Be Amazing – New Zealand premier site for health, wellbeing and development

Ah, the old health and fitness all or nothing. It's pretty black and white isn't it? We either do it 100% or we turn our 1% slip ups into a 100% self reported failure.

When I tell people I’m vegan, often the first question out of their mouths is, “Ok, so where do you get your protein?” As soon as I hear this question, I know that I’m dealing with someone who doesn’t know very much about plants.

I remember as a child hearing the quote “all that glitters is not gold” and thinking ‘that’s me’. I know the quote was not talking about my internal health however as a child I never separated my external image from emotional or mental health. Now it seems that it is a relevant quote to sum up the state of health many of our children, and adults, have. What may surprise many is that these childhood thoughts can have long lasting implications,impacting our lives,our health and our weight.

New Zealand is often portrayed by the media as 'green', all natural, packed with healthy, sporty young kiwis. But how accurate is this picture? How do we compare to the rest of the world in terms of health? Does the typical kiwi diet and lifestyle have a positive influence on our health? Or are we on the same downward spiral as America with their SAD (Standard American Diet)?

For many of us much of our time on Earth is focused on maintaining good health or more specifically, avoiding illness and disease. On every supermarket and shop shelf are numerous products either helping us avoid disease or helping us deal with it when we are ‘struck down’. Traditionally healing herbs were used to keep the body strong and returning to these original healing herbs, rather than synthetic versions, is one way to ensure we maintain good health and rid the body of any disease.

Few foods have caused more controversy and anxiety as fats!!! So which ones should you pick and how should you pick them? And once you have them, which ones do you use for what?! Here’s the lowdown.

Anyone who has ever worked with me on their health and fitness knows that I take a very holistic approach. No, this doesn't include weird crazy herbs and chanting, but it does mean that we don't just look at exercise or food, but we look at the things in your life that affect your ability to stick to your food and exercise program.

*BEEP BEEP BEEP*.... snooze...