Category Archives: Non-foodie reads

Chemical free living, Essential oils, Natural Personal Care, Non-foodie reads

Love thy skin

Let’s have a quickie.

Calm your farm, not that sort of quickie – I meant a quick blog post.

A short and sweet (like me) post about skincare. Heck Yes!

The skin is our largest organ. That’s right – an organ. It absorbs topical applications quicker than the digestive tract absorbs ingested substances. It pays to invest in chemical-free skincare products and show the skin some R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

This is not an affiliated post. I do namedrop Twenty8 and KORA organics but only because I’ve been using them for yonks. KORA since I was 15 and Twenty8 since 18. Both are organic, Australian companies that combine the magic of aromatherapy with plant medicine to create ethically natural personal care products. I may also have a girl crush on Miranda Kerr (who doesn’t?) and Kim Morrison (Twenty8 founder) is a friend and mentor of mine and I enjoy helping an amigo out with a candid plug. Anyhow.

I find it frightening that between artificial fragrances and the plethora of chemicals in hair products and cosmetics, the lay person is exposing themselves to thousands of artificial ingredients daily – before they even step out of the bathroom in the morning.

What pacifies this chilling reality is that it’s stupendously easy to make a few simple swaps and displace these thousands of chemicals. Organic products are potent and end up lasting you twice as long as the regular stuff. While it may seem like an investment initially, you aren’t spending extra money overall. Winning!

Below is my regular skincare regimen + some tips on how to save dollars and still have glowing skin. I know I’m only 22 – but I still manage to look like a sweet 16 year old – minus the ‘problem skin’ -so I must be doing a few things right skincare-wise.

From back left; soothing facial moisturiser, toner, cleanser, crystals (for a face massage) and eye cream. All organic, local brands (except crystals – they’re probably from overseas).

My Morning ‘quickie’

First thing every morning – no matter how much my dear sweet Carly Cat is screaming at me for her brekkie – I take a few minutes to cleanse and moisturise. I cleanse with my Twenty8 cleanser, pat my face dry and then spritz my face and neck with Twenty8 toner. I have had the same toner concentrate for 4 years and I’ve still got plenty! How? It’s a concentrated solution that you dilute in water, a wee bit goes an extraordinarily long way. I then moisturise my damp face and neck with KORA organics soothing moisturiser. I only use the tiniest little pump and which is all I need. This cream lasts me at least 4 months. I then finish with the tiniest smear of Twenty8 firming eye cream. I use this morning and night – right before bed. This tiny jar lasts me about 6 months – sometimes longer. Ok Carly Cat, time for brekkie – thanks for waiting. Meow. Scratch, scratch. Meow.

Why not give yourself a tarot reading with one hand and a crystal massage with the other? Snaps to multi-tasking. I know what you’re thinking. Rach is a fucking hippy cliche. Ain’t nothing wrong with that dear ones. At least I’m a happy hippy cliche – with happy skin to match. Boom shakalaka.

Crystal Facial

A few times a week I’ll grab one of my smooth finished crystals and massage my face and neck with it in circular motions. Not only does it feel relaxing, I dig the ritual of taking the time to give myself a crystal facial. This is a great one to do on a short stroll in the morning (two birds, one stone) or even when having a conversation with someone. It can be pretty mindless. A simple act of self-care. Plus, once you’ve invested in the crystal, it’s free. Every time.

Twenty8 clay mask featuring my snazzy unicorn shower cap. Me sexy.

A Mask

I try to do a mask once or twice a week. At the moment I have the twenty8 clay mask but if I’m opting for the DIY option, I’ll simply combine some tahini (ground sesame paste) and raw cacao. I buy both in bulk from The Source Bulk Foods – so it’s a dirt cheap option. It is a bit messy, so I’ll apply it starkers (yes, naked) and just pace back and forth on my back lawn (or lie down and listen to some tunes) while my skin soaks up the oils and antioxidants. Then I hope in the shower and wash it off. My skin feels like a baby’s bottom afterwards – minus the poop smears. Glorious.

Additional Budget Friendly Tips

  • An easy body scrub (apply naked on back lawn or on an old towel in the bathroom if you have snoopy neighbours or don’t have a back lawn) is a few spoons of rapadura (or coconut) sugar mixed with extra virgin olive oil and a drop of your fave essential oil. Use as an exfoliant from neck to toe. Give yourself a good massage with it and then rinse off in the shower. Your skin will feel amazing and smell effing divine. Sexy feels get around you!
  • Extra virgin olive oil and organic coconut oils make the cheapest and easiest body moisturisers. Spike with a tiny drop of essential oil and you displace the need for perfume.
  • Olive oil is a great eye treatment overnight. I got this tip from one of my heroes; Lola Berry (thanks Lols). Apply a drop around the eye area and massage in before hitting the sack. It soaks in overnight. Antioxidants in the olives rejuvenate skin cells.
  • Wear a cap. Seriously, Vitamin D is bloody important, but having a cap will shield the face and neck – arguably the most sensitive areas that receive sun exposure – from too many sunny vibes.
  • Eat antioxidants. Veg the fuck up dear ones. Bright coloured fruits and veggies, as well as nuts, seeds, legumes, herbs, spices and organic wholegrains such as oats and brown rice are your skin’s best mates. Antioxidants slow the ageing process, whilst the natural plant oils feed the skin. A list of heroes to get you started; avocados, walnuts, berries, greens, sweet spuds, apples turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, paprika, pumpkin, figs and prunes.
Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Mind Stuff, Non-foodie reads

Immune to Ignorance

Disclaimer: I am not against vaccination. Read that again. This is not a poem written with the intention of changing minds, but rather opening them to research loopholes, that honestly, I myself was shocked to find.

I write this disclaimer because I have no intention of being a poster child for the anti-vaccination movement.

There are two sides to every story and though the benefits of vaccination are evident in the significant decrease of infectious disease outbreaks we witness in society, it does appear that preliminary research is giving us cause to question a one-size-fits-most schedule as well as the “placebo” injections used in safety trials.

I wonder whether in time, brilliant minds will find ways to make immunisations without ingredients that pose a threat to vulnerable subsections of the population or, alternatively, pioneer immune-building alternatives that revolutionise the practice of preventative medicine.

This poem endeavours to start a conversation, about the controversial topic of immunisation.

Discussing the science (or lack thereof) as it currently stands, to feed lesser known information into our deserving hands.

Continue reading Immune to Ignorance →
Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Mind Stuff, Real Food

Break The Fast on YOUR Terms

Holy Moly! How random is it that I feel this intense drive to write a post about breakfast of all things? Someone out there must really be in need of some clarity, and the universe has called upon me to rectify the supposed ‘rules’ and idealisms that accompany breaking the overnight fast.

I’ll keep things brief because this matter is stupendously simple; 

“You can break the fast whenever you feel called to, and when you do, your body appreciates it to be done with REAL FOOD!”

Continue reading Break The Fast on YOUR Terms →

Cakes, Breads and Muffins, Desserts, Essential oils, Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Real Food, Refined-Sugar-Free Recipes

Christmas Cake

Every family has a favourite Christmas Cake recipe. Passed down through the generations or created in recent times from experimentation gone right. This moist fruit cake is the latter.

A synergy of almonds, coconut and banana flour makes this special Chrissie treat gluten and grain-free without compromising texture or flavour. The addition of essential oils brings an a touch of Christmas love and makes me think of my friend Kimmy – the woman that took my mild affection for essential oils and turned it into borderline-obsession (and I wouldn’t have it any other way!)

Continue reading Christmas Cake →

Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Mind Stuff

Life After An Eating Disorder

A friend and I were chatting the other week and it dawned on us that there is very little written on the topic of life after an eating disorder.  There’s plenty of advice given for what to do when someone has an eating disorder ranging from – in my personal experience and opinion; borderline cruelty, to practical, common-sense suggestions, but nothing much after that.

Continue reading Life After An Eating Disorder →

Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Non-foodie reads

My Snazzy ‘n’ Sober 21st

On Saturday night I celebrated my 21st birthday …

But, in true Rachie style, I decided to boycott convention.

There was no alcohol. It was a dry-zone. Instead of booze we sipped on coconut water kefir, sparkling grape and apple concoctions, and juice diluted with sparkling water. No one died! Astonishing, so it is possible to celebrate without assaulting the liver! Who knew?

Continue reading My Snazzy ‘n’ Sober 21st →

Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Mind Stuff, Vegan

Fifty Shades of Vegan

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Okay, so I’m actually only going to be talking about 3 or so shades of vegan today, but I wanted a captivating, snazzy title and “two-to-three shades of vegan” doesn’t sound anywhere near as thrilling.

Those of you that have been loyal readers since this blog’s very beginning – way back in late 2014, will know that I’ve had quite a rollercoaster ride with my health. I’m a firm believer that diet and lifestyle play a huge role in health outcomes and so this is always the area I come back to when thing’s aren’t right. I’m not against medications in all instances, but was on so many for so long, that if I can avoid them, I will – simply so that my liver and kidneys have less to deal with. I’ll also avoid surgery wherever possible, especially after the gallstone dilemma of 2016! Which brings me to today’s topic of discussion – where am I up to now?

Continue reading Fifty Shades of Vegan →

Chemical free living, Essential oils, Fitness and Movement, Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Mind Stuff, Non-foodie reads

Stay Well This Winter (no supplements required!)

Most of us see a cold, flu or sniffle and an inevidable part of the Winter season. I used to think it was the cold weather that made us more susceptible. Not directly apparently. It actually has far more to do with how our lifestyles change in Winter. We spend more time inside, so we’re breathing in more recycled air, thats likely full of germs. The heating systems don’t do much to help and can dry out our mucous membranes (remember that mucous is one of our first lines of defence against pathogens).

We may become more sedentary, as we think it’s too dark, cold and miserable to get outside. This also means we’re getting less Vitamin D – a hormone that has immune-modulating effects. Then there’s the craving for comfort foods that might be a bit stodgier and less nutritious that our Summer and Spring cravings for smoothies and vibrant salads.

Continue reading Stay Well This Winter (no supplements required!) →

Cakes, Breads and Muffins, Chemical free living, Genuine Reads For Genuine People, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Real Food

Childhood Chocolate Chip Muffins

When I was in primary school, my absolute favourite baked good was mum’s homemade milk-chocolate chip muffins. They were seriously the best. Light, fluffy and loaded with sweet and creamy chocolate chips. Like most kids, I had quirky ways of eating certain foods. I loved nothing more than to nibble the buttery muffin parts around the choccie chips, leaving big mounds of chocolate sections for an epic chocolate-in-my-mouth “explosion” afternoon tea finale.

Continue reading Childhood Chocolate Chip Muffins →