New Website is LIVE!

My new website is LIVE.

www.michelletess.com

Hope you like it!

Shell

The Quick Ten :)

Over the coming weeks I will be interviewing (using that term lightly) some of my favorite health/wellness/fitness people! I want to ask ten questions because I think it is a quick and easy way to get to know some lovely and inspiration people.

These ten questions are open for change, but I have chosen many questions that I regularly ask others anyway :)

So here we go..... I guess I should start first :)

Where do you hail from? 

Born in Brisbane, Australia and grew up on the Gold Coast. Funnily enough never spent too much time at the beach.

What was your motivation to change to a more pure life?

My motivation was seeing that my body/being wasn't working at maximum capacity. I want to grow OLD healthily and have the best quality of life for myself and my children one day.

Green Juice or Green Smoothie? 

Green Juice..... Well kind of. My juice ends up Red from beetroot and my smoothie ends up brown from raw cacao.

What is your favorite quote of all time? 

TOO many! OH heres one.... " Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable or happy and strong, the amount of work is the same".

How do you keep yourself fit? 

I have been a Gym Junkie since I was a teenager but I am starting to prefer more relaxing workouts like Yoga. Really want to try Bikram Yoga.

Holy grail food?

AVOCADO!! So versatile- Great in salads, smoothies and raw deserts :)

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what 3 things would you bring?

Fire starter, An avocado tree & a kindle with HEAPS of books loaded on (solar charged :P).

ONE piece of advice for those just at the start of their change to a cleaner lifestyle.

Make one change. One change is better than none at all. Educate others where possible or encourage them to source information so they can make an educated decision.

ONE thing we didn't know about you?

I was U18 National Champion for Hammer Throwing :P

Why do you DO what you DO?

Because I want to affect change. If that is to one person only, I would be so happy!

Yummy Quinoa Porridge

Finding healthy breakfast alternatives has always been a challenge for me. Luckily I mixed some of my favorite items together and produced a WINNER :)

The following is how I prepared it; but feel free to add your favorite ingredients as you see fit.

Yummy Quinoa Porridge

Ingredients

Half a cup of cooked quinoa
Half a frozen banana
5 Strawberries
Quarter cup of Raspberries
1/2 cup of your favorite rice/nut milk
1 Tsp Mesquite Powder
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
Sprinkle of Desiccated Coconut

Directions

1. Place quinoa, banana, rice/nut milk, mesquite powder and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat until mixture is your desired temperature (some may like it warmer than others) & the banana has defrosted to blend in with the mixture.
2. Add your toppings.
3. Nom Nom Nom :)

4 Tips to Start your Journey of Change

4 Tips to Start your Journey of Change

For some the decision to make a healthy change comes naturally and quite quickly. But for others like myself it took a LONG process to make the change to a more pure life (Healthy food, Happy Mind & Healthy Body).

I was like many other twenty something ladies who go along in life worrying more about calorie consumption than the 'substance' I was putting into my body. I realize now (whilst sipping on my Green Juice) it is all about quality not quantity! I hope to spread inspiration and help others who are in a place where I was at a few years ago.

Here are my top four tips to getting started and making a change to a pure life:

1. Make a commitment to start.

You may have been thinking about it for weeks, months or even years but now is the time to make a commitment. Write down your goals somewhere where you will see it constantly (for me this is my planner) or make your goal accountable by telling someone close to you what your intentions are.

Your goals can be short term or long term but try and follow the SMART approach (Specific-Measurable-Attainable-Realistic-Timely).

2. Learn, Learn, Learn.

This step will be different for everyone and can include articles, books, blogs, documentaries, Ted Talks videos, movies, seminars or conversing with others knowledgeable on the topic you want to learn.For me the documentary Food Inc was what changed it all for me. It opened my eyes to a world I HAD to know more about. This documentary really shocked me and from there I started learning more about organic/sustainable food, eating for health, juicing, yoga, meditation and spirituality.

I recommend these for a jolt of motivation:

Food Inc- Documentary

Hungry for Change- Documentary

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead- Documentary and fellow AUSSIE :)

Spirit Junkie- Book by Gabrielle Bernstein

A Stroke of Insight- Ted Talks

3. Swap this for that.

For some people the 'jump all in' approach is best, if that is not the case for you then I suggest this approach. Making healthier swaps makes the change not seem as drastic. I always used to ask myself the question, is there a better alternative?

Swapping this for that all depends on what area you are looking at changing. For me it was the food I was ingesting and my mental/spiritual state.

Food Swaps- Dairy milk chocolate to raw organic dark chocolate, Non organic to Organic produce, pasta for quinoa, iceberg lettuce for kale/spinach, soft drink for water or better yet cold pressed juice (just to name a few).

Spiritual goodness- Swap negative thoughts for gratitude. Sounds simple but sometimes in the midst of a stressful 9 to 5 job and fighting traffic for two hours each day it can be a challenge. Each day say three things you are grateful for, one thing you are proud of and one goal you have. I believe it is so important to be grateful but also to recognize your achievements no matter how big or small they are.

4. Find others who share your passion.

We are so lucky to have the Internet so easily available, where with one touch we can connect with communities of like-minded people. Find others who share your passion and this will make it so much easier to stay on the right path. When you share your passion with others, you are consciously recognizing/affirming the path you are on. This could be through a Facebook page, sites like MindBodyGreen, blogs, community groups or people who are truly interested in your changes. This was the whole reason I started my Facebook Page- to share my passion with anyone who wants to hear it :)

"Surround yourself with people that are only going to lift you higher". Oprah Winfrey

Most importantly, Recognize that the change you are embarking on is an accomplishment in itself and that with any accomplishment there will challenges to overcome. Keep at it because any change is better than none at all.

"Be the change you want to see in the world". Mahatma Gandhi

4 Things I LOVE at the Moment!

Not quite eight things but these are four are AWESOME!

1. Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein

I have never been much of a reader but I have really been enjoying this book. I recommend this book for anyone who wants a big slap of Inspiration. The author Gabrielle Bernstein tells her spiritual journey and gives you tools to overcome fears that hold you back in life.

“Love is where we all begin. When we are born, all we know is love.”

GO GABBY!

2. Smoothies

I absolutely love smoothies at the moment, which is quite odd considering it is winter here in Australia. Never the less every morning I whip up my smoothie in around ten minutes!

I have no set recipe but use what is on hand and this generally is,

Goji Berries

Avocado

Banana

Strawberries

Aloe Vera

Super Greens Powder

Raw Cocoa Powder

Camu Camu Powder

Noni Powder

Olive Leaf Extract

Chia Seeds

Rick Milk

I can feel the goodness when I drink this smoothie. It is such a great feeling when you know you are feeding your body GREAT food.

3. Rawfoodrecipes.com

This website holds some awesome recipes! I personally use it more for deserts and it is great to take a ‘Rake’ (Raw Cake) to a get together and have people astonished at how good they taste.

I can vouch for the recipe below, the color is from Beetroot Juice…. AWESOME!!!

Pomegranate Cheesecake

4. This Article by Chris Kresser

I am looking more and more into the food I eat. It feels like once you start looking you can’t stop. I am so grateful that I am aware of what is in foods that I eat and that I can make an educated choice.

Unfortunately most people do not make educated choices, as they can’t even begin to comprehend the harmful toxins they are ingesting into their bodies.

Chris Kresser's Article - 9 steps to perfect health-1

This is a great article that I found today by Chris Kresser.  He explains what toxins are, breaks down the term gluten and talks about the dangers of un-fermented soy. This article was great reading and I hope it is for you too.

Well, it is a three day weekend for me :) Going to walk on the beach, hang with my loved ones and do/read things that inspire me!

Goodie Balls :)

One thing I want to do is get away from my craving of CHOCOLATE!! I have always been addicted to chocolate and found myself going for those little snack size chocolates every afternoon at work.... BOO :(

The best way to get away from eating chocolate is to have some healthier snacks handy . . . like these YUMMY Fruit Balls. This is one of the easiest recipes ever… YAY!

GOODIE BALLS (Gluten Free)

250 grams of Dried Fruit~ Any type (Preferably Organic)

50 grams of Raisins

50 grams of Almonds

1 Tbs Raw Organic Cocoa Powder

1 Tbs LSA

2 Tbs Organic coconut milk

2 Tbs Desiccated Coconut

Directions

1. Chop up the dried fruit into manageable pieces (1cm)
2. Place dried fruit, raisins, almonds, cocoa powder, LSA and coconut milk in a food processor. Mix until completely combined
3. Roll the mix into balls and roll the balls in a plate of desiccated coconut until covered
4. EAT - Best served cold

One Life by James Morrison

Sometimes you come across a song by chance that completely resonates with you and how you are feeling at that exact moment.

This song was exactly that . . . I think it is such a beautiful song with great lyrics to inspire everyone :)

James Morrison~ One life

When I was a young boy
I was living for the moment
The world was wide open
I had every choice
But with so many choices, 
I just didn't know what to do now

All I say is forget it
If you tell me I'll regret it
Just let it be what it is
Coz it's so easy to say

If I knew yesterday what I know today, 
where would I be tomorrow
I won't let my soul slide away, 
I'd do whatever it takes
Coz this time's only borrowed

I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it
I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it right


My daddy sat me down, he said,
"Son it's probably time to start making some plans"
And I said, "No, not right now"
With so many choices
I just didn't know what to do now

All I'd say is forget it when he'd tell me I'd regret it
Just let it be what it is, coz it's so easy to say.

If I knew yesterday what I know today, 
where would I be tomorrow
I won't let my soul slide away,
I'd do whatever it takes
Coz this time's only borrowed

I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it
I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it right

You say the more you think you know what's right
The less you do what you feel inside
So I won't pretend that I always know
I just follow my heart wherever it goes
And I may not always get it right
But at least I'm living coz I've only got this…

One life, one life, one life, I've got this one life.

If I knew yesterday what I know today, 
where would I be tomorrow
I won't let my soul slide away, 
I'd do whatever it takes
Coz this time's only borrowed

I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it
I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it right

When I'm an old man, hope I'll be rocking in my chair
Smiling to myself
I'll tell my baby girl
"You only get one life, so make sure you live it right"

My Mission

So you may wonder . . . . what do I want to change? Well, I think many people strive for the same but these are my goals:

1. Buy Organic Food; if this is not possible buy from local farmers markets

2. Create wonderful and healthy meals/ snacks :) I love cooking and have started rooking and raking a lot more (Raw Cooking and Baking)

3. Find different activities that allow me get active and love it

4. Maintain a small Organic garden

5. Cut out as many chemical laden products as I can and find alternatives. (Make-up, skin/body care, cleaning products, etc)

6. Listen to my ~ing (inner guidance) and let that guide me

7. Learn and practice meditation

8. To forgive what has happened in the past, move on & project LOVE in the future

9. Continue to BE GRATEFUL

10. Spread the word.

I think for many people (at least me anyway) when making a commitment to change anything in your life, the thought can be overwhelming. I know that in the PAST I have hidden my goals because I was worried of what others would think of me if I did not achieve them.

BUT NOW- I think anyone who is trying to make a change is AWESOME…. Setting a goal is the first and most crucial step that many do not take!

“I won’t let me soul slide away, I’ll do whatever it takes because this time’s only borrowed,

I got one life, one life, one life and I’m gonna live it.”

One Life ~ James Morrison

Welcome To My Journey

The Long Road Ahead....

I think everyone has that age that makes them feel like it is time to grow up…. you know that scary age. For some it could be turning forty or for others when you leave your teenage years. For me, this age is fast approaching and I feel that it is time I got my act together and take control of my life (mind, health & body).

Unlike many of the people I admire on the world wide web (The Wellness Warrior, Gabrielle Burnstein, etc), I have not had a life changing moment where I feel like my world, like my mind should drastically change.  BUT I never wanted to reach rock bottom to have to CHANGE my life and I feel like there are a lot of people in the world similar to me.

For me, my upcoming birthday feels like New Years, but on a bigger scale! Celebrations yes, but more the resolutions that come with it and these resolutions are ones that I want to last a lifetime. 

But where do I start?

I have so many goals; to get rid of  man of the toxic chemicals that currently drench my life, eat whole organic foods, exercise (and enjoy it) and become one with myself- sounds funny but I think if we can understand ourselves, let go and trust the universe, you can do anything.

My posts are that of someone who is trying to change their life for the better, towards a more pure life. Better food, a happy mind and healthy body. I am no expert or guru and will most probably make some mistakes along the way, but I am someone who is on a journey of learning and I want to share that with others who are also on that journey or contemplating whether or not to begin their own (DO IT!)