If you have read any of my stuff before you may well have heard me talk about Inika. And I am going to keep talking about this brand because I have totally fallen in love with their products! I feel SO excited about this! Mainly because when I first started my journey into using organic and natural makeup and cosmetics, I didn't believe that I would find any makeup products that did the job as well as mainstream (chemical laden ones).

Well Inika products do!!

In fact I like them BETTER than mainstream make up.

I am still in the process of making the switch over to all organic make up. It would have been expensive to do it all in one go, so I am using what I have in my make up bag, and the as things run out I am replacing them with the natural, organic versions instead. So at the moment my makeup bag is a bit of a mish mash!

And I absolutely love the Inika products I do have so far. I intend that ALL my products will be Inika soon.

I did try a couple of other natural, organic make up brands, and still have more research to do, and as yet I haven't found anything that feels as good quality as Inika.

You can check out their products, plus some reviews and discounts HERE.

Enjoy!

Julie.

I love this video!
Happy Friday peeps.

(image courtesy of 'Michelle Meiklejohn' - freedigitalphotos.net)

There is no denying it, I put on some weight over the winter. Why? Well there are lots of reasons, I will share a couple in a minute, however that is not what I want to talk about today.

A woman's weight will naturally go up and down at various points in her life, for the majority of women. I do know a minority few who are a stable weight and never change. Usually these women have never dieted. However that is not me. And it's not most women.

What I want to talk about today is how putting on weight can make us FEEL as women.

It would be nice to say that we don't give a hoot, and for most women this just simply isn't true! However I can say that at this point in my life I am not that bothered either! Wow, that is HUGE for me (excuse the pun! :-)) And that is not in a 'I'm giving up and getting fat' kind of way. It's more of an acceptance of what is. In this case that there were some circumstances that I reacted to a certain way, which caused me to gain a little weight. And that is OK.

I am still healthy. And I am losing it - in fact most of it has already come back off.

I can't say I was happy about putting weight on. And I wasn't surprised either. I had some serious stress over this cold winter, and my old pattern reaction to stress is to eat junk! It is a pattern I am gradually changing, however it got REALLY stressful this winter, and the old habits got me again.

The difference now is there is little, if any guilt. I attribute a lot of this to the Health At Every Size movement that I follow and also promote to some degree. You can read more HERE.

I don't agree 100% with EVERYTHING that they say. In a nutshell the message is eat intuitively, exercise for fun and accept yourself as you are, and these messages are GREAT! In fact I have been promoting them for years. However HAES says that people who do this might not lose weight. OK, so they might not, and I actually think that most people who follow this approach, if they do it right for them, they will lose weight! That is my own, real personal opinion. And this is where it gets sticky, because if for some reason a person DOESN'T lose weight, getting all guilty and struggling WILL NOT HELP!

Also I think eating intuitively can be a tricky one. And I do think that sometimes we need to regulate what we eat a little - WITHOUT SETTING UP A STRUGGLE MENTALITY. This goes against what HAES preach.

Personally I don't think intending to manage your weight is a bad thing. In fact I think it is a good idea. AND ONLY WHEN DONE GENTLY AND WITHOUT STRUGGLE AND GUILT. That is the main reason I like HAES, because what they do is help take the struggle and guilt away. They work to stop demonisation of women who don't look like stick insects (most of us). However *I* don't believe there is anything wrong with aspiring to be slim. As in strong, and healthy. Fat does NOT mean unhealthy by the way. And that is another good message from HAES.

It's an in depth topic huh?

That is why weight issues are very personal. And there is no one size fits all approach. You have to find what works and feels OK to you. If one approach NEARLY fits for you, as HAES does for me, grab what works and then put your own twist on it. Experiment, make it yours.

One major benefit I HAVE got from HAES is the ability not to panic when I do put on weight. And to feel good about myself anyway.

I know for me with my lifestyle any weight I do put on usually comes off pretty quick again anyway.

I am all for eating intuitively, and I also think that there are ways we can support ourselves to eat well. Such as - I have recently started juicing. Juicing is GREAT, and gives me LOADS of amazing nutrition, and helps me not to feel hungry. And Pole Fitness gets me back in shape super quick because it gets my muscles working like NOTHING else.

So I do STILL believe in HAES, however with my own twist.

And as for my winter padding, I am OK with that too, and now that summer is on the way, my flat has sold and my debts are nearly paid, well I feel better going back to slim and lean me again!

Just a real quick post to say that I LOVE to hear back from you all. I think many opinions and shared knowledge is better than just my opinion and knowledge.

So if you have something to share, that you think could benefit the women who read here, make a comment in the comments box, or get in touch with me to do a guest blog post.

I think the best way women can support each other is to share, and I believe each and every one of you has something useful you could share, no matter who you are!

Julie. x

I just wanted to tell you about the Bareface range of bespoke organic cosmetics that I have discovered and LOVE. These are handmade by Stephanie Slade and are made from the finest natural, organic ingredients. They are a treat for your face and they are also reasonably priced.

I have tried both of the moisturising creams, the bloom cream and the petal cream. The bloom cream is lighter, more like a daytime cream or best for someone with young skin who needs light moisturisation. The Petal cream is a bit richer, so I use it as a night cream, and it packs a good moisture punch for those with dry or mature skin. It reminds me of the Nivea my Auntie used to use when I was a child in terms of consistency, and it feels heavenly on the skin. The creams also smell nice.

The best part though is that they don't contain any of the nasty carcinogenic chemicals that most of the mainstream creams and cosmetics have, like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Parabens and Phthalates. Apart from being known carcinogenics (cancer causing) these chemicals have been linked to a host of other health problems including hormone disruption, infertility and problems in fetal and child development, just to mention a few. There are MANY more issues. Don't assume that because you can buy it is is safe! To find out more about these nasty chemicals GO HERE.

Back to the Bareface range though, you won't find anything like that in these products, only stuff that is good for your skin. Stephanie used to work for Dr Hauscha and so is an expert in blending the ingredients just right. Here creams start at £18 per pot and there are other products available including mineral face masks, almond face cleanser, floral water and more.

She also offers a host of treatments such as facials using her own natural, organic products. You can visit her website here: www.bareface.info

Or call her on: 07835 927868

Enjoy!

Julie. x

To read more about natural organic beauty go see my Natural Beauty Blog HERE.

Just a very quick post to say that I am feeling shocked today. I just saw Kerry Katona (who is a well known B list celebrity over here in the UK) doing a TV advertisement for a loan company. You know the sort of company that offers pay day loans to people who can't make ends meet and then charge ridiculously high interest rates and crazy charges when people can't pay! So basically NOT a good idea for someone who is in debt or who has money issues.

And the thing that has really shocked me about this is that I read an article a few years ago in which Kerry talked about her own debt problems, and how hard it was for her when she was in debt. So why oh why would she agree to do an ad that would lead people into further debt if she understands the problem?

Perhaps she is STILL in debt and needs the money, and where do you draw the line? Where do ethics come in? At what point do we turn down work because it goes against what we believe.

I do know how it feels to be in that tight position, where you NEED money, like really need it. The bills are coming in and you CAN'T pay. Pressure is piling up and you take what works comes your way. However surely you wouldn't promote the very thing that would make the whole situation worse for people.

What do you think?

You can read about my struggles with debt HERE and how I overcame them, including sensible ideas and practical solutions for getting out of debt, without compromising your morals.

Julie.

(image courtesy of 'Graur Azvan Ionut' - freedigitalphotos.net)

This post is a little different from normal.

Some of you may know that I went through some tough times recently, some challenges.

To cut a very long story very short about 3 years ago I went through a horrible relationship breakdown, and I was having a tough time with a super stressful job. I was also overweight, unhealthy and unhappy in my body. These things led to a breakdown and then later I had to face a lot of debt, which I am still paying off now, however I am well on my way to being debt free! I also had a tough time in my love life.

When I had the breakdown I knew things had to change, and the subsequent three years have been all about making that happen. Well I am pleased to report that things have finally turned around for me!

Here are some MAJOR things that have fallen into place for me recently.

1 - I found the relationship I wanted, one that makes me happy and now I am happily ENGAGED! :-)

2 - I sold my flat and paid off the majority of my debt. The debt that is left is manageable AND I have learned how to manage my money, and that I really don't need to spend so much, or buy so much stuff when I am happy. Also I now have a small emergency fund!

3 - I realised my dreams of earning money from my own businesses, doing things I LOVE, instead of slogging my guts out working for someone else! I now have a successful fitness business and my online business is growing too. I have started to make some money online from home. And there have been some freebie products (natural beauty) too for me to review which has been GREAT! :-)

These three things are HUGE for me.

The last few years have been HARD, even after I decided what I wanted to do, I had to face up to my debts, and take responsibility for my love life and my life in general, there was some very challenging moments, and it took a while for me to turn the situation around. Time, intent and commitment on my part. Being in a black pit of debt is not a nice place to be, and coming out the other side feels good, although I still feel very cautious, as I want to make sure that things are different for me financially from now on.

Obviously we never know what is around the corner, and life includes some challenges. However it feels so good to finally be where I have been visualising for a while now!

I feel very happy. And I want to say thank you to my friends and family who have been supportive. And also to the universe that has brought me to where I am. And always had my back, even when it didn't feel like it.

I am stronger for this experience. However more than that I am wiser. I am careful with money now. I am careful with my relationship. But mostly I am careful with myself.

Because I want better for myself now. And I will do what it takes to make sure that my life is better. And that I am living my life for ME, and doing what *I* want to do with my life.

And on that note I would like to say thank you to myself. For making the changes, being committed, and seeing it through to create the life I wanted.

As I said there will always be ups and downs, and I feel equipped to deal with those.

And for now I am just going to celebrate the great things I have in my life, and feel appreciative.

I hope you are all on your paths to create the lives you want as well.

I am here if you want to ask me anything.

Much Love

Julie. x

If you would like to know more about the challenges I faced and how I overcame them CLICK HERE.

If you would like to know more about how I turned my lovelife around CLICK HERE.

NEW - Zumba Gold class starting. Zumba Gold is Zumba for the older adult. It is suitable for people who enjoy the fun of a Zumba class, and need a slightly slower pace. If you enjoy dancing this class is for you.
For more details about this class go here: Zumba Gold With Red Sirens, or contact me.
Julie.

Not sure if Zumba Gold is for you? Read Shirley's Story:

Shirley (65yrs): I didn't think I could lose any weight, it had been going on over the past few years and I just thought at my age it was inevitable.... I may never be quite the 'Sea Siren', but I no longer feel like the rock they sit on! I'M DANCING!
March 2012

(Image courtesy of 'Marin' freedigitalphotos.net)
I have been gradually transforming my life in MANY ways. From my work and time management through to what I eat and also what I put on my body!

Recently I have been gradually making the switch over to all natural, organic make up and cosmetics. From hair dye (I have found a fab organic hairdressers), to make up and shower gel, even toothpaste and deodorant. I have tried and tested many natural and organic products now and have found some that I loved, and some that I didn't get on with. And I have reviewed them all over at my site happyandnatural.co.uk

Making the switch over to natural and organic products has been GREAT for me, and just feels so much better for my body. I know that I am reducing my exposure to toxins and chemicals and I have found some excellent products.

I wrote an article on my favourite all natural, organic make up brand. You can read it HERE.

If you are considering making the switch over I would urge you to go for it!

Julie. x

(image courtesy of Grant Cochrane - freedigitalphotos.net)
Creating a beautifully decorated table to mark special occasions and celebrations is a tradition in our family. I LOVED the expectation of coming downstairs on a Birthday to the site of a gorgeous, dressed table with goodies, presents, flowers and food. Great!

And I love decorating a table for Easter to create a special Easter table.

I have written an article about decorating an Easter table here: Easter Table.
Also included is an idea for making Easter decorations together as a family.