Confidence

 

A lack of confidence is one of the main complaints I have been hearing lately from my clients. Many people feel that they are not confident but do we really understand what confidence is? And is there anything we can do to increase our confidence?

Well what exactly is confidence? Confidence is an emotional state. Like any emotion it can come and go, be high or low. Confidence is something that comes easily for some but takes a lot of work for others. However, one thing that I need to clear up is that it is absolutely possible for everyone to feel confident. Lack of confidence is by no means a simple personality trait. It is much more than that and confidence is something achievable for everyone (even if you cant perceive right this moment).

Confidence is about feeling equal to others. Something that really clicked for me quite a while back when I was not feeling confident at all is that if you realise everyone is human and no one is better than the next person, then there is no reason to feel that lack of confidence around others.

Confidence can be seen in your body posture. And did you know that by simply changing your posture to walk tall, chest out and head up high you will not only be perceived as a confident person by others but you will actually begin to feel more confident within yourself.

When I work with client who want to increase their confidence I give them an exercise to do daily called a positive stocktake. I have found this to be extremely beneficial at helping people feel more positive and confident in their everyday life.

Positive stocktake:

1.     List 5 things that were good today

2.     List 5 things that you were disappointed about today

3.     Come up with solutions to those things you were disappointed about/ what could you do differently next time.

By looking at ways we can improve ourselves and reflecting positively on our day it can bring about great changes in confidence. This way when you are in the same situation in the future you will know what to do to create a more positive outcome. Its normal not to be perfect and not to get everything right the first time. That’s what makes you human and life is all about personal growth and development and learning from experiences. So next time you are feeling a lack of confidence just remember to hold yourself tall and think about what you could do to improve the situation. And never beat yourself up about something that has happened in the past, just take what you have learnt and move on!

Natural solutions for period pain

Period pain is actually quite complex with multi faceted causes. The best solution would be to get a treatment specially tailored to you. However, if it is simple period pain there are a few generalised things that can help.

My top 3 natural period pain treatments are:

1.     Fish oil- Fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids are a great natural anti-inflammatory and is wonderful for balancing hormones as well. This supplement needs to be taken all month not just at the time of menstruation.

2.     Magnesium- Magnesium is a wonderful muscle relaxant and will help to relax the uterus and abdomen. This can be started a few days before your period begins.

3.     Cramp bark- This herb as per its name has traditionally been used to reduced cramps. Have 20 drops in a glass of water 4 times a day. Begin using it as soon as you feel the cramps starting.

In terms of dietary considerations avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol as they all promote inflammation resulting in worse cramps!

Exercise on the other hand has been shown to reduce pain. It encourages circulation to the uterus helping to reduce the craping.

So follow these simple suggestions and hopefully your period pain will simply be something of the past!

Spring Smoothie

We all know that there is a bit of a smoothie craze going on at the moment. I myself love a smoothie as long as it is packed full of nutrition and not sugar!

I often opt for a smoothie for breakfast as its a great way to get lots and lots of nutrients into your body at once. What a fantastic way to start your day. Its also quick and convenient for those who don't have much time in the morning.

Green smoothies are a fabulous was to help you cleanse during spring. I have been using a super greens powder containing spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and wheat grass. All the greens are great for alkalising the body, helping you detoxify and they are also full of many wonderful vitamins for energy, stress reduction overall health.

My spring cleaning green smoothie contains:

1 banana
2 scoops of super green powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
2 tablespoons of hemp protein or pea protein
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder- optional

Blend all ingredient and sprinkle with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and goji berries.

5 Foods to beat Hayfever!

 

 The sun is shining, the sky is blue and you are stuck inside due to the dreaded hay fever. We all know how irritating hay fever is, but did you know pharmaceutical anti-histamine are not the only answer? Many foods have natural anti-histamine properties and can help your body fight these allergens. So stop letting hay fever control your life by trying these natural treatments!

Vitamin C

Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, strawberries and red capsicum to name a few is an excellent immune boosting vitamin. It contains natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties.

You could also take a Vitamin C supplement, but make sure it contains bioflavonoids which are a natural antioxidant that enhances the effect of Vitamin C and is a potent anti-inflammatory.

Dosage: 1-3 grams of Vitamin C daily depending on bowel tolerance.

Turmeric

This popular spice has many wonderful health benefits. One being it is a strong anti-inflammatory. It can work as a wonderful natural anti-allergy compound.

Dosage: Consume 2 teaspoons of grated or powdered turmeric daily.

Garlic

Garlic is well known for its immune stimulating effects. It works as a natural anti-biotic preventing infections and helps the immune system reduce its histamine reaction.

Dosage: Consume ½ a fresh clove of garlic daily.

Horseradish

If you have even eaten too much horseradish in one mouthful you will know its fantastic for clearing out the nasal passages. It helps to break up mucous reducing nasal congestion.

Probiotics

As 70% of our immune system is found in our gut a probiotic is important for improving immune function. These good bacteria, which are naturally found in our digestive system help fight off bugs and reduce inappropriate immune responses so that the body can better cope with allergens. Make sure to also consume pre-biotic foods such as fibre, sauerkraut, miso and other fermented foods.

Foods to avoid

There are several foods that promote inflammations in the body and may contribute to the symptoms of hay fever. Around this time of year avoiding dairy, wheat and refined sugar may help reduce your hay fever symptoms and improve immune function.

Other herbs to aid with hayfever

Albizia lebbeck and Baical skullcap are two herbs with strong anti-allergic properties. When prescribed correctly from a health care professional they can help reduce the immune response to allergens, improving hayfever symptoms.

Spring Cleaning

In Feng Shui every season brings a particular message. Spring is related to the liver which is where old toxins are excreted from the body. This is why spring is such an excellent time for an internal detox but also for clearing out the old to make space for new things. It is the time to de-clutter, re-harmonise and create the space for the person you want to be.

To follow on from last week’s simple spring detox post, here are some simple steps to de-clutter and spring clean your external environment. Detoxing needs to occur from both the inside and the outside.

1.     Organise 3 cardboard boxes. Label one rubbish, one charity and one for friends.

2.     One room at a time go through all your cupboards and draws and if there are things you haven’t used 

       in 2 years or longer then they should be placed in one of the 3 boxes. 

3.     If there are any items that you feel you don’t need any more then place in the appropriate box.

4.     Get a cloth and give benches, desks, interior of cupboards, tiles and walls a wipe down with hot water and biodegradable detergent or tea tree oil.

5.     Re-arrange items on desks/benches to give the room a fresh new feel.

You will be amazed at how liberated and free you will feel once you have finished spring cleaning your life!

Simple Spring Detox

Spring is here (Finally!!! I hear most of you saying). Well we all know that spring is the perfect time for clearing out the old to allow room for the new. That is the whole basis of spring cleaning. Spring cleaning does not only refer to clearing out your cupboards but also to all your internal baggage as well. This can be winter weight that we all tend to stack on to help us feel warm, toxins from the comfort food we have been eating or just stagnant energy from being inside and sedentary.

It’s up to you how you interpret spring cleaning but any form of clearing things out creates movement, energy flow and helps you release baggage. I know after a big clean out of my room I feel quite liberated and light.

Whether it’s your external or internal environment you clean, you will be creating an energetic shift to allow yourself to move into summer feeling free for new opportunities to flow in. So now’s the time to get cleaning!

For a spring detox follow these simple steps:

1.     Start each day with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in warm water.

2.     Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veggies daily.

3.     Consume good quality gluten free carbohydrates such as basmati rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa or amaranth.

4.     Eat some protein with every meal such as lean meat, fish, nuts and seeds, legumes, tempeh or eggs. Consume more fish and less red meat.

5.     Avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol and fast foods.

6.     Drink at least 2 litres of water daily.

7.     Support liver function with herbs such as St. Marys Thistle and Dandelion.

8.     Consume bitter foods to aid in liver detoxification such as rocket, mustard greens, endive and chicory.

For optimal results follow this diet for 2-6 weeks. If you have any medical conditions consult your health care professional before following dietary advice.

So enjoy the blue sky, sun and smile!

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Creamy chia seed pudding

Chia seeds have so many wonderful health benefits. They are high in omega 3, protein, fibre and contain many other nutrients.

Here is a recipe for a delicious chia pudding that can be had as either a breakfast or dessert!

1/2 cup chia seeds
1.5 cups coconut milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
stevia to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix through and store in the fridge overnight.
Add stewed apples, berries, flakes almonds or topping of your choice and enjoy!