Q AND A WITH RORY BLAND aka THE WHOLE FOOD DUDE

Where did The Whole Food Dude originate from?

The Whole Food Dude started with an idea. Years ago I was fruit picking in the Tablelands in Cairns and I wanted to create a website about something I was passionate about. I had a big hard think about what I was really into – and it came down to one big thing…

I'M BACK AND READY TO ROCK IT WITH YOU!

I'm back! And ready for this new year to be another amazing year of whatever and wherever it takes me...

Christmas, New Years, and travelling up and down the east coast with my man has been loads of fun and the break from the blog is just what I needed. But as I have always been one for routine and structure, I've had to drop quite a lot of my control (issues) around these, and as a result, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little scattered at times. Yet at the same time it's felt so liberating to just lie on the couch reading for half a day. Or sleep in, have brekkie, and do my walk later on in the day instead feeling that I have to walk before brekkie, with hunger pangs taking over and turning me into a crazy person.

I'M TAKING A MINI BLOG BREAK

It may seem strange that as every other blogger is waving goodbye to 2013 and declaring big, bold 2014's filled with intentions, goals, and feeling... I jump offline.

But there are two reasons for this:

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).