Beauitiful Skin Carolines Product Range Review

Since hitting my 30's I have noticed my skin go through a real change. Gone is the oily skin of my youth and now I have skin that needs, wants moisture.
I can still hear my mother saying to me when I was young what her mother had told her and her grandmother had told her mother (and all had great skin and aged very well) you must moisturise your skin every day and with moisturiser you can trust, look after your skin as a woman, especially your face, neck, cleavage and hands and you will be forever glad you did.
Even when I look now at photos of my grandmother (whose last boyfriend was 34 years her junior!!) and my great grandmother I am amazed at how great their skin was and how well they aged, even my own mother in her late fifties now looks younger than she is and ix not heavily lined at all.
But did I, a modern girl born in the good old 80's listen to advice from generations of women in my family?? 
Gah, I wish!!
No instead I have spent years in the sun (horticulturalist so sort of comes with the territory I guess), in salt water and when I did put anything on my skin it was usually chemical laden make-up with no doubt toxic levels of who knows what!?
And yes, I have started to noticed those lovely face friends, wrinkles...
Well, good old hindsight and all that at least I am on to it now!!

Proof I am looking after my skin more and getting sun savvy!

So this year in my life self care and self body love is playing a big part.

When I watching the series breaking bad, (yes I was surprised that I got right into it), there was a scene when the pregnant Skylar was moisturising her pregnant belly and her arms and neck, it instantly triggered in me memories of always watching my mother moisturising and I realised that I just don't spend that much time doing simple acts of self love like this...

Am I really that busy or tired after the kids have gone to bed that I cannot spend even 10 minutes shining some love on myself and body?
No of course not so this is now a part of my nightly ritual!!

As part of this I have been on a mission to search out and find brands of skin care products that I can trust, that my skin actually likes and that really resonate with this self love and appreciation act.

In my search I have been delighted to come across a gorgeous brand called

Carolines Skincare

The name appealed to me right away as it sounds like a natural beauty range made by a woman who is proud to put her name to her product.
Of course it was (and some of you may already know I have a real thing about getting parcels ;) sent to me in a gorgeous packaged way with such detail it made my day!

When I first looked over the products I was absolutely thrilled reading the ingredient list - what a change from some out there with all those scary long unpronounceable chemical ingredients!
Here is an example:
The **beautiful** lip balm
Wheat germ Oil
 Borage Seed Oil
 Golden Seal root extract
 Calendula flower extract
 Slippery Elm extract
 St John’s Wort extract
 Simple Tincture of Benzoin
 Pau D’Arco
 Vitamin E (botanically derived)
 Jojoba
 Rosehip
The lush cream:Golden seal
Calendula Herbal extract
Borage Seed Oil
Aloe Vera
Simple tincture of Benzoin
Colloidal Oatmeal
Vitamin A

How could you not be thrilled with ingredients like that? Now I have also been trying quite a few natural skin care ranges lately and some have been great, some meh, some just lovely and the Caroline's Range definitely came under just lovely. Especially the lip balm - which I had to hide from my daughters and my visiting mother ( I guess I know what they will be getting in their Christmas stockings!)

Caroline's is also said to be excellent for Eczema, Dermatitis and Psoriasis.

My review? I really liked the range, I would add this to me fave natural ranges. I find the face wash leaves your skin really smooth and clean feeling, the moisturiser is nice and light - I could probably use a little heavier/deeper moisturising for my skin type on top of it but it felt just lovely on with no greasy residue and you can easily apply make-up after it without having to wait or worry about it not applying properly.
Also I know this range is safe, chemical free and even safe for my kids should they sneak some (which being girls they are wont to do!)
I will definitely add the lip balm to my beauty essentials, it is one of the best I have tried.

You can find the Carolines range and check them out yourself HERE
And find them on FACEBOOK here

Stay beautiful. Live Well. Cherish Yourself and get your self on too!

Bek XX 


Note: This is not a sponsored blog review, I was sent products from Carolines to try all opinions and review is my own at my own discretion.

Macadamia & Goji Delight

Macadamia & Goji Delight
Sometimes sweet cravings come at the worst times, or you want something gorgeous for when friend are coming over so you NEED recipes that are quick, easy and delicious!

• 1 cup coconut oil (I use JT's Coconut Essence)
• 1 cup rice malt syrup (can use less if too sweet for you, I use Pure Harvest)
• 1 cup nut paste (use a pure nut paste i.e. just nuts! I use Nutworks and the Chocolate Factory macadamia paste)
• 2 tablespoons Nutra Organics vanilla protein powder (I love this stuff, all organic and it is also high in vitamin D, you get this HERE and enter codeword nutrafriends for 10% off for the next few days too!) {OPTIONAL}
• 1/2 cup goji berries
• 1/2 cup semi smashed raw macadamias

Method

• Add runny coconut oil to a bowl, stir in rice malt syrup and mix together with a wooden spoon until it looks lovely and mixed.
• Stir in nut paste and vanilla powder.
• When well mixed add in nuts and goji berries.
• Pour into a container and put in the fridge to set.
• Leave for 1- 2 hours.
• Remove, cut up and enjoy!!

Toddler Tip

• Cut into small pieces as a little healthy treat, great fun for an afternoon tea party!

Tips

• I take runny coconut oil and put the bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes or until I just see a light crystallization around the edges and then mix, it seems to blend together much creamier!
• we found this beautiful but also really sweet so you only need a small amount to satisfy those sweet cravings!

Eat Beautiful!
Bek xxx

Fitness in Style - Lorna Jane & Fitness First Competition

When I was first working out and walking off my baby weight after my first daughter (I had a lot to lose) I had  the daggiest exercise clothes and didn't even have sneakers! Before becoming a mum exercise just hadn't ever been important to me, so I naturally had no workout gear!
Yes, I had some bad habits like moving the car one block up when shopping and circling the shopping centre car park for a park close to the doors...and then I became a mum and everything changed.
Dealing with Post Natal Depression exercise was my lifeline. It helped me in so many ways that I can probably never fully explain and of course losing 30 kilo's felt pretty darn great too!

I started walking in skirts and things for lack of better equipment and while I got by and while it never stopped me working out (gotta love determination when you get some!) I couldn't help but dream of how great it would feel to wear really stylish and fun exercise clothes and go to a gym in them, have a chai with girlfriends post workout and look sporty and freshly vibrant from working out, you know the glow you get!

The first time I reluctantly bought myself something really nice (non daggy and old) that was actually exercise clothes I was so surprised by how good it made me feel, how comfortable it was, yet stylish and evenb perky! And then the realization that, actually hey I do exercise a lot and even pretty much every day so even just one or two really great outfits or pieces could really change how confident I will feel and make me feel more a part of the gorgeous and fit and healthy exercise community!
Even inspire me more to push myself to new challenges and goals that you get when you workout with trainers, and yes, not long after that first sports bra, trainers and leggings I joined a gym and fell in love with the whole workout world!

I am so excited that I am teaming up with leading gyms and fitness industry entrepenurs Fitness First to give one of my blog readers the chance for some serious Fitness Inspiration and Styling with a $200 Lorna Jane gift voucher to get some sassy goodies that they can then wear to their very own really exciting Fitness First  Pay As You Go -10 Visit Passport Pass classes valued at $150!! PLUS I am throwing in a signed copy of my award winning book, The Pram Diet Random House RRP $19.95 as seen on A Current Affair

How awesome is that! So not only do you get a great gym pass so you can try some really funky workouts and classes - they even have pro cycling classes and special 30 minute workouts so you can squeeze one in, in your lunch break or in one of those free spots in your busy mummy day!
You can hit the gym looking sensational in some very hot Lorna Jane gear!
Talk about inspiration to work out!

Be inspired. Be true to you. Do more of what makes you happy. Cherish and Nurture Your Health - it is everything!!
Bek XX

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Note: you must be an Australian resident and you must leave a blog post comment about Fitness, Inspiration, Your Fitness Goals or Dreams or Why you would like to win to be eligible.
this is in no way endorsed by, sponsored by or affiliated with facebook in any way.

Roasted Fig and Feta Muffins

Your a modern woman. You might work out, try to eat right (at least most of the time) and your a busy, happy mum.
You also want to look good and you to have your cake and eat it too.

Can we still really enjoy incredible food and still fit into skinny jeans?

Or is it only one or the other?

Is the next afternoon tea with girlfriends just that, only tea? Or can you have some delicious morsel on offer?
The last thing you want is your hard working, body conscious friends not enjoying a tea party.

I have been working on this dilemma as a mum who loves to eat and cook but also wear nice clothes for a few years now!
And I have become adapt and recipes that taste moorish but are kind to your hips too. 

Yes, I like many other women put on weight easily but I try to work hard to keep it off too so when I am enjoying great food and so much happier if I know it is healthy for me too!

Determined to get the best of both worlds, knowing how down I feel when I feel frumpy or too overweight and yet also having a foodie’s passion for beautiful food I have set about creating recipes that I can enjoy with girlfriends and we can all relax, eat and instead of worrying about calories get down to serious things like talking and laughing!

For me food is all about flavour, appearance and smell 

I love a high tea with girlfriends and am always looking for something to make that can leave a table of women speechless for a few seconds as they absorb the flavour and texture of the food.

As soon as I tried this yoghurt the flavours of the plum and roasted fig brought my taste buds alive and I knew I wanted to really marry that flavour with a great contrast, and so I created with love, my Roasted Fig Yoghurt and Feta Spelt Muffins.

Before you go eek, sweet yoghurt and feta in a muffin together? Trust me, you need to try these!The flavour combination just bursts in your mouth and the texture of the muffin is moist.

Ingredients

• 250 gm tub of yoghurt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons honey or stevia
• 1 free range egg
• 100 gms feta ( I used persian)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 & 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (can use normal flour)
• 1 &1/2 teaspoons baking flour
• 1/4 cup dried plums/prunes finely chopped

Method

• Pre heat oven to 180’c
• Line a muffin baking tray with muffin cases.
• Beat butter until nice and soft, add in honey. Mix well.
• Add in the egg, combine well and then the water followed by the yoghurt.
• Fold through the dried plums and crumble in the feta into the mixture.
• Combine spelt flour with baking powder really well.
• Very carefully, without too many movements fold the spelt flour into the muffin mixture.The less stirring the nicer the muffins will turn out.
• Top each muffin with some extra feta and dried plums for decorative effect.
• Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake in the oven to approximately 25 minutes or until springs back to the touch.
• Serve. Particularly good when matched with girlfriends, light hearted chatter and a pot of great tea.

(c) Rebecca Mugridge 2014
www.authorrebeccamugridge.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorRebeccaMugridge

Fitness First New You Give Away

Since becoming a mother there is one thing that has never before become so important to me, my health.
Everytime I look at those two beautiful little faces and my heart feels overflowing with love and awe I realise how important it is for me to look after myself so I can be there for them, so I can live with joy and experience their childhoods with them, not from the sidelines. Nothing has ever been more motivating for me then wanting to be healthy and well, to enjoy my life with my kids, to not miss their childhoods, to run around with them at the park, jump in the ocean with them, to be around to watch them grow up and hopefully one day have kids of their own and have that intense joy of holding my own grandchildren.

Healthy living has been my passion since after my first baby back in 2006, it was for her that I lost 30 kg and brought fitness, healthy eating, growing organic food and things like yoga into my life. Exercise made me happy, it got me through post natal depression and kept stress at bay, it got me back in shape after both babies (30 kg and 22 kg losses), was the inspiration for my award winning book, the pram diet  and is still an important tool in my kit for stress relief and health as well. I loved pram walking, running and swimming but it wasn't until I went to my first ever gym that I realised how impressive the human body was, yes, even mine! When I started doing weights I started to see definition and strength I never knew I was capable of. I couldn't believe how strong I became, even things like pushing a full wayward shopping trolley, lifting my child, carrying groceries became such an ease.I realised how powerful our bodies really are and the powerful link between exercise and a happier body and mind.

When I had an emergency appendicitis with complications a bit over a year and a half ago, I was struck when I awoke from surgery at how young everyone in the hospital ward was. The room was full of people in their early forties - fifties all very ill and having all kind of operations and on restricted diets, all very sick indeed. Years of eating badly, not exercising, and stress had taken its toll on these poor people and the feel of misery in the room was awful.

For the first time I saw how real the impact of our lifestyle choices are...

It was frightening.

I saw that exercising and eating well isn't just about losing weight, being fit and fitting into a great dress, though that is wonderful motivation! It is about keeping the joy in your life. Doing everything you can to live a long, full life.
It is about looking after this body that is where we will be living the rest of our lives.

I met an older man, in his 70's a few days later in the hospital. He was recovering from surgery but he was calm, as he was fit and healthy, they were about to send him home. He showed me a place in the hospital not far from our ward where you walk and sit in the morning sun and look down on a beautiful fern garden complete with sunbaking lizards. It was so peaceful. The morning sun on my skin felt amazing as did walking around, moving my body rather than lying in a bed. He was so confident in his body and his healing, it was inspiring.
I left hospital so deep in thought, so happy to be back with my young children and with a new even more inspired and motivated view on healthy living.
I was delighted to find I healed quickly and as I had been exercising, doing yoga and weights regularly my body was strong and able to bounce back from the surgery really quickly.

Health is a passion I will have for the rest of my life, and I hope I will pass on to my two girls so they can live a full, rich and vibrant life. I hope I will teach them by example that living well, eating well, exercising, moving your body everyday, being calm and looking after ourselves is the path to a JOYFULL life.

In loving health today I am SO very excited to be able to offer you an INCREDIBLE healthy living Fitness First - NEW YOU prize pack giveaway you can enter at the end of this blog post!!

#changeforthebest

Fitness First is changing. Fitness First Australia today launched two industry- first initiatives, Pay As You Go (PAYG) and Fitness Guarantee, bringing significant improvements to its members’ fitness experience, as part of the company’s ongoing transformation.
In recognition that people join them for a reason, a season or a lifetime, Fitness First has redefined the member experience with unbeatable flexibility. 
Change is seen in every aspect of the business from the new look and logo, to new equipment in state-of-the-art gyms, through to new services that optimise the member experience

Fitness first launches New You awards to help motivate Australians to keep their New Year’s health & fitness resolutions
The ‘New Year, New You’ survey, conducted by Fitness First, asked 1,502 Australians nationwide about their attitudes and commitments towards New Year’s resolutions and found very few Australians (9 per cent) are actually confident they will stick to their goals. Too much effort (56 per cent) and not enough time (42 per cent) were the top two factors blamed for people breaking their resolutions. 

The one and only Jane Fonda (doesn't she look incredible at 76! At a Fitness First event launch today!

Registration for the Fitness First New You Achievement Awards open in July and close at the end of August 2014. New members of Fitness First can pledge their goals online at fitnessfirst.com.au/newyou

Check out why Fitness First is the place to join this year with things like free bootcamp and a wide range of group classes including yoga and more amazing features HERE and follow them on FACEBOOK
All you have to do to be in the running for this unbelievable prize below is answer this question in 50 words or less and be a subscriber of this blog! That's it!
You can subscribe either via the form or on the right hand side of this blog!

WHY is living a healthy, active life important to you and what is your health goal for 2014?
a Rafflecopter giveaway


And NOW check out what you could WIN thanks to Fitness First!! Oh my gosh it is amazing! XX

WIN a gorgeous  Nice Asana Jacket by Lulu Lemon R.R.P $149.00

The Nice Asana Jacket by Lulu Lemon is not only stunning it is perfect for your exercise or yoga wardrobe! Fashion meets function!
Key features:

• cottony-soft luon fabric wicks sweat to help you cool down post-practice
• secure zipper pockets hold your phone, keys and cash
• thumbholes keep your sleeves in place and make layering easy
• park that zip in the zipper garage before it scratches your chin
• flat seams help prevent uncomfortable chafing

WIN a  Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7” R.R.P $228.00!!

A 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tablet 3 !! So many great features a handy tablet that is beautiful, easy to carry, has all your favourite features and is designed for everyday internet.

A Women’s Fitness subscription Regular Price $107.40 (12 issues)

Inspiration galore with a subscription to Women's Fitness Magazine!

"Women’s Fitness understands that most women don’t have the time or inclination to become gym junkies or slaves to their diet. It also knows they don’t want to sacrifice fun, or their social lives, in the quest for a better body. 

That’s why it offers easy-to-adopt, credible and entertaining insights on subjects from exercise and sports, to delicious-but-nutritious diet ideas, functional beauty and fashion, health travel and relaxing body balance ideas, in ways that will fit every reader’s life."

The Pure Mat 3mm by Lulu Lemon R.R.P. $39.00

Why is the Pure Mat by Lulu Lemon so great?
"When we're logging hours on our mat, we want cushiony support that won't wear down or have us slipping out. Engineered with two layers of natural rubber, this mat is grippier than a new set of tires...but it gets us to our happy place a lot faster than four wheels." Lulu Lemon

*These mats also come on a range of gorgeous colours.
*Perfect for yoga and mat work.

The Fitness First New You Give Away

#changeforthebest

Is all about inspiring you to find that fit and healthy goddess within in 2014!

This competition is in partnership with Fitness First.

Terms and Conditions
You must be a BLOG subscriber to enter.
You MUST answer the question asked.
You can do this on the left hand side of the blog.

This is a game of skill, entry's are judged with the most creative winner being selected at the judges discretion.

No correspondence will be entered into, judges decision is final.

You must be an Australian resident.

You must have a valid entry.

Winner will be notified by email

Winner has 1 month to claim prize or there will be a redraw.

This competition is in now way affiliated with or endorsed or in conjunction with facebook in any way.

Good Luck!!

Health and Happiness

Bek XXX

WHY Does Fitness Matter

WHY Fitness.
WHY does Fitness Matter.
What a powerful line that is.
I think the extremely talented people behind the Sunshine Coast publication WHY Fitness Magazine created such a strong title there and as you pick up and read the magazine you see right away the strength continue through its pages. Pages full of inspiration, motivation, information and positive messages of health.

I have been doing a column series for WHY fitness magazine, entitled BFresh with Rebecca Mugridge.
BFresh being the sponsors of the series, a beautiful business that is a foodie's haven in Warana on the Sunshine Coast.

BFresh Market Cafe and Deli is full of lovely fresh produce, an absolute stunning gourmet deli and cheese range (Oh my goodness it is fantastic!!) and all your favourite gourmet goodies and lots of local products!!

The atmosphere is wonderful when you walk in the door and everywhere you look is either beautiful food or beautiful ingredients.

WHY Bfresh with Rebecca Mugridge has been such a fun column to write!

My avocado and coconut muffins!

 What recipes have I featured in the column series??

Fresh Zucchini Noodles with Quinoa Tomato Sauce

Avocado and Coconut Muffins (DF, Refined Sugar Free)

Healthy Strawberry and Macadamia Tarts

Watermelon & Coconut Refresher - perfect for post workout

AND you don't have to be on  the Sunshine Coast to find and read this great magazine you can read it online as well

Check out MY STACK HERE
Where you can read all the issues online for free!

Does Fitness matter?
To me - yes, it does. So much.
|I might not always be my fittest, most toned version of myself (although sometimes I am)  but exercise and moving my body benefits me in so many ways.
It makes me happier and more focused and on track, it helped me get my body after both babies and get through post natal depression, my daily pram walks lifted that heavy cloud of depression, a little bit each day until one day it was a blue sky and even now it is such a mood enhancer. I really notice if I haven't exercised for a few days, I feel shorter tempered, more easily stressed out, sluggish.
Once you get the motivation and habit established to move your body everyday it starts to feel so good that you want to keep going and I just love that about exercise.
You can also read my very raw and personal reasons WHY living a more healthier life  even when it is hard to do so through illness or injury or circumstances, or perhaps especially at those times, is so important to ME here

BEK XXX 

Bek XXX

Find Your Passion For You

Find your Passion for you!

As mums one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the tools to live a healthy, happy, and positive life and the best way of doing this? Is by living one, ourselves…

‘’Because: a healthy, happy mum means a healthy, happy home.’’

To be a mother is to truly, wholly and selflessly love another.
More than you ever thought possible.

To be a mother is to hold the hopes and dreams of your children forever in your heart.

Shedding a silent tear that they never see, in a moment that stays with you forever and they forget in an instant.
Feeling their pain like it happened to you, marvelling at their wonder as they discover the world around them, feeling their joy as they discover things in life that brings to them moments of pure uninhibited happiness.

It is feeling so deep that you truly are at the centre of another’s whole world; you are being a source of comfort and safety. Healing the hurts; drying the tears, easing the pain and being that rainbow of love amongst the unpredictable weather of life that is being their ‘mum’.
That knowing, that something is wrong in a quick glance.

For every tear and tantrum there is a beautiful giggle and a smile that touches you deep inside your heart. For every exhausting night there is a cuddle and a look that makes you want to cry with love. You can find yourself being surprised, shocked and left speechless more times than you thought possible and feeling pure delight, immense pride, overwhelming happiness, exhausting responsibility, pushed limits, joyous laughter, anxious worrying and wonderment all at the same time
You can feel so tired, exhausted and mostly unthanked but you've never felt more fulfilled, wanted and full of love.

It is the indescribable moment of complete and pure, timeless happiness that is that special unexpected hug- when time could easily stop.

As mums we gladly give all of ourselves for our family. We endlessly put ourselves last.

We often juggle so many balls at once.
Multi-tasking, balancing the work/life/family act, it’s so easy to let a few things slip to make it work and unfortunately one that is allowed to slip through so often, for so many of us is our own health and happiness.

And the things is if you are not healthy you cannot be truly happy and if your not happy you cannot be truly healthy either. You need both.

You only need to talk to those who are ill or have gone through illness or injury to realise just how important your health is and just how much we take it for granted.
How much we have to lose.

We need  to see how important we are before burnout. We need to accept we are not invincible.
Burning out can happen to any of us.
Crashing from exhaustion, losing a sense of self, feeling frustration, sadness or even anger at our reflection in the mirror, comparing ourself to others and making ourselves feel miserable. Stressing out of every little thing, worrying too much, eating our emotions, going without, neglecting ourselves...
Prolonged stress we know leaves us vulnerable to illness, stress in fact is one of the most dangerous causes of so many scary things that can happen to us and our health.

We need to sit down and really think about how important our health and happiness really is. Look at those little faces and really think, if I don't take care of me and I burn out how will I take care of them? We already make our kids and our family's health and happiness a priority - but what about ourselves? 

We are at the heart of our families, we care, nurture, teach, nurse. We entertain, advise, guide, feed, comfort, and love. 

We love unconditionally and give all of ourselves without a second thought, and we love doing it, glowing fiercely with love and pride.

What we don’t do anyway near often enough is shine some of that love and support on ourselves.

Our family is so very important to us and we are so important to our family. So we need to start being important to ourselves too.

Sometimes it can all seem to big, too hard to find our happy, healthy vibrant place and this is why support and inspiration is so very important.

That is why I am such a strong advocate for all forms of support for women and mums, for taking time out for yourself, joining networking and socialising groups, support groups; for having a hobby or passion on the side that is just for you, for scheduling in some time in your day to go for a walk, even if it is with the kids as well, it is getting you out into that fresh air with the benefits of exercise to our bodies; or for taking a yoga class once a week if you can or finding a gym you like with a creche or a mums fitness group.

Why I am an advocate for doing things that make you feel nice like wearing the dress you like when you go out - even if it is only to the supermarket and to wear some lipstick if it makes you feel pretty or your favourite earrings, it's why I think it is a great idea to pack yourself a lunchbox too - not just the kids for the day ahead, why I think you should occasionally buy yourself a bunch of fresh flowers for your home, just because they make you feel happy, why I think every food shop you do should include one special item that is just for you and your health and absolutely why I shared my very personal story and my burnout after having my first baby in my book, The Pram Diet and why I am just so in love with...  

Nourished 

by the very inspiring Kirri White and Corona Brady

If there was ever a present that you should treat yourself too that could make a hug positive impact in your life or were able to pick for yourself from your loved ones - this would be an incredible one.

An investment in YOU.

To find out about this amazing program and how it can help you, support and inspire you to find your passion for YOU and become your most vibrant self click HERE

Beginning on October 1st, Nourished is a completely unique offering – combining the latest nutritional advice and holistic health practices with life coaching, neuroscience and eating psychology.

Nourished is a Loving Approach to Mind & Body Health and provides all all the tools you need to incorporate healthy choices for your mind and body into your daily routine (or your money back!).

Co-creator Kirri is a certified life coach with a Masters in Psychology, an eating disorder survivor, and proud mamma to three glowing young girls.
Kirri helps women reclaim their lives and celebrate their worth, combining science-based therapies with the wisdom of the heart.

Main body and opening text (c)RebeccaMugridge2013

Healthy, Happy Mums book - Coming Soon

FEATURED - Women's Running Australia Magazine

I am SO excited to have my book featured in the latest issue of Women's Running Australia magazine

I absolutely LOVE this inspiring magazine and I want to run in my first ever fun run or half marathon this year! A big goal for myself :) So this magazine has been a huge source of inspiration for that!

Running in an event would be so amazing and I can imagine the feelings of accomplishment and self belief when you cross that finish line, regardless of where you come, whether you are a beginner or a skilled expert are breathtaking.

I started walking with the pram with my first daughter Lily, and then jogging, it was amazing. We averaged 8 km's a day, 6 days a week.
But it also importantly got me through my Post Natal Depression as well.
Exercise has such a powerful effect on our mood, it is one of the best, free tools we have available to us and can do anywhere, every single day!

I now have another little girl and we have done lots of pram walking and are now excitedly running together most afternoon's. We are just starting out but it is such an amazing bonding experience. My 7 yr old either runs or rides her scooter and the toddler urges us on giggling faster, faster!!

We had a very tough year last year so having this time slot of family fun together is wonderful!


 You can read all about my featured book and how I lost 30 kilos pushing that pram! ( not a fad or gimmick in sight) and even see me interviewed about it on TV by clicking HERE

Rebecca XX

{Join In} Sugar free for one week!

Join in a fun challenge for your health and happiness.

A sugar free Facebook Event

You can find plenty of delicious no added sugar recipes right here on my blog too.
WHY?
So many health experts agree that we all consume way too much sugar, some say it can even become like a poison in our bodies. Whether you consume a little or a lot a conscious decision to go sugar free for 1 week is a great exercise to become conscious of how much sugar your family does consume. You will find yourself shocked when your checking ingredients list, yes it is almost everywhere!

You don't have to give up sugar forever, unless you want too. This is just 1 week. To give our bodies a break and to become more aware of how much we consume and learn new ways of cooking to eat less of it in the future.

Feel free to share recipes, inspiration and ideas with the facebook event page or here in comments.
And check back here tomorrow for a very exciting guest blog interview you will LOVE!


So what can't you have in our sugar free week?Sugar cane sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, white sugar, icing sugar
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame (well technically you could as its sugar free but please don't, it is so bad and yuk :( )
You will need to check ingredients lists and packets.

What can you have?
Natural sweeteners like:
Stevia. (I like Natvia)
Honey.
Coconut Sugar.
Fruit.
Dried Fruit.
Concentrate Fruit Juice.
Xylitol.
Maple Syrup.
Agave.

 

 

TIPS

• SWAP soft drink for mineral or soda water with freshly squeezed lemons.
• Make yourself some sugar free sweet goodies for the week (see some recipe ideas below)
• Buy yourself a sugar free choccy bar, just in case or for a treat. Like Sweet williams.
• Swap cereals with homemade porridge with fruit and honey.
• Buy Jalna yoghurt (sweetened with fruit juice) or natural yoghurt.
• Check your bread! Yes lots of breads have sugar in them. Check the ingredients and find one that is ok, go bread free for the week, swap to a sugar free flat bread or bake some home made bready goodness!
• If you feel like an alcohol beverage try something like vodka with the Pink Sparkle Drink, fresh tomato and celery juice or fresh homemade orange and mango juice.
• Try including a fresh juice each day if you have a juicer to really pick up your health.
• Take some stevia sachets with you so you ask them to use these if you grab a latte when out.

You can also try some of these recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth or choccy cravings too!

 

 

Beautiful Beetroot Yoghurt Muffins
(Collect this recipe card from the Maleny IGA)

 

Rockmelon & Mango Mousse
(Collect this recipe card from the Maleny IGA)

 

Choccyliscious Muffins

 

Maleny IGA Healthy Maca Balls
(Collect this recipe card from the Maleny IGA)

On the Sunshine Coast? Grab all the ingredients for these delicious recipes from the Maleny Supa IGA !

 

 

Rebecca XX

RECIPE - No Added Sugar Choccyliscious Muffins

Sometimes you just want something gorgeous and CHOCOLATE right?
Well as many of my facebook followers would know this year I am really cutting back on SUGAR. But I still love to eat and cook and love baking and of course my choccy fix.
I also like to give my kids "treats" that are not full of junk, numbers and sugar.

These muffins really are super moist and melt in your mouth.

Enjoy! XX

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates (check packet to make sure no added sugar or anything nasty), soak overnight, covered or for at least 3 hours in enough water to just cover them.
• 1 cup natural yoghurt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Planet Organic Natural Cocoa
• 1 free range egg
• 1/4 cup Natvia Stevia powder
• 10 drops liquid stevia in chocolate
• A couple of drops pure vanilla or vanilla stevia drops
• 1 & 1/2 cups wholemeal SR flour
• 1/4 cup Walnuts
• 1 Sweet William No Added Sugar chocolate bar, chopped

Method

• Pre heat oven to 180'c.
• Line a muffin tray with muffin cases.
• In a bowl use a hand mixer to combine butter, stevia drops, stevia powder.
• Best in egg.
• Mix in the cocoa powder.
• Add in the yoghurt, make sure mixed through and then drain and add in the dates.
• Very carefully add in  the flour until just combined.
• Spoon mixture into muffin cases.
• Top each one with some walnuts and chopped chocolate.
• Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until muffins are golden on top and bounce back from your touch.
• Allow to cool on wire racks.
• Serve.

Notes

• Stevia can be swapped for honey.
• Mix chocolate and walnuts carefully through mixture before adding flour for flavour hits through the muffins as well.
• Get a big chocolate hit by serving with a mug of hot chocolate made with Planet Organic natural cocoa and stevia to sweeten.
• Freezable.
• Great for school lunches.
• Can be made gluten free with a gluten free flour, you may need to adapt recipe though, possibly include another egg etc.

Toddler Tips

• Use a miniature muffin tray to make toddler friendly sized ones.

Why not get excited about cutting back the sugar and join my facebook - sugar free for 1 week fun event! Have a sugar free recipe? Come share it with us or just come and join in the fun event! xx
https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.mugridge#!/events/137590813073302/

You can get the Stevia sweet drops, Planet Organi Cocoa Powder and Natvia Stevia Powder used in this recipe from the Maleny IGA