As many of you already know, last week I embarked on my first detox. I insisted upon the guidance of my beautiful, passionate and knowledgable friend, Jenny Parker from Nourish Your Soul. I now call Jen my ‘Nutrition Guru’, as I have sort advice from her quite often – particularly over the past couple of weeks.
Jenny works as a Health and Wellness Coach, and is also the creator / producer of the Organic range of Nourish Your Soul herbal teas – Yes, this girl makes and packs them all by hand at home!
After completing my detox, I was inspired to share Jen’s passion and love for all things food, health and wellbeing. So I embarked on interviewing her this week, and here are the results from our q+a session. Enjoy…
What do you believe has been the main contributing factor to fire up your passion for nutrition and well-being?
My son. I owe it to him, as his Mama and caregiver, to provide him with the best life possible. Somethings I cannot control, but the greatest gift in my opinion is to give him a healthy and educated upbringing. This stems into his nutrition and further – the environment, sustainable living and all areas of creativity and health. My greatest desire is for Emerson to grow up into a responsible, knowledgeable, and useful member of society.
What is the biggest myth or misconception you are aware of about health or nutrition?
That fats are bad! In fact fats are an essential part of our diet. Any diet that restricts one area of nutrition, in my opinion, is faulty. Our bodies are complex machines and they require a well-balanced and well-rounded approach to diet. Fats are important for co-factors in metabolism and digestion, and also are essential for carriers of nutrients around the body… it’s about sourcing fats from the right places. Avocados, fish and nuts are all great sources.
What would be your #1 biggest tip for starting the day off right?
Ohhhh which one to pick? My routine has changed a lot since becoming a Mama – I used to get out walking every morning, and loved it. But now it’s about some peaceful time to reflect and show gratitude. This gets my head in a good place, and the rest just flows on beautifully from there.
What would be your biggest, scariest goal that you wish to put out to the universe?
Well don’t tell anyone, but I want to change the way the world thinks (super scary)! This has been my goal for some time now – my tea was a part of that. I figure if the top executives (who rule our world – currently) could sip on something that would awaken a deeper consciousness, they would begin to work from a different centre. In turn, this would flow on to how they treated their staff, friends and family, and eventually affect us all. It’s a big goal, but I believe that everyone can awaken, spiritually, nutritionally, mentally, financially, sexually, socially… In every way we can be better people and function to serve a better purpose. Constantly evolving and striving to do better… sounds nice hey!
What would be your favourite food and/or favourite recipe?
Homemade pesto, with organic homegrown tomatoes on a heavy sour dough, with good quality lemon water – eaten outside in the sun with loved ones… yes please!
Describe your ideal day…
Hmmm, great question! I wake up next to my gorgeous husband, and sneak down to our deck overlooking the mountains. Here I meditate and sip on fresh spring water, and as the sun rises I breath in deep, knowing I am safe and loved and feel so much gratitude. Inside, hubby and my baby are up and eating a fresh organic brekkie – probably something from our flourishing veggie/fruit patch. We chat, laugh and feel calm, getting ready for the day ahead and step out ready. The day flows in perfect sync with the universe’s plans and we are all present and engaged. What more could I ask for?
What would you say the coolest, newest craze is in the health world at the moment?
It’s very new, but there is technology being developed in the USA that works on the telomeres within the body. Experts predict reversing age related degeneration, and in fact aging altogether. The person who will live forever is already walking on the planet – MIND BLOW right!
What is the one food we should all include in our diet?
Any super food. They have intelligence beyond anything I can explain. Goji Berries especially. They nourish you but there really is a magic that they bring into your world and it shifts you. Once your brain works better you think better, make better decisions. Once your body is healed, you love and feel more, have more energy and can do more. I can’t rate them highly enough.
What are your thoughts on natural medicine vs. modern medicine?
They need to work together. There are things that allopathic (mainstream) medicine offers that natural cannot. But it is the recognition from the allopathic world that this is not alternative or NEW age – natural medicine has thousands of years of trials behind it, only it’s just not backed by the money-making pharmaceutical industry. However the results speak for themselves. If you scratch the surface, there is an iceberg of information there. It’s the amalgamation of the two that will bring true change in our medicine and health.
What book should we be reading?
Anything that lifts you. If this means it’s a tale that is inspirational then it has served its purpose. I love learning but it doesn’t have to come from a textbook or even a nutritional text. Learning in the line of work I am in comes from a broad range of areas. I just try to read everything!
What film should we be watching?
I have to say I love docos. We went TV free for 9 months a while ago and it was really refreshing – we will definitely do it again. Time is so much better used when there isn’t a TV around. But in saying that, I do love docos. Hungry for Change; Food Matters; Crazy, Sexy, Cancer; Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead; Reversing Diabetes in 30 days… these are all really good nutrition/health ones to watch!
Favourite place to visit in Australia?
I would love to check out the Western Coast, but from what I have seen I love the Mountains, the sky is so big, the air is clean and there is always something going on if you sit still long enough to notice!
Favourite type of exercise?
I love yoga. For me yoga isn’t about the exercise, it’s about connecting inward with myself and giving myself some ‘me’ time – the fact that it is a form of exercise is a bonus! Yoga balances out the body, mind and spirit, and for this reason it is a part of my holistic approach to life.
Ideal international travel destination?
I would love to head back to South America – the rich culture and vibrant people were amazing. My little family went backpacking last year, and traveling with little Emerson was wonderful. The experiences he has had still stay with him and he remembers his favourite parts. Giving him that experience feels so amazing and I’d love to take him back and explore some more!
What is your favourite quote?
“You are what you eat, think, say and do.” Simple. True.
And lastly, what are your plans for the rest of 2012?
Mama hood. It’s the most important thing to me. I don’t want to miss a moment. I am also studying as much as I can, building an eco lodge in the mountains, supporting hubby in his career and study aspirations, and spending as much time in between with my family and friends. Time is moving fast and life is too. I am embracing the pace though, and just getting everything I can done while enjoying the journey.
(Photography by Renee Bell from NFE Design)
Jenny Parker offers individual wellness coaching and also group workshops. She can be contacted by email (nourish_your_soul(at)yahoo.com.au), her website, or on Facebook.
