Category: Healthy Living

How to be Happier at Work?

Do you know those mornings when the alarm goes off and you wonder how you will ever make it though another day at work? When you drag yourself out of bed because just the thought of work has kept you up. When you start counting down until the next weekend before you have commenced work on a Monday.

I came across this interview on the weekend on how to be Happier at Work. They talked that surprisingly studies have shown that you do not necessarily need to love your job or be passionate about to be happy at Work.

People with a best friend tend to be the happiest at work. First this came as a surprise but as I thought about it, this idea fell into place.

I thought back to the places I had worked where I was happiest and in all these places I had very close friends that I looked forward to seeing every day.

In addition you can create a happier workplace by getting together with friends for walks or socialising to encourage a community feel.

Please let me know your thoughts on happiness in the workplace below. Perhaps you have figured out other ideas that have made your workdays brighter; please share.

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The Secret Components of Goji Berries

When I first heard about Li Ching Yuen, a Chinese Herbalist, that had lived to the age of 256, I was intrigued. I am always interested in the secrets of people that live well beyond the standard and love studying their lifestyle.

Li’s favourite herbs were the following

  • Reishi mushrooms
  • Goji berries
  • Ginseng
  • He Shou Wu
  • Gota Kola

Goji berries, which are also known as Wolfberries have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. The little powerhouses of nutrition have also been attributed to being some of the longevity secrets of the Chinese and help support kidney health, blood health, liver health and lung health.

Let’s dive deeper and let’s look into some of the components or nutritional facts that that gives Goji berries its health promoting and immune boosting properties:

Polysaccharides – a long chain sugar molecule and primary source of fibre in the intestinal system that

  • helps to enhance mineral uptake
  • helps to stimulate the immune system
  • helps to stabilise the blood glucose levels
  • helps to promote colon health
  • offers antioxidant protection

Zeaxanthin – a fat soluble pigment and antioxidant from the carotenoid family that

  • supports the immune system
  • helps to protect eye health

Beta-carotene – an orange pigment that is important for the synthesis of vitamin A and that

  • supports eye health
  • supports cell structure
  • supports healthy bones and teeth
  • supports healthy looking skin

Plus Goji berries are a complete source of protein! These berries are truly little nutritional powerhouses that anyone can benefit from.

Two easy ways to take Goji Berries every day

  1. Eat a small hand of goji berries every single day to support your health.
  2. Drink 60ml of NingXia Red daily, which is my favourite drink that contains goji berries (if you decide to use the link below, I thank you for supporting this blog) www.worldofoils.com.au

nxr-glass-and-fruit

On the Rose Trail at Yanchep National Park

Some days are about gratitude for the small things in life. Even though it is currently winter in Perth Western Australia, we were lucky enough to enjoy another 20 degree day.

What a better way to get outdoors than to explore a never before discovered trail; the Rose Trail in Yanchep National Park.

We spotted a few roses and wildflowers along the way while we listened to the sounds of the black cockatoos in the distance. Throughout our 3.5 hour hike we only saw one more person that was hiking.

A fair bit of wildlife was out enjoying the weather too such as a few kangaroos, a legless lizard and a brown snake we spotted on our way back. I was happy that the snake was rather small. We decidedto throw a few rocks next to her to help her gently continue into the Bush.

It seems to always amaze me how the vegetation continues to change in the outback. As we returned home I felt happy and grateful for our nice hike.

A Walk in Nature, Walks the Soul back Home

We all too well know the impacts a crazy week at work can have on us. In today’s world pressures are increasing and it seems to be expected to accomplish more in less time.

All the more important become strategies that help us to look after ourselves. The believe has been around for long enough that taking time for yourself is perceived to be lazy or selfish by many.

Yet those people that do know that they need time to balance themselves out and look after their needs in many cases are healthier and happier. This type of practice does not have to be fancy or hard.

It could be as easy as taking a long walk in nature. Have you ever noticed how you feel when you spend time in nature? Many believe that it helps to return our body to balance and support our health. Some believe that is helps to bring out more positive emotions.

On a personal note when I experienced a complete burn out a few years back I spend lot of time in nature and it helped me cope. My walk was what I looked forward to every single day and I still continue walks almost daily.

Last weekend my husband and I went for a roughly 12km hike on the ghosthouse trail at Yanchep National Park. I was quite amazed on how the landscapes kept changing. And after our achievement we had the best night’s sleep.

As always I would recommend to try out spending time in nature for yourself and see whether it works for you and how time in nature makes you feel.

Easy Thermomix Flatbreads

Last night I made some incredible flat breads that I filled with homemade falafels, tahini sauce, avocado and lettuce. To say they turned out tasty is an understatement. They were a dream come true.

To be honest when I first read that they would be baked in the oven for 4 minutes I was rather skeptical but the texture was perfect and they also did not break after we stuffed them really well with all the goodies that made up the filling.

I am a pioneer when it comes to the kitchen and rarely do I make the same recipes very often. Apart from of course my favourite smoothie recipes or hummus. I don’t think I could ever get an overdose of hummus plus I need to ensure that I do not suffer from a protein deficiency as a vegan 😉

Let’s get to the flat bread recipe

  • 180g water
  • 1 tsp dried yeast
  • 260g flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • oil

  1. Add the water and the yeast to the mixing bowl.
  2. Heat for 2 minutes on 37 degrees speed 1.
  3. Add flour and salt and mix for 1 minute on speed kneading.
  4. On a floured surface divide the dough into 8 balls.
  5. Brush the dough balls lightly with oil.
  6. Leave to rest for 10 minutes.
  7. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
  8. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
  9. Roll out each ball of dough into 12-15cm rounds.
  10. Be careful to ensure no holes appear in the dough.
  11. Transfer the rounds to the baking sheet.
  12. Bake for 4 minutes in the oven.
  13. Leave to cool and enjoy with your favourite topping or filling.

Please let me know how you go with this recipe and what your favourite filling is.

 

falafel 2

The Question that Could Change Your Health…

” We long for a body we don’t have, yet we don’t nourish the body that we do have.”

Health is not about deprivation but rather nourishment. We look in the mirror every day and most of us are not happy with what we see and we wish we had a different body. How do we come to make peace with the body we have? Self love and acceptance pays a crucial role in this.

Perhaps the deprivation comes from a place where too many of us think that we are not enough. I remember when I was little I dreamed of becoming a singer. At the time my dad told me that it was very competitive and that it is hard to become the best. Of course my memory from this moment may not be the most accurate but from this I started to believe that I would not stand a chance.

Believes like this can affect us years after if we let them. Our mind plays a crucial role in our success.

What if we asked ourselves every day on how we can nourish and strengthen our body to become healthier and stronger? What could we accomplish and how good could we feel?

Here are 3 simple tips to help you nourish yourself more every day:

  1. Ask yourself what food(s) can I add today that will nourish my body to become healthier?
  2. What exercise can I do today that will help make my body stronger?
  3. Repeat the affirmation “I am enough” and perhaps write it on your bathroom mirror.

 

Clearing Away the Old Sludge

When we want to make room for the new and work on ourselves there are multiple approaches available to us. We may decide to do energy work that shifts stuck energy within our body. We may decide to do emotional work where we might work through past painful experiences or we may decide to use food to work through anything that is holding us back.

The power lies within the realisation that we can use multiple strategies to achieve a bigger shift within a short amount of time. Always make sure though that you come from a place of love and patience. In the past I have noticed that force will exhaust me faster and it is almost like I am seeing the situation through a pinhole. The vision and therefore understanding is limited. Every experiences carries and lesson that must be learned and digested before we can move on.

Some of the foods that have helped me to clear away the old sludge are chia seeds, flax seeds, and clay for internal consumption. Imagine this team like a sponge that absorbs anything within the body that may be stuck and might make you uncomfortable. Over time these loosen, digest and move things through you so that you have room for new experiences.

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Photos copyright by Nicole Reichert

4 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Health Nuts

For some it can be quite stressful when the time comes every year to get a Valentine’s Day gift for their loved one, even more so if they are a health nut. To make things easier I have compiled a list of my favourites to help you find a gift that your precious Valentine will love.

  1. Sheerlume Brightening Elixir Creme ($144.75 AUD or $89.14 USD) by Young Living. This is one of my favourites and must haves. I ran out of this creme a few months ago and I could visibly notice the difference. To order one of these cremes go to www.youngliving.com                                                                                                     
  2. Anthony William’s “Life Changing Foods” Book. This book is a wealth of information on how food can help with ailments and influence how we feel on a day to day basis. Health is all about going back to basics and food does affect our lives every single day.                                                                                                                    aw
  3. Yoga Class Membership. Most yoga studios nowadays offer an unlimited access to classes. For any yoga fan this is huge. Yoga is very close to my heart because it keeps me grounded and balanced ready to take on whatever life throws at me.                     warrior-pose-241611_960_720
  4. Tea. If your loved one why not get them some special tea or even teaware. My favourite tea brands include Teavanna, T2, Yogi Tea or if you want to do something very special then why not mix a tea blend just for them. You can find lots of ideas and recipes online. From there you only  need to order the ingredients,mix and put them into a nice glass jar with a ribbon.                                                                                         wp-1480508596711.jpg

 

Day 24 of the Health Advent

Harmony – The oil of Agreement
This is an oil that can bring Harmony and balance back into your life.  A chance to stop beating up on yourself,  allowing the release of hostility that builds up and ridding the body of any fear of being punished.  This oil balances the emotional body and can assist to restore hope.

Emotions Addressed:  agitation, anger, apathy.

For further information please get in touch via my contact page.

Day 23 of the Health Advent

Frankincense – The oil of Truth and Light
10x Monoterpenes 64-90%, 4x Sesquiterpines 5-10%, 5x Alcohols 2-5%, 1x Sesquiterpenols 0-1%

The last of the great 12 Oils of Ancient Scripture.  Once we can connect again with our spritiual self we can find our true purpose in the world, Frankincense can support us on that journey.  It allows us to be more spiritually rather than ego driven.  This is an oil that has been used and treasured for over 5,000 years to assist us with connection of the body mind and spirit.

Emotions addressed:   Rejection, neglect, confused.

For further information please get in touch via my contact page.

Day 22 of the Health Advent

Rose of Sharon  Cistus –  The Oil of Tranquility
2x Monoterpenes 42-65%, 3x Alcohols 9-15%, 5x Esters 5-12%, 4x Ketones 5-10%, 

3x Aldehydes 3-6%, 2x Diterpenols 1-2%, 1x Carboxylic Acid 0-1%

This oil can quieten the mind and calm and relax the body.  It can also stimulate the five senses.  Cistus is oxygenating to the brain and a great oil for meditation.

Emotions Addressed:  Unease, disquiet, apprehension.

For further information please get in touch via my contact page.

Day 21 of the Health Advent

Myrtle – The Oil  of Balance
2x Oxides 31-48%, 3x Monoterpenes 30-45%, 8x Esters 8-22%, 7x Alcohols 5-18%, 

4x Aldehydes 2-5%, 1x Phenols 1-4%, 2x Furanoids 1-3%, 1x Lactones 1-2%

This is an oil that can bring back balance in our lives.  It can free you if the rigidity of holding on to a belief that does not serve you.  It balances the male and female energies by releasing anger and conflict.

Emotions addressed:  Rigidity, pride the need to always be right.