i was often the last rostered on to cook in our student flatting days - the one who had to conjur up a meal out of the scraps left in the fridge! i still enjoy the challenge of 'making something from nothing' and try not to revisit the supermarket for extras in between my fortnightly shop. this lunch was some leftover salad and avacado from the night before's wraps, sprinkles of currants, topped off with the nutty seedy crumbs from my seed crackers container. the last shriveled mandarins, almost floppy celery and the last carrot were thrown into the juicer with some ginger for zing. yummo. something delicious from (almost) nothing.

i recently watched a short documentary on the lives of new zealanders affected by disordered eating. these brave men and women shared their stories about their relationship with food, reflecting on their emotions and experiences. our relationship with food often stems from what lies deep within us; our sense of self and our feelings of worth and control over our lives. having a healthy relationship with food involves an integrated approach to wellness and i have experienced and witnessed the healing that comes from learning to love and accept yourself and truly nourish your body. my passion is to help women journey to this place of balance and peace Xx

spring is my favorite season. daffodils brighten the streets and gardens and announce the end of the short winter days and the start of something fresh and new. however, daffodils now also bring another meaning. the symbol of those who have fought cancer, who have struggled with ill health and grueling treatment. they also remind me of those whose days on earth have passed, for whom the spring flowers had special meaning. amidst the struggles, loss and hardships, daffodils are a symbol of hope. a reminder, that even in the dark hours of winter, spring will come and we can have hope for a brighter day. Xx

i recently watched a young man teetering on the edge of a diving board at our local swimming pool. his mates had spent the afternoon diving and splashing, and he had finally plucked up the courage to climb the stairs to the 3m board. he stopped. he looked down. he stepped back. his friends offered cheers of encouragement and words of advice. he stepped up to the edge. he looked down again. he stepped back again. the lifeguard casually climbed the stairs and stood with him. they chatted and laughed. he explained that you have to just keep looking straight ahead. focus in front of you, and take one step. eyes ahead, one step. as the lifeguard stood beside him in support the young man walked calmly to the edge of the board. eyes ahead, one step, and he did it. as he emerged from the pool with a proud grin on his face; the lifeguard, his friends and other swimmers applauded him. stepping out of his comfort zone, he faced his fears. eyes ahead, one step at a time.

i am a do-er. action oriented. task driven. goal focused. i'm not very good at sitting still. or slowing down. the more i learn about our health and how our body responds to constant 'doing' the more i understand and appreciate the need to 'be' - to be still, to be present, to be aware. physiologically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally - your body needs a balance of being and doing in order to stay well.

as a teenager i was asked to help with fundraising for health camps in new zealand. established in 1918 as a response to tuberculosis outbreaks, camps provided children with "sun, rest, fresh air, exercise, and nutritious meals." inspired by this introduction to health camps, i had a vision to create a 'place with space' - a quiet place to rest and refresh - which is now a reality through our Tekapo Wellness retreats. while tuberculosis is no longer a significant threat to new zealanders, there are different stresses and pressures on our health. the benefits of sun, rest, fresh air, exercise, and nutritious meals are just as important for us now as they were one hundred years ago!

so often i see women who are caught up in the details of diet and nutrition and the fads of the moment. obsessing with facts and information takes away from the beauty of slowing down to listen to your body and knowing what it needs to be nourished. enjoy your turmeric latte; but take time to kind to yourself, to love and appreciate 'you' and what you bring to the world, and to do the things that make your soul sing. #wellnessfromtheinsideout

after a week of grey dull and cold days, today i am cherishing the sun! the sun has the power to uplift us, warm us and fill our hearts with gratitude. biochemically, time in the sun also helps our vitamin stores and increases the hormones that improve our mood. turn your face to the sun, cherish and enjoy. let your worries melt away, and the shadows fall behind you.

do you find it hard to make a decision? being decisive is not one of my strengths and today was a real muddly sort of a day. i came across this quote "being paralysed by indecision is worse than not making a decision, you can't grow if you don't trust your inner voice". what does my inner voice say? just make a decision and run with it!

the end of day light savings always signals to me a new season is here. i love the colours of autumn, the golden glow as the trees prepare to hibernate for the winter. a time to gather the last fruits of the season, to preserve and prepare. a time to slow our pace and rest for a while.