Phuket Cleanse

Why You Should Try Anti Gravity Yoga in 2016

Why You Should Try Anti Gravity Yoga in 2016

If you still haven't tried anti gravity yoga aka aerial yoga, then you really need to jump onto the bandwagon. Here's why you should try anti gravity yoga in 2016:

Aerial yoga involves performing a series of exercises inspired by yoga, pilates, calisthenics and aerial acrobatics in a hammock-like swing. Think Cirque du Soleil for beginners!

It's a great new and exciting way of doing a full body workout, and hey, who doesn't like swinging around upside down playing kid every now and then.

Apart from the fun, there's actually some serious health benefits associated with the sport. Without the compression of the joints, especially the back, it's easier to achieve a proper posture by relaxing rather than trying to force yourself into an alignment that seems unnatural.

  • It's great for anyone with back issues, because the free hanging allows your spine to destress and lenghten.

  • It also helps increase strength and flexibility 

  • The different types of stretches combined with the flippin' around helps improve the digestive system

  • It's a beautiful mind-body-spirit experience! 

Reminiscing About Phuket Cleanse

Reminiscing About Phuket Cleanse

During my long flight from Zurich to Sydney I cleaned up my laptop a bit and realised I still have loads of pictures from my time at Phuket Cleanse that I haven't shared with you yet. FYI, Phuket Cleanse is an active detox retreat in Thailand that I went to for a couple days last year and totally fell in love with.

Since I'm still getting set up here in Sydney and am currently apartment hunting and doing bunch of other admin stuff, I thought I'd just share these pictures with you guys until I find time to take up blogging again!

Enjoy, xx

P.S.: For a full review of my stay at Phuket Cleanse, click here.

Savoury Buckwheat Wraps with Peas, Spinach and Broccoli

Savoury Buckwheat Wraps with Peas, Spinach and Broccoli

It's been snowing like crazy in Switzerland, so I can safely assume that you are probably thinking about the weekend already, and about how you will snuggle up on the coach with a blanket and tea the moment you get home (or hit the slopes!)

Am I right or am I right?

Enter these savoury buckwheat wraps. Gluten free.

If you have never cooked with buckwheat before, you're in for a treat. Be it sweet pancakes or savoury galettes, buckwheat can be used in so many ways and is a nutritious grain option that I've recently discovered for myself.

Contrary to what you may think, buckwheat is not actually wheat but rather a relative of rhubarb. Who would have thought. And for those who are sensitive to gluten, buckwheat is gluten-free. But even though it's not a wheat, it's still pretty heavy in starch. Out of all the grains, buckwheat has the longest transit time in the digestive tract and as a result is the most filling. Yay for filling foods.

Why you should give TRX a try in 2016

Why you should give TRX a try in 2016

No doubt by now you’ve seen the iconic yellow and black TRX ‘straps’ hanging at your local gym and wondered what the heck they were for. All the while unaware of the amazing workout you were missing out on. Let me tell you: When I went to my first TRX class (this was after about two years of regular exercising) I felt like a 300kg overweight 80-year old women. Wearing ankle weights. That had never stepped into a gym in her life.

WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE TRX A TRY IN 2016

TRX, also called Total Body Resistance Exercise, is so challenging because it is a full body workout that trains your body in a completely different way than most of us are used to. You'll know it's a full body workout when the next morning every single part of your body is in pain! It basically is a movement-based training which uses gravity and your own bodyweight to build strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and core strength. It's a more dynamic alternative to normal weightlifting using dumbbells or machines and what I especially love is that you are in control of the intensity of your workout. Simply by changing the distance of your feet from the TRX anchor point you can make the exercises easier or more challenging.

My Search For The Perfect Diet

My Search For The Perfect Diet

This is a post I’ve been wanting to write for ages, so I’m really excited to finally share it with you today. I’ve been saying a lot laltey how I want to be more open with you guys, more transparent and to share my struggles with being healthy, so here it finally is. It’s a very personal and honest post about my search for the perfect diet and it will shed some light on the questions I get about what I eat.

So many people always ask: Are you vegan? Vegetarian? Pescetarian? Do you eat gluten? What about soy? Would you ever consider going full raw?

Let me say it first off: I don’t believe in labeling one’s diet. People nowadays have this need to categorize people and themselves according to their way of eating. I personally think this just causes unnecessary pressure and can lead to eating disorders or even orthorexia. And what works for you now, doesn’t necessarily work for you in a couple of years, so why confine yourself like that? I’m saying this because I had a time where I felt like I needed to associate myself with a certain type of eating. I felt like I needed to choose and to stick to it and that I wasn’t truly healthy if I wasn’t eating specifically raw, vegan, paleo, gluten free or any of the other diets out there. I only learnt over time that it is OK to be a bit of everything.

From Addict To Ironman - An Interview With Darren

From Addict To Ironman - An Interview With Darren

This week's #healthspotalk is a bit of a different kind. I met Darren, the founder of Old Dawg Coaching during my stay at Phuket Cleanse. Remember the torturous lifeguard workout I told you about? Yep, that's with him. What about the 45min. intense HIIT the stairs workout? Also with him. In short: all the tough workouts are with Darren. During one of our pool workouts I gave Phil a quick smooch and was mercilessly punished with a minute of swimming while being pulled back by a rope (see pictures below). Learned my lesson there.

Darren is the definitely the right man for this job. Armed with a degree in kinesiology  (exercise physiology), five Ironman Triathlon finishes and his unstoppable desire to see you transform your obstacles into opportunities, he has a willpower and drive that is contagious and make you want to work that bit harder.

However, his greatest result wasn’t on an Ironman race course; but 14 years of sobriety. Yes, you read that correctly. Darren has a history of drug and alcohol abuse and has been sober since 14 years. It's his past that has made him go down the path he is on today; one that is utterly inspiring and eye-opening.

Delicious Low Carb Raw Vegan Thai Tomato Salad

Delicious Low Carb Raw Vegan Thai Tomato Salad

I know I promised it a long time ago, but I am only just now getting around to posting the first Phuket Cleanse inspired recipe. My time there was a whirlwind of experiencing new flavours, new ingredients and unexpected combinations that created the most delicious raw dishes. I have never had raw vegan food like this before, and let me say, it has been slightly life changing. I came back from my holidays with a list of things to buy: nutritional yeast, spiralizer, sprouter, deydrater, water filter and the list goes on. Two weeks later, and I've at least gotten myself a spiralizer. Step one, check. I already found all the recipe inspiration I need thanks to a blog called "Inspiralized", now I just have to find the time to get busy in the kitchen.

So, back to the recipe; as someone who is completely freakin’ obsessed with Thai food, I just had to post a Thai dish first. Thai cooking places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. There's always at least 3 flavours involved: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, or spicy. It's not a secret that I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so maybe the fact that many dishes are sweet is the reason I'm hooked on Thai food. Latest after my Thai Cooking Class at Mai Kaidee, I have become inspired to bring the Thai cuisine to my own kitchen and start experimenting with some recipes. Expect some more Thai recipes to follow soon. But first, let's take a look at this simple tomato salad.

Active Detox Holidays With Phuket Cleanse

Active Detox Holidays With Phuket Cleanse

Back in November when I went to Phuket with a bunch of friends I randomly stumbled across Phuket Cleanse, a raw vegan 'active' detox retreat. Unfortunately our stay on the island was short and I didn't get the opportunity to check out the resort then. But after taking a closer look at their offer, I left the island with a burning desire to come back one day and experience Phuket Cleanse for myself. I had never been on a detox holiday before and it was one of those things I had been meaning to tick off my bucket list.

That wish finally came true last week; my boyfriend and I spent five amazing days detoxing, working out and getting our asses kicked by Phuket Cleanse's lovely but torturous trainers. But let me take it from the top and explain a little bit more:

Phuket Cleanse is a health retreat located in Rawai, Phuket that offers what they call an 'active cleanse.' It is a common misconception that energy levels are low when on a cleanse, and you will definitely be proven wrong if you think that way. Unlike other wellness retreats where the focus is on yoga and meditation, the schedule at Phuket Cleanse is jam packed with up to nine workouts a day to choose from, herbal baths and infrared sauna sessions, ice bathing, raw food cooking classes, trips to the beach and educational workshops about nutrition and wellness. Oh, did I mention (almost) daily recovery massages? Jackpot!

Healthspo Talk With Jess Moses

Healthspo Talk With Jess Moses

Remember the time I went to Phuket? Well, while I was researching for healthy café's and food alternatives on the island, I stumbled across Jess Moses Instagram account and was immediately mesmerised. Originally from London, the 22 year old has fled the home nest and is currently  was discovering the healthy wonders of Phuket where she was working at Phuket Cleanse, a fully raw/vegan detox retreat.  Back home she is not a fully raw vegan, but for her stay at the resort she was immersing herself into the lifestyle and documenting her journey through beautiful pictures. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to pop by the retreat and get to know this beautiful soul in person, but at least I got to pick her brain in this latest #healthspotalk. Shall we start?

Wholesome Travel Guide to Hong Kong & Phuket

Wholesome Travel Guide to Hong Kong & Phuket

When traveling, I find it imporant to find the right balance between staying true to your food philosophy whilst allowing yourself to discover the local food culture.

It’s not always easy, but it’s doable. Remember that being vegan/vegetarian (or whatever it is that you are) is adventurous, and so is travel – your sense of exploration coupled with an open mind and the willingness to learn new things will take you around the world with no problem at all!