Raise your words

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Listening to two friends speak so passionately about lawn mowing! I feel like I must be missing out on something.
2. The word ‘tempestuous’.
3. Another weekend to myself largely involving Frank coffee scrub and watching Sex in the City on my laptop in the bath. Oh and more star-fishing.
4. Spontaneous sleepovers from friends on their way down the coast. A beautiful way to brighten an otherwise monotonous Monday night. There’s nothing like that mad cleaning spree when you get home from work! Maybe I should clean like this more often…?
5. Restraining myself at Bunnings from buying an apple shaped bird feeder and zebra print gardening gloves. Although a couple of extra seedlings may have snuck into my basket. 

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. 
“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, 
than a woman being unapologetically herself; 
comfortable in her perfect imperfection. 
To me, 
that is the true essence of beauty.”

-Steve Maraboli

"Raise your words,

not your voice.

It is rain that grows flowers,

not thunder"

-Rumi

*FREE KORA ORGANICS TINTED DAY CREAM WITH EVERY KORA PURCHASE*

Seriously!! Every customer who buys any Kora Organics product in the next two weeks will receive a FREE full sized Tinted Day Cream valued at $59.95!!

KORA Organics Tinted Day Cream is a healthy alternative to foundation that leaves the complexion radiant with an even skin tone. It has an SPF rating of 15+, is certified organic, not tested on animals and Australian made and owned.

Now let me tell you something about Emma the Naturopath...

I have always had a TERRIBLE morning routine that consisted of waking as late as possible, sitting in front of the computer cramming in book work or scrolling through Insta as I drank a smoothie or vegie juice then rushed out the door to work going "Is that the time!"

Since returning from a very nourishing trip to Hawaii a few weeks ago, I've found myself in a nice little morning ritual. I wake at 7, get a pot of dandelion chai simmering on the stove then wander outside to check on my little garden. When I come back inside, I light my Drishti 'Uplifter' candle (lemongrass and lime) which is like my "coffee" that sends a message to my brain to wake up.

I sit at our wooden dining table with my chai and choose an affirmation card from the deck. I ponder it for a while, maybe write about it in my journal, eat some red papaya (obsessed right now!) then start getting ready. My husband gets up at 5 each morning to surf and watch the sun rise so the house is deliciously silent.

It's taken me 29 years to get my morning routine sorted! I knew all along that I should make the effort but I was full of excuses like "I'm just not a morning person". Now I'm reaping the benefits.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. Here is my affirmation card from this morning that literally jumped out of the deck as I was shuffling!

"GIFT: Within every struggle resides the tremendous potential for growth. Look for the treasure. All is well".

"Risk it, go for it. Life always gives you another chance, another go at it. 

It's very important to take enormous risks"

-Mary Gaunt

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. That Seattle has banned the sale of bottled water!!
2. A perfectly juicy white peach.
3. The inspiring energy of Janine Allis –founder of Boost Juice. She gave a beautifully stirring and practical talk at a business seminar I attended this week.
4. Telling my husband about all the delicious recipes I can’t wait to create in my I Quit Sugar for Life cookbook. He then pointed out the fact that I was eating a Tim Tam.
5. How quickly Vanessa and I jumped back on our paddle boards when she felt something slimy brush against her leg.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “Let go and your world will open up”
-Eileen Hall

Release your grip on jobs you don’t love, ended relationships and belief patterns that do not serve your life in a positive way. Let go of safety nets you have constructed around yourself and put your faith in the possibilities of the future. You’ll never know what opportunities are waiting to meet you!

Oh yeah, and please be mindful that it takes 450 to 1000 years for a single plastic bottle to biodegrade.

“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight.

And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings.

You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.”
-C. Joybell C.

Have trust and and live in the present moment. 

You are stronger than you realise.

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Sliced banana and shredded coconut on top of Monday night’s yellow curry. My husband knows his way around the kitchen!
2. Mango smoothies on a sunny beach day. Cheers Mac
3. Seeing two beautiful friends become Mr and Mrs Pomroy. Because true love is a big f*%king deal.
4. High five to the person (no doubt a woman) who invented stick on nipple covers. A backless dress’s best friend.
5. Watching people sheepishly snavel our council pick up. So many slow driving cars and neighbours going for walks as the sun sets.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “You never know what’s around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one step in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you’ve climbed a mountain” –Tom Hiddlestone

On a drizzly overcast morning I poured myself a mug of dandelion chai and snipped up a pile of my Frankie mags and Lorna Jane catalogues and made myself a pretty little vision board *pictured*.

I don’t physically write specific goals on a piece of paper anymore as I try to adopt a more “effort with grace” approach towards the future. Sometimes the more you chase things, the further they go away. So for me, this is the perfect way to set intentions without getting too caught up in the details. Are you a fellow vision boarder?

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Let them have cake

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk: *Hawaiian Style* (It’s Sunday over here!)

1. Chomping down a massive acai bowl while watching Kelly Slater dominate Pipe.

2. The underwater language you speak to each other while snorkelling. Lots of nasal squealing accompanied by enthusiastic pointing and arm tugging. And then me clinging to my husband like a cat when it gets a bit deep for my liking.

3. When my yoga teacher asked us to dedicate our practice to somebody, I chose a beautiful friend of mine who was due to give birth that day. After a very sweaty power yoga class and an amazing refuel at The Beet Box Café, I came home and saw the good news that her beautiful son had entered the world!! Welcome little Otis!

4. The sunset on Wednesday afternoon at Sunset Beach. It turned the sky, sand and ocean the most insane electric pink.

5. Hiking to the summit of Diamond Head then tandem surfing with my husband off the Waikiki reef. I’ve never seen such turquoise water!!

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. We stood in front of the Duke statue in Waikiki yesterday as the sun was going down. Quite a humbling experience for my surf rat of a husband. I saw a little bronze plaque on the side of the state which was really touching:

“In Hawaii we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with ALOHA, which means with love. ALOHA is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world’s center of understanding and fellowship. Try meeting or leaving people with ALOHA. You’ll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it and it is my creed. ALOHA to you”.

-Duke Paoa Kahanamoku

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk: (I’m home!!)

1. At the top of my “must do” list for Hawaii was to swim with turtles. On our second last day I was snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and swam right up to the most gorgeous sea turtle who was just chewing on the reef and gliding around peacefully! Tick!

2. My yoga teacher’s top “I’m just here for the savasana”.

3. The day I flew back to Coffs, I went for a walk without my iPod around the rainy marina and empty beaches. Just the grounding experience I needed.

4. My super amazing parents who dropped us off and picked us up from the airport, did my banking, collected my mail, even worked in the shop when we were a girl down, watered my plants, filled our freezer with mangos from their tree, stocked up our fridge with our fave foods and cooked us vegie patties for dinner the night we arrived home! Such legends!!

5. Digging out my old favourite story books from my childhood to read with my little niece and nephew when they came to visit.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. And so our time in Hawaii has come to an end. It was so nourishing on every level. Physically, we were living on granola, green smoothies, pineapple, papaya, salads, vego stifrys, coconut kefir, spirulina kombucha and acai bowls. Oh, and the odd Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups! We were riding around on our bikes, hiking, swimming and surfing in the ocean, soaking up the sunshine and sweating it out at yoga.

On a spiritual/mental/emotional level, having that time away allowed me to reflect on my life/goals/priorities/values which was so essential. That’s one of the elements of travelling which I love the most. I always gain a new perspective by seeing my world with clearer eyes. You can’t help but live mindfully in the present moment.

It’s left me feeling so inspired and excited about life again. And I can’t wait to share it with you all!!

“You have to leave the city of your comfort zone and go into the wilderness of your intuition. 

What you discover will be wonderful. 

What you discover will be yourself”

-Alan Alda

*SPECIAL OFFER* 

Essential Health is offering 10% off when you purchase a box of 12 WotNot or Bambeco bamboo baby wipes! Pop in or give us a call at the shop and we’ll sort you out!! 

In the first year of life, bub’s skin is paper-thin and SUPER sensitive. It requires extra TLC so it doesn’t dry out and lead to infections and rashes.

*It’s not necessary to wash your baby EVERY daily. But when you do, go for products that are as simple and natural as possible like Moogoo
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*Moisturise baby’s body with almond, apricot or coconut oil. Every time you massage your bub, you stimulate production of their “feel good hormone” oxytocin which boosts the bonding

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. When your fave long lost song comes on the radio and you sit in the car in the driveway singing away til it’s over.

2. When your mate convinces you to bring your board “just in case”. I’m so grateful he did! We all surfed the funnest little peelers at the Pass while dark ominous clouds loomed overhead.

3. Salted caramel cupcakes at the Bangalow markets.

4. Leaving the oil on your body and through your hair for as long as possible after a massage. Stoked to find my new fave masseuse in Coffs!

5. The mini red capsicum I grew. It made a cameo appearance in tonight’s tofu rice paper rolls.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “Forget yesterday
It has already forgotten you.
Don’t sweat tomorrow.
You haven’t even met.
Instead, open your eyes,
and your hearts to a
truly precious gift;
today”

-Steve Maraboli

*CHOC ZUCCHINI BROWNIES*

These are the most deliciously dense little morsels. They only rise a few inches and are really rich and moist so cut them into small squares for the perfect accompaniment to a peppermint tea as an after dinner treat or lunchbox snack!

1 ¼ cups almond meal
¼ cup cacao powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
¼ cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons coconut oil
¾ cup zucchini, grated (one small-medium zucchini)

1. Throw all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz til smooth.
2. Grease 6.5 x 4 inch loaf pan with coconut oil or line with baking powder.
3. Bake at 180 degrees in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.

Dairy free
Wheat and gluten free
Paleo friendly
High protein

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Cellulite and stretch marks. Insta and the net can be so bombarded with super skinny flawless models with thigh gaps and “fit-spo” pages. Clearly I’m all about being physically fit and living a healthy lifestyle but it’s so refreshing to go down to the beach and see “real” girls.

2. A packet of apple sticky notes that one of my besties sent in a birthday parcel. I’ve written affirmations and stuck them in my diary, mirror and on anything else that doesn’t move.

3. Sunny windy weekdays where you only have to share the beach with a few school kids jetty jumping and a flock of seagulls.

4. Having an impromptu sleep over at mum and dad’s farm. I woke up to roosters crowing, birds in the trees, gentle rain on the tin roof and the smell of very strong Italian coffee.

5. A weekend to myself =sleeping starfish at night.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS.
“Be here.
Be present.
Wherever you are, be there”

-Willie Nelson

Being a naturopath, has really taught me to LISTEN to people.


To hear WHAT they are saying.

To hear WHY they are saying it.

To hear HOW they are saying.

And sometimes, what they are really TRYING to say.


It’s about being totally present and feeling empathy towards the person in front of me.

How do you go listening to others? Do you dominate 90% of the conversation? Do you read their body language? Do you make eye contact and give them signs that you are interested in what they have to say? Or are you waiting for them to stop talking so you can give your opinion? Are you mentally committed to the conversation or are you thinking about what you need to buy for dinner?

Listening and being present with someone is such a simple yet meaningful gift you can give someone. Let’s focus on that this week.

It's hard to leave old habits behind. 

But when you want a new result (be it a pain-free back, clearer skin, a few less kilos or a better nights sleep) some improvements need to be implemented. There are no magic pills or quick fixes for change, just effort, determination and releasing the old. 

And if you need some guidance with that, 

I'm here waiting for you 

Emma the Naturopath xx

Essential Health
0266 514 533
Boulevard Arcade (opp. Blush), Coffs Mall

Facebook: Essential Health Coffs
Instagram: emma_the_naturopath

Collect moments

“While you are alive
collect moments not things,
earn respect not money
and enjoy love not luxuries”

― Aarti Khurana

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. The word “smattering”. I believe it was Winnie the Pooh who I first remember saying it (no doubt in relation to honey), but it delighted me when one of my reps said it this week!

2. The giddy delirium that coincides with knowing you’ll be overseas next week. This involves spontaneous bouts of “We’re-going-to-Hawaii” dances.

3. Loudly yelling “OH MY GOD” with a shop full of customers when I picked up this month’s edition of Focus magazine and there was myself (in a bikini mind you!) and my husband on the cover!

4. Meeting people with the same name as you. It’s so awesome. Does this go for everyone or is it just an ‘Emma’ thing?

5. Walking up to the 6 packs of hot cross buns every time I go to Coles, burying my face in them and taking a deep inhaaaaale. A gluten-free girl can dream right? ;)

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. This quote was on the front of an early birthday card from my parents. I’ve always thoroughly believed in running your own race. Must be the Aquarian coming out in me…

“I dreamed a thousand paths, I woke and walked my own” –Chinese proverb

If you see a plane flying overhead on Tuesday, it may very well be me on my way to Hawaii!! My husband and I always go overseas this time of year to spend a bit of time together celebrating our wedding anniversary and my birthday (same day).

So pop into the shop and hang out with the endearing Vanessa who is incredibly knowledgeable and so much fun to be around.

I’m very excited to bring you a Top 5 Hawaiian-style!! Bon voyage! xx

Don't panic! It's organic!

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Reading this review when deciding on an airport hotel: “The noise is like being in a tumble drier on high speed with the Tinman as your companion”. Hmmm, tempting…

2. Sparkly pedicures with 7 year old Blossom.

3. Sitting on the floor with Chrystal watching her lovingly create the most stunning dream

catchers out of treasures she’s found at the beach. (Instagram: dawnwolfdreamer)

4. A little jar of coconut sugar accompanied by a mussel shell filled with sea salt on our café table in Byron today.

5. Planting an epic succulent wonderland in my front garden with Father Bear.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy;
For what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves;
We must die to one life before we can enter another.”
-Anatole France

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk: *Hawaiian Style* (It’s Sunday over here!)

1. The Jetstar check-in chick who gave us a whole row to ourselves on the 10 hour overnight flight to Honolulu! May good karma be bestowed upon her!

2. Riding around the North Shore on our cruisers admiring tropical flowers, shark-shaped letter boxes, giant waves and chickens darting out of our way.

3. Receiving friendly shakas and big smiles when letting the car in front in.

4. Attending a very energising Yoga for Surfers class at Noelani’s in Haleiwa.

5. For my birthday and our wedding anniversary today, my husband took us on a helicopter ride (that of course had a little hula girl on the dash) that circled the island of Oahu! It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life… When the pilot spotted a whale we would zoom over to it to say hello. We cruised over the most breathtaking mountains where a lot of Jurassic Park was filmed. I thought a giant T Rex was going to jump out from behind one of the incredible waterfalls! We saw the sunken remains in Pearl Harbour, miles and miles of pineapple, banana and coffee plantations, the glitz of Waikiki, magnificent volcanos and craters and endless coral reefs bathed in turquoise water. Followed by a relaxing snorkel at Turtle Beach…

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures…”

–Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland


When I was really little, I had a jewellery box with a silver latch. Inside it was lined with pink velvet, there was a shiny mirror and it was filled with all my pretty treasures. When I wound it up and opened the lid, the little ballerina would pop up and start twirling to the music. Do you know the ones I mean? Did you have one too?

This is actually how I relate to travelling. For me, it’s easy to get caught up making a living, following the 7 day routine, cruising along in my bubble. What’s happening in the jungles of Central America or in the Alps in Switzerland is the last thing on my mind. I’m thinking about what invoice needs to be paid next, if yoga is on tonight and what to cook for dinner. The latch is tightly closed on that jewellery box.

But for me, going traveling throws open that dormant lid to reveal a whole wide world out there buzzing with different cultures. The real gems of life.

Travelling inspires me ‘to the nth degree’. All I have to do in explore and invite adventure in. Travel is one of the things that makes me feel alive by rekindling the passion in my soul.

Mahalo and pineapples,

Emma –just Emma xx

I took the above pic when hiking up Makapu’u Point on Saturday.

A massive shout out to my darling husband who I have been married to for two epic years today! You are the honey in my chai, you make my life sweet xx

"Good things are coming down the road. 

Just don't stop walking".

-Robert Warren Painter Jr

Essential Health

0266 514 533

Boulevard Arcade (opp. Blush), Coffs Mall

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My mummy is a mermaid

I've been on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii for a week now and am loving every minute of it!! This is definitely a place I could live permanently. I came across the cutest yoga studio in Haleiwa called Noelani Studios that is brimming with all sorts of gorgeousness! I am feeling incredibly inspired to bring a few ideas back to my own lovely little health food shop in Coffs!

Noelani Studios opened mid last year and offers a variety of yoga classes (Kundalini, Power, Hatha, Vinyasa, candle lit flow, etc) to everyone (prenatal, beginners, seniors, surfers, etc) as well as belly dancing, capoeira and pilates. 

On Thursday night my husband and I went to a Yoga For Surfers class taught by the wonderful Sheila and man were we sweating up a storm!!

I'm loving Noelani Studios blog on their website http://www.noelanistudios.com/ and they also have a beautiful Instagram account: noelanistudio  filled with yoga inspiration and the latest creations in their gift shop.

Here are a handful of pics I took while grabbing a few special items 

to take home with me to Australia xx

  

Change room selfie!!

Emma the Naturopath xx

Essential Health 

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How to make a naturopath cry

TOP 5 HANGOVER TIPS

1. Spirulina: Before hitting the sack take a six 500mg spirulina tablets to top up your nutrient levels that get depleted while drinking. The chlorophyll which gives spirulina it’s vibrant green colour is a fantastic blood cleanser. The other option is to throw a teaspoon into your banana smoothie the next day.

2. Nux vomica: Pop these little homeopathic pills under your tongue if you're feeling queasy and they'll set you on the right track.

3. Hydration: This is your time to drink (water) like a fish. Water is going to flush out all those nasty toxins from the alcohol. Booze turns off ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) in our brain therefore you pee more than normal which is dehydrating. The trick is to add a pinch of pink Himalayan salt to your glass of water to replace your electrolytes. It’s got over 100 different minerals in it and will help you absorb more water.

4. Avoid coffee: Caffeine is going to dehydrate you even more which is the last thing you need at this stage. Get into dandelion tea or some green tea.

5. Ginger tea: Grate or slice up some fresh ginger, throw in a slice of lemon and a little honey. The ginger acts as an anti-emetic (anti-spew) and the lemon will help to stimulate liver function.

Woohoo!! Our Facebook page 'Essential Health Coffs' now has over 1000 likes!

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Finally hanging up my lovely 2014 Frankie calendar.

2. Old people that call you “pet”.

3. Floating on my back in the ocean on a bright yellow lilo.

4. Eating mangoes every damn day.

5. Laughing with one of my sweet customers about what my Top 5 will sound like once I have kids. It went something along the lines of “I had a two minute shower today” and “I got to drink a warm cup of tea!” Can you relate mamas?!

PS. I’ve been really enjoying soaking up Summer lately.

Watermelon, lychees, cherries and peaches
Coconut water with fresh lime
Brown skin and lighter hair
The freedom of daylight savings
New bikinis
Refreshing ocean swims
Salads for dinner
Feeling more playful and carefree

It’s like we wait all year for the warmer months but then they go so quickly. Remember to take a moment to just be in the present moment to immerse yourself in this glorious season.

HOW TO MAKE A NATUROPATH CRY

I woke up on January 1st to this eloquently written email from a gorgeous client of mine…


"Hi Emma

Its coming on 12 months now since we met. I have to tell you you’re amazing. My whole family are feeling better since we started taking your advice. My pregnancy was the easiest, straight forward pregnancy/birth I've had. He is a perfect baby who’s slept through the night since just 6 weeks old and does it consistently. I'm positive that this is due to the due changes we made early on. My daughter’s gum issues have healed beautifully but the biggest change I've noticed is with my husband.

Just recently we switched to having a green smoothie for breakfast every day, like you suggested. Just 2 weeks in and we both feel more energized, HE gets up to make the smoothie because he can notice the difference that its made. We've tried different recipes and had some fails but we've both loved that his energy and playfulness has returned.

After being away for Christmas and eating way too much, we got home Boxing Day just in time to make a quick dinner. He suggested we just have a smoothie instead. This is a huge thing for my husband who’s always telling me my hippie ways won't do much good.

I can't thankyou enough for everything you've done for our family in 2013 and I'm so excited to see what's install for 2014.

Wishing that all the happiness and joy that you've brought to our lives be bestowed right back at you in 2014

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou"

My latest obsession is eating pudding for breakfast! No I will not be losing my naturopathic accreditation… I’ve been making CHIA PUDDINGS! They are healthy enough to be enjoyed at any time of the day –breakfast, mid-morning, dessert…

One serving:

Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to a drinking glass.

Pour in 1 cup of organic coconut cream (or the milk of your choice) and stir.

Leave pudding to set in fridge for at least ½ an hour. If you want the consistency to be less thick, add a few splashes of almond milk before serving.

When ready to serve, top with whatever fruit or nuts you like! I find that by adding fresh fruit it isn’t necessary to add any type of sweetener. My fave combinations include:

*banana and cinnamon

*mango and raspberry

*choc mint (add some raw cacao powder and a few drops of peppermint essence

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. A carton of mismatching farm eggs. All different sizes, shapes, colours. A few fluffy feathers and a bit of dirt attached.

2. A tepid bath with Epsom salts and lavender oil before bed on a balmy summer’s night.

3. Rolling over in yoga to notice a heart shaped knot in the wooden floor next to my mat.

4. Playing bocce with my family.

5. My frangipani tree being in full bloom with hot pink flowers. Small bowls of freshly picked flowers are in every room of the house.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “At the center of your being
you have the answer;
you know who you are
and you know what you want.”

-Lao Tzu

Dedicate a little time this week to bring yourself back to yourself. Spend some quiet moments alone listening to what your intuition has been trying to tell you all along.

"You are today 

where your thoughts of yesterday have brought you

and you will be tomorrow

where your thought of today take you".

-Blaise Pascal

Essential Health

0266 514 533
Boulevard Arcade (opp. Blush), Coffs Mall

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Instagram: emma_the_naturopath

Summer lovin'

Change with the Seasons


As we move through the year it is important to keep our health tuned into each season so we can feel our optimal best!

The temperature is slowly rising so we can welcome more RAW foods onto our plate. This allows us to spend less time in the kitchen as our meals become lighter, simpler and fresher rather than burdening our digestive system with heavy, cooked foods.

Seasonal summer produce: 

Fruit: bananas, berries, lychee, mango, melons, passionfruit, stone fruit.

Vegies: lettuce, asparagus, green beans, celery, leek, cucumber and capsicum.

Encourage your family to spend more time outside enjoying this glorious weather and soak up some vitamin D! Just remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of purified, room temperature water.

Healthy summer meals:

Green smoothies
Fruit salad with yoghurt and LSA
Vegie stick platter with homemade hummus
Beetroot, rocket and goats feta salad
Steamed barramundi with ginger, lemongrass and Asian greens

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Post surf-mat session smoothie: coconut water, frozen mixed berries, mango, mint from the garden and a lime. AKA summer in a glass.

2. A mama and baby pelican cruising by us while stand up paddle boarding in the river. You forget how gigantic those things are until you’re right up next to one of them!

3. Setting my alarm tone to ocean sounds instead of annoying beeeeeeeping. Why did that take me so long?

4. Cheesy polenta mash.

5. When there is no surf…. This means he brings me poached eggs on gluten free toast in bed.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. My jaw actually dropped open... “Is that true?!” I asked the lady behind the counter at the ink shop.

The poster behind her said: “PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES TAKE UP TO 450 YEARS TO BREAKDOWN IN LANDFILL”. I can’t even fathom that amount of time!

I found out that in one year, if the world’s discarded cartridges were stacked end-to-end, they would circle the earth over three times

When I asked the lady what can be done to reduce this she said “Exactly what you’re doing” as she passed me my refilled cartridge. I’ve had the same ink cartridges for 4 years now. Only 30% of people refill their cartridges. The other 70% go to the tip to sit there until the year 2463. Hectic.

I go to Cartridge World in Coffs to refill mine and they’re a fraction of the cost of buying new ones. When we were poor uni students we used to refill them ourselves (and have black fingers for weeks).

Be mindful that when you throw something “away” it is never really “away. Please share this post so we can let more people know.

*WARNING*

If you buy a Christmas present in our shop I will peer pressure you into letting me gift wrap it for you.

Me: “Hi would you like me to gift wrap that for you?”

Customer: “Oh no, that’s fine. I’ll do it at home”

Me: “It’s not a hassle. Look at our beautiful Christmas paper”
Customer: “It’s ok. It’s actually a birthday present”
Me: “Oh I have paper for that too!”
Customer: *uncomfortable silence* “Um… Sure, go for it”
Me: *fist pump*

Two weeks today until the big day!! The shop is overflowing with goodies! Anyway here is Essential Health’s Top 5 Christmas Treats!

1. IT’S ALL GOOD BY GWENYTH PALTROW -My fave cookbook of all time!

2. DRISHTI CANDLES from Bellingen –We’d like to think that’s it’s our natural pheromones that make the shop smell so damn good, but it’s actually the candles.

3. WELEDA POMEGRANATE CREAMY BODY WASH AND HAND CREAM PACK –Save around $20 on this biodynamic goodness.

4. ATTIC ACCESSORIES TOILETRY BAGS –Nice designs for dudes and chicks.

5. LOUISE L. HAY AFFIRMATION CARD DECK –Daily inspiration. The gift that keeps on giving.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. Thank you in advance for satisfying my gift wrapping fetish. Of course it is a free service, but we have a Sea Shepherd tin on the counter so feel free to drop a coin in there :)

I was so touched by this lovely message I received yesterday from one of our customers...


"Hi, I just wanted to say thank you!!!!

I was in your store on the weekend right on closing time, you were patient and listened to me even though you were probably itching to get on with your weekend. I purchased some toothpaste and Olive Leaf oral spray you recommended for mouth ulcers.

Absolute magic, just a few days treatment and they are totally gone. Imagine, I have been putting up with them for nearly 9 months.

Thanks so much again, have an awesome Christmas!"

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Walking to the elevator just as the doors are opening. I didn’t think I was superstitious but when this happens I feel like I’ve got a great day ahead.

2. Scoring a set of (BPA free) Lickity Sips from Big W for $6. Excited to make healthy homemade icy poles this Summer!

3. Playing ‘Heart and Soul’ on the grand piano at a mansion overlooking the ocean.

4. Yummy treats from my very sweet customers. Homemade coconut yoghurt and a little package of bliss balls. My afternoon tea was sorted!

5. Doing yoga outside in the sprinkling rain. I went into the deepest meditation afterwards and actually fell asleep. It was a surreal and beautiful feeling to peacefully wake up in nature, which took me a few moments to work out where I was.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. I thrive on simplicity. When life gets complicated and overwhelming, I try to shed away all the static and get back to basics.

This week I unsubscribed from a dozen mailing lists that I receive for recipes that I never cook and clothes I never buy. I went through my entire wardrobe and spent an afternoon listing clothes on eBay. It made me feel lighter and clearer.

Live by the KISS rule: Keep It Simple Sexy.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
-Leonardo da Vinci




Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. Finding out my childhood cats were named Cauliflower and Come On. How ridiculous!

2. The Bobby Alu cd. Good psych up music for Hawaii in 4 weeks!

3. Coconut chia puddings with fresh fruit every morning. Then again for dessert!

4. Seeing two friends get married in their backyard under a big beautiful mango tree with frangipanis scattered around.

5. Paddle boarding down the river in Bellingen to find a secluded picnic spot. Rode down a few rapids! The only sounds were cicadas buzzing, kookaburras having a chuckle and some cows mooing. Often all I could hear was the paddle being dipped into the water. It was a peaceful and grounding way to spend the last weekend of the year after zooming around all month.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. The next Top 5 I post will be in 2014!!

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear” 

–Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

My yoga teacher told me once that when there is love, there can be no fear. So immerse yourself in love and know that you are invincible xx

Top Five Things I LOVED This Wk:

1. That awkward moment when the waitress asks you what sort of chai you’d like and you reply “a BIG one” instead of ‘latte or tea’. Oh...

2. Whittling away hours at a busy café on my laptop and my “BIG chai” ala Carrie Brandshaw. Periods of wild typing infused with patches of staring into the distance daydreaming and pondering life.

3. The relief of a newly renovated kitchen. Fridge is in the laundry, washing up in the laundry sink with the dish rack on the floor. Boiling the kettle which is plugged in on the carpet next to the TV in the lounge room. It’s a bit like camping in your own house.

4. My grandmother informing me about that creepy Packer guy and Miranda Kerr as if she’s in their close circle of friends. Well it must be true if it was in Woman’s Day.

5. People who walk around town wearing loud Christmas shirts, Santa hats and earrings in the shape of candy canes. These people who truly embrace the Christmas spirit never fail to bring a smile to my face.

Emma the Naturopath xx

PS. “Something very beautiful happens to people when their world has fallen apart: a humility, a nobility, a higher intelligence emerges at just the point when our knees hit the floor.”

-Marianne Williamson

For many people I know, 2013 has been a BIG year that has demanded a lot of strength and resilience. But guess what… You made it!! A little stronger and wiser than before.

So instead of writing a list of specific goals as long as your arm (I am writing this for myself here), just aim for an ENJOYABLE year. It’s time to just release and be open to wherever life takes you.

From myself and Vanessa, we send you Christmas wishes from the bottom of our hearts and thank you for all the joy you have brought to us at Essential Health this year. Lots of love xxxx

So excited about the fresh new year that lies ahead!!!

Essential Health

0266 514 533
Boulevard Arcade (opp. Blush), Coffs Mall
Facebook: Essential Health Coffs
Instagram: emma_the_naturopath