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Is your 2020 resolution to take better care of yourself? 

Here’s a great visual by @holisticallygrace which shows the complexities of health.

It’s vital to remember that your external complexion and body composition only tell one part of the story.

Health is not just the absence of disease but a vibrational state of being.

For true well-being we must consider emotional, mental and physical health, environmental factors, community, sense of purpose, spirituality, and blocked/repressed energy.

Just as nutrition and stress can impact the expression of our genes, so can our thoughts and emotional expressions. These epigenetic changes influence our biochemistry which directly influences our physiology and the physical being.

So remember to partake in daily practices that cultivate health, addressing and healing the whole person. #Repost image and abbreviated copy with thanks to @functional.foods

Endermologie can help you shift stubborn toxic fat, helping your body to detox, stimulating your immunity and relieving inflammation. It’s a relaxing massage treatment that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, so many of my Clients confused it a vital part of their wellbeing protocol.

If 2020 is YOUR year, then perhaps you ought to try it too?

www.peninsulaendermologie.com

#Endermologie #body #face #lpg #cellulite #inflammation #lymphatic#wellness #wellbeing #health #peninsulaendermologie#endermologieexpert #mteliza #morningtonpeninsula #Melbourne

Remember, self care looks different to everyone. 

For some of us it’s spending quality time with the kids during the holidays. For others, it’s getting as far away from them as possible@

You just do you. 

Repost @mommycusses 
Original post @macaroniandmomjeans

#Repost @meowmeix (@get_repost)
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Facts about the skin and extra motivation to think twice about what you’re putting on it! 🙌⁠⠀
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Here’s the deal. The skin is a vital organ & plays an important role in the function of our overall health. While we might not take what we put on our skin as seriously as what we ingest, I wanted to share some reasons to start paying more attention to what you apply to your skin.⁠⠀
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As the largest organ, the skin absorbs many of the lotions & makeup products you put on it. Some products so much so that some of these chemicals make it into your bloodstream. The E.U. has banned around 1,4000 ingredients from personal care products, and the U.S. has banned a measly 30.⁠⠀
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The Solution:⁠⠀
Make the switch to more non-toxic beauty and bath products. Use the app “Think Dirty” to check the toxicity of your products (0-3 rating is good!). It’s not about being 100% perfect with your products but slowly starting making the switch in areas you prefer.⁠⠀
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The skin synthesizes vitamin D through sunlight exposure & over 40% of American adults have a vitamin D deficiency.⁠⠀
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The solution:⁠⠀
Try exposing yourself to 10-30 min of sunlight per week before putting on sun lotion (amount needed varies by how light or how dark your skin is). Midday is the best time to get outside since the sun it’s its highest & your body might make vitamin D more efficiently at that time. Considering adding a vitamin D supplement if you can’t fit that in.⁠⠀
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The skin microbiome is an ecosystem of microorganisms, which protect against skin infection, fight inflammation, & promotes wound healing. However, antibacterial soaps and other harsh chemicals we apply annihilate the good bacteria in addition to the bad bacteria. Skin conditions can arise from an imbalance in the skin microbiome.⁠⠀
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The solution:⁠⠀
Skip overdoing antibacterial soaps & definitely don’t use them on your face. Also, making sure you have enough prebiotic & probiotic foods in your diet will also help balance the skin’s microbiome.⁠⠀
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Hope you found this helpful!⁠
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#skin #skincare⁠⠀
#healthyliving #holistichealth #healthyeating #PeninsulaEndermologie

I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling deeply overwhelmed by the enormity of the bushfires still wreaking havoc across Australia right now. I’m sad, angry, frustrated and close to hopeless and recognise that that’s not a great place to be in. 

So, if you’re struggling too, let’s try some of @dr.carriejones (‘s) tips to manage our bodies response to this disaster.

Cortisol is our stress hormone, so right now it’s a normal response to a stressful situation. 

But, it can sometimes be falsely elevated, in which case the first thing you have to do is work out why your cortisol is high. Is it stress? Are you sleeping? Do you have an overt or subclinical infection? Is it inflammation? Is it your blood sugar issues? Are you in pain? Do you have cushings? 🤨
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Next, address it. Be real and honest with yourself, your choices, your relationships, your job…etc…and decide if *maybe* they are worsening your high cortisol. They may be just fine! They may not. 😣
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Work with your practitioner about bandaids like phos serine, l-theanine, holy basil, magnolia, passionflower, skullcap, Maca, chamomile, lavender OR WHATEVER HELPS CALM YOUR LIFE! 🤩
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But you have to address the cause. Because those herbs and nutrients aren’t a cure-all for anything. 🤪
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Meditate, practice deep mindful breathing, seek counseling, use essential oils, journal, exercise, laugh, snuggle your dog, get together with friends regularly, rest, say no, set boundaries and get proper testing! 🙌🏼
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In my case, I’m actively finding out which charities need our support and doing all I can to contribute.
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Let me know what you do to lower stress! 🤗
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#stress #stressedout #stressedaf #burnedout #overit #sotired#hormones #behappy #behealthy #selfcare #yougotthis #healthjourney#healthtips #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathicmedicine #realtalk#supplements #cortisol #ipreview via @preview.app 

#PeninsulaEndermologie #PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCenter#endermologieexpert #MtElizaEndermologie

Every once in a while I talk about self care and self love. And this is why. Happiness needs to come from within. 
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And I need to be reminded of that. 
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All too often I allow my frustrations with hubby, or the kids, or stories I hear in the news or locally about dishonesty, or the bigger news right now about the devastation of our beautiful country – and its hard to pull myself out of the slump. 
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Then I must recognise that I need to give back to me. So today I promise to make my meditation practice a priority and treat myself to an Endermologie sesh.
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What are you doing to give back to you today?
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#Repost @bodyandsoul_au
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💖💖💖💖💖 | 📷 @aolanow
#Endermologie #body #face #lpg #cellulite #targetedFatLoss #TonedSkin#scars #StretchMarks #HeavyLegs #SoreMuscles #PainRelief#inflammation #lymphatic #wellness #wellbeing #peninsulaendermologie#endermologieexpert #mteliza #morningtonpeninsula

Happy Australia Day! 

How lucky we are to live in such an amazing country. 

Just as happy to celebrate on May 8th next year though.

#changethedate #may8
#australiaday2020 #strayaday #grateful #luckycountry#celebrateourheritage #Repost thanks to the awesome folk at: @lpgendermologietownsville

Do I though?
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Ain’t nobody getting between us and our Endermologie, am I right Ladies?
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So you just back on up Brian. 😉
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#doineedyoubrian #yesineedendermologie #Endermologie#EndermologieDelivers #RealResults #CelluliteTreatment #FatReduction#BodyShaping #BodyContouring #SmoothSkin #FirmSkin #GreatLegs#PeninsulaendermologieCelluliteSolutions#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCenter #PeninsulaEndermologie#MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne

Oh yes I am. And I know a lot of you are too. 

It’s Feb fast….2020 detox time folks.

This year I’m not going crazy, i.e. no celery juicing, in fact, I’m not intentionally cutting anything out just yet.

My plan is to just be a little more mindful about what my body’s telling me it needs and trying to break the not-so-great habits I’ve formed.

So ideally I’ll be avoiding routine consumption of alcohol, caffeine, grains and processed foods, (especially sugar), but I’ll be cutting myself some slack and eating the kids birthday cakes and enjoying a vino with friends when the time comes. 

If you’re also taking the plunge, Endermologie will help you shift more of that unwanted fat and excess fluid to get rid of those toxins more quickly. 

Book in via www.peninsulaendermologie.com

#endermologie #lpg #detox #FebFast #detoxification#StimulateLymphaticSystem #LymphaticSystem #LymphaticDrainage#BoostCirculation #EndermologieForHealth#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions #PeninsulaEndermologie#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCenter #endermologieexpert #MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne #EndermologieNearMe

For the most part, us women are genetically designed to store #fat in our #skin. It’s a wonderful design feature that means we keep the harmful #toxins stored in the fat cells (or #adipocytes) as far away from our vital organs as possible, therefore ensuring our best chance at #fertility and good #health. 

Although it’s awesome for our general health, it’s not always a great look, as too many of these pesky fat cells (or an excessive swelling of them) causes pressure on the surrounding #skin tissues and contribute to the appearance of #cellulite.

The good news is,  #Endermologie actively targets these fat cells, stimulating them to excrete some of the fat in the cells – we call this #lipolysis in the #medical world – and causing the cells to shrink. 

Combined with a #massage that actively stimulates the regeneration of #collagen to make your skin regain it’s #youthful #suppleness, it’s the perfect #solution to cellulite. It’s also the only #CelluliteTreatment that has an impressive body of #evidence for getting #RealResults. 

So, if you’ve had enough of your cellulite, it’s time to check out Endermologie. And there’s nowhere better you do that than @peninsula.endermologie

www.peninsulaendermologie.com 
#MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne

So many women I meet these days are really struggling with insomnia. Sometimes it signals the onset of menopause (or pre-menopause), where our hormonal imbalance means our cortisol and melatonin levels become out of whack. Sometimes stress can cause a similar effect, meaning we go to bed at night feeling exhausted but wake up only a few hours later with busy minds and can’t get back to sleep. 
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My Clients report much improved sleep after a full-body Endermologie treatment.  The soothing, circulation boosting massage has a wonderful stress-busting effect and also helps to relieve muscle cramps and restless legs.
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Look better, feel better with Endermologie. 
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#lpg #endermologie #endermologiebenefits #endermologienearme#endermologiegetsresults #PeninsulaEndermologie#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions #endermologieexpert#sleeplikeababy #menopause #hormones #HormoneImbalance #cortisol#melatonin #oestrogen #progesterone #RestlessLegs #MuscleCramps#Repost image thanks to @sleek_physique_ks #MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne

The face I make when someone says they saw an ad for “an amazing new cellulite cream that promises to get rid of cellulite”….uuuuummmm. Awkward.

The reality is, once you understand what #cellulite is and how it’s formed, you’ll understand that nothing you apply to your #skin is going to make your cellulite look better in the long run. In fact, many of these products have so many #toxic ingredients in them, they’ll eventually make matters worse. 

That’s why I book out 90mins (yep and hour and a half) for an initial #consultation with #discovery #treatment, to sit with people and truthfully and thoroughly explain what cellulite really is and what YOU can do to help get rid of it. 

I give my Client’s tips to use at home to speed up their #results, because I’m not happy unless we see some #real #changes. 

All this for just $45 (which covers the cost of the bodystocking you’ll need to wear during each #Endermologie treatment). 

So, don’t waste any more money on treatments that overpromise and don’t deliver. Book in for your consult and let me help you get rid of your cellulite once and for all. 

www.peninsulaendermologie.com
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#NoFalsePromises #JustRealResults #NoBull #JustFacts #NoNeedles#JustProvenTechnology #NoPain #JustResults #NonInvasive#TriedAndTestest #Over40Years #MoreThan150ClinicalTrials#GetRidOfCellulite #FatReduction #FirmSkin #NaturalBeauty#FightForNaturalBeauty #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieExpert#MtEliza

You know how I keep banging on about results, and clinical evidence, and trial data, and proof that a treatment works, and happy Clients, and no bull. 
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This is why. We have literally hundreds of Clinical trial papers that show the efficacy of Endermologie in Clinical trial settings, i.e. with standards measuring actual proven, scientific data. 
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It’s not anecdotal. (i.e. it’s not just my friend’s cousin from Sydney saying she she heard that her neighbour’s daughter got great results).
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It’s not very suspect (i.e. Photoshopped) before and after photos. 
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It’s not just highly dubious marketing claims. (That I find personally infuriating).
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And it’s not wishful thinking. 
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Endermologie actually works. 
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It’s been scientifically proven over and over and over again. We have more than 150 peer-reviewed Clinical trials, published in actual medical journals.
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Of course we do also have millions of happy Clients that provide anecdotal testimony too if that’s what you prefer. After all, experts have been using Endermologie for almost 40 years now and the technology and results just keep getting better. 
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So, when I encourage you to seek evidence that a treatment you’re considering works, this is what I mean.
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Don’t settle for less. You deserve the best. 
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#lpg #Endermologie #body #cellulite #StubbornFat #LooseSkin#LymphaticMassage #Lymphoedema #inflammation #HeavyLegs#MusclePainRelief #face #AntiAgeing #AntiAging #NonInvasive#NaturalBeauty #Firming #Toning #ReduceDoubleChin #AntiWrinkle#ComplexionBoosting #collagen #elastin #HylauronicAcid #RealResults#ClinicallyProven #PeninsulaEndermologie #endermologieexpert#MtEliza #morningtonpeninsula @PeninsulaEndermologie

7 Tips and Considerations for Eating One Meal a Day

One meal a day? Is this a thing? Really? 
Who are the people who survive on one meal a day? I want to meet those people? 

[Side note: Can I make my family do it? Wouldn’t that be so much easier to manage? We’d save a fortune!!!]

Seriously though, have any of you tried it? I want to know how you managed it? And what happened if you kept it up for any length of time.

Here are some ‘before and after’ photos of medical Endermologie patients, with skin conditions and post surgery. In the first image we have a lady post abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and the second image is of sagging skin (most likely aret pregnancy).  
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The third image (top of the second page) is a patient with lipoatrophy i.e. localized fat loss due to injections or trauma and the forth image is a lady post throat surgery (with that loose skin tone, I would suggest she’s had a goitre removed). 
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The last photos are of a Client post liposuction and demonstrates the speedy recovery from bruising, inflammation and the wonderful smoothing effect of Endermologie. No lumpy lipo bumps there! 
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Although most of my Clients see me for fat reduction, anti-aging facials and to get rid of their cellulite, as an ex nurse, I love treating medical conditions too. So, if you have a skin condition or scar that bothers you, no matter how old, feel free to book in for a consult so I can see if we can help. 
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#LPG #Endermologie #medical #health #Endermotherapy#Endermotherapie #wellness #wellbeing #peninsulaendermologie#endermologieexpert #mteliza #morningtonpeninsula #Clinicallyproven#body #face #cellulite #inflammation #lymphatic #LymphaticMassage#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions #endermologieexpert #PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre
#mteliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

I’ve had some interest in the Endermologie treatment of scars, so here’s a little confirmation.
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Scars can be treated at any point. Treating the area surrounding a NEW wound or injury means a faster healing time, which essentially means less time for complications such as infection and therefore less risk of scarring.
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No direct contact is required to boost the surrounding tissues with improved circulation (blood to deliver healing factors, oxygen and nutrients ro the skin) and an improvement in the lymphatic circulation to shift excess swelling (inflammation) and, bruising.
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But even if the scar is OLDER and established, the action of the massage will help to break down any fibrosis (hardening of the skin tissues) and return the skin to a more supple, softer texture.
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If you are planning surgery or have an old scar that hasn’t healed as well as you would have liked, make an appointment to see me so we can chat about your treatment options.
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www.peninsulaendermologie.com
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#LPG #Endermologie #body #face #scar #wound #PostOp #PostLipo#SurgicalScar #Scars #CSection #cellulite #inflammation #lymphatic#wellness #wellbeing #peninsulaendermologie #endermologieexpert#mteliza #morningtonpeninsula #PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre #cellulitetreatment #slimming#Firming #Toning #collagen #elastin #HylauronicAcid #ClinicallyProven @ Peninsula Endermologie

Anatomy of a cesarean felt project come to life. ❤️❤️❤️. (yes, it took forever to make)Idea credit goes to https://www.naturalabundance.me/cut-now-anatomy-c-section/

Posted by Vbac or bust on Wednesday, February 27, 2019

This is such a great video to demonstrate what a c-section involves and how many layers of tissues are damaged to get to baby. 

Even in a ‘natural’ delivery, fibrotic adhesions (i.e. scar tissue) can occur. This in turn can cause obstructions in blood and lymphatic circulation which allows a build up of fluid and eventually expansion of fat cells in the area, causing that pouch or overhang that so many post-partum Mums dislike.

As an ex-nurse and Endermologie therapist I recognise that treating a c-section scar is not as straightforward as treating what we see on the skin’s surface, and in fact the adhesions that can cause the most problems are often much deeper. 

Hope this helps you to understand why Endermologie is the perfect solution to these scars and resulting issues as it works through all of these layers.

Today is World Lymphoedema day.

Established in 2016, World Lymphoedema Day aims to raise awareness and fundraising for research, treatment and cures for lymphoedema and lymphatic diseases.

An estimated 40,000 Australians live with the condition, however, it’s still not well known, and often the condition goes undiagnosed for some time, making treatment difficult, and having a greater impact on quality of life. 

There’s currently no cure for chronic (primary) lymphoedema, but with early diagnosis, and treatment, quality of life can be improved.

Endermologie can successfully treat secondary lymphoedema… for example, arm lymphoedema resulting from damage to the lymph nodes after mastectomy surgery. In fact, Endermologie has been proven to be 3 times more effective at relieving the oedema than manual massage. 

To find out more about lymphoedema, visit www.lymphoedema.org.au

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You can also watch a video by US LE&RN spokesperson and actor, Kathy Bates, as she encourages us all to support World Lymphoedema Day.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the wonderful women in my life. 

I count my blessings every day to be surrounded by such amazing humans. 

#EachForEqual #IWD2020 #internationalwomensday #March8

Worried about #coronavirus and know that stockpiling loo roll isn’t going to cut it? 

Over the next few days I’ll share some #immunity-boosting tips to keep you and your lived ones happy, healthy and safe. 

Let’s start with one of the most important systems for #immunity in our #bodies, our #lymphatic system. 

This system has been hailed as THE most important system in our bodies by ancient #medicines for centuries. It is our first line of #defense against #disease, i.e. it recognises disease and gets to work immediately to produce immune cells (such as #lymphocytes, #monocytes, and antibody producing cells called plasma cells). The network of vessels and nodes transport the lymph fluid containing #antibodies and lymphocytes around our bodies to fight infection whilst filtering away the #toxic remnants and infectious agents. 

80% of our #lymph vessels run just under our #skin, collecting and removing waste fluids in our interstitial tissues, relieving fluid and #toxinbuild up.

An efficient lymph will boost #immunity and keep your body functioning at its best. 

A #healthy #lifestyle with a good #diet and plenty of #exercise and #water will help to maintain a healthy #lymphatic system. 

Here are some specific suggestions to keep your lymph moving! 

– #exercise, in particular #rebounding (trampoline jumping) and #skipping

– #hydrotherapy: #contrast shower (alternating 2 min hot water with 30 sec of cold water)

– #hydration, make sure you drink plenty of water

– #lymphaticdrainage by massage: #ENDERMOLOGIE

#Repost original image thanks to @contourroom

Excellent advice from Tyler @functional.foods.

Thank you. 

#immunity #covid19 #immune-boosting #foodismedicine #health#wellness #wellbeing #peninsulaendermologie #endermologieexpert#mteliza #morningtonpeninsula #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne

Looking for additional, easy ways to boost your immunity and support your lung health?
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Then why not add some of these to your daily brew? Elderberry in particular is known to have powerful anti-viral properties. 
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Though don’t make the same mistake I did and grab a bottle of elderFLOWER cordial, it’s just not the same – thank you to the wise @tory_activestillness pointing that out to me!
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#Repost @detoxtips 
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BEST TEA FOR LUNGS @plantromance 🌱
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#elderberry #tea #immunesupport #healthy #supplements #coronavirus#touchofmileycyrus 
#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCenter 
#PeninsulaEndermologie #PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#health #wellness #wellbeing #endermologieexpert #mteliza#morningtonpeninsula #Melbourne

@dr.carriejones who’s well worth a follow if your want to learn more about your hormones. Today there’s a focus on sleep which is super-important right now to manage stress and your immunity. 

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WOMEN complain of more insomnia especially as they jump from that 35-44 yo range to the 45-54yo range. 😱
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Sooooo many women like you tell me they hit their 45th birthday and boom 💥 they can’t sleep anymore. 😡
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You can’t fall asleep. You can’t stay asleep. And it is affecting your life! 🤔
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Our ovarian hormones (E2 + P) play a huge role in our circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. Plus, “Sleep quality assessments are strongly influenced by anxiety, depressive symptoms, and affective disorders, which are more common in women and may contribute to a higher incidence of insomnia.” Hot flashes worsen sleep too. 😮
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“Sleep debt” accumulates more quickly in women and may be more debilitating. 😢
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What can you do? 🤗
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Wind down at night. No sugar. No alcohol. No scary movies. No news (ahem!) No caffeine. No stress (😱). No bright lights! Resist the 2nd wind at 9pm. Wear blue light blockers if you do need to have screen time. 
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Get a sleep study. Check for apnea. Do you mouth breathe? Is your partner, dog or child an issue in bed? 😯
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Try a weighted blanket. Use earplugs and a sleep mask. Sleep in cool darkness! 😴
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Consider calming support: magnesium, phos.serine, skullcap, valerian, magnolia, holy basil, passionflower, chamomile, l-theonine and lemon balm. 🤩
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Do you need a new mattress? Pillow? Sheets? Blanket? 🙂
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And guess what, if you’re a candidate, you might need estradiol and/or progesterone depending on your risks and symptoms. Speak to your Dr about this.  💁🏼‍♀️
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Sleep is LIFE! It affects all of our systems from immune to metabolism. 😍
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Like this post and talk to me about your sleep. What’s your best sleep hack? ♥️
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Journal of Neuroscience 9 November 2011, 31 (45) 16107-16116; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4175-11.2011

No matter how hard you try, you cannot pour from an empty cup. And if you aren’t #healthy and taking care of yourself, how can you be your best for those you ❤️?

Although it’s easy to get caught up in the frantic right now, I’m certainly starting to feel overwhelmed, it’s important to focus on our own health and practice self-care so we can be strong for our loved ones. 

Staying in our “stressy heads” will only increase cortisol which in turn reduces our immunity, so start filling that cup today. 

I’m still here and Endermologie-ing away, so make an appointment to have an immunity-boosting Endermologie treatment this week. www.peninsulaendermologie.com

#Repost @epoci 
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#fillyourcup #selfcare #transformation #healthcoach #optimalhealth#Endermologie #body #face #lpg #cellulite #inflammation #immunity#lymphatic #wellness #wellbeing #peninsulaendermologie#endermologieexpert #mteliza #morningtonpeninsula

Thank you to all of my beautiful Clients who are still showing up… while they can. 

Won’t be long I fear before we’re all spending a little more time in solitude, so here’s some awesome suggestions to help us small businesses survive and hopefully thrive when this crazy time is over. 

#thankyou #somuchtobegratefulfor #butquiteoverwhelmedtoo

Repost @charlotteargyrou

A little bit stressed? 

There are many little steps we can take to help reduce the effect of stress on the body. Here are just a few ideas:

Practice deep breathing and breathwork (check out you-tube for tutorials).

Spend more time in meditation. If you’re a newbie, there are lots of apps and again, guided meditations on you-tube.

Spend time in nature.

Book a massage. An Endermologie massage is relaxing and stimulates your blood and lymphatic circulation to make your body and mind feel great. 

Or consider using supplements. Here are 12 helpful adaptogens that combat high cortisol.

#Adaptogens 🌱
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@chefserenapoon
#stressrelief #selfcare #holistichealth #healthy #tips #nourishyourbody#mindful #mindbodysoul #bepresent #livehappy #healthandwellness#nutrition #superfoods #livewell #superfood #naturalmedicine#healthytips #stressmanagement #Endermologie #body #face #lpg#cellulite #inflammation #lymphatic #peninsulaendermologie#endermologieexpert #mteliza #morningtonpeninsula

My Wonderful Clients,

It is with a very heavy heart I am writing to advise you that as of today, Peninsula Endermologie will not be able to see any Clients due to the restrictions put in place by Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews. 

[In the next 48 hours, all non-essential activity will be shut down: https://www.theage.com.au/…/schools-closed-from-tuesday-in-…].

I am grateful that my little business will still be here when this is all over and obviously will honour all current treatment packages.

Who knows what the next few weeks will bring? I have applied to volunteer as an aid worker should some of my old nursing skills be required, and will in the meantime be trying to find new and innovative ways to keep my children busy whilst preserving my own sanity. 

I hope that I will see your beautiful faces in the not-too-distant future, but in the meantime would urge that if you need any assistance; i.e. food shopping, tips on maintaining a healthy body during quarantine, a shoulder to cry on, or even just someone to swear at who will not be offended by your profanities 😉, then please call on me. I am going to miss my chats with you more than I can say.

In the meantime, if you would like some collagen ($55), body brushes (long-handled – $20) (brush only – $18) or body oil ($25) sent to you, just text me and I’ll get that off to you within a few days.

I hope I will see you very soon.

Hope you and your loved ones stay safe and well.

All of the very best,

Niamh x

0434 946 209
www.peninsulaendermologie.com
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@ Peninsula Endermologie

So, having to cancel all of my Clients has left me with some time on my hands to homeschool the kids, clean the house and hopefully spend a little more time reading and writing. As much as I adore my kids and appreciate a clean house, it’s definitely the latter I’m looking forward to most.

I’ve kick-started with a reactionary piece about my feelings ’bout coronavirus. You can read it here is you like:

https://medium.com/@niamhhislop/fu-k-fu-k-fu-kity-fu-k-f056beb7867b

Anyone that’s been following me for a while will know how I adore a good detox! 

It’s one of the things that Endermologie does so well with our bodies, but obviously I can’t help you with Endermologie right now, so I thought I’d throw some suggestions out to you to help with your own detoxes at home.

Now, I’m not going to focus entirely on diet as a thorough detox means cleaning out the clutter everywhere else too, so bear with me if it feels like I go a little off-tangent with some of my suggestions over the next few days.

To start off, I want you to consider your underarm deodorant. Let’s face it, a quarantine situation is a perfect time to play with different solutions to see what works for you and what doesn’t! Your family /housemates might not thank me for this suggestion now, but they will in the long run! And when I say that, I mean it, because we have good reason to believe that most commercial deodorant products are really not great for our long-term health.

Many of the better-known commercial products contain a list of ingredients that makes me squirm. For example, there’s those pesky parabens. Parabens are a chemical preservative used widely in cosmetics. There’s plenty of evidence that suggests parabens interfere with endocrine regulation – i.e. they affect the way our bodies produce and regulate hormones such as oestrogen. Given we apply deodorant to our underarms right at the source of many important lymph nodes and very close to our oestrogen-sensitive beast tissue (in men and women), there’s a real concern that it could promote the growth of cancer cells.

Then there’s aluminum. This metallic ingredient might keep your ‘pits’ dry, but it can also cause gene instability, which again could lead to the growth of cancer cells. We know that most breast cancers occur closest to the underarm region and many cases of diagnosed breast cancer sufferers have used commercial deodorants that contain aluminum. So, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out this isn’t a great correlation.

Next on my naughty list are phthalates (pronounced “thalites”). These chemicals are found almost everywhere, nail polish, perfume, shampoo, most types of synthetic flooring, kids toys and yep, you knew it, deodorants! These can also disrupt hormone function; this time androgenic hormones such as testosterone. Now, this doesn’t mean it’s a problem just for blokes. Us women produce androgenic hormones in our ovaries, adrenal glands and fat cells. Deregulation of these androgen hormones can cause all kinds of problems for us, such as delayed or early onset of puberty, regulation of hair growth, and issues with organ function including digestion, muscle growth and liver regeneration. Not to mention its role in maintaining a healthy bone density and a healthy sex life. So again, not ideal to be spraying on your underarm on a regular basis!

And, I can’t not mention triclosan. The one ingredient I love to hate. This stuff is also everwhere! In hand wash, paints, mouthwash, anti-acne products, kitchen chopping boards and sports clothes etc. Bleugh. It’s designed to kill bacteria and it does this well. 

The thing is, as humans beings, we have at least a thousand identified bacteria living on our skin. These bacteria play an important role in protecting our skin and are our first line of defence against many diseases. They actually activate an immune response to prevent potentially serious infections. We need these bacteria to survive and thrive. Remember our skin is our largest living organ so it’s really important we look after it, so I urge you to chuck away anything with triclosan in it, yep even that handwash by your kitchen sink and stick to a proper handwashing technique with a mild soap instead. P.S. If you think I’m over-reacting, you might be surprised to know that when tested, 75% of Americans had detectable levels of triclosan in their urine and when they tested the effects of triclosan in animals they noticed it caused impaired thyroid function which is crucial for brain development.

And the list could go on, but the out-take is the same, when you put potentially toxic chemicals on your skin, it may absorb at least some of them and with repeated use in a sensitive area like the underarm, the outcome may be detrimental.

So, what to do instead? 

Luckily, there are plenty of natural alternatives on the market now and I’ve tested most of them! I wish I could recommend just one brand, but I really think it comes down to personal preference and trial and error. The common ingredients in most of these products are: coconut oil, shea butter, essential oils for scent and either bicarb of soda or tapioca to keep the skin dry. I’ve tried many of my own concoctions over the years – it’s really simple to blend up these ingredients until you’ve found a consistency and smell that you like. My skin doesn’t tolerate repeated use of anything with bicarb in it, and although tapioca flour is not as bad, it also causes my skin to flare up after a time, so I tend to alternate. 

There’s also a crystal deodorant which is essentially a block of potassium alum. Again, it takes a little getting used to, but for day-to-day wear it’s actually quite effective.

Some people recommend an armpit detox before you transition to more natural products. Usually that’s as simple as mixing up some bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar into a paste, or mix equal parts bentonite clay and coconut oil which is a little gentler on the skin. Then apply this for about 5 to 10 minutes and wash off and repeat approximately once a week.

Obviously, it’s best to wear natural fibers and let your skin ‘breathe’ as much as possible, i.e. don’t wear restrictive clothes that prevent circulation to your skin in that area. Plus keeping your diet clean and drinking plenty of water will also help.

So, perhaps it’s time you considered giving your armpits a detox? Let me know how you go will you and if you find a product that you think is unbeatable?

Yesterday I suggested we use this quarantine time to kick-start a little detox. Not just in diet, but across many areas of our lives that could do with a de-clutter or a healthier refresh. Number one on my list of things to detox was armpits! Yep, our poor underarms are exposed to lots of potentially harmful toxins with regular use of commercial deodorants and antiperspirants. So it’s a pretty great place to start.

Today, I want you to consider what moisturisers you’re using on your skin. Some of the best selling products on the market contain a list of ingredients that would make a sailor blush. I always think as a general rule, if you can’t pronounce what’s written on the label, you shouldn’t eat it or put it on your skin. But, there a few commonly-used ingredient’s names that I really want you to know about. Because forewarned is forearmed.

Let’s start with mineral oils. For example, there’s liquid paraffin, also known parafinnum liquidum, parafinnum subliqidum and petroleum jelly. Plus cera microcrystallina, ceresin, or good old Vaseline. Then there’s isohexadecane, glycerine, polyglyceryl-3 diisistearate and isopropyl palmitate. 

These cheaply produced oil acts as an emollient on the skin. Manufacturers of these products would have you believe that emollients are helpful in softening and moisturising the skin. However, in reality, these products cannot penetrate past the outer layer of skin, aka the epidermis, and therefore it just sits on top of the skin. This creates a barrier to stop the necessary exfoliation of dead skin cells and can even alter natural skin bacteria growth, therefore upsetting the skin’s natural microbial flora.

They’re sometimes used successfully to treat conditions like psoriasis, but can worsen many other skin conditions like rosacea or acne, and really they offer very little benefit in healthy, problem-free skin.

The second dodgy ingredient to look for is parfum. You already know that this means it’s scented with a perfume or fragrance. For the most part, all perfumes are irritating to the skin. Yes, even naturally sourced, plant based fragrances. They usually need to be diluted in order to use them without irritation. But chemically-produced parfums are the worst kind of ‘ick’. They can cause allergic reactions in the skin and systemically and can even trigger asthma. Many are phthalates which are bad news. I spoke about these yesterday, but in summary they are hormone-disrupting and can potentially cause the growth of cancer cells.

Some perfumes try and hide away under a different name. For example, one well-known body moisturising brand has limonene, linalool, benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate, geraniol, citronellol, hydroxytcitronellol, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexane carboxaldehyde (now there’s a mouthful) which are all known skin irritants. And potentially the worst of the lot; butylphenyl methylpropional which has been banned in Europe for being allergenic, it’s also strongly-suspected that it’s an endocrine disrupter and it’s been linked with central nervous system disorders when tested on animals.  

I also mentioned parabens yesterday and guess what. They’re commonly used in moisturisers too, so watch out for them. Again, they are hormone disrupters and are known to cause multiple cancers and even problems with foetal development.

Then there’s the PEG ingredients. Watch out especially for PEG 150, but PEG 40 (used in the commonly used product I’m writing about) is also a little dodgy, and is known to cause allergic and immunotoxic reactions in some people.
I also urge you to avoid anything with BHT in it, as it can cause contact dermatitis, allergic reactions and can cause birth defects in pregnancy.

And, just because I’m on a roll, another one worth a mention is retinyl palmitate. This is found more usually in anti-ageing face creams and even some sunscreens. It’s a Vitamin A derivative so is growing in popularity as people become more aware about the powerful effects of prescription retinol treatments. Although over-the counter products will never have the same results as a prescription product, manufacturers will continue to use it as a marketing tool to promote sales. 

Unfortunately, this can have serious consequences for our health, as retinyl palmitate has been proven to cause hyperplasia (excess cell growth) that when exposed to sunlight can form free radicals that damage cell DNA. That means it can cause cancer to develop. So, if you do have a product that contains this ingredient, use it at night-time only, or better still, replace it with a more natural formula.

For my part, I much prefer to use natural moisturisers and haven’t bought a body lotion from a shop for years now. I have trialled many different DIY formulas over the years. My Clients will remember my “Lush body lotion” with coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils. It smelled divine, but was a bit of a pain to apply! 

For the last couple of years, I’ve fallen in love with my ‘Nourishing body oil’ which has been lovingly crafted with an exquisite blend of essential oils to pamper the senses and stimulate the skin’s natural powers of self-regeneration. These specially selected oils are perfect for tackling cellulite and poor circulation. Blended with anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich grapeseed and avocado oils for perfect absorption, leaving your skin glowing but not greasy. The best thing is, it’s free from any chemical nasties and smells delicious. So if you need a moisturiser on your body, make sure it’s this one. 

www.peninsulaendermologie.com

Hi all! Hope you’re doing OK and are settling into a ‘quarantine life routine’ that isn’t leaving you, frustrated, exhausted, bored or nearing insanity. 

I’ve felt all of these emotions in the past few weeks, so I’m sure many of us are riding the same roller coaster! Overall though, I am counting my lucky blessings that my family, here and overseas, are all healthy and tucked safely away from harm.

My heart goes out to all of those people who are still leaving the security of their homes to go to their jobs, now more difficult than ever and I hope that we as a community do our bit to make this new life easier for everyone around us.

There’s one process in this series of detoxes I almost wasn’t going to write about, because my first attempt at making this product was far from easy. In fact, it was such a messy, time-consuming nightmare, that I vowed never to do it again. But, I’ve changed my mind and I’m hoping I might be able to get you to change the way you approach this product as well. So, what am I referring to? Can you guess? It’s laundry detergent! Specifically, making your own laundry detergent.

Last time I tried, I spent about 90 millionty hours (only a slight exaggeration) grating, yes grating, 4 bars of soap, to mix with a messy concoction of borax, washing soda and baking soda and some of my favourite fresh scented essential oils. The result? One exhausted, frustrated “housewife” and a gloopy concoction that never seemed to leave the dispenser of the washing machine properly. All in all, a total fail!

Since then, I’ve tried various natural products, all of which I liked but were quite expensive. I’ve been curious to try soap nuts or soap berries, but my research tells me they’re best for lightly soiled laundry. Given we’re a family that like our exercise and natural deodorants, I don’t think they’ll cut it! For now, I’m using a simple combination of 1 cup of washing soda, 1 cup of baking soda, ½ a cup of epsom salts and again, some essential oils such as eucalyptus or peppermint oils. Then I add white vinegar to the rinse cycle as a fabric softener which seems to do the trick.

But let’s go back to the beginning. Let me explain why I wanted to find a more natural laundry detergent in the first place. Here’s the thing, once you begin researching toxic chemicals in commonly used household products, you start to notice that the same names seem to pop up everywhere. And these harmful chemicals seem to be even more pronounced in laundry detergent. People may assume it’s not such a big deal if after all we’re not applying the products directly to our skin. But actually, if we’re wearing clothes that have been washed in these chemicals, with additional heat and moisture they may penetrate our skin. Plus, even the smells from most of these commercial products are toxic.

Let me throw some names at you. 1,4-Dioxane is added to most commercial laundry products as a solvent, i.e. it helps make a good sudsy lather. This ingredient has been identified as ‘likely to cause cancer’ and is potentially toxic to your lungs, kidneys, liver and central nervous system. Even short-term exposure to high levels of the stuff can cause headaches, vertigo and drowsiness.

Then there’s nonylphenol ethoxylate which again causes kidney and liver damage and is a hormone disrupter that causes growth deficiencies and potentially cancer.

SLS, or sodium lauryl sulfate when mixed with sulfur trioxide or chlorosulfonic acid is a corrosive chemical that can cause allergic skin reactions, organ toxicity and cellular changes.

Many detergents also contain high levels of phospates which are known to cause nausea, digestive issues and skin irritation. 

And last, but certainly not least, there’s the fragrance. By now you’ll have realized that whenever we see fragrance, we must be suspicious of phthalates. These toxic chemicals are known endocrine (hormone) disrupters and if you can smell them, then you’re also being exposed to the side effects. And most likely, so are your kids and neighbours!

So, it really is worth looking for an alternative. Whether you wanna Google one of the thousand of DIY recipes online or seek out a referral for a good natural product, it’s worth doing your homework on this one.

The other thing that is worth considering is the environmental impact of your purchases. Many of these commercial washing powders are not only toxic to us, they’re also detrimental to our habitat and specifically sea-life. So, let’s do our bit to detox the environment at the same time huh? It’s a win-win!

Did you know that thing you’re smelling could kill you?

If you’re following my little detox series, you’ll notice I give fragrances a hard time. Sorry. Not sorry. My intense dislike for these chemical products is not merely personal. Sure I used to like my Eau De Parfum back in the day, but I just couldn’t continue to ignore the mountain of evidence that shows just how toxic these perfumes are to our bodies.

The health risks associated with synthetic fragrances have been well documented many times before so I’m not going to re-hash the same old arguments here. But it’s crucial that you realize that whenever something is commercially scented, it’s usually bad news. And most of the time you won’t even know what the chemical you’re smelling is, as manufacturers are not under any obligation to disclose the fragrances they use in their products.

If you want to read more about it, take a look here: https://www.theguardian.com/…/fragrance-perfume-personal-cl…

Or if you’re a science nerd like me, then head straight here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5122698/

Even if you don’t have time to read these articles, I strongly urge you to follow your nose on this one. Strongly scented candles – probably dodgy. Air fresheners – just don’t. Fabric softener – not really necessary and definitely not good for you or the environment. 

So, what to do if you want things to smell nice but don’t want to risk health problems? I have the solution! In fact, I have lots of them! Get your hands on some essential oils! Luckily for us, good quality essential oils have never been so easy to find and come in a huge range of fresh, beautiful scents. You can create your own unique blends to suit your mood, or spend a little time researching their properties to choose one that’s right for the job.

Firstly, let me explain what essential oils are. Some people say they are the essence of a plant or flower. Each plant has it’s own unique scent to help with pollination and protect it from fungus and other microbes and even to protect it from overcrowding by other plant species. They do this by emitting a smell that prevents other plants photosynthesizing and germinating. 

The oils that give plants their scent are extracted from all parts of the plant, including the seeds, roots, stems, petals, twigs and bark and even the fruit of the plant. If you want a good scientific breakdown of the hows and the whys, this is a great resource: https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/agricultural…/essential-oils

Although essential oils seem to be becoming more popular in recent times, there is historical evidence that oils have been an essential part of life for as long as, or even before we can remember. There are cave paintings in the Dordogne region of France that date back 20,000 years showing medicinal use of plants and their oils. More ‘recently’, the Egyptians used essential oils 6,500 years ago in cosmetics, medicinal ointments and food. In China, Huang Ti wrote a book about the use of essential oils in medicine around 4,600 years ago, and oils have played a key role in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for the last 3000 or so years.

Here in Austraila, the Aboriginal people have been using oils for longer than is historically recorded. These practices ingrained in this ancient culture are only now being recognized as useful in western culture, although haven’t yet made their way into western medical practice, despite growing evidence showing its benefits [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23563055]. It is understood that the gathering of the plants, leaves, bark etc. was a task undertaken by Aboriginal women and children where knowledge was passed from one generation of women to the next. Men were excluded from this tradition, as it was strictly “women’s business”. 

Some of this knowledge must have included the ways in which we can use these oils. We know Aboriginal people burn leaves and bark of native plants during a smoking ceremony to create a smoke with significant anti-microbial effects. This had the effect to reduce cross-contamination of diseases and it was used to assist with healing, for example after childbirth to prevent infection from occurring.

Many oils can be applied directly to the skin, or via a carrier oil to allow absorption into the skin and then into the bloodstream where they can tackle your issues. For example, a bath with a few drops of peppermint, fennel and ginger oils might help to aid digestive issues. But it’s best to consult a naturopath or essential oil expert before you go self-dosing!!

Or these delicious oils can simply be inhaled, via a diffuser or after applying to your skin. Inhaling/smelling these oils sends a message to the olfactory system in your brain which affects your limbic system that in turn controls emotions, memories, the perception of sensory information and even our endocrine and immune responses. For example, it can control the way your respond to stress by affecting your blood pressure, pulse rate and breathing. 

So let’s talk about some of these ‘magical’ oils. There are some that are so well known, they can be found on our supermarket shelves for everyday use. For example there’s eucalyptus and tea tree oils, found in many cleaning products and recognized for their antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

Eucalyptus oil has been used to treat sinus and respiratory congestion due to its mucolytic (mucus loosening) effect. It’s also used to relive the inflammation and discomfort associated with arthritis and muscular aches.

Tea tree (or melaleuca) can also be used on the skin to treat acne, cold sores and other skin issues. Some varieties also have a numbing effect that can help relieve the pain of insect bites and even toothaches.

The fact is you can find an oil to help with anything. Right now, I’m expecting people might be searching for something to help them keep calm in the face of this coronavirus threat and boost immunity against the virus, so let’s look at what can help.

Firstly, there are some popular oils that have been used for centuries to help with anxiety. I’m just going to list them here but it’s worth doing your research to see what resonates with you and at the end of the day you must enjoy the scent! Once you’ve got a little collection you can start playing around with blends.

So, for anxiety, I recommend lavender, chamomile, rose oil, vetiver, bergamot, geranium, ylang ylang, frankincense and jasmine. Blend one or all of these together to stimulate your senses. Here’s a lovely recipe for a roll-on applicator. In a carrier oil such as almond oil, blend:
– 10 drops of lavender
– 6 drops cedarwood
– 6 drops geranium
– 4 drops ylang ylang
– 2 drops of clary sage

To help with immunity, it’s hard to go past the “Oil of Thieves”, aka “Four Thieves Oil”. Different manufacturers give this different brand names such as ‘On Guard” or “Body Armour”, but it’s based on the age old recipe that was said to have saved lives during the bubonic plague or ‘The Black Death’. We now know the disease was a bacterial infection called “Yersinia Pestis” that was spread by infected fleas. The story goes that everyone who came into contact with the disease would die. But at the time there were 4 thieves who were stealing from the dying who despite having close contact with the ill and dead, never became sick. It’s said the judge who tried them for their crimes agreed to pardon them from the sentence of burning to death if they would share their secret of immunity. The shared their recipe for the oil blends they used and indeed were not burned, but instead sentenced to death by hanging! Their secret now shared would become the armour used by Doctors treating plague victims, with their signature beak-like masks stuffed with the herbs and spices or cloths soaked in the oil blends.

Later studies have shown that this blend is significantly effective in destroying airborne bacteria, viruses and fungal pathogens. So here’s the blend:
– 40 drops clove bud 
– 35 drops lemon (or wild orange) 
– 20 drops cinnamon bark 
– 15 drops eucalyptus 
– 10 drops rosemary 
Note, it’s not recommended to ingest (eat or drink) essential oils, so please get advice before doing so.

Hi all. OK, I thought I’d move away a little from the toxic stuff we find in the products we use and take a look at some of the other stuff that might need a clear-out!

Fist thing that springs to mind right now is what’s happening in our virtual / online world. For starters, there’s all the Coronavirus news that requires some filtering depending on your state of mind. It might be that you prefer to be informed, or if you’re the opposite and would rather not hear about it all of the time, it’s best to scroll past the constant updates.

Even in ‘normal’ life, I am one of those people that get overwhelmed if I can’t see the last email in my inbox, which means every time I check my emails, I sort out all the stuff I don’t have time to read that day. So, my inbox becomes my immediate to-do list and I file stuff away into “read later” or another folder if I need to keep it for my records, or if I think it’ll be an age before I get to it, I simply delete it! 

Now I know not everyone operates in this way. Case in point, my husband. My darling beloved currently has 51,409 emails sitting in his inbox. And I assume those are only the un-read ones? I try not to ponder that for too long as it gives me conniptions. And I have suggested he create some folders so that when I ask him to find something I’ve sent him, he doesn’t have to search through a gazillion messages. But he assures me that this works just fine for him. And whom I am I to argue really?

The thing is, my husband is a remarkably calm individual and I don’t think he’s ever once stressed about unread emails…ever. He also has an uncanny ability to sweep any problem under the rug until it diminishes, goes away or eventually trips him up. I am not sure which pile these emails will end up in, but thank goodness, that’s not my problem!

But, I do think, that while we some of us have a little more time on hands, now is the perfect time to do a little clear out! If you haven’t already, start by creating folders, e.g. finances, kids school notifications, work folder, Amazon book folder (just me?), Medium articles, etc etc. Go on, it’s so satisfying. Then while you’re popping each message into the folder have a ponder about whether or not it’s still relevant or if in fact it’s something you ought to consider unsubscribing from? And while you’re at it, take a quick look at your ‘sent’ items and do the same there! 

Then, once you’ve found yourself on a roll, take a look at your other folders on your computer and see what you can get rid of from there. Old work notes from the job you had 10 years ago? Scrap them. The seventy-billionty photographs of your dog or cat or first born? Now’s a great time to do a cull. Of the photos only obviously.

Doesn’t that feel great? Now you’ll have freed up a tonne of digital / cloud thingmy space and be able to find what you’re looking for far more easily next time you try.

Now, back to social media. Do you have Facebook? If you’re reading this of course you do! How about Instagram? Joke. There is no-one in the world NOT on Insta right now. I’m not even going to start on Tik Tok, because I’m closer to 50 than 40. Sort that stuff out yourself ok? Then there’s Snapchat (why?), Twitter (way too few words), LinkedIn (sigh), and so on and so on and so on…

If you’re anything like me, you’ll start scrolling Insta in the morning and be really, really, really quite reluctant to put the phone down till you’ve caught up to the place you were at last night? AmIright? Please say that’s not just me? I am following people on Insta that never post anything and I am following people on Insta that should never post anything, but sadly do. And I am following people on Insta who might actually not even be real people. Who knew that ‘bots’ could be so convincing? So, I for one, am going to declutter and start unfollowing, right as soon as I’ve caught up to where I left off last time!

As for the others, let’s take a cold hard look at what’s serving us right now eh? Every morning I wake up, I see messages on Whatsapp from my family and given we’re in 3 separate continents all experiencing coronavirus as different stages, I am so grateful for the reassurance that they’re still well enough to send me ridiculous memes and sarky comments. If Whatsapp was a person, I’d give it a hug. (As soon as social distancing rules allowed me too of course). But there are so many others that really serve little purpose in my life. I have an app that tracks my workouts, but I really don’t need that kind of motivation. I go to the gym so I can stay healthy and live longer, who cares if I’m lifting lighter than 4 years ago? I never use it, but I somehow feel like I’m quitting if I get rid of it? Weird! 

There are apps that can track your usage on your phone so you can take a cold hard look at yourself, but who needs that kind of negativity? Not me thanks! I say, take a gentle approach and delete any app that you haven’t used in 6 weeks. On a physical level, if your hand/ eyes/ neck/ brain or soul is hurting take that as a cue to put your phone down and take a break. 

And let’s talk about why spending less time online is a good thing. We have plenty of research that shows how addictive social media apps are, and yet there’s also plenty of evidence stating it’s making us all more depressed. Whether that’s down to our hormones being affected by the blue light stimulation, or simply the competitiveness of these platforms, or both, we can’t tell, but either way, it’s not healthy. 

The interesting thing is how much it’s changed us as a species in such a short time. We’ve suddenly become so bloody VISIBLE! My 13 year old daughter considers if something will photograph well before she buys it/ wears it/ bakes it! She feels more excluded because of her purported “connection” to the outside world. What I mean is, she now knows if she hasn’t been invited to a friend’s party or catch up, because she’ll see the photos online and then she’ll wonder why she wasn’t invited. And don’t get me started on the risks associated with children’s presence on social media and the predators who lurk within those wall-less places. These are not the things I was worrying about when I was 13. Sometimes it breaks my heart.

For all the good this technology gives us, it also taketh away in equal measures. I tell my hubby that Instagram is “definitely not the boss of me.” And yet I am aware that I am slightly addicted to the stories feature! So, here’s our chance to cut back and let’s hope we all show this tech just who’s the boss.

Don’t know about you, but I’m definitely gonna be trying some of these lush recipes!

https://www.foodmatters.com/article/8-diy-beauty-recipes-try-home?fbclid=IwAR0otzhchCgHW6i8CcAdNNCZMtO1EtL-PUeHg2McpgW5qi7JLXuK4S_U2zQ

Hi all, another loooooong post coming up in my “Lockdown Detox Series.” Make yourself a cuppa…

So, my 6th detox suggestion is to get rid of your clothes. There’s never been a better time!

No, I’m not really saying you have to get naked, but let’s face it, thanks to Coronavirus, many of us have found ourselves in the enviable position of having a lot more free time on our hands. Of course some of us have kids around who eat into most of those free minutes, but I’m about to recommend a very rewarding detox activity you can do with the kids in tow. The older ones will get so bored after 2 minutes, they’ll be asking you if they can go and play Lego before you know it in any case!

First, answer me this? Have you ever stood and looked your wardrobe and thought “I have nothing to wear”? Well unless you are very different to the “average Australian”, you most likely have a wardrobe full of very wearable clothes. In fact, it’s estimated each of us spend approximately $2000 a year on buying fashion. So there’s a very good chance that you ‘having nothing to wear’ simply means that you’re so overwhelmed by choice, finding an outfit has become a chore!

But fear not! I have the solution! A Wardrobe Detox! 

All you have to do is follow some of these steps to make the whole process easy and satisfying. Now, I’m well aware that a certain Marie Kondo got here just before me. [I swear, if I knew that you could make millions telling people to tidy up their crap, I’d have changed professions years ago]! However, I am no Marie Kondo. I love a tidy house, but I will not be folding my plastic bags into triangles any time soon. So, consider this a cheat’s version if you like!

Let’s get started: The first priority, make some time for your wardrobe detox. Ideally, set aside a couple of hours. 

Next step is to psych yourself up. You really need to be in an objective mood so you can cull without getting sentimentally ‘involved’. If you think you’ll need a critical eye, line up a facetime or zoom chat with a friend who you know will give you an honest opinion. Sisters are THE BEST for this!

Pop on your dressing gown, because if you’re going to do this properly, you’ll be hopping in and out of clothes.

Do not, I repeat, do not, have a glass of wine first – you’ll need a cool head!

Grab 4 garbage bags and a bunch of empty hangers. Label the bags: Op Shop (Charity shop for overseas reader), Repairs, Friends and Recycling and the hangers are for anything that you think has a re-sale value. More on each of these later.

OK, now you’re ready. Let’s begin. This part is where Marie Kondo would make you take everything out of your wardrobe and dump it on your bed. Gulp. I’m not going to make you do that. We already know we have too much stuff and this isn’t reality TV.

So, choose where to start. I always start with the type of clothes I wear most often, so I can get those tidied and sorted and that sense of satisfaction urges me on. For me that’s dresses. I hang all dresses and have them roughly sorted, i.e. into formal, corporate (just in case), work, casual and very casual (i.e. beachy). Then I order them according to length and whether or not they have sleeves. Some people go as far as sorting everything by colour. If this makes sense to you, go for it!

There will always be a few things that you’ll need to try and to make sure it still looks good on you. Whilst you’re going through each item, take a look and make sure it’s worth holding onto. For example, if it’s damaged or has piling all over, ask yourself if it’s really worth keeping? If it needs to be repaired, stick it in the repair bag. If it’s not worth the cost or effort to repair it, then donate it to a recycling centre. 

Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You is a great resource to find who takes garments for recycling locally. H&M and Zara both accept any brand of clothes to be recycled and Sheridan takes pre-loved sheets and towels. Using these services could save some of the estimated 500,000 tonnes of textiles sent to landfill each year.

What about the clothes that are still like new but you don’t wear? If it’s cute, but doesn’t fit quite right, then perhaps you can gift it to a friend? If you bought something really expensive but just haven’t had to occasion to wear it yet, consider that you might not actually ever get to wear it and consider selling it online. There are great sites for designer re-sale and eBay the rest. As a general rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn anything for the past 12 months, it ought to go. This is a cool trick for t-shirts…grab the bottom third of the pile and pop them straight into the Op-shop bag! If you don’t look, you won’t even know what’s in there, I promise you.

That’s the easy bit. But we also have the sentimental pieces. For my part, I still have a skirt that I adore and shall never part with that I bought in Camden town with one of my first London wage packets. It saw me through a lot of weird and wonderful dates so every time I look at it, I remember those fun times! I also have a Ganesh t-shirt I bought whilst backpacking in India many moons ago. And even more moons before that I was gifted a T-shirt by a patient (a crew-member from the 1989–90 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race) that I looked after when I was a student nurse. I’ve only kept it for 31 years. Sentimental? Me? Never! 

So, long story short, there will always be those pieces that you just can’t bear to part with. And that’s fine. It’s good to take them out every once in a while, let them make you smile, pop them in the wash and lovingly restore them to your wardrobe. Alternately, if you have something in your wardrobe that makes you feel sad, such as that dress you wore to a funeral of a loved one, or the jeans that you bought that you never got to fit into, then it’s time to say farewell to those.

Once you’ve been through everything, give the shelves a quick spring clean if they need it and make sure you fold or hang everything away properly. I find it best to organise into “compartments”; i.e. gym clothes, work tops, ‘going out’ tops, every day tops, t-shirts, jackets, long dresses, short dresses, long jackets etc. etc. 

Hopefully you ought to have 4 full garbage bags and a row of hangers for stuff that can be photographed and listed for sale online. Now, here’s a sticking-bit. You may not look in those garbage bags again and you may not return the items for sale back into your wardrobe. Just don’t.

Then all that’s left is to pat yourself on the back and take stock of how much you actually need. For my part, I have a ‘one in, one out’ rule so if I buy a new dress, I have to get rid of an old one that I don’t wear as often. I find it makes me far more mindful about what I really ‘need’ to buy. As an avid op-shopper, I’m content that I’m not contributing to the waste problem, but even so, I have had to train myself to be a little less ‘spontaneous’!

I promise you, you’ve have a huge sense of relief once you can see and appreciate every item in your wardrobe. So, are you going to take on the challenge?

Let me know how it goes will you?

Hopefully every person reading this will already have heard about dry skin brushing and the genuine benefits it offers to your skin and overall health. It’s been well publicised that supermodels like Elle McPherson and Miranda Kerr swear by it to keep their skin looking amazing and it’s stood the test of time. After all, it’s a practice that’s been going on for thousands of years, or at least as far back as we have written records. 

The ancient Greek philosopher Herodotus reported that public bathing houses became popular across many different cultures in the 5th century BC, although there are reports of dry brushing and bathing rituals far earlier than that in ancient Egyptian culture. In ancient Greece the practice was to use a mitt made of a coarse muslin cloth to rubdown the dry skin. That would be followed by an application of oil, sometimes with pumice and ashes, and a curved metal (or reed) scraping tool called a ‘strigils’, which would be used to scrape away the dirt, oils and dead skin cells. After that bathing in the hot pools would commence.

Of course the Romans are probably most well known for their practice of bathing and the use of the olive oil branches to stimulate circulation, by whipping them across the skin. But this practice is still seen today in the Turkish ‘Hammam’ and in the Russian ‘Banya’, where a ‘gentle lashing’ with the branches and leaves of birch or oak or eucalyptus tree branches, aka “venik”, are said to relax the body and invigorate the skin. In fact, some enthusiasts say it will even help you to live longer!

The Chinese used scrubbing stones that were often carved with intricate patterns, or dried fruit and vegetable fibre sponges along a paste made from bean flour and perfumed spices. Whilst the Native Americans are known to have used corn cobs for a similar effect. Here in Australia, bathing rituals have been a closely guarded secret amongst indigenous women, but it is known that they also use oils and plant essences to massage into skin.

So, although widespread, the practice of dry body brushing was particularly revered in the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda. The first records we have of the Sanskrit practice of Ayurveda originated more than 5,000 years ago and says that we should “eliminate that which is not wholeness, that which is disrupting, by that which is suitable for the self, using procedures and preparations to restore the self, to reestablish prakriti (i.e. wholeness or our essential nature) and pacify by that which is conducive to health”. 

Essential to that was the elimination of ‘Ama’ which was believed to be the underlying cause of many health issues. There are 3 types of ‘Ama’. The first ama is said to result from digestive problems and is mostly attributed to poor dietary choices.  It is caused by the build up of excess digestive toxins, which produce a sticky substance that causes blockages in other parts of the body. The second, called ‘amavisha’, occurs if the ama is left unchecked and leads to a further build up of toxins and becomes more chronic and then there’s the third, the ‘garvisha’, which is associated with an accumulation of environmental toxins. 

Of course, texts that were written 5000 years ago might be interpreted from a very different perspective by today’s medics, however in everything I’ve read, it seems to me that the ama seems quite similar to our lymphatic system.

So, what’s the issue with having ‘ama’? Well, essentially it means the build up of toxins in your body will start to cause long and short-term issues and is underlying any common health issues. 

An Ayurvedaic practitioner will aim to reduce and get rid of this ama in their patients by eliminating the causes, i.e. changing the diet and increasing exercise and perhaps by suggesting digestive aids such as drinking lemon water or ginger tea. 

Another valuable tool is to practice dry brushing, which in Ayurveda is known as Garshana (pronounced ‘gar-shan’), which in Sanksrit means “friction by rubbing”. Ayuverdic practitioners credit dry skin brushing with the following benefits*, and who am I to argue?

• removes ama and helps enliven alertness
• stimulates blood flow to deeper tissue cells by increasing the circulation
• promotes healthy lymphatic circulation
• removes blockages in the physiology
• nourishes the mind and nervous system
• exfoliates the skin
• alkalizes the blood, helping to eliminate stagnant impurities
• detoxes the liver (massage releases impurities in the skin and blood vessels)
• gently dissolves cellulite over time by breaking down impurity deposits in the fat tissue
• boosts skin glow

So all you need to know now, is how best to preform garshana/ dry skin brushing.

Ideally, try to make dry skin brushing part of your routine every day (or every two or three days). Your skin and body will thank you for it.  First grab a good quality dry brush, ideally with bristles made from natural materials such as boar hair (soft) or cactus (aka agave, tampico or sisal) which are a bit more firm. You can buy one here: www.peninsulaendermologie.com

Then, 5 or so mins before you hop in your shower, brush your skin lightly starting from your feet and working your way up your body, always brushing towards your heart. You can use gentle circular movements over the joint areas and any particularly stubborn areas of cellulite, but then continue with long strokes over the rest of your body. The idea is that you’re moving the lymph fluid along towards the lymph nodes and eventually your kidneys and heart. Avoid brushing your face (unless you have a special softer brush) or your breasts, genitals any broken skin or varicose veins.

There’s no need to apply too much pressure, just do what feels comfortable. Some areas like the inside thighs will be more sensitive, so be gentle and don’t feel like you need to ‘scrub’. Your skin should look a little pink but not scratched or red. Ideally, it’s nice to allocate around 5 to 10 minutes to this self-care ritual, but just 2 mins will do!

Then hop in the shower and afterwards pop on some natural, organic moisturising body lotion (grab one next time you’re in, or again, head to www.peninsuaendermologie.com to order one) to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

The brushing action gently increases the circulation to your skin, stimulating your lymphatic system and the elimination of toxins. It also helps to exfoliate your skin, encouraging new cell renewal, and may even help to soften the fibrous fat deposits below the skin, therefore gradually smoothing out cellulite.

The result leaves you feeling energized, lighter and with smoother, healthier skin. In Ayurveda, they say it will also give you a “better digestion and enlivened metabolism. There is lightness in the body, clarity of mind, more happiness and satisfaction in life*. “

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your brush and get brushing right now!!

* Source: https://www.mapi.com/blog/reduce-ama-with-garshana-lymphatic-massage.html

This is post No. 8 in my ‘Detox Series’. How are you finding the series so far? Is there anything you’re curious about but haven’t had time to research? If so, just let me know and I’ll include it in the series.

Today I’m going to be talking about ‘Oil Pulling’ and looking at whether it’s myth or magic?

In writing about dry skin brushing last week, I mentioned that it’s a practice that has been celebrated in many cultures for thousands of years and beyond. Nowhere more so than in India, as witnessed by the ancient Ayurvedic tradition where it’s known as ‘garshana’. In Ayurvedic medicine, garsahana is used as one of many tools in the arsenal to help detox the body. 

Another practice that is commonly associated with Ayurveda is the custom of oil-pulling. In recent times, oil pulling has been studied in depth to prove its proposed benefits to oral health. We know that most of us humans have approximately 700 different types of bacteria that live in our oral cavity (i.e. the mouth including gums, teeth, cheeks etc and I’m going to include the throat here too). Most of these bacteria are vital for a healthy oral microbiome, however there are some, for example the streptococcus mutans, that can lead to problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis, build up of plaque leading to tooth decay and even strep throat; which in some cases can cause significant health consequences.

Many studies have shown that oil pulling does in fact help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth which in turn helps with these conditions and makes everything less pungent! See here for some data: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198813/ &
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/

So, we can say with certainty that the practice of oil pulling certainly has benefits for oral hygiene but I wonder if you’ve heard about the other remedies it’s been credited with? 

There is anecdotal ‘evidence’ from many people claiming that oil pulling has reduced the symptoms of inflammatory conditions in their bodies. Some people for example report an improvement in arthritis symptoms, as well as cardio-vascular issues such as tachycardia (increased pulse rate), as well as asthma and diabetes. Unfortunately we have zero clinical evidence to support these findings. However, it makes sense that if a person has issues with a chronic inflammatory gum disease, it will result in an increased immune-response, and the body will produce higher levels of CRP (C-reactive protein) which acts as an early defence system against infections. These high levels of CRP are associated with heart disease and inflammatory conditions like arthritis, so it’s not such a huge stretch of the imagination to suggest that using oil pulling to treat a chronic oral disease might after all have a beneficial effect on these conditions.

There have also been reports of improvements in migraines, whether that’s due to a physical strengthening of the jaw muscles, causing less stress clenching, or as a result of a detox effect, we’re not sure.

Oil pulling also been credited with clearing out sinus infections/congestion. Again, it’s hard to know if that’s a result of the physical movement of the jaw, causing improved lymphatic drainage or because the oils naturally reduce the bacterial build-up in the nasal passages. The reality is, it’s unlikely we will ever have enough clinical evidence to prove any correlation, so anecdotal evidence may be all we will have on these matters.

And while I’m at it I feel I must mention the other large, entirely anecdotal, elephant in the room. That is, the very claim that oil pulling is in fact an Ayurvedic practice at all!? The reality is there are 2 practices described in Ayurvedic texts that involve oil in the mouth. These are recommended as part of dinacharya, i.e. the recommended daily routine that’s ‘prescribed’ for your body type or ‘dosha’. They are called 
‘gandusha’ (aka ‘gandusa’/‘gandoosh’ ) and ‘kavala’ (aka ‘kavalu’). 

Let’s take a quick look at both so we can see where oil pulling as we know it differs from these ancient customs. 

Gandusha is the taking of a large amount of oil into the mouth, usually with herbs that have been prescribed to tackle an issue like mouth ulcers or dry mouth and/or strengthening the gums and jaw. The patient takes so much of the oil that it can’t be turned or moved in the mouth, it’s just held there until it becomes uncomfortable, i.e. when the mouth over-produces saliva or the eyes and nose start to ‘water’. 

https://www.researchgate.net/…/224897899_Prevention_and_tre…

Kavala on the other hand is the taking of only a small quantity of oil, usually combined with other liquids, gargling it briskly and then spitting it out. It is recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners for daily use to improve appetite, stem excess salivation and get rid of a bad taste in the mouth as well as to tackle other head and neck disorders.

So it looks as though oil pulling is in fact a modern, slightly modified combination of these two ancient practices. 

Either way there is no doubt that it’s a practice that when done regularly can offer many benefits. Whether it’s the detox panacea that some enthusiasts would have you believe, I can’t be sure, but I reckon there’s no harm in trying it for yourself and seeing how you go with it! 

So, how do you get started? First chose your oil. Any naturally sourced oil would most likely do, but there is a definite benefit to using something like coconut oil which we already know has beneficial anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Sesame oil is also traditionally used or if you want to get fancy, you can buy already formulated pulling oils such as Dr Tungs or Black Chicken Remedies branded oils that contain herbs & botanicals for potentially extra benefit.

It’s recommended you oil pull first thing in the morning, before you’ve eaten. Some people suggest you scrape your tongue and brush your teeth first, but I prefer to brush my teeth afterwards. All you have to do is simply measure out approximately a tablespoon of oil and pop it in your mouth to swish around your mouth, back and forth and between your teeth and try and keep it there for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Now, sometimes you might need to begin with a little less oil, or only keep it in your mouth for a couple of minutes to start with, then as you build up tolerance, try and gently increase the amount of oil and/or the time you ‘pull’ for. Do your absolute best to avoid swallowing it and when you’re done with the oil, spit it out into a tissue and dispose of it in the trash. Then you can brush your teeth as normal. 

It’s suggested you make it part of your everyday routine, or even a few times a week will help. Some aficionados will oil pull a few times a day. I find it easiest to pop the oil in my mouth before I dry skin brush and keep it there while I hop into the shower on those days I know I don’t have to rush. To be honest that doesn’t happen nearly as much as I’d like, because inevitably one of the kids will come to ask me something and it’s all a bit awkward grabbing a tissue while you’re wet from the shower in order to answer their question. Mum life!!! 

Have you tried oil pulling? I’m super curious to hear if you think it’s made a difference in your life, so can you please let me know if you’ve had a good experience with it?

Phewey. This is a big one! So go make yourself a cuppa, because by the time I try and rearrange everything in my mind that I want to say about this topic and get it all on paper/screen, I’m warning you now, it’s not going to be a short read.

And there’s the fundamental problem. For most of us, our heads are constantly loaded with thoughts of what needs to be done, what could be done, what should have been done and what we ought to be doing about it all.

On the odd occasion I’ll notice my gorgeous hubby sitting quietly, gazing off into the distance and I’ll ask, “what are you thinking about?” When our relationship was new and I first noticed this strange phenomenon I was genuinely curious. Nowadays I ask just to hear him say…“Nothing”.

“Nothing”.

Can you imagine? Just…“Nothing”.

Back in the day, I used to push for an answer, “Oh c’mon, you must be thinking about something, people don’t just sit there not thinking about anything”. But now, I savour his answer. “Nothing”. Oh the freedom! The expanse of space! The sheer nothingness of that word seems as distant to me as a solo trip to Mars.

I can honestly say, it has been a major goal of mine for this past 12 months to achieve that state of blissed-out-nothingness. My mind is always a blur of thoughts. From the moment I wake up I recall my dreams, sometimes with terrifying accuracy, leaving me feeling exhausted before I even start my day. Then it’s a constant battle of thinking about DOING ALL OF THE THINGS.

And so, recognizing that perhaps it would be nice to have a little more ‘peace’, I decided to do something about it.

Hence, this rambling that you’re about to read is the sharing of some of the tricks I’ve tried to help still a busy mind. Some with less success than others, but I reckon this is an undertaking that is entirely personal. I am lucky that I have never suffered from any clinical mental health issues and appreciate that some of these suggestions could be detrimental to someone else who hasn’t been as fortunate. So please, if you’re reading this from a place where your thoughts have been in a negative space for any length of time, then please seek some professional help.

Let’s start with the first thing I do when I start to feel overwhelmed.

Breathe.

Ideally, I try to find a quiet space and close my eyes just for a moment and I intentionally breathe. I’ve learned various techniques over the last few years. I’ll share one here, but there are so many tutorials online if this doesn’t suit you. Take a long, noisy inhale through pursed lips and when your lungs feel full (or to the count of 4), hold that breath for a count of 4 and gently let the air expel. If you can’t find a quiet place in which to practice this noisy version, just take a second to recognize that you might need to slow and deepen your breath. In doing this you help your body automatically relax and switch out of that state of “fight or flight”.

Our bodies are designed to operate in a relaxed, parasympathetic nervous system. It allows us to conserve energy, slow our heart rate and allow proper digestion of our food. So, ‘considered’ breathing will help get us back there, but let’s look at some of the preemptive things we can do to help ease the feeling of stress before it happens.

As a quick add-on, being aware of your body’s posture will help with this tremendously too. Straightening your spine and holding your head up with shoulders back and down, therefore opening out your chest will not only helps with breathing, it will also improve brain function, thus resulting in an improvement in your mood.

Make lists or start a journal.

I’m a big list maker. Ask my husband! If I don’t have my ‘to-dos’ written down, I just can’t relax. I hate not ‘having a plan’. Even if I can’t get it all done in the timeline I’ll have set for myself, at least I have a clear idea of what needs to happen. So, for me list making is not just about keeping myself accountable and getting stuff done, it’s also about stalling for time. If I know I can’t get to the task today, I’ll push it back to another day and worry about it then, rather than have it nagging away at me!

Some people will start by setting an intention, which I think is simply a ‘bigger picture’ variation on a list. You can start by looking at what you want to achieve in the short and/ or longer term and write that down and pop it on the fridge if you like to remind you that that’s the direction you’re headed in. Then every step that takes you closer to your goal feels like a pat on the back.

The only caveat to this is, we must all by now, in this time of Covid19, realize that even the best-laid plans can come unstuck. So setting intentions and making lists are all well and good, but life will always throw us curveballs and we need to try and learn to roll with them. The terrifying and yet conversely, strangely reassuring reality is that very little of our lives are actually completely in our control. And it’s good to remind ourselves of this every now and then. I am slowly learning to stop and remember to accept the here and now as opposed to always rigidly planning for an uncertain future.

Get better at saying “No”.

While you’re making your to-do lists and setting intentions, make sure you’re doing what really serves you. Many of us get caught up in a whirlwind of being busy, or helping others, so it’s good to take stock and decide if we really need to take everything on. It might feel tricky at first, but I promise you, it’s very liberating!

Make time for you.

This is a hard one. Particularly if you’re a Mum like me. Though I think we all struggle with this, kids or not. Somehow through the years (I blame the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution…by the way), leisure and creative pursuits became commodified. Although most ancient cultures celebrate the self with due ritual, the capitalist movement turned us all into workers who feel guilty for having any free time. Up until war time, at least mothers were afforded a certain liberty, albeit usually with the full responsibility for managing households and raising kids. And then in the 1970s when mothers returned in droves to the workforce, the balance of work versus free time became even harder to manage.

So what can we do about it? Because, let’s face it, it’s easier said than done. For me, time out means reading, writing and deepening my knowledge about new and ancient healing modalities and in turn, learning more about the self, or my-self. I’m feeling self-conscious just writing this, but the truth is I have been ignoring the yearning to reconnect with my innate spirituality for so many years and am finally making the space to do this. From having a mind-blowingly, accurate and illuminating astrology reading with Tory at Active Stillness to completing a short course online about ‘Predictions — Omens, Oracles & Prophesies’, I’ve been indulging my thirst to know more about these perceived mysteries. I’ve recently been reading Denise Lynn’s; “Secrets & Mysteries: The Glory & Pleasure of Being a Woman” and “Women who run with the wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Both a beautiful celebration of the divine feminine. I’m studying kinesiology, with the guidance of the wise and nurturing Rachel Gallon and have started studying Ayurvedic medicine via an online course. For me, having, or making the time for these pursuits is so much more rewarding than putting on a facemask and taking a bath, though, there ain’t nothing wrong with that either!

Meditation.

And I can’t go any further without mentioning meditation. Last year, I took a three day meditation course with the beautiful Lisa Carlyle @ The Quiet Space. Prior to this course, I had really struggled with meditation. I would thoroughly enjoy the experience when on a retreat for example, but at home I’d try guided meditations on my phone and end up getting restless and checking the time to see how much longer I had to endure it! After this course, I actually find myself sitting with ease for 15–20 minutes and definitely feel more refreshed and calmer when I practice regularly. Although I’ve been pretty slack since the kids have been home, I’m confident that I can pick it up again when there’s a little more time for quiet in this house! So, if you struggle with meditation, try investigating the One Giant Mind technique based on Vedic meditation principles.

Spend time in nature.

I don’t need to explain this one do I? It’s just good for you on a cellular level. Do it.

Spill the beans.

As much as it’s great to try and remember thoughts are just thoughts and we ought to try not to let our emotions get all scrambled up in them…. the reality is life can be tricky. And people can be tricky. And there will always be situations and people who will push your buttons. So rather than mulling it over for hours and days and weeks and years, I reckon it’s sometimes better just to vent. I’m a big venter! If I’m upset about something, I just have to say it, otherwise it’ll just fester and eat away at me and turn me into a (more) cranky miserable person! I almost always feel so much better after I’ve had a good vent, and am thankful to have good people who are happy to hear me out and allow me to move on! If you would rather not burden your friends, then it’s worth finding a good counsellor to speak to.

But, I know that’s not everyone’s style, so perhaps consider writing your frustrations/ feelings down in a journal. You won’t always find a resolution, but at least you can just let it all out! Then hopefully you can look back on the situation with a little less emotion and some more clarity at a later stage if you feel the need to.

Be kind to yourself.

The reality is, I will absolutely be upset at something that someone does or says that doesn’t meet my moral code, but I’m tougher on myself than anyone else. So it’s often much harder for me to forgive myself for something thoughtless that I’ve said or done. So, I’ve learned a little trick to help me out with this one. Firstly, I ask myself, if a friend or one of my children behaved in the same way that I did, would I judge them as harshly? You’d be surprised how many times it’s taken this question to see things from a perspective of love and compassion I don’t often afford myself.

Let that shit go.

Sometimes we hold onto ‘notions’ that keep us from being happy. Whether that’s managing expectations we’ve inherited from society, our families or some innate doubt we carry about ourselves. At some point we have to face up to it, acknowledge and let it go.

Train your brain.

There is so much research now that shows how we can alter our thinking state and mindset. Some people will utilize affirmations. This is as simple as writing down a statement or two that you can repeat at regular intervals, e.g.; “Today I’m choosing happiness”. I’ve always felt a bit weird trying these, and last year I heard Peter Crone on a podcast say that his issue with affirmations (and I’m paraphrasing now because I can’t find the exact source) is that they suggest there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. Whereas, his belief is that everything that happens is meant to happen and everything is as it should be. These words have stuck with me for a long time now and I find that thought more reassuring than any other.

If you’re not quite convinced, than it might be you need to take physical action when you notice a reoccurring negative thought. Literally move your body and seek to concentrate your focus elsewhere. Or use the ‘5 things’ mindful technique to ground your thoughts;

– Notice 5 things you can see around you.

– Notice 4 things you can touch

– Notice 3 things you can hear

– Notice 2 things you can smell

– Notice 1 thing you can taste

Hang out with good people.

There’s that thing isn’t there where they say we’re the ‘average of the 5 people we send most of our time with’. Parents of toddlers, I apologize, this is your warning to look away now. OK, I just Googled it and it was Jim Rohn who came up with this one. His statement suggests that if we spend our days with happy, positive people, we’ll in return feel more happy and positive in ourselves. It makes sense no?

So, if there’s someone that you know who drains your energy and makes you feel like crap, then for your own sake, it’s best to create a distance there. (If you’re thinking about your kids here, then disregard that advice, it’s your job to try and turn that around…sorry!). Distancing yourself from the energy vampires will free up more time for you to spend with people who make you feel good.

Try your best but remember we’re only human.

As I mentioned before, the misgivings that bug me the most are when I feel responsible for speaking or acting in a way that I regret. And I also feel remorse for those times when I ought to have said something and didn’t. So, apart from trying to let it go, thanks to Rachel Gallon, I’m finding these ‘5 Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz a good life guide:

– Be impeccable with your word

– Don’t take anything personally

– Don’t make assumptions

– Always do your best

– Be sceptical, but learn to listen

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Caveat. I am not qualified to reccomend treatment protocols for mental health, I am simply sharing the outcome of my search to find some stillness in my thoughts. You may wonder what this has to do with my profession? As an Endermologie therapist, I recognise that many of my Clients come to me looking for ways to lose weight, tone their skin, get rid of cellulite and look younger. I can treat the skin, but unless we tackle the clutter everywhere else, i.e. in our bodies and our lives, we may never get to the source of true contentment. Hence the inspiration behind this detox series.

I really enjoyed tuning into a webinar hosted by NIIM (National Institute Integrative Medicine) yesterday evening with award-winning entrepreneur Radek Sali, internationally-recognised family business owner (and lush wine maker) Kathleen Quealy along with a NIIM Integrative Doctor who’s name I missed unfortunately.

They each discussed strategies to balance personal health with the unique demands placed on our work, businesses and homes during this period of isolation.

One of the things that the Dr mentioned was that many of his patients that suffer with anxiety, actually reported feeling more at ease during this last few weeks. And it reminded me that one of my Clients mentioned to me that her adult son who has autism told her that he felt like the world was finally adapting to suit him! 

So, although my own feelings have alternated between panic, rage, frustration and ultimately acceptance during this time, I must admit I’m also appreciating taking things more slowly and relishing all the good in my life. Definitely worth bearing this in mind in our anticipated ‘return to normal’. 

#coronavirus #thenewnormal #niim #onlinelearning#PeninsulaEndermologie #PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne

Daniel Andrews made some difficult decisions this weekend and I for one am glad that he’s standing firm. 

After hearing from friends and family in Ireland, Great Britain and the US (New York in particular) about the devastation they’ve witnessed in their communities, I feel so fortunate for his leadership and commitment to humanity despite the ongoing cries from many to reduce restrictions earlier.

As much as I was so looking forward to catching up with everyone, and have been busy sprucing up the treatment room in anticipation of your return, I feel in my heart that it’s best to wait until we are sure that it’s safe to do so. 

So see you all very soon. 
Niamh x
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#PeninsulaEndermologie #PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne #coronavirus

Exercise must be one of the very first considerations if you want to detox, your life, your body and/ or your mind!

In my late teens and early twenties, I was very anti-exercise! The idea of getting all dressed up in lycra and heading to a gym only to walk on a treadmill for half an hour made me feel nauseous. I tried it a few times (the gym, not the lycra) and would always feel self-conscious and a bit lost. Looking around at all the machines which were supposed to help you get stronger, yet bore no resemblance to anything I needed strength for in real-life. So, I would inevitably end up doing a few stretches, a few minutes on the treadmill, question my reason for living and would throw the towel in and just hide away in the sauna for a time, hoping that would do me some good! How I came to marry a CrossFit fanatic, I’ll never know!

Over the years, I’ve personally rebranded exercise, to “moving my body”. It’s far less threatening and much easier to achieve. So, on the days where I don’t get to the gym, I’ll try and go for a walk instead and as long as “I’m moving my body”, I feel great about that! This desire to move my body has never been a struggle. I’ve always innately recognized it and yet I have always pushed back at the idea of exercising! So, dear reader, if the first line of this story made you wish you weren’t reading, fear not, there’s something in here for you too!

At it’s most fundamental, exercising, or “moving our bodies”, boosts our blood and lymphatic system. That’s a biggie. Because if our blood and lymphatic systems are stimulated, our digestion will also improve. And if our digestion is working better, our long–term mental health will be better. Even in the short term, exercise produces feel-good endorphins and lowers our stress hormone levels, which makes us nicer to be around and it’s super-important for our sex lives! Moving your body also stimulates our lungs, kidneys, immune system as well as brain vascularization and neurogenesis (put simply, the formation of new brain cells) to improve brain function. Plus the very act of moving helps to stretch our fascia (connective tissue), lubricate our joints and strengthen muscles. And all that combined means we have healthier tissues overall, so we’ll notice an improvement in our skin and eyes and hair too.

So, everything really. Moving your body, aka exercise, improves everything.

But today, I want to focus a little more on the detoxification effects of exercise. When we exercise, our muscles require fuel or energy to keep on moving. Many years ago, athletes would “carb-load” before a big event in order to provide their bodies with that fuel. More recently research has pointed to fat being a more adaptable fuel for muscles to burn and many endurance athletes maintain a fat-centric or ketogenic diet to keep them at their peak. Now, I’m not telling you need to “go keto”, but what we can learn from this research is that muscles burn fat very well.

Our wonderful bodies have designed these very clever units of fat storage to be used in times of a calorie deficit or when we’re exercising. How marvelous!

The only snag is, unless we’re maintaining a calorie deficit — that is, eating less calories than we’re burning in a day, or exercising so much that our muscles are constantly burning fuel, for example if you’re weight training a few times a day, then there’s a good chance you’re storing a little too much fat.

And that’s not a great scenario, because guess where we, as humans store most of our toxins? In fat cells (aka ‘adipocytes’)! I know you knew that already, but I’m just hammering the message home ok!

So, if our fat cells are storing toxic stuff and we’ve got them stored all around our bodies, that’s not great is it? You know how after a massage sometimes you get a little headachy and some people even develop mild flu-like symptoms? That’s because the massage can create a mild lipolytic reaction, where some of the fat that’s been stored gets released into our tissues and the lymphatic circulation starts to transport them and filter them to remove them from the body. This process of lipolysis happens more significantly with an Endermologie massages, but the bonus with Endermologie is that it also boosts your lymphatic circulation by 300% for at least 6 hours after treatment, thereby clearing away all of the toxins more quickly so usually you don’t have the same toxic load or symptoms after the massage. In fact, because you’re boosting your blood circulation too, usually you fell pretty fabulous after an Endermologie massage!

Sorry, I digress! Anyway, these fat cells. Problematic right? Well even if a massage can shift some of them, it turns out that the very best way to burn fat is to exercise. For many years the experts believed this was because the muscles convert the fat to ATP to be used as energy, but some recent studies suggest that actually most of the fat that leaves our bodies does so by exhalation of carbon dioxide — i.e. breathing! Although we don’t have great data on what type of breathing specifically helps, it’s generally accepted that the increased rate and depth of breathing response during exercise is beneficial to shifting more of that pesky toxic fat!

Then of course our improved digestive system is the next great elimination ally. Followed by urine, sweat and other bodily fluids. Just bear in mind however that even though a sauna will help you sweat some toxins out, if that sweat is left to sit on the skin for too long, a small amount may be reabsorbed, so it’s not a huge benefit unless you can shower straight away.

So now that I’ve convinced you that moving your body really is a great way to ‘detox’, let’s talk about some of the ways you can do that. With or without lycra. No judgement here.

One of my favourites that I recommend to my Endermologie Clients is rebounding. Which basically means jumping up and down! Preferably on a trampoline to protect your joints and to really get a good bounce going, ’cause that’s fun!! Rebounding is great for a few reasons. One, the bouncing motion compresses and alternately decompresses our bodies’ tissues. The ones I’m particularly interested in here are the interstitial tissues, which I used to call “the space between cells” back in my nursing days. The interstitial fluid in these cells is then pushed towards the lymph vessels and enters the lymph system, ready to be pumped around the body, (by the motion of the muscular contractions) and then filtered and drained away. Two, it’s fun. Three, all you need is a trampoline.

If you don’t have a full-size trampoline in your back yard, a mini one in your home will do just fine. Then just kick your shoes off, wear loose, comfortable clothing (but perhaps a good bra if you need it) and set aside 15–20 minutes to jump up and down. You might need to build up to that length of time, because if you haven’t jumped in a while I can promise you’ll feel muscles you’d forgotten you had.

There are all kinds of fancy moves you can try; high kicks, abdominal twisting etc., check out you tube for tutorials. Now, if you’re worried about pelvic floor instability, are pregnant or recently had surgery, it’s worth having a chat with your Doctor first. For the most part, if you listen to your body and take it easy to begin with, rebounding can really help to strengthen your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.

If you’re over rebounding and have good joints and (pelvic control), skipping is also a great exercise option. Start off with single leg skips, then skip with both feet together and then have a crack at double-unders (i.e. you jump higher and spin the rope faster to go under your feet twice in one jump). It even writes easier than it is in real life! Warning, I take no responsibility for the whip marks you acquire whilst practicing these! If you like the sound of double-unders, I bet you’re the kind of person who likes burpees too right? Well, by all means give them a crack also! They’ll work every part of your body and get you into fat-burning mode very quickly!

But if you’re freaking out right now and wondering what language I’m speaking, try this simple exercise…lie down on the ground, ankles and head touching the floor and then get back up and clap above your head. And repeat. And repeat again for as long as you can until you’re thoroughly puffed. Try to use your hands as little as possible to get you off the ground, make your body do most of the work. Then set yourself a time goal. 3 minutes every day for a week, then 5 minutes for the next week etc., etc. When it starts to get easier, start adding weight. Even a couple of bags of rice in each hand will make a difference. It might sound easy, but it can make a big difference!

I can’t not mention weight lifting. Purely because it seems that many women believe that weight lifting is for blokes only. And it isn’t, in fact, it’s probably more important for us ladies to do weight training as it’s proven to help strengthen our bones. And women are disproportionately affected by bone conditions such as osteoporosis in later life. Plus, lifting heavy things build muscles faster and more muscle tone means you’re burning more calories, more of the time. You won’t end up with massive muscles unless you work out A LOT and eat a lot of calories, so please, give it a crack.

But, I know weight lifting is not for everyone and if you’re more of a yoga person — though no reason you cant do both, in fact, it’s an awesome combination…(sorry I know I get carried away)…then yoga is also fabulous to help with a detox. There are specific ‘twist’ poses that are believed to be particularly beneficial for detoxing. The theory is that these twists “detox the spine and subsequently massage the liver in order to increase its ability to detoxify ”.* Although I’m not sure I understand that, the movement would certainly boost the all-important lymphatic circulation and the deep yogic breathing with strong exhalation would be hugely beneficial in expelling toxins.

But, these are just a few suggestions, so whatever you like to do to move your body, dancing, swimming, stand-up-paddle-boarding are all fantastic and helping our body do what it does best. I’ve learned if you find something you really enjoy, it doesn’t actually feel like exercise at all!

https://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2014/jan/13/demystifying-detox-can-yoga-really-cleanse-the-liver

Peninsula Endermologie is so excited to reopening its doors again on Monday 1st June!

I cannot wait to see you all and have things back to a little more ‘normal’, with just a few changes….

To ensure yours and other Clients’ safety, please adhere to the following protocols:

• If you, a family member or a friend you’ve spent time with has been exposed to Covid19 or is currently in isolation after recently travelling, please wait until 2 weeks after any possible exposure to book your appointment.
• If you, a family member or a friend you’ve spent time with is unwell, has experienced fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties and/or coughing, please make sure to stay at home and cancel your appointment as far in advance as possible. 
• Our late cancellation policy will not be enforced during the next few weeks, so you will not forfeit your treatment, even for last-minute cancellations.
• If you are running more than 5 minutes late for an appointment, please call (0434 946 209) and let me know as we may have to reschedule for another time.
• It would be best if you could please wear your bodysuit to and from your appointment, therefore minimising the amount of changing time so we can maximise the treatment time! 
• If you arrive before your appointment time, please wait in your car until your treatment time.
• Please attend the appointment by yourself, no kids, sorry.
• Please apply the hand sanitiser supplied at the front door before entering.
• We will check your temperature before entering the treatment room.
• You will have the opportunity to wash your hands once you enter the treatment room.

At Peninsula Endermologie we will ensure your safety by:

• Extending appointment times from an already generous 10 – 15 minutes allowed for sanitisation between each treatment time to allow for an additional 15 minutes for disinfection of all equipment, surfaces and shared spaces.
• Committing to washing my hands in between each Client and will wear gloves for any skin-on-skin contact (i.e. whilst examining your skin during consultation and during facials).
• Wearing a face mask for the duration of the treatment time. 
• Following social distancing protocols as much as possible, i.e. no hugs! : (

Note: It’s best to keep the immune system strong during this time and beyond. Some general advice to maintain a healthy immune system, is to increase your intake of Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium-rich foods (or consider supplements), exercise daily, get adequate sleep and drink plenty water to stay hydrated.

A little bit ‘sciencey’, but a great read if you have time to absorb the facts.

By Chris Kesser.

https://chriskresser.com/nutrition-and-aging-what-to-eat-for-a-long-and-healthy-life/?fbclid=IwAR00S1OUla44-ub7su6pUWTgsZ98u6YUXY4IS5ny6d7zAn8Jk7IGd4hwAZ8

This notice going out to all Clients via email today. Let me know if you don’t get it. 
#coronavirus #covid19 #safety1st #SafetyProtocols

Look what Irene Falcone, Owner of Nourished Life cites as her No 1 beauty/wellness product? The Hydrea Dry Body Brush.

Given this woman has access to the country’s finest natural beauty products, I love that she shares my passion for using tools to make a real difference to her skin, rather than just relying on products (which, let’s face it, have dubious benefits most of the time).

It’s also the brush that I sell right here: 
https://peninsulaendermologie.com/…

for almost $7 less than the Nourished Life sale price!

So, hop on before they sell out! Don’t think I’ll be able to offer them at this bargain price again.

#PeninsulaEndermologie #HydreaBodyBrush #BodyBrush#DrySkinBrushing #AntiCellulite #Exfoliating #LymphaticBoosting#RealSkincare #Real Results #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne

Repost from @stopchasingpain 
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A terminal lymphatic is the entry point of how your body eliminates swelling, inflammation, toxins, bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus, metabolic waste, cancer, etc..
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Basically all the crap you don’t want inside your body. That’s why the Lymph system is called the sewage system of your body and why we teach you how to take care of that like never before
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Imagine if they were blocked, overloaded, stagnant, and just plain ignored⁉️That’s not good. We never ignore them. They actually come first in our world 
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Why should you care? Because if you can’t get rid of toxins, you stay toxic and you become unhealthy and you feel like shit all the time 
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So you should care. If you don’t, it will come and bite you in the rear later 😉
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🔹Better learn how to love them up. 
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🔹This is a fantastic resource: STOPCHASINGPAIN.comSTOPCHASINGPAIN™️ 
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#stopchasingpain  #chronicpain #move #fitness #exercise #movement#inflammation #lymph #lymphaticsystem #lymphnodes#lymphaticmassage #lymphaticdrainage #loveyourlymph
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Endermologie stimulates your lymphatic circulation by 300% with every treatment. This negative pressure massage will relieve inflammation, pain, muscle stiffness/DOMS, as well as treating cellulite, stubborn fat and loose skin.
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Isn’t it time you showed your body some love? 💕 
#endemologie #peninsulaendermologie#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscentre

Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems. It was developed more than 5,000 years ago in India. 


The importance of lymphatic drainage has been practiced for over 5,000 years despite the lymphatic system being chronically under-studied in modern medicine. 


It’s only been discovered in the lower decade that our brain has a lymphatic system called the glymphatic that ire fundamental to our wellbeing.


As always, I believe there’s a lot to be learned from ancient practices and knowledge. Which is why I’m undertaking studies in Ayurveda.


#alwayslearning #ayurvedic #ayurveda #ayurvedicmedicine#lymphaticmassage #lymph #circulation #endermologie #wellness#wellbeing #peninsulaendermologie#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscentre#peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions #endermologieexpert #MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne

Repost thanks to @ballancerpro

I’m all about that lymph. Keep it moving baby!!
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And remember, if you feel ‘heavy’, tired, sore legs, then it is very likely that it’s a build up of fluid and your body’s trying to tell you to come and have Endermologie!
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Endermologie works to relieve inflammation and boost your lymphatic circulation to keep your limbs feeling lighter and pain free. 
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It’s also got the amazing side effect of getting rid of your cellulite and tightening your skin too, so what’s not to love?
#peninsulaendermologie #endermologie #endermologieexpert #lymph#lymphaticmassage #odema #edema #inflammation #heavylegs

I’ve published a book, on my website where it looks half decent and on kindle where it looks shocking, but despite that I’d love it if you could take a look, have a read and if you like it, leave a glowing review? 

Ah go on… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089YWW1JX/ref=sr_1_1…

P.S it’s free for Clients, just let me know if you want a copy.

I’m so flattered to have received this review from an author and woman I highly respect. Thank you! 

And it’s not my Mum ok! 😉

Have you read it yet?

You can order it form the shop and have it delivered direct to your inbox.

Or PM me for a copy.
@Peninsula.Endermologie

Another gorgeous review. My heart is full and my head’s growing bigger! 😉

Thank you to all the kind people who’ve read and shared my book and for your wonderful feedback.

#NotQuiteABlockbuster #ButJustAsThrilling #endermologie#PeninsulaEndermologie #peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscentre @ Peninsula Endermologie

Another generous review of my book Life Detox. Have you had a chance to read it yet?

#bookreview#bookrecommendations#detox#lifedetox#FindingCalmInTheChaos#peninsulaEndermologie#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

Another awesome review. Must admit, I’m pretty chuffed!

#bookreview#LifeDetox#FindingCalmInTheChaos#blacklivesmatter#PeninsulaEndermologie#EndermologieExpert

This happens more than you’d expect, enquires about Endermologie from the other side of the world!

Luckily Endermologie is available all over the world, so I was able to point this person in the right direction so she could find someone locally.

If you’re curious about Endermologie and living on the Mornington Peninsula, then lucky for you, I’m right here in Mt Eliza!

So you don’t need to travel into the city for this award winning, medically approved, clinically proven, non invasive and effective treatment.

To book your appointment, visit www.peninsulaendermologie.com

Or call Niamh on 0434 946 209

Amen. Let’s adore these post-partum bodies for their miraculous ability to create and nourish life.

The resulting jiggles can be tackled with non-invasive treatments or more invasive if you like, but only if you like…And sure, I can’t “blame” my kids for my jiggles anymore, but Covid did a pretty great number on my waistline!

So now that my life is returning to a little more normality, I’ll be trying to find time to tackle it with Endermologie.

If you want to see if Endermologie can help you, call me on 0434946209 or pop onto www.peninsulaendermologie.com to find out more.

Image thanks to @onestrongmum

Ok, so we’re another while away from hanging out with our besties like a bunch of supermodels at the beach wearing our boyfriend’s/husband’s shirts due to these Covid19 restrictions right?

To be perfectly honest, this doesn’t look like any catch up I’ve ever had with my people, but I’ll let that slide ‘cause I’m trying to make a point.

My point being, if we’re all just hang in there just a little longer, we too can frolic in the sunshine and be confident that we’re not creating harm when we do so.

This lucky country has done so well up to this point, I think it’s worth going the extra mile now to keep all of our loved ones safe.

The side bonus point and salesy pitch is that we can use this time to get some Endermologie done, so that if by any wild chance in a month or three, our besties do call for a day at the beach wearing only tops, we can confidently know our legs are looking their best.

You know what to do… book yourself in!!!

#endermologie#peninsulaendermologie#slimming#toning#getridofcellulite#NoMoreCellulite#SmoothLegs#peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions

P.S not sure who to credit the photo to? Mario Testino?

Sticking with the supermodel theme.

And why not?

Here’s the stunning Cindy Crawford looking a bit fabulous after dragging a couple of girly dumbbells and some good lighting with her down to the beach.

Again. Why not?

After iso, almost anything is acceptable in my humble opinion.

If you want to recreate this look, (and why wouldn’t you?) bear in mind that as far back as when this photo was taken in the 90s, LPG was already helping supermodels maintain a healthy smooth, toned silhouette!

So, feel free to treat yourself to the same (albeit improved) non invasive treatments in 2020 why don’t ya?

#endermologie#lpgendermologie#health#body#face#fitness#natural#healthcare#healthybody#skintreatment#cellulite#skin#wellness#wellbeing#naturaltreatments#bodysculpt#lifestyle#aesthetics#peninsulaendermologie#peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions

One of the great Supermodels, Tyra Banks (aka BanX) is an American television personality, producer, businesswoman, actress, author, model, and occasional singer.

Phew!

She began her career as a model at the age of 15, and was the first woman of African-American descent to be featured on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Here she is as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, rocking those wings and those legs!!!!

She’s also a big fan of Endermologie, in case you wondered where this was going.

Look, I can’t promise you a body like Tyra’s, but I can help you make the absolute best of yours.

Endermologie will have you feeling better, with a boosted lymphatic circulation (and therefore improved immunity), firmer skin, less cellulite and more confidence.

All that without a scalpel or needle in sight. Pretty good eh?

#endermologie#cellulitetreatmentmelbourne#cellulitetreatment#reducecellulite#reducestubbornfat#mumtum#toneskin#firmskin#tonedbody#howtotoneup#toneyourbooty#toneyourarms#toneyourtummy#peninsulaendermologie#endermologieexpert#peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscentre#mteliza#morningtonpeninsula#melbourne @tyrabanks

Look, this is going to be the last in the series of stunning famous women who use Endermologie for now. Sorry lads.

But as much as I love these women, the reality is that most of us mere mortals will never look like that. And the last thing I want to do is suggest these are the goals we should be aiming for.

Let’s face it, these women are genetically blessed, work with personal trainers all the time, have chefs cooking healthy meals for them and they have access to all the fancy schmancy skin care that’s out there.

But here’s an important point. Endermologie is not just for the privileged. I offer full cellulite treatments (full legs and bum) for just $70, so it’s affordable and achievable for most people.

So, if you’re looking at these images and wishing your legs looked a bit like these, then I can help you get there a little easier.

@penelopecruzoficial

#endermologie #lipomassage #cellulitetreatment #skinfirming #peninsulaendermologie #peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions #peninsulaendermologiewellnesscentre #mteliza #melbourne

@sclerodermavictoria

Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disorder and is generally classified as one of the auto-immune rheumatic conditions. To grasp some idea of this condition it is helpful to understand the origin of the word. ‘Scleroderma’ in Greek – ‘sclero’ meaning hard and ‘derma’ meaning skin.

It is where the body’s immune system does not adequately protect the connective tissues – that is, the tissues that hold the muscles, blood vessels, fat and skin together.

The pattern of the condition is also unusual in that it affects people in many different ways and the range and extent of symptoms may vary from one person to another.

In Scleroderma the tissue is replaced by a type of scar tissue called fibrosis. Because connective tissue occurs throughout the whole body, this condition affects many and various organs and can produce a wide range of symptoms.

Today around the world we create awareness for this rare condition in the hope we can raise funds to find a cure.

#Scleroderma#WSD2020#SystemicSclerosis#endermologieForScleroderma

Another fab book review on Amazon!!

Really very chuffed that people have taken the time to read this and are getting some benefit!

Let me know if you’d like a digital copy?

#book#bookreview#lifedetox#findingcalminthechaos#amazon#detoxtips#notjustdiet#lifetsyle#healthylifestyle#health#wellness#naturalbeauty#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscenter#peninsulaendermologie#endermolgieExpert#MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

So chuffed that my book has resonated with so many people and might even inspire a few young ‘uns to tread a ‘lighter’ path.

#book#bookreview#bookrecommendations#lifedetox#findingcalminthechaos#peninsulaendermologie#mtEliza#morningtonpeninsula#melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

As a result of this afternoon’s directive from the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirming a return to Stage 3 COVID19 restrictions for the next 6 weeks (or until further notice), Peninsula Endermologie will have to once more close it’s doors until mid-August.

All pre-paid packages will obviously be suspended until we get back to ‘normal’.

In the meantime, I encourage you to stay up-to-date on the socials: Facebook and/or Instagram.

I would also hugely appreciate it if you could leave a review for me (if you have’t done so already), on Facebook, Google, and/or True Local.

I want to sincerely thank you for your ongoing support during this strange, strange time!I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Stay safe and well,

Niamh x

P.S. To help keep your immune system strong during this time and beyond, it’s worth considering an increase your intake of Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium-rich foods (or consider supplements), exercise daily, get adequate sleep and drink plenty water to stay hydrated. But you know what, wine and chocolate are OK too (in moderation)!!!

Looks like Mark Sisson and I have both been researching skin conditions at the same time!!! Well played Universe.

Nice to see a mention of Omega-3 fish oil in his list of supplements to help skin too!

3 Common Skin Conditions and What to Do about Them

Naturally red food tends to contain a veritable smorgasbord of nutritional goodness, from antioxidants such as lycopene and anthocyanins that fight heart disease and some cancers as well as numerous vitamins and minerals.

(Vitamin C for immunity boosting and healing. Vit b6 for almost all enzyme reactions in the body, Vit K for blood clotting and assistance of absorption of vital minerals such as magnesium).

Red foods are also a good source of folate, copper, thiamin and potassium.

Plus, they look awesome and taste great. So get some on your plate today.

#peninsulaendermologie#endermologie#peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscenter#lymph#lymphaticsystem#lymphaticdrainage#lymphaticmassagemelbourne#lymphaticmassage#lymphaticmassagemorningtonpeninsula#endermologieexpert#mteliza

Repost image thanks to @oliomaestro

Guess what’s happening in my kitchen? Can’t wait to brew my first cup.

I’ll let you know as soon as it passes the taste test!!

#whoneedsacuppa#ilovetea#lymphaticsupporttea#fullofgoodness#peninsulaendermologie#peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions#peninsulaendermologiewellnesscenter @ Peninsula Endermologie

It’s here! The MOST delicious Lymphatic Support Tea.

Jam packed with amazing, thoughtfully selected organic ingredients to nourish your body and support your lymphatic system to detoxify effectively.

After years, (yep years), of searching for and trying many different types of supplements to support my lymphatic system, I eventually came to the conclusion it would be better to make my own, containing all of the ingredients I knew through research would help my body detox and stay healthy.

And I’m delighted to say, the result is not only effective, it’s delicious.

It’s a lush blend of non-caffeinated nettle, dandelion leaf, schisandra berry, red clover, astragalus, echinacea, burdock root, gotu kola, horse chestnut, chicory root, ginger, lemongrass, orange peel, lemon, hibiscus, coriander seed and cinnamon.

To purchase, head straight here!

#lymph#lymphaticsystem#detox#inflammation#lymphaticcleanse#LymphaticSupportTea#lightenLegs#RelieveBloating#DetoxTea#LymphaticSupport#tea#MakeYourselfACuppa#PeninsulaEndermologie#EndermologieExpert @Peninsula.Endermologie

Look. I’m a bit excited about this tea. Maybe it’s because I’m literally not getting out enough.

Maybe I’ve just reached that age where I’m excited about little things you can do to improve your health. Or maybe it’s because this is genuinely the best lymphatic tea blend out there!

It’s packed full of amazing ingredients. Each of which honestly I could write pages about, but I’m aware that other people might not find this just as stimulating!?!?

The bonus is, it tastes like a really lovely chai. So even if you can’t be ‘bovvered’ with reading about the good stuff, you can just enjoy it knowing it’s doing you good.

But if you are interested, I’ll do a little breakdown on the ingredients over the next few posts anyway.

Let’s start with Nettle. Nettle is a great source of Vitamins A, B, C and K. It’s also rich in multiple minerals: e.g. calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium.

As well as antioxidant rich polyphenols: Kaempferol, quercetin, caffeic acid, coumarins and other flavonoids.

Nettle is a natural diuretic, which means it stimulates diuresis, i.e. the increased production of urine. Which means an increase in the excretion of water from the body. This is especially beneficial if you’re suffering with fluid retention. It’s often used as a remedy for UTIs. It’s anti-inflammatory, boosts immunity and supports digestive processes.

It may be effective in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar as well as alleviating the pain of muscle aches, menstrual cramps and some types of arthritis.

And that’s just the stuff we have evidence (clinical and anecdotal) for. It’s been used since ancient times, so there’s probably heaps more benefits we haven’t tested for. e.g. with such a rich antioxidant profile, it’s bound to help the body prevent multiple diseases and protect against premature ageing.

One note of caution, you must avoid taking it with sedative medications (especially lithium) and warfarin. Best to consult your Doctor before taking it.

@Peninsula.Endermologie

The next key ingredient in this lush Lymphatic Support Tea is Dandelion.

Yes, the leaves off those yellow flowered weeds you find in your garden are absolute powerhouses of nutritional goodness!

Super rich in Vitamins A, C, E, K and some B vitamins. And heaps of necessary minerals: calcium, iorn, magnesium and potassium.

It’s also a great source of beta-carotene and polyphenols, which provides protection against cellular damage and oxidative stress. This suggests an improved generation of new skin cells, therefore slowing the aging process.

“Dandy” tea has been long known as being excellent for supporting the lymph system in ridding toxins due to its diuretic effect.

Ok it’s own it’s superb. Together with the other ingredients in this tea, it’s magic!

#lymph#lymphaticsystem#detox#inflammation#lymphaticcleanse#LymphaticSupportTea#lightenLegs#RelieveBloating#DetoxTea#LymphaticSupport#tea#MakeYourselfACuppa#PeninsulaEndermologie#EndermologieLymphaticMassage#EndermologieExpert#MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

Another key ingredient in this fabulous Lymphatic Support Tea is the bright and beautiful #Schisandra berry.

This red berry has long been used in traditional Chinese and Kampo (ancient Japanese) #medicine for #liver disorders (http://www.sciencedirect.com/…/medicine-and…/schisandra) and stomach disorders, as well as a tonic to improve #vitality.

Its Chinese name, “wu wei zi” means five-flavored fruit, to reflect the five flavours recognised in Traditional Chinese Medicine: sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and pungent.

I choose to use this wonderful adaptogenic herb because of its anti-inflammatory effect and because it’s so rich in antioxidants. ..It’s been credited with controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, stimulating the immune system and speeding post-op recovery. It’s also reported to improve energy levels and mood, as well as improving sleep. The fact that it’s been used for thousands of used in years Chinese Medicine to regulate the lymphatic system was also pretty convincing!!!

As with all herbal medicines, it’s best to consult your Dr before taking any supplements. Schisandra comes with a warning to avoid if you’re taking drugs that are substrates of cytochrome P450 1A2, 3A4, 3A5, or P-glycoprotein.

#lymph#lymphaticsystem#detox#inflammation#lymphaticcleanse#LymphaticSupportTea#lightenLegs#RelieveBloating#DetoxTea#LymphaticSupport#tea#MakeYourselfACuppa#PeninsulaEndermologie#EndermologieLymphaticMassage#EndermologieExpert#MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne @Peninsula.Endermologie

Sticking with the ‘red’ ingredients, the next hero of this delish Lymphatic Support Tea is Red Clover.

Red clover is an alterative herb, which means that medicine hasn’t confirmed how it works, but it agrees that this herb gradually restores health and vitality of the body.

It’s long been used by herbalists to treat indigestion, high cholesterol and respiratory conditions with much success.

It’s also widely used to help reduce PMS and symptoms of menopause and a remedy for breast pain or tenderness associated with hormonal changes.

It supports the lymphatic system by stimulating the elimination of metabolic wastes through the major eliminatory organs, and especially the lymphatic system.

To order your Lymphatic Support Tea, click here.

#lymph#lymphaticsystem#detox#inflammation#lymphaticcleanse#LymphaticSupportTea#lightenLegs#RelieveBloating#DetoxTea#LymphaticSupport#tea#MakeYourselfACuppa#PeninsulaEndermologie#EndermologieLymphaticMassage#EndermologieExpert#MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne @Peninsula.Endermologie

#Astragalus. Pronounced “ass-tra-gal-us” is the next ingredient I want to showcase from my #Lymphatic #Support #Tea

It’s one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (#TCM). In fact it’s one of the most widely used immune tonifying herbs of TCM.

It’s often used to treat common colds and even man flu. But has been shown to have a positive effect across many other health issues also.

Astragalus is known to ease congestion and inflammation, including relief from seasonal allergies. But the reason I’ve chosen it for this tea is because studies show it causes an improvement in kidney function.

It also contains saponins that are known to be anti-inflammatory, cholesterol lowering, antifungal and antiparasitic. Look, it seems there’s not much this amazing plant can’t do, so I’ve added a link to some studies below so you can keep reading if you fancy.

Although this photo shows the flower of the plant, it’s often the root that’s used in medicinal tinctures, and it’s the root that I’ve used in this tea.

Astragalus is generally well tolerated but should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an autoimmune disease or are taking immunosuppressant drugs.

If you’d like to learn more about this wonder plant, take a look here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/pharmacology…/astragalus..#lymph#lymphaticsystem#detox#inflammation#lymphaticcleanse#LymphaticSupportTea#lightenLegs#RelieveBloating#DetoxTea#LymphaticSupport#tea#MakeYourselfACuppa#PeninsulaEndermologie#EndermologieLymphaticMassage#EndermologieExpert#MtEliza#MorningtonPeninsula#Melbourne @Peninsula.Endermologie

Time for the next hero of the splendid Lymphatic Support Tea!

The wonder flower #echinacea!

Echinacea is anecdotally well known for supporting immunity and warding off colds and the flu.

It’s also an alterative herb and a long-recognised lymphagogue, i.e. a herb recognised for its ability to promote the flow of lymph. And promoting the flow of lymph means a more dynamic lymphatic drainage.

It’s this lymphatic boosting effect that’s responsible for its ability to increase the number of white blood cells in our bodies which fight infections.

Scientists are even looking at as an aid for treating people with coronavirus (though not Covid-19 yet) and although it’s not conclusive, one study suggests that it might help as a prophylactic treatment.

PLEASE DON’T INTERPRET THIS AS A GIVEN as the data was not tested in humans and is still under review: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-15282/v2 #echinacea #lymph #lymphaticsystem #detox #inflammation #lymphaticcleanse #LymphaticSupportTea #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne @Peninsula.Endermologie

It’s Sunday and I’m about to get my daily hour of fresh air. So this is a quick one. But not to be underestimated!!

Gotu Kola has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years where it’s known as the “herb of longevity.” Loaded with thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and pyridoxine (B6) as well as vitamins B3, C and K.

It’s also rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphates, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.

It supports the regeneration of connective tissue and is said to promote liver and kidney health and boost brainpower. Gotu Kola increases blood flow and has a diuretic effect which supports lymphatic drainage.

Pretty great package right?

#lymph #lymphaticsystem #detox #inflammation #lymphaticcleanse #LymphaticSupportTea #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne @Peninsula.Endermologie

The next power house ingredient in my Lymphatic Support Tea is Horse Chestnut.

Horse Chestnut contains a substance known as aescin which constricts blood vessels and stimulates the contraction of venous valves. This increases venous pressure which in turn stimulates lymphatic flow.

This regenerates connective tissue and boosts circulation to improve lymphatic drainage.

It also has antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin.

Note, although there’s just a small dose in the tea, Horse Chestnut can sometimes cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach upset, itching, and calf spasms, so if you’re concerned it might be worth starting with one cup of tea a day and then building up gradually to 2 to 3 cups. As always, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or taking other medications, please consult your a doctor before taking any herbal supplements.

#lymph #lymphaticsystem #detox #inflammation #lymphaticcleanse #LymphaticSupportTea #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne #HorseChesnut @ Peninsula Endermologie

Are you still keeping up? This is ingredient number 10 in the Lush Lymphatic Support Tea!!

Chicory (Root) is a leafy green plant with bright blue flowers that belongs to the dandelion family.

Used for centuries (and probably longer than that) in cooking and traditional medicine, the roots are commonly used to make a coffee alternative, as it has a similar taste and color.

Chicory riots are high in antioxidant compounds and contains a soluble fibre called inulin that helps promote digestive flora in the gut (pre-biotic).

It’s also is a mild laxative and helps to breakdown fats by increasing the flow of bile through the liver. Hello detox!

It also supports detoxification with its mild diuretic properties.

So another little superstar in this super tea…Have you tried it yet? It’s only $16 for a 50g packet. You can order it here.

#chicoryroot #LymphaticSupportTea #lymphaticSupport #Lymph #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

Everyone knows that Ginger root is awesome right?

As well as it’s warming flavour, it’s so full of goodness , it just had to make an appearance in my Lymphatic Support Tea.

#Ginger is well known for its calming effect on the digestive system, helping with bloating, nausea and motion sickness.

It’s anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, reduces fever, anti-oxidative, reduces blood sugar and cholesterol, support the liver AND acts as a diuretic.

Pretty hard working right?

#LymphaticSupportTea #lymphaticSupport #Lymph #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

Still a few more ingredients in this spectacular Lymphatic Support Tea to cover. Bet you’re feeling like this tea offers some excellent value eh? At only $16 a pack (introductory price), its a bargain!

The next ingredient is #lemongrass. A tall perennial grass with a distinct lemon flavour and fresh smell. Native to south east Asia, it’s grown in Vietnam to keep away snakes.

It’s also an essential ingredient for many Asian dishes.

Lemongrass naturally reduces fluid retention. It stimulates blood circulation and has a cleansing effect on lymphatic congestion leading to a faster removal of toxins.

Some suggests it also stimulates digestion and boosts your metabolism to help with weight loss.

Lemongrass is antibacterial and anti-fungal. It has pain and fever-reducing effects. It’s traditionally been used to give relief for stomach aches, diarrhoea, gas, bowel spasms and vomiting.

In one study in 2006 a team from the Ben Gurion University in Israel found that lemon grass caused apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells.

Through in vitro studies, the researchers examined the effect of citral, (a molecule found in lemongrass), on both normal and cancerous cells. The researchers observed that citral induces programmed cell death in the cancerous cells, while the normal cells were left unharmed…And it smells and tastes lush! What’s not to love?

#LymphaticSupportTea #lymphaticSupport #Lymph #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne @ Peninsula Endermologie

See those bright lemon and orange colours in the tea? That’s our beautiful citrus!

Here’s why I added both lemon and orange peel to my Lymphatic Support Tea.

Orange Peel is packed with vitamin C, polyphenols and fibre. It supports the immune system, regulates blood sugar levels and the antioxidant effect is great for your skin.

Lemon Peel is again rich in antioxidants and is a natural anti-inflammatory. It’s long been used as a tonic to support lymphatic and liver detox.

Plus, they add a yummy fresh zing of flavour! Order here.

#LymphaticSupportTea #lymphaticSupport #Lymph #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne #lemon #orange #lemonpeel #orangepeel @ Peninsula Endermologie

Recognise this stunning flower?

The #hibiscus comes in many colours of the rainbow and each time I see it, it takes me back to the Carribean where it grows abundantly. There are many different species and the presumed origin is tropical Asia.

This stunning flower has been used in #herbal and #Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

In India it has long been used for the worship of #Devi (the female Goddesses) and the red variety is especially prominent, playing an important part in tantra.

In the Bengal area of eastern India, the red variety of this flower is used to worship #Kali (who I relate to more and more each passing day)!! If you want to learn a snippet more about Kali, I’ll say a few words about her at the end of this post!

The hibiscus flower is also used to shine shoes in certain parts of India. It can also be used as a pH indicator. When used, the flower turns acidic solutions to a dark pink or magenta color and basic solutions to green.

Pretty cool eh? But that’s not why it’s been chosen for my #LymphaticSupportTea. I choose to add hibiscus because these beautiful red flowers are a powerhouse of #antioxidants called #anthocyanins that have been credited with reducing the risk of heart disease, some cancers and improving cognitive function.

It’s been used since ancient times to suppress appetite for #weight_loss and stimulate #immunity.

It’s anti-fungal, anti-microbial and it’s mild #diuretic effects support the #lymphatic system.

Ok. Goddess Kali! Kali is regarded as Mother of the whole universe. She asks us to live and nourish the earth for eternity, not just for fleeting enjoyments or material gains.

She is portrayed as a rather fearful character, with either 4 or 10 arms. Carrying a sword to signify divine knowledge & a human head to signify human ego that must be slain by divine knowledge in order to attain moksha (release from cycle of reincarnation). Two other hands represent fearlessness & blessing. She is often seen as a Goddess of rage at injustice and destruction of Mother Earth and her power is used to rebalance and restore the wild, empowered and loving feminine energy.

@ Peninsula Endermologie

The penultimate ingredients in my lush Lymphatic Support Tea are Coriander Seeds.

These little seeds are loaded with powerful nutrients and antioxidants that can boost your immune system, promote digestion and improve health.

Coriander seeds are also said to naturally protect your skin from ageing and sun damage.

#LymphaticSupportTea #lymphaticSupport #Lymph #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSuppor t#tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne #coriander #corianderseeds @ Peninsula Endermologie

The final ingredient in my Lymphatic Support Tea is the delicious Cinnamon.

Cinnamon was imported to Egypt as early as 2000 BC and was so highly prized among ancient nations that it was regarded as a gift fit for monarchs and even for a deity.

Cinnamomum verum, which translates as ‘true cinnamon’, is native to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Cinnamomum cassia (cassia) is native to China.

Cinnamon also has impressive effects on health and metabolism. It’s known to improve blood circulation, assist with digestion issues, relieve joint pains and keep skin looking healthy.

Consult your Doctor before using this tea or any herbal supplements if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.

Order tea here.

#LymphaticSupportTea #lymphaticSupport #Lymph #lightenLegs #RelieveBloating #DetoxTea #LymphaticSupport #tea #MakeYourselfACuppa #PeninsulaEndermologie #EndermologieLymphaticMassage #EndermologieExpert #MtEliza #MorningtonPeninsula #Melbourne#cinnamon @ Peninsula Endermologie

The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has just confirmed a continuation of phased COVID19 restrictions.

Essentially it means that if numbers continue along the predicted trajectory, I should be able to open my doors again on Monday 23rd November.

Although this is further away than anyone of us would have liked, I remain positive that this diligent approach means that we can all look forward to having a relatively ‘normal’ summer.

Feel free to re-book appointments after this date and let’s keep everything crossed that they won’t need to be rescheduled again!

In the meantime, I encourage you to stay up-to-date on the socials: Facebook and/or Instagram.

I would also hugely appreciate it if you could leave a review for me (if you have’t done so already), on Facebook, Google, and/or True Local.

I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Stay safe and well,

Niamh x

I keep seeing lots of people (well, women mostly) on social media ask which collagen supplement is the best for their skin. Followed by many eager salespeople doing their best to persuade people why their collagen is better! Some of the arguments I’ve hear are “liquid collagen is better than powdered” and from the same person saying bone broth isn’t as good as her processed bottled collagen source. Pluheessseeee! The reality is we have to-date identified up to 28 different types of collagen. 5 of which are most commonly spoken about (and available).

This article below is a good synopsis of those 5. But it’s just scratching the surface, so if you’re a geek like me and want to see a little more data, let me know and I’ll send you some.

From my point of view and from everything I’ve read about collagen, I still believe that cheap, home made bone broth will be just as good, if not better than most commercial products. It’s easy, and a powerhouse of nutrition when made with a variety of otherwise scrap bones (fish bones and skin, chicken feet and any kind of bone). Just chuck everthing in a slow cooker with a splash of apple cider vinegar and cover with fresh (ideally filtered) water and cook for at least 24 hours. I usually leave mine go for 48 hours and top it up with water as required. You can add some herbs, spices and veggies in the last few hours of cooking for some flavour and further nutritional benefits. Ideally, you’ll end up with a gelatinous pile of goodness.

I pour/ dollop mine into silicone cupcake holders to freeze and use them for stir-fries, soup stock or just to have a cup if I’m feeling run-down.

If this still sounds like a chore. I stock a hydrolysed marine collagen with hyaluronic acid and vitamin c and nothing else. I’m not gonna lie, it doesn’t taste nice, but it’s quick and easy to take and there’s no unnecessary ingredients or sweeteners in ithttps://peninsulaendermologie.com/…/Marine-Sourced…

P.S. When asked which is better for your gut and which is better for your skin, I urge people to remember that collagen works by helping the gut, resulting in better skin. You can’t just magic it straight to the skin! So all types of collagen will improve the skin, and as with everything in our diet, the wider the range/ variety of the food and collagen we take in, the better!

This is how Melbournians greet sunshine! Frolicking on the beach, as long as it’s within our 5ks of course. Possibly singing aloud? Definitely laughing maniacally!

Because after the year we’ve had, we need this kind of joyous freedom!.

If there’s any little part of you looking at this and thinking “eeeps, no way I’m ready to jump about in a bikini”, know that you are not alone. Quarantine has not been kind to many of us. Stress, carbs, lack of exercise, wine, home schooling, pandemic news listening, isolating and general ‘meh’ means that many of us are feeling less than bikini-ready right now.

And that’s OK. Baby steps will do this year. With this fine weather comes fresh salad, luscious stone fruits and overall better eating. That will help.

Our children are slowly but surely returning to schools. That will also help. Exercising with more than one person might be a thing soon too and all of this light at the end of the tunnel is bound to put a pep in our steps!

Plus, after October 26th (potentially), or November 23rd, most definitely, I will be here to help you shift any of that excess fat that you’re not happy with, and tone up any skin that needs some TLC and shift those annoying cellulite dimples that seem to have gotten worse during lockdown.

We’ve got this!

#PeninsulaEndermologie#slimming#toning#firming#cellulitetreatmentnearme#WorldsNo1CelluliteTreatment#endermologiecellulitetreatment#endermologie#endermologiebenefits#endermologienearme#endermologieMorningtonPeninsula#celluliteremoval#transformyourbody

Thanks @fastingmd for this nugget.

Though if 2020 has taught me anything it’s that I don’t know algebra, so there’s an even bigger gap for all the useful stuff I wish I’d learned!

From @fastingmd :What do you wish that you learned in school ?

I honestly do wish that we learned more about nutrition, circadian rhythm‘s, finance, sleep and all of the above mental health issues.

I always tell people that I start with nutrition and circadian rhythm’s because everything else kind of develops from there. Once you start feeling a little more energetic from eating well and sleeping well – – then you feel like improving your life in other ways

#guthealth#ayurveda#aging#longevity#selfcare#mindfulness#positivevibes#positivequotes#lawofattraction#mindbodyconnection#2020goals#manifestation#positivethinking#hormone-balance

I saw on the socials that it’s world animal day today! Haven’t fact checked it (unlike me), so just throwing it out there that this might be a wildly unnecessary post.

But as someone who grew up not really spending much time thinking of or caring for animals, I do now think they’re worthy of at least a day’s appreciation!

This is my fur baby, Roxy. Aka my favourite child, aka another stubborn Hislop, aka light of my life, aka walking buddy, aka sock thief.

She’s a lot of furry goodness and a little crazy. Which is probably why she belongs right here with us.

Big cuddles to all our animal friends today.

#worldanimalday #labradoodle #labradoodlesofinstagram #besties

Thanks for sharing @spaandclinic

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it serves an important reminder that we should regularly check our breasts.

1 in 8 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Early detection is the best chance of fighting the disease. Regularly check your breasts (and encourage the women around you to do the same) and look for any changes.

Do not hesitate to see your doctor if something isn’t right. Most changes aren’t due to breast cancer, but it’s essential to see your doctor without delay.

I’m making an annual commitment to have a mammogram every October. At my age (48), it’s covered by Medicare and it takes only an hour of my day.

#breast#boobs#breastcancerawareness

This looks grand doesn’t it?

Just chilling while someone uses clinically proven, non invasive and therefore risk-free technology to smooth your booty into the best condition ever.

And while it’s doing wonders for your skin, it’s also manipulating your fascia (connective tissues) to release any tension there which means it relieves tightness, pain and allows you to move more freely afterwards.

If you’re one of those self-motivated individuals that’s been actively working out during lockdown (and good on you from the rest of us), then Endermologie will also help relieve any sore muscles and DOMS.

We’re all waiting to hear what Dan Andrews says on Sunday about whether or not it’s feasible to go back to enjoying all of the benefits of Endermologie.

If you want to be one of the first to know, DM me with your contact details (email address) and I’ll send you a note as soon as I know!

#peninsulaendermologie #PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre #PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions #MtEliza #MtElizaEndermologie #MorningtonPeninsula #MorningtonPeninsulaEndermologie #MorningtonPeninsulaWellnessCentre #EndermologieExpert #CelluliteTreatment #StubbornFat #Slimming #Smoothing #SkinToning #Toning #Firming #AntiAging #NonInvasive #Beauty #Health #wellness #MusclePain #MuscleRecovery

There’s been a whole lot of really good research about cryogenic therapy/aka cold thermogenesis, but this article explains the ‘why’ really well. If you’re a Wim Hof fan you might already have tried cold showers.

I’ve tried and am still at the ‘finding it unbearable’ stage. I have plans to try again to make it a habit once the weather gets warmer, but Melbourne is just not playing along!

Hurrah Melbourne! We did it.

Thanks to all the good people who put others first and stayed home, wore masks, washed their hands and got tested when ill.

We are truly such a lucky country.

Although many businesses are reopening tomorrow, unfortunately Peninsula Endermologie remains closed. The law states that home based businesses (located within the main residence) are not able to open just yet.

I’m keeping everything crossed that those restrictions will be lifted sooner rather than later, and am keeping a close eye on the most recent updates.

All of my Clients received notice to this effect yesterday, if you didn’t, please let me know and I’ll update my mailing list.

Let’s enjoy our new found freedoms. We’ve earned it!

Thanks to @institut_penelope_cyrielle_lpg for the image#lpg #lpgendermologie #lpg #endermologie #peninsulaendermologie #peninsulaendermologiecellulitesolutions #peninsulaendermologiewellnesscenter #mteliza #melbourne #endermologienearme

Walking.

Been doing lots of it recently.

With the dog. Without the dog. With a weight vest. Without the vest. Listening to podcasts. Listening to peace and quiet. Walking with friends. Walking alone. And I’ve enjoyed it all thoroughly.

My favourite bit about walking is the extra headspace it affords me. All these other benefits are an added bonus!

For all of its frustrations this lockdown has had some really great perks.

P.S. I’m still kinda in lockdown mode. Though I did go out for lunch yesterday which was joyous and confusing all at once. I had to apologise for forgetting how to order efficiently!

Its also worth another shout out as we come towards the end of breast cancer awareness month. I’m having my annual mammogram today. Have you checked your breasts recently?

Thanks to@shrinkthemutant and@dr.marypardee for the image

.#integrativehealth#integrativemedicine#walkingthedog#walkaround#breastcancerawarenessmonth

In case you’re putting off having your breast check and/or mammogram because you don’t have time. I had an appointment at 10.10am today.

I arrived to Breastscreen, Frankston at 39 Playne street just before 10am, parked just outside and was finished and back in my car at 10.05!!

Quick, easy and puts my mind at ease!

#dontputitoff #routinemammogram #breastscreen @breastscreenvictoria

Thanks to @lucifranca for the image.

Wish more skin “experts” lived by this truth. I’m so over seeing perfectly healthy skin injected/punctured/needled/peeled and goodness knows what else all for a temporary inflammatory effect.

Just STOP.

I reckon if we all saw a nutritionist when our skin is looking rubbish, our skin would be far better off.

Image and copy below RePosted from @expert_skin_therapist :

If you’re thinking the only way to get results is to knock it to the ground and start again… challenge accepted! You wouldn’t bulldoze the Amazon rainforest so you could plant new trees in straight lines and start it all over again to make it ‘better’ (there’s nothing wrong with it!)

Why do we think that our skin should be treated the same?

I see so many products and treatments for skin resurfacing to improve things like redness, pigmentation, uneven texture, uneven tone, enlarged pores and everything else we hate our skin for being.

But what if it just took some gentle nurturing and care of our skins eco system to support its natural state (which much like a rainforest, isn’t 100% perfectly uniform, so get used to it!!) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Skin isn’t a redundant pile of cells that have become stagnant and dead that need to be removed. Our skin is an intelligent eco system full of life and function. Every single cell has its purpose. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

How bout we stop getting in the way of nature and instead start to nurture?? #robynsrants#skinsideout#naturevsnurture#expertskintherapist#truthbomb#skinsaving#skinfluencer#skinexpert#beautywriter#skincare

Hello Monday. You feel like summer.

And all of us Melbournians are hoping that we get this kind of summer.

The kind you can hang out on the beach with your besties, not worrying about social distancing too much beside the fresh sea air.

Maybe wearing a mask in the shops, because after a trip to IKEA yesterday (heaven knows what I was thinking), (13year old doing makeover in her bedroom was what I was thinking).

I’m feeling that maybe masks in frantic, crowded shopping places are a great idea in any case?

But, let’s look ahead to these simpler times. Beach? Yes please! Bikinis? Optional.

If you, like me, are feeling like lockdown hasn’t done your body any favours and are feeling a tad self-conscious, then I’ve got you.

Reopened for all treatments from next week, so book in for some toning, smoothing and a little slimming if you need/want it!

#beachbody#endermologie#peninsulaendermologie#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#MtEliza#MtElizaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsula#MorningtonPeninsulaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsulaWellnessCentre#EndermologieExpert#CelluliteTreatment#StubbornFat#Slimming#Smoothing#SkinToning#Toning#Firming#AntiAging#NonInvasive#Beauty#Health#wellness#MusclePain#MuscleRecovery

Whoop whoop! Back at it! Cannot wait to see everyone!

#endermologie#peninsulaendermologie#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#MtEliza#MtElizaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsula#MorningtonPeninsulaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsulaWellnessCentre#EndermologieExpert#CelluliteTreatment#StubbornFat#Slimming#Smoothing#SkinToning#Toning#Firming#AntiAging#NonInvasive#Beauty#Health#wellness#MusclePain#MuscleRecovery

This what the queue to get back into Peninsula Endermologie looks like now.

My days are full with back-to-back appointments and I have a waiting list of eager people waiting to try Endermologie out for the first time.

So, please do your best to arrive on time and give me at least 24 hours notice if you need to reschedule.

24 cancellation policy will be in effect, so any last-minute cancelled appointments will be forfeited.

Thanks to @endermospauk for the image and words below:

LPG Endermologie gets such great reviews and is loved by thousands of women worldwide including supermodels and A List celebrities. Starting with 2 sessions of endermologie treatments per week alongside gentle exercise , and a balanced diet will help shift stubborn fat and reduce your cellulite. There’s no magic, no false promises or a massive lifestyle change. When courses are completed a maintenance session of one endermologie treatment per month is all that is required to keep up your results #endermologie#skin#skincareroutine#cellulitetreatment#firmskin#collagen#natural#naturaltreatment#nosideeffects#loveyourself#loveyourbodynow

Great to see more research in this area.

Pretend the shoes represent “skincare” products and now ask yourself why women are inundated with so many different products when blokes get away with a splash of water?

There’s no doubt that our (women’s) skin structure is different – instead of vertical bands of connective tissue that us women have in the dermal layer, men’s skin tends to have cross cross bands of connective tissue, making their skin more structurally sound. Coupled with the hormonal changes that women experience means that the natural ageing process will take its toll on our skin a little more significantly than the blokes.

BUT, I truly believe that most “skincare” products are a marketing ploy rather than a necessity…Unless you’re being prescribed a tropical potion (e.g. retinol), other skincare products cannot penetrate nurturing the epidermis, meaning that they can’t create any structural changes to your skin. And all they can do is act as an irritant (exfoliant) or barrier (emollient).

Nothing that some bicarb (exfoliant) and coconut oil (emollient) won’t do for you!..So, when it comes to choosing skincare, I encourage you to choose natural ingredients and keep it simple. Then spend the money you’ve saved on some decent gut-nourishing supplements like collagen and omega 3s and non-invasive, clinically proven treatments like Endermologie.

#peninsulaendermologie#PeninsulaEndermologieWellnessCentre#PeninsulaEndermologieCelluliteSolutions#MtEliza#MtElizaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsula#MorningtonPeninsulaEndermologie#MorningtonPeninsulaWellnessCentre#EndermologieExpert#CelluliteTreatment#StubbornFat#Slimming#Smoothing#SkinToning#Toning#Firming#AntiAging#NonInvasive#Beauty#Health#wellness#MusclePain#MuscleRecovery#skin#skincare#naturalskincare

A good read about exfoliation. As with most decent skincare advice, the old adage, “less is more” is 100% appropriate here too.

I’ve made it my mission to support several worthy charities each year. From Fred Hollows to Medicines sans frontiers (Doctors without borders) to RSPCA, and charities that support families dealing with abuse and domestic violence.

To bushfire relief and helping people living through nightmares in Syria right down to local schools, kindergartens and locally organised charities like the fun run for multiple myeloma.

With everything that 2020 has thrown at us, and knowing that so many great causes need help, it’s been tricky to decide where my funds can be best used. But I can’t help shake the feeling that this year my focus needs to be firmly on the issue of climate change. That’s why I’ve joined and am supporting @1millionwomen in their quest to be the voice for climate action and hope.

So, if you’re looking to join a great movement and make a real difference this Christmas, I’d urge you to consider @1millionwomen too.