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Jessica Humphries

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Tag: healthy

byron bay

Insider’s Guide to Australia’s Byron Bay: Local Secrets & Tips

As a Byron Shire local of seven years, I’ve seen this magical place transform and evolve over time. While drawing in the most beautiful, authentic and creative individuals, it has also become quite the tourist hotspot—which has its pros and cons. At certain times of the year, Byron is swarming with holiday-goers looking to soak up some of its chilled out vibes.

But Byron’s soul is not lost. There’s still an abundance of peaceful and high-vibe activities on offer. Take some tips from a local to discover the region’s best-kept secrets and avoid the chaos, ensuring you enjoy the true spirit of beautiful Byron Bay on the northern coast of NSW in Australia.

But Byron’s soul is not lost. There’s still an abundance of peaceful and high-vibe activities on offer. Take some tips from a local to discover the region’s best-kept secrets and avoid the chaos, ensuring you enjoy the true spirit of beautiful Byron Bay on the northern coats of NSW in Australia.

FOOD

When I first moved to Byron Bay there were a couple of options for health lovers. Now, the town boasts green smoothie joints and vegan treats galore. If you’re a fan of plant-based eats, head to Combi to enjoy a smoothie bowl in a vibrant environment. Elixaba is another popular vegan eatery, with everything from hemp burgers to cosmic cocktails. Enjoy the trendy ambiance on a sunny day at The Roadhouse or The Farm on opposite ends of town but both serving delicious, local feasts and treats.

Top Shop in the thick of it is perched atop a little hill, attracting local hipsters and coffee lovers, and there’s plenty of room to bask in the sunshine on the grass. Folk is another cute café boasting funky vibes and outdoor dining.

For dinner, wander down the hidden Bay Lane near the beach to find some local favourites, or head to the outskirts of town and enjoy drinks and dinner with live music at Tree House on Belongil (where the pizza is amazing). Embrace your inner hippie and go barefoot to the farmers market on a Thursday morning to source the best local produce, stock up on edible souvenirs (I highly recommend the macadamia nut butter) and listen to local musicians.

MARKETS AND SHOPPING

You’ll be spoilt for choice wandering around the main streets of Byron—where there’s an abundance of beautiful boutiques. For something a little more unique (and cheap), head to the craft markets on a Sunday. These rotating markets are held once a month in the Bay, and in other nearby towns on other Sundays, selling local goodies like clothing, jewellery, candles and more, and offering vibrant vibes.

MASSAGES, READINGS AND HEALINGS

When in Byron Bay, right? The best way to find a healer is by asking the locals. Look for business cards in local businesses, or, if you’re after a simple massage or treatment, there are plenty of options around town. The famous Byron palm-reader can usually be spotted on Jonson Street and has been known to offer insightful, albeit a little strange, readings. Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby is one of my favourite places in the world, offering beautiful treatments and a ‘bath house’ in Balinese-style surrounds. Crystal Castle (also in Mullumbimby) is well worth the visit if you’re into all things spiritual, or just enjoy surrounding yourself with sparkly, serene things. Here you can also find treatments, readings and workshops.

YOGA

The yoga scene has boomed in Byron over the past few years, and locals laugh about the high teacher-to-student ratio in town. You’ll find a style and environment for every taste, and a quick search (online or off) will point you in the right direction. As someone who loves yoga, my favourite place is Creature Yoga – the most popular studio, with two separate locations in very slick surrounds. Or if you fancy a little stretch immersed in nature, Bamboo Yoga Byron offer indoor-outdoor classes in an inviting yurt surrounded by greenery. But really, a whole story could easily be dedicated to the smorgasbord of spiritual offerings in the area.

BEACHES AND NATURE

If you’re into surfing or want to give it a whirl, The Pass and Wategos are great for all levels, and Tallows is for the more experienced. Take a walk around the lighthouse to enjoy expansive, breathtaking views and, if you’re lucky, spot a whale or pod of dolphins. If you’re an early riser, you can’t beat the sunrise views from the lighthouse, and Main Beach won’t disappoint for picturesque sunsets and some drum-circle beats in the background.

If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, ask a local to point you in the direction of the Suffolk Park tea tree lake, or venture to Broken Head to explore the many more secret beaches—including one nude one. Take a rainforest adventure and hike to Minyon Falls, where you can enjoy a swim under the waterfall (after a 90-minute hike), or explore one of the many walking trails in the area. For those who love to walk, Byron Trails is a great investment and outlines 50 walking tracks in the Shire.

WHEN TO VISIT

If you’re after a peaceful holiday, avoid Byron during music festivals and over the Christmas/New Year period. While it is busy most weekends, things tend to slow down in winter, but the weather remains beautiful, making it the ultimate time to visit. If you are planning to be in the Bay over one of these busy times, make sure you plan and book well in advance.

Chill out, Slow down, Cheer up and Enjoy!

Words by Jessica Humphries for The Wise Traveller.

February 24, 2019

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healthy travel

The Art of Travelling Well: 5 Essential Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy

When we travel, we’re bound to come across scenarios that challenge us—it’s all part of the experience. Things won’t always go according to plan, and we’ll find ourselves surrendering to situations we never anticipated. If you’re a health and wellness lover, you’ve probably had to skip your daily green smoothie in favour of something grossly guilt-inducing. But the beauty of travel is that, although it may not always be the healthiest thing for your stomach, it’s almost always a good thing for your soul. Finding a balance between staying healthy and being flexible enough to let go will serve you well on your journeys. But while mishaps are inevitable, there are some simple ways to stay healthy, safe and (relatively) serene on your travels.

1. First Aid Kit/Other Helpful Items

Plan ahead and prepare your remedy pack. Include emergency pharmaceuticals for belly ailments if you’re travelling somewhere exotic, probiotics and vitamins, a good cream for rashes and bites repellent, if you’re prone to insect bites, and natural antiseptics like lavender and tea tree oil will come in handy (as well as any other favourite home remedies). Sunscreen and women’s sanitary items (especially tampons) can be expensive or even unavailable in some countries so stock up before you leave if you can. Even if you’re heading somewhere familiar, remember that common ailments may prevail—so take your chosen remedies for things like cold and flu, headaches, allergies, dehydration etc. Wet wipes, earplugs and plasters are always useful, and remember your power adaptor, a day carry bag and sunglasses.

2. Healthy Habits

What are some of the healthy habits you enjoy at home that you instantly abandon when you’re travelling? Although travel can be a great excuse to skip the gym or morning meditation, these are often the things that make us feel really good, and so we can be left feeling lacklustre without them. Before you leave, consider what nourishing habits you want to continue on your travels and what areas you’re comfortable being more flexible in. Perhaps you can enjoy an extra glass of wine and sleep-in, but stay committed to your evening jog. Think about the things that keep you vital and happy at home, and make sure you include them everywhere you go (without beating yourself up if you occasionally fall off the wagon).

3. What To (And Not To) Eat

Being mindful about what you eat is one of the most important considerations when you’re jet setting to an unfamiliar place, and this is one of the areas where you can’t afford to be too flexible. Give your stomach time to adjust to a new diet, being extra careful at first. When it comes to street food, there are some places in the world where you may need to avoid it completely (like in India, for example). In more touristy places you might be able to get away with the occasional street treat—but follow the crowds, check that oil and surfaces are clean, stay away from meat, make sure things have been cooked properly and be aware of clean-looking items that may have been washed in dubious water. In some places, you can’t be too careful when it comes to avoiding water—that includes opening your mouth in the shower, brushing your teeth with bottled water and only eating fruit with a skin (and peeling it).

4. Solo Travel

If you’re travelling solo, you’ll need to adopt an even more mindful attitude than when you have a companion. Keep your wits about you. Awful things can happen anywhere in the world. If you’re somewhere unfamiliar, avoid venturing out alone at night (especially for women). Be organised—know where you’re going and how you’re getting there. Read up on what is culturally acceptable in terms of dress and behaviour, and always trust your instincts.

5. Jetlag Solutions

Although there are many pharmaceutical options for improving jetlag, the simplest solution is often sunshine and stretching. Get outside and get your body moving. You can try these simple stretches anywhere you go:

Hip Flexor Stretch

Sitting on a chair or the floor, bring your right anklebone to your left thigh and gently press your right knee away from you—feeling a stretch into your right hip. Take a few deep breaths and switch sides.

Shoulder Stretch

From all fours, walk your hands as far forward as you can whilst keeping your hips stacked above your knees. Rest your forehead or your chin to the floor and enjoy the stretch in your shoulders and front of your chest.

Neck Stretch

Bring your right ear to your right shoulder and use your right hand to press down on your left ear—encouraging a stretch along the left side of your neck. Stay for a few breaths, then switch sides.

Despite all of your best intentions, sometimes you’ll simply need to surrender—and although it might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’ve just been ripped off or lost your luggage, the value of a long, deep belly breath cannot be underestimated. You can take it anywhere you go, and it will serve you well.

Words by Jessica Humphries for The Wise Traveller. 

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019

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weight loss

Seek support: How friends and family can provide the best weight loss motivation

Mustering up the motivation to begin or continue your weight loss journey is so much easier when you have the support of the people around you. Not only will this inspire you to reach your goals, but also it will remove some of the social challenges (hello, isolation!) that often accompany your journey to health. There are some simple steps you can take in moving towards your goals, and each one invites you to step outside of yourself and seek support.

Refine your goals

Maintaining weight loss motivation requires you to become really clear on what your goals are, and how they are unique and special to you. Take some time to reflect on your reasons for wanting to lose weight. You could find a quiet place to take a few breaths and envision your future self. You may even be inspired to journal or write down a few notes. What does your future self look like? What are they doing? How do they feel?

Many of us are inspired to lose weight because we want to look a certain way. And while that can be hugely motivating, it can also leave us comparing ourselves to others and falling into unhealthy habits. See if you can delve a little deeper into your WHY. Perhaps you want to be able to enjoy more activities with your family, to live a longer life, to improve your energy levels and sense of vitality, or to help heal an injury. What are you holding on to, and what obstacles stand in your way?

Once you feel clear within your self, invite a friend or family member over for a healthy meal and share with them your reasons, or share them with your Jenny Craig Consultant – who can provide you with much-needed feedback and support. This will help you become even clearer as you have a sounding board for your new goals and visions.

A friend in need

Embarking on your weight loss journey is extremely admirable – but it does come with challenges. And one of the major challenges you’ll face is the feeling of going it alone. So much of our socialising happens around food, and if your friends and/or family aren’t on the same page, it can be a lonely (albeit worthwhile) road.

Walking down the road to weight loss with a friend or family member is incredibly inspiring and can even be enjoyable! Having this weight loss support will be a huge asset to you both. What can be frustrating on your own becomes so much lighter when you can joke about it with a friend. You can even speak to your Jenny Craig Consultant who can inspire you with meal plans to enjoy together.

The best part? Jenny Craig’s ‘Share the Love’ campaign has been created for you to enjoy the journey with friends. By referring a friend, you both receive $100 off food*. You can get by with a little help from your friends!

Words by Jessica Humphries for Jenny Craig. 

February 24, 2019

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healthy

Healthy happenings with your honey: How to do Valentine’s Day right

Valentine’s Day conjures up images of champagne, cheese, chocolate and snuggling up in front of a movie. It’s so tempting to slip into unhealthy habits on the most romantic day of the year. But it is possible to enjoy this day whilst watching your waistline and keeping your health in mind. Foodies can still tempt their tastebuds, and wine lovers will be pleased to know that a glass of red won’t derail your efforts!

Temptation is not a four-letter word

Before you start beating yourself up for craving those Valentine’s Day treats, try to make temptation your friend. Temptation and desire have led to so many amazing experiences in your life. So instead of pushing these feelings away and telling them they’re bad, try to embrace and enjoy them. You don’t always have to act on them.

When you see those chocolates on sale, notice yourself feeling the temptation to indulge. Bask in that feeling for a moment. Let it arise, then gently set it aside. Make the decision instead to prioritise your health. If you need some extra support, our Jenny Craig Consultants are always here to help.

Make moving memories

If the idea of going running with your squeeze on Valentine’s Day makes you cringe, then take a step back. A sunset stroll along the beach or a bike ride to your favourite picnic place can be just as romantic as that cheese platter you’ve been dreaming of. How many of your favourite memories include food?

Sure, some of our favourite events revolve around food, but it’s not what’s on your plate that you remember. It’s the little moments in between. The childhood slip n’ slide adventures, the time you spent hours on the phone to your teenage crush, or the time you felt that rush of euphoria after hiking up a mountain to discover a magnificent view. These are the moments we cherish, and they can be created without the need to over indulge.

Enjoy your favourites – in moderation

You don’t have to completely deprive yourself. You can enjoy some treats and also discover that healthy, low calorie foods can be just as delicious. Our recipe page has some seriously indulgent ideas – from satay chicken nourish bowls to choc orange mousse and everything in between – perfect to treat your love or impress someone new this Valentine’s Day.

Words by Jessica Humphries for Jenny Craig.

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019

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