Inside Out Glow Workshop!

I am super excited to have the following coming up:

"Achieve an Inside Out Glow in Time for Summer"

An introduction to toxin-free skincare & makeup and how to achieve an elusive glow in time for summer 

Join organic makeup artist and toxin-free makeup artist Liv Lundelius (Liv Lundelius Makeup), naturopath and skincare expert Anna Mitsios (Edible Beauty Australia) and raw food chef Julie Mitsios (Earth to Table) to discover the secrets of achieving glowing, flawless natural beauty, starting from the inside, out in time for summer.

Discover:

• Why your skincare and makeup should be both toxin-free and abundant in vital nutrients
• How to transition your skincare and makeup to clean and green
• Amazing natural, organic and toxin-free makeup and skincare tips and tricks for glowing skin
• The best nourishing and nutrient dense foods to get you glowing inside and out

Includes:

• Interactive talk by Anna and Liv on luxurious, toxin-free skincare and makeup
• Skincare and makeup application with personal tips to address your skin concerns
• A delicious beauty food recipe demonstration by Julie
• Natural skincare and makeup samples, light refreshments and beauty tea
• Exclusive 20% off Edible Beauty Australia skincare range 

DATE: Tuesday 21st November
LOCATION: Earth to Table, 85 Bronte Road Bondi Junction
TIME: 6 to 8.30 PM
PRICE: $95.00

Numbers are strictly limited to 12 spots for an interactive evening so book in quickly.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: https://ediblebeautyaustralia.com/products/seminar-ticket

Happy Raw Choc Chip Cookie Dough / High-Fibre High-Protein

I told you, I am having a sweet tooth lately.
While I mostly satisfy it with ripe Mangoes, Bananas & Melons, I am also really craving chocolate, so I have been experimenting with healthy vegan choc recipes and came up with this one which is super good for you. It's based on Chickpeas!!! Yes, just trust me on this one, it tastes really good!

Why this is SO good for you:

• They're a High-Fiber Food

• Chickpeas Are Folate-Rich

• They're a Vegan Source of Iron

• Chickpeas Are High in Protein

"As a legume, chickpeas are considered both a vegetable and protein food, helping you hit two important food groups at once. These nutty beans are rich in a number of important nutrients that keep you well -- including protein, vitamins and minerals -- and they provide fiber too. Including chickpeas in your diet may play a role in reducing your risk of a number of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
A 1-cup serving of boiled chickpeas has 270 calories, 45 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fat, 15 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber. That same 1-cup serving also meets 70 percent of the daily value for folate and 26 percent of the DV for iron. It's also a good source of a number of other minerals including manganese, magnesium, zinc and copper, as well some other B-vitamins, including thiamine and vitamin B-6." (via livestrong.com)

Happy Raw Choc Chip Cookie Dough Recipe

Makes enough for 2 people as dessert or snack
Ingredients

1 tin organic chickpeas (well rinsed)
1/2 cup organic rolled oats
1-2com piece organic vanilla pod
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp. organic tahini
2-3 organic dates
1/3 cup rice milk (or Mylk of your choice)
1/2 tsp. Himalayan salt
1 tbsp. cacao nibs
1/2 a bar of "Happy Thoughts" Raw Vegan Chocolate by The Chocolate Yogi

 Just blend all ingredients except cacao Nibs & Chocolate in a high speed blender or food processor until smooth then mix in the Cacao  Nibs & chopped up chocolate!

Enjoy! We ate ours straight with a spoon! 

This recipe was inspired by The Wellness Fox

Be Smart & Keep Your Cup

You might have seen on my Insta that I am a keep cup-er...
Becoming a Mum just somehow made me extra eco-conscious. Our little bub will inherit this world or what will be left of it, so I feel super responsible and trying to my best to model sustainable living.
Living by the water also shows me after every storm how much plastic and waste ends up in our ocean, which is pretty heartbreaking...
Australians throw away over 1 billion single use coffee cups every year which end up in our landfill, as we lack the infrastructure to recycle the polyethelene inner of the single use cup.
BOO!
Single-use plastic water bottles can take over 1,000 years to degrade, and we only recycle around one third of what we use. The rest ends up in landfill as waste, or in the ocean as marine debris, often killing wildlife.

But here are the good news:
It's easy to take small steps towards a #zerowaste lifestyle. Bringing tote bags to the supermarket, using cloth nappies, bringing keep cups for your daily coffee run... filter your water at home and bring your own water bottles & don't use plastic straws.

I bring my own cup to the coffee shop most of the time! It seems like such an easy but small step for the planet but it also has lots of other benefits. I am also always greeted with a big smile by my barista: "Did you bring your special cup?" Yep. My cup is pretty special.
Some cafes also give you a discount for bringing your own cup.

My Frank Green Cup is actually smart. It closes properly and doesn't spill which is a real plus when I am with baby Faye, doggie Dalston & several shopping bags :) Also amazing for car rides! It also keeps my drink warm for longer, which most Mum's will really appreciate. Did I mention already that it looks super cool too? It comes in great colours and stylish monochromes, won a design award and somehow they just worked out the flow perfectly too. Yes, it's made from plastic, but the toxin-free kind and it's also completely recyclable at the end of is life. Which I expect to be a long one, it's so well made. And if your brain doesn't really function in the morning and you forgot to bring your cash or card, don't worry you can even pay with this cup! Just tap & go!  I told you it's a smart cup.
Their matching eco water bottles are super good looking and lightweight
as well. They come with a smart hydration app too. For me personally not necessary as I am drinking water all day long and naturally keep well hydrated without keeping track of it. But this might come in handy for people who don't drink enough water.

I also have another set of coffee cups & water bottles by Earth Bottles. These babies are made from stainless steel, sturdy, lightweight and easy to clean. They also look great and earthy with their wood print designs. While these coffee cups don't close they are lovely to just wander around the park with. They keep the temperature very well. the same goes for the beautiful stainless steel water bottles.
I also use their reusable stainless steel straws for my smoothies. Plastic straws are another biggie to avoid and these reusable ones are pretty amazing. They come in different diameters too, so they even work for the thickest smoothies or shakes.

These are the ones I use, but I know there are many good brands of reusable cups & bottles out there, something for everyone. Now, be smart & keep your cup :)

Spring Hydration & Celebrating Gratitude With Verdura

This is a beauty review, BUT there is a little story of why these two products are so greatly appreciated by me right now. If you don't have time for my waffling, skip the italic part and jump straight to the bold writing!

"We did it!" said husband with a proud grin, let's celebrate tonight!
The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, with me working at multiple destination weddings, photo-shoots & presenting two natural skincare/makeup workshops, Dave being busier at work than ever and both of us being parents to our little 4-month-old baby, Faye.
There are many projects ahead of us and so much to catch up on, but for right now:
Let's celebrate.
(Our celebration was cooking at home, after Dave came home late, making some delicious dessert and being in bed by 9.30pm.)

I do really feel grateful that I am able to work with my family in tow. They have been tagging along and supporting me so well! That said, I am trying to be really mindful of not letting our days get hectic or stressful. Faye is still so little and she deserves a calm nourishing environment and lots and lots of fun and cuddles and of course milk! Although I am doing some work she is still exclusively breastfed.
Moments of mindfulness, healthy plant-based food & aromatherapy are getting me through most days in grace.

Just in time, 2 especially beautiful Verdura Naturalalternatives Products arrived on my desk:
All Verdura Products are ♥ 100% vegan and gluten free ♥ Cruelty-free – no animal testing ♥ No parabens ♥ No artificial fragrance ♥ No synthetic colourants ♥ No petrochemicals ♥ Palm Oil free

Gratitude Botanical Perfume
This little roll-on invited me to pause and focus on gratitude!
It's very subtle scent is totally safe for me to use around bub, as it's  not overpowering nor does it linger for long. If you expect this to be a typical powerful fragrance you might be disappointed, but if you are like me and love to carry little uplifting aromatherapy oils with you, then you will like it. It sits here on my desk and will be my new handbag companion.
The scent is a blend of the sacred oil of Frankincense and notes of Rosewood, Spruce and Blue Tansy. It's calming and peaceful and melts away any worries, helping o be present in this moment...and: Grateful!

Lotus Hydrating Mist
Just the refresher that I needed, to clear my head and get on with things today!
It also has the most beautiful Spring Vibes!
This is going to be my Spring Desk staple! It's so beautiful... Not only to look at but also the way it feels on my skin and the gorgeous smell! Verdura formulated this with very clever &pure hydrating ingredients. Infused with Jasmine, Lotus and Hibiscus it is suitable for all skin types. Facial mists are one of my favourite skin care products and I have found another winner.

Both Products are exclusive to the vegan & toxin-free online shop The V-Spot. (within Australia)

Why I Am Raising My Daughter Vegan & Health Expert Interview

If you know me, have been reading this blog or are following me on Instagram you have probably noticed that I am vegan. I believe this is the kindest, healthiest and most respectful lifestyle and like all normal, loving parents, I will do what I think is best for my children.
It's better for the planet and other humans, as world hunger and thirst would easily be resolved with a vegan diet, it's better for your own health (if you are following a balanced plant-based diet), it's better for the animals! So it's a win-win-win situation :)
Some people have asked me lately if I will bring up my daughter to be vegan. Some with concerned looks on their faces, others with genuine interest on the topic. The answer is:
Yes, absolutely! Please read on if you are interested in the scientific evidence and also a great video interview with a professional!

Let's clear up the facts right from the start with the unbiased and official statement by the American Dietetic Association here. If you don't want to click over here it is summed up for you:

" It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes."

I realised that many people are very misinformed when it comes to nutritional advice.
Although I always do the very extended research myself, I wanted to share an expert interview with you on this topic. I am very thrilled to have been able to speak to the well-respected Naturopath & Health Science Expert Robyn Chuter, who is much more articulate than I am and also a professional in this field.
She will share with you the scientific evidence that supports plant-based eating.

I really hope you enjoy this special in-depth interview that will help you understand more about how and why vegan children are thriving.

(Okay, the odds were against us when I was recording this video. We had to do it twice and unfortunately the second recording the internet connection was getting weak and little Faye deconstructed my microphone...but hey, the facts and content are still good, so cut this new Mama some slack with the technical issues!)

Are you inspired to make a change? Here are some of the great resources to get started with a plant-based diet as mentioned in the Video:

 Watch the documentaries:

What The Health

Forks Over Knives

Eating You Alive

Check out the websites:  

The Plantrician Project ( Quick Start Guide) 
 Empower Total Health
Dr. McDougall