Nailed It! 90s Rock Goddesses

The 70s disco meets Talitha Getty boho fabulousness is still going strong on the runways in Europe and most likely in the upcoming Melbourne Fashion Festival. But the 90s grunge is good, stompy boots, crop tees and leggings look is still going strong.

I recently read Kim Gordon's "Girl In A Band" which took me back to wearing tie-dye petticoats, fishnet tights, Doc Marten boots, dyeing my hair black, purple and blue and listening to Nirvana, Hole, PJ Harvey and Tori Amos.
It also reminded me of the insanely inspiring riotgrrl movement, spearheaded by Kathleen Hanna of punk band Bikini Kill (and later, Le Tigre). Lady is the bomb. She's got a website where she showcases her artwork, writing and music. Check it out.

Further proof the 90s are still ruling fashion and beauty right now are the new Rimmel Velvet Matte nail lacquers. Velvet dresses, skirts and flares are not for the meek hearted (or anyone with hips) but I'm all over the matte nails look! Scout Cosmetics (also 5-free so no nasty chemicals!) has a line of nail colours nmed after epic 90s anthems. So, for fun, I matched up my fave 90s punk rock girls with the nail polish colours I'm coveting. Which one is your fave?

Kathleen Hanna Do You Take Lei Away OPI
Tank Girl Never Tear Us Apart Scout Cosmetics
PJ Harvey That's Hula-rious OPI
Melissa Auf Der Maur Sumptuous Red Rimmel

Hip Opener Poses

There's a belief in yoga and some eastern philosophies that we hold tension in certain places that represent our feelings. Apparently tightness through the hips can be a result of pushing anger and frustration down and trying to repress the fury.

Or you might just be running, walking and squatting a lot. If your hips are constantly tight and it's affecting your flexibility, think about doing more strength work on your bum so that it is doing more of the work and taking the impact out of the hips.

This is a great hip opening yoga sequence from Yoga Journal. Roughly 25 minutes. Do all of it, or some of it, but hold your pose long enough to release some tension and tightness.

#MoodBoost in 5 Steps

At the moment, I'm looking for digital creative and writing work and finding it really hard. I am fussy about what I spend my time and effort on because it's a short life and I want my work to be meaningful. Naturally, I apply for the really competitive and sought-after roles so I am not making it an easy road.

It is pretty confidence crushing to be out of work - not purely the constant "no money anxiety" but also the "what am I doing and what am I worth?" question that pops up at regular intervals.

So I have some steps that I know help me to remember that I've held great jobs in the past and I will again, that I'm teaching a class that I love, in which I meet people who are inspiring, fun and joyful to be with, and I am fortunate to know what I want to do and to have the qualifications and skills to do it.

Pilates Breathing

Often, unless you regularly do yoga or pilates, you don't take deep breaths riiiiiigggghhht into the lungs and exhale slowly. It really energises the body - bringing oxygen to the cells, cleansing the blood, awakening the internal organs and muscles, and feeding the brain. You will absolutely notice the difference. How?

1. Place your hands on the outside, back aspect of your ribcage and breathe deeply in through the nose to expand your ribs out to the side. NOT your belly! Your ribs!

2. Purse your lips and as you push the breath out gently, draw your belly button in as if your pants have just shrunk at the waist.

Yoga Backbends

Whether you are doing Wheel or Bow pose, or any number of backward bends, you are opening up and stretching the hips and the chest. These are areas that tighten up with a lot of exercise and also in times of stress and anxiety.

Omega 3 rich proteins

Eating fatty fish or any omega 3-rich foods are proven to improve mood, fight depression and improve the health of your brain, heart and hormones. Because your body does not naturally produce omega 3 fatty acids, you need to consume them or supplement with fish, krill or calamari capsules.




Endorphin boosting scent

As I've long suspected, the French know how to do everything in a superior way to the rest of the world (google Haute Couture if you need proof). My latest discovery is a fragrance enhanced with beta endorphins that directly impact your mood and sense of positivity. It smells amazing - spicy and floral and citrus tangy (tangerine and green cardamom) all at once. Valeur Absolue is exclusive to Myer and I absolutely recommend you get your hands on it before the rest of Australia discover it.
At the moment (Feb/March 2015) you get a free Amethyst Energy Bracelet when you purchase any of the Valeur Absolue range at Myer.

If your budget is a little less flash, but you still want a scent boost, I am loving Burt's Bees Almond Milk Hand Creme. It's thick, sweet with almond milk fragrance, and leaves you smelling like an almond croissant, which is a whole lot better than eating a stack of them to feel better!

Drawing, writing and creating

There is nothing like getting out the pencils, pens, textas and settling in for an extended drawing and writing session. You don't need to be Picasso - just get your hands dirty. Maybe it's knitting, or woodwork, or gardening. Whatever your creative passion - pursue it.

Fitbit Surge - Heart Rate Monitor Meets Smartwatch

I am pretty blasé about most of the techie gadgets that come out. I’m not someone who has a heart attack every time Apple release a new phone or gadget. Google glasses and Bluetooth dishwashers and all that stuff just totally floats past me.

But.

I saw a review a couple of weeks ago in a Melbourne newspaper of the Fitbit Surge and my heart rate picked up. I couldn’t believe it. Excited about a fitness gadget! I haven’t owned anything more fitness-gadget than an ipod previously so this is my first real fitness technology investment.

What it does is JUST as important as what it doesn’t do. I didn’t want something that would do a million things, with a million buttons and applications and features. I believe in keeping it simple and doing the basic things really well – much like a good workout routine.

The watch face allows you to set different workouts, and if you sync it with your phone, you get SMS notifications and can see who is calling you – before ignoring them, naturally. It also allows you to track your sleep (or lack of it!). Essentially for the outdoor trekker, biker, runner, it has a GPS navigation that can tell you how far you’ve walked and what your route looks like.

MOST importantly, it has a heart rate monitor. Now, I’ve long wanted a heart rate monitor but previous models I’ve looked at have involved gadgetry that needs to be wrapped around your chest and all sorts of exhaustive apps to measure what seems like a pretty simple factor. The fact that the Fitbit Surge does this SIMPLY along with all the appealing elements of a smartwatch? It’s a no-brainer. This is definitely going to appeal to non-techie fitness fans.

I intend on using it to measure my heart rate during cardio and strength workouts, my Ballet Sculpt classes, and to track how active I am from day to day. If you have a specific goal about time spent walking, floors climbed, a heart rate zone you want to stay within during interval training...this is the gadget for you.

Sure, I might not get a whole lot of use out of the GPS tracker since most of my activity is done indoors, but I like knowing it’s an option and I will definitely make use of it overseas in May. I probably won’t answer the phone when you call, but rest assured I’ll see that you’re trying.

Stay tuned. I’ll be posting again soon on heart rate training. 

Fitbit Australia

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Paleo Basics: interview with Scott Gooding

I do not advocate fad diets. I'm not vegan or gluten/dairy intolerant. BUT I know that many people have sensititivies, allergies and reactions to particular foods and that is where the appeal of the paleo diet lies. I've just got my hands on Clean Living Paleo Basics by Luke Hines and Scott Gooding, published by Hachette Australia ($17.99).

There is a growing and valuable recognition that whole foods (unprocessed, as close to natural state as possible) are the best choice for optimum energy and health. For example, eating an organic apple from your local market beats an apple & nut muffin from the supermarket.

I love Luke and Scott's recipes - including smoothies, snacks, salads, dinners and sweet treats. It's a great reference for healthy, basic meals that are great for one or for the whole family. Luke and Scott are both qualified personal trainers in the fitness business too so they know food has to fuel an active, fit lifestyle.

I was really lucky to have Scott and Luke talk to me about their book and their paleo lifestyle. If you loved them on My Kitchen Rules, or even if you didn't catch it (like me!), here they are. Please note, these are OPINIONS on diet and health, not facts. What works for your body is different to your neighbour and your friend. 

I love Luke Hines' approach to lifestyle. "My mantra that I live by is Train Smart, Eat Clean and Feel Good. We must have synergy between how we move our body, what we consume and the way we think about life. It is about achieving balance, through mindfulness," he says.

While Luke gave me some fabulous information and opinion, it was Scott Gooding's responses on food, healthy mindset and wellbeing that really appealed to me. As a trainer, a chef, an author and a businessman, he's truly an inspiration.

Has your diet always been health-based or was there an event or issue that lead you to this focus?
I have always tried to eat healthy to the best of my knowledge at the time, looking back I can now see flaws from a health perspective in many foods I used to eat but I guess that is all part of the journey.  There have been a few events that have shaped what types of food I consume, one is particular was an injury I sustained in my back - my focus then became sourcing a diet that wasn't pro-inflammatory - hence the Paleo diet.

Dairy is a great source of calcium. How do you ensure adequate calcium in the Paleo diet?
Dairy may have calcium but it also contains many proteins and hormones which are designed for a growing calf, these compounds cause gut irritation and inflammation.  Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli provide an abundant source of calcium as does fish, shellfish, offal and meat.

A highly active and fit body usually requires adequate carbohydrate. Does it take time for the body to adjust to new sources of energy? What are the side effects?
If you are training at high intensity I believe you should be consuming some extra carbs, but generally minimal carbs is the way forward.  There is a transition between fuels sources which can leave you feeling unable to perform maximally and can leave you feeling fatigued but the body is quick to adapt.  Push through the transition period and then the body will acclimatise.

Beyond diet, what other approaches to exercise lifestyle and wellbeing do you recommend and live by?
I believe we should move our body everyday, whether its a gym session, walk, salsa, pilates or swim.  The session should be hard enough to work up a sweat and evoke a feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment on completion.  I think its paramount that we "switch off" from the modern world of social media, email and texts - this is vital for positive (real) communication.  Its certainly an area that I personally need to work on but I'm making in-roads

I have survived a deadly eating disorder and I am concerned by restrictive or extreme approaches to diet as I feel vulnerable people can vastly restrict their food intake under the guise of a healthy regime. Do you accept that there is a need to educate on paleo but not to demonise whole food groups?
Absolutely, knowledge is power ...and once you have knowledge you'll have the power to make informed choices around your health and lifestyle.  Its important to not demonize certain food groups but knowing why we eat some and not others is the key.

What's a great paleo lunch for someone without A lot of time to prepare but wants energy throughout the afternoon and before a 5.30pm workout?
Healthy food or paleo food often gets branded with the notion it takes time to prepare but it can be as simple as a fritatta, poached eggs with sweet potato fritter, lamb chops with broccolini, leftovers from the night before.

Here's a recipe from the book - Zucchini Linguine with Poached Rainbow Trout - fabulous choice for lunch or dinner!

Follow Scott and Luke on Facebook, Twitter and their website

Clean Living Paleo Basics by Luke Hines and Scott Gooding, published by Hachette Australia ($17.99)

Rainbow Warrior

Aloha! I wore all black in class last week, breaking my own "No All Black Outfits" rule. It did NOT go unnoticed. So, in the spirit of not being boring, and in fact, being inspired by exotic island life, here's my latest colourific haul.

L'Oreal Miss Manga mascara: You've seen manga cartoons - those girls are tiny, heart shaped faces and huge eyes. This mascara promises length, density but most importantly, comes in Turquoise and Purple. Can't decide which one? Wear both shades!

Orly Sugar High Nail Collection colours in Cake Pop and Key Lime Twist. Neon lime nails are going to give your downward dog an extra oomph. Try it!

L'Oreal Mythic Oil Seve Protectice - sure it's not strictly colourful, but it is exotic and it protects my poor, unruly waves and curls from the dreaded straightener - which is lime green, of course.

OPI Hawaii Nail Collection colours in
Is Mai Tai Crooked? Aloha From OPI and This Colour's Making Waves (hot orange and dark teal)

Caribbean Wild Flowers (Crabtree & Evelyn) smells exactly like an explosion of exotic island blooms and if you can't go lie on a beach in Waikiki, this will have to suffice!

Onzie Yoga crop top. My yoga outfits of choice are made BY yoga loving yogis. Love this brand. Love the colours, the cut, the fact it makes activewear joyful - which it should be! Yoga shouldn't be a grim-faced chore.

All Natural, Super Fresh Skincare

Following the recent nasty scare with frozen berries in Australia being discovered to contain bacteria causing Hepatitis A, with sickeningly unhygienic practices in the Chinese factories they are packaged in - it has been so much more important to ask HOW our products are made and WHAT is in them.

Just as we are sensitive and vulnerable to the ingredients in the food we eat (and anything else in or on it!), our skincare is also a major factor in the functioning and health of our body.

Skin is the largest organ of te body and up to 70% of what is lathered on it gets absorbed. Many skincare chemicals can effect the endocrine system, disrupting the optimal balance of hormones. A study in 2009 found that woman used over 500 chemicals a day on her skin - forget detoxing from wine, your liver is working overtime to detox your bathroom cabinet!

The answer is to use skincare that is as organic and natural as possible while still being really effective. Various ancient cultures have relied on the science of natural ingredients to cleanse, moisturise, heal, protect and colour their faces and bodies. Many cultures still do share their philosophy and knowledge of natural skincare. It is key in naturopathic and ayurvedic beauty practices.

Tristan Fahey founded the incredible Rubifresh skincare as an "all natural, high performance" range for Australian women. Our skin is regularly exposed to hot, dry sun but also the environmentally toxic office life of computer screens, harsh lighting, airconditioning at all hours and polluted city travel.

I have been using the:

Weekly Face Mask. Combined with water, this powder turns into a delicious-looking oatmeal paste with almonds, goat's milk, chia seeds, french clay and lavender. I leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash. My skin feels all smooth and soft for hours AND the couple of spots I had have shrunk in only two uses. Magic!

Body Scrub. Time to take off the remains of my fake tan requires heavy
duty scrubbing so I feel much better knowing the job is done with green clay, juniper, organic camellia seed oil and avocado oil. Raw sugar and fresh chia seeds combine with lime and spearmint to provide natural exfoliating action - happy body, happy environment.

Daily Face Scrub. I love, love, love this. Bright crimson with cranberry and mint, it takes off makeup in the evening or wakes up my skin in the morning. Be careful to wash the last traces of cranberry paste off if you don't want to look like you've been at a zombie party.

Cleansing Gel. Gentle but totally refreshing. Great for sensitive skin and for those days when scrubbing is not a great option. Highly recommended for skin both young through to older, less robust skin. Pump action bottle is great for travel!

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