Latest New Zealand Fitness magazine feature!

The Gym Bag Essentials features in the October/November edition of New Zealand Fitness. Would you add anything? Let me know on Facebook!

Spring Fresh! Why Don’t You...

·       Embrace a light, floral scent like Marc Jacobs Honey (E) – smells like fresh mandarin and honeysuckle just bursting with freshness! I also love Dot (F)

·       Wear lavender jelly sandals (A)– be a pastel princess and paint your nails lilac to match with white polka dots (Rimmel Brit Manicure in Porcelain) or even blossom design

·       Ditch the foundation for a skin-nourishing BB cream (Rimmel and Clarins do excellent versions – perfect coverage, breathable and long-lasting!)

·       Embrace a sun-free tan

·       Deck the home and office in fresh flowers (jasmine is delicious)

·       Do a wardrobe cull and find space for new spring-ready gear in shades of green (D) , pink, duck-egg blue (C) and white

·       Embrace light, moisturising lips colours like Clarins Rouge Eclat in Petal Pink and Rimmel Nude Blush

·       Be inspired by the colours of spring and dab a sage green shadow on your eyelids (B)

 

Jojoba Goodies Pack - Travellers and Gym Bunnies Alert!

While we're considering natural beauty products, locally made, I couldn't keep this one to myself. The Jojoba Company has a kit of essentials that are IDEAL for the gym bag. Or, if you rack up those Fly Buy points (ahem, Jacqueline O and Dani S!) then this is the investment in your skin that is also super affordable.

With the gorgeously scented and natural goodness of jojoba oil, pack includes a cleanser, day and night moisturiser, lemon & coconut hand cream and the cult-favourite, Jojoba Oil.

The Jojoba Company Travel Essentials Pack is available from September 2013 for $24.95 (actual value RRP $59.00) at pharmacies and health stores. For more stockists and info, go to http://www.thejojobacompany.com.au

Melbourne Naturopath Jacqueline Evans

Rose and Vanilla bath salts, Camellia and Jojoba Balancing Cream, Chamomile and Walnut Scrub, Rooibos Facial Toner.
Is your mouth watering?
These are the goodies Melbourne naturopath Jacqueline Evans is whipping up and making available in the most gorgeous, chic packaging. Not only will they be indulging your skin and body with all-natural goodness, but they are perfect for displaying on the cabinet. Having said that, you won't want your guests to find them too inviting...
As Jacqueline has stated, and proven through the careful selection of ingredients in her wares, "Remember that the skin is the body’s largest organ, and we should treat it with the same respect we treat our other organs – we carefully consider what we put into our bodies, and so we should carefully consider what we put onto our bodies."

It's hard to pick favourites when everything smells and feels divine, but my aching muscles are loving the Rose & Vanilla Bath Salts and a good scrubbing with the Chamomile & Walnut removes the dirt and the day!

Find out more and go shopping for yourself or for gifts (it IS coming up to that green/red/tinsel time...) at www.jacquelineevans.com.au or phone (03)8060 1652. Find her on Facebook too.

The Perricone Prescription – how you can incorporate it into the everyday

I’ve been reading The Perricone Prescription by Hollywood dermatologist and skin guru, Nicholas Perricone M.D.

While his regime is highly appealing, it is also designed for Hollywood women with unlimited money and a troupe of professionals to handle the food preparation, cooking, supplement purchase and organisation!

What I have done is taken the best advice from the Perricone Prescription and made it doable. Rather than follow a strict 28-Day Program, as Perricone advocates, you can make these part of your week.

What are the reasons behind the following ideas? Ageing is caused by oxidative stress, both internal and external factors. This program limits those stressors and actively fights them from within. It boosts muscle and tissue cell rejuvenation and youthfulness. If you are interested in the science behind Perricone’s “Wrinkle Cure” – his books are widely available and he also has a skincare line available at Mecca Cosmetica (PerriconeMD).

Here goes – you should see a firmer, clearer complexion in 2 weeks following these tips. Love to hear your feedback!

• No coffee – it raises cortisol production which is stressful to the body and causes inflammation
• Drink at least 2 cups green tea daily – excellent antioxidant boost
• Eat Wild Alaskan Salmon – preferably fresh, but canned is fine. The high concentration of
  
  omega 3 fatty acids promotes healthy skin, brain, muscle function and all-round health!
• Avocado, tomatoes, capsicums are all rich in antioxidants and skin-loving nutrients
• Keep to a low GI diet (Glycaemic Index – indicating the level of blood sugar elevation in certain foods)
• Drink water – a lot!
• Broccoli,Spinach and Berries are superfoods – indulge like they’re going out of fashion
• Stop scrubbing, acid-peeling and loofah-rubbing your face – breaking the skin down and sensitising it will only make you look like a British tourist who fell asleep on the beach in Darwin

 

Incorporate the following supplements if your diet is lacking in the RDI (recommended daily intake):

• B Complex, Multivitamin, C, Zinc, Magnesium, CoEnzyme Q10, L-cartinine, Calcium, Selenium

To buy all of these in tablet form is Hollywood-expensive! I recommend you do your research into the daily RDI and food sources rich in these nutrients and plan your brekkie, lunch and dinner accordingly.

Finally, EXERCISE. It is not only going to keep you fit and flexible, but it will boost your beauty. The important thing to remember is, don’t go for long, marathon runs as your primary exercise. Do RESISTANCE training and incorporate STRETCHING. Tight, knotty and constricted muscles and movement only serve to ruin your posture, dampen your mood, and increase your stress levels.

I recommend including yoga, dance, pilates, tai chi and a tailored resistance-training program that enables you to fit 30 minutes of daily exercise in. Walking is great. Light weights in front of the TV at night if that’s all you can manage is great.

Go forth and rewind the clock my lovelies!

Great Legs Great Butt

Thanks to Women's Health magazine for some awesome video guides to sculpting your best legs and glutes. Go on, be inspired!

Mini Me!

My regular Ballet Sculpter and fellow Illamasqua Fiend, Jacqueline O snapped this photo of her darling daughter in a familiar pose. Apparently we call it the "Cat Woods"! Since she's super cute, I'll take full responsibility.

HotPants - Zig-a-zig Zaggora 2.0

These are not tiny, gold numbers a la Kylie 'Spinning Around'. These are designed with lightweight fabric that resembles wetsuit material, close and flattering fit and four lengths to choose from:

• above knee
• below knee
• capri
• long length

Zaggora pants are designed to increase the core heat of the body during exercise, thus increasing energy expenditure both DURING and AFTER exercise. Studies undertaken by ETScience showed that with a minimum of 30 minutes moderate activity over a four week period, subjects wearing HotPants became more energy efficient - meaning their endurance increased and their cardio fitness improved.
I have to say, the science is compelling, but what REALLY attracted me is the kick-ass colours! In our own test of energy efficiency, Natalie is going to wear the blue capris and I'm going to don my bright purple capris to hit the cardio room. What I foldover waist - SO FLATTERING on the hips and thighs! Cannot express this enough. For all those women who wear little shorts over their leggings? You want these!
especially love is the:
Get on board with us by reading more on Facebook and at www.zaggora.com
Zaggora now offers a complete range of ‘Hot’ workout wear for the upper and lower body, which has been joined by a premium bodycare range and a line of stylish casual wear. Zaggora’s first menswear range soon to launch.

Power Yoga On the Go

I giggled, then I did it. Sean is funny - whether this is intentional or not, I'm not sure...but he's also a great instructor. This is 5 minutes of Power Yoga and you will need:

•  a mat or carpeted area
• some experience in yoga
• five minutes

Did you do it? Let me know on Facebook!

Self Tanners - Gold Standard and Orange-Aid Brigade

I don't tan naturally - I have skin that goes from white to sunburnt. This is actually a blessing as nothing is as ageing as UV rays! So my tan comes straight from a bottle and I am extreeeeeeemely fussy about it looking natural and flawless. So - you'll have to see my latest article in New Zealand Fitness magazine for the full guide on preparation, application and maintenance. But the right products are 90% of the game.
Having tried and tested many, many products, here are my Gold Standard and the ones to Avoid At All Costs.

Gold Standard
St Tropez Mousse
Clarins Delectable Mousse
Bondi Sands Dark Mousse
Vani-T Spray

Avoid At All Costs
Neutrogena
Garnier
Chi chi

Five Best

In the interests of maximising your time and effort both in working out and looking fantastic, I have compiled the

• Five Best Strength Moves
• Five Makeup Items I'm Addicted To

The Strength Moves target the major muscles groups and if your technique is spot on, they are the best for increasing lean muscle, fat burning and showing muscle definition.

 

The Makeup Items are my daily go-tos. I promise, you can wear Liquid Metal in a subtle way for sheen! Once you stop cooing over the Dior packaging, you can actually sharpen your cheekbones with the bronzer. Hello summer.

1. Deadlift with barbell (back, glutes, hamstrings)
2. Single leg deadlift with dumbbells (back, glutes, hamstrings, abdominals)
3. Squat with barbell (glutes, quads)
4. Plank (abdominals, back)
5. Chest press (chest, triceps, shoulders)

1. Illamasqua Lipstick in Shard (goes on subtle, layer for depth)
2. Dior Bronzer Nude in 002 (healthy glow - just say you've been in Ibiza)
3. Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Shy Pink (lasts through several coffees AND lunch!)
4. Rimmel 'Kate' Lipsticks in Nude and Soft Pink (can't get enough good nude shades)
5. Illamasqua in Electrum and Surge (multi-use! more bang for your buck. eyes, cheeks, lips..)
6. Oops, is that 6? Oh well! Dior Addict Lipgloss in Intimate Bronze

YOGASMOGA: Made by yoga lovers FOR yoga lovers

As a daily gym goer - instructing, training and working out - I see a LOT of sportswear. Unless someone has recently returned with all their overseas purchases, it's rare to see anything other than the usual Nike, adidas, lululemon and Lorna Jane. Yawn.

I don't tend to be a big spender on sportswear so when I do treat myself, I
make sure the fabric is long-lasting, washable, steadfast under the pressure of constant stretch and strain, and the colour isn't going to fade after a few weeks. I also want a flattering cut, plus subtle reference to the brandname rather than feeling like a walking billboard.

My YOGASMOGA pink cropped leggings are a tick on all counts. They also
have a pocket insert on the front that perfectly fits a locker key and gym-card. Though I haven't done anything very sweaty (like spin!), the fabric is sweat-wicking and durable. I know that I could run a marathon, do Bikram and cycle home and my YOGASMOGA pants would still look brand-new. The rest of me? That's something else!

well+good NYC describes YOGASMOGA as "a hot new yoga fashion brand with Indian roots and modern flair". For the eco-conscious, know that YOGASMOGA created its own high-performance fabric and color-safe dyes that are eco-friendly (AND they don't fade). Only available online - if you're going to spend on sportswear, choose eco-responsible, super-flattering yogawear designed BY yogis FOR yogis. Namaste!
You can follow YOGASMOGA on Facebook and shop online here.

Teacher-tested and 100% certified.

NZ Fitness Feature Coming Up...

I am very excited to let you know I have some features coming up in New Zealand Fitness magazine. One of them is a thorough guide to self tanning and playing up that bronzed look with the most flattering makeup.
I have to thank the marvellous Kellie at Dior for recommending Diorskin Nude Tan in 002, DiorAddict Gloss in Beige Songe and the INCRE-DIOR-ABLE Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara. Seriously, forget false lashes. That's right - another reason to go shopping. A tan requires a new makeup wardrobe...of course!
Dior available at Myer and David Jones

Open up and breathe!

Are you guilty of hunching your shoulders forward or hiking them up to your ears when you get anxious?

You're not only likely to feel tight and achy through the shoulders, but you are shortening and squeezing your intercostal muscles, making it more difficult to breathe fully. This has the flow-on effect of making you feel anxious and easily fatigued.

I know what most of you are thinking: My InterWHAT?

Intercostal muscles are the muscles between your ribs. They allow for the ribcage to expand and contract. You can stretch them out and really nail perfect posture by doing this:

• Roll your shoulders back and slide your shoulderblades towards the spine. Not so that you're stiff as a board, but your chest should feel wider and more open
• Lengthen through the neck and be conscious of keeping your chin parallel to the ground so that you're not dropping the chin 
• Regularly stretch the arms overhead and if you're sitting a lot, get up every half hour and move - even if it's just to the printer!

Try this stretch - you don't have to fully connect the palms, even reaching behind your back is a great chest opening stretch.

How to Wear Burgundy Lips

I love a dark red - cars, nails, lips, hair...you name it, if it's merlot, burgundy, port wine, scarlet or grape I'm hooked. BUT, I appreciate a dark lip is not always appropriate or flattering.
So here's how you can...





Vamp It Up:

• Exfoliate the lips (a high-voltage lip colour on flaky lips? Ew) using a gentle toothbrush and apply lip liner (I like a paler colour to enhance my natural lip line...Dior Abricot is ideal)
• Apply the dark lip colour of your choice (loving Manic Panic Black Rose...no wonder this brand is a cult favourite!)
• Pad with a tissue and re-apply. This is for staying power!
• Go with a cat's eye if you dare - liquid eyeliner is your friend, but avoid blusher and bronzer - your lips are statement enough!
• Add dark nails if you're going for the full dark angel look, or opt for a flattering but less vampish statement with a cool, taupey metallic like Dior Destin (yes, loving it.)

1. Dior Lipstick in 5th Avenue (available here)

2. Illamasqua Lipstick in Shard (available here)

3. Manic Panic Lipstick in Black Rose (available here) EXCLUSIVE!

Tone It Down:

• Dab the red-based colour of your choice onto your lips with your finger, add lashings of lip balm, pad with a tissue and repeat if you want a subtler stain
• Play up your nails with burgundy or red instead - I am having a deep, Diorific love affair with Dior Galaxe...ah the shimmer, the romanticism!
• Go for white nails with a burgundy eyeliner - loving the Kate Moss-approved "Brit Manicure" white nail varnish in Porcelain

1.  and 2. Dior Vernis in Destin and Galaxie (available here)

3. Rimmel Porcelain (available here)

4. Revlon ColorStay in Trendsetter (available here)

5. Dior Lip Pencil in Abricotine (available here)

 

Amazeballs for the Witching Hour

Darling Jacqui - I have not forgotten your plea for a Witching Hour fix at 3pm! Realising that my response "Not chocolate!" was probably a little short on helpful, here is a killer recipe that will sate your cravings for sweet and satisfying AND the kids (big and small) will love them too.

Method for all balls:

1. Blend all ingredients together
2. Form into balls
3. Freeze for 30 minutes
4. Keep in Fridge

Bliss Balls:
Ingredients
½ Cup of dates (soak dates in water for 5 minutes)
1/2 Cup shredded Coconut
3 Tablespoons of cocao
½ Cup of Raw Almonds
3 Tablespoons of agave syrup
Rolls Balls in Shredded Coconut

Sesame Balls:
1/3 Cup of Honey
1 Cup of Almonds
4 tablespoons of black tahini (blended black sesame Seeds)
1 vanilla bean stick
¼ Cup white sesame seeds
½ Cup of shredded Coconut
Roll Balls in white sesame seeds

Ki-Hara: Stretch and Strengthen

Ki-Hara is essentially a stretching technique using resistance to enable greater gains in flexibility and strength. It can be done on your own or with a trainer. Why is it worth checking out? Because it engages your core and encourages you to work through full range of motion during stretch-and-strengthening moves. This means long, lean muscle building, better alignment and balance overall.
Ideal for anyone active - knowing how to engage your core, safely contract and lengthen your muscles while not straining your joints is vital for running, swimming, weight training, yoga, Ballet Sculpt...
Read more about Ki-Hara and try the QUADRICEPS stretch and FOREARMS stretch pictured below! Start in the first position pictured and slowly move into the second position. Full DVDs including thorough guides on the exercises are available here