Wellbeing Journal
GO WITH YOUR GUT
Digestive Health Our health is driven by the state of our gut. Energy, immunity, digestion, repair, growth and the glow of our skin all starts with how we digest our foods, from the moment we think about eating, smell or see food, to when it hits our stomach and goes through the physical process of digestion. Whilst these days in our very fast-paced lives, it is easy to not give much thought about what is going in our bodies, how we eat and engage with food, and the resulting impact on our digestion. The reality is this is a time more than any other to be conscious of it.MINDFULNESSThe first step in good digestion is implementing mindfulness around eating. So how do we go about this? We slow down and reconnect with our food. This is vital. Our bodies action the digestive process and release enzymes to break down food the minute we see, smell or think about it so given it is doing that for us, it’s important to give some love back by actually slowing down in order for these actions to truly do their job.Making time to sit down with each meal you eat, no matter how big or small, or how little time you have, is the best start to being mindful of your eating. Once you do that, you really engage with your food and grow a positive relationship with it. Our cells respond, they’re clever like that. They know when we are happy and eating or stressed and eating and digest accordingly. Ever noticed that when you eat on the run, you feel uncomfortable, or dissatisfied or lacking energy later despite having eaten? This is our body giving us a quiet nudge and saying ‘excuse me, please can you just give me a little more time and let me digest that delicious meal’.Now with a dose of mindfulness in how we eat, the next step to great digestive health is of course what goes in. And this is exciting, because every meal we eat is our chance to fuel and energise our body with beautiful, glorious, nourishing food. Our focus for great digestive health is those foods rich in fibre and probiotics.FIBREFibre is important in the gastro intestinal system (our GIT or gut) because it keeps everything moving whilst also providing us with sustained energy. A fibre rich diet ensures our digestive motions are frequent and normal and our bowel is in tiptop shape as it creates the bulk in our digestive system to make things move. There are two types of fibre we acquire from different foods, which are both highly beneficial.Soluble fibre’s main action is to reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) roaming around our bodies and is richest in foods such as:OatsBeans, legumes, peasPsylliumApplesCitrus fruitsInsoluble fibre’s action is to provide the bulk in our digestive system and improve gut motility and is present in foods such as:Skin of fruits and vegetablesNuts and seedsWhole grains.With this in mind, kicking our day off with a fibre rich breakfast is a great way of ensuring we meet the needs of our digestive and energy systems to function optimally throughout the day. One of my favourites which integrates some of the gorgeous ingredients we also find in JURLIQUE products is a Rosehip Bircher. The oats are a nourishing source of fibre and B-vitamins soaked in rosehip tea to help hydrate and rejuvenate the skin and berries to give you a big boost of antioxidants. It’s a go to breakfast in our home and so simple to put together the evening before so you save yourself time in the morning and can sit down to enjoy it in peace.PROBIOTICSNow whilst I could probably talk for hours on all the different ways we can improve our digestive health, I’m going to leave you with just one more to think about for now. And, this is the importance of probiotics in the diet.Probiotics act on our gut like seeds to a garden, we need to plant good bacteria, probiotics, to feed, create and grow healthy gut flora. Without probiotics the garden doesn’t flourish and we feel the effect. However, with a good supply of probiotics from our diet, our gut digests food well, detox and elimination pathways are supported and our digestive tract absorbs nutrients to then feed our body premium fuel as a result.There are a few wonderful ways we can obtain probiotics from food sources. One of the easiest to obtain is through natural yoghurt. Yoghurt is a brilliant source of probiotics, namely acidophilus and bifidus and integrating just a spoonful of yoghurt in the morning to your breakfast or just prior to can help establish the growth of good gut bacteria. If you can’t tolerate dairy yoghurt, try non-dairy yoghurt with a coconut kefir to help you on your way.Cabbage for good health – you heard it right! Learn to love cabbage because it can give your tummy some serious love. When cabbage and other vegetables ferment to become sauerkraut, kimchi and the like, they also develop an insane supply of probiotics to feed and nourish. We don’t need to eat mounds of it, but just a few tablespoons with one meal a day to start will support digestion and keep your gut in good nick.ROSEHIP TEA BIRCHERServes 22 cups rolled oats1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut1 tablespoon honey2 cups strongly brewed rosehip tea1 cup mixed berries, plus extra for serving1/2 cup coconut, full fat natural or greek yoghurtCombine oats, coconut, honey and rosehip tea in a bowl and stir to combine.Lightly fold through berries, cover and place in fridge overnight.In the morning, top with yoghurt, additional berries if desired and serve.
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EATING FOR GLOWING SKIN
Urike Klein, Co-Founder of Jurlique, once said “Roses connect you to nature – to beauty within”. Those words, ‘beauty within’, are at the core of what makes us glow. A belief in our inner beauty, which translates itself into the way we nourish ourselves in life. The rituals we create in beauty and our skin. How we wake each morning and respond to the reflection gazing back at us in the mirror. Foods we choose to eat, so we maximize the nutrition in our body. All these little things reflect the beauty we see and feel within us.Daily rituals in beauty might entail rising with a positive affirmation about life or ourselves. Creating time to give our skin some love as we prepare for the day. Sitting to eat a nourishing meal and being mindful of how and what we eat because the glow in our skin is also a reflection of what is going in. So with this in mind, what are those wonderful things we can put in, to create skin that truly connects and shines with our beauty within? Skin that is truly…good enough to eat.WATER WELLHydration is the simplest yet most frequently missed component to nourishing our skin. Too often, we forget to drink, mistake our thirst for hunger or choose other drinks before water (juice, coffee, soft drinks), which deplete the hydration stores within our body. The way to resolve this is simply to include a few different ways to drink water throughout our day so we ensure our body and our skin feels the benefit. These may be:Rising in the morning and drinking a cup of water with lemonPreparing a delicious tea infusion and chilling it in a drink bottleKeeping a bottle of water on the desk at workMaking herbal tea instead of regular caffeinated tea during breaksChecking in with our body when we feel hungry and deciding if it is truly hunger or perhaps that we haven’t been keeping well hydratedInclude plenty of vegetables in our diet – they are full of H2O!CLEAN EATSI speak the importance of eating clean; nourishing whole foods frequently because I truly believe it is at the core of how well we move through life. When we eliminate processed foods, refined sugars, additives and preservatives from our diet, we feel the difference, we see the difference and our skin shines to show it.Refined sugar in particular has a profound impact on the state of our skin, remove it from our diet and we start noticing a change. Doing so doesn’t mean we miss out on all the little treats and moments with cake and cups of tea either – to the contrary. We can enjoy these moments in a more positive light because we know what we are eating is good for our body. I’ll often take the old time favourites and put a healthy spin on them to enrich their nutrition and eliminate ingredients that don’t do justice to our health. Sweeteners such as maple, raw honey, stevia, coconut nectar and coconut sugar, dates and rice malt syrup are all wonderful alternatives to refined white, raw or brown sugar and it’s easy to make the swap. When we do life just gets better.HEALTHY FATSRemember this…make healthy fats friends in life. Always. Good fats, rich in Omega 3 fatty acids love our body inside and out, so we shouldn’t be afraid of integrating them frequently into our diet. It is these essential fats our bodies thrive on for energy, hormone production, brain function and truly radiate through our skin.The richest sources of these fats often come from plants such as avocado, almonds, linseeds, brazil nuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pepitas, olives and their oil and macadamias. Sound delicious? I think you know the answer to that question! They are delicious, nourishing and satisfy our hunger cravings when sprinkled throughout our diet. And their action on the skin is truly beautiful. Omega 3 fatty acids can contribute to the glow in your skin by providing natural moisture and improving skin elasticityStill need convincing? It might be time to experience it with a little treat of Orange, Carrot and Almond Cake. My take on an old favourite, incorporating almonds, oranges, coconut sugar and carrots, topped with skin loving properties of pomegranate and calendula. It’s rich in essential fats, contains no refined sugars or gluten and is 100% wholefoods goodness to give your body some love within.
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ORANGE AND ALMOND CAKE RECIPE
GF : DF : SF : VINGREDIENTS:2 (340g) organic oranges1 2/3 cups (200g) coconut sugar6 eggs1 carrot, peeled and finely grated2 1/4 cups (250g) almond meal1 teaspoon baking powderIcing:1 cup greek or vanilla yoghurt1 orange, peeled and segmented1/2 cup pomegranate arils1/4 cup calendula petalsBring a large pot of water to the boil. Wash oranges and cook in boiling water for 2 hours.Drain and cool then puree.Preheat oven to 160C, grease and line a 20cm spring form cake tin with greaseproof paper.Beat the eggs and sugar until light in colour then stir in orange puree, carrot, almond meal and baking powder.Pour into the cake tin and bake in the bottom of the oven for 1-1 ¼ hours, until top is golden.Allow to cool in the tin for 30 minutes then remove from tin.Top with yoghurt, orange segments, pomegranate arils and calendula petals and serve.
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THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CARROTS
Carrots have one of the highest contents of vitamin A of all vegetables, which is great for your skin.Jacqueline Alwill’s Nourish Bowl includes carrots, which are beneficial for your body’s overall health especially your skin, eyes, digestive system and teeth. Rich in pro vitamin A, this extract helps to moisturise and protect the skin, revitalises and softens, and helps maintain skin moisture levels.Some of the Jurlique products that include carrot root extract are Purely-Age Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil, Blemish Cream, Moisture Replenishing Mask and Lavender Hand Cream.SHOP THE STORYBlemishCream LvHC MoistureRepln PADOil
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BACK TO BASICS
Nutrition for Health, Beauty and HappinessGood health really is a magical thing. When our bodies are well nourished, rising in the morning is easy, our energy levels throughout the day are delightfully balanced, we feel hydrated and we rest peacefully by night. As a nutritionist, my role is to guide people in this journey to good health. Provide easy, practical, nourishing solutions to inspire and help people feel empowered by their health.So, I am incredibly excited to have teamed up with the wonderful team at JURLIQUE to do just that for you! Our partnership in beauty, health and wellness will see gorgeous delicious, nourishing and simple ideas coming right your way. We’ve created some absolutely incredible recipes, videos, and easy reads to help give your health a makeover and for you to see your skin glow like never before.JURLIQUE have such a beautiful array of natural, nourishing ingredients in their range of products, so we thought the most wonderful way to showcase these would be not only through their stunning product, but also with how you can eat them. If you can enhance the glow in your skin through food as well as within your beauty regime then really… why wouldn’t you?A little on my philosophy in nutrition…I work first and foremost on diet, because diet is not just what you eat it is truly a ‘way of life’. When our diet is in good stead, everything flows well, when our diet is out of kilt, our body doesn’t respond as well as it could and it can impact both our health and our lifestyle. Nourishing whole foods are the answer.By whole foods, I mean those that are as close as possible to how Mother Nature created them, unprocessed, unrefined, without the additives, sugars or preservatives we see all too often in food these days. Think fresh vegetables a plenty, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds, clean quality proteins and healthy fats. It’s as simple as that. When you learn about how wonderful these foods are and pop your creative hat on in the kitchen again, you feel and see the benefits.Recreating your health is best approached with small steps, on a frequent basis to achieve long term results. Don’t try to change everything overnight, Rome wasn’t built in a day, new habits and breaking old ones takes time too. When you use this principle and look at whole foods as a fun, creative and simple way to do it, then you are half way there. I hope you enjoy what JURLIQUE and I have prepared for you…I know we’ve had an absolute blast creating it.In good health always,JacquelineNOURISH BOWL : JURLIQUEServes 11 cup baby spinach1 cup blanched kale leaves,1/2 cup zucchini noodles or grated1/2 cup carrot noodles or grated1 small beetroot, roasted and sliced1/2 cup turmeric quinoa1/4 cup alfalfa1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved1 red radish, finely sliced1/4 pink grapefruit1/2 small avocado, finely sliced2 tablespoons sauerkraut1 teaspoon pepitas1/2 teaspoon sesame seedfew sprigs dillCold pressed olive oil and balsamic vinegarSea salt and black pepperPlace spinach leaves and kale leaves in the base of bowl or plate.Top with zucchini and carrot noodles, beetroot, turmeric quinoa, alfalfa, cherry tomatoes, radish, grapefruit.Arrange avocado over the top of the vegetables, followed by sauerkraut, peptias and sesame seeds and dill.Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper and serve.
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MEET JACQUELINE ALWILL OUR WELLNESS WARRIOR
Meet Jacqueline Alwill our Wellness WarriorJacqueline Alwill is a qualified nutritionist and owner of one of the most in-demand Sydney nutritional practices, The Brown Paper Bag.Jacqueline believes that living optimally is about finding the balance on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level, loving your body and feeling well nourished.Jacqueline is passionate about teaching people values for good health and nutrition, which is where The Brown Paper Bag stemmed from. A simple concept: sharing easy to make, nutritious food and healthy life changes with those around you.Jacqueline regularly contributes nutritional tips on her health blog and to various TV programs and publications.“As a nutritionist, my role is to guide people in their journey to good health and to provide easy, practical, nourishing solutions to inspire and help people to g=feel empowered by their health.I am incredibly excited to have teamed up with the wonderful team at Jurlique to do just that for you! Our partnership in beauty, health and wellness will see gorgeous, delicious, nourishing and simple ideas coming right your way. We’ve created some absolutely incredible recipes, videos and easy reads to help give your health a makeover and for you to see your skin glow like never before.Jurlique has such a beautiful array of natural, nourishing ingredients in their range so we thought the most wonderful way to showcase these would be not only through their stunning product, but also with how you can eat them. If you enhance the glow in your skin through food as well as within your beauty regime then really why wouldn’t you? “Jacqueline Alwill, Adv. Dip. (Nut Med)- Nutritionist
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CALENDULA FLOWER SALAD
Did you know you can eat Calendula? Try this pretty salad for some healthy floral goodness:Ingredients1 cup mixed salad leaves, 1/2 cup fresh borage flowers, 1/2 cup fresh pansy flowers, 1/4 cup lilac flowers, 1/4 cup rose petals, 1/4 cup watercress, 1/4 cup calendula flowers, add Goji berries, chopped almonds and carrots too if you wish!For the dressing use; ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 1 pinch Himalayan salt, 1 pinch cracked pepper, 1 small pinch combined dried thyme, oregano and marjoram, ½ teaspoon honey mustard, ¾ cup grape seed oil, ½ to 1 teaspoon dark roasted sesame oil, 1/8th teaspoon tamari.Method1. Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.2. Place dressing ingredients in a jar with a screw–top lid and shake to combine.3. Drizzle dressing over salad and Enjoy!
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5 MUST-HAVES FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
A good night’s sleep is like nectar for the soul. Eyes are brighter, footsteps are lighter and you’re ready to tackle the day. But let’s face it – when was the last time you had a truly great night’s sleep? With daily stresses and distractions, sometimes it’s easier said than done but there are a few things you can do to improve sleep quality and ensure you wake up feeling well-rested. It’s all about creating a peaceful sleeping environment, starting with a cool, dark bedroom free from screens (yep, Instagram can wait until morning) and adding a few natural sleep remedies and products to your nighttime routine. With a little help from some sleep aficionados, these are our top tips for getting a good night’s sleep. 1. WEAR BREATHABLE SLEEPWEAR There’s nothing better than a fresh pair of pyjamas and changing into them signals to the brain that it’s time to get ready for sleep. Ever wake up too hot in the night? Our body temperature rises when we sleep, so choose breathable sleepwear like these Pure Silk PJs from Australian brand Papinelle. Soft, naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, this silk sleepwear will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer – plus they’re great for sensitive skin (their simple cuts in neutral and pastel shades give a luxe twist to sleepwear, too). 2. SLEEP ON A SILK PILLOW Moving around while we sleep can cause our hair and skin to pull on the pillowcase, not to mention our carefully-applied skincare products to rub off. Silk pillowcases are much kinder on the skin and cause less friction than traditional cotton ones – go for celeb favourite Slip Silk Pillowcases, which are thick, soft and durable and are proven to absorb significantly less face cream. As an extra boost, spray your pillow with the Jurlique Calming Blend Aromatherapy Mist – a blend of grapefruit and lavender, this calming scent helps promote sleep (plus your bedroom will smell wonderful). 3. LIGHT A CALMING CANDLE Forget your iPhone screen, the only thing that should be lighting up your bedroom is a soothing candle. Dim your lights or put on a lamp with a warm glow, and light a Lumira Balinese Ylang Ylang candle. Aromatic and earthy, this candle provides instant relaxation and, thanks to fragrance being linked to memory and emotion, your mind will transition to sleep mode each time you light it.4. UNWIND WITH MAGNESIUM OIL There are so many health benefits of magnesium but when it comes to helping us rest, it’s one of our secret weapons. It works wonders with sleep, so incorporate it into your nightly routine by indulging in a self-massage using the (100% natural) Salt Lab Magnesium Oil Spray. Simply spritz 3-6 sprays onto your skin (your stomach is a good spot) and massage it in gently. 5. EMBRACE AROMATHERAPY The Benefits Of Aromatherapy are endless, and essential oils are great products to use as a natural sleep aid. Add a few drops of Jurlique Comforting Blend Essential Oil to your bath or a vaporiser before bed – containing natural essential oils including Orange, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang, this oil promotes peace and wellbeing. For a good night’s sleep every night, set up a peaceful sleeping environment with the help of natural remedies and products. Shop our essential oils and sprays here.
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10 SUPERFOODS FOR YOUR HAIR, SKIN AND NAILS
Superfoods: not just a buzzword conjuring up images of Gwyneth Paltrow. They have a high nutritional density, which means they provide more nutrients per gram than conventional foods, and they typically contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. We know we should be eating them for various health benefits, but did you know that incorporating these nutrient-dense foods into your diet can give you visible results? Yup, superfoods can contain omega-3 fatty acids, omega-9 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, E, B and D, as well as zinc and glutamine, which all help to look after your hair, skin and nails. What Is the Best Diet for Skin and Hair? We asked the team at healthy, plant-based meal delivery service Soulara for a bit of expertise, and they gave us their top 10 superfoods to start incorporating into your diet. What Foods Are Good For Hair, Skin, and Nails? If you're curious about what helps hair, skin and nails grow, below are tasty foods that can give you that healthy boost you're looking for: CHIA SEEDS Chia seeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and protect the. Sprinkle seeds onto soup or add to smoothies for an easy, every day way to incorporate them into your daily diet. KALE Vitamin A is good for hair growth – it helps the glands to produce sebum, which moisturises the scalp and keeps your hair looking healthy. Kale is our go-to superfood for vitamin A – add a handful to salads, lentil dal or risotto. ALMONDS Almonds are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports collagen production and provides anti-inflammatory benefits for the body. Keep a bag on your desk at work to snack on throughout the day (a healthy alternative to the chocolate drawer). CARROTS Packed with vitamin A and vitamin C, carrots support your hair, skin and nails. Try roasting them and topping with chia and pumpkin seeds to use as a side dish. SWEET POTATOES Like carrots, sweet potatoes are great sources of vitamins A and C. They’re delicious baked and loaded with roasted veg or cut into wedges and oven-baked. PUMPKIN SEEDS Rich in iron, magnesium, potassium, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids…pumpkin seeds certainly pack a punch for such a small food, plus biotin is great for improving hair and nail growth. Use them to sprinkle on salads, soups, or in oats. For more superfood recipe ideas, head to Soulara’s website. What fruits are good for skin and hair? Fruits good for hair and skin include: AVOCADOS Not just a millennial favourite, avocados are rich in omega-9 fatty acids for keeping the top layer of your skin hydrated. They’re also a good source of vitamin E, making it a great food for healthy hair. Aside from the usual avo on toast, add slices to salad or use to create fresh guacamole. BLUEBERRIES Blueberries are high in vitamin A which helps to clear up acne as well as moderate oil levels in skin. Mix a handful into oats and a plant-based milk and leave overnight for a delicious way to perk up your morning oats. GOJI BERRIES An all-rounder, goji berries contain iron, zinc and copper which are all great for radiant skin, hair and nails. Try sprinkling onto your morning oats. LEMONS High levels of vitamin C in lemons work to neutralise free radicals and help the body in producing collagen for firmer-looking skin. Start your day with a slice of lemon in hot water, or squeeze lemon juice onto your avocado. What are the best vitamins for hair and nail growth? We all know vitamin C is the MVP for skincare, but have you ever wondered what vitamins are best for hair and nails? Biotin, aka vitamin B7, is touted as a superfood for hair and nails. It's responsible for keratin production, the building block of your hair and nails. You can find biotin in foods like organ meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, fish and sweet potatoes. If you're dealing with brittle nails or split ends, selenium (a mineral, not a vitamin) is also a key player in keratin production. Selenium is present in Brazil nuts, seafood, meat, poultry and organ meats. Best products for glowing skin and hair Once you've established the best diet for skin and hair, trust our nature-infused products to bring out your inner glow. Our hardworking formulations harness the power of natural botanicals to nourish your face, hands, body, hair, lips and eyes. Start your beauty routine with a mild cleanser, hydrating moisturiser and sunscreen. If you want that next-level glow, consider incorporating our potent serums, mists, exfoliators and face oils into your regimen. Remember, what's good for the skin will often be good for strong nails and hair too! FAQs What foods are best for skin, nails and hair? Fatty fish, like salmon, can give your skin a healthy glow due to its high omega-3 fatty acids content and anti-inflammatory benefits. Avocado is another great option, as it is rich in vitamins A, C and E, all of which support collagen formation and overall skin health. If you prefer plant-based alternatives, chia seeds are a fantastic source of omega-3s, and blueberries, which are high in vitamin A and antioxidants, are good for hair and nails. What is a superfood for skin and hair? Super foods for glowing skin and hair include avocados, chia seeds, berries, lemons, kale, almonds, carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin seeds. What is good for nails and hair? If you want stronger hair and nails, you need a power combo of nutrients, good habits and the right products. Hydration is key to the vitality of your hair, nails and skin — so drink those 6-9 glasses religiously. Complement your water intake with a balanced diet rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals. Think leafy greens, fruits, nuts, seeds and fatty fish. For your hair, ease up on heat styling and opt for gentle, nourishing hair products. For your nails, keep them clean and moisturised, and steer clear of harsh treatments that could weaken them. What vitamin am I lacking if my nails are weak? If your nails are prone to brittleness, splitting or breakage, it could be a sign your body lacks biotin, iron, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium or zinc. What foods stop facial hair growth in females? Excessive facial hair can be frustrating and may even affect a woman's confidence. To naturally manage this issue, consider incorporating foods high in magnesium, zinc and copper, such as soybeans and whole grains. Boost your intake of vitamin B6 from sources like avocados and salmon, along with vitamin A from papaya and leafy greens. Antioxidant-rich fruits like berries and vegetables can also help maintain hormone balance.
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