Non-negotiable habits that keep the VIVE team healthy

Have you ever wondered about the daily routine of a Naturopath or Nutritionist? The non-negotiable daily habits that keeps their physical and mental health strong and on-track.
Are there habits that you would like to implement to help you achieve your health goals? See us in-store if you would like to talk more about these goals or need help creating a plan to achieve them.
 

Mikaela Duffy (Naturopath)

I have some daily rituals that I couldn’t do without – both with food and also movement.  They make me feel more balanced in general, support my digestion and help to curb my chocolate cravings (I naturally have a sweet tooth!).
Movement – on waking I like to do some stretching for about 10 minutes.  I have my set routine to stretch my whole body and warm up my spine – something I’ve noticed I need more of naturally as I age.
Food – the day doesn’t feel complete without a good serve of raw cacao – often in my breakfast and in afternoon snacks at times.  I also never have a day without coconut yoghurt – I am unable to eat dairy of any kind, and I make yoghurt myself now I have found a good recipe.  It is great for sweet or savoury recipes, and gives me a serve of probiotics for my gut health.
 

Mindy Duncan (Naturopath Student)

When it comes to daily habits or rituals there are only a few things that work well into my routine and have really helped me live a healthier, happier and more balanced life.
1.     Gluten Free – I have been following a strict gluten free diet for some time now, this obviously isn’t essential for everyone however I have Hashimoto’s Disease and have found this to truly accelerate my recovery and allow me to function at my best every day.  

2.     Face Cleansing – Only in recent years have I really integrated this ritual into my daily routine and have noticed such a difference in my skin. My go-to at the moment is the Evohe Foam Cleanser as it does such a beautiful job at removing make-up and impurities but for me also acts as an important step in my self-care/relaxation routine before bed.
3.     Water, Water, Water – I aim for 2L filtered water minimum and always start my day with a big glass of water before doing anything else to really kick start digestion and rehydrate after a big night’s rest.

 
 
 
4.     Vegetables – Now could I really call myself a health foodie if this wasn’t a daily non-negotiable. Ha! I always aim for at least 2 out of 3 of my main meals to be predominantly vegetable based. I try to keep it as varied, colourful and seasonal as possible to maximise the nutrient intake and deliciousness. The options are truly endless.
5.     Coffee – because sanity is essential, need I say more
 
 
 

Marilyn Lemaire (Naturopath, Master Herbalist)

I find that as I age, I need to honour healthy habits and routines more in order to stay healthy, energetic and content.  My first non negotiable is to meditate every morning which I follow by a morning walk.  During my walk I say my gratitudes and my affirmations and now I do not even worry about how I must look chatting away to myself.   At 66 years of age, I have to be disciplined about my food because I want to stay at a healthy weight.  A healthy weight makes ageing a more pleasant experience and protects against those chronic “lifestyle” diseases.
My biggest non negotiable for food is no snacking or eating between meals.
My other non negotiable is to share many meals with my friends and family.  I want to toast (with good wine) those connections that make life a rich experience.
 

Matt Steinacher (Naturopath)

This is going to sound a little too obvious but my non-negotiable is…wait for it…”water”. It has to be clean though. Really clean. Reverse Osmosis and then either re-mineralised or ionised to make it alkaline again. I drink around 2-3L daily of this water daily. I’m not fussed how it comes but it needs to go in.  I’ve found alkaline water makes a big difference to my energy when training and also how I feel. We see it constantly through testing in our clinic. Even just a little low on cellular water make a great impact to client energy, mood and skin.  Drink Up!
 

Bella Walton (Naturopath)

My daily non-negotiable aligns with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of five serves of vege (minimum!) every day. Most days I would eat 7-8 serves. The benefits of a predominantly plant based diet are extensive and support health in every aspect. We are so fortunate in this country to have access to a wide variety of seasonal and organically grown produce, making it easy to incorporate an array of beautiful and clean vegetables into your diet. I would encourage anyone wanting to transform their health to be intentional about reaching the five serves of vege target daily!

 
 

Therese Hodgkinson (Naturopath)

Each morning I take a number of supplements but the one I find I cannot be without is B complex.  The B complex makes a huge difference to my energy levels & ability to have a clear mind. A good quality multi vitamin could be used instead. I always choose the highest quality supplements I can afford as I believe they are an investment in my health & the health of my family.
 

Megan Crockart (Nutritionist)

I can’t go without a smoothie every day.  What I put in my smoothie depends on my mood or what I feel like at the time. I love smoothies as you can get so much nutrition in one glass. I don’t measure anything, just throw it all together. At the moment I have two favourites:
 
Berry smoothie – perfect for extra hydration and refreshment on the hot days we’ve been having:

• Organic frozen mixed berries
• Cucumber
• Celery
• Kale or baby spinach
• Mint
• Ginger
• Coconut water (my preferred is Natural Raw C)

 
Banana Protein smoothie – if I feel like a snack or something filling on the run I make this one:

• Banana (fresh or frozen)
• 1-2 dessert spoons Changing Habits Inca Inchi Protein powder (love this for the nutty flavour and it’s a clean protein powder)
• Cinnamon (lots)
• Almond milk or coconut milk (my favourite almond milk is fresh by the Nutty Bruce)
• Optional extras depending on what I feel like – LSA, Chia seeds, psyllium, coconut oil

 

Linda Brown (Naturopath)

My Daily Habit? Nearly nothing, rigidly. Above many things I feel most benefit from psychological flexibility. This involves attuning at the time to what I really need, or need to do – physically and emotionally. I have routine, but treating it flexibly begets more accurate self-care.