This was my first step in trialling all of the recommendations of me to help clear my skin after moving away from the contraceptive pill... read all about it here!
Read moreQ&A with Nicole of Mint + Magik
Sometimes you meet someone in life who you instantly click with and can spend hours chatting away without a care in the world about anything and everything until you realise you're 2 hours late for an appointment you have... Well that someone for me is Nicole De Valter of Mint + Magik who has become a soul sister for me in so many different ways and I am so lucky to have met her for a number of reasons.
1. She is absolutely stunning inside and out and is the best friend a girl could ask for.
2. She helps me be the best version of me and is a wealth of knowledge on health and wellness that I can tap into.
3. She brings me and everyone around her back to centre with her cool, calm, collected ways; and
4. She supports my candle addiction with her decadent and delicious smelling hand-poured-made-with-love candles through her business Mint + Magik which I can't get enough of!
I am so excited to share this Q&A with you all because not only does Nicole have an incredible wealth of knowledge on health and wellness from her studies and experiences in the industry but she has taken a completely different perspective to helping others find an avenue to be healthy and feel great... Keep reading for how ...
What inspired you to start Mint + Magik?
I have a real passion for holistic health and wellness which lead me down the path to study to become a holistic health coach. During my studies, I was really drawn to the ancient healing science of Ayurveda. Throughout the course I became overwhelmed with the sheer volume of “diets” and different ways of eating, that I wanted to come up with a different focus to help restore balance and health. Aromatherapy can relay fragrances through your sense of smell to the brain, in order to bring healing energy to the mind and body.
Tell us about the things that you are passionate about?
I’m am a passionate about all things health and wellness. Over time I have come to realise that you need to balance the good things with the bad. Wellness comes from within by finding balance between the physical, mental and spiritual. I feel you can’t shine on the outside unless you are healthy on the inside. It’s hard for your eyes to sparkle, your hair to shine, or your skin to glow if you are not truly healthy in mind, body and spirit. It’s not just about food; it’s about finding balance between everything you put in and take out. It’s giving and receiving equally.
What’s the best way to burn a candle to get the most amazing scent filled room?
I have 2 simple tricks that will ensure you have a long lasting, full fragranced soy candle:
- Create a Burn Memory - When lighting your soy candle for the first time, allow the wax to melt all the way to the sides of the container. The first burn of the candle should last as long as it takes to reach all the way to the edges of the container. This will give you maximum fragrance and an even burn. If you do not allow the wax to pool on the first burn you may get wax remaining along the sides of your container.
- Trim the Wick - Soy wax does not burn as hot as paraffin wax, so soy wax candles require a thicker wick, which does not burn 100% and needs to be trimmed regularly. Always trim your wick to about 6-8mm before you re-light your candle. This will ensure a long lasting candle, minimise soot and remove any mushrooming of the wick left from the previous burn. But be sure not to over trim your wick as you may not be able to re-light your candle. If you do not trim the wick regularly, if the candle is in a draft or is left to burn too long you may get a “mushroom” of carbon on the end of the wick. This may cause some soot to collect on the inside of the container. If this happens, extinguish your candle, wait for it to cool, wipe off the carbon marks with a clean damp cloth and re-light.
What’s the difference between soy candles and other wax?
There are so many reasons that we use soy wax instead of “regular” paraffin wax. Firstly, soy wax is non-toxic, while traditional wax is actually a bi-product of petrol! I couldn’t believe that when I read it doing my research at the beginning of this journey, and I’m pretty sure that you can imagine that burning petrol leftovers isn’t great for your health.
Secondly, soy wax comes from 100% sustainable soy bean plantations, which is a lot better for the environment than the alternative. Soy wax is biodegradable, vegan and washes easily with soap and water (you can even pop your empty glass in the dishwasher, providing you’ve removed the leftover wick).
Lastly, soy candles have a lower burn temperature than other candles, meaning that they burn slower and last a lot longer. It may seem to melt very quickly but rest assured that it will re-harden giving you hours with your favourite fragrance.
Tell us a little bit more about Ayurvedic principles?
Ayurveda is the science of life, it teaches an art of healthy living that encompasses all phases of life; body, mind and spirit. To understand our bodies make up Ayurveda explains that we are a combination of three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When in balance, the three doshas create health, generate noble qualities such as understanding, compassion and love. When their balance is disturbed by stress, improper diet, environmental conditions or other factors, they can give rise to negative emotions such as anger fear and greed. These three doshas are responsible for the huge variety of individual differences and preferences, and they influence all we are and all we do, from our choices of food to our modes of relating to others.
What inspired you to create dosha balancing candle?
Using my understanding of the Ayurvedic principles, I wanted to create a candle that could influence your environmental conditions to help restore balance and health. Each of these candles will assist in restoring a state of balance, but essentially it is your own moment-to-moment awareness and self-observation, your sensitivity to your own constitution and your own unique requirements for health and perhaps most importantly your willingness to act on your knowledge, that will make all the difference between poor health and a vital, happy, healthy, long life.
Can you give a brief explanation of each dosha?
KAPHA:
Our pure aromatherapy Kapha Dosha Balancing Candle assists if you are feeling a lack of inspiration, feel sluggish or a little slow. Our carefully crafted combination of Ayurvedic essential oils include Basil, Thyme and Rosemary to invigorate and revitalise your mind.
PITTA:
Our pure aromatherapy Pitta Balancing Candle assists if you are feeling a touch frustrated, are quick to anger or feel out of rhythm and impatient. Our carefully crafted combination of Ayurvedic essential oils include Lemongrass, Sandalwood and Jasmine to help soothe and comfort your mind.
VATA:
Our pure aromatherapy Vata Balancing Candle assists if you are feeling anxious or flighty, have irregular moods, tire easily or have rapid, racing thoughts. Our carefully crafted combination of Ayurvedic essential oils include Musk, Orange and Lavender to help you relax, calm your mind and ground your body.
What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
I know you’ve probable heard the quote “A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content” and I completely believe that’s true. I like to start my Sundays a bit slower, have breakfast with my hubby then head out for a long walk around Burleigh Hill. If the weather is perfect I’ll generally make sure that I get in some quality beach time and play around on our SUP board. Then the afternoons are reserved for watching a movie, reading a book, or whipping up some clean treats for the week ahead.
What’s your normal evening routine?
I love this question! There is so much focus on the perfect morning routine that we can forget that equally important is an evening routine. The way you set up the hours before bed can influence the quality of sleep you have at night. I like to keep my evening routine pretty simple, I just keep to a couple of non-negotiables.
- I stick to a rule of putting my phone down and shutting off technology at least 30mins before I plan on heading to bed.
- I also think that it’s important to not shower just before you head to bed, because being in the water will stimulate you and wake you up not prep you for sleep.
- I like to get an idea of what I need to achieve for the next day down on a piece of paper so that I'm not thinking about it when I’m trying to get to sleep. It really helps me to start my day with a clear intention of what I need to get done.
- Lastly, a cup of chamomile is the ultimate for relaxing before bed.
What’s your number one wellness tip?
Educate yourself about your body, I believe it is one of the most important things you can do - YOUR BODY IS AMAZING! Right now, whatever shape you are in, your body is an amazing machine that does so many incredible things, from using the air in our environment to keep your brain alive to turning food you eat into an explosion of energy that allows you to move through the day. It is the same body you’ve had since you were a baby and is the body you will inhabit when you are 80 years old. Along the way it has changed and it will continue to change, but it is still yours. No matter what shape it is, how much you love or hate it - learn how to love your body and learn how to look after yourself.
What’s next for Mint + Magik?
I have a few ideas in the pipeline, think a weekend retreat self care box... but for now the next move is to run a few workshops to explain the benefits of the dosha balancing candles and keep expanding awareness.
Where can we buy your decadent candles?
ETSY - https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/MintandMagik
ps. go to my SHOP page to find out more about how you can get a discount when you buy any Mint + Magik candles!
Embrace Your Winter Cravings - Featured on the At One Foods Blog
Check out my blog featured in the Get Raw Newsletter for July 2015...
Get Raw Health - Embrace Your Winter Cravings, Kat Harding
Hailing from Brisbane, Kat Harding is a qualified Yoga and SUP Yoga instructor with a passion for the outdoors and healthy living
READ IT HERE.
SUP Yoga Retreat Photo Diary by Chloe Wilson
I met the beautiful Chloe via Instagram when she entered our Active Nourish Grateful competition in July 2014. Little did I know at the time but Chloe was just beginning her wellness journey and less than 12 months later I had the pleasure of finally meeting her in person at my SUP Yoga Retreat.
Chloe has inspired me since the beginning, her heart felt words, her perseverance, the fact that she replies individually to every comment on her page (and trust me that is a LOT as she gets so many comments on her gorgeous posts) and the way that she is able to find inspiration in every day life whilst providing inspiration for every single person who reads her posts. She is the girl-next-door LJ Fit Ambassador and a beautiful person on the inside and out and I am so blessed and grateful to not only have her support, her friendship but also that she came to my first ever SUP Yoga Retreat!
For your little glimpse of the action at the luxury SUP Yoga Retreat through the eyes of my beautiful friend Chloe - keep reading below or check out her instagram @chloeawilson.
Big love to you beautiful, thank you for your inspiring words Chloe x
Packing for my SUP Yoga Retreat tomorrow! 1 more sleep! If I can get to sleep. Too excited. Feeling sparkly. x
Life to me should be an incredible, chosen but unpredictable adventure. It should be about learning and growing from experiences, dealing with the downs as well as relishing in the ups, it should be about falling in love and falling out, and not just with people, but things, places, careers, figuring out what it is that truly feeds your soul and it should be about finding your calling and making it your purpose one day at a time and then every single damn day from then on. Every day I am creating my adventure and making it happen. Are you living your adventure or are you holding back, waiting for it to happen for you? Life doesn't wait, time is precious, your adventure is what you make it. x
Feeling blessed and a little bit sparkly. x
Yesterday's sunset. So beautiful. Soon I am off to our first early morning beach yoga session run by the beautiful yoga teacher and host of the Luxury SUP Yoga Retreat @yogakiss. Feeling excited, open-minded and ready for anything. Looking forward to having sand between my toes again and the ocean breeze sweep over me during practice. I can't wait to just soak it all in. x
Last night at dinner at the resort's restaurant we all arrived to a beautiful gift sitting there waiting for us at the table. @yogakiss you are amazing. The food was divine and the company and all of the new faces were even better. Feeling so grateful in this moment. I have some beautiful and exciting photos to share from this morning's beach yoga session today. Stay tuned. But for now I am going to jump into the resort pool. x
This morning's yoga studio. Total bliss. x
So, this happened today! During our first beach yoga session this morning. I have never attempted any form of headstand or forearm variation before, but have always wanted to, and I even came into this retreat feeling like this is somewhat a fear to me, that I wouldn't be able to do this. Because of Kat and her incredible guidance and help I was able to manage one assisted first go and I am beside myself. So, so, so proud. I wanted to come into this retreat with an open-mind and a willing heart to give anything a go. Today I let go of doubt and grew. x
Yesterday's breakfast at the resort's restaurant with a soy latte on the side, which was pretty much what I had this morning too. Just yum. Perfect post yoga. x
Resort pool fun yesterday before a mid morning national park walk. x
Just one of our breathtaking stops on the mid morning national park walk yesterday guided by our beautiful Luxury SUP Yoga Retreat host @yogakiss. So beautiful. There are just so many moments of the retreat that took my breath away. x
Green smoothie post national park walk as part of our lunch back at the resort's restaurant yesterday. The most delicious glass of green goodness. x
Getting ready for our first SUP Yoga lesson at sunset with @yogakiss on Saturday. This bikini was a little reward that I got for myself to take with me to the retreat to wear specifically for SUP Yoga and I am so glad that I just went for it and wore it with confidence. It was too pretty not to. I can't believe how much I've grown on a personal level in just a few days. x
The location for our first sunset SUP Yoga lesson on Saturday. So calm and peaceful on the water amongst nature. Total bliss. x #supyoga
Sunset SUP Yoga on Saturday with our retreat host and yoga teacher @yogakiss. This particular photo means so much to me. It feels so surreal that here I am doing yoga, SUP Yoga at that, with someone who inspires me so much in so many ways. So thankful and so grateful for all of these incredible lessons and moments throughout the retreat. This was our first SUP Yoga lesson. It was exciting, challenging but so rewarding. What an experience that I can't wait to do again and again. x (Repost: @yogakiss) #supyoga
On Saturday after our sunset SUP Yoga we got out of our activewear, dressed up and went out for dinner to a beautiful Italian restaurant not far from the resort, where we were spoilt with some serious soul food. So many moments of the retreat took my breathe away but the food and Italian wine here took my tastebuds to Italy and back. I still can't believe I haven't had warmed olives sooner. What a treat and lovely night out with all the girls during the retreat. x
Bright eyed, smiling and ready on our way to our sunrise SUP Yoga lesson on Sunday. x
Sunrise SUP Yoga on Sunday with @yogakiss. Another blissful morning full of challenges and rewarding personal moments. Yoga on the water takes the already amazing experience of the practice to a whole other level. My heart is so full of gratitude and I am determined to take my love for my life right now back into reality with me every single day. x (Repost: @yogakiss) #supyog
Our final yoga session location after SUP Yoga and breakfast on Sunday. At one of the most stunning lookouts I have ever seen. It was so relaxing and peaceful. The perfect close. x
I remember just breathing in, breathing out, listening and nothing more. I was totally at peace within myself and entirely in the present moment after our final yoga session, after lying in Savasana, I was all there. I am stepping back into reality today and I am taking my presence, my open mind, my positivity, my sparkle, my passion, my growth and all that I have learnt in these incredible few days away in paradise with me today and every single day from here on in. Sometimes all you need to do is to step away and to let go to find your path again, where your soul wants to be. I have let go of doubt and I know exactly who I am and where my heart truly lies. Feeling balanced, grounded and full of love. x
Kat's (@yogakiss) Luxury SUP Yoga Retreat was everything I thought it would be and so, so much more. The stay was luxurious and the food was perfection. It was exciting putting myself out there and meeting new faces. I loved the intimacy of the small group which made it easier to get to know everyone on a more personal level and also added a lot to the experience as I know we have all now left as friends. After doing beach yoga and SUP yoga I am not sure that a studio will ever be the same, it was total bliss. As soon as Kat started teaching you wanted nothing more than to be in the moment with her and to be right where you were, peaceful and happy in nature. She helped me grow and step out of my comfort zone more than I ever thought possible in just moments during beach yoga, SUP Yoga and all of our adventures. She helped me let go of doubt and believe in myself. Kat is so passionate about her practice and teaching it that her love for yoga and life is contagious. I feel so grateful to have attended her first ever retreat. She is an amazing teacher, has the biggest heart and the brightest soul and was an absolute pleasure to just be around, as were all the other beautiful women who attended. I highly recommend Kat's retreat to anyone wanting a luxurious escape in our own beautiful country right here in Australia, to learn, experience, challenge themselves, make lifelong friends and find their balance, and of course anyone who loves yoga. I promise that you will leave with no less than a heart full of love and a smile that you can't wipe from your face. I am still smiling. Thank you for everything Kat. Because of you I now feel like yoga with practice will become a part of who I am. I love every depth it makes me feel and I want to make it a part of my life every single day. Feeling so blessed. What an adventure. x
Before I finished my weekend away and headed home I took myself to a gorgeous little cafe for coffee and to journal about every moment, every feeling and all that I had learnt throughout the retreat. Photos are one thing but to me written pieces evoke incredible inner feelings and I really wanted something to take from the retreat before reality came back into play again that I could stop and take a moment and use to take me back to moments of complete happiness whenever I wanted to. So glad I made the time to do it. Writing is a passion of mine and hopefully one day, when my stars align, all my notes and journalling might just come together in one single piece to share and to send out into the universe. Always dreaming big and making it happen. x
Throughout the retreat I posted a photo of our Welcome Gift's we received on the first night at dinner, still wrapped up. So this is what is inside, so spoilt! Now I am home I can't wait to enjoy all of these products and take time to really appreciate them for all that they are, and maybe do a little shopping too with the vouchers to treat myself for letting go and being brave over the weekend. A big thank you to all of the amazing companies that helped Kat put this together for her first Luxury SUP Yoga Retreat attendees. How lucky are we. So thankful. x
Thankful for moments not things. Thankful knowing that I will be back by the ocean again, sinking my toes into the sand in just a week. Thankful for learning, growing and becoming the person I would want to meet. What are you thankful for? x
I have practiced yoga a little each day, either in the morning or at night since the retreat and intend to every day from here on in. Whether it be a yoga flow or just spending time with my legs up the wall after a long day I am making time to do it, to stretch out my body and give my soul the love it deserves. I am going to a private studio tomorrow morning for a yoga class for the first time in a long time. Mostly since moving away from Brisbane where I originally discovered my love for yoga classes a couple of years ago now I have just been doing Body Balance classes since at my current gym which incorporate some yoga but I know it's time to step up my practice again if I want to progress. So excited. Love new journey's. I have tried to make yoga a part of my daily life in the past but this time, it will be. With the help and mentoring from good teachers, Ebooks and surrounding myself with the right souls I know in my heart it will be. Happy Fri-Yay! Inhale. Exhale. Let's do this. x
This time last week I was off to the most beautiful yoga class that I have ever been to on the beach. What an amazing group of beautiful, inspiring and grounded women to share a first experience and an incredible journey with at @yogakiss's very first Luxury SUP Yoga Retreat. This particular morning, the first morning and our first beach yoga session was just beautiful. It was during this session that we all started to really connect from supporting each other and this was when I really first started to unravel and grow the most. There's no feeling like being surrounded by others who seek to lift you higher and want to believe in you. So grateful for everything in this moment. I may not have the beach every day but I feel like with all that I have learnt that yoga can be a part of who I am every day. Doing the best I can, with what I have, where I am. Hello weekend. x
Love my beautiful new 'Happy' soy candle from @lemoncanary. It was one of my very special Welcome Gift's from the Luxury SUP Yoga Retreat. Perfect for tonight while relaxing during Earth Hour. Who else is turning off all of their lights at 8:30pm and joining in for 1 hour to save our planet one switch at a time? Every action in our lives changes something and makes a difference. Leave as little footprints as you can, your story is what matters. Turning off. x
Photo credit goes to Chloe Wilson - find her on Instagram @chloeawilson for some daily #fitspo and #wellness inspiration!!
Let Your Body Heal Itself
After an amazing workshop with Ross Rayburn at Shri Yoga Brisbane on Sunday, my mind was a whirlwind of inspiration.
And some of the words that Ross spoke were so poignent to me that I immediately began to type. The one comment that I won't forget easily, but one that is all too easy to forget was one of Ross's final remarks for the day was "Never forget that we all have access for our bodies to heal themselves".
So here is my take on one of the most important ways to help your body heal itself...