New year, new moons and such a wonderful chance for change. And why not embrace change in the healthiest way possible?! Below, we have summarised 10 awesome foods, drinks, habits, ideas or objects that are sure to get a lot of attention this year for their amazing ability to contribute to your wellbeing.

1. Lupin

You heard it hear (maybe first), Lupin is the next super grain!! Move over quinoa and oats! Lupin number #1 for 2018!! What’s lupin? A yellow legume that is gaining a lot of momentum for it’s health benefits and easy to prepare methods. You may have snacked on these little yellow beans (picture chickpeas) especially if travelling through the Mediterranean without even knowing. As well as being a great snack food, we can easily consume more of this super grain by cooking with lupin flour or using lupin flakes in dishes. Why so good? Well lupin is gluten free, low GI, low in carbs and one of the richest sources of protein and fibre combined with one serve providing over 70% of your recommended daily fibre and protein intake. Plus, it’s rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron (yay for vegans). Positive PR for this little legume is well deserved. Get on board the lupin train…

2. Growing Your Own Food

Green thumbs are all the rage this year and if you haven’t already got one, now’s your time. Most people put growing your own fruits, veges, herbs and spices in the “too hard basket” without even having actually tried. Yet in our experience, almost everyone that tries, agrees it’s not that hard and it incredibly rewarding. Start small with a herb planter box. If you’re renting or tight for space, don’t stress, heaps can grow well in pots. Our top tips include; Visit your local nursery they offer free, reliable help. Read a couple of books or magazines, there are so many great ones out there like Diggers. Plants your everyday gems like herbs as close to your kitchen as possible, it will encourage use and help get you addicted. Invest in good soil and manure. Make watering time each day, a time to look forward to (like meditation time). If you’ve got some land, really get in there for 20 mins a week and then you’re ticking that exercise box too. If you absolutely have no luck or can’t be bothered, try shopping at local farmers market so you can still taste the local and seasonal experience (www.farmersmarketsvic.com.au).

3. Ayurveda

What actually is Ayurveda? A tradition medical system with it’s historical roots set in the India. Why is becoming more common? Probably because western science is now proving a lot of the theories and beliefs in the system and we have more way to modernised Ayurveda practices. Why so good? Ayurveda takes into consideration all aspects, the earth, physical form, spirit, soul… It also practices the importance of balance via the three dosha, called vata, pitta, and kapha and widely celebrates the use of herbs to heal (note – turmeric!!!). Can I use it? Of course, Ayurveda therapies and practices are now integrated into general wellness applications and regular medical use. How do I learn more? Try great books like “Idiot’s Guide to Ayurveda” by Saraha Rose.

4. Gut 

We are sure you’ve heard about this three-letter word. GUT. So incredible important. We now are understanding in more detail how the gut really is, the second brain. For heaps more scientific explanation and a better understand try “Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain–for Life” by David H. Perlmutter and Kristin Loberg or “Gut - The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Under-Rated Organ” by Giulia Enders or any of the many other wonderful books now available. But in short, we can say this. Traditional fermented foods are so darn good for you. Things like; sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, ghee, apple cider vinegar. If you believe your gut is currently damaged (most of us), spend money and time taking a good pro and pre-biotic (pre-biotics help feed pro biotics that are the good bacteria’s in our guts). Allow rest time for proper digestion. This is so neglected in our current world that our poor digestive system never has the time to actually process foods properly. Start your morning with something warming like a hot shot of our Chilli blend mixes with apple cider vinegar, or lemon, or ginger and or honey! Even a glass of warm water. Avoid drinking chilled water full stop, it extra work our insides don’t need. Take care of your gut and trust us, so many improvements from moods, to brain function, to sleep, to energy, to skin and much more, will improve.

5. Natural Beauty

We are all know waking up to the importance of what we not only put into our bodies, but also what we put on it! It’s so true that what goes on our skin can equally impact our health as the food we consume. Nasty chemicals, heavy metals, artificial ingredients, preservatives, and so on are all commonly avoided in foods these days and can now be easily avoided in beauty and skin care. After all, our skin is our biggest organ and so it’s important to acknowledge its importance to our overall well-being. Start by understanding ingredients. Everything listed should be natural origins and if you don’t know the scientific name for something listed, simply google it. We now have so many great options for cleansers, scrubs, moisturisers, deodorants, repellents, available, find them! Insist your local pharmacy, health food store, etc stock them. Products like our face scrub and mask. Or this awesome (and there are many) natural deodorant. A tip with natural deodorant, it takes at least 28 days for the body to dispel that aluminium found in most commercial deodorants so allow your pits at least one month to start positively responding to natural deod. Another tip with moisturises that we heard recently, is that the skin is water proof, so don’t spend money on some fancy moisturisers brand that is mostly water as it will simply not be absorb into the skin cells effectively. Natural oils like almond and jojoba can be super effective. And finally, who wants products that have animal derived ingredients in them or that are tested on animals? Please. Vegan and no animal testing only.

6. Plant Protein

Sure, animal proteins are usually considered more ‘wholesome’ or ‘relevant’ due to their complete amino acid line up (matching our dietary needs) but they also usually come with higher amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol. Plus, sometimes in effort to make them more lean, animal protein sources can be filled with additional hormones and antibiotics, as well as bacteria, parasites and carcinogens. They are not all bad, and if animal protein is your choice, but if you’re in search of a healthier option – here is your answer. Wicked plants like pea and hemp are here to shine. Hemp protein powder, for example, has 20 amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids that your body is unable to produce on its own and must obtain from dietary sources. Maybe something to do with why we added this super food to our new smoothie blend 

7. Clean air and water

Sounds like a silly one, but we don’t stop to actually think about it enough. Air and water are imperative for our survival but does that mean we should accept any air or water provided to us or are there better options. Please don’t think this is an ungrateful tip, we are super aware of how fortunate we are to even have clear air and water, but this year, ‘the lucky people’ will be paying more attention to the quality of each of these elements. Having filtration in your house is a positive, especially anyone with allergies or breathing difficulties. Burning essentials oils, such a wondering idea with many beneficial outcomes. Salt lamps, get on board!!! Or how about simply trying pure cleaning products (not filling the air with nasties) and steering clear of strong chemicals. Water filtration systems are so awesome because they remove some metals found in tap water. Whilst bottled water offers so many more micro nutrients and tastes amazing, be careful to not buy plastic. Here’s a great idea – try taking a trip to a spring and actually collect your own…taste the difference!!

8. Meditation

Can you find even 10 minutes a day to meditate? 100%. Because meditation can be done at almost any time, anywhere. All it really means is trying to switch off your mind and become aware of your thoughts. You don’t necessarily have to be lying down in a dark quiet place. Try just paying attention to your sense for 10 minutes a day. What can you actually hear at any one point? Smell? Feel? Try doing this as you go through a daily task that you find mundane, like sitting in traffic or waiting in line. Plus, there are so many helpful devices to guide you these days there really isn’t an excuse to why you can’t be increasing your longevity and quality of like through using mediation. Highly recommended read – anything by inspiring author, Eckhart Tolle.

9. Simple superfoods

Keep it simple. So many wonderful, natural ingredients out there we don’t need to over complicated it. Our 70-year-old Father was eating a cut up apple and orange for lunch the other day and when we said “that can’t be all you’re having” he responded with “why not? These two fruits are filled with heaps of vitamins and minerals by body can use, why can’t they be enough? Why do I have to have a super packed lunch when I can keep it simple.” Absolutely fair point. Sometimes we get too fancy for our own good when honestly, it’s more about real, simple foods than anything else. And if you feel your lacking in anything of need a top up, simple and clean super foods, like our 100% natural Turmeric capsules, can be taken daily to help.

10. Understanding REAL Health

There are so many “health” claims and offering these days it’s hard to trust the word. So many messages around what health is and at the end of the day, who really knows? Who can we trust? Well, the better your understanding of the body, soul and mind, the better your chances are of achieving optimum health. You don’t have to become a doctor or a spiritual guru either, simply pay attention to the messaging out there, know the difference between a marketing ploy or slogan like “low in fat” and apply it to your everyday situations and choice. For instance, we all know how dangerous sugar is yes? Anyone doubting – That Sugar Film. And then for example, when your ordering a turmeric latte say, why would you want to receive a drink with added sugar and little to no actually turmeric in it? Surely you want actual turmeric spice to receive the actual health benefits of the drink? Do your own research, knowledge is power.

Enjoy. Be Bliss. Be Present. Be Golden 

XOXO GG