Just 2 hours left to vote for the face of Human Tested Vegan skincare: I’m a finalist!
An amazing, all-natural, handmade and Vegan skincare company in Melbourne is looking for someone to be the face of Human Tested for advertising and promotion leading up to the party.
The person or people) that are chosen, will have a professional photo shoot, appear in the Human Tested catalogue, star in a YouTube video, and receive a free Human Tested gift pack.
This isn’t about who has the prettiest face or hottest body, it’s about finding people who understand and reflect the Human Tested philosophy:
Human Tested is not about being ‘beautiful’, it is about being interesting.
A perfect Test Subject respects themselves and the earth.
It is about loving all creatures whilst being wild at heart.
It is about natural products that celebrate unnatural beauty.
Click the photo of me above to go directly to Like and vote!
Only 3 hours of voting to go, it closes at midnight AEST, and I’m 400 behind the lead. Please click to Like my photo and help me become the face of Human Tested!
‘Human Tested’ is an emerging range of handmade natural body-products made by Mardi Welsh.
Products are as natural and vegan as possible, and my philosophy is ‘save animals by testing on humans!’
Mindful in May—meditation for an ahMAYzing month.
As part of my ahMAYzing project, and my continuing commitment to self-improvement and my mental health, I’ve signed up for Mindful in May, a one month online meditation program. My sign up fee included a donation, access to weekly guided meditations, interviews with experts and daily motivation. The 10 minute per day meditation challenge aims to refocus attention back from technology and information overload that distracts us and causes anxiety in everyday life, while raising funds to allow communities access to clean water in developing countries.
The funds raised during Mindful in May will be given to Charity Water, an innovative, not for profit organisation that builds clean water wells for those in need. For the launch of Mindful in May I went to a screening of La Source, a documentary about a janitor from Haiti who raised money for his village to get access to clean water, especially after Hurricane Sandy left a quarter of a million people dead from water-borne disease. I basically cried the entire way through and left determined to do something, and donate as soon as I have the financial capacity. Although I already wanted to travel, nothing really lights the fire like the idea that I could work on a project like that.
Smartphones, tablets, wireless internet and other technology keeps us constantly connected. Staying focused is difficult with frequent email, text messages and social media exchanges. This attention deficit contributes to distraction, irritability, impulsiveness, restlessness and underachievement—costing you efficiency while you’re trying to do too much! Sound familiar? It’s the story of my life. As I have ADHD the restlessness is something I can’t turn off easily, so this month will be a challenge.
Buddhists have known for centuries that Meditation increases overall well-being and mental focus by teaching us how to understand the mind and develop mental capacity. Meditation also increases our immune function, protects against DNA damage caused by aging. Rather than being passive, meditation allows development of clarity, effectiveness and problem solving skills which benefits everyday life and business. Leading companies in the world, including Google are offering mindfulness training to their employees, recognizing the benefits of meditation in supporting more clarity, innovation and productivity.
If you’ve never meditated before or have lapsed, this is a great way to build or reinforce that habit. I have struggled to meditate in the past due to the inability to turn off all the noise in my brain. There are only two times that I am able to clear my brain sufficiently to get close to a meditative state, one is during Bikram Yoga Shavasana and the other one is another temperature increasing physical activity. Regular mindfulness meditation has been proven to have significant benefits, but you actually have to do it. Just like physical exercise, committing the time can be a challenge but even ten minutes of meditation five times a week can improve our attention and focus.
Depression will be the second-highest cause of global disability burden by 2020 according to the World Health Organisation but contaminated water is still one of the leading causes of disease and death in the developing world. Mindful in May addresses both of these issues in ten minutes a day of meditation to create a clear mind for you and clean water for others.
Last year nearly $30,000 was raised for Charity Water. That’s five water wells in Ethiopia and Nepal, that bring clean, safe drinking water to over one thousand people in need.
Need a meditation spot at lunchtime to escape the madness in Melbourne?
Find out more about Mindful in May on the Website, Facebook or Twitter
Find Healthy Party Girl on a variety of social media channels;
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | BlogLovin [Blog Reader]
ah-MAY-zing! The Radical Self Love Project.
Some time ago, Gala Darling developed an online course called Radical Self Love Bootcamp, which takes you through a 30 day program in self-loving. I’ve been meaning to do the whole program for a long time, and I signed up last February but didn’t end up getting past buying an A4 sketch book and a pack of brightly coloured fineliners for my Radical Self Love journal. The reason I think it is so worthwhile is due to the prompting that we often need to create positive change in our lives. It feels self-indulgent, or undeserved, when we decide to focus on ourselves, and that mindset can lead to much more negativity and much less self-love.
Apart from the Radical Self Love Project, there are a few different guides to positive self-transformation. I think it’s a good place to start.I also downloaded Love & Sequins, which is Gala’s book on being a love letter to the universe (plus each chapter comes with an mp3 of Gala reading it aloud in her adorable Kiwi accent). I’m working on my own book on this topic at the moment but there is so much that I could put in and more I’m learning every day, it’s hard to make it work for the most people because everyone is so different with their unique struggles.
Over the course of May, I’m embarking on a mission to make my life more ah-MAY-zing! I’ll be updating with my Radical Self Love Bootcamp reflections as well as other related posts. In the meantime, please enjoy Gala Darling’s TEDx talk on Radical Self Love, and see below for some of her amazing tips on loving yourself, and a selection of links to her website galadarling.com where you can read more and hopefully find a few gems for your own self-love journey.
100 Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself Right Now
Make lists of reasons why you love yourself. Reach out to others. Think of a way you could make your life easier — then do it. Change the way you think about food. Stretch in the mornings. Really listen to people when they are speaking. Have media black-out days. Have that “awkward” conversation. Read through the results when you search Tumblr for “love yourself”. Ask for help. Know that you are good enough ALL THE TIME. Find a mantra & hold it close. Print out Sark’s picture & stick it in your Radical Self Love Bible. Do your very, very best to stop judging people. Explore your sexuality. Express love in as many ways as you can. Wear sequins. Take a bubble bath wearing a tiara. Embrace the unknown. Clean out your closet. Increase the amount of spinach you eat. Forget about your “to do” list & just BE. Make a little extra effort every day. Listen to new types of music & dance! Treat yourself to new knickers. Change your alarm clock to something which makes you smile. Be good to your body. Know that you deserve love. Throw away your scales. Be vibrant & colourful. Do something you’ve been afraid to do. Read self hatred: beneath sugar-coated criticism + self improvement. Start thinking of Valentine’s Day as a day for YOU. Recognise that you are a miracle. Eat dark chocolate. Stop worrying about other people’s opinions. Nourish yourself. Play the drums. Find amazing new icons & role models. Get more sunshine. Stop trying to “fit in”. Recognise that life is only ever what you make it. Get out everything that you’ve been holding onto. Write a letter to yourself as a child. Run away. Keep your Radical Self Love totem on you at all times & start telling people about it. Be brave. Talk to strangers. Respect yourself 100%. Make the most of every opportunity. Appreciate the people in your life. Work on your Radical Self Love Bible all the time. Dress up for yourself. Really take time for yourself. Think about this every day: “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” (Ayn Rand) Set yourself enormous goals. Don’t allow yourself to rest on your laurels. Be your own superhero. Make magic every day. Don’t live your life online. Volunteer. Dance in public. Be your own best friend. Support other women. Don’t patronise places that treat you poorly. Don’t settle for things just because “it’s always been this way”. Be good to your temple. Be impeccable with your word. Do “the right thing”, even when you’d get away with it, even when no one is watching. Treat other people with respect at all times. Be compassionate. Watch Eve Ensler. Operate on your own agenda. Innovate. Evaluate your life & ruthlessly cut out the things which aren’t working. …While at the same time keeping this in mind: You believe that things or people make you unhappy, but you make yourself unhappy Come up with your own definition of spirituality. Share your dreams. Reinvent yourself as an expression of pure love. Spend time with people who do good things. Take action. Channel Clint Eastwood. “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.” Incorporate meditative ritual into your life. Be inclusive. Think about what you want the theme of your life to be. Think about how you can encourage other people to love themselves too. Celebrate the ways in which you have grown & changed. Embrace your power. Start dressing in a way which makes you feel sexy & confident. Love everyone. Listen to Leonard Cohen. Get more sleep. Look at this photo of Madonna. (NSFW!) Apologise. “While you’re carrying a grudge, they’re out dancing.” Take yourself on dates. Don’t take yourself too seriously! Forgive yourself. Just love yourself. Leave a comment with your best tip for RADICAL SELF LOVE.
Want to read more?
100 Ways To Be A Love Letter To The Universe In Praise Of Calling It Quits: What To Do When You’re Burned Out, & How To Get Your Spark Back 10 Really Easy Ways You Can Love Yourself More Today! How To Practice Major Mega Supreme Body Love… Daily! Radical Self Love Homework Assignments The Playgirl’s Guide To Radical Self-Love What Do You Love About Yourself? A Girl On A Mission: How To Write A Personal Mission Statement! How Can I Be Happy When The World Is Such A Horrible Place? How To Set Amazing Goals Radical Self-Hate? Stop The Madness! We Are Becoming The Men We Wanted To Marry Talking With Gala Darling About #RadicalSelfLove Jealousy Is The Killer Of GIRL LOVE How To Avoid Regressing When You Stay With Your Parents (Alternate Title: How To Survive A Family Christmas) How To Cope With A Quarter-Life Crisis & Part Two
What would you look for in a self-transformation guide? Do you need a positivity boost?
Have you participated in Radical Self Love Bootcamp or something similar? Tell me all about it!
Find Healthy Party Girl on a variety of social media channels;
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | BlogLovin [Blog Reader]
Are you getting enough? 23 reasons to drink more water—the ultimate diet, beauty and health solution.
I found an amazing collection of facts about water spread across the internet, and I thought it was timely to add to the collection. Not only do I struggle to drink enough water on a daily basis, but since I intend to start a 30 Day Bikram Yoga challenge, my water intake needs to increase substantially to balance the fluids lost via sweat. My amazing organic beauty therapist from Heavenly Rituals, Lindy, also emphasised the importance of drinking water to help your skin remain clear and supple. So without further ado;
Brita Fill & Go Water Bottle – Available at target.com.au
1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This likely applies to half the world’s population too.
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
3. Even mild dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters in a University of Washington study.
Gaim water bottle available at rebelsport.com.au
5. Lack of water is the main trigger of daytime fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8 to 10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
kor vida hydration vessel available from sukimama.com.au
9. The human body is anywhere from 55-78% water . Muscle consists of 75% water, the brain consists of 90% of water, bone consists of 22% of water and blood consists of 83% water.
10. Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger, it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories.
11. The functions of water in the human body are vital. Water transports nutrients and oxygen into cells, moisturises the air in lungs, helps with metabolism, protects our vital organs, helps our organs to absorb nutrients better, regulates body temperature, detoxifies the system and protects and moisturises our joints.
Beatrix New York Ladybug Water Bottle from sukimama.com.au
12. Every cell in your body needs water from your head to toes. If you do not supply enough water to your body, your brain cannot function well, and you will get headaches or migraines. If you feel fatigued or headachey, it may be a sign of dehydration.
13. Water helps to relieve headaches and back pains due to dehydration. Although many things contribute to headaches, dehydration is the most common reason for their occurrence.
Camelbak Tritan 750ml available from shopnaturally.com.au
14. You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to regenerate skin tissue, keeps the skin from becoming dry and increases the skin’s elasticity.
15. Your brain is mostly made up of water, so drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and focused and concentrate better.
16. Harmful effects of dehydration include tiredness, migraine, constipation, muscle cramps, irregular blood pressure, kidney problems and dry skin. If you’re 20% dehydrated there is even risk of death.
Aquasteel Aqua 750ml kids water bottle – available at house.com.au
17. Symptoms of dehydration include dark yellow or orange urine—generally pale yellow to clear when you have sufficient water intake—dry skin, thirst, hunger and fatigue.
18. Drinking water regulates your body temperature. That means you’ll feel more energetic, especially when exercising. Water is essential for your muscle function as well.
Bobble water bottle available at officeworks.com.au
19. Drinking water raises your metabolism and aids digestion. Fiber and water go hand in hand to help keep you regular.
20. Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’re less likely get cramps and sprains.
21. Drinking plenty of water helps your body fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water with lemon is often used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. Water improves your immune system.
Glass 650ml Lifefactory flip-top available at biome.com.au
22. Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products. If your body lacks water, your heart needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to the cells and the rest of the vital organs.
23. Some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining.
In my post Bottling it up, I basically poked fun at the artesian water brands. However, if that’s the only way you meet your intake, go ahead. Plus check out my 9 Ways to Drink More Water post for some ideas on increasing your water levels every day. I bought a 1L bottle from Typo (similar to the one in the featured image for this post) and I fill it up from our filter tap at work, twice a day.
HPG Weekly Wrap Up and April Inspiration Board
It’s a brand new week! Over the weekend my boyfriend came to visit me from Queensland, I’m a lucky girl. We had a great time and went out quite a lot more than I usually do. On Thursday I made brunch for my housemates and family and then I took the boy out for dinner; Friday night we went out for drinks and dumplings with friends; Saturday afternoon was spent in St Kilda at the We Love Life festival and then out for dinner and catching up for drinks with friends and he was back at the airport at 7pm on Sunday after more friend catch up time and an early dinner with my parents. Phew!
Smoothies of the week
Starting from the top left we have kale-goji-chia-banana-berry-apple juice, kiwi-berry-banana-kale-chia-hemp seed-almond milk, banana-apple-cinnamon-chia-milk (for B), banana-spinach-maca-berries-chia, banana-kale-Spirulina-peaches-berries-chia-soy milk and the ingredients that went into a superfood smoothie! My housemate called it “Toxic Green” and a couple of them looked like radioactive slime indeed!
We Love Life @ Port Phillip Eco Centre
My boy was kind enough to let me drag him down to St Kilda to go to We Love Life, with the promise of food and hugs. There was definitely plenty of food! We shared a Vegan Bahn Mi and a two curry combination plus a fresh coconut. While we were eating we listened to an inspiring talk by Luke Tan of Evolved Fitness, who worked his way back from “rock bottom” to become a personal trainer and win body building competitions whilst maintaining a Vegan diet and lifestyle. He demonstrated the method competitors use to “pump up” on stage before posing for the judges and there was definitely nothing small about his plant-fuelled frame. Afterwards, we picked up some sweet treats including chia & date balls and raw cacao coconut rough, they were all so good!
If you were as busy as I was last week then you may have missed what happened here on the blog, so read on below!
If you have Twitter or Instagram, make sure you follow me @healthypartygrl.
HPG’s week just gone:
Checking in with your 2013 Goals plus the Power of Positivity, and the Natural Beauty conversation I still can’t believe they were asked this question!
Are you ready to happify your life? I’ve got five four Happify invitations to give away!
Is the stigma of mental illness preventing you seeking the help you need? It was for me, and I’ve suffered for it.
Mark your diaries! Upcoming health and wellness events. Holistic Health Expos, Fun Runs and more.
April Inspiration
6 True Stories That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity
“The first step — especially for young people with energy and drive and talent, but not money — the first step to controlling your world is to control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind of world you demand to live in. To write the books. Make the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art.”
— Chuck Palahniuk
Thomas Keller on Why Passion Shouldn’t Drive You. This was definitely an interesting read!
Apparently I’m Dauntingly Positive and Optimistic. Know What I Say To That? Fuck Off. I say “hear hear!”
Your May Astrological Predictions from Barbara Goldsmith. Mine says that it’s going to be a busy month!
Bupa Health Blog Awards are open now! If you would like to throw a vote toward the blog, I would be very grateful.
Think beyond your lifetime if you want to accomplish something truly worthwhile
— Walt Disney
REWIND: Three of the most popular posts from the HPG archives
It’s moving day! Let’s laugh instead (or groan)… A collection of very bad jokes, mainly about vegetables.
Poledancing for weight loss - When my then pole dancing studio released a pole-based weight loss program.
What goes up must come down - A very popular old post of mine about balancing serotonin with diet.
Find Healthy Party Girl on a variety of social media channels;
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | BlogLovin [Blog Reader]
Mark your diaries! Upcoming health and wellness events.
This is not a sponsored post, all event information has been personally curated by myself for information only.
We <3 Life Festival
This week the We <3 Life festival has been on and ends with the Festival official celebration this weekend.
Music, dance, kids hour of power dance party & activities, fashion show, cruelty free beauty, free vegan and vintage clothes swap (No Leather/Fur/Silk/Wool!), organic fruit and veggie swap, market stalls, free raw food cooking demo, free easy vegan recipes, and a film screening.
Fundraising and donation collecting for Eco Centre, Animal Liberation Victoria, Vegetarian Victoria, Edgar’s Mission, Pet’s Haven, Animals Australia, Sea Shepherd, Save Japan Dolphins and Choose Cruelty Free. More information here.
27th & 28th April, 10am-6pm both days.
Port Phillip Eco Centre/St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
I’m taking my boyfriend to this today so if you’re planning to go as well, hit me up via Twitter at @healthypartygrl and I’ll get him to take a photo of us for me to post tomorrow!
The Food Revolution Summit
This inspiring and life-changing week with revolutionary thinkers and visionaries will put the power in your hands when it comes to the food you eat! Dare to discover the most cutting-edge information, shocking facts, and inspirational wisdom! This is an entirely free event and you don’t even have to go anywhere, with the schedule for streaming available online now. You are being deceived about your food.
If you’re concerned or even outraged, you have every reason to be.
If you care about your health, and you want the truth about your food…
Then you’re invited to join The Food Revolution! Broadcasting Worldwide.
Runs April 27th-May 5th, and is an entirely online event.
The inaugural Switch Off Sunday
While we all have goals that we want to complete, whether its making time to start that creative project or finally heading off to travel, we’re struggling to make simple lifestyle changes with our free time, let alone accomplish the big things. Results from amaysim‘s study show that 56% say the inability to switch off is having a negative effect—28% are connected to technology for 8-16 hours every day.
That’s why amaysim is encouraging Aussies to switch off all technology for Switch Off Sunday on Sunday May 5 and reconnect with the world face-to-face—reconnect with family and mates and appreciate the world around you. Switch off your smartphones, close your computer and give Facebook, Twitter and email the day off. Find out more here.
Run Melbourne
Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to start preparing for your next fitness milestone? Sign up to The Age Run Melbourne 2013 and achieve your goals! This great event not only gives you the chance to maintain your health and fitness outdoors, but to do so while supporting your charity of choice. With plenty of preparation time, set yourself a fitness target and sign up to the 5 kilometre run/walk, 10 kilometre run or half-marathon, today!
Entries open NOW!
Sunday 21st July 2013
runmelbourne.com.au
Natural Therapy Expo
Over 30 modalities will be exhibited! They are currently looking for exhibitors who sell spiritual/health/organic products and Yoga/Meditation instructors.
Admission by gold coin donation. More info available online.
26th May 11am-4pm.
St Brigid’s Parish Hall
378 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North
The Greatest Athlete
Australia’s largest obstacle challenge series, Greatest Athlete, dares Aussies to test their physical and mental resilience in the event of the year. Discover the athlete within through a 10 station, 5 km obstacle course at various locations around Australia. Over 100k Aussies will compete to win $200k in cash & prizes, the Top 25 Men & Women will go on to the TV series.
Get the ticket. Take the challenge. Make it happen. Register at GreatestAthlete.com
Perth WA: Saturday, 10 August
Adelaide SA: Saturday, 3 August
Brisbane QLD: Saturday, 6 July
Canberra ACT: Saturday, 20 July
Sydney NSW: Saturday, 13 July
Melbourne VIC: Saturday, 27 July
The end of absolute poverty – free public lecture
Geoffrey Lamb, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s President of Global Policy will discuss Australia’s role in creating a better world in the 21st Century.
He will review the extraordinary successes of the past half century in reducing mortality and disease. He will show how investments in health have been critical for economic growth and the reduction of global poverty – and have helped bring the goal of an end to absolute global poverty within generational sight.
The Graeme Clark Oration is a free public lecture established to honour Professor Graeme Clark, inventor of the bionic ear. The Oration celebrates the new possibilities emerging from the convergence of biology, computing and engineering. It is hosted by the ICT for Life Sciences Forum.
More information and register your free attendance at www.graemeclarkoration.org.au
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
2 Clarendon St, Southbank
Monday, 29 April at 6:15pm
Grill’d are Feeding Melbourne
Today, at least 370,000 people go hungry at least once a year in Victoria. This month Grill’d has joined the fight against hunger, raising money for Feed Melbourne to assist them in providing support to those in need. For more information on how you can make a difference this April, visit www.grilld.com.au/localmatters
Help Grill’d Feed Melbourne in April at all Victorian Grill’d restaurants
Film Screening – La Source
One man’s journey to bring clean water to his village in Haiti
Arts in Action in partnership with Mindful in May presents a screening of the documentary La Source, an uplifting story of Josue Lajuenesse, a Haitian Princeton janitor who returns to his country after the devastating 2010 earthquake to fulfill his lifelong dream to bring what is most fundamental to his village’s survival; clean water.
This film from award-winning Director Patrick Shen (Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality, The Philosopher Kings) is not just a movie about clean water and community transformation; it is a story of one unlikely hero, empowered by a vision, who did whatever it took to ignite the passion of people thousands of miles away to change the lives of those in La Source forever.
The film follows the Lajeunesse brothers as they work together to rally the support of a group of Princeton students, a Los Angeles-based charity called Generosity Water and the people of La Source to fulfill their dream of improving the conditions of their impoverished village.
Mindful in May – Pause for a Cause – “Clear mind for you, clean water for others”
Mindful in May is a one month online global meditation challenge that brings the benefits of mindful meditation together with an opportunity to contribute to bringing clean, safe drinking water to those living in the developing world.
Bella Union
Level 1, 54 Victoria Street, Carlton VIC
Tuesday 30th April 2013, 7-10pm
Let me know if you buy tickets—presale is $7+BF—I’ll see you there!
Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival
Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival is a truly unique annual event which celebrates Melbourne’s diverse multicultural society. Running over two days, the Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival begins in the heart of Melbourne, at Federation Square.
The Festival commemorates the birth of the Buddha, one of the most significant days of the Buddhist calendar, and highlights and promotes cooperation, community understanding and harmony in our inclusive and culturally diverse community.
Incorporating the traditions of Buddhist ceremony including the ‘Bathing of the Buddha’, daily Dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell and traditional incense offerings; a vegetarian culinary tour of Asia along the River Terrace and cooking demonstrations; cultural dance and performances from around the globe; cultural demonstrations in BMW Edge; music; art and craft, community service groups providing information and assistance; and special activities and programs for children at ArtPlay.
A festival for the mind, body and spirit.
Federation Square
18th & 19th May
www.buddhaday.org.au
Melbourne Running Events—May
Puffing Billy Great Train Race
13.2km Run/Walk
Sunday 5th May, 9:30 am
Belgrave
Go the Extra Mile 50km Endurance Event
Saturday 11th May, 7.00am – Midnight
Jells Park, Wheelers Hill to Ferny Creek Reserve
Raising funds for Teen Suicide prevention
Mothers’ Day Classic
Sunday 12th May 2013
Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne
Great Ocean Road Marathon
Saturday 18th & 19th May
Apollo Bay
Is the stigma of mental illness preventing you seeking the help you need?
I don’t love Mamamia but sometimes there’s a post that stands out among the fodder. Recently, Ruby Rose posted on Twitter about her struggle with depression and while she has never hidden anything about it, it was so refreshing to see a celebrity be open about their mental health struggles and for the media to support them as well as the public. Ruby Rose is My New Hero by Rosie Waterland really mirrored my feelings about it.
When I was a teenager I struggled a lot with negative feelings about my body, my ability, my social skills and my overall self-worth. I always thought that it wasn’t something worth bothering people with and would put on a brave face all day until I got off the bus after school and broke down on the hundred metre walk from the stop to my front door. As a family we ate dinner together infrequently and seldom talked about how we felt. I was frustrated and antagonistic and school was the hardest thing for me to get through, afterwards I spent hours playing telnet games and finding any way to connect with people online. I guess that’s where my fascination with the internet and social media—in it’s earliest stages—really began.
As an adult I learnt to keep my feelings to myself and that meant when there were times in my life that I should have spoken to someone but instead put on a brave face and my head down and worked through it. Literally. The year my Dad dying, a catastrophic break-up and the GFC all happened, my occupied hours increased to a full-time job, studying and time-consuming extracurricular activities including hours of pole dancing fitness classes and competitions and University cheerleading, as well as writing myself off at least once a week.
That Rose is depressed enough to feel that she needs to take time out in order to get better is a terrible state to be in and, obviously, I wish her all the very best.
I couldn’t agree more with this statement. I thought at the time that I was completely capable of looking after myself even though I had years of being severely depressed behind me, including a period of self-harm, an eating disorder and sexual assault all without any real medical or psychological help. It was only due to the support of the few friends I had and my sheer determination not to be “a victim” that I managed to hold myself together as much as I did. What I should have done was take the time out to look after myself.
The times when friends dismissed depression as something that was just “not trying hard enough” or spoke about it as if they thought anyone with depression was pathetic, broke my heart every time but I never wanted to let on that I couldn’t let myself drive home because I was scared I’d purposefully drive into the oncoming traffic or that I was the last one left at every party because I couldn’t stand the thought of going home to my bed and what I felt was the most miserable life in the world.
If I had taken the time out to get help and work on all the factors in my life that were preventing me from moving on to a happier, more stable place, I think the last few years of my life would have been very different. Instead of slowly clawing my way back to a place I feel content in, I could have arrived there much sooner and had the last few years to work toward my goals and get ahead.
Even now I find it hard to talk about my feelings—both positive and negative—which makes it hard for me to be a good daughter, friend or girlfriend sometimes, and not having the time to learn about how I’m feeling within myself means it’s harder for me to realise when I’m stressed or anxious because of something in my life or because I’m overtired or hungry. It’s still a work in progress.
One in five Australians experience mental illness every year and often struggle more with other people’s perception of it than they worry about the illness itself, which is exactly the opposite of physical ailments. It’s common for people to catastrophize physical conditions but so hard for anyone to admit when they need psychological help. Only in the last few months did I seek treatment and even with a Psychology major, I’m still too scared to turn up to my Psychiatrist’s office for my official diagnosis. I’m too scared to have my condition named and have to live with the label and the stigma of mental illness.
So that’s why Ruby Rose is my new hero. Not only is she battling depression (which takes a hero anyway), but she told her fans in the same way a singer would admit to having, say, a throat infection: it sucks, but I’m taking some time and hopefully I’ll be back on my feet soon.
She treated her depression just like any other illness. She tweeted about it like it was no big deal – hopefully one day it won’t be.
If this post brings up issues for you, or you just need someone to talk to, please call Lifeline on 131 114. You can also visit the Lifeline website here and the Beyond Blue website here.
Are you ready to happify your life?
Have you heard of happify.com? I received an invitation and joined straight away, but it’s still in beta (testing) mode, so it hasn’t launched yet. I’ve been following a stream to become happier and cope better with stress, which means I’m working on gratitude and relaxation amongst other things. The exercises that happify sets me to do have been fun and thought provoking, and I’ve definitely felt rewarded when my task is complete.
I have 5 invitations to happify to give away so you can join in while the site is still in beta and super exclusive, so all you need to do is be one of the first five people to comment and tell me something that has made you happy in the last 24 hours.
If you liked this, try these:
It’s moving day! Let’s laugh instead (or groan)…
A Tuesday in the life of HPG
A Wednesday in the life of HPG
Checking in with your 2013 Goals plus the Power of Positivity, and the Natural Beauty conversation
Ever have one of those days where you get home from work and just feel like you want to slump onto the couch and watch TV or sit in front of the computer and just numb out before dragging yourself to bed? It doesn’t make you feel very positive, does it! That’s how I felt last night when I got home. After a mentally challenging day, I had to carry a couple of heavy packages on my walk home but Uni and work were weighing on my mind heavier than my bags could.
Even the fact that one of my parcels contained the best part of a whole new work wardrobe from ASOS, I was hardly beside myself to open it. But then I realised it was 7pm and therefore it was time to tune in for Connie Chapman’s Transform Your Life From The Inside Out call and within 10 minutes I was taking notes and jotting down ideas, while listening to Connie describe her journey and her program for change. Once the call ended, I was researching, planning, writing, and feeling plenty cheerful again. I must have put out such a good creative vibe to the Universe because I had several great potential projects presented to me today, and a couple of ideas of my own that reached a practical stage of development.
But wait, wasn’t I feeling crap a minute ago?
Yes, and this change in mindset is something that I’ve thought about a great deal over the last few months—how thinking positively can change the entire outcome of a situation. Apart from trying to listen to the call, I was giving attention to a topic that interests me and not dwelling on the parts of my life that I had deemed unsatisfactory and not feeling up to doing anything at all. I started to feel more positive and it distracted me from the negative thoughts. It would have helped that I was listening to an authority on the subject of transformation. From there I opened up BlogLovin 
and started reading through the latest posts in my brand new list of wellness and positivity blogs. Before long I was feeling well and truly happy, inspired and confident again. Definitely back on track with my goals!
Life is too short—don’t spend it miserable.
Here’s a few things that I have thought about lately. Hopefully you will be able to find something to add to your personal Positivity Piggybank.
Spread a positive message with Operation Beautiful! “You’re beautiful just the way you are. Smile! Let your inner beauty shine.” Imagine walking into a dressing room and finding notes like these stuck to the mirror. How would it make you feel? Operation Beautiful is a movement that promotes positivity and self-esteem by encouraging people to post notes with uplifting messages in public places, all in the hopes of changing the way people see themselves. The movement started out with a website and became a book for adults that published in August 2010. Our new book features notes written by real girls from all over the world next to stories of how writing and finding these notes has changed their lives. Author and Operation Beautiful creator Caitlin Boyle also shares tips meant especially for girls on issues such as body image, bullying, and healthy eating. This book is an essential read for all growing girls, organized and written in a way that is meant for girls to share with their moms or their best friends!
If your New Years resolutions are starting to wane, or you never made any, then click the image above and check out Gala Darling‘s post ‘Make 2013 The Best Year Ever’ for some great tips on making positive changes in your life from simplifying your inbox or wardrobe to taking up yoga or burlesque classes. I highly recommend doing a few more things which one might otherwise think is selfish. I for one, intend to book in for a regular massage and maybe a facial at Heavenly Rituals because Lindy’s handmade organic treatments are out of this world and super relaxing.
If you haven’t started journaling yet, and I don’t mean blogging or scheduling but actually journaling—planning, executing and reflecting—your fitness, health, money, travel or career goals then you aren’t maximising your potential for success! Start a Positivity Planner, or better yet, subscribe to receive the HPG weekly wrap up which launches this week and includes extra tips for making positive changes. These journals above were designed by the lovely and talented AllyLouise and you can buy them from Etsy.
Do something for someone else.
Think about all the ways in which you can do something for someone else, including helping a friend move or cleaning your parents house while they’re away. Even offering to drive a workmate home when its late or raining even though its out of your way could have a huge positive impact. The whole point of doing things for others is not to get anything in return but to do it for the good that comes from it. I know it can sound a bit naff but I can assure you there is nothing naff about being a good person!
If you want to do even more, look out for volunteering opportunities in your local community. You can also try the listings on Go Volunteer or Seek Volunteer,
Brigid’s Story | Mentor & Volunteer via govolunteer.com.au
I wanted to use my work/life experience and skills in a meaningful way to volunteer, so when I found the opportunity on SEEK to offer mentoring to an underprivileged child through the Smith Family, I knew it was the right choice for me. I hoped my experiences and encouragement would help my teenage mentee find a clearer path to their interests in life and work, but found I learned so much from them about bravery, tolerance and ambition to succeed. There is no doubt I found great satisfaction in sharing and encouraging a young person but I was surprised by how enlightening and fulfilling the whole experience was. I highly recommend it!
Don’t be a judgemental bitch.
Not even kidding, it’s not cute or funny to be mean to people or try to cut them down when they are trying to do good things. The women who host healthtalks every week posted a couple of commonly asked questions and their responses. The questions were posed in a way that seemed judgemental, bitter and narrow-minded, but the girls answered them with grace and care—I still can’t believe they are common questions though!
“Why do you guys wear so much make-up? How can that be healthy?”
AND
“How can Jess promote wellness when she clearly dyes her hair?”
What even!? I can’t believe we’re still degenerating into asking these types of negative questions of people who are actively contributing to making the world a better place. It’s not even really relevant, although I can see why someone would ask. The fact that one of the lovely women on the segment had a reason to wear make up shouldn’t have come as a shock because it’s really none of the business of people. I commend them all for instead explaining what products they use that enable make up to fit in to the organic and toxin-free lifestyles that they have chosen.
Watch the video here:
Plus Jess posted a great infographic, followed by outlining her natural, organic beauty regimen to give you an idea of the possibilities. I’ve been trying out a range of products for a little while, thanks to my subscription beauty boxes. I’m still getting the non-eco ones for now but I think I’ll be stopping them soon as I get much more from the others.
So, how is 2013 tracking for you—is your life taking a more positive path or do you need to make a few adjustments?
What’s your view on natural beauty products—leave me a comment below!
Find Healthy Party Girl on a variety of social media channels;
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | BlogLovin [Blog Reader]
Human Testing, Conscious Living and breaking the law.
It’s been a very exciting week at work, in my blogging and my personal mission project. I’m writing plans for all three at the moment and it’s scary but really exciting. I’ve spent most of the weekend reading and researching, making notes and jotting down ideas. Even the blog got a little bit of a refresh in template and connections to other blogs and communities, which resulted in a sudden increase of pageviews! I also followed a whole lot of new and interesting people on Twitter, so if you have Twitter or Instagram, make sure you follow me @healthypartygrl.
Human Tested are looking for a spokesmodel!
If you haven’t tried these amazing, locally made (in Melbourne) skincare products, they are available in very limited quantities on Etsy. But you really must get yo’self over to the website now and sign up for the mailing list to be one of the first to know when Human Tested officially launches in September. But there’s also been a very special release on the Human Tested Facebook profile from creator Mardi;
Attention Melbourne Test Subjects!
This September there will be an official lunch party f0r Human Tested handmade all natural vegan beauty products.
Someone will be chosen to be the face of Human Tested for advertising and promotion leading up to the launch.
The winner(s) will have a professional photo shoot, appear in the Human Tested catalogue, star in a YouTube video, and receive a free Human Tested gift pack!It’s not about who has the prettiest face or hottest body, it’s about finding people who understand and reflect the Human Tested philosophy -
Human Tested is not about being ‘beautiful’, it is about being interesting.
A perfect Test Subject respects themselves and the earth.
It is about loving all creatures whilst being wild at heart.
It is about natural products that celebrate unnatural beauty.So not your ‘typical’ model, but people with personality, character and a sense of humour. Don’t be afraid to be creative! Tattoos and piercings are welcome, but not essential.
If you are interested, email a photo to Mardi at Human Tested. Finalists will be chosen on the 4th of May.
Conscious Living Expo
My Mum and I went to check out the Conscious Living Expo, which was a bit of an anti-climax. It’s a bit of a warm up before Mind Body Spirit, I gather. We had a nice quinoa salad and green juice lunch and wandered around looking at natural and alternative products which was pretty good. There was a stall where you could get your face read and within 30 seconds of me arriving, the practitioner had me all figured out. Lucky I didn’t have any money or I could have spent a lot in between incense, massage, tarot cards, coconut ice cream and plenty of other eco-friendly products. Workshops were also running but I didn’t take much notice of them so maybe next time I’ll be more prepared. The coconut ice cream was awesome, this flavour is chocolate mint.
Did you miss anything over the last few days? The latest posts on HPG:
Stuff I like on the internets – Life changing, thought provoking edition
Nominations for the Bupa Awards are open now - pretty please, if you would be able to spare me a vote I would be so grateful.
How To: Green smoothies—Feel healthy from the inside out!
As requested by the ever-so-lovely Erin from Blonde Tiger, the recipe for my first successful vegie smoothie;
Accidentally Illegal Vegie Smoothie
- 4 Creative Gourmet Vegie Shot Smoothie Cubes
- 1 Emma & Tom’s Carrot Top Life Juice with Apple & Ginger
- 1 handful of baby spinach leaves (or kale if you can get it)
- A sprinkling of hemp seeds (chia would also work well)
- 1 slice of cucumber to garnish (or a stuffed olive if you fancy)
Put all the ingredients into a blender jug or immersion blender cup and whizz away! If you’d like your smoothie a bit thicker, don’t put the entire juice bottle in. I anticipated having some juice left but in the end I got a smoothie about 550mL in volume. Pour into an appropriate glass or two and sprinkle seeds on top, then slice a thin wedge out of your cucumber and slip it over the rim. Done! Drink up, it will separate it you let it sit for too long, and it was actually tasty so you don’t want to waste it.
I didn’t realise until afterwards but the packet of hemp seeds had a label on it saying it was illegal to purchase in Australia or New Zealand. Oops. Well it wasn’t mine so I guess I don’t have to worry about it… right? Strange things, laws. Good smoothie but.
REWIND: Two of the most popular posts from the HPG archives
Bottling it up - What’s your stance on bottled and artesian water? Yay or nay?
Not everything is as it seems - Fond of a Frappuccino? Killer for a Chiller? I’ll show myself out…
So, how is 2013 tracking for you—is your life taking a more positive path or do you need to make a few adjustments?
What’s your view on natural beauty products—leave me a comment below!
Find Healthy Party Girl on a variety of social media channels;
Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | BlogLovin [Blog Reader]
