Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”?

It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded with additives and refined sugar.

So, let’s clear this up once and for all:

Is fruit sugar bad for you?

No.

In fact, when it comes to supporting your body’s energy, immunity, and healing systems, fruit sugar in its natural form is not only safe—it’s essential.

This article explains the difference between natural and refined sugars, and why fruit should never be feared in a healthy diet.

What Kind of Sugar Is in Fruit?

What is natural fruit sugar?

Fruit contains a natural sugar called fructose, but it’s not the same as the high-fructose corn syrup found in processed foods.

How fruit sugar behaves in the body

Unlike refined sugars, fruit sugar is packaged with fiber, water, vitamins, and enzymes. These elements slow down how sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream and help regulate energy levels naturally.

Why Natural Sugar Is Not the Same as Processed Sugar

Refined vs. unrefined sugar

There are two main categories:

  • Plant-made sugars, like those found in fruit and vegetables.

  • Man-made sugars, such as table sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Processed sugars are stripped of nutrients, absorbed rapidly, and linked to blood sugar spikes, inflammation, and chronic illness.

The dangers of man-made sugar

Consuming refined sugar over time can lead to:

  • Weight gain

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Liver dysfunction

  • Heart disease

  • Fatigue and brain fog

How Fruit Supports Energy and Cellular Health

Fruit feeds your cells, not your cravings

Natural sugar from fruit nourishes your body at the cellular level. It fuels the brain, supports metabolic function, and assists in detoxification.

The role of fiber in fruit

Fruit also contains soluble fiber, which improves digestion, regulates blood sugar, and supports a healthy gut microbiome.

Does Fruit Sugar Cause Weight Gain or Diabetes?

What the research actually shows

Contrary to popular belief, studies show that whole fruit consumption reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes and supports weight loss due to its fiber content and nutrient density.

Real issue: processed food, not fruit

People often blame fruit for weight gain or sugar spikes, but the real culprits are:

  • Sweetened drinks

  • Refined grains

  • Packaged snacks

  • Processed meat and dairy

The Real Reason People Feel Bad After Eating Fruit

Gut dysfunction and fructose malabsorption

If someone experiences bloating or fatigue after eating fruit, it’s often due to an already damaged gut, not the fruit itself.

Many people heal these symptoms through a short-term fruit cleanse, allowing the gut to reset with hydration, fiber, and easy-to-digest nutrition.

Bringing Back Common Sense: Fruit as Real Food

Would you fear an apple in nature?

If you were walking through nature and found a tree full of ripe fruit, would you avoid it because of “sugar”? Of course not. Your body instinctively recognizes fruit as food.

Fruit is not your enemy—it’s your ally

Instead of fearing fruit, we should fear:

  • Synthetic sweeteners

  • Chemically-altered processed foods

  • Nutritional misinformation spread by the food industry

Conclusion

Is fruit sugar bad for you? No.

Processed sugar is the real issue.

Fruit is one of the most healing, hydrating, and energizing foods available. It’s time to stop the fear and trust what nature provides.

Let go of the myths. Eat fruit. Heal your body.
Want to know the phenomenal benefits of a juice feast (Just consuming juice and water for a few days) – jump over HERE

Ready to Talk About Your Health?

If this article challenged what you’ve been told about fruit, sugar, and healing — and you’re ready to explore how real food and natural sugars could help you improve your energy, digestion, or chronic symptoms…

Let’s chat.

Book a free call with me here:

Book a Chat with Nat

No pressure, no gimmicks — just real conversation about your goals, your symptoms, and how fruits and juices might actually be the missing piece in your wellness journey.

72-Hour Water Fast Reset – In Person at Thirsty For Change

72-Hour Water Fast Reset – In Person at Thirsty For Change

Fasting is simple, but it’s not always easy — especially if you try to do it on your own. That’s why our in-person 72-hour water fast retreat at Hill River is different. You’re guided every step of the way, with daily tools that make the fast more effective, and a full plan to break the fast properly. No guesswork, no rebound. Just a reset that actually lasts.

Why Try a 72-Hour Water Fast?

When you give your body a break from food for three days, something pretty amazing happens. Your cells get the chance to rest, repair, and reset. This is what’s known as a 72-hour water fast — no food, just pure water.

It may sound tough, but experts like Dr. Valter Longo, a leading researcher in ageing and longevity at the University of Southern California, have shown that short, prolonged fasts like this can have profound health benefits . Dr. Longo’s work has inspired doctors, health coaches, and people around the world (including me) to explore water fasting as a powerful way to support the body’s natural healing systems.

Dr. Mindy Pelz, another well-known fasting educator, often explains fasting in simple terms: “It’s not about starving your body, it’s about unlocking its ability to heal.”

Let’s break down what happens in just three days.

What Actually Happens in 72 Hours of Fasting?

Day 1: Shifting Gears

By the end of the first 24 hours, your body has burned through its stored sugar (glycogen) and starts tapping into fat for energy. This is where ketones come in — little fuel molecules made from fat. Many people notice clearer thinking, steady energy, and even a lift in mood when ketones start flowing .

Day 2: Deep Cleaning Mode

Around 36–48 hours, your body activates something called autophagy — literally meaning “self-eating.” This is your cells spring cleaning: breaking down old, damaged parts and recycling them into something useful . It’s a reset button at the cellular level.

Day 3: Repair and Renewal

By 72 hours, Dr. Longo’s research shows the immune system kicks into full renewal mode. Fasting triggers the body to recycle old white blood cells and produce fresh new ones . That’s why people often feel lighter, clearer, and deeply reset after three days.

Why These Changes Matter

  • Lower insulin & better blood sugar control: Studies show fasting drops insulin levels and improves sensitivity . That means your body gets better at managing sugar — important for energy and long-term metabolic health.

  • Reduced IGF-1 & PKA: IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) and PKA are growth signals. When they’re constantly high (often due to overeating), they’re linked with ageing and disease. A 72-hour fast reduces these signals, giving the body a chance to focus on repair instead of growth .

  • Mental clarity & energy: Ketones fuel the brain in a clean, steady way. Many fasters describe less “brain fog” and more clarity .

  • Immune reset: Longo’s team found that fasting for 72 hours encourages the production of new stem cells — the body’s raw materials for repair .

The Human Side of Fasting

It’s easy to get lost in the science, but here’s the real truth: fasting is ancient. People have been doing it for thousands of years, across cultures and traditions. What modern science has done is simply put the microscope on what our bodies already know how to do.

Yes, it takes grit to go without food for three days — but you’re not “starving.” You’re giving your body space to do the work it’s designed for: heal, repair, and restore balance.

Doing It Safely

A 72-hour water fast isn’t something to jump into without preparation or support just because ‘others are doing it’. That’s why I am running my Thirsty For Change: The Deep Reset Water Fast here in Australia, in Hill River. Together, in community, we make the journey not only safe but deeply empowering.

Key Takeaways

  • 72 hours of water fasting = immune reset, better blood sugar balance, cellular clean-up, and mental clarity.

  • Backed by science from Dr. Valter Longo, Dr. Mindy Pelz, and other fasting experts.

  • Best done with proper guidance and support, especially if it’s your first time.

Ready to experience this reset yourself? Join us in Hill River for Thirsty For Change – The Deep Reset Water Fast. Together, we’ll step into stillness, health, and renewal — the back-to-basics way.

 

 

 

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us.

It actually removes some anxiety, some stress.

It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do.

It took me a while to figure it out. People would ask me, “What are you passionate about? Why do you run your businesses, make products, hold events, travel four hours to get fruit, meat that you can buy at the local shops?”

I’d answer, “Because it helps people, it’s better for you.”

But that’s a bit of a blah, half-assed answer.

The deeper truth is this: I believe food, people and soil are completely intertwined. When we disconnect from where our food comes from, we disconnect from a huge part of ourselves — our health, our energy, our resilience, and even our community.

The Local Food Awakening

When I started paying closer attention to food labels years ago, it wasn’t from a trendy health perspective. It was because I couldn’t make sense of why babies’ skincare was full of chemicals I wouldn’t dare go near — and yet here we were, told it was “safe.”

That’s where the journey began. From skincare to food to farming to fasts, the through-line is the same: what goes in and on our bodies matters.

What we eat, what we feed our families, and how it’s grown — it all matters.

But here’s something I reckon not enough people know: WA’s food supply is not what it used to be.

We’re a state of vast distances.

Much of the fresh produce you see in a standard supermarket has travelled further than some people’s annual holidays. It’s been picked early, stored in controlled atmospheres, sprayed to extend shelf life. It’s often lacking the vitality, nutrients, and taste you’d expect from something labelled “fresh.”

On top of that, Western Australia has regulatory import conditions that requires chemical treatment of produce prior to entering WA from other States & Territory’s, within Australia, not just from overseas. Yep!

WA’s strict quarantine protects our agriculture industry from pests and diseases. But did you know that means your fruit might be dipped, sprayed or fumigated before you even see it on the shelf? While it’s considered “safe” under certain limits, it raises questions for many of us who just want food in its most natural, unbothered-by-science state.

Then there’s the issue of pesticides, herbicides, waxes, preservatives.

And this is happening right here. Right now. Has done for as long as I was working within the Ag industry, and I started in 1999!

Why Local Food Systems Matter (Beyond The Obvious)

Yes, there’s the obvious answer: local food is fresher. You’re supporting farmers in your region. It keeps money in the local economy.

But it runs deeper. When you buy local, you’re investing in your future resilience.

If the pandemic years taught us anything, it’s this: our big food supply chains aren’t bulletproof. Supermarket shelves can empty faster than a kombucha fridge at a yoga retreat.

When we lean into local — whether it’s the bloke down the road with his spray-free orchard, the family-run butcher, or the regenerative farmer producing eggs from hens on pasture — we strengthen something money can’t buy: community connection, food security, and trust.

Local producers aren’t just selling food. They’re tending soil, stewarding water, nurturing biodiversity.

They’re restoring something we’ve almost forgotten in this age of convenience: the sacred relationship between people, land, and nourishment.

What’s Really On Our Plates? A Quick WA Reality Check

Here in WA, our soils are some of the oldest and most depleted in the world. That’s just geography. It’s why smart farmers rotate crops, use regenerative, sustainable, organic, biodynamic practices, and rebuild organic matter, they work from the soil up.

But industrial agriculture hasn’t always respected this.
Chemical fertilisers, heavy machinery, monocrops, and overgrazing have stripped a lot of life from the soil. That affects water retention, nutrient density, and — yep — the food we eat.

I know farmers who are working their arses off to turn this around. They’re growing nutrient-dense, chemical-free produce on land their families have farmed for generations. Others are newer, forging paths in permaculture, syntropic farming, or holistic grazing.

They’re the people I want to support. Because they’re not just feeding us — they’re healing the land under our feet.

When you bite into an apple, in season, from a local spray free grower, it tastes different. Not just because it’s fresher. Not just because it hasn’t been trucked across borders or kept in cool rooms for months. Because the soil it came from is alive.

Alive soil grows better food.
Better food nourishes better health.
Better health creates stronger communities.

It’s really that simple.

What About Meat? Same Story, Different Package.

It’s the same for meat. Beef sourced locally, from a certified biodynamic or certified organic farmer, has been raised on land that’s had zero chemical inputs. Those animals have lived as nature intended — out on pasture, grazing freely on grasses, not kept in feedlots being finished on grains to fatten up faster. It’s all market demand driven, not health for you, your family or the planet.

Cows are NOT designed to eat grain. Their digestive system is made for foraging, moving slowly across paddocks, munching on grasses, herbs, and shrubs. That’s how you get beef that’s rich in nutrients, with a healthier fat profile, and without the residues of growth hormones or unnecessary medications.

It’s better for the animal, better for the land, and better for us.

The Connection Between Soil Health and Human Health

You’ve probably heard the saying: “We’re not just what we eat, we’re what our food eats.”

If your carrots grew in dead, compacted dirt pumped up on synthetic fertilisers, they’re not bringing much goodness to your plate.

But if they grew in soil rich with organic matter, buzzing with microbes, supported by healthy fungi and worms… you’re getting more than just vitamins. You’re getting life force.

Healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy people.
It’s a feedback loop.

And guess what else? The diversity of microbes in soil mirrors the diversity we want in our own gut microbiome. The same things that heal land can heal us: variety, balance, and care.

Why I’ll Drive Hours For Real Food

People think I’m a bit mad sometimes. “Surely you can just get that at the local Woolies?”

Sure, I could. But I know the story behind the goodies I get from my friends farm. I’ve walked their rows, watched how they care for his land. I’ve had the conversations, seen the hard slog over the years to get it to where it is today.

I know firsthand the challenges that come with working alongside nature — the weather’s unpredictability, the changing seasons, and the frustration when people don’t understand why they can’t have certain foods available all year round.

It’s madness, really.

Then there’s the added insult of government regulations that force organic and biodynamic farmers to jump through expensive hoops just to prove their produce is free from chemicals. How backwards is that? Shouldn’t it be the chemically grown produce that carries the burden of proof — clearly labelled with the toxins used and the impact on our health? Common sense, right?

But despite all this, I also know the joy these farmers feel when they bring their harvest to the market, proudly offering food grown with integrity to people who truly appreciate the flavour, the quality, and the effort. You can taste the difference when someone has worked with nature, not against it. Their food tells that story in every bite.

That’s why I do a couple hours round trip when I can. It’s not just about the food. It’s about the connection, about supporting who and what I believe in.

When you meet your grower, shake their hand, share a yarn — something changes. Your food isn’t just calories. It’s relationship.

Good Food Is Slow, Seasonal, and Simple

We’ve been sold the lie that convenience is king.
That “quick” trumps “quality.”
That out-of-season strawberries are somehow normal.

But slowing down to honour the seasons brings us back to basics.

Right now, my family’s meals look different to what they did in summer. More root veg, more stews, more slow cooking.
It’s not restrictive. It’s natural.

 Seasonal eating brings rhythm & simplicity back to our lives.

We’re not meant to eat the same thing, day in, day out, year-round. Nature doesn’t work like that. Neither should we.

When we align with the seasons, we align with the land. And that alignment spills over — into our energy, our digestion, even our mood.

It’s Not About Perfection

This isn’t a holier-than-thou manifesto. I’m not perfect. My pantry isn’t 100% local or organic. Far from it. Sometimes I want a mango in July, and sometimes I cave.

But I keep coming back to what feels right. What feels aligned.

I choose to support the growers, producers, and makers doing things with heart.

And when I can’t buy local? I ask questions. I seek transparency. I try to buy from businesses who share my values.

Because this is about progress, not perfection.

The Ripple Effect of Your Choices

Every dollar you spend is a vote.
For the kind of world you want.
For the kind of food system you believe in.

When you choose local, you’re voting for:

  • Healthier soil
  • Cleaner waterways
  • Stronger communities
  • More resilient farmers
  • Better animal welfare
  • Greater food security
  • Nature, in all her natural glory

You’re voting for future generations to have access to clean, nourishing, honest food.

Want to Learn More? Come Join Us

If this kind of stuff lights a little fire in you — or if you’re just curious about how to simplify food, health, and life — you’re warmly invited to join us at our next 1-Day Back to Basics Event this September.

We’ll share stories, good food, simple tools, and grounded wisdom about getting back in tune with nature, your body, and your plate.

It’s about learning, laughing, connecting — and leaving with a full heart (and maybe a full belly, too).

Good food. Good people. Good soil. That’s what it’s all about.

Grab yourself a ticket to a day of getting back to basics here – 1-Day Get Back to Basics – September 21st 2025

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

New Moon in Cancer 2025: A Weekend to Reconnect

New Moon in Cancer 2025: A Weekend to Reconnect

Coming Home to Yourself: The Cancer New Moon & A Weekend to Realign

There’s something deeply special about the New Moon in Cancer—a time when the cosmos gently whispers, “Come home to yourself.” This year, the Cancer New Moon falls on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, and it arrives with far more than the usual energetic softness. It’s nestled within a rare and powerful astrological moment—a Jupiter Cazimi on June 24 and a Yod (“Finger of God”) formation involving Pluto and Mars.

As if by divine design, our Winter Weekend Getaway in Hill River (June 27–29) falls perfectly in this energetic window, offering the ideal container to reset, release, and realign. In the stillness of the bush, under wide winter skies, we’ll gather to slow down, reconnect, and receive the wisdom of this sacred lunar portal.

Let’s explore what makes this particular New Moon so potent—and why your mind, body, and soul may be craving this exact pause.

The Heart of Cancer Energy

Cancer is the divine feminine embodied—nurturing, intuitive, soft yet strong. Ruled by the Moon, it governs our emotional world, our inner child, our connection to family and home, and our ability to nourish both ourselves and others.

Where Aries launches and Capricorn builds, Cancer tends to. It waters. It listens. And under a New Moon in this sign, we’re asked to come back to our core needs—safety, emotional clarity, true belonging—and tend to the parts of ourselves that we often brush aside in the busyness of everyday life.

This is a time for:

  • Deep rest and emotional nourishment
  • Listening to the body’s cues and gut instinct
  • Reassessing the emotional climate of your relationships
  • Reclaiming rituals that make you feel grounded and whole

According to astrologers like Kaypacha, this lunation isn’t just about setting intentions. It’s about feeling your way into them. Cancer teaches us that manifestation doesn’t begin in the mind—it begins in the body, the breath, the waters of our emotional world.

Enter the Jupiter Cazimi – Expansion Through Purification

Just one day before the New Moon, the cosmos gifts us with a Jupiter Cazimi—a moment when Jupiter is “in the heart of the Sun” (exact conjunction), purified and reborn through solar light. Jupiter represents expansion, abundance, higher wisdom, and spiritual growth, and this alignment makes those qualities temporarily supercharged, visible, and deeply accessible.

This is a rare chance to see clearly where growth is needed, and where it’s being offered. But this isn’t blind optimism—it’s sacred clarity. This is where your dreams and your shadow meet.

Heather Eland (Astrology with Heather) describes this week as one of the most pivotal of the year, as the Cancer New Moon forms a Yod—a rare aspect pattern known as the “Finger of God”—with Pluto (deep transformation) and Mars (action and drive).

Combined with squares to Saturn (discipline, limitation) and Neptune (illusion, dreams), we’re being asked to confront and clear emotional, psychological, or even ancestral blocks before we can truly receive Jupiter’s blessings.

This isn’t your average manifesting moon—it’s more like a spiritual detox.

You may feel called to:

  • Break free from perfectionism or control
  • Set clear, loving emotional boundaries
  • Heal fear-based patterns that have kept you small
  • Reconnect with joy, intuition, and inner peace

Why This Matters for Your Body and Nervous System

While all of this might sound intense, it’s also a deeply healing window—especially if you create space to process and embody the shifts.

Your nervous system is your bridge between mind and body. When we don’t process emotional tension, it gets stored—often showing up as fatigue, burnout, or digestive upset. Cancer rules the gut and stomach—our emotional centre. So this moon offers an invitation to cleanse not just your thoughts, but your entire system.

This is why we’re so intentional with the rhythm of our Winter Escape weekend:

  • Wholefood nourishment that soothes the gut and supports detox
  • Mindset coaching to gently uncover stuck beliefs
  • Time in nature to reset your circadian rhythm and reconnect with Earth’s wisdom
  • Restorative movement and mindfulness practices to rewire your stress response
  • Evening sound healing sessions to help process emotion, reset your energy, and soothe the nervous system

It’s about embodiment, not escape. A chance to meet yourself exactly where you are—with kindness, compassion, and truth.

The Gift of a Conscious Pause

So often we push through. We plan, perform, and people-please.

But what if the most powerful shift you could make right now is to pause? To sit in stillness. To listen to the wisdom rising from within. To not only ask, “What do I want?” but “What do I truly need?”

The energy of this New Moon and Jupiter Cazimi calls us to:

  • Rewrite limiting stories with softness, not force
  • Honour our emotional cycles and needs
  • Trust that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind—it means aligning

And it’s not something you have to do alone.

A Weekend Aligned with the Cosmos

When we set the dates for our Winter Getaway in Hill River (June 27–29), we didn’t know the cosmic timing would be this aligned. But here we are—on sacred land, beneath open skies, in the days following one of the most energetically charged New Moons of the year.

This retreat is intentionally limited to a small group, creating space for:

  • Genuine connection
  • Personal reflection
  • Deep nourishment of body, mind, and spirit

We’ll gather around the fire, share meals made with love, learn from each other, and honour the cycles within and without. Each evening, we’ll also come together for sound healing, using vibration and frequency to clear the energetic body, deepen the integration, and create space for peace.

This isn’t about doing more.
 It’s about remembering who you are when you do less.

New Moon Takeaway

The New Moon in Cancer conjunct Jupiter is a sacred nudge to come home to yourself—your inner knowing, your emotions, your body’s wisdom.

Yes, it may ask you to face some truth. Yes, it might stir something buried. But in doing so, it creates space for lightness, freedom, and real expansion.

If you’ve been feeling the call to rest, to re-centre, to reconnect with your health and inner rhythm—this is your cosmic permission slip.

And if you’re ready to say yes to yourself in a big, beautiful, grounded way—join us in Hill River.

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

What Happens When You Let the Body Heal Itself: The Truth About Water Fasting

What Happens When You Let the Body Heal Itself: The Truth About Water Fasting

Discover the benefits of water fasting for pain, blood pressure, and inflammation. This ancient practice helps your body rest, repair, and heal.

Why Would Anyone Just Drink Water?

Turns out—lots of people.

My first water fast happened during my training to become a Certified Tolman Health Coach. I’d already done juice fasts, sure, but water only? That was a whole new level.

And let me tell you—it’s not crazy. It’s transformational. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

When you combine water fasting with simple, natural practices—like sunrise gazing, cold plunges (whether that’s an ocean dip or an ice bath), breathwork, sound healing, grounding, and rest—the body comes alive. Inflammation calms, pain fades, the mind clears, and you begin to feel a deep sense of connection again. The body finally gets on with what it was designed to do: heal.

A Gentle Word Before You Begin

Before considering any form of fasting, especially water fasting, it’s important to chat with your trusted health professional. This is about education and inspiration, not medical advice. Everyone’s body and story is different, and fasting should always be approached with care, intention, and proper guidance.

And let’s be clear—this isn’t about restriction or deprivation. Fasting is one of the oldest healing tools known to humankind. It’s about repair, renewal, and deep rest for your body, not punishment. When done properly and with support, fasting can actually help heal your relationship with food and your body.

So Why Would Someone Choose to Water Fast?

You might consider it if you want to:

💧 Reduce inflammation, pain, and bloating
 💧 Heal from autoimmune conditions
 💧 Reset your blood pressure and cardiovascular health
 💧 Balance hormones or ease symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis
 💧 Reverse the early signs of metabolic disease
 💧 Reset your immune system and energy levels

Yep—in just three days you can reset your immune system. Around day three, your Human Growth Hormone (HGH) peaks, protecting muscles and bones, regulating sleep, supporting sexual health, and even helping turn fat into energy. Your body enters autophagy, cleaning out damaged cells and regenerating new ones.

But here’s the key—fasting isn’t something you just jump into. Preparation and support are crucial. The body does some seriously deep work, and it needs the right environment to do it safely.

Water fasting, juice fasting, and even raw food resets give your body a much-needed chance to clean house. Let’s be honest—what we once thought was “healthy” often turns out to be loaded with sneaky additives, preservatives, artificial colours, and way too much cooked or processed food that lacks real life force. It all adds up over time and can leave us feeling pretty average.

But here’s the thing: once you feel how good your body is actually designed to feel—there’s no going back. That was me. I’m no purist (life’s for living!), but over the years I’ve totally changed what I choose to put in my body. And the difference? It’s massive. I’ve got more energy, I sleep like a baby, my digestion’s on point, no joint pain, no random aches—just a body that feels good when I’m treating it well.

A Practice Rooted in Ancient Wisdom

From the Egyptians to the Greeks, fasting has long been recognised as one of the most powerful ways to heal. Socrates, Plato, and Pythagoras all fasted for clarity, longevity, and vitality. Traditional medicine men and women used fasting to treat disease and connect to spirit.

And now, science is backing what ancient wisdom always knew.

The Science: Stem Cells, HGH, and Immune Regeneration

Researchers at the University of Southern California found that fasting for 72 hours can literally regenerate your immune system, clearing out old, damaged cells and creating a fresh army of white blood cells. Professor Valter Longo called it “a remarkable effect” that could reshape how we view ageing and disease prevention.

Other pioneers echo this.

  • Dr Alan Goldhamer, of the TrueNorth Health Center, has supervised thousands of supervised water-only fasts and documented dramatic drops in blood pressure, pain, and inflammation — often in people who’d been told medication was their only option.

  • Dr Mindy Pelz continues to share evidence-based research on fasting for women, helping us understand the role of fasting in balancing hormones and resetting insulin sensitivity.

  • Dr Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist specialising in brain health, highlights how fasting improves cognitive clarity and supports neuroplasticity.

  • Dr Joe Dispenza explores how changing your internal state — through stillness, meditation, and coherence — amplifies the body’s natural regenerative potential during fasting.

    Together, their research shows that when the body is given space to rest, it activates deep healing pathways that can’t happen when we’re constantly feeding, rushing, or stressed.

It’s Not a Magic Pill — But It Is a Miracle Process

Fasting isn’t a quick fix or a miracle cure. It’s simply a process that allows your body to do what it already knows how to do: heal, repair, and regenerate.

As Dr Paul Bragg said:

“Fasting is probably the fastest and safest means of regaining health ever conceived by man.”

And I’ve seen it firsthand.

Nat has worked with and learnt from some of the leading voices in natural health, spending years guiding people through their own healing journeys — including extended water fasts both here in Australia and overseas. She now brings that wealth of experience into her Back-to-Basics Health Coaching, making this ancient practice of fasting safe, accessible, and truly transformative.

Over the past year, I’ve seen people with high blood pressure stabilise within days, chronic pain gone, and autoimmune symptoms quieten right down. I’ve seen people come off bucket loads of meds, astonishing. When you combine fasting with grounding, breathwork, and sound healing, getting back to basics, you’re not just detoxing the body — you’re resetting your entire energy field.

Ready to Dip Your Toes In?

You don’t have to start with a long water fast to feel better. Begin where you are — maybe it’s intermittent fasting, a gentle juice cleanse, or simply improving hydration and wholefoods before diving deeper. Every step counts.

If you’re ready to experience what happens when the body truly heals itself, join us for a guided reset.

Join Our Next Thirsty For Change – Deep Reset Retreat

A 5-night immersive experience centred around a 3-day water fast — designed to clear your body, calm your mind, and deeply detox on every level. With 2 weeks of pre-fast preparation and a full week of post-fast support, it’s essentially a month of transformation.

You’ll be fully supported with daily education, group connection, cold plunges, breathwork, and sound healing — all in a peaceful, down-to-earth environment.

👉 Join our next Thirsty For Change – Deep Reset Retreat
 👉 Book a free clarity chat with Nat

You don’t have to push through alone — let’s get back to basics, together.

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

Nature, Mindfulness & Digestion: Why This Winter Escape Might Be Exactly What You Need

Nature, Mindfulness & Digestion: Why This Winter Escape Might Be Exactly What You Need

It’s no secret that time in nature feels good—but did you know it could be the missing piece in your mental and digestive health?

In a world of screens, schedules and stress, our bodies—especially our guts—take a hit. The nervous system goes into overdrive, digestion suffers, and it’s hard to feel calm, let alone well. That’s where nature comes in.

A powerful 2020 meta-analysis (Bettmann et al., 2020) explored the effects of nature and mental health across 78 studies. It found that even as little as 10 minutes outdoors—especially when repeated regularly—can have a positive, significant impact on adults with symptoms of mental illness. And here’s the kicker: regular, shorter exposures (what they call “interval nature exposure”) were more effective than one-off big outdoor experiences.

The study looked at time spent in actual natural environments—parks, forests, beaches—and found that benefits began within minutes, improving mood, reducing stress, and even helping those with diagnosed mental health conditions. Plus, the magic continues to grow when people consistently spend up to 600 minutes a week outdoors. That’s just over an hour a day.

And it’s not just your mind that benefits.

Because your gut and brain are connected through the vagus nerve, stress messes with your digestion. Mindfulness, fresh air, and connection to the Earth help to shift the body out of “fight or flight” and back into the rest and digest state—where real healing happens.

That’s exactly why our upcoming Winter Escape in Hill River, Jurien Bay is centred around nature, digestive health, and mindfulness.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Daily time in nature (yes, even if it’s cold—hello campfire vibes!)
  • Gentle, nourishing food to support your gut
  • Breathwork and grounding practices
  • A small, sacred circle of women (only 6 spots total)
  • And time to just be—no hustle, no expectations

Spots are 50% sold already.
✔ Our Double Room is gone
✔ 1 Camping Spot taken
✔ Only 2 rooms remain:

  • The Main Room with Queen bed + private ensuite
  • The Queen Room (shared bathroom)

Whether you’re feeling burned out, bloated, or just need a breather from life—you deserve this.

Nature is medicine. Let it work its magic on your mind and your belly this winter.

👉 Join us for the Winter Escape – only 3 places left – Winter Escape to Hill River, Jurien Bay

References: Bettmann, J.E., Speelman, E., Jolley, A., & Casucci, T. (2020). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effect of Nature Exposure Dose on Adults with Mental Illness.

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

Is Vegan Skincare The Best?

Is Vegan Skincare Really the Best? Let’s Talk…

When I first took over Verissima, way back in 2009, I never set out to create vegan skincare. My focus? Honest, natural, and toxin-free products that truly support your wellbeing.

Then, a few years later, a friend asked, “Nat, is your skincare vegan?” and I had to stop and think.

You see, Verissima was originally formulated by a certified Aromatherapist & Gestalt Therapist—every product crafted with purpose, blending nature’s pantry into healing remedies. But “vegan” wasn’t part of the plan… at least, not intentionally.

So I took a deep dive. I pored over every recipe, every ingredient. What I found? Out of our 23 products, only 5 contained a single animal-derived ingredient—certified organic beeswax. That’s it. No hidden nasties, no animal testing, just pure ingredients designed to support you and the planet.

I get why some choose 100% vegan skincare. The commercial bee industry can be brutal, and factory-farmed bees suffer (which, honestly, breaks my heart). That’s why we only source our beeswax from a local Certified Organic apiarist who puts the wellbeing of their bees first. These little legends aren’t trapped in boxes or force-fed sugar water—they roam free, pollinating where nature intended.

You see, I discovered a few years back, that some company’s factory farm bee’s. What the? Yes, according to People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) “…Factory-farmed bees are denied their hardwired, instinctual desire to seek out nearby flowers and plants to pollinate…”.

I was rather happy to know I was not supporting that culture. I know the apiarist we source from personally, and I know they drive hundreds of kilometres, at different times of the year, to where their hives are located because they work with nature, with what flowers are in season. Rather than sticking all the bees in a factory they have hives amongst the natural ecosystems, and they travel to them.

I’m not even sure if that practise occurs in Australia, I hope not.

I also found out that “…bees won’t urinate or defecate in their hives, they are forced, while trapped inside boxes, to “hold it.” Many bees—and sometimes entire colonies—die from this ordeal”. I was beginning to understand the importance of vegan skin care.

So not being allowed out into the world has dire consequences. Omg! Imagine if we were made to hold it, no thanks!

And I’m acutely aware of the pests and diseases that bees are prone to. If a hive were found to be infested, they are burned or sprayed with toxic chemicals to kill off the pest or disease. I do understand why products with beeswax or honey is frowned upon by vegans.

So, is vegan skincare the best? That’s up to you. What I do know is that Verissima stands for ethical, sustainable, and effective skincare that supports your health, without harming the planet. And I reckon that’s something worth celebrating.

Check out our 100% vegan products here: Verissima’s Vegan Creations

Are you team vegan skincare, or just looking for clean, conscious products that work? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us a comment below.

 

 

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

Energise Your Day – Simple Meals for Vitality

Energise Your Day – Simple Meals for Vitality

Ever wondered what a day of eating looks like when you’re not fasting or juicing? The good news is—it’s simple, delicious, and stress-free! It’s not about being perfect; it’s about choosing whole, nourishing foods that fit into your lifestyle. Because let’s be real—you can be sipping on all the green juices in the world, but if you’re stressed out about “getting it right,” they won’t do you much good!

Morning – Ideally, Water-Only Until roughly 10 AM for me

 

Keep it light and let the body do its natural detox thing in the morning. After dinner the night before, it’s just water until around 10 AM. This gives your digestion a break and allows your body to focus on healing and repair, it’s when it’s detoxing the most.. If you’re new to intermittent fasting, start by extending your breakfast time gradually—no pressure! Can you have a cuppa? Yes, black, no sugar no milk if you don’t want to interrupt the work going on inside you.

Mid-Morning – Fruit & Juices to Keep You Light and Energised

 

From 10 AM until lunch, it’s all about hydration and natural energy. This is where fresh, raw fruits and cold-pressed juices shine. Think tropical fruit platters, vibrant juices, or a simple smoothie made with bananas, berries, and a splash of coconut water. Keeping it raw until lunch gives your body an easy-to-digest nutrient boost while still keeping you feeling light and energetic.

Best bit about this you can pop all this in a little esky, or cooler bag, with an ice brick and have under your desk or in your work car. Easy go to’s instead of the coffee, cake and bikkies!

Lunch – Fresh, Nourishing Wholefoods

 

Lunch is all about simple, fresh, and nutrient-packed wholefoods. A typical plate might include:

  • A big, colourful salad with crisp greens, sprouts, avocado, seeds, and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, or no oil (especially if you have cardiovascular challenges), instead, just squeeze over fresh lime juice and mix it through
  • Raw veggie wraps using lettuce or nori, packed with hummus, grated carrot, beetroot, cucumber, and sprouts
  • A hearty smoothie bowl with blended frozen bananas, berries, and a sprinkle of hemp seeds for good fats and protein

If you’re on the go, a handful of nuts and seeds, a bliss ball (super easy to make), or a fresh juice will keep you going.

Dinner – A Hearty, Satisfying Wholefood Meal

 

By late afternoon, we can introduce warm, grounding meals. The key is keeping it simple and sticking to whole, unprocessed ingredients. A few favourites include:

  • Nourish Bowls – A mix of steamed quinoa, roasted sweet potato, greens, and a creamy tahini drizzle
  • Dahl or Curry – Lentils or chickpeas with warming spices, served with brown rice or quinoa
  • Roasted Veggie Bowl – A combination of roasted pumpkin, zucchini, and capsicum, with a simple tahini dressing
  • Potato Bake – i use to make ‘Orgasmic Potato’s’ sliced spud, chicken noodle soup mixed through, full cream milk… Yep! This tops that and       doesn’t leave you bloated. Plant based recipe of Chef Cynthia Louise. Grab it on YouTube or in her cook book.

No need to overcomplicate it—if you find a meal you love, stick with it! Keep it the same, forever! Eating the same nourishing foods daily helps take the stress out of meal planning (and gets you past the mindset of needing “meat and three veg” on every plate!). Once you nail one, then you can move onto something different if you choose.

Final Thoughts – Keep It Simple & Stress-Free

 

Eating well isn’t about being perfect—it’s about finding what works for you and making it easy. Whether you’re fasting, juicing, or enjoying whole, nourishing meals, the goal is to support your body and feel great doing it.

Try this approach for a few days and see how you feel—more energy, better digestion, and a lighter, brighter you!

If your keen on learning more about wholefoods, how to prepare meals, how to switch out ingredients for ones that are better for you, then join us at one of our Back To Basics Events or Weekend Getaways.  Our latest event sold out, register your interest for our next here.

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

A Weekend Getaway in Sync with the Moon

A Weekend Getaway in Sync with the Moon

As we gather for our Weekend Getaway in Hill River, Jurien Bay (April 4th – 6th), the universe is aligning with us in the most powerful way, we are in sync with the moon. We are moving from the Waxing Crescent Moon into the First Quarter Moon on the morning of April 5th—a transition that mirrors our own journey of growth, intention-setting, and transformation. The waxing crescent represents new beginnings, the spark of inspiration, and the excitement of possibility. It’s a time to set intentions, trust our intuition, and celebrate the small steps that lead to big shifts. And what better way to honour this than by immersing ourselves in nature, nourishing our bodies, and embracing deep restoration with sound healing sessions on both Friday and Saturday night under the stars?

In Sync with the Moon: Waxing Crescent & First Quarter Moon – A Time to Grow & Align

The Waxing Crescent Moon is a powerful reminder that growth happens gradually. It invites us to plant seeds, set intentions, and trust in the journey ahead. As we move into the First Quarter Moon, this energy strengthens—it’s like the universe saying, “You’ve got this! Now is the time to step forward.” The moon is growing brighter, shifting from dark to light, and it calls us to do the same. Whether it’s making small shifts in how we care for ourselves, letting go of what no longer serves us, or stepping into a life that feels more energised and aligned, this moon phase is our cosmic coach, cheering us on.

This is the perfect time to check in with our intentions, embrace new possibilities, and find balance—just like the half-lit moon reminds us. Not too much work, not too much play—just the right mix of action and flow. And that’s exactly what this retreat is about. Simple, everyday choices that create a life that feels good.

Sound Healing & The Moon’s Energy

On both Friday and Saturday night, we’ll gather for deeply restorative sound healing sessions, drawing on the powerful energy of the Waxing Crescent and First Quarter Moons. As the moon shifts and builds in strength, the healing vibrations of sound will help clear away old energy, create space for new intentions, and bring a sense of harmony within. It’s about tuning in, realigning, and stepping into our strength with ease.

This weekend fits perfectly with the timing of the moon. As we rise with the sun, move our bodies, nourish ourselves with whole foods, and rest under the night sky, we are moving in sync with nature’s rhythm—just as we were always meant to.

The Power of Choosing You

The Waxing Crescent and First Quarter Moons remind us that we are always growing, always evolving. It’s a time to trust ourselves, take bold steps, and embrace change—all in a way that feels right for us. Whether it’s committing to more rest, making healthier choices, or simply giving yourself permission to slow down, this weekend is about choosing you.

For those who missed out this time, keep an eye out for our next retreat—we’ll be gathering again soon. Until then, let the moon be your guide: step forward, find balance, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be.

 

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

Are plant-based foods actually helping to prevent chronic disease?

Are plant-based foods actually helping to prevent chronic disease?

The Power of Plants: How Plant-Based Foods Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease, Cancer, and Premature Death

There’s no denying that what we eat plays a massive role in our overall health. More and more research is pointing to the benefits of a plant-based diet—especially when it comes to heart disease, cancer, and living a longer, healthier life. If you’ve been on the fence about eating more plant-based foods, and giving up the snagga’s, this might be the nudge you need!

Plant-Based Foods and Heart Health

The Journal of the American Heart Association has published compelling research showing that diets higher in plant foods and lower in animal foods are linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. In simple terms, eating more plants and fewer animal products means you’re less likely to suffer from heart disease and more likely to live a longer, healthier life.

This research backs up what health professionals have been saying for years—whole, plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes support heart health by reducing inflammation, improving cholesterol levels, and lowering blood pressure. Meanwhile, diets high in animal products, especially processed meats, have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

Beyond Heart Health: How Plant-Based Food Lowers the Risk of Major Chronic Diseases

The benefits of a plant-based diet don’t stop at heart health. Studies have also shown that following a plant-based dietary pattern—particularly one rich in whole, unprocessed foods—can help lower the risk of:

  • Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): Whole grains, legumes, and nuts help regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Cancer: The fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in plant foods provide protection against various cancers.
  • Premature Death: A diet rich in whole plant foods is associated with longevity and overall better health.

However, not all plant-based diets are created equal. Unhealthy plant-based diets, which rely heavily on refined grains (white flour, regular pasta, couscous, white rice..), starchy vegetables (like white potatoes), and sugar-laden foods (such as sweets, desserts, and sugar-sweetened drinks), have actually been linked to increased disease risk. The key takeaway? It’s not just about eating fewer animal products—it’s about choosing whole, nutrient-dense, unprocessed plant foods.

The Link Between Meat Consumption and Cancer

When it comes to cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) does not determine whether something causes cancer. Instead, they rely on respected agencies like the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, part of the World Health Organization) and the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) to make these determinations.

Here’s what we know about meat and cancer risk:

Probable Carcinogens (Linked to Cancer, But Evidence Is Limited)

  • Red meat (consumption of) – Includes beef, pork, lamb, and veal.

Known Human Carcinogens (Confirmed to Cause Cancer)

  • Processed meat (consumption of) – Includes bacon, ham, sausages, and deli meats. They have been changed by salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation.
  • Tamoxifen – A medication used to prevent and treat breast cancer, but it comes with serious risks, including uterine and liver cancer, stroke, and blood clots.
  • Estrogen-only menopausal therapy and Estrogen-progestogen therapies – These hormone therapies have been linked to increased cancer risk, though some evidence suggests they also provide protective effects against ovarian and endometrial cancer.

How Much Red Meat Is Too Much?

According to the Cancer Council Australia, the recommendation for red meat consumption is no more than 455 grams of lean, cooked red meat per week.

What does 455 grams per week look like? Here’s a simple breakdown:

Meal

Approximate Portion Size (Cooked)

Beef steak

150g (1 small steak)

Lamb chop

100g (1 small chop)

Roast beef

120g (1 slice of roast)

Minced beef (in a dish like spaghetti Bolognese)

85g (1/3 cup)

To stay within the recommended limits, aim for two to three small servings of red meat per week and replace the rest with plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, tofu, and nuts.

Making the Switch: Simple Tips for eating More Plant-Based Foods

If you’re ready to boost your health by eating more plant-based foods, here are some simple, down-to-earth tips:

  1. Start Small – You don’t have to go vegan overnight. Begin by replacing one or two meals a week with plant-based options.
  2. Focus on Whole Foods – Skip the processed plant-based junk food and opt for real, whole foods like veggies, fruits, grains, and legumes.
  3. Experiment with New Recipes – Try hearty plant-based meals like lentil curries, chickpea salads, or black bean burgers.
  4. Swap Meat for Plant-Based Proteins – Instead of red meat, incorporate beans, lentils, tofu, or tempeh into your meals.
  5. Go Meatless for Breakfast & Lunch – If giving up meat entirely feels overwhelming, start with meat-free breakfasts and lunches, then work your way up. There is a lot of evidence on the benefits of consuming fresh fruit, cold-pressed juices in the morning, having a plant based raw salad for lunch, plant based smoothies to up your nutritional intake etc. Then having a lightly cooked plant based meal for dinner.
  6. Plan Ahead – Meal planning makes it easier to stick to healthy eating habits and avoid last-minute, less-healthy choices. Put it this way, if it’s not in your cupboard or your fridge you are less likely to eat the junk. If you have healthy delicious easy go to’s in the fridge then you grab n go! Easy.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Plants for a Longer, Healthier Life

The research is clear—eating a diet rich in whole, plant-based foods can significantly reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Meanwhile, excessive consumption of red and processed meats has been linked to increased cancer risk.

Making small, sustainable changes to eat more plant-based, whole foods can have a profound impact on your health and longevity. So, why not start today? Your body (and the planet) will thank you for it!

Now that you know this, are you ready to take the next step?

Imagine spending a weekend immersed in nature, learning how to create nourishing, plant-based meals that support your health, energy, and longevity. Our Hill River Weekend Getaway (April 4th-6th) is your chance to reset, recharge, and gain hands-on experience with simple, delicious wholefood cooking—all while soaking up the beauty of the coast. Join us for a weekend of inspiration, connection, and practical tools to fuel your body the right way.

Spots are limited—secure yours today by replying to this email and I’ll send you all the information.

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

The Life-Changing Benefits of Camping Outdoors

The Life-Changing Benefits of Camping Outdoors

Reconnect with Nature: The Life-Changing Benefits of Camping Outdoors

In a world that never stops moving, where our days are filled with screens, notifications, and deadlines, it’s easy to feel disconnected—from ourselves, from others, and from the natural world. But what if the key to feeling more alive, more present, and more in tune with life was as simple as stepping outside?

Camping isn’t just about sleeping in a tent; it’s an opportunity to completely reset. When you immerse yourself in the great outdoors, you gain more than just fresh air. Nature has an incredible way of healing, grounding, and revitalising both body and mind. Let’s explore the powerful benefits of camping and why embracing the outdoors is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

1. Breathe in Fresh Air & Boost Your Health

The first thing you notice when you step into nature is the air—crisp, clean, and invigorating. Unlike the polluted air of the city, the air in natural settings is filled with oxygen-rich goodness, thanks to the abundance of trees and plant life.

Fresh air improves lung function, boosts immunity, and even enhances digestion. Breathing deeply in nature increases oxygen flow to the brain, helping with clarity, focus, and reducing stress levels. It’s no wonder we feel instantly lighter and more refreshed when we escape into the wild.

2. The Sounds of Nature: Your Natural Stress Reliever

When was the last time you truly listened—to the rustling of leaves, the waves crashing on the shore, the birds singing at sunrise? These sounds aren’t just beautiful; they’re scientifically proven to lower stress levels and promote relaxation.

Nature’s symphony works wonders on the nervous system, reducing anxiety and improving mood. The rhythmic sound of waves can slow heart rate and breathing, while birdsong triggers a sense of calm and connection. Unlike the jarring noises of city life, natural sounds have a grounding effect, bringing us back to the present moment.

3. Grounding: Connecting with the Earth’s Energy

One of the simplest and most powerful things you can do while camping is to take off your shoes and feel the earth beneath your feet. This practice, known as grounding (or earthing), has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and balance the body’s energy systems.

When we walk barefoot on natural surfaces like sand, grass, or soil, we absorb the earth’s natural electrical charge, which has profound effects on our physical and mental health. It’s a natural detox for the body and a reminder of our deep connection to the planet.

4. Digital Detox: Unplugging to Reconnect

We live in a hyper-connected world where our attention is constantly pulled in a million directions. Social media, emails, and work notifications can leave us feeling drained, distracted, and overwhelmed. Camping offers the perfect chance to switch off and step away from the digital noise.

When you disconnect from technology, you reconnect with yourself. You start noticing the little things—the colours of the sky at dusk, the scent of eucalyptus in the air, the gentle breeze on your skin. Without screens competing for attention, real conversations flow more easily, and mindfulness becomes effortless. It’s a powerful reminder that life exists beyond the four walls of our daily routines.

5. Sleep Like Never Before

If you’ve ever struggled with sleep, spending time outdoors might be the perfect remedy. Our modern lifestyles often disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycles due to artificial lighting and excessive screen time. But when we camp, we align with the natural rhythm of the sun and stars.

Waking up with the sunrise and winding down with the sunset helps reset our body’s internal clock. Exposure to natural light during the day and darkness at night regulates melatonin production, leading to deeper, more restorative sleep. Plus, the fresh air, physical activity, and relaxed mind make drifting off to sleep under the stars one of the most rejuvenating experiences ever.

6. Strengthen Your Mind & Body

Camping isn’t just about relaxation; it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself physically and mentally. Whether it’s setting up your tent, going on a coastal walk, or simply navigating the natural terrain, outdoor experiences engage the body in ways that a gym never could.

Spending time in nature also strengthens mental resilience. Problem-solving, adapting to new surroundings, and embracing the unpredictability of the outdoors teach us patience, confidence, and adaptability—skills that translate into everyday life.

7. Reignite Your Sense of Adventure

As kids, we were naturally curious and adventurous, but as adults, we often lose that sense of wonder. Camping has a way of bringing it back. Whether it’s discovering a hidden trail, spotting wildlife, or marvelling at the vastness of the night sky, nature has a way of reigniting our excitement for life.

The outdoors reminds us that there is so much more beyond our routines. It encourages us to be present, to explore, and to embrace the beauty of the unknown.

8. Deepen Your Connection with Others

Camping creates the perfect setting for genuine connection. Without distractions, conversations become deeper, laughter flows freely, and shared experiences create lasting bonds. Whether you’re camping solo, with friends, or meeting like-minded people at a retreat, the simplicity of nature brings people closer together.

When we spend time outdoors with others, we communicate more openly, we share stories, and we experience the joy of human connection in its most authentic form. It’s a reminder that the best memories are often the simplest ones.

Ready to Experience the Magic of Nature? Join Us in Hill River!

Now that you know the incredible benefits of camping and immersing yourself in the outdoors, why not experience it for yourself?

Join us for a Weekend Getaway at Hill River, Jurien Bay from April 4th – 6th, 2025. It’s your chance to unplug, breathe in fresh coastal air, and soak up the beauty of nature in one of Western Australia’s most stunning locations.

This is more than just a weekend away—it’s an opportunity to reset, recharge, and rediscover what truly matters. With only 5 spots left, now is the time to claim your place!

Join Us In Hill River, Jurien Bay 4th – 6th April 2025 – Get Your Ticket Here!

Escape the noise. Reconnect with yourself. Experience the magic of nature.

We’ll see you there!

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...

What Is A Healthy Fasting Schedule?

What Is A Healthy Fasting Schedule?

Fasting is an ancient tool that dates way back and there are different types of ‘fasts’. If you have never done a fast before then I would recommend you try a juice fast first, firstly because, in my experience, it will dip your toes into fasting, without having super high levels of detox happening really, really, quickly and potentially causing you to have a horrible experience.

Fasting is Nature’s pathway to physical, mental and spiritual renewal!

A juice fast will also fill you up with super high amounts of life filled nutrients that your body will love and any type of nutrient deficiency you might have will be covered during that juice fast. A juice fast will prepare you, for in the future, should you wish to do a water fast.

That said, it really depends on what you want to get out of it health wise.

Are you wanting to heal from something specific or just maintenance? And what suits your schedule? Are you working? If so, can you get time off? We do not recommend water fasting whilst working. Do you have a chronic condition or a potentially degenerative condition that needs immediate attention?
It is best to get your bloods looked at before you do extended water fasting (+3 days) but otherwise it really is up to you and how it’s making you feel.

So, when should one fast? And how often?

Well we are cleaning out our filters so to speak, and doing so on a regular basis, allows for our body to rid itself of any toxins… we then can avoid getting sick, rather than having to fix ourselves all the time when we break down.

During any week we can choose not eat anything for one whole day, 24hrs, and this will allow for the liver and kidneys to detoxify.

You have to really hydrate yourself within that 24-hour span with lots of clean water though with either lemon or lime squeezed in or good salts such as celtic sea salt added. You can also help further flush the toxins out by doing a salt flush, an enema, breathing exercises and natural skin cleansing. Or, you could drink heaps of fresh cold pressed juices for 2 days to get similar effects.

For an ultimate cleanse – four extended 10-day water fasts per year is what my teacher and mentor Tyler Tolman mentions. This is recommended to rebuild, reset hormones, and have clear consciousness, energy, and clarity. Following the seasons is a good way to remember and doing this under the guidance of a Tolman Health Coach is optimal.

Whatever you choose, fasting gives our body a break, cleans out the engine and then when fill it with the optimal fuel afterwards…. we are firing on all cylinders.

Fasting gives your digestive system the signal to reset and switch from digesting to detoxing. After years of eating three meals a day, we all store up toxins from processed, dead foods – and even from whole foods treated with pesticides and herbicides.
Every day of fasting allows the digestive system to push a little farther and cleanse a little more. And fasting with juices gives your body the energy it needs to sustain this process.

If you have ever been curious about juice fasting, would like to give it a try but perhaps it scares you, or maybe you wonder whether it is something you could even do, then I invite you to come along to our Weekend Getaway in Jurien Bay.

 

Nat Wright, accredited Tolman Health Coach will show you how to make juices, how much you need to have and guide you on how to break your fast properly. You will learn more about the benefits of fasting and how they will radically improve your wellbeing.

This is an introduction to juice fasting and we will be combining it with a fun, adventurous trip out to ancient structures, The Pinnacles for a fully guided tour and sunset picnic on sacred land (we will have our warm vegie broth) followed by an evening sound healing complete with gongs, crystal bowls, chimes and didgeridoo, with Colleen Pearce Healing. Being amongst nature whilst fasting and treating your body to a soulful sound healing will profoundly improve your health, and help improve your immune system before the change of season.

Beach walks, sunsets, swims, sound healing and upgrading our systems in a beautiful slow paced seaside town. Perfect.

Join us for 2 nights in Jurien bay! 
Or you can choose to just attend the Pinnacle Tour and Sound Healing on its own with Colleen here.

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

Stop the Fear – Fruit Isn’t the Enemy

by | Nov 9, 2025 | | 0 Comments

Have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t eat fruit—it’s full of sugar”? It’s a common belief, but it’s also one of the most harmful health myths today. People are avoiding apples and bananas while still eating energy drinks, flavored yogurt, and processed snacks loaded...

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

Why Local Matters More Than Ever

by | Jul 14, 2025 | | 0 Comments

For me, there’s something pretty satisfying about feeding and nourishing our kids, our family, ourself with food and products that are helping us, not harming us. It actually removes some anxiety, some stress. It’s one of the main reasons I do what I do. It took me a...