans for exercise?