Oh my I'm locked in!

I am locked in. I'm detoxing and febfasting and surviving - although it's only Day3!
My febfast team has half a dozen committed souls which is a great inspiration and it's not too late to jump onboard here.
I have a facebook group open for the next 28 days which is full of support, tips and ideas on how to manage your detox and get the most out of it - you can join that here.

A detox is a great opportunity to take a break from alcohol, coffee, sugar, wheat - all those inflammatory causing agents, clear the Mind Body and Soul. And by doing febfast it's a great way to incorporate all of that and raise funds for youth and families with serious drug and alcohol related issues. I've written about the benefits of detox here.

As a naturopath and nutritionist I believe in detoxing our bodies for a variety of reasons:

General Detox - helps optimise our elimination organs function including liver function and assists in regeneration of new liver cells - yes our liver is the only organ which regenerates itself! Who says our body isn't amazing? It helps eliminate the cloudiness and stresses caused by alcohol consumption which essentially helps us combat the stresses of the year ahead.

Fertility - For women (and men) thinking of conceiving it is a perfect opportunity to prepare the body for pregnancy.

• As alcohol intake increases, the chance of conceiving decreases! Truth. 
• Alcohol can also cause a rise in oestrogen excess which leads to reduction of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) secretion which may affect ovulation!

Detoxing before conception reduces the chance of Pregnancy complications, Improves infant health and if Breastfeeding alcohol can affect bubs feeding and sleep patterns! Why wouldn't you detox before making your baby.

Weightloss - And detoxing can also help you reduce your waistline!

• Alcohol is high in kilojules
• When we drink we tend to snack on really unhealthy food choices - 'lets skip dinner and open another packet of chips', scenario.
• Reduces your ability to think clearly and affects your willpower. 'C'mon lets have another..'
• Leads to junk food cravings the next day - hello the likes of Macca's!

My reason for detoxing is my health, I want to balance my hormones and regulate my menstrual cycle, clear all of those hormones from my pregnancies and breastfeeding, and begin to feel alive. And here is a chat about the phases of detox It's tough to abstain from alcohol and chocolate but I've been waiting for this and I'm ready, but like everyone I need your support too. So it's great to be apart of the Febfast 28 Day DETOX - join in and help me help you.

Happy 2012

Hello - Welcome 2012.


So much has happened in my life since I have last blogged, and boy am I really starting to miss it (especially since it has taken me nearly 2 weeks to load this post)!!!!


Firstly, happy new year, I hope that you have taken the time to reflect and think about the exciting new year ahead. I certainly have - I have set myself achievable goals. I believe all new starts are exciting and essentially highly motivating! So knock yourself out.
Secondly, I have been slack on the blogging front as we welcomed a beautiful, healthy son - he (and Master 2) have been taking up a lot of my time. In fact it is back to not beating myself up if only one task a day gets completed, the bar hasn't been set too high! We have all been muddling along and trying to find a rhythm with our new family member. It is truly such a beautiful and exciting time to welcome a new baby if not a little hectic. He's another good bub so I can't complain - I really do love them so much - it 's crazy a parents love for their children - you really don't think you can love someone so much - argh the human body/mind/being!


Hence, my blog has suffered and I often wonder how do mums do it - that is live, look after children, cook, clean, shop, wash, have moments to themselves? Well, I guess we all learn a rhythm that suits us and our family. I had a rhythm but it's now up in the air, so I am now learning a new one.


I have been meaning to write a post on 'Tips to help settle into being a new mum' but I think you all know the golden rules.

• First week (or first 3 months) be indulgent, sleep, accept all offers of help, have no shame just say YES and if you are not particularly good at it learn fast.
• Eat good healthy wholefoods, drink lots of water, sleep and generally rest and hang with your baby.
• Slowly reintroduce yourself back into the world and be gentle with yourself.
• Want that tummy to return to normal? Begin activating your pelvic floor as soon as possible after the birth. The sooner you get started the sooner you will be in better shape in more ways than one. I wore these great high waisted 'contour bike shorts', yes very attractive but they pulled my uterus in much faster than after having my first child. Your tummy may never be the same as prior to pregnancy but core strength activation will certainly help.
• Don't make too many rules or timetables as you may just come unstuck and no-one wants that, not you nor your husband/partner or family. Everyone does love a new mum and is only willing to help - Just ask.
• Take a good quality supplement to help with your energy levels, best to see a health professional to be prescribed the correct therapeutic doses.
• Get out of the house and WALK, breath FRESH AIR and mostly ENJOY your new bub because as everyone says 'they grow up so quickly'!

I Quit Sugar: Sarah Wilson - Day#5 blog writing challenge

Click here to get yourself a copy!
I love Sarah Wilson and I love that she has dedicated her time and knowlegde to write this incredible book about removing sugar from your diet. Before her book came out I spent a week trying to eliminate sugar from my diet - it was extremely difficult and became all too hard so I gave up.
Since then I have been applying some of her tactics to my every day life, I haven't yet completed the 8 week program (as some of you may know - I just had a baby) but the plan is to challenge myself and my sugar intake in the next few months (once my life settles back into some type of routine). And I challenge you too, take the challenge buy Sarah's book and give it ago.

Get clean, clear your mind and drop some kilo's - I dare you.
Click below to purchase Sarah's 'I Quit Sugar' E-book - the best $15 you could spend on yourself.
Click here to get yourself a copy!

Making the most of your work out!

 Working out is wonderful for all aspects of your body, mind and soul. Some say it makes them feel amazing, some work out because they want to loose weight, some workout for the benefit of their body looking and feeling good and some work out to clear that junk mail from their head!

I work out for all of the above (although ultimately I want a stronger, fitter and more toned body) I think I may need to work out more however my excuse is good at the moment - being 9 months pregnant. Yet I was able to work out until I was 36 weeks. I worked out in a safe and structured environment with Mishfit  it ‘s fun, flexible, safe and easy. Easy in the sense that I can take my other child with me and he plays with the other kids while I concentrate on the workout.

Here are some dietary tips for you to get the most out of your body and your work out:

•  Hydration means water is essential! Drink enough water before you begin your work out it takes a few hours for water to absorb into your system and by being hydrated this helps move stagnant toxins out of the body which reduces disease, cellulite and fat stores.
• Protein is essential in building and repairing muscles. Many people don’t pay enough attention to eating the right amount of protein. Protein must be present at every meal for your body to function optimally. If you don’t, you are going to get very little out of your workout, both cardio and strength workouts require protein for building muscles. If you are not eating an amount of protein the size of your palm then I recommend using either whey or soy protein shakes as supplements.
• Carbohydrates are our body’s main source of fuel. If you do intense workouts, you will need carbs, or you won’t have enough energy to function at your best. Although the low-carb craze might say otherwise, carbs are an important part of your day. If you do a shake, be sure to include carbs, add some honey or a banana as it is a great source of low fiber/high glycemic carbohydrate that you need for exercise.
• Eat! The best way to recovery from your workout is to eat within the 30min post work out window. Glucose needs to be restored into the body and it will replace the glycogen stores that have been depleted from your muscles. Eating in this window will encourage muscle recovery, reduce soreness and pain as well as maintain your metabolism and aid in weight loss.

The possible benefits of taking on a DETOX

Besides making you feel better physically, emotionally and potentially lighter spiritually, here is a list of things that can be achieved through a facilitated safe and healthy detox.

                                                                         via pinterest
* Boosts immune system
* Alleviates allergies
* Improves thyroid function
* Provides rest for the digestive organs
* Encourages physical rejuvenation
* Promotes normalized weight
* Promotes normalized blood pressure
* Reverses signs of aging
* Elevates mood and sex drive
* Alleviates symptoms of PMS
* Promotes clear skin
* Increases energy
* Increases fertility
* Combats viruses

Treat yourself - I just did

It has been a very long time since I have had a massage and I have been meaning to treat myself for such a long time - so yesterday I blocked out some time to try Anne's Thai massage. 

I love Thai massages, they are like stretching your inner and outer body whilst relaxing. It was wonderful, I feel renewed, relaxed, stretched and invigorated all at the same time. It was lovely laying there and having Anne stretch my body and work the meridians that underlie the skin.

It was great to go there, Wanvilai have made it a lovely traditional place even if it is on a busy road. Anne and her staff are lovely and made me feel very welcome. If you were to compare Thai massage (if you haven't experienced it before)  it would be comparable to a Shiatsu massage, clothes are worn and you are worked on on a mat on the floor, it is a very relaxed environment. I really loved it.

I was so impressed I decided to give her a plug, check her out and treat yourself.

Wanvilai thai massage.

Chicken soup - it really is good for the soul

Oh my feet are freezing and my fingers too. I have tried the star jumps (they usually work) but today I am making chicken soup. I guess it is one of my favourite things to do on these very chilly Autumn days. Is it still only Autumn - I can't believe we have months of 'keep warm tips' to come, maybe if I dream a little harder of that tropical beach holiday it will manifest itself!

Here is a quick chicken soup recipe, good to warm your bones, your sniffles and your soul.
Onion
Chicken carcass (ours is left over from last nights roast)
Celery
Carrot
Pumpkin
Salt/Pepper
Water

It's all pretty easy, as you may have worked out by now I'm a bit of a slap dash cook! What ever is in the house goes in and measurements are for the faint hearted.
I brown the onions in some oil, throw in the chicken, add some water, throw in the veggies, some salt and stock if you have some (I didn't today) bring to boil and simmer.

Eat with crispy yummy bread and butter.

The Seven Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

Traditionally Naturopathic medicine or the Practice of Natural medicine is based on Seven Principles:

Here they are:

1.The Healing Power of Nature: (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)

Naturopathic medicine recognizes that all living systems have an innate ability to heal it-self. Our vital force promotes self-cleansing, self-repair, and thus self-healing. The Naturopaths role is to facilitate this natural process.

2. Treat the Cause: (Tolle Causam) Naturopaths are trained to identify and remove the underlying cause of disease; these causes can exist at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It is a Naturopaths role to identify, treat and remove the cause rather than suppress symptoms.

3. First Do No Harm: (Primum Non Nocere) Naturopaths use safe and effective methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, they use the least force necessary to diagnose and assist in the restoration of health.

4. Treat the Whole Person: Naturopaths treat the person holistically, they take into account the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental factors that make up the total state of health.

5. Doctor as Teacher (Docere): The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher. Naturopaths educate their patients by empowering, encouraging and motivating patients to assume self-responsibility for their health by adopting a healthy attitude, lifestyle and diet.

6. Preventative Medicine: The Naturopaths health approach is all about preventing minor illnesses to avoid the development of more serious diseases. They achieve this by educating and encouraging people about life habits that support health.

7. Wellness: A Naturopaths role is to help the patient establish and maintain optimum health and balance by promoting wellness. Wellness is inherent in everyone no matter what dis-ease(s) are being experienced.

Do you need to see a Naturopath to help balance your health or address underlying issues?

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy can easily and succinctly be broken down to define the ‘Natural Path’.

However, Naturopathy has really evolved over centauries and can be traced to ancient Greek times. In about 400 B.C, Hippocrates, ‘the Father of Medicine’, first formulated the concept of the ‘healing power of nature’ linking the body, mind and spirit to inherently be able to heal itself.

Naturopathy is the practice of health care that combines both traditional wisdom of natural medicine with modern scientific based evidence. It is the practice of treating the body as a whole and taking the body, mind, spirit and environment into account whilst preventing, assessing and treating conditions that are presented.

Naturopathy takes into account physical conditions, possible pathological presentation, psychological and emotional factors, diet, inherited genetic characteristics, lifestyle and environmental factors when rebalancing or aligning the body’s natural state.

The role of a naturopath is to work with a person to promote their body’s natural balanced state and their ability to maintain optimal order and function of their body (homeostasis). As a practitioner I will take a detailed case history assessing your current health concern/s, medical history, family history, current environmental and lifestyle factors that may influence your wellbeing, including exercise, diet, nutrition and stress levels. Pathological tests may also be required. From there I will be able to make an assessment and be able to recommend a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Follow up visits assess your progress and treatment strategies are adapted to best suit you and your health, as well as providing further education for you to maintain optimal long term homeostasis.

The therapies I use may include; Herbal remedies (liquids, tablets or capsules), Homeopathy, Nutritional supplements, Diet and Lifestyle recommendations.

Naturopaths are able to treat most ailments by assisting and facilitating treatment plans. Naturopaths can treat: Women’s hormonal imbalances; PMS, PMT, painful periods, inconsistent periods, Pregnancy issues and pregnancy support. Children’s ailments and illnesses including; common coughs and colds, anxiety and stress. Men’s Health issues; exhaustion, stress, aid and support prostrate health. General health problems relating to the skin, energy levels, stress and tiredness just to name a few.