Take a Chance

 1 Little Action can Change your Life.....

Just a catch up in to my crazy little world this month- It's been so busy and my life is almost unrecognisable from 6 months ago! That's the beauty of life and change though isn't it? You just never know where it's going to take you!

I have learnt so much lately, those life lessons that seem so obvious and cliche but are so important!

The most important thing I have learned is to be a bit selfish, it sounds nasty but it also translates into following your dreams… Nobody else is going to make sure that you get somewhere in life, you have to do that on your own!

From starting this little blog not even a year ago I am now writing for a magazine, 2 websites and have a media internship with Melbourne Vixens/ Netball Victoria and write their web articles. As well as studying journalism, doing modelling and working in a beauty therapy job that I love.

It just goes to show what we can achieve with one little action, and good friends who believe in you.

The same thing goes for fitness and lifestyle goals- Once you take that first step, or go for that first run around the block it inspires you and one day you realise that you have been up every morning pounding out several k's.

The hardest part of starting anything new is the first step… filling out the form to enroll in that course you have always wanted to try, putting your runners on in the morning or emailing an enquiry about your dream job. Once that's done the rest just falls into place!

So do something positive today- take that little step. It doesn't have to be a new year or the start of a new month… today is as good a day as any. And just think, in six months you will have wished that you started today…

Goodbye Summer....

Things to do in Melbourne before Summer is Gone…!!!

Moonlight Cinema- Botanical Gardens

If you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying a film in an outdoor cinema then you haven't lived! On a balmy night it so nice to stretch out in the gardens and watch an old favourite film, or a new release on the big screen. Take a picnic, a bean bag and a friend or lover to snuggle up to and enjoy being entertained out in the elements. 

http://www.moonlight.com.au/melbourne/

Shakespeare Under the Stars

 On the subject of the botanical gardens if you like something a bit more arty and are a fan of Shakespeare then definitely get along to see Romeo and Juliet under the stars. With an amazing cast including the spunky Jamieson Caldwell as Romeo  you are sure to be taken to another world during the performance. It runs until the 9th of March and is one performance you won't want to miss! 

Queen Victoria Night Market

On a Wednesday night over summer the vic market turns into a different world, the hustle and bustle of the day market is left behind for a more creative and lifestyle feel. Lots of great music and food, as well as wine tasting, massages and tarot reading. Perfect for a girls night to get some shopping done or as a date night. Its a great atmosphere and the perfect way to spend a warm Wednesday night! The season has been extended until the 27th of March this year so you still have a few more weeks to check it out! 

http://www.qvm.com.au/snm/snm_home.aspx

SKYY Pool Club

This exclusive event run by Nick Gianoppolous is only running until April. So if you want a truly VIP experience this summer you should head down to the Prince Deck in St Kilda, have your car valet parked and enjoy the magical views, book your own private cabana to enjoy tunes by the pool by Melbournes best DJs, including my favourite Melbourne DJ Khahn Ong. 

http://www.facebook.com/SkyyPoolClub

Go on a Road Trip!

There is nothing better than that feeling of leaving the city behind, with your best friends, some great tunes and the freedom of going wherever you feel like. Hit the beach, go camping, don't plan it- Just take off. My favourite trip for summer is the Great Ocean Road, such a beautiful drive and the beaches and forrest walks along the coast are beautiful. Make sure you do at least one more spontaneous thing before summer is over…. and we lose these beautiful long sunny days! 

 My Favourite Night of the Week... 

 Melbourne is renowned for its nightlife and most visitors are surprised when they realise that we do a Sunday night like no other. Sunday sessions in Melbourne were like a badly kept secret, either afternoon chill outs in the sun or dancing the night away in a club- it is definitely the best night to be out and about in Melbourne.
Now that my detox is over I celebrated in style after a weekend in the dust and glitter of Rainbow Serpent Festival straight to the Barkly to continue catching up with friends and sharing news and stories of our weekend antics!
I have put together a little information on my favourite Sunday Sessions so if you haven't already discovered the delights of sleeping in and pulling a sickie on a Monday this is sure to inspire you...

SKYY POOL CLUB

My good friend Nick Gianoppolous has just launched an exclusive Sunday Session on the Deck at the Prince (Circa Rooftop) in St Kilda. It opened on the 20th of Jan and is only running for 12 weeks! It's already the hottest ticket in town with gorgeous poolside glamour, private cabanas, relaxing deck chairs, delicious SKYY cocktails and some of Melbourne's best DJs performing in the intimate venue. It has the vibe of an exclusive private party. It makes you feel like you're on an expensive holiday, you can even have your car valet parked and enjoy gourmet mexican food! Guestlist is a must to ensure entry. 

www.skyypoolclub.com

Hotel Barkly

Sunday's at the Barkly have been a long running favourite in Melbourne and it always attracts a great crowd. During summer the deck is opened until the evening and there is never a lack of beautiful people to check out or good music to dance to. Great for event after party's and backing up the weekend! I love it because it's so diverse, you can either dress right up or keep it semi casual and there is always a great mix of people. So just take the elevator up to Level 4 and get ready for an amazing night…

http://www.facebook.com/HotelBarkly

Mon Bijou

This was a Sunday Session like no other this season in Melbourne, a beautiful penthouse in the heart of the city the oozes glamour and charm, turned into an exclusive party pad for Sunday afternoons. The luxurious penthouse has a sophisticated french decor, amazing views of the city skyline and an outdoor area with a pool which plays host to the Sunday pool parties. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than in style by the pool? Its the perfect summer haven in our vibrant city. Although it ran for only a couple of weeks this truly was the hidden gem of Melbourne summer parties! Although Mon Bijou is available to book for functions be sure to keep an eye out for the next party at the venue. 

http://www.facebook.com/MonBijouSundaySessions

College Lawn

A more country style pub in Prahran is the perfect chill out place for a group of guys or anyone who likes to enjoy a beer and watch some sport. I've already mentioned the pool parties and night clubs to go to on a Sunday but if that's not your scene then College Lawn has a great relaxed vibe, a band, indoor and outdoor bars and a full menu if your want to do dinner as well. Good idea to get down early to get a decent spot at a table because it fills up pretty quickly on a Sunday. Good for a late lunch and as pre drinks before heading to the Barkly or SKYY Pool Club.

collegelawnhotel.com.au

So take advantage of the last day of the weekend, don't spent it hungover on the couch- get up, grab a (very) late brekkie, then head out for 'a few quiet drinks' (Thats code for another BIG night!) at one of these awesome venues. Please email with any other suggestions/ ideas or stories from your Sunday nights! I LOVE your stories and comments so keep them coming (I'm putting together an anonymous party diary soon!) 

Take care, play safe and ENJOY!!! 

What are you really putting into your body...?

What is Organic and Why all the fuss?

Over the last few years organic foods have become a bit of a fad. If something is labelled organic we seem to think it's healthier or tastier, as well as trusting celebrities who swear by organic foods for weight loss. 

But what does organic really mean? Is it healthier? Does it taste better? 

And are the foods really as organic as we think? 

To me, thinking of 'organic' conjures an image of a small old fashioned farm, with a homestyle, holistic approach to farming. That's me just being idealistic as usual- the truth is that the organic food we find in our supermarkets are mass produced just like all the other foods, some are even made by the same companies in a small subsection which they have adjusted to comply with the organic standards to become certified. 

Organic foods are those that have been produced without modern synthetic inputs like pesticides and chemical fertilisers and processed without industrial solvents or chemical food additives and the livestock must be reared with regular access to pasture and without the routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones. 

The best place to get true organic foods is to grow them yourself! Or at local farmers markets and certified produce stores.

To be certified as organic the producers and growers have to be audited to ensure that their production methods comply to the national standards. 

Some of the ways that producers manage the health of the soil and plants without chemicals are using green manure, compost and natural minerals as well as carefully planned crop rotations an natural methods of pest and weed control. 

Although many studies have shown that an organic farm uses less energy and is claimed to be better for the environment, from doing some further reading I discovered that these figures often aren't calculated per unit or size, that to make crops of the same size each way at some farms the organic farming process actually uses more resources and takes much longer.

 If you do want to cut down the chemicals in your diet and switch to organic be sure that it is a certified product. Companies can use the word organic in their names and advertising without actually being organic at all (or just a very small part of the product is made that way) so be sure to do your reading properly! 

People choose organic for many different reasons- usually not because of the cost! The cost of certified organic food is usually about three times what you would pay for the same foods without the label.

So next time that you think you are being green because your eating 'organic' think about what it actually is, and really weigh up what it means to you now that you have some more of the facts. 

One product I absolutely stand by is anything that is cruelty free, such as free range meats and eggs. I plan to do a bit more research into the guidelines for what allows these foods to be labelled this way as well so keep an eye out for that upcoming post. As always please feel free to share with me any stories, links or good sites relating to organic or cruelty free options in foods. I LOVE the feedback! 

jade.a.hunter@hotmail.com

http://www.organic.org/

www.organicfood.com.au

Some Organic Grocers in Melbourne-

Malvern

http://greenonions.com.au/ 

organicallygrown.com.au

Glenhuntly Road

www.yumorganics.com

www.natro.com.au/