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...

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...

9 Phenomenal Benefits Of A Juice Fast

9 Phenomenal Benefits Of A Juice Fast

There’s a whole plethora of information and disinformation out there about juice fasting. So how does one know whether it’s good for you or not? I always encourage people to do their own research, collate the information and make up their own minds. Go onto reputed sites for published medical papers, read, read, read. But, the best thing to do is experience it for yourself.

 

My first juice fast lasted 10 days, I meticulously followed along online and made sure that I completed all the movement and mind exercises that were suggested.

This fast was back in 2017, my body was feeling pretty bad, my legs were like concrete, my joints in my fingers were swollen and sore. I had zero energy. I always remember walking up to our chook house and thinking it was too much, something has to be wrong with me, something bad. Fibromyalgia had been mentioned to me, I hadn’t even heard of it before, so dismissed it and got on with life, well tried to.

 

I had landed at a point where I wasn’t enjoying life though, it was all ‘too hard”. I had hit the wall, no zip, no fuel. Depleted!

 

I also knew that I was the one in charge of my mind and my body and I could go looking for what was wrong with me or, I could go in search of a way to feel better.

I chose option two, signed up for a juice fast and that was that.

 

No more inflammation, no more pain, my head was super clear, my eyes were so wide open it was friggen phenomenal. And the most important thing, I had energy. I felt alive and happy and I just wanted to never feel like shit again.

And as I’ve learned more and more about this ancient technique of fasting, it just makes so much sense.

Animals in the wild don’t eat when they are sick, why do we?

For me fasting is a tool that I keep in my belt. If I’ve indulged for way to long, I’ve celebrated a bit too hard haha over the festive season, or if I become unwell (rarely now) then I will pull it out and use it.

The key though, I have found, is to live a life where we don’t do the things, or consume the things that make us feel like crap in the first place.

Pretty simple hey?

I’ve popped together a list of the key benefits of fasting. 

What a list!

  1. Fasting Promotes Detoxification
  2. Fasting Gives the Digestive System a Break
  3. Fasting Resolves Inflammatory Response
  4. Fasting Reduces Blood Sugar
  5. Fasting Increases Fat Metabolism
  6. Fasting Corrects High Blood Pressure
  7. Fasting Promotes Weight Loss
  8. Fasting Promotes a Healthy Diet
  9. Fasting Boosts Immunity

If you are keen to learn more about how to up your health, not just by fasting, keep an eye on our events page for regular Back To Basics days and epic retreats.

Want some help in transforming your health? Book a free 15 minute chat with Nat

If you love your Social Media, jump over to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VerissimaHealth

 

Verissima Health – Learn How To Heal Yourself

Verissima Health – Learn How To Heal Yourself

Do you have those days where there seems like an endless noise of crap in your head?

Am I doing the right thing? Should I be doing this? In 2021 I decided to listen to the loudest noise, share all I’ve learned about natural health, how we can become our own physicians, heal ourselves of the aches and pains, inflammation, bloat, lethargy, constipation, so that we can live a long, energy filled, vibrant life free of dis-ease?

I found my mentor and teacher in Tyler Tolman.

Who’s Tyler? Why him?

I heard Tyler’s Dad, Don Tolman speak many years ago. Back when I was feeling like the only one who thought mother nature provided all we needed to heal. I had my natural skincare business up and running and was trying to share this message through that business.

Back then it was weird for someone to think differently to the ‘establishment’, you’re a bloody hippy Nat, but Don had been doing things differently for decades, so I wasn’t nuts after all. He had been sharing what it was that I was looking for. The key, yet simple truth: how to use what nature provides to heal. This was mymissing piece.

Man was I excited! This is it; I knew it.

I left that presentation full of life ready to change the world. I kept eating the certified organic, or was it biodynamic meat. The raw milk, raised my own free-range chickens with certified organic feed, ate their eggs along with all the other “wholefoods” I knew were fantastic for me. I even reared our own sheep on our chemical free land to fill our freezer with and grew some spray free vegies.

Why was I still feeling like sh*t?

I had misunderstood one thing, and what I was doing was not how you heal yourself.

Whole-foods are what nature created, as close to how she created it. I had been saying that for years. But, she didn’t birth the cow, or the sheep or the chicken. No, she provided the soil, the rain, the sunshine for the seed to germinate, for the plant to grow, to bare the fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains for us to eat. How simple is that? There was also 6 other very important principles to follow to ensure true health.

As a result of my choices my body was filled with inflammation, I was looking ok from the outside but I was lifeless, with no energy, bloated, feeling like crap, and filled with crap basically. I was looking down the barrel of a grim diagnosis, so a GP told me after numerous tests. 

Time to disrupt, get this train wreck back on track.

I immediately began a 4-day colon cleanse, followed by a 14-day juice fast, and finished with a salt flush on the morning of my colonoscopy. That means exactly what it reads, no foods other than juice and water, and I thrived! 

How did I know how to do this?

I discovered Tyler Tolman after hearing Don, signed up, and completed his 7-day online juice cleanse. Back then it got rid of all my symptoms and boy did I feel bloody amazing! But because I had missed the key point, I continued my life the way I always had, so I once again started feeling like I had before. Simple!

What changed?

Apparently, the world did, and in her wisdom, made the teachings of Tyler more accessible to me. I jumped at the chance and signed up to the virtual H.E.A.L event, 3 days of mind-blowing, heart-warming education and inspiration to get me on track to Divine Health.

I continued learning from Tyler and it all finally sunk in, all the pieces fell into place. I’m now, not far from completing my final assessments and becoming a Tolman Health Coach and I want to help you to learn the 7 principles of health that I have, to make simple yet life-changing steps to heal yourself so that you can seize every day, filled with energy.

It’s amazing! I feel amazing! And I want you too.

Let’s get clear on what Verissima Health is all about: learning how to heal yourself.

Verissima means truest of true in Italian, real. It fits perfectly, the truest of true health, keeping it real.

  • Classes, events! I want to teach people about the principles of health I have learned from the Tolman’s. I also want to share the truth about what products are treated with to meet regulatory standards & why I think you need to know this. I want to show you how to whip up a balm in the middle of the night if you need to, or create a yummy whole-food snack that your Kit-Kat-addicted friends will love. 

I’ve created our first event. It’s happening on September 10th.

  • 1:1 consults. I sit down with you and work with you 1 on 1 to get you back to that state of real health. 

Will I still be creating natural skincare products?

  • You betcha! But only a few. I’ll be including our therapeutic oil blends, remember them? Heavenly Balance, Digestive Ease, Inhale & Heal, Chest Rub, Peace Of Mind….

You’re excited, I can feel it.

I’m looking forward to bringing all this together and bit by bit getting even more out of my freaking comfort zone and engaging with you all.

So come on, join me at one or all of the places below –

If you love your Social Media, jump over to our Facebook page 

Join our Live Simply Enjoy Life Facebook group –  find inspiration, simple ideas, and guidance on improving your health

Book in for a 1-on-1 consult with me, by doing so you will be helping this student (me) complete her studies and become a fully-fledged Tolman Health Coach, yes! I will guide you through your healing and help keep you accountable and get you back to that state of real health

Come along to our in-person 1-day event, Get Back To Basics, Live Simply, Enjoy Life, I’d love to meet you 

How To Easily Boost Your Bodies Defence Against Illness

How To Easily Boost Your Bodies Defence Against Illness

There is so much going on in the world at the moment that it is very easy to get caught up in the hype of it all, feel powerless, start to stress, and just succumb to the fact that we are all going to get sick, very sick.

Well guess what, every day, people do get ill, whether a cold, cough, allergies, and some worse than others.

 

What is happening now is a bit scary, Coronavirus is real, it has unfortunately taken many lives and it is on our shores here in Australia. BUT, I feel, like I do with any illness, that we can come through this in the best possible way. I feel like I do when the natural change of season is upon us, or when any illness is upon us, that we can help ourselves, and I’m going to share 6 ways that I believe will help you and your family members.

 

Eat a diet filled with fresh, whole foods.

By this, I mean as close to how nature prepared it. I’ve moved more towards eating plants than meat due to a health scare at the end of 2019 into 2020.  That’s a whole other blog that I will share with you later. But boy does my body feel better since doing this. No feeling bloated, no heavy legs, more energy, and clearer thoughts. I do not follow a diet; I am not vegan. I just choose to eat more plant-based now. It’s a great way to get all your nutrients without your body having to work hard, they are more easily digested and put to use quicker.But change slowly and under the guidance of a qualified health professional, choose one who works within wholefood plant-based nutrition. Guess what there are oodles of online recipes that are soooooo damn delicious, even my carnivore family come back for seconds!

 

Try a Juice Cleanse.

I did this prior to shifting to more plant-based eating and I try to incorporate one into every change of season. I cured my illness/symptoms before I had to go into hospital in January of this year, and as a result, I got the all-clear. I was stoked. As above, do under guidance if you are new to this. I originally started cleansing a few years back by signing up for Tyler Tolman’s free 7-day juice cleanse. I followed his guidance to the letter including the daily enemas (made your face screw up there didn’t I). How I felt at the end of this was bloody amazing, no more joint pains, my eyes so wide open, clarity of thought like never before oodles of energy. Just amazing.TIP If you are super busy, or even sick and can’t be bothered making your own juices there are plenty of online businesses that now offer fresh, cold-pressed (the best), home-delivered juices, even cleanse programs. With my last one, due to work commitments, being a mum, etc, etc I chose to have mine made for me and delivered. I used Inner Ego Their customer service was absolutely amazing and their juices, THE BEST. I would take into the office in my 6-pack and into the hospital too. So easy.

 

Get outdoors, breathe fresh air, let the sun get on your skin.

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, by getting outside you are giving your immune system the strength to fight illness and keep yourself from being susceptible to diseases. Fresh air is a natural powerhouse. Breathing in fresh outdoor air is super important to oxygenate our brain and for cellular function.

 

Try to lower your stress levels.

Easier said than done right. But necessary. When our bodies are under stress our adrenal gland produces excess Cortisol. Cortisol works with your brain to control your mood, it helps regulate your body’s sleep cycle, regulates blood pressure, assists the immune system to address injuries, infections and injuries and it provides anti-inflammatory effects in order to reduce irritation & pain. It’s a necessary part of a healthy system but too much is not so good. To ensure we are reducing our stress levels and keeping our Cortisol at a healthy level we can make sure we get a great nights sleep, exercise somewhat but not excess over the top exercise – try walking, swimming, caving, crabbing, surfing, whatever takes your fancy, try to relax more, be present in the moment and enjoy life – try yoga or pilates and if you are in Perth I highly recommend two ladies Jodie Tapper and Colette Corr. These all help to reduce your stress levels and therefore boost your immune system.

 

Keep healthy, meaningful relationships.

You know the people who make you smile, feel good about yourself, lift you up when down, give you a good belly laugh every now and then, well keep them around you. Toxic relationships whether with partners, family, work colleagues only cause you stress and your body stress. A stressed body is not the best one to help fight off illness. So let the relationships go that don’t feel right if you don’t think they can become a healthy relationship then just let them end.

 

Look for ways that help you take care of you.

For me, this includes a monthly Bowen/ITA session with Tracy Omeara Smith  This is an hour, sometimes more where my body is reset, my brain is given a break and my energy is re-centered. I may walk in there feeling completely scattered, out of alignment, yet  I walk out with steadfast focus, muscles and joints feeling fantastic and my whole being just feeling amazing.

Your go-to might be different, you may enjoy your weekly Yoga, Pilates, Gym session, massage, whatever it may be, but I urge you to find something that incorporates mindfulness, relaxation and works deep within your soul to help you in challenging times but also supports you and keeps you grounded when you are flying high.

 

Overall, we all know that life truly is a gift. We are not promised tomorrow so we might as well make the best use of today.

I hope these tips give you a sense of hope, of happiness and assist you in someway to boost your immune system, to live simply and enjoy life.

If you love your Social Media, then jump over to our Instagram and Facebook pages and give us some love. Spread the word far and wide.

The more people we can educate on healing oneself, living simply and having fun, the better –

https://www.facebook.com/verissimanaturalskincare

and

https://www.instagram.com/verissimanaturalskincare/

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...

Whole-life Ways To Help You With That Annoying Rash

Whole-life Ways To Help You With That Annoying Rash

One of the most common questions I get asked is whether I have a natural skin rash cream. Which I do, but I rarely go straight to that. Why, because all it will do is put out the fire so to speak, it won’t fix the underlying inflammation issue forever. Neither will, in my opinion, any strong steroidal cream. What do I suggest instead? Get to the root of the problem, what is causing it?

This means looking inside and yes, it’s not a quick fix, but bloody worth it. I’ve collated some things I’ve done for my kids and used myself over the years. I hope it helps you and your loved ones.

With so many different opinions out there, it can become really confusing and overwhelming when trying to make ours or our little ones lives a bit easier. Often you will find that what causes your inflammation is not what causes another’s.

But the one thing I have found whether for me, my children, friends is that once we get rid of the crap in our diet and lives we improve, and dramatically.

Where to start –

I bounced around for ages from one bit of advice to the next so what I suggest now and help you to stop wasting time and just cut to the chase is listed below.

I’d enlist the help of a professional in nutritional medicine, more specifically orthomolecular medicine or a qualified Naturopath (such as Kat Blake).

Getting to the root cause is imperative.

Orthomolecular medicine is where I ended up many years ago, I didn’t have a trusted Naturopath in my bag of tricks. It works from a cellular level so basically where all life is created. Here in Perth WA we went and seen Dr Igor Tabrizian. No matter where you live there will be someone similar to him working in this area. http://www.nutritionreviewservice.com.au/

You can be eating the cleanest food, full of life, certified organic/biodynamic, yet your body won’t be able to assimilate the goodness if it has high amounts of toxic metals and elements that literally block the goodness from being absorbed. Part of this process involves a hair analysis and then follow up appointments, whereby specific minerals, vitamins are prescribed to help pull the toxins out of the system and then to increase the goodies. A compounding chemist prepares these custom preparations for you.

From here all the improvements you make in your diet will be given their best chance to work.

Alongside this, take note, literally get a notepad and pen and keep track of what you are putting into your body in the way of food and liquids. Or pop them into an app on your phone. Notice how they make you feel.

If it’s your child that you are concerned with, do this for them.

Now start to cut out all the processed stuff with the help of your chosen health professional.

By this I mean anything that is not as close to how nature provided it. This is the packaged stuff, the lollies, the ice creams, all the junk stuff and definitely all the white stuff – white bread, white sugar, rice, flour, and while I’m at it the gluten free flour etc, there are far more nutritious options available, again your health professional can help you.

Look to wholefoods, real food.  You’ll be surprised at the money you save too.

Notice what foods make you feel bloated, lifeless, aching heavy legs.

What you will find is that what creates problems for one person maybe fine for another.

For example, my son as a little one, only tolerated raw milk, if given “normal” readily available milk (homogenised/pasteurised) he would bloat, stools float and then get a rash (eczema). How did I find this out? I cut out my dairy intake altogether when I was breastfeeding. His silent reflux subsided dramatically. He actually slept through for a whole entire night! What bliss.

I was suggested ‘real milk’, but It is illegal in Australia for farms to sell unpasteurised milk to the public. It is available for cosmetic purposes only. The only alternative you have is to get yourself a cow. So, I would source local goats milk, or I would get Cleopatra’s Bath Milk (certified organic) from Qld to soak my feet in :-0 . I would also combine Rice Milk with Coconut Milk (coconut having the fats needed for brain development etc in little ones).

For him, I also limited the yoghurt, although filled with beneficial bacteria, many yogurts also have added sugars, milk solids, flavourings which can disrupt your gut flora. Unless it is again local goats milk yoghurt or I also buy South Australian Paris creek Organic yoghurt, this has no milk solids added to it which some people and kids react to. It’s has a runnier consistency than most yoghurts, this is because it doesn’t have added milk solids (that may cause problems) it’s a really great form of probiotics. You can also easily make your own.

For my daughter, I found out that the rashes would come after consuming grain, mainly wheat, and still does when we get slack. So I turned to ancient grains of spelt instead and as long as not too much in the diet, no rashes.

A topical skin rash cream will provide relief as mentioned, but you need to get to the root of the problem.

If like I was and you have no idea where to start when it comes to wholefoods there are heaps of cooks out there now helping you understand and cook with wholefoods. I did numerous wholefood cooking classes with Jude Blureau, my saviour.

I also love Chef Cynthia Louise – https://www.chefcynthialouise.com/

I did say it wasn’t a quick fix.

This is why.

You will need to take the time to allow your body to cleanse and then restore.

A great time to take control is when your bub is starting solids. I found this is when my two started rashing up.

It’s also where I was completely shocked at the ingredients I found in a skin rash cream and why I now educate others on how to find the toxins in their skincare. It’s so much easier when you don’t have as many culprits that ‘maybe causing the issues’. As adults, well we just have to go back to the drawing board.

It really involves getting back to basics, using real food as close to its natural state as possible.

We, as a family, are far from vegetarian but I think introducing more raw food into anyone’s diet would definitely be a bonus not only for our kids but for us. Smoothies with superfoods are wonderful. Get rid of all the processed foods and reap the benefits.

Another great superfood/probiotic in a cup is kefir. You make smoothies using this it’s wonderful the kids love it and it is super awesome, I have what is called kefir grains if you’re interested to get started. A great site to read on benefits of this is Dom’s About Kefir in-site this requires a good cuppa (or smoothie) and plenty of time, there is so much interesting information. Dom’s About Kefir in-site

Watch what you wash your clothes in too.

For our son I was just using the lux soap flakes but a pain in behind to rinse the machine, so moved onto Tri-Nature, for our daughter I have found the Planet Ark sensitive skin ok.

In a nutshell here’s my alternatives to just using a skin rash cream-

  1. Enlist the help of a whole-life health professional
  2. Get a good probiotic going
  3. Eat unprocessed foods and limit the grain if advised to.
  4. Introduce juicing, supervised at the start into your life 
  5. Introduce kefir / good yoghurt, natural probiotics
  6. Natural topical skin rash cream / lotion to ease the itch as you find your way
  7. Find a fitness class or technique that you enjoy. A great pilates instructor here in Perth is Jodie Tapper, an awesome yoga instructor is Colette Corr, full on, hard yakka fitness might not be the best through this time, go gentle. Walk, swim, but just do something that will be for you.
  8. Try to breathe and get some sleep – this isn’t an easy road for many, I know it was hard going and frustrating for me.

From my experience a lot of skin issues can result from emotional upsets and digestive upsets. Taking care of where you are at, right now in your life is very important. Do something just for you once a week, if only for 15 minutes, just you no distractions.

It may take time and practise but you will get there.

Handy websites / books that I have read, used and followed – 

Wholefood Cooking with Jude Blereau this is where I started 15 years ago now, done many a cooking class with Jude starting with Nourishing Wisdom – basics of wholefood. Then went on from there.

Weston A Price Foundation heaps of info here, very interesting and helps understand the benefits of real fats

Additive Alert Julie Eady

The Untold Story of Milk by Ron Schmid

Benefits of Juice Fasting https://www.tylertolman.com/health-articles/treatment-for-psoriasis/ I’ve done a 7 day fast and it blew my mind! Energy, sleep, just felt AMAZING.

As mentioned this is not a quick fix and I highly recommend you have a trusted health professional to guide you, cheer you on and help you understand what is causing your inflammation issues.

Here’s to getting back to basics, living simply and enjoying life.

x Nat 

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Nature’s ways to help your kids feel better

Nature’s ways to help your kids feel better

Using mother nature’s way to help your unwell kids feel better isn’t as hard as you may think.

And for those of us with young children, or children of any age really, we do everything for them, sometimes more than what we would even do for ourselves. We all know how the world stops when they become unwell, so it’s a welcome relief to have some tricks up your sleave to help them, and you, get through.

Using nature’s gifts to help your kids is so handy. I’ve found that it’s normally the middle of the night when the s**t hits the fan. The midnight hunt for a bucket is on and the call of your own bed to go back to sleep is very loud, but you decide not to in case they vomit again.

It’s comforting to have skills that allow you to remain slightly calm, and help them through the rough time.

Then there is the next day too, a looong day, mum (or dad) is knackered from lack of sleep, bubs is cranky and has a sore tummy from disturbed sleep and a serious work out on their tummy muscles.

So what can you do in this event?

What can be used from the kitchen cupboard, garden or bathroom cabinet?

When my youngest was very unwell one night. I had just crawled into bed, late, at about 11pm, and fallen into a deep peaceful sleep when I heard the unfamiliar call of “muuummmy my tummies sore”.

I thought I would share with you what I did, and pretty much always do when faced with this. Apart from panicking and throwing back a couple of Arnica pillules with some vodka (joking, but that is an option I suppose).

5 things to have on hand when kids are unwell

 

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil in Jojoba Oil to rub clockwise on tummy to help ease pain and discomfort

Neroli Essential Oil in Jojoba Oil – to rub clockwise on tummy and on chest to help with sleep and ease the nausea

Raspberry’s (frozen or fresh, or raspberry leaf tea, or in a pinch raspberry jam) – to help with an upset tummy, eases the vomiting somehow

Lavender Essential Oil – for the chuck bucket or fresh lavender from the garden – with all it’s natural goodness as an antimicrobial, antibacterial and its soothing scent its perfect for this job

A bucket, actually make that 2 buckets, is handy – somehow whilst your cleaning one they invariably need another- to contain the mess! Oh and lavender also might help you and bub drift back off to sleep.

Essential oils are renowned for their healing abilities. Roman Chamomile and Neroli’s ability to calm an upset tummy and help ease the pain is well known from ancient times. Neroli’s other reputation is a wonderful sleep oil. The calming and soothing scent they both impart is magic, and helps the caregiver too. They are wonderful to massage onto baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction. The other essential oil I always carry with me is good old Lavender, in this instance I put a single drop into the bucket and after each wash out I put a new drop. This oil has a plethora of benefits antibacterial, anti-fungal etc so acts as a wonderful germ & bug slayer in this time of need.

What else did I do?

Kept the fluids to small sips of Raspberry leaf tea. Stayed awake and rode the storm. By morning she was a little better, still not eating, but better. Then by afternoon she was her bright sparkly self again.

We took it easy on the foods, started with juicing and little sips, kept up with the Neroli and Roman Chamomile and said thank you that it passed quickly. In warm weather you can make juicy iceypoles by just blitzing up some raspberry’s, and whatever else they like, add a wee bit of water and pop in iceypole containers and in the freezer to freeze. Or just use your ice cube trays.

These are some simple tips you can use to help your children. There are many more but I thought I would just share these first to help you on your way to sanity, sleep and health.

If you think your friends or family members would benefit from reading this please share this blog with them. Together we can make a real difference to peoples lives. 

IMPORTANT NOTES – No essential oil should be placed directly on the skin, it must always be in a carrier oil (couple exceptions but another story). Neroli and Roman Chamomile are expensive oils anyway, so normally they are available already prepared in a carrier oil. Look for jojoba, the best (in my opinion) and most compatible to our own skins sebum levels. We do sell these essential oils and just give us a call or drop us an email.

Oh, Roman Chamomile in a carrier oil is also handy for TEETHING BABIES. You just rub along the jawline (on face not in mouth) as needed. If your child is not getting better always seek help from your health care professional.

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...

Aromatherapy for Healing Grief

Aromatherapy for Healing Grief

Aromatherapy has always been considered a bit of a witchy medicine.

And after all – women were burned at the stake for playing with less. But that was in the old days, right? Surely we’ve moved on from that?

So why would an evolved society support a Government that halted the use of such healing power? Are we that scared of ‘magik’ still? Are we that frightened of our own historical knowledge that we hit up the chemist at the first sign something’s not quite right in our body? Why don’t we try something like aromatherapy first when we have an ailment?

What do we think will go so terribly wrong?

I have a fair idea. Heck, I’ve been in this industry for ages now and my eyes have been opened. I’ve learned a lot –

and one thing that’s abundantly clear is how impactful the almighty dollar is on the health, wellbeing, and skincare industry.

If it doesn’t make someone some money, then, they are just not interested. And if they are making money, they will do what they can to shut the person or business down that offers a different solution.

Just recently this year – March 2017 –

an Amish man was found guilty in a court of law for making his own home-made products and faces years and years in jail

Does anyone else have a ‘WTF’ moment when reading this? Why is he going to jail? For helping people? For trusting a wisdom that’s age old before asking for medical help?

“We cannot believe the FDA has gone to these lengths to silence someone because they are making a natural health product. Do not believe for one moment they are trying to save or protect anyone from harm- they are silencing and potentially putting an Amish man in PRISON for healing people without the help of pharmaceuticals. That is the extent of it. Quite frankly is shameful”. Erin at Healthnut News wrote March 10 2017 http://www.healthnutnews.com/amish-grandpa-farmer-found-guilty-charges-involving-homemade-salves-faces-48-years-prison/

So, why am I rambling on about this?

Well I want to help you learn how you can heal yourself and your loved ones,

so I am going to flick you an email from time to time with information on various health supportive tips.

It’s not medical help. I’m not suggesting you never visit your doctor again. And I don’t proclaim to be a doctor.

With that disclaimer, I’m going to kick this off by starting with one of the most powerful of essential oils. In my mind this is Rose Oil. Pure Bulgarian Rose Oil, Rosa damascina.

Be careful with what Essential Oils you choose. Not all are the same. Prices vary depending on the plant the oil comes from. Make sure you choose an oil that is pure and botanically based and not created from synthetic fragrance. Rose oil is extremely expensive as it takes roughly 30 roses to make just one drop of pure Bulgarian Rose Oil. Is it worth it? Hell, yes.

The rose is one of the most beautiful of flowers for many. My mum loved roses and her favourite of favs was the very very deep burgundy rose with the most pungent gorgeous smell. So it is apt that the first thing that pops into my head when I think of Rose Oil is my mum.

For me Rose Oil takes me back to January 2005, my son had just had his big number 1 birthday on the 21 December 2004. On January 19th 2005 my mum passed suddenly at the very young age of 55. Mums passing was put down to atrial fibrillation, basically her heart went into overdrive. I was absolutely floored.

How does Rose Oil fit into this story?

A day or two after, I set off up the hill to visit  a woman named Vera as I was studying her Aromatherapy & Alternative Healing course. My mum and dad would drive the 2 hours from Mandurah to look after our son so I could have time to go and do this. I remember walking into the office of the shop and finding Vera and not being able to hold back the tears. Vera promptly got up; found a bottle that had contained pure Bulgarian Rose Oil and filled it with Jojoba.

“Rub this over your heart chakra, Nat” she said, “and inhale whenever you need to.”

So that’s what I did. Daily. And so did my Dad, my sister, and my partner when the day came to spread Mum’s ashes from our boat at her favourite spot; the estuary at Mandurah. And it did something to us.

Interestingly, the Shop I visited that day just happened to be Verissima Natural Skincare.

(How the universe works is definitely mysterious. I had no idea that 4 years later I would decide to give up my career working with the Government to owning and running this very business.)

This story depicts one of Rose Oil’s very powerful qualities, which is to work with you in times of deep seated grief. Its amazing power somehow helps heal that burning inside your chest and calms your mind. It is the first oil I reach for when someone dear is experiencing such deep hurtful loss.

One of my favourite books, The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert Tisserand, notes Rose Oil “tones the vascular and digestive systems through purging, cleansing action rather than a stimulating one… has a soothing action on the nerves… known aphrodisiac. Being ruled by Venus it is of great use in regulating the menstrual function, is a gentle emmenagogue & cleanses the womb of impurities”

I like the fact that Verissima Natural Skincare is based around the ancient wisdom of using essential oils to heal. I am not a beauty queen, heck I hardly ever use a Cleanser or Toner!

I find it wonderful that I can create a product that you need, that will help you and not harm you.

Just like Rose Oil helped me and my family through a very tough time, essential oils can help you.

If you think about it, our skin is our largest organ. What you put on it is absorbed into our bodies. So take care with what you choose to nourish yourself with. Choose products that heal, that support you.

We create all our products ourselves, and we only use Certified Organic and Natural Ingredients, I’m extremely picky. If you cannot decide what you need from looking at our website I am only an email or a phone call away. I want to hear about you, your life, what you are going through so I can help you choose the best product for you, so don’t hesitate, get in touch.

And if you want some help right now calming the nerves, anxiety, depression or even going through the throws of grief yourself we make a beautiful product called Peace Of Mind Sleep Oil, that just may help you, as it has done me, along with the Rose Oil. Much love, Nat. 

‘The rose distills a healing balm the beating pulse of pain to calm’. Anacreon

My Mum and my first born.

How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast

How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast

Do you want to know how to rid of a cold fast? Of course you do. No-one likes feeling darn miserable with a thumping head, nose running like a tap and a blimme annoying cough for too long.

It’s once again that time of year when the cold air wraps around us, we hunt the back of the wardrobe for our long wooly jackets, our ugg boots and beanies (well, I do). The sniffles begin.. our sinuses can become sooo sore that our head hurts and we feel cold and miserable.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to get rid of a cold fast, to take it on, and concur it with a vengeance.

Well I believe you can, I believe the natural remedies for cold and flu are the best go-to’s. At least initially, before you’re in that much of a mess that you can’t even get out of bed. Let’s avoid that shall we.

So when this happens to me and I want to know to get rid of a cold fast I whip up a yummy hot health-giving tea,

Mum used to make us one as kids. I have varied it and thanks to a friend of mine I have been adding awesome quality certified organic cayenne (so super powerful for sore throats).

Here it is!

  • Boiling water
  • add some lemon juice (from a fresh spray-free lemon, if possible)
  • grate your ginger and add the juice or leave the sliced ginger in to brew
  • same as garlic (about a clove)
  • some gorgeous raw honey
  • some cayenne, enough to feel the heat but not BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!

I have given this to my kids, adjusting the sweetness and heat as needed. Give it a go!
I do try and use all organic ingredients but when it’s not on hand, use what you have.

And, for those of us who got brought up with the good ‘ol Vicks Vapor Rub, we are also accustomed to having something rubbed on our chests and even under (or up) our noses that will magically get rid of our chesty coughs, try our Chest Rub. for a non toxic, natural home remedy instead. Without the petrolatum found in a lot of over the rubs for this, it’s worth a try. It works even better when coupled with our Inhale & Heal, pure plant based essential oil synergistic blend. Pop a few drops of this in your vaporiser, or your kids and throughout the night you will be inhaling and benefiting from the ancient principles of aromatherapy. Perfect!

What’s your favourite winter recipe? Share it with me 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...