What sailing from NZ to Fiji taught me about health and wellbeing

I love a good adventure, and when my boyfriend decided we should get a sailboat and sail from New Zealand to Fiji, I figured; Why not! I started researching the journey, and discovered it's a very popular route and plenty of people do it each year. So! I did a few sailing lessons, and on June 22nd this year, we left the Bay of Islands and sailed to Savu Savu, Fiji. 

It may seem like an extreme adventure, but there were months of preparation behind it; the details of which aren't very thrilling unless you love hearing about tying knots, drilling and cleaning things. What is interesting though, is what I've learned about health and wellbeing thanks to this exciting adventure.

1. Sometimes you just need to take a leap

Thanks to social media, the ‘comparison trend’ is everywhere, making too many of us feel like we’re not quite whole.

The feeling of needing to do more or be more than we are stops so many of us from achieving exciting things. This need to have ‘more’ of something is everywhere, people may want:

• More patience before they have children

• More money before they pursue their dream job

• More activewear before they go to the gym

As a physiotherapist I've heard every excuse to avoid rehab or activity, (including the one about active wear!) We're all guilty of making those little excuses without realising they hold us back.

The feeling that we don't have quite ENOUGH OF SOMETHING YET all comes down to confidence. It's the little voice in our head saying 'no, you can't do it...not yet.'

Sure, sailing the Pacific Ocean can be dangerous, but there are plenty of tools to help mitigate the risks. After researching and purchasing every safety tool we could need, learning as much as I could and passing our safety inspection, I felt ready. It was a huge leap to take for someone who had only done four sailing lessons, but I learned sometimes you've just got to give it a go. It was a great learning for me who loves every piece of information before I try something!

2. Eating fried, fatty foods is hard on your digestion

This is a no brainer, but I had never felt the truth of this statement until arriving in Fiji. During the passage from NZ, we ate rice, beans, cabbage, vegetables, pasta and freshly caught Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna. Essentially we ate whole, real foods which I thought I did already, but obviously not!

When we arrived into Fiji, the boat was wet through and we were craving a warm burger and chips. We waited a few days, then hit the Waitui marina to satisfy our craving.

The next day, we both felt sluggish and lazy, almost worse than the day we had arrived after very little sleep at sea. I was blown away with the difference in our energy levels.

Our bodies had become so accustomed to eating clean foods, fried fatty food was almost too much to manage.

I'm not saying fried foods are the enemy, but they do have a HUGE impact on energy and wellbeing. The occasional dumpling night or burger and chips is absolutely fine, but notice if you're injecting fried and fatty foods into your diet elsewhere. It could be making you lethargic without you realising. Learn more about how to eat better here.

3. Not sweating the small stuff is key to contentment

I found sailing from NZ to Fiji pretty tough and it wasn't because we were in 4km deep seas, soaked by waves on night watch or five days from the nearest shore. It was because myself and the two others on the boat were exceptionally tired. 

Extreme fatigue is the ultimate test. Science has proven after 19 hours without sleep, your mind functions at the same level as having a blood alcohol reading of 0.05, and after ten days at sea with broken, minimal sleep every night, balance, coordination, strength and decision making were all diminished. 

So! In this somewhat extreme environment, I learned that not sweating the small stuff made everyday easier, for everyone. 

The little things don't matter in the middle of the Pacific, but they also don't matter at home.

Choosing to let small things slide helped us arrive safely and happily in Fiji, and I have learned it will also help me achieve other goals with family and friends at home.

I've learned we all need to ask ourselves more often: "Does that really matter?" before jumping to say our piece.

Sailing from NZ was a tough and wonderful experience, and I’m so thrilled I was able to enjoy some wellness learnings along the way.

What is the biggest thing about wellbeing that you’ve learned through experience?

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3 Tips to Eat Yourself Healthy & More with Niki Bezzant

With so many conflicting ideas about healthy eating clogging up the internet, it can be hard to know what to trust. So! We spoke to Niki Bezzant, Editor-in-Chief of the NZ Healthy Food Guide to help you discover the 3 ways to eat yourself healthy, plus other handy tips.

1. What first made you interested in healthy food?

I’ve been interested in food all my life and have always been a cook. I cook because I love to eat! I love flavour.

2. What does healthy eating mean to you?

Healthy eating means eating what makes me happy, and listening to my body. That means eating with awareness and pleasure, as well as giving my body what it needs to feel good. I don’t believe in deprivation or denial or guilt in association with any food.  

3. What's your favourite meal of all time?

Roast chicken, roast potatoes and green veggies, with beautiful home-made gravy. Can’t beat it. 

4. What's the best thing about New Zealand produce?

We have an incredible natural environment here which produces incredible seasonal produce. I love coming up with new things to do with our beautiful seasonal vegetables.

5. What are you 3 top tips for healthy eating?

1. Don’t diet!

2. Cook as much as you can.

3. If in doubt, add vegetables.

6. What's your favourite treat for summer?

I love beautifully-prepared sashimi. Especially when it comes with a glass of champagne. 

See? Even the healthiest people understand balance is key. To learn more from Niki, check out her TedX talk below.

To get easy ways to sleep, move and eat yourself to a healthier 2017, get our free digital wellness guide below.

5 Little Known Hacks: A Cheat Sheet For Getting Your Family To Eat Healthier In Winter

You may love green leafy veggies, chia smoothies and whole foods, but if your kids or partner don’t, it makes meal time hard. Below are some handy ways to get your family to eat healthy, and only have to make one meal you can all enjoy!

I've spoken to so many women at my retreats who have a real interest in healthy eating, but their families don't. These women inspired this post! I hope it helps.

1. Try Eastern Food for Hearty Vegetarian Dishes

There are still plenty of people who think vegetarian food is lacking and boring. But! It doesn’t have to be. The very best curries are usually vegetarian, and they use paneer (Indian cheese) and rich, flavourful sauces to generate flavour, rather than meat.

With new compelling research linking excessive red meat consumption to cancer, it's important to try to eat vegetarian at least 3 days a week.

Tip: Keep it simple, and buy curry paste from the supermarket, but make sure it's from Thailand, Malaysia or India. The authentic ones are less likely to have additives and nasties (and are usually gluten free) Add your paste to your stock or coconut milk, throw in your veggies are you're good to go. Pumpkin curries in winter - yum!

2. Add Garlic to Green Leafy Veggies

One of my favourite recipes is kale, or silverbeet with garlic and mushrooms. My partner loves it too! By adding plenty of fresh garlic, you cover up the ‘planty’ taste of the greens, and boost the flavour of the mushrooms and garlic. I sauté it lighty, and serve it as a side.

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves garlic finely chopped or pressed

• Leaves of half a whole silver beet

• 6 button mushrooms finely chopped

• Splash of olive oil

Method:

• Remove the veins and stem of the silver beet (these get really tough when cooked)

• Chop the leaves roughly into thick ribbons

• Heat a fry pan & once hot, add olive oil

• Add the garlic, then throw in the silver beet ribbons and mushrooms.

• Once it’s wilted but not soggy, pop on a plate & serve

3. Use Flavourful Vegetable Stock in Soups & Rices

A lack of flavour is what most people associate with healthy eating. Not so! By using quality vegetable stock in soups, and water when you cook rice, you’ll inject all your dishes with extra flavour. If you steam veggies, you can even add the stock to the water for a bit of extra taste.

4. Mix it Up

Variety is key to keeping you, and your family interested in food. Whoever cooks, it’s great to try new recipes, new ingredients and new flavours. There are so many websites and apps out there to help you, but try following a few recipe-creators in Instagram.

Tip: My fave websites for healthy eating recipes are Julie & Libby and The Healthy Food Guide.

5. Encourage Mindful Eating

Beautiful fruit & veggies like pumpkin and oranges are jam-packed full of flavour in winter. At mealtime, if you switch off the TV and put phones away, you and your family can concentrate on the taste, smell and texture of your food. You’ll find everyone will enjoy the food more when they concentrate on the flavours.

If you contact me about the article above, you'll get my interactive Wellness Workbook free! Just mention this blog post.*

*I'll also add you to the Aprivé Wellness Email List to give you health tips & retreat offers

Killer Tips About Healthy Eating, Eco-friendly Food & NZ's Top Health Treats

4 Questions with the Founder of I Am Co. Health Boxes

A few months ago, I was thrilled to be featured on the I Am Co. blog describing my morning ritual. After discovering this clever brand I chatted to Georgie, founder of I Am Co. subscription health box company, about what she's learned about healthy eating and food.

An I Am Co. Health Box - Yum!

1. Why do you think people need help with eating healthy?

In the western world, we’re constantly presented with processed food products and beverages that have been tampered with and mess with our whole being. I believe food has a huge impact on how we exist in our day to day lives. Eating healthy can be the catalyst to get somebody on the right track in every area of their life.

2. Why is ethical or eco friendly food production important to you?

Although none of us are perfect, I think it’s important to take notice of at least the small things that we can. Looking for products that are ethically sourced or grown is becoming more and more crucial, particularly in the world of ‘Superfoods’ where a lot of these products are grown in developing countries. 

Looking at the packaging is something we’re starting to take a lot more notice of and we will continue to update. I Am Co. will keep working towards becoming an even more eco-conscious company ourselves.

3. What's your FAVE healthy product you've come across?

Oooh such a hard one! As a big chocolate lover, I’d have to say any of the RAW chocolate products we’ve featured. I love Pana & Loving Earth chocolate from Australie, but the NZ brand ‘Neats Treats’ makes some pretty crazy good raw chocolate also. I love the natural feel-good chemicals that get produced when you eat raw cacao! 

4. What does each Delight Box always contain? (is there a staple?)

We always love to include a different herbal tea. We’re big tea drinkers and know that it’s one thing you can never have too much of. Plus it encourages people to take time out of their busy-ness to slow down and have a moment. NZ has a lot of beautiful tea companies popping up all over the show, so we try to support these where possible!

In general we look for brands that share at least 2 or more of these values:

• Free of preservative or additives.

• GMO Free.

• Refined sugar-free

• Gluten-free

• Vegan

• Paleo

• Locally sourced

Georgie, Founder of I Am Co.

Thanks so much to Georgie for her expert insights into healthy food, eating and yummy NZ treats. Read more about Georgie, and I Am Co. Below. Get your own I Am Co. health box here.

Georgie Hendl is the founder of I AM Co. - a wellness hub online that spreads a message of self-empowerment and love.  I AM Co sells a monthly subscription box ‘The Delight Box’, which is filled with up to 10 different health foods and natural beauty products.

Georgie is also a qualified holistic nutritionist, yoga instructor and passionate foodie. 

She’s based out of Auckland, NZ.

Little Known Ways to Hack Healthy Eating

Eating healthy is one of the most common health and wellbeing goals, but so few people manage to make it a lasting reality. This is almost always because they put nasty restrictions on what they can and can’t eat, and end up feeling crappy.

To make themselves feel better, they’ll eat even more unhealthy food, and they’ll continue the cycle. 

If weight loss is your goal in 2016 - STOP! 

Studies show that those who prioritise being healthy over weight loss lose more weight long term, and are more likely to keep it off. 

Ditch negative goals

Swap negative goals like “I’ll fit into my skinny jeans in 4 weeks or I won’t eat carbs for a month” and switch your mindset to incorporating healthy, positive goals into your eating.

Swap ‘losing weight’ with ‘being healthy.’

Once you focus on eating healthy food, you’re bound to lose weight anyway!

There are so many ways to eat healthier, but here are just a few hints.

Print off this list and put it on your fridge. Put a tick next to each one when you’ve tried it.

1. Take Mason Jar salads to work for lunch; they're healthy & look beautiful. Layer salad dressing, then legumes, then greens, with tomatoes and nuts on top.

2. Add super foods to your diet (chia seeds, amaranth, spirulina, psyllium husks)

  -Try adding them to smoothies if you struggle with the texture or taste

3. Add one extra veggie to your dinner every night. Try to aim for three to start, and work your way up to 5.

4. Eat vegetarian meals four out of seven days. Indian, vegetarian dishes are my favourites for hearty meat-free meals.

5. Occasionally swap bread for corn thins or rice crackers.

6. Take bliss balls to work for the 3pm slump instead of coffee.

7. Decrease your coffee intake by one cup a day (if you drink four now, try swapping one coffee for green tea instead - you'll save money too!)

None of the tips above are about limitation or deprivation, they’re about trying new, exciting things to brighten your plate, and give you more energy!

photo: snob fashion blog

The best way to eat healthy long term

Reading a blog post isn't always enough - you might need some personalised, tailor-made help through a one-on-one session with me.

After getting to know you through an initial consultation form, I’ll help you understand what’s holding you back from eating healthy via a one-hour Skype session. From there, I’ll give you a tangible, meaningful Wellness Action Plan to help you move forward and get results.

Whether you choose one session or a package, the small, meaningful changes you make via your Wellness Action Plan will help you learn what's holding you back from having more energy and eating good, nutritious food. I'll help you become the person you long to be; the truly amazing person you are.

By spending this time together, you’ll get evidence-based steps to help you live a happier, healthier life. 

AREAS WE CAN WORK ON INCLUDE:

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Why should you work with me?

After practicing Physiotherapy, PT and health consulting for years around the world in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, I’ve learned how to make health fun and inspiring. You’re not like anyone else, and your program needs to be designed for you, and only you.