This painful experience became my gift, the catalyst which ignited my incredible passion for wholefoods, cooking from scratch, and food as medicine.

From deep in my heart I felt the privilege of being in charge of nourishing my children and raising them to love real food. Of giving them the best chance to thrive and be well throughout their lives.

Before long I felt called to share my passion and knowledge beyond my family. I formalised my education by studying to be a health coach and my blog and business with it’s various offerings came to life and became the vehicle from which I helped other busy mums to raise happy, healthy children. 

My message revolved around the power of wholefoods, techniques to combat fussy eating, the dangers of additives, sugar and processed, packaged foods. I educated about ‘bliss points’, the corruption of the food industry and food marketing.

All the while I remained vigilant about the foods that could and couldn’t be eaten by my own children.

Until it backfired. 

Until I discovered my kids were hiding particular foods from me.

Until my daughter would throw empty packets of Tiny Teddies wrappers deep into the bin while glancing guiltily in my direction in case she were caught. 

Until we found our son, who said he was meeting a friend to play soccer at the park, on his own at the park with a slushie from McDonalds.

This was my wake up call.

Though motivated by only the best of intentions by wanting the best health I could offer my family, through the over-emphasis of ideals around food and a dogmatic approach, I had unwittingly created pressure, shame,  fear and guilt around food. 

Which was the LAST thing I ever wanted, because what a slippery slope it can be to dysfunctional eating and food disorders. 

I have spent the last two years unravelling what I created.

Initially it proved to be confronting. Letting go of old beliefs and fears was challenging.

But this year I have finally found my stride.

No more lectures about food choices.

No judgement around any type of food.

No more food labels.

No more, “good food”, “bad food”, “junk food”, “everyday food”, “sometimes food” …

Food is just food.

All foods can be incorporated as part of a healthy diet.

I have been releasing my kids from food pressure and food restriction, allowing them freedom in their own choices.

As a result they are much more relaxed and eating much more intuitively rather than by a set of rules.

2018 was the year when I began to trust that my children would carry the healthy foundations I had set up at home throughout their lives and I stopped fearing the negative effects of certain types of food. 

While I still 100% believe in the power of food to prevent illness and disease, in helping our children flourish mentally and physically – allowing them to adapt, lead, think, create and change, we also celebrate food as fun, connection, memories, happiness, smiles and excitement.

I now believe that without a good pinch of joy, good nutrition will allude us all.  

I’ll admit, I’m still a work in progress. Seeing kids choose soft drinks still pains me, but with each deep breath I am able to remind myself to focus on the bigger picture.

Bren x

When I got up this morning, my husband had already left for work.

The dishes were still sitting in the dishwasher.

The clothes in the washing basket hadn’t folded themselves.

None of the overflowing bins had been emptied.

The kids weren’t offering to help me with the morning chores.

And I could deal with all that.

Until my son gave me some lip .. which saw me walking off and sulking to the other room.

Birthday, schmurfday.

My daughter came in to check if I was all right and give me a hug and a kiss.

While I was walking her to school I received a text from my son ” Have a good birthday”.

I mentioned to me daughter ” He could have said I’m sorry”

She said: “Maybe that was his way of saying sorry”

Wise, comforting, beautiful words from my 10yr old girl, which filled my heart with love.

Words which turned out to be best birthday gift I could receive.

Words which made me know that I was doing ok at raising emphatic, kind, thoughtful children. They are far from perfect, trust me, but it’s times like these when you see glimpses of the beauty that lies within them and a reflection of the things you are getting right.

Birthday’s always make me introspective. Make me stop and observe where I’m at, where I’m headed, exactly who I am. 

My daughter’s words showed me the type of mother I am. Showed me what is most important to me in life. It’s not something I can honestly say I had contemplated before.

See, when it comes to parenting, I don’t focus the kids on what they will do in the future, or who they will be. For me, success is not defined by working hard to ‘get the right job’ and make a lot of money…

Emotional intelligence is where it’s at for me. Success is defined by kindness, empathy, sensitivity. All the while remembering and accepting that no one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We’re all doing our best. What’s important is it learn from those mistakes. Remembering also, that no two people are the same and it’s important to leave room for that. This is the message I am instilling in my kids.

“Have a good birthday” – was my son’s way of saying sorry. I wasn’t in a place to see it that way. My daughter saw things from both sides, that moment of empathy helped me through and made my day.

So that’s enough contemplation for one day. It’s time for me to jig work and treat myself to an hour long relaxing facial. 

The day is turning out perfectly after all.

Bren x

 In this uplifting book Melissa provides a blueprint to help us overcome the challenges our ego constantly throws up and create our own version of a “kick-ass life”.

Please watch my interview with Melissa and enjoy the gold nuggets she shares.

You can connect with Melissa here:

Website
Facebook
Instagram

There are many potential reasons why weight plateaus or health suffers and Naturopath Naomi Judge and I totally understand the frustration. We’ve been there. And in our private work we see many women just like you who have “done everything right” but are not getting the results they are after. Don’t give up! Keep going! We’re here to help you.

In this video we share some insights which have helped hundreds of women break through their barriers to a body they love.

Bren x

But as my kids started to grow up, I started to wonder if I’d need something to fill the void when I hit the ‘Big 5-0’, and the kids have left home (please God…), I’ve been out of the workforce in, like, forever, and the husband starts taking an odd interest in sports cars …

My decision was fairly easy in a way. Given the enjoyment and fulfilment I experienced in my previous work life, starting a new business was a natural decision. The question was what type it would be.

In pursuing my passion for nutrition and wellbeing, I decided to study to become a health coach four years ago, establishing my business Brenda Janschek Health and Lifestyle once the course was completed. To be honest, I had no real plan, but I thought I’d love to do pantry makeovers. It didn’t take long to realise that this service alone was not going to reach everyone I wanted, nor make me a sustainable living.

Almost three years on, and I still run my signature pantry makeover service as well as other successful offerings, and I’m much clearer about my passion and my direction. I have to admit, it’s been hard, and I have wanted to give up 100 times, but bottom line, I absolutely love what I do.

I love connecting with my beautiful Facebook community of like-minded spirits, I love working closely with women in my one-on-one coaching and reaching hundreds of women through my online courses.

I love the messages of gratitude from those whose lives I’ve helped in some way, I love recipe creating, blogging and being a part of a movement of wellness warriors who are all striving for positive change in this world.  And I love how all of my work is at one with my core beliefs and values.

Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it. Buddha (563 – 483 BC)

One part has been missing however, how to make it truly financially viable and therefore sustainable. Which is why I jumped at the chance to do my Diploma of Business through Business Mamas.

Pukka Tea and Chewy-Choc Banana Cookies help me concentrate!

So while I’m overloaded as a mum and entrepreneur, I’m optimistic that doing this course will help me become clearer about the best way to propel my business forward. I hope that my studies will provide the direction my business needs to become more efficient, and provide the tools necessary to support it’s success.

My ultimate dream is about creating  positive change to the health and wellbeing of precious families all over the world and so affect a change for the generations to come, so wish me luck!

I truly don’t know what will come of it, but am grateful that the opportunity to do this course has come into my life and to have you on this journey with me.

If you want to take the first step to live happy, work happy, be happy, contact Business Mamas today and the Business Mamas team will be in touch with more information.

Resistant or stubborn weight is such an emotional and frustrating subject for many, due to the fact that women have been trying to lose the extra 5-10 kilos for years and are failing miserably. When something is not working, then it is time to try a different approach. If your body is in perfect hormonal harmony, thyroid, adrenals and all systems balance. You should be able to have 2 to 3 healthy meals a day, exercise moderately, and feel fantastic in a body you love.

The gist to losing that resistant weight is to stop, slow down, and listen to your body. Create the perfect environment inside and outside your body to enable it to be where it wants to be. Our bodies have the innate power to heal. Give your body and mind the tools they need, and you will get your desired outcome.

Break Through! To Feeling Fantastic in a Body You Love is a formulated program developed  by myself and Health and Lifestyle Coach , Brenda Janschek.

This e-course is aimed at helping you Break Through! your weight and health barriers. We hope to see you there.

Dijanna from Wardrobe 101 was sent on a journey to unlock some of the dark secrets of my wardrobe with the only half tongue-in-cheek warning that there might be more work in there than she bargained for. It was as much a search-and-destroy mission as it was a mercy dash to search-and-accessorise! It’s not that bad, really, but many of my clothes had ceased being an inspiration, and that needed to change. Or the clothes had to! The equation was pretty clear.

Sure enough, when I returned not five minutes later, it was to a heap of clothes that resembled the detritus of the fashion world and the early stages of a bonfire much more than it did a well-maintained treasure. So I guess I didn’t disappoint her .. or maybe I did!

In any case, after explaining why these clothes were headed to the great clothes rack in the sky (which you can see in the video), she softened the blow with some kind words for a cropped black jacket which had survived the cull due to its versatility. Dijanna showed me three easy and gorgeous ways to style it that will see me off to a casual lunch with girlfriends, a more formal meeting with a corporate client, or a movie opening at the Verona.

You can check the outfits out below, but in the meantime, see what was ditched and why.

While Dijanna was working her magic, I had snuck into the kitchen to whizz her up Quirky Cooking’s ‘My Favourite Green Smoothie’. It’s actually my second favourite smoothie, beaten to the no.1 ranking by the Coconut Chai Green Smoothie from her new cookbook (which is one of the prizes in this big giveaway!). It’s a great breakfast option for Dijanna and her family (and quick!), and I’m hoping she will add it into her growing repetoire of nourishing, yet snappy family meals.

Here’s how to make this delicious green smoothie…

GIVEAWAY (This giveaway is closed and winner has been contacted)

I’ve decided to run a fantastic giveaway which includes five amazing prizes valued at over $400!!! Entry details below.

Food versus fashion giveaway includes:

<1 x Wardrobe 101 sustainable eco-friendly T-shirt, making it easier to make smart fashion choices without compromising the planet. It is 100% organic. Value $145.

1 x Chasing Issy one off necklace. Value $120.

1 x Quirky Cooking cookbook that contains over 130 healthy, mouth-watering recipes catering to a broad spectrum of specialist diets. Value $50.

1 x case of Natural Raw C coconut water. Low in sugar and super delish. Value $40

1 x copy of Wardrobe 101, a go-to manual to create your perfect core wardrobe.  Value $34.95

3 simple steps to enter for your chance to win all these prizes:

Firstly like the Facebook pages of:

Wardrobe 101
Chasing Issy
Quirky Cooking
Natural Raw C 
Brenda Janschek Health and Lifestyle

And then sign up to my free newsletter here.

Finally, leave a comment in this blog telling me which cropped jacket outfit  is your favourite (1, 2 or 3) and why.

Terms and conditions:

* This giveaway runs until midnight, 6th of August 2014.
* The winner will be chosen randomly.
* This competition is open to Australian residents only.
* The winner will be announced by email.

Best of luck everyone!

Bren x

PS: Did anyone notice I’m wearing the same shoes and bag in each picture. She’s a clever gal that Dijanna!

Once I posted a photo of my healthy breakfast on Facebook, and very promptly received this message from a follower:

“I’m trying extremely hard to lose the baby weight after my fourth bubba. Right now I am 10 days in, eating clean, but I find I’m fighting it everyday. I am feeling better in my body but I always feel starving and that it will only be a matter of time before my mental strength fails me. I was drooling over your eggs and bacon this morning and I basically would love to know how you eat that everyday and look amazing.  Do you eat like a sparrow the rest of the day to counteract this? I’m curious and starving.”

I know exactly where this mum is at. What’s more, I receive similar messages like this regularly. As a health coach, I offered her a complimentary half hour chat to find out more. During that conversation, I learned that what she really wanted was to be able to lose weight, but not to starve herself in doing so. The thing is, most people think that deprivation is the only way to make this happen (possibly because that’s how diets are designed) and because they have set up goals based on an archaic goal-setting method, and not in a way that gives them purpose and joy (but that’s a story for another time).

But how long can this be sustained for? Sure, you will most likely lose weight on any diet you try, but only over a specific period (usually very short!). It’s unnatural, and hardly sustainable. The research shows that you will end up putting the weight back on , and then some.

During dieting we are often depriving the body of wholesome and nutritious food (your body’s fuel), which it then craves, causing binging post-diet. It’s madness, and it’s unhealthy. Placing stress on the body is the route to immune-system dysfunction and susceptibility to disease. Although in jest , this mum said herself, the hunger was making her feel a little aggressive.

What she needed was permission to let go of her clean-eating superfood diet and feed her hunger by enjoying the type of breakfast our ancestors would have eaten. Yes, the very same type of breakfast she was droolng over on my Facebook page. A delicious breakfast full of wonderful fats and protein sourced from healthy animals and farms, with carbohydrates in the form of lots of vegetables.

The point is that our diets need to be natural, nutritious and sustainable for our health to respond similarly.

The next morning after we spoke she messaged me,  and sent me these photographs:

And after less than an hour of coaching this is how she is feeling today…

“Happy, content, satisfied, calm, nourished, relaxed and peace. These are all the feelings I have this week, which are total opposites to last week. I had to share with you what life changing tools you have given me. I’m a very satisfied Mumma. I haven’t weighed myself all week and part of me is still a little scared too. But I haven’t had any cravings for 2 days and can’t believe how amazing I already feel. So thank you”

If you are struggling to lose weight, or reverse your  health issues, or simply want to know how to feed yourself in the most nutritious manner, then please take a look at my 28 day cleanse program, Break Through! To Feeling Fantastic in a Body You Love and learn which foods enrich and which foods to ditch, understand how your thinking plays a big role in your success, learn how to forgive yourself when you don’t make the best choice, stay motivated to keep on track, set yourself up for success, love yourself and your body, enjoy eating delicious, healthy foods and find all the support in the world with with this new amazing lifestyle.

Please share this blog post with anyone who you know who may be struggling with dieting and is ready to move to achieving their weight and health goals through a natural diet or are interested in moving their family to a nutritious and delicious real food way of life.

Bren x

Peace and quiet and freedom, I’m talking about, not a working internet connection, though there’s no way to disturb tranquility quite like your Wifi bludging on the job!

So, when Hubby took the kids away for a few days to allow me to fully concentrate on a busy work schedule, I made the most of it. Granted, it felt kind of odd initially. Not having the family around for an extended period of time is very rare, and it’s not something I seek out. But as the general background noise flittered away, as did the feeling of responsibility to anyone but myself, I kind of got into it and my displacement disappeared. Ok, ok, not having to repeat myself every five minutes and a lack of screeching also helped!

My first (excrutiatingly difficult) decision was to go for walk. A sense of peace washed over me. How naughty – an afternoon walk. I never do this! Working all day, spending time with kids and/or prepping dinner is the usual fare in the afternoon.

It was liberating knowing I  had  nowhere to be. I could stop and talk to locals (not in a creepy way) as I meandered around the coastline without worrying that I had somewhere to be or duties to perform at home. How good is taking your time, arriving home and pouring a glass of wine (I didn’t want to spill any while I was power walking), and relaxing with a movie on TV?

All in ‘me’ time.

I have friends who semi-regularly take themselves away to a health spa, or holiday with their friends. They can’t recommend it highly enough, and it’s only natural to be just that tinsy bit jealous. But for one reason or another, I’ve found it difficult to seperate from my kids and family, whose company and presence I love so much. Whether part of the reason is being uncomfortable separating from routine, or a mother’s sense of guilt, or something else, it’s something I’d like to explore. After all, ‘me’ time is an important part of all our lives, and more than just a morning walk before re-entering reality.

After a few days on my own, which included shopping and catching up with friends (in between and after work!), I can more clearly appreciate the benefits having some downtime and breaking away from the routine. Yes, even from the family every now and then! Now, it’s not like I want my three children … er, husband and two children … galavanting around without me on a regular basis. It just happened to work out that way this time.

It sure is nice to focus on yourself and unwind with a sense of freedom occasionally.

No responsibilities. No guilt. Just me.

Bren x

;

You know you really need one when the increasingly looming departure date feels mentally like it will never arrive. You never quite know how you’re going to survive those last few days without passing out or dead-legging a kitten. But you do, and like a school assignment that is handed in three minutes before being due, your mind and well being are suddenly cleared for take-off!

It’s like magic, which coincidentally describes Noosa to a ‘T’. Our home away from home feels like a warm embrace and a snugly blanket all in one. A place where all deadlines, troubles and responsibilities are denied entry, and we can exist and relax as a family. Stunning beaches reflecting the clear Sunshine Coast skies, wonderful weekend markets, a good book or two, fighting relaxed kids … it doesn’t get much better.

The best part is that there are no timetables. It’s nice when your biggest decisions revolve around pool, beach, and whether to take in the unbelievable sunset from your apartment, or do so over a cocktail!

Fortunately for us, we had our own (river) beach at the end of Noosa Sound, where we would swim, play cricket on the grass, or, mostly, build sand castles. Not just any sand castles, though! An infatuation with another guest’s expert sand castles led to the kids inheriting the spade, trowels and other utensils. We literally spent hours fashioning Inca temples and castles, with the kids honing their ‘stair’ technique without breaking focus.

When we headed for the beach, which was most mornings, the north-facing Main Beach and (more secluded) Tea Tree Bay (main picture) didn’t disappoint. Gentle, rolling waves were perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding and learning to ride a board. Hours passed with what seemed like the blink of an eye.

As a quick thought, I’m often asked about non-toxic sun blocks. Here are the two highly recommended ones we took with us:

Dr Mercola – A natural sunscreen, which is great for the whole family and is free of chemical fragrances, parabens and nanoparticles. It gave great protection for all of us, though but I found the 30+ a little hard to wash off the skin without a good scrub in the shower (if you have an Enjo glove mitt, it gets it off in seconds).

You can buy the Dr Mercola sunscreen from Health Oasis and the Enjo mitt here.

And I love using Mutki which is a tinted 15+ sunscreen, it is also free of any nasties and is safe to use all year round. In fact, the healing antioxidants in it are always good for the skin.

The coverage was perfect and felt like velvet on my skin, giving me an even, subtle coverage. The colour I used was a medium tint, but it also comes in fair. I used this on the days when I was traipsing around Eumundi markets, shopping on Hastings Street or walking to a cafe for breakfast or lunch.

The beaches being so close to Hastings Street is always a bonus. Home to boutiques, cafes, restaurants and ice-creameries like the amazing Massimo’s, you’re never short of a good sticky beak, snack, or, in my husband’s case, a good coffee!

A highlight along the strip is Bistro C, which has gorgeous views overlooking the beach, and picture perfect for sipping an unforgettable coriander-infused vodka cocktail! A couple days later I enjoyed a mouth watering breakfast there with some of the best wellness warriors the coast has to offer .

For us, a trip to Noosa is not complete until we’ve toured Eumundi Markets – again. And we never get tired of it! Wonderful stalls with clothes, jewellery, furniture, home wares, organic produce, palm reading, caricature drawings, homemade muffins and cakes and coffee await. Not to mention the BEST seafood paella this side of Madrid!

We spent a day recreating a previous holiday to Maroochydore, less than an hour south. There we stalked the Cotton Tree Markets, which are a fraction of the size of Eumundi, though we ended up buying more. Go figure! I tracked down my apron lady and stocked up on some sweet, original aprons for my School Holiday Kids Cooking Classes, before popping down to the ever-sweet Cotton Tree Beach………

The kids are old enough to swim out to the sand bank now, which was an adventure. Or, they could allow the delightful little circular rip drag them out and back to shore within minutes.

My favourite part of every day, though, was watching the sun start to sink on behind the mountain on the horizon each evening. We would have to quickly grab a glass of wine because it was quick to set, but oh so calming …

I read Room by Emily Donoghue while I was there and, as a bit of a claustrophobe, it was quite a confronting and uncomfortable read. But I found the story of a 5yr old boy and his mum who lived in a small (11ft square) locked room totally compelling. I fell in love with the mother, and felt it was a lovely comment on the protective, nurturing love of a mother, and the amazing bond with her child.

I needed a couple of days break after reading this book before I started the transportational The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a magical, dazzling and deeply romantic ride I didn’t want to get off.

How often do you find the time to read a couple of books in a week these days?

It’s nothing compared to the time we get to spend together as a family, though. I can’t wait for the next one … hopefully slightly longer!

Bren x