I look in the mirror and feel a little horrified by the foreign shape looking back. I used to be fit, toned, highly active; obsessed with the number of runs I had achieved, the number of hours I had worked out, the value on the scales. Many years, and two kids later, I stand in front of my reflection and pause for an honest moment for the first time in a very long time...

I want to be free, I said. I don’t want to feel trapped, held back, restrained. I want to feel free. It wasn’t too long ago I uttered those words for the first time. And I’ve said them many times since. But what does freedom actually mean?

I look in the mirror and feel a little horrified by the foreign shape looking back. I used to be fit, toned, highly active; obsessed with the number of runs I had achieved, the number of hours I had worked out, the value on the scales. Many years, and two kids later, I stand in front of my reflection and pause for an honest moment for the first time in a very long time...

I want to be free, I said. I don’t want to feel trapped, held back, restrained. I want to feel free. It wasn’t too long ago I uttered those words for the first time. And I’ve said them many times since. But what does freedom actually mean?

I used to live my life by this belief – If I fill every single minute of my schedule, if every page in my diary is full of coffee dates and gym dates and dinner dates, then I will be one very important, very happy girl. Business equals significance. Right?

Fingers covered in buttery, chocolate-chipped cookie dough; conquering an oversized mouthful of steamy sourdough drowned in salted caramel sauce; strong, rich, red wine sipped in between smooth chunks of brie cheese; making banana smoothies on a late and lazy Saturday morning...

On my worst days I can hear my thoughts loud and clear... Why did I procreate? Why did I recreate myself? (You'll thank me that this is the edited version. Usually there is a string of 'other' words thrown in). But seriously, some days I am screaming on the inside from the pressure I feel to be a responsible grownup, with kids!

What is the goal? What are the words that will be written on your tombstone? What legacy do you want to leave behind?

All the fussing about how we look, how we feel, what we have, as we try and approach a sense of beauty, or even the fuss about how our lives look...

Just recently, we had the absolute privilege of interviewing Louise Davidson, co-founder of the Mother's Day Classic Walk-Run for breast cancer research. We thought it was perfect timing to spread the word about this event coming up on Sunday May 10...

This post is not going to be full of weird sex positions... So move on if that is what you were hoping for! No, it won't even be full of delectable chocolate goodness -sorry to disappoint! And I just want to state for the record that nakedness has never been my thing. But yesterday it was. Let me tell you why.

On my worst days I can hear my thoughts loud and clear... Why did I procreate? Why did I recreate myself? (You'll thank me that this is the edited version. Usually there is a string of 'other' words thrown in). But seriously, some days I am screaming on the inside from the pressure I feel to be a responsible grownup, with kids!

Recently I read an article over at the Collective Hub by Tess Robinson, founder of Smack Bang Designs. And it was all about networking in the business world, with 9 tips that are far from your traditional schmooze-&-booze tactics. It was a really refreshing read on basically being genuine and connecting with likeminded people...

Being comfortable in my own skin is something I have never completely mastered. I've come a long way but I realised something the other day after pondering the fact that my husband and I struggle to see eye to eye on this concept –he is fabulously independent...

What is the goal? What are the words that will be written on your tombstone? What legacy do you want to leave behind?

All the fussing about how we look, how we feel, what we have, as we try and approach a sense of beauty, or even the fuss about how our lives look...

I had a blast recently, speaking to around 300 spectacular yr 10 & 11 girls on the subject of taking responsibility for your own happiness. My number 1 goal was to empower them with the choice: We can choose to be happy and we alone are responsible for our own thoughts and actions!

On my worst days I can hear my thoughts loud and clear... Why did I procreate? Why did I recreate myself? (You'll thank me that this is the edited version. Usually there is a string of 'other' words thrown in). But seriously, some days I am screaming on the inside from the pressure I feel to be a responsible grownup, with kids!

Choosing to believe something wonderful about yourself is more than just a feel-good notion. It is a life-making, DNA building, neurological pathway pioneering mode of a proactive lifestyle. It is survival.

I have been seeing a phycologist. I am definitely not afraid to admit it... But I am afraid to admit what I learnt recently.

I went to her to try and work through some grief, a few fears & a great sadness that hit hard after my family went through several tragedies, one being an ongoing battle for little Evie's life (my 3-year-old niece)...

What makes us powerful? Is power found in bold, strong leadership and confidence? Or is it found in the broken soul who decides to get back up and push through the darkness?

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Life really can throw a sour punch our way from time to time. Recently I have discovered life can throw grenades too! And while this quote has served me well in the past as a great reminder to make the most of troubling times, I recently have doubted its weight. In the past few months, my family has been hit with some shattering circumstances. Perhaps I felt as though "making lemonade" just wasn't going to cut it.

A very moreish smoothie, with such wholesome (and green) ingredients!

Sometimes I just feel like a really creamy, delicious smoothie. And it can be hard to create such delight using wholesome ingredients... But I think I found the magic combination!

If you're a chocoholic like me, you may have come to realise (like I did recently) that eating sugar every day is probably not good for you! 

But what about those cravings? Oh how they are adamant, conniving pests that always plague your thoughts at the most inconvenient times... like right after you pledge never again to have sugar! 

Sometimes I just feel like digging into a yummy pizza, not the greasy kind you get delivered late at night, perhaps when you have a hang-over... the gourmet kind. In fact, I like to make my own.

Flour, bread, wheat and gluten free crumbed chicken! This delicious, healthy alternative to your regular bread-crumbed chicken is a little treasure I stumbled upon while experimenting in the kitchen.

My husband and I have made a choice to live a healthy lifestyle and opt for less carbohydrates in our meals. We don't cut them out completely (we don't believe in no-carb), but we always feel less bloated and weighed down when we limit our intake of complex carbs.

Who likes broccoli? It is one of those vegetables, even though it promises health benefits when eaten, it doesn't always go down smooth. Being full of nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid, calcium and fiber, broccoli is recommended as a must-have by health organisations. If you find this hard to swallow, you might want to try this salad... 

I have always been more of a grazer than a strictly 3 big meals per day kind of girl. I eat smaller meals and love my snacks. You may or may not agree, but it works for me and I love preparing healthy and yummy nibbles so that I am not always reaching for the chocolate (way too easy to do).

I would like to freely admit that I have never read the Fifty Shades of Grey series. Compelled by all the fuss about the upcoming film release, I recently watched the latest trailer. And I’m not sure what to think, or if I’m over thinking the whole concept. But it leaves me uneasy in the representation of sexuality and relationships. 

I can almost feel it... That 6 year old me who would make up dance routines & parade them to my class mates, or family or who ever would watch me. I can't remember feeling self conscience, or worried about what others would think of my dance moves, or me! I remember one time putting together a routine with my friends to the spice girls 'wannabe'. I was baby spice, of course (with the pig tails & all). We were legit. 

It is rare to find people who are more interested in others and what they have to say rather than their own story. I know I have all too often listened to someone talk only to interrupt or find something to chime in with for the sake of feeling a part of the conversation.

Body image problems can seem mysterious, but I think we tend to overcomplicate it.

Instead of taking responsibility, we like to blame other things, especially the media, which leaves us in no better place or with no further direction towards answers. I agree that the media sells us a lie, however I strongly feel that we shouldn't place blame on things we can't control. Otherwise we become subject to those things, which puts us in a place of fear and gives us an excuse... A reason not to change, not to be better, not to chase freedom.