New Year New Me

Hello my lovelies.

I know it has been a long time between posts. Too long really. In case you forgot who I am – My name is Shannon, I am 174cm, Blonde and I love all things Health and Beauty.

I didn’t do the standard ‘best of 2016’ ‘new year new me’ blog posts. I plan on doing something a little more raw with my blog this year. Yes I plan on still putting out beauty content but not on the same scale or with the same purpose as previously.

To start the year off, I wanted to talk about something I had been toying with. A 30 Day Raw Vegan Challenge.

I will link a video which I put up on my YouTube channel which explains a lot more around why I am doing this.

Overall I wanted to kick start my health after falling off the bandwagon.

I personally do not identify as either vegan or vegetarian – however I do eat a predominately plant based diet.

Make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube channel as I will be putting up another video with how I am tracking after 7-10 days.

Much Love, S x.

Educate - For Your Health's Sake

Following on from my ‘Making a Change’ blog post, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite ‘health/wellness documentaries
’. I am slightly obsessed with these videos and could spend days, maybe weeks even caught up and researching the issues they bring up.

For me and many others, education is power – and in a day where everyone seems to be looking at quick fixes and fad diets – I feel a lot of people need to get back to basics and re-educate themselves on how to eat and what is truly healthy.

This is definitely a topic I am quite passionate about and I am seeing more issues with how today’s society approaches health and wellness.

To help bridge the education gap, I thought I would share with you all my TOP 5 health & wellness documentaries. Each of these documentaries left me feeling inspired, asking questions and wanting more. 

5. Vegucated 

This isn't so much about health and nutrition as a whole but solely focused on veganism. It follows the journey and discovery of 3 Americans from eating a 'normal' diet and being very closed off to the option of veganism. I liked that this was pushing the plant based agenda, demonstrating that we can eat and achieve the same results without including food products. Warning this documentary is graphic at times.

Watch the whole documentary here

4. Fed Up

One of the older documentaries, it has lots of solid great information, however it is not as punchy or as engaging as many of the others. I think this is possibly due to it being produced in 2002.

Watch the whole documentary here

3. Food Inc.

One of the first of these types of documentaries I watched which really cemented what I thought and helped open my eyes even further. I guess this fuelled my desire to know more, learn more and make better smarter decisions. - 'Warning' - this may turn you vegan - not that that would be a bad thing! 

Click here to watch the trailer for Food Inc.

or 

Watch the full documentary here

2. Hungry for Change

It was tough to pick between this and my #1. This is a big eye opener, which leaves you feeling empowered, inspired and helps you regain your focus.

Click here to watch the trailer for Hungry for Change

1. That sugar Film

This is easily my favourite health documentary EVER. I don't feel I learnt anything massive from it as I have seen others and done so much research, but the way this video was put together was really punchy. It really left its mark, everyone I refer this video too absolutely loves it as well.

Click here to watch the trailer for That Sugar Film

I know there are many more, but these are just my personal top 5. Do you have any health and wellness documentaries that you love? I am always looking to expand my knowledge and widen my views. Make sure you leave a comment. 

S x. 

Making A Change

One of my favourite quotes is 'If we know what we know, why do we do what we do' - I first heard this whilst listening to Dr Libby give one of her amazing and inspirational workshops. This quote resinated with me a lot.

I have read a lot of books, done a lot of research and learnt a lot during my very active teens - I preach so much good advice, yet I can be the worst to follow this good advice. So given I have all this knowledge, why is it I don't follow through? For me it is time.

To try and get a hold of my health and wellbeing again, I have set myself a few short term goals. I also have been looking into prepackaged meal options.

I have set 5 goals and I will reassess in 30 days.

1. Lemon in 500ml of water every morning when I first wake up. 
2. Lunch time walks around the river. 
3. Attend yoga 2-3 times a week (in addition to pilates). 
4. Eat healthy, wholesome food.
5. Eat vegetarian, gluten free again. 

As I mentioned, I have been looking into prepackaged meal options to help with my goals and my time issue. I recently offered the chance to try out Wholesomeness Foods, I was very excited as this was the kick start I was looking for. 

There was a decent amount of meals available on the website, including fresh options, freezable winter meals and juices. I picked 5 meals and arranged to pick them up from the grange store. Delivery is only $14 and in the future I would opt for that option instead. 

The meals I chose; each were $9.95.

1. Lemongrass Chicken with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

2. Roast Mushroom with Bazil Nut Pesto, Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf

3. Frittata with Potato, Red Capsicum and Spinach 

4. Pumpkin Cashew Curry with Cauliflower Rice

5. Mexican Black Beans with Herbed Polenta 

Overall I enjoyed the convenience of packaged meals but I can be quite a picky eater so I'm not sure if it really is for me. Wholesomeness do offer a good variety of vegan, gluten free & dairy free options which I really appreciated. Also all meals are broken down into macros which is very handy.

To find out more about Wholesomeness, visit their website, wholesomeness.com.au or visit the cafe at 8 Days Road, The Grange - Brisbane. 

Talk Soon, S x. 

** Disclaimer; This post is not sponsored, however these meals were offered free of charge.

Be Wild Be Free

Hello loves,

I recently watched the movie WILD with Reece Witherspoon & it got me thinking, if you were driven to the edge - what extreme would you go to set yourself free. And I am talking to the complete and ultimate edge - its actually a scary thought.

In the movie she pushes her boundaries and battles her demons while completing the unthinkable.

Each and everyone of us deals with problems in our own weird & wonderful ways.. Sometimes you just have to focus on you and do what you need to do to improve your life.

As they say the quieter you become the more you hear. This movie really brought this into saying into perspective.

Have any of you guys seen it? What did you think of the movie?

Talk Soon, S x.

Let It Be

I recently watched a video by one of my all time favourite YouTuber's Meghan Rienks, regarding her depression story. Depression & Anxiety is something I do not take lightly. I was genuinely touched by her story and could relate on a very personal level. 

So I guess this week’s words of wisdom kind of flow on from my previous post about being a ‘Warrior vs Worrier’. 

– Let it Be –

'It’s a saying I have said over to myself an uncountable number of times. Well what I generally say is ‘let it be & what will be, will be!

I am a big believer & advocate for the law of attraction, so what you put out you will receive – karma if you will. I believe the universe is very powerful & everything has a place & purpose in the world – sometimes we just can’t see or make sense of it just yet. When I find things are spiralling out of control & I just can’t slow it down (control freak I know) I just repeat these words over & over and find a calm sensation takes effect. It’s like a quiet reminder that there is something bigger than me and everything will be ok.

This may come across a little drastic to some but I know there are a lot of people out there that struggle with anxiety and other issues. I just wanted to share something which has helped me through some very tough times.

Do you have a person mantra? I would love to hear what you do to help calm the nerves and jitters in the comments below. 

Talk Soon, S x

Exciting News

Hello my beautiful readers ❤

I have some very exciting news to share with you!

From next week I will be adding some special posts to my blog...

These posts will be in addition to my makeup, health & lifestyle posts.

So without further ado, I would like to share with you -

Wednesdays Wisdom & Foodie Friday

These posts will hopefully enlighten & inspire.

If you have any topics you would like me to discuss please leave a comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts on my new themed days. !

Talk soon, S x.