Healthy Homes / Healthy Swaps workshops - make 2020 the year of conscious consumption!

It has become more important than ever in the history of mankind that we become conscious consumers and start considering the impact of our choices on our health and that of the planet’s.  My mother’s recent passing from Alzheimer’s (which is not only preventable but also reversible if caught early enough) and the devastating fires currently sweeping my beloved country, are constant reminders of the fragility of life if we don’t tend and nurture it. It is the height of human arrogance to think that we can disregard ancestral wisdom that served us for millennia with no consequence.  

We no longer have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand and expecting change. If we want to live in a less toxic, more nourishing world WE (each of us at the grassroots level) need to be instigators of that change! 

Don’t put it off. We can’t afford to any more. Let 2020 be the year when:

• you start getting really curious about what you are REALLY putting in and on your body and where it’s ending up.

• you start kicking the toxins that are slowly poisoning us and the planet that are found in not only our food products but also in our personal care products and cleaning products (sadly just because it’s allowed to be sold doesn’t make it safe!). 

• you start buying from companies who are stewards of the planet. 

• you start healthy swapping and making more nourishing choices for you and your family. Because we ALWAYS have a choice. And I’m here to help you navigate those choices and to inspire and empower you to do so in a positive way without the overwhelm. One baby step at a time. 

Never underestimate how small changes can make a big impact on you, those who you care most about and the planet. It’s the small things we do each and every day that add up over time so that over the course of the forthcoming year you’ll look back and see just how far you’ve come. If you want to do “your bit” start with your home!

While I started my journey into leading a more conscious life with the food I was eating and kicking all the dietary toxins, I quickly came to the sobering realisation that we can not stop our health journey with nutrition. In addition to kicking dietary toxins, we also need to kick the environmental toxins that we can control. Shockingly, our greatest exposure to environmental toxicity is in our very own home! So being fastidious about what you eat but not paying heed to the slew of toxic ingredients found in conventional personal care products, cleaning products, make up, perfumes and pharmaceuticals makes no sense to me. In fact, what we put on our skin and breathe into our lungs is just as, if not more, important than the food we eat as our skin and lungs have no digestive filters! Hence my Healthy Homes/Healthy Swaps/Essential Oils workshops started many years ago to plug that gap and to help people in my community make simple, easy, healthy swaps in a very positive and empowering way to products that are all natural, non toxic, cost effective and super powerful.

My next Healthy Homes/Healthy Swaps/Essential Oils workshop (and the first one of the year) is February 25. Click here to learn more or to book. Bring a friend. Create a ripple effect. The more people who kick the toxins in their home, the happier and healthier our planet and its inhabitants will be. If you’ve already been, come again. Learn more. Bring more friends. Help me on my mission – we are all part of it. I’d really love to see you there.

Love Soulla xx

If you need to exercise to lose weight, then something is wrong with your diet

Our ancient DNA requires us to move and the benefits of doing so are indisputable especially in regards to cardiovascular health, mental health, osteo skeletal health, strength, stamina, muscle tone and increasing longevity. These are the primary reasons to move and to move daily in a way that our ancient DNA requires (walking, swimming, stretching, and functional movement like strength and interval training).

But if your primary motivation to exercise is to shed excess weight, then something is wrong with your diet. There’s no point flogging yourself in exercise if you’re eating a SAD (Standard Australia / American Diet) which is high in processed foods especially refined carbs. You cannot out train a bad diet!!

If you’re keen to drop excess fat, start with getting the diet right:

Eat what we are biologically designed to eat which is an omnivorous diet rich in nutrient-dense whole (unprocessed) foods where the focus is on the quality of the ingredients- namely their source and their processing.

Confused or curious to learn more? Invest in one of my all day FOOD AS MEDICINE GROUP TALKS:

> Melbourne Sat 23 May
> Sydney Sat 24 oct

I co-present these Food as Medicine with leading holistic dietician Marieke Rodenstein and our collective forte is to combine the wisdom of ancestral diets with the latest developments in nutritional medicine and robust science, to provide you with all the tools and resources you need on how to nourish your body and optimise your health. 

These talks have been described as “life changing” — keep scrolling to read just a few of our testimonials.  The way that you eat and live should be SUSTAINABLE, ENJOYABLE and NOURISHING to every cell of your body. Once you align your lifestyle factors with your biology, the excess weight will melt off. Scouts honour! Plus you’ll experience a myriad of health benefits you never thought possible. 

Make 2020 your best one yet and do it in a way that doesn’t feel like hard work but feels more like coming home - into a body that is simply the best possible version of yourself! 

“I attended your ’Food as Medicine’ and ’Essential Oils’ workshops in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago. It was honestly the best experience I have had in a long time. I felt as though I was busting with joy, being handed the blueprint for a life that has long appealed to me, but which I have struggled to implement. I feel awakened and informed, ready to wholeheartedly pursue a better life, nourishing my whole self as nature intended. I can’t thank you both enough for your amazing work, thank you for sharing your knowledge and empowering people to reclaim their health. I look forward to attending any future workshops you are running!”

— Lida

“This talk changed my life!”

— Ruby

“I am LOVING my high fat diet since the food is medicine workshop! I’m so much more satisfied and it’s helping with my food binges that I’ve been struggling with so much!!! ”

— Renee

“Soulla, thank you SO much for creating this amazing family. Thank you for the incredible work you do and for bringing so much joy and excitement into my life. I’m forever grateful to you for sharing your knowledge on food and diet & the 8 foundations of health. Your bone broth workshop has made my life SO much easier....I am so grateful to have come across the oils and your workshops and the challenge of then going on to host a gathering of my own & the pride and satisfaction of actually doing that. It brings me such comfort being able to connect with like minded mummas & not feel like a stranded person who is stuck at sea doing all this ‘crazy’ stuff (that I have no intention of stopping cos deep down I know it’s right). I seriously sat on that table yesterday eating that sensational soup just smiling. It was such a wonderful day and all of these people just blow my mind. They’re so beautiful and so friendly and then I got to shop at broth bar on the way home and fill my cupboard with all nutrient dense goodies!”

— Kerry

“Thanks again for such a wonderful and informative day yesterday. I have gained so much wisdom an empowerment from the session! ”

— Georgia

“One of my cherished values is ‘Optimal Health.’  The day really taught me the ‘fine tuning’ needed to really live this truth. I feel so blessed to have this information as there are so many people out there who are so sick, weak and depressed and have no idea why. I honestly feel that living to the principles you outline gives people ‘the edge’ in life and the brainpower to live an extraordinary life. How exciting. I’m looking forward to detoxifying my home and checking out the ‘pre-conception’ oil protocol through YL too. ”

— Rhoda

2020 Food as Medicine talks in Sydney and Melbourne

Following my SOLD OUT Australian Food as Medicine / Healthy Homes tour across 7 cities in 2019,  I am thrilled to announce that due to popular demand I will be presenting a few more full day talks again in 2020. For talks held via zoom webinar, each participant will receive up to 5 of my online cooking classes (bone broth, slow cooks, organ meats, baked cakes, chocolate) retailing at $79 each (a total of $395) to empower you to cook your own nourishing food and treats at home.

I will co-presenting again with Marieke Rodenstein, Australia’s pre-eminent holistic dietician. Our collective forte is to combine the wisdom of ancestral diets with the latest developments in nutritional medicine and robust science.

These talks will sell out quickly so please book fast to avoid disappointment!

These talks are run as a ALL DAY event (9am to 3pm) for $150 pp. By the end of the day you will be empowered with all of the tools, information and resources to reduce dietary and environmental toxins and to nourish your body to reclaim and maintain optimal health. As the talk will be held virtually via zoom webinar, some of the material will be emailed ahead of time for you to watch with the rest emailed after the event.

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Food is the most powerful medicine:

While health is multifactorial (and directly influenced by lifestyle factors such as movement, sleep, breath, mindset, immersion in nature, fun and play, and connections with ourselves and others), nourishing your body with the anti-inflammatory nutritionally-dense whole foods that we as a species have biologically evolved to eat is, I believe, the cornerstone (as well as the fastest and easiest way!) of reclaiming and maintaining spectacular health with the most profound impact. Food is the most powerful medicine available to us to heal chronic illness and to remain vibrantly healthy.

Health issues, pharmaceutical band-aids, and confusion and stress over what, when and how to eat might be considered “normal” in today’s society, but this is not a natural state of being and you don’t have to settle to live that way.

Even though the information that will be presented is a source of general information only and not tailored to individual or specific health issues, what we have witnessed and experienced over the past 2 decades is that, in the vast majority of cases, consciously addressing the foundations of our health -  starting with simple, positive and meaningful dietary changes -  can seamlessly resolve many specific health issues and can result in profound shifts in health and wellbeing. Small changes, big impact.

By the end of our full day presentation, our mission is to make you feel empowered that you have all the information, tools and resources you need to reclaim and maintain your and your family’s health and wellbeing so that you can be the best possible version of yourself and live the full and vibrant life that you so truly deserve.

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AVAILABLE DATES:

1 ) SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER (FINAL DATE FOR 2020!)

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what i will discuss:

I will explain in my renowned, uncomplicated, no-nonsense, practical approach how to reduce the mismatch between our lifestyle (particularly dietary) choices and our ancient DNA, in order to function optimally, perform our best and reach our true potential. I will unpack the fundamental principles of robust nutrition and bust mainstream myths that have contributed to the epidemic of modern illness and degenerative disease. In particular, I will discuss:

• The 2 broad epigenetic factors that influence our health and well being

• A brief overview of the 8 Foundations/ Pillars of Health before homing in on nutrition and hydration

• The 3 distinct periods of evolution from a nutritional point of view

• Why the standard western diet has been a complete failure

• Why traditional societies pre industrial revolution lived in a state of perfect robust health

• My nutritional philosophy on what we as a species are designed to eat

• What are the most nutrient-dense wholefoods that we should be eating

• Where our food comes from (provenance) and how its been processed

• Where to source wholefoods most affordably and the relevant due diligence questions to ask

• Myth busting around saturated fat and cholesterol

• Macronutrient ratios and what your plate should look like

• How to properly prepare food super simply and efficiently while maximising its nutritional benefits and flavour

• The 3 main buckets of dietary toxins and why they wreak havoc on our health

• Safe sugars, safe grains, and healthy fats

• How to transition effortlessly and joyously from a conventional diet to nutrient-dense traditional wholefoods diet with step by step healthy swaps. 

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what marieke rodenstein will discusS:

Holistic dietitian, Marieke Rodenstein, will discuss the fundamental principles of robust nutrition for optimum gut health. 

The mention of the word bacteria typically conjures up fears of disease and has us running for our hand sanitizer. Most people think of bacteria as dangerous and dirty, more foe than friend. Subsequently, our focus has been on the microbes that harm us, and how we can eradicate them. Whilst there are many bad bugs that can have serious consequences on our health, what often goes unnoticed is the critical role that bacteria play in keeping us healthy.

We humans harbor over 100 trillion bacteria in and on our body and the majority of these microbes live in our gut. In fact the gut is one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet. Look after it and you are guaranteed better health. Harm it or neglect it and you risk harming the health of your entire body. 

Disturbances in our gut flora are being linked to an ever increasing number of diseases from gastrointestinal issues such as IBS and acid reflux to eczema, allergies, autoimmune issues, diabetes, depression, obesity and autism. 

During Marieke's presentation you will learn:

• How your gut influences your health

• The role of the gut in modern disease

• What affects your gut health and the warning signs that you may have an unhealthy gut 

• Key dietary and lifestyle principles to improve your gut health

Due to being in overwhelming demand across Australia, Marieke can only take on a limited number of new clients who have been directly referred to her. By attending this talk you will automatically have the opportunity to work with her, if you so choose, as her ongoing client to address any specific health issues you may have (involving a protocol of robust testing, diagnosis and holistic treatment).

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cost is $150 per person & includes:

1. 4 hour morning presentation on Food as Medicine: I speak for approximately 3 hours on the fundamentals of robust nutrition while Marieke Rodenstein spends approximately 1 hour on the fundamentals of robust gut health. The information I deliver is essentially the same subject matter that I typically discuss in my one-on-one private 3 hour health coaching sessions valued at $450 (a massive saving of $300). I appreciate that the financial investment of my one on one health coaching sessions is cost prohibitive for many, so these group public talks are your opportunity to obtain, at a fraction of the price, the benefit of exactly the same material that you would otherwise receive in a private health coaching session with me (in addition to receiving information that Marieke will provide as well as the information set out below)

2. A presentation on Healthy Home/ Healthy Swaps / Essential Oils that focuses on the toxicity in our home environment and provides you with  a simple, yet powerful, solution on healthy swapping all your conventional personal care products, make up, perfumes, household cleaning products, pharmaceuticals to all natural, non toxic versions in a positive and empowering way.

3. Comprehensive 63 page manual to take home that summarises the day’s talk and will set you up with in-depth knowledge and practical how-to for life.

4. Opportunity to ask questions of myself and of Marieke Rodenstein, and to work with Marieke as her client to address specific health issues if you so choose.

5. My five online cooking classes (bone broth, organ meats, slow cooks, chocolate and gluten free baked cakes) each retailing at $79 each ($395 in total!!) so that you can learn how to cook these nourishing foods in your home

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this presentation is ideal for:

• Those who are stressed and confused about what, how much and when to eat, macronutirent ratios, where to source wholefoods from most affordably (esp if you’re on a budget) and how to properly prepare their food

• Those who suffer, or have family members who suffer, from health issues (such as low immunity, gut issues such as gas, bloating or constipation, excess weight, under weight, skin conditions, lethargy, troubled sleep, absent /irregular periods, PMT, inability to conceive, recurrent colds and flues, excessive mucous, osteo-skeletal issues such as aches and pains, depression, low libido, brain fog, cavities)

• Those who want to reduce time in the kitchen and/or simplify meals without ever compromising nutrient-density

• Those who deal with picky and fussy eaters

• Those who are worried that their children are not thriving or functioning as best as they could be

• Those wanting to reduce or eliminate gluten, refined sugar and processed foods generally but don’t know where to start and don’t want to feel deprived of their favourite treats or deprive others in their home of their favourite foods

• Those who want to know recommended practitioners that they can work with who are on exactly the same nutritional and lifestyle page (including GPs, Naturopaths, Dentists, Osteopaths and Building Biologists).

• Those who  are generally healthy, fit and health conscious but want to take their health and well-being to the next level.

• Those who wish to start or deepen their journey in kicking the chemicals in their home environment to provide a toxic free home for their family 

• Those who aspire to be chemical-free and pharmacy-free

• Those wanting to be more independent in their health care, and to be their family’s alchemist and healer in the first instance

• Those wishing to simplify and streamline the purchasing of all their personal care products and cleaning products

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testimonials:

“Absolutely amazing and informative. So worthwhile and I have so much more confidence now as a Mumma”

— Lauren

“Thank you so much for the most amazingly inspirational workshop yesterday. You have done so much work over the years in this area and you are so incredibly generous to share it all. I found your workshop to be the best one I have ever attended of all wellness workshops, you are so passionate, knowledgeable and a natural educator. I would do this workshop again - I loved it that much! Thank you”

— Rachael

“I’ve been meaning to write to you to say how amazing I thought the food is medicine talk was. It was so informative, and so incredibly presented, the information is invaluable.I was so close to tears at times, I wish I had adopted this philosophy years ago. They should be teaching it in schools! 

I’ve always been was I thought was healthy I just didn’t have the knowledge of the impact of food could have on my health (both positive and negative) until couldn’t conceive a child. After years of trying at age 38 I commenced a fairly brutal round of IVF, 3 transfers all of which were unsuccessful. Not once did any of the specialists I saw suggest diet/toxins could be a factor, even after I was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder and under lying thyroid issues. I was referred to Angela Hywood who has tailored a supplement programme specific to my needs based on scientific results. She then put me on to you and the rest is history. It started with the essential oils workshop and subsequent healthy home swapping, then on to eating a nourishing wholefoods diet.

I embraced everything with absolute passion and determination, reading everything I can find. I’ve received a fair bit flak at times, but yesterday found out I’m pregnant! Early days but unbelievable all the same, the proof is certainly in the pudding so to speak. 

I wanted to thank you for your wisdom, knowledge and passion and for sharing it with others the way you do. I didn’t know if I would ever have the privilege  of being a mother and now I know I can give my baby the best start possible.”

— Alexandra

“A huge thank you to you and Marieke for a most informative and effectively delivered presentation on how to keep us healthy holistically...I always enjoy your talks...the knowledge you empower us with and your effervescent approach to share what you know is so well received and appreciated ”

— Maria

“Just wanted to thank you for today - hands down the best 3 1/2 hours I’ve invested in the area of nutrition. Today’s material tied it all together for me and is exactly the information I need to be able to fine-tune my diet and take it to the next (optimal) level.

Thanks also again for allowing me to bring my teenage niece along - we spoke about our learnings all the way home. How lucky is she to have exposure to such powerful information as what was presented today at such a young age!! ”

— Nancy

“Thankyou for such an insightful and interesting day full of knowledge, wisdom, interesting and useful content, and for cutting through the ‘fat’ (literally) of how we can take control and give our health the ‘rolls royce treatment’ it deserves. As a mum with a young family, i left today feeling invigorated and confident. I loved how you de-bunked the modern era and took us back to grass roots (whilst still being evidence base and backing up your facts with relevant and credible studies) This was lifechanging for me - thank you for empowering me to make subtle changes to improve my health and the health of my family ”

— Lauren

“I attended your ’Food as Medicine’ and ’Essential Oils’ workshops in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago. It was honestly the best experience I have had in a long time. I felt as though I was busting with joy, being handed the blueprint for a life that has long appealed to me, but which I have struggled to implement. I feel awakened and informed, ready to wholeheartedly pursue a better life, nourishing my whole self as nature intended. I can’t thank you both enough for your amazing work, thank you for sharing your knowledge and empowering people to reclaim their health. I look forward to attending any future workshops you are running! ”

— Lida

“I sat for 6 hours over the weekend totally engrossed in Soulla’s message for health, vitality and happiness. For someone who likes to spend every minute of the weekend outside having adventures, this was quite an achievement on her behalf. What a compelling and informative two sessions it was for me. Such incredible information and delivered in an easy to follow and thoroughly engaging way. You are certainly well on your way to helping people with their mismatch in nutrition! Going back over the history of nutrition put everything in perspective for me, and made me see things from place of much deeper understanding. Most importantly, Soulla is living breathing evidence of the truth of her message. She is so vital, glowing, and happy and her enthusiasm is inspirational. I left both workshops (Food as Medicine and Healthy Home/Healthy Swaps) feeling ready to optimize my heath even further, and as a health coach, more able to help my clients achieve their dream health and their dreams ”

— Jessie

“I just wanted to say thankyou to you and Marieke for such an eye opening, informative, passionate, mind blowing day yesterday. Not only did I feel close to tears at times realising how much I have to learn but also walked away on the biggest high of inspiration, motivation and determination. I feel like I woke up yesterday!!!!! What you are doing is incredible and I feel so lucky to have been able to witness this epic work you’re doing. I would have loved to have talked more but to be honest I was quite star struck. Not only are you incredibly beautiful in person, to be in the presence of someone who is so unbelievably driven, committed and lit up is something amazing. An experience I will remember forever.  Thank you! thank you! thank you! ”

— Kate

“This talk changed my life!”

— Ruby

“Dear Soulla, Sylvia and Marieke,

I have been meaning to write to you for two months.
I followed Soulla and travelled to her shop to stock up on goodies for a long time. I dive in and out of healthy living because some days I just exist due to a medical condition. I looked at doing one of your courses for two years, but have lost so much confidence as I have been so unwell I made excuses as to why I couldn’t do one.

Finally at the end of last year out of sheer desperation for my children’s bad health, I contacted you about a Food as Medicine workshop at your house. We discussed my fifteen year olds journey of anxiety and you kindly offered for me to bring her along. Several friends rolled their eyes at the thought of me off on another one of my health kicks and said that my daughter Ellie would be bored stiff.

I am writing to thank you and Marieke from the bottom of my heart for empowering both Ellie and myself. Ellie sat through the entire day with me absolutely transfixed on both of you. She came home afterwards and proudly shared all she had learned to my husband. Marieke’s journey of anxiety and medication really struck a cord and Ellie has always been interested in essential oils so the afternoon in particular was a dream for her. Ellie is on medication and would love to be off it, so now I feel she sees the light, that in time she will be able to be well enough without it.

She goes out with her friends now and feels comfortable to eat and drink healthily and say no when her friends tuck into several fizzy drinks and sweets. She has a different view on food, health and exercise and has been a great help in cooking healthy food at home.
One of her favourite treats is making gummies, which she has now perfected. She looks at all labels now and polices my shopping regularly!

People underestimate their children. If delivered in the right way - knowledge is so powerful and I feel you have both given Ellie a life long gift.

I have now had two long sessions with Marieke and look forward to continuing to support my children’s health better. We are slowly but surely implementing many of your changes.

I think a key element of any learning is being able to sustain something which has always been a big struggle for me having chronic pain and no energy. The guilt with knowing what you should be doing and not doing it is awful. It has helped immeasurably having Sylvia make contact and offer guidance and practical support. I’m going to try and hassle her to meet for a cup of broth one day soon!

We moved from London four years ago and it absolutely warmed my heart meeting three beautiful, inspiring women. It can be tough out there, especially when feeling unwell with no family support. There isn’t enough kindness and openness out there so thank you for the incredible job you all do of spreading love and good health in such a beautiful way. Thank you Soulla for sharing your tough days on social media as so many people just share the good which is particularly tough when you are unwell.”

— Emma

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cancellation policy

Once payment has been made, it is non-refundable and your place can not be moved to a different date. If you can not make it due to last minute unforeseen circumstances, feel free to gift your place to a friend and let me know. Thank you for your understanding.

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