Spring it here!

This must undoubtedly be my favourite time of year. The birds are singing, the mornings are still crisp but with a hint of the warmer day to come and there is a freshness to the air. To me Spring signifies new beginnings where anything is possible. This week in particular the shift into Spring has been evident. The sun is setting later and rising earlier which means for me more precious sunlight to walk the dog, garden and do all the outdoor activities I enjoy. Noah has been having fun jumping in his jolly jumper under our pionciana tree whilst egging on our dog Missy to play. It’s amazing just how quickly he is growing and changing. He already has two teeth with the hint of a third peeking through but has been fortunate not to have suffered with the pain of teething – he’s just boasted some fabulously rosy cheeks as though he’s been playing with our new Alexami blush powder puffs! But of course boys don’t play with makeup so it must just be from teething!

If you are looking to join a health fund or are with Medibank Private you may like to know you will now be able to claim more of your consultation costs back each time. This is because I am now a Medibank Preferred Provider!

Please also consult with your health fund to find out whether they are a participating fund with the Metagenics Shake-It weight loss program. Some funds are offering up to $150 back on supplementation in addition to the consultation fee for this program, so if you are keen to shed some extra kilos and the Shake-It Program suits you, you may be entitled to reimbursement for supplementation. Unfortunately not all health funds are participating but it is certainly worth looking into!

Grace has now also been promoted to Practice Manager so you may hear from her from time to time on my behalf checking in with you regarding your treatment, making appointments, following up payments and the like so please show her the same courtesy you do me.

Organic Spa Facial Day

Organic Spa has launched a fabulous new logo just in time for Spring. They’ve also changed the size of a few old favourites and will be introducing a new product or two in the near future so stay posted!

Well it’s that time again! Time to treat yourself to a well deserved pampering facial by the lovely Paula from Organic Spa.

When: Thursday October 13th

Where: Red Suva!

Times available from 10am. 1/2hr facials priced at $35 redeemable on purchases made on the day.

RSVP essential and places are limited so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment 🙂

Ph. 3357 6295 to book your facial today!

How Long do I have to keep taking my supplements?

This would have to be one of the most common questions I hear in the clinic. How long do I have to keep taking my supplements?

When you come into the clinic for a consultation there is a reason that you’ve come, whether it be weight loss, allergies, skin problems, period pain, whatever the reason you’ve come to me to help you regain your health. My goal is to help you achieve this as quickly and inexpensively as possible, but if you have had a condition for some time it may take time to start getting results. Naturopathically we look at a minimum of one month’s treatment for every year you have had a condition. Naturally this is a general guide but helps to put things into focus when it comes to achieving results. Quite often seeing a Naturopath is the last point of call for people when they’ve exhausted all other avenues of health care so it is important you allow time and have the patience to persist. As many of you know if you do persist you will get results, however it occurs a lot slower than if you take a steroid medication for example.

The other key factor to achieving faster results is to work with me. Often people will come in for their check up and admit to not having taken their supplementation or changed their diets but are frustrated that their condition hasn’t changed or their weight hasn’t altered. For me to help to you we need to work as a team. I can provide you with the herbs, nutrients, dietary changes and guidance that you will need but for the best possible outcome I need you to work with me. So, at this point you are probably thinking I’ve gone completely off track and forgotten what the initial question was. This is not the case. My point is with each and every client my ultimate aim is to get you back on tract as quickly and painlessly as possible. My passion is to have everyone on a Wellness Program where you see me only 4 times a year for a health check and to tweak any niggling conditions that may arise but that is all. On a Wellness Program I like everyone to be on 4 supplements: a Practitioner strength Multivitamin, Fish Oil, Antioxidant and Probiotic to maintain optimal health. The rest you should be able to achieve using food as medicine. Choose organic foods where possible, grow your own herbs and vegetables, own some chooks and harvest your own eggs if you have the space and desire to do so. If we can combine forces and work together then in my book anything is achievable.

So in answer to the question, the length of time you will need to continue taking your supplementation is really up to you.

Who Wants More Vitality?

Health, happiness and prosperity are all contagious and are most effectively taught by living them fully. So, make it a priority to do so!

For September to kick off the Spring and Summer body challenges we are offering a complimentary VLA to each of you so you can see just where you are with your health.

People who may benefit from the Vitality, Longevity and Healthy Ageing (VLA) program include those who want to:

Manage their weight more effectively
Increase muscle tone and fitness
Improve energy levels
Age healthily
Support the nutrition and health of their body
I will assess your health, perform a quick BIA test and then design a strategy to improve key areas. I will also monitor your results over time, so that you can see how your health is improving or if there are areas that need to be changed.

What is ATM Quality and how can it be improved?

For those of you who have had VLA you will remember me talking about ATM and the importance of the quality of ATM. ATM stands for Active Tissue Mass in your body, also known as your muscle. Many people confuse the quality with the amount of exercise they do. This is not 100% correct. Quality has a lot more to do with your digestion and ability to absorb the foods you are eating, quality of the foods you are eating, as well as the health of your immune system and your level of energy or the flipside fatigue. It is vital for the quality of muscle to be average or above. Lower percentages of ATM quality may indicate illness, malabsorption, chronic fatigue, and poor diet to name a few. If the quality of your muscle is poor then it is more difficult for your body to build muscle through exercise. It is also more likely you will become sicker more often than others. So, how can it be improved? For starters a good quality diet is essential. Glutamine, an amino acid found in protein sources of food is vital for muscle growth but also building healthy mucus membranes in your gut. Detoxification may be necessary to help improve this also, fish oils (both from diet but also in many cases supplementation), antioxidants such as lipoic acid and co-enzyme Q10 as well as all the phytonutrients found in berries and other super foods. ATM quality is not something to be taken lightly – it reflects the electrical charge of your cells. To put it bluntly, if the quality of your muscle is poor it can be likened to a battery losing its charge. Not an ideal scenario but one which can be fixed if identified soon enough.

Workshop News

In response to our survey a lot of people commented they would be interested in seeing a Life Coach. Meg Bathgate, Emjai Coaching for Success and myself are planning a workshop to help demystify lifecoaching and help you achieve a successful new outlook on life. For those of you interested in attending please let us know when would be more suitable for you – an evening after work? or a Saturday afternoon? We are aiming to do the workshop during September, so the sooner we hear back regarding your preferences the sooner we can give you a date.

Other workshops coming up

Alexami Workshop Red Suva Natural Therapies: Saturday the 8th of October at 11am! Join us in our Organic October month for a day of makeup play in association with Alexami cosmetics! The workshop will be $49.95, redeemable on purchases made on the day and will include your makeup being done by Alenka from Alexami, herself! Spaces are limited so book in quickly and bring a friend!

Product of the Month – Pink Grapefruit Hand & Body Lotion

Deeply hydrates and protects the skin leaving it velvety smooth, nourished and hydrated without being oily. A natural alternative to sorbolene and mineral oil based lotions. A moisturising treatment suitable for the whole body.

DIRECTIONS
Use regularly to hydrate, nourish and soften the skin. For best results massage in to the skin after bathing whilst skin is still damp. Assists with soothing and protecting the skin against dryness.

Cancellation Policy

As I am still operating on reduced hours I am finding it increasingly difficult to accomodate everyone. My days are usually fully booked so I do need to ask once again that if you are unable to make your appointment that you notify either myself or Grace at least 24 hours in advance so someone else may utilise your appointment time. A cancellation fee but will be issued if no notification has been made. Of course special circumstances will be taken into consideration, however this is something I do need to start enforcing to be fair to those on a waiting list who also need my assistance.