SAYONARA 2013. YOU ROCKED MY WORLD.

I barely remember New Years eve and the beginning of 2013 (and being in Syd right now and my intention books back up in Cairns, I've got no reference either). There are a few things I remember wanting to work and play towards in 2013 and I can say that I'm super happy that they happened for me:

5 WAYS TO BREEZE THROUGH THE FESTIVE SEASON

Now, I don't want to be another someone online who is agreeing with the perception that Christmas is stressful, busy, unpleasant, and all about spending money on gifts for people we only see at this time of the year (and thus this post). If Christmas is all that for you, you can choose to change it, or keep it as is.

For me, I love Christmas. Always have, always will. However, I do notice that I can fall into stressful periods, and have come to learn a few game changers for me at this time of the year that make a huge difference. Even if we aren't buying into the collective consciousness of busyness, anxiety, shopping mall car-park madness, those closest to us may be, and that can affect us.

NOURISH: RUM BALLS EVERYONE WILL RAVE ABOUT

Who doesn't love a good rum ball? Boy o boy these have to be one of my favourite Xmas treats by far. I used to buy them from the supermarket and mum and I would slowly but surely demolish every last morsel, oohing and ahhing over how much we loved them - no one else in the house did.

But when my interest in nutrition hit, I realised that most pre-packaged ones are full of crap. A little bit of choc, rum flavour, and a whole lotta preservatives, additives, sugar, fillers, and junk.

So I made my own. And continue to do every year.

FINAL XMAS GIVEAWAY - RAW C COCONUT WATER

Coconut water has taken off with the coconut craze we are all loving at the moment, and with good reason, it's bloody delicious! Especially up here in Cairns. There is a down side though - many companies are lacing such a natural delicious liquid with sugar, preservatives, and flavours. Who knows why when it's so good straight up. Anyway...

The guys at Raw C Coconut Water however, do not. And they pride themselves on supplying a product with (and I quote) “100% Pure Coconut water  - No added sugar, no preservatives, no funny stuff, and not from concentrate." Awesome! And it tastes great. And it's not ridiculously expensive.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - 12 STEPS TO WELLNESS EBOOK FROM MELISSA AMBROSINI

I am so excited to be giving this one away this week. Hands up if you read Mel Ambrosini's blog? I first found this chic online about 4 years ago and from the side lines loved her posts, and seeing her pop up around my area doing food demos and the like. I had a free health coaching session with her over the phone, but I suppose I wasn't ready at the time to dive head first into 6 months of coaching. A year later I was. So I gave her the call. And I can now say that 6 months with this girl will change your life.

So it went without saying that when her first ebook, 12 Steps To Wellness, was out in the world, I snatched a copy quick smart. I instantly scanned every page and drank every word of wellness wisdom beaming off the page (an awesome plane-trip-read too if ever you need one).

NOURISH: RAW COCONUT & MANGO CELEBRATION CAKE + XMAS GIVEAWAY FROM MAKE YOUR LIFE AMAZING

This is a super special double whammy today... I've got the most incredible looking Raw Coconut & Mango Celebration Cake recipe from Jade at Make Your Life Amazing, AND she's so generously giving ONE LUCKY READER a $20 Gift Card for her online or Bondi Market stall, where she makes and sells some high-demand raw treats.

I first met Jade about 6 months ago and we got on beautifully so I can easily say Jade is on a mission to inspire others to live a more amazing life! She believes we can achieve true health and happiness by taking a Holistic approach to nourishing the body, mind, and soul, and as a certified Raw Food Chef, Health & Wellness Coach, and Reiki Healer, she's doing just that.

But first things first... this incredible looking recipe. If you want to WOW the family this Xmas and make something a little less traditional but perhaps a lot more incredible (and with our hot Summer Xmas this is perfect) here's what you've been looking for.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - RAW COLD PRESSED BODY WASH FROM GYPSY ROSE

Today's giveaway is from Gypsy Rose - an Australian range of hair care and skin care products developed over the past 20yrs by Karen Ellis, who is a qualified Hair Colour Specialist and accredited Aromatherapist. So if anyone can make an amazing shampoo and skincare range, Karen can.

I first tried this shampoo, and was giddy with excitement to see kombucha in the ingredients (you all know how much I love my buche juice), and when Karen came up to visit Cairns I got the low down on which products would be best for my skin (and meet the gorgeous soul behind all this).

I fell in love.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - 2 x SIMPLY RAW BAR PACKS

If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you'll know that I am a HUGE Simply Raw fan, and for many reasons. Yes they are my best friends, but their product is far superior to any other bar I've had. They only use organic ingredients for starters, and they're based in Oz. Every bar is gluten free, wheat free, egg and dairy free, grain free, sugar free, and raw, making them all vegan, kosher, and paleo if you're cool with dried fruit. No emulsifiers, additives or preservatives! Winning!

Simply Raw was established on Janine and Sebastian's passion for health and wellbeing, as they made it their mission to provide pure & healthy alternatives to most other food products with a focus on quality, flavour and nutrition - they nailed it just quietly.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - SPIRITED FROM TARA BLISS AND RACHEL MACDONALD

This week I am uber excited to be giving away my favourite ebook of the year - Spirited. Created by the beautiful Rachel McDonald In Spaces Between and Tara Bliss from Such Different Skies.

From the minute I laid my eyes on this ebook and began reading the pages, I had goosebumps. The sheer beauty of the design is one thing, but the words on the pages, the nodding I found myself doing in agreance with those words, and the profound hitting home of realness these girls share is beyond inspiring; it's encouraging, empowering and supporting. So of course I wanted to share and give this baby away.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - COCONUT MAGIC COCONUT OIL

If you haven't tried Coconut Magic coconut oil, you haven't tried the best tasting Australian owned coconut oil on the market. No word of a lie.

This is the smoothest, most delicate and delicious coconut oil around. No funky after-taste, no weird texture, and little chance of rancidity due to their dark amber glass jars.

Coconut Magic was born out of an intimate experience between Jenni Maddison (the whizz-bang genius behind it all), her health, and her synchronistic discovery of coconut oil, on the small island of Ko Samui Thailand.

Gorgeous right?

XMAS GIVEAWAY - EVOHE SKINCARE TRAVEL PACK

Evohe is probably one of the first natural skin care ranges I ever tried. It was this travel pack too.  And I loved it.
Having worked in health food stores the past 3years, I also get to try most other brands, which I am super grateful for, but I have to say, Evohe is always the one I recommend.


‘Evohe’ (pronounced E-VO-HE) is a Greek word of Ancient Egyptian origin, meaning ‘Celebration of Life’ which is enough to make you smile and wanna have this stuff is it not? ‘Evohe’ embodies our belief that we are not separate to our environment, but intrinsically connected – an equal component of the biosphere. Beautiful.

Using 100% natural, organic ingredients, of the highest quality, this is sustainable luxury at its best.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - SACRED SELF LOVE OIL

Ooh I've got yet another delicious giveaway for your body, mind and soul... a Sacred Self Self-Love Alchemical Oil is up for grabs.

Sacred Self began in 2003, as a private exploration when the founder and owner, Michelle McGrath kept asking herself what she most needed. The answer was self-love, and she saw herself creating a bottle of self-love.

Tucked away in her love-powered alchemical haven, she began experimenting with creating oils and perfumes with vibrational essences with surprisingly successful results. She never dreamt that these potent bottles of magic would bloom into an international business, and yet it has.

Michell's Sacred Self alchemical oils and perfumes are enjoyed by men and women ‘round the world, who are committed to loving and accepting themselves.

XMAS GIVEAWAY - WHOLESOME HOLIDAYS EBOOK FROM CANDICE AIKEN

IT'S HERE! The Eat.More.Plants XMAS GIVEAWAY! I'm ready to giveaway pressies to you and boy-o-boy have I got something so totally scrum-diddily-umptious Day #1.

When I first thought to do a Xmas Giveaway, this was one of the first pressies I knew I wanted to give you guys. Why? Because this chic makes food like no other. Take my word for it.

Candice Aiken is a magic kitchen machine, and I can so gratefully say that she is also a dear friend having ventured far north to live up in Cairns for the past 8 months. And this girl knows how to make raw vegan cake. Ooh la la.

And she's done it again, this time with recipes to fit around the festive season with plenty of family favourites, but of course, has made them all ten times better for your health and waist line, complete with bucketloads of flavour!