So naturally those doubting thoughts float back into your mind wondering if we will ever find something we love and the thought of moving in with mum and dad is drawing nearer.

As much as it has been SCARY it has also been fun, not knowing what is around the corner is also very exciting and we all have to learn to take a leap of faith and trust that the universe will always provide.

So we will keep hunting and I’m sure that we will find our perfect house!

It definitely has a massive impact on our mental health and also makes us feel tired. So get out of bed earlier and make the most of your mornings!!

I have been loving my morning walks with my dogs and doing some meditation in the park. The sun was rising and the sky was blue and I felt totally at peace. It’s a wonderful start to my day and I use this time for positive affirmations and a time to be a little bit silly with my puppies.

So get up, breathe, laugh and make the most of your day!

He put a smile on my face and many others and it is amazing how uplifting the power of human touch can be. I asked him if it was a social experiment and he said no it wasn’t but he and his friend had decided to do it together. I think they might be trying to carry on the movement of the guy called Juan Mann (is that meant to be One Man?) who was on Oprah – see here . I applaud them for making so many people feel great whatever their motives are.

This leads me to talk about the power of touch and how healing it is!

I’ve read that touching can make your immune system stronger and your mood lighter. The more touches you give or receive, the better you feel. Touching is a necessity for a healthy life. When we touch, whether it be a gentle pat, hug or massage, we receive various benefits. A half-hour massage can boost your immune system and lessen stress making you feel calmer and happier. Book in for a 30min massage and see how you feel afterwards, you won’t regret it.

Touching is an easy way to add comfort to your life. And all women appreciate touches because our skin is more sensitive than a man’s. Since we experience a higher level of stress and lower levels of the chemicals that combat stress, our benefit of physical touch is very appreciated. The effects of touch are less obvious, but very powerful and necessary.

Our need for human contact is necessary. Babies who are not touched fail to grow normally. Children, who are not lovingly touched often, grow up to be more physically violent. And that’s a shame because our society is starting to become a “hands to ourselves” environment.

Here’s some great tips I found on the internet which we can all try:

1. Start by kissing friends hello on the cheek. If that makes you uncomfortable, try hugs. A good hug is a quick, anti-stress remedy, as spiritually healing as hours of meditation. The person you are hugging has the power, with their touch, to free you from the tyranny of your restless mind.

2. As most of us are realizing, our society does not have a very affectionate culture (except during a tragedy) but you can overcome this. Begin with a friendly pat on a person’s back. Walk arm and arm with a friend. When talking to someone, gently touch his or her arm or hand during the conversation. Small touches can go a long way to making a person’s day.

3. We all know that gently touching a child can help them to develop into loving, caring adults, so spend more “touching” time with them. Snuggle with your children while watching television. Tackle them just for the fun of it, and even rub their backs while they sleep. I know not everyone is into the Family Bed, but for the first two years of each of my children’s lives, they slept with me. It was crowded and inconvenient on occasion, but wonderful. They slept all night and woke each morning in a pleasant mood.

4. Rub your husband/partner’s back for 30 minutes, and then insist on receiving one in turn. Try to do this each night instead of having a cocktail. The benefits are long lasting. Even a self-massage has wonderful benefits.

Go forth and be touched!

Jem, X

We all know that smoking causes lung cancer. We all know that drinking causes liver cancer. What do we know about processed food? What chemicals are added to food to preserve the shelf life, and what are they doing to our bodies? What chemicals are used to encourage growth in vegetables? What chemicals are used to kill pests in fruit and vegetables?

We are the generation who has lived through the modern farming and processing practices. We are yet to know the effect it’s going to have on our bodies.

A growing body of research suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through food, water, and air can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies. A diet that lacks certain nutrients may also impair our natural ability to detoxify chemicals, which further leads to their build-up in the body.

The cumulative load, called the “body burden”, is thought to lead to illness and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and an inefficient metabolism. Signs are thought to include indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin, and muscle pain.

I decided that my hubby and I could be making more of an effort to eat healthier, and so came about the idea of a 2 week detox. It may not have any immediate effect, but it is starting the shift towards making better food choices. These choices start at the supermarket when we can buy brown rice instead of white rice. We can buy wholemeal bread, or rye or even better still organic bread with no preservatives to keep it appearing fresh. We can choose raw sugar instead of refined bleached white sugar. We can try and find organically grown fruit and vegetables, or failing that we can leave the bbq chicken and the bacon behind and grab some corn on the cob, asparagus, eggplant and spinach. These vegetables are rich in vitamins and nutrients which we can eat alongside a lean piece of meat or fish.

We can make the decision to drive past the fast food drive through and stop into a cafe for a sandwich. We can substitute the morning coffee for a juice or a smoothie, or if you must then try an organic coffee.

I hope I have been able to inspire a few of you to join me on a healthier lifestyle, and encourage your significant others to take part too.

Take care,

Jem

2008 is dominated by the vibrant and dominant number one. This is a massive year of change for every living soul. We are now fully into the age of aquarius which encourages all of us to love thy neighbor. The main theme for this year is learning to tolerate and to love one another, which I know is hard to do at times, but as we move into this super conscious age it is something that will become natural to all of us.

Honour yourself and learn to be more truly who you are!

So get your priorities in order girls, if you’ve been wanting a change it is sure to happen this year!

I look forward to catching up with everyone soon so take care and and remember to stay POSITIVE.

I just wanted to let you all know that after a hectic year I am now back fulltime in Pink Buddha Collins St. Robyn has been given an opportunity to further her career with Merecedes Benz and I wish her well with her new direction.

I have decided to employee a trainee who is going to help with all the phone calls, so you won’t be greeted with the dreaded answering machine. I’m sure many of you will be happy about this. And again I want to invite anyone that has been unhappy with their service or has an idea that they feel would improve Pink Buddha.

I am looking forward to catching up with all of you over chrissy and in the new year. On that note Pink Buddha will be closed from Saturday 22nd of December and re open on Wednesday 2nd of January. So please if you need your waxing done please get your diaries in order and get yourself booked in as a lot of after work times are going.

As many of you know I have an online store which is slowly growing and I invite you all to have a look. I have recently added some new products that I’m sure will make great stocking fillers. I have Hypnosis CD’s which are fab if you are struggling in certain areas of your life and also CD’s for mother and baby. Bach Flower rescue remedy is also a great handbag gift idea for all of those anxious women out there.

Gift vouchers are also available to buy online, it makes a wonderful gift when you don’t have the time to leave the office.

I know many of us by this stage are saying “bring on the new year” put the challenges and hard work behind us and start afresh. It’s funny how we think that after NYE everything will change. We believe that we will stick to our goals, eat better, exercise more and have a work life balance. And what happens….. NOTHING. Don’t leave it till December 31st to make a change. Identify in your life what makes you happy and what doesn’t. Spend more time doing the things you love and live a disciplined life. Have a routine that works for you. It really is that simple!

Cut out the excuses and start doing! Life is here to be lived!

Lots of love to you all over this magical time. Enjoy the children and hug everyone!

Jem xx

I just wanted to share with you some tips on reconnecting with family:

1. Be open
2. Express yourself honestly
3. Talk to your parents about your concerns, they love you and will be happy to offer their support
4. Make an effort to speak to your siblings once a week
5. Listen
6. Learn to love without judgement

It was so wonderful to sit around enjoying a drink and chatting about feelings, thoughts and life. I know we all do a lot of talking through the day and when we get home mum or dad or a sibling may ring and you think “I’ll let it go to message bank and call them tomorrow”. Make an effort to connect with every member of your family, after all they are the most important people in your life. They will express honesty at all times and tell you how it really is, you can only laugh from the soul with people who know you well.

On a personal note Michael and I had a wonderful time getting married, having two weeks off was an absolute blessing after such a frantic year and I am looking forward to a wonderful life together. I have attached a photo of my wonderful siblings for you all. I hope you are all getting organized for christmas, I can’t believe it’s just around the corner already..

I will have some great Christmas specials you can buy vouchers for online and instore so keep your eye on the website for more details soon.

Keep shining,
Jem

So although it did not work out I am so happy I gave it a go, there is no shame in letting something go that isn’t working. It’s important in life to take a risk, it’s exciting and I will never die wondering. I have learned a great deal about decision making and staffing and I have grown immensely as a business woman.

I am now looking forward to taking on a more behind the scenes approach to keep the city running at it’s best and I will also be investing some time into my online health and beauty business.

So please don’t hold off doing something in fear that it won’t work. Fear will never take you anywhere. Give it a GO!!

A client of mine has been reading a book about saying YES to every new opportunity instead of NO. She said you open yourself up to lots of new experiences.

SO start saying yes to life and see what happens.

I feel like I’m living in a small country town, people aren’t as fast paced, they let you go before them in the supermarket, the sound of birds and the stillness at night is so uplifting. I don’t feel rushed or stressed and it has had major positive impact on my mental and physical health. I guess growing up in Templestowe set off my love for nature and although I have lived inner city for the last 4 years, I think you always come back to what you know.

So my question to you is, are you feeling settled? Are there parts of your life that need to be settled? By that I don’t necessarily mean more change or chasing more money, I mean finding that balance and that inner voice that says “I need this”. We all hear it and tend to ignore it because we have a lifestyle to uphold but it is not what’s important in life. Listen to that little voice and let it guide you because it will take you to where you ultimately are destined to go.

Have a serious think about your life and please write in with some of your stories.

Keep healthy!

Our lives can become a routine and with the stresses at work you can feel frazzled as though you have been plugged into a power point for weeks. It’s time to take a break to get some much needed sun and solace.

If you have been thinking about this, then I highly recommend you do. I have recently returned from an amazing holiday and I really learned how to LIVE again, to LET go, LAUGH and to be in the present. It has done wonders for my mental health, my relationship and also my physical being. Life is exciting and there is so much to learn and fun to be had you just need to allow yourself to do it and I guarantee you will leave you dark side behind and be a happy hippy when you return!

I would spend hours floating in the sea, ears under the water and enjoying the total silence while looking at the blue blue sky and embracing the radiant sun. I felt free!

I am still feeling that way because I know I can take myself back there at any given moment. I kept a seashell to remind me of my time there and I put it to my ear to listen to the sound of the water. I have let go of all the silly things that used to annoy and frustrate me, I have detached form the power point!

My holiday has really taught me how to have a relationship with myself instead of running on automatic. I have learned to focus on me and what makes me happy, rather than focusing on everyone else and what they’re not doing. (this includes your other half girls!)

Learn to LIVE again, book a holiday and get outta here!

Jem

I just don’t get it! My poor partner has had to put up with my freezing hands and feet everyday and almost jumps through the roof whenever I touch him or try to nestle my feet in between his legs when we are in lying on the couch, it’s quite funny really, however this morning he had had enough and suggested I try ginseng. Like he’s the expert. We had a read on the internet and girls it’s the all round miracle herb. I think it’s time that we all incorporated this into our daily vitamin popping routine. Especially if you are on the pill you will feel the cold a lot more because the blood stays around your reproductives, not your entire body. Interesting I know!!

Ginseng is great for circulation and very regenerating, so give it a go or speak to your naturopath or herbalist next time you visit.

Stay warm!

Don’t be pasty white get a SPRAY TAN. Tuscan Tan is divine, smells beautiful and has a fantastic range of products to keep your skin balanced, exfoliated and moisturised. You will not only look healthier, but the weight loss is amazing, well psychologically it is.

Keep up with your waxing, always makes you feel so much better, especially those untidy eyebrows, don’t let them go. Book in every two weeks and be organized with your appointments.

Get some Bio Sculpture nails. There are some HOT winter colours. It is permanent non chip nail colour and you don’t need to have long nails to get them done.

So keep it simple!

Keep smiling and shining,

Jem

”To laugh often and much: to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s very interesting that success isn’t just a matter of earning the “big $$$” it’s about Balance. You can work 70 hrs a week and be earning a great wage, but then no time to spend enjoying yourself, eating properly or exercising enough, aren’t we happiest when we take the time to do all of these things. Don’t measure success on the hours you work or the money in your pocket, the most successful people in my eyes are the happy ones!

My wonderful pa gave me a great recipe for success many years ago when I was entertaining the idea of having my own business and that is:

Passion, purpose, planning, persistence, practice, patience, perspiration, possibility, personal power, play and POW!!!!

I had the pleasure of being in the company of The waifs, Missy Higgings and John Mayer. It was an amazing night at the Point Nepean music festival. We were in the national park with 7,500 earthy individuals all there to soak up the sun the music and the atmosphere. As the sun set and I settled into my chair with a VB (the only thing going in the way of beer) I was ready to listen and absorb all the energy that surrounded me.

Missy Higgings came on and embraced the crowd, an act I was really looking forward to. She radiates life and has heaps on energy on stage. After her intro she sang her new song “Steer” I’m sure most of you would have heard it by now. It is a very empowering song about steering your life the way you want it to go. If you want something to happen have a “fierce heart” and go get it. It was really uplifting and I think everyone needs to buy it and play it as loud as they can, dance and jump around the house, let the words resonate within you.

If you have a dream, ACT. Don’t wait around for something to fall in your lap because it won’t! The universe provides to those who are clear about what they want. It’s amazing the way a song can make you feel, so if you have been feeling a little down, sluggish or even downright depressed I urge you to get a list of uplifting songs and put them onto your iPod. Listen to them everywhere you go and really crank it up!! Of course Missy must be the first one on your list.

Keep charging ahead my friends and I would love to hear some of your song choices so I can compile a list and send out to you in my next bolg.

I hope you are all enjoying Pink Buddha shop and if you haven’t been on yet, you must take a look. Remember everything sold here is exactly what you would find in any reputable health food store. Please don’t self prescribe and always consult you natural health practioner first!

Lots of LOVE,

Jem

You see these amazing contestants working so hard and it occured to me how lazy we can all get. To nuture our physical, emotional, financial and spiritual health we need to make an ongoing commitment with ourselves. We do this for US! Not for anyone else. The best way to stay true to oursleves and our commitment is to create some goals. Put them on a pinboard or on the fridge or even stick them to the bathroom mirror to constantly remind you of what they are. Schedule time in your diary or outlook calender when you will create the time to exercise, cook a healthy dinner, meditate, sing, dance, play with your children. Make it a priority, not something you’ll get around to doing if and when you can be bothered.

Be consciously aware of what you are eating, put wholesome nourishing foods into your bodies. Think about what you are eating and make the time to prepare your lunch or do the shopping on the weekend so you are all set for the week. Try to cut back on the caffine, coke and sugary things in your diet. You know a naturopath told me that when a cell is under a microscope and injected with sugar it actually vibrates. Scary!!

Emotionally if it doesn’t feel good then Let it go! Decide on what you want and believe you can have it. In terms of finances set an intention of how much you would like to see in your bank account and keep focusing on it. What you think about comes about. Very powerful and I’m sure many of you know this already, so remain mindful. Keep motivated and exercise your will power. Do one thing everyday that you really dont want to do like an extra 10 mins on the stepper, andother set of reps, drinking 2 litres of water, making a super healthy dinner, getting out of bed half an hour earlier, going to bed an hour earlier.

Also I want all of you to have a healthy loving respectful view of yourself and if this means changuing your life, or you attitudes towards yourself, the time is NOW!

P.S that great naturopth I was talking about is Helen Goodwin her number is 0406 609 008 she runs some great seminars at Studio Cirq in Meyers Place, Melbourne. If anyone has been looking for a great nutritionist, then I highly recommend her.

1. Celery: considered an excellent food to ramp up sexual stimulation. The reason being that it boosts a powerful substance known as androsterone – an odorless hormone released through male perspiration. ‘Yuk’ I hear you, er, think. Well, this is one of those kind of sweats that has that strange effect on women…the same effect that I understand a dozen red roses and a bottle of champagne has (apparently).

2. Maca: this is a less common food, but is no less potent. Having only recently been introduced to the Western world you will be forgiven for not finding it in your local Tesco. I had not heard of this until very recently when it was hailed as “Nature’s Viagra” . Like anyone else, this claim made me curious. According to some it is believed to improve sexual performance, the frequency with which people desire sex and can be effective in increasing sperm count! Not only that, but guys should expect an increase in testosterone, a helping hand in any fight against erective dysfunctions and impotency and it also makes you feel younger. Quality! Fear not ladies – for women, maca is reknowned for increasing sex-drive and fertility! What a stormer!

3. Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds contain zinc, which is important in testosterone production for men and also helps to sustain sexual desire in women. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in the essential fatty acid omega 3, which acts as a precursor of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that play a key role in sexual health. Word on the street is that a diet rich in pumpkin seeds will enhance potency, drive and fertility.

4. Saurkraut: an unlikely inclusion, but a vital key in unlocking your libido according to the headteacher-like Scottish diet guru Gillian McKeith has deemed sauerkraut sexy, citing a U.S. study that reported 90 percent of men were more “active” after eating it. Not as saur or krauty as you though eh?!

5. Bananas: help to boost male libido largely due to the presence of the enzyme ‘bromelain’ . Bananas are also a good source of B vitamins like riboflavin and potassium, which increase the body’s total energy levels. However, they are also very rich in potassium and B vitamins, which are vital for sex-hormone production!

6. Almonds: Almonds are another major source of essential fatty acids. Almonds provide the basis for the healthy production of male hormones that are important in regulating sex-drive (among other things obviously!). The smell of almonds is found to arouse passion in female. Although I am not 100% convinced by the latter!

7. Avocado: The Aztecs called the avocado tree ahuacatl or “testicle tree.” Interesting fact. Avocado helps to increase both male and female libido. As it contains very high levels of folic acid, it assists in metabolising proteins, thus providing you more energy – which is obviously good all round. Avocado also features vitamin B6 (a nutrient which improves male hormone production) and potassium (which helps to regulate a woman’s thyroid gland). Quality!

8. Asparagus: it is not only the ever-so-slightly suggestive shape of asparagus that acts as a libido booster – asparagus also happens to be very high in vitamin E, which has long been thought of as ‘the sex vitamin’. The Vegetarian Society suggests “eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect”.

9. Chilies: may heat up your sex life too, due to capsaicin — the substance that gives kick to peppers, curries and other spicy foods. Triggering the release of endorphins, capsaicin is therefore a feelgood chemical for your brain! It also stimulates nerve endings and raises your heart rate. IMPORTANT: if you chop the chilies yourself – make sure you wash your hands very very thoroughly – heh

10. Basil: apparently basil increases circulation, stimulates the sex drive and boosts fertility! It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind. But most curiously of all, its scent is supposed to drive us wild! In fact, basil oil was once employed by Mediterranean prostitutes as a perfume to attract customers! Pesonally, the scent of basil makes me want to drive to the nearest Italian restaurant, but that’s just me.

11. Cardamom: Cardamom is an nicely aromatic spice. In many cultures it is viewed as an intensely powerful aphrodisiac and also beneficial in treating impotence (mix with maca for some ‘interesting results’). It is high in cineole, which can increase blood flow in certain important areas!

12. Figs: rather crudely, some sources suggest that figs work as an aphrodisiac because of their appearance being similar to certain sex organs, but not I. Figs are very high in amino acids, which are critical to increasing you libido and boosting sexual stamina.

13. Garlic: bad on the breath but good on the sex drive. Maybe this is one for long-term couples who don’t have as much worry over little matters such as garlic-breath (as long as you both munch it, you’ll be OK). Garlic contains high levels of allicin – an compound – that can improve blood flow to the sexual organs. But note – don’t just munch on big cloves of raw garlic! Allicin is only produced once garlic has been chopped as it is produced through an enzyme reaction. As a bonus, allicin is also has great anti-fungal properties (not that I am suggesting anything of course..)

You feel that tingle… you try to remember the advert with the chick and her motorcycle helmet… but you know it is too late. You are destined to the next seven days of cold-sore-sulking!

But fear not! While cold sores cannot be cured, per se, there are a few simple steps you can take to dramatically reduce the likelihood of cold sores paying you a visit in the future:

• Take a Good Probiotic: good bacteria is well reknowned for supporting the gut function. Keeping your army of friendly bacterial at full strength is helpful in reducing the recurrence of cold sore outbreaks. You might be thinking about all of the yoghurts that claim probiotic goodness right now – but if I were you I would look to a powdered form of probiotic as the yoghurts are largely more full of marketing spin than good bacteria.

• Eat Plenty of Garlic: so then, garlic again. Good for your sex drive AND good in the fight agains cold sores (so two reasons why garlic is good for your love life then!) – it has powerful antiviral properties and so fights against cold sores (which are the virus herpes simplex type 1: HSV-1) and also has strong antibiotic and antifungal properties.

• Get a Good MultiVitamin & MultiMineral: in particular you want to be looking for decent amounts of vitamin C and Zinc – as the HSV 1 virus is known to strike when our immune system is weak.

• Swap Vodka Shots for Wheatgrass Shots: Wheatgrass is an great source of chlorophyll, beta carotene, and a host of vitamins and minerals – so it boosts your general wellbeing and your body’s ability to ward off a virus – however, it also contains the amino acid lysine – which is known to be one of the most effective natural treatments for cold sores, mouth ulcers and shingles. Bonus!

• Increase your Arginine uptake: the cold sore virus needs a high requirement of an amino acid called arginine. Arginine can be found in nuts, peanuts and chocolate. Another important amino acid, in relation to cold sores is lysine. By increasing lysine intake, the recurrence rate of cold sores can be reduced. Taking lysine supplements on the break out of a cold sore will help to suppress its duration. Lysine can be found naturally in Brewer’s yeast, legumes, dairy, fish, and meat.

So there you have it! Prevention is always better than cure and all of the above do so much more than prevent cold sores!

It is the dark-green, leafy, though sometimes less palatable, vegie juices that will benefit you the most, as they contain chlorophyll and antioxidants. Once you get used to the milder juices, you can introduce more powerful mixtures with lettuces such as red and green leaf, romaine and endive, as well as escarole (a variety of endive), spinach, cabbage and bok choy.

Adding herbs like parsley and coriander will add flavour, as well as further detox benefits. Start with small amounts and monitor your body’s responses. Wash greens thoroughly before juicing and, where possible, buy organic.

Black and green teas are packed with antioxidants that may provide some protection from heavy metal toxicity.

Forget your fat phobia. Increasing your intake of healthy fats is important for maintaining good health. Good fats such as omega-3 and omega-6 can help leach toxins out of your system, prevent inflammation and protect the gut from toxic damage.

Modern diets are low in omega-3 fats. The best natural sources of these are flaxseed, hempseed, canola, soybean and walnut oils, and dark-green leaves and coldwater fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. The best natural sources of omega-6 are safflower, sunflower, hemp, soybean, walnut, pumpkin, sesame, flax, borage seed, blackcurrant seed and evening primrose oil.

Garlic and onions contain powerful antioxidants that aid the body’s natural detoxing efforts. Use them liberally in cooking. Sulphur-rich foods like broccoli and bile stimulants such as lemon juice and bitter greens also assist in detoxification. Pectin, found in apple and pear seeds, can protect your body from damage by toxic metals. It blocks the absorption of toxins while aiding detoxification. Try making apples or pears stewed with their seeds a regular feature of your diet.

A high-fibre diet is useful for trapping toxins and eliminating heavy metals. Fibre helps reduce intestinal permeability, sometimes known as leaky gut – a condition that can lead to allergies and toxic build-up in the bloodstream. It also prevents deactivated oestrogens from being reactivated and reabsorbed. Consider adding water-soluble, mucilaginous fibres such as psyllium seeds and flaxseeds to your diet. These can be ground up and added to food. Pulses like peas, beans and lentils add fibre as well as essential nutrients and protein. Bananas have antioxidant qualities and eggs protect against lead and mercury contamination.