SHE Magazine Body Beautiful feature - October 2

SHE Magazine's October edition came out today (published in the Gold Coast Bulletin) and I was lucky enough to participate in the mag's Body Beautiful feature!

I was joined by mummy and blogger Carly Electric and ex-Big Brother housemate Charne White where we talked body image, confidence and dealing with our body 'issues'. Since falling pregnant I have seen my body change dramatically and it was great to be able to discuss how my body has changed over the years and how I have grown to love my imperfections and be happy in my own skin. I feel like it was important for me to participate in this as I haven't always loved my body and growing up I did feel the pressure to look a certain way.

I just want to thank Liz, Lauren and Chantay and everyone at SHE Magazine for making this such a fantastic, positive experience to be part of.

Here are a couple of snaps from the publication : )

TV gives us a good dose of reality

I am not ashamed to admit that I like to watch reality television. Having pay TV is great, because most of the shows on it are reality TV shows or ‘docu-dramas’ or whatever you want to call them.

I like to watch other shows as well, like the news, cooking, home renovating and music channels, but there is something about reality TV that gets me hooked.

Guilty pleasure viewing... Jersey Shore.

I think I like it so much because I can’t believe that half of what is aired is actually aired. Like the kids on Jersey Shore who go out night after night and drink, sleep around and fight like it's going out of fashion. It’s the shock and awe factor.

Let's be honest, we usually don't watch these shows because the characters have something to offer us on an intellectual level - we watch because we want to indulge in their crazy antics.

Last night I watched ‘Being Lara Bingle’ one of the newest shows to be added to my must-watch list. It joins Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Guiliana and Bill, Jersey Shore, Real Housewives of Beverley Hills, Made in Chelsea, The Only Way is Essex and the list goes on… then there is the reality competition-style shows like Masterchef, The Voice etc.

The Kardashians have come under fire for how much of their lives they expose for TV ratings.

I have gotta say – these people who appear on these shows have really got balls (yes, even the girls) for putting everything out there. I know that many say that these shows aren’t really ‘reality’ and that they are more scripted than we know, but regardless, it still makes for compelling viewing.

For instance, last night while I was watching Lara Bingle go about her thing, I saw a young woman who really has made a pretty successful modelling career for herself, who has some great friends who have stuck by her and a family who have been through some immense struggles. She hasn’t hurt anyone by being famous or for once being engaged to a sports star… she's just another Sydney chick trying to make her mark on the world (for the record I couldn't imagine being on the front page of a magazine with a story about my obvious cellulite and weight gain like Lara did).

For some reason, people love to hate Lara Bingle. I don't.

I guess with any of this TV, if you don’t like it, you do have the option of changing the channel. There are so many armchair critics in Australia (many of them employed by the television networks to bag the opposition) and they all love to rip shreds off each other.

I am sick of hearing about The Shire – I watched the first episode of it and it wasn’t for me, so I haven’t tuned in again. Simple as that. I am not out there kicking and screaming about how it ‘dumbs down’ Australians and makes us look like a bunch of vain, Botox-obsessed airheads like many commentators have.

Sophie and Vernessa from The Shire, Channel Ten's latest reality TV offering.

I think that reality TV is there to give a snapshot into the lives of people to show how very different we all are. Whether we would like to admit it or not, we are a voyeuristic society – the popularity of Facebook and Instagram proves that we are a bunch of sticky-beaks who love to know other people’s business.

I think that reality TV shows just give us an open outlet to indulge in this and compare our own reality to the lives of those we see on our flat screens (by compare I don’t mean literally, because lets face it, most of us won’t have an extravagant $1 million plus wedding like Kim Kardashian and then get divorced after just 72 days).

And yes, for the record, I will be tuning in to Channel Nine's revamped Big Brother - it's filmed in my home town and I am genuinely amazed at the careers some of the contestants from this show have been able to carve out for themselves.

Whether we want to admit it or not, a majority of what we are watching on television these days is deemed 'reality' TV and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Can-do, will pash

You’ve got to love the article on the Courier Mail website this morning.

Can-do Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman has spoken out regarding his public displays of affection if he becomes Queensland’s next premier.

If you’re like me, you’re already sick to death of hearing the political crap on TV and radio with each respective party slagging each other. One thing I have noticed is that Newman’s wife Lisa features prominently in these campaigns (both good and bad).

The article said that Mr Newman hit commercial radio stations in Townsville on Wednesday, where he was asked about the affection he shows his wife Lisa when they are out in public.

He told voters to expect to see more of the same if he wins this month’s election.

 "Well, I love her," he told Mix FM.

"I only have eyes for her. I think there will be plenty of pashing.

"The fact that she likes to kiss me and I kiss her back, I don't think that is the problem.

"I think the problem has been that I've got a hand that tends to go below the waist and that has sort of attracted some interest, far too much interest."

BLAHHHHHH! TMI!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, let’s be a bit professional here Can-do. You are asking people to vote for you as premier of our fine state – no one wants to SEE you or HEAR you talking about groping your wife’s nether regions.  

I tend to think also, that when I see images of Lisa (although I am sure she’s a lovely lady) she comes across as a bit cray-cray, so god knows what they get up to behind closed doors…

All I can say to Can-do is this: as the daughter of a man who has worked on many a political campaign, I believe that this kind of PR is not necessarily a good thing for your political aspirations. Keep your hands by your side and keep the kisses to pecks, not pashes. 

What do you think?

You can read the article in full here: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/quizzed-about-public-shows-of-affection-with-his-wife-campbell-newman-admits-to-being-all-hands/story-fnbt5t29-1226291735428

Trying to be good hurts (the hip pocket)

So in our bid to be healthier and treat our bodies better, I have told my husband that I am going to be buying more free range and organic products in my future visits to the supermarket.

My family has a history of Coeliac disease (basically living off a Gluten-free diet). I have been used to eating GF products, but eating organically is something different.

I already prefer to buy fruit and veg from the local markets if I can (and give farmers the direct benefit of my dollar, rather than going to the head-honchos at the major supermarkets) but the thing is, I am rather time-poor at the moment and the supermarket is just around the corner from my place…

So if I have to buy stuff from the greedy, mainstream stores, then I’ve decided I want to buy free-range and organic where I can.

What really sucks is that what’s better for us, and really, MUCH better for the animal, fruit and vege crops, costs SO much more than the standard stuff, which includes pesticides, synthetic hormones and a whole load of nasty additives, colours and preservatives.

Buying fresh produce from farmers' markets means you're supporting their industry and buying food that is better for you - ask them what (if any) pesticides they use as not all farmers are organic.

And another thing, buying products that are made in Australia also come with a higher price tag. It’s ludicrous! I know that supermarkets are competitive and try and keep prices as low as possible (without missing out on their margins) but I am not sure that they are doing as much as they could be.

Not long ago I saw Dick Smith on tele advertising his new General Store that he opened after his dismay at our farmers going broke because we opt to buy chemically enhanced food that is grown and packaged overseas. Hey, it’s cheaper and a lot of people can’t afford to be choosy when it comes to grocery shopping for their families.

Dick’s shop is filled with Australian grown and packaged products from some of our country’s best gourmet food producers, as well as his own branded wares (I happen to LOVE his crunchy peanut butter) but they are that bit more dearer than other products.

For instance, I’ve compared a few products that you can buy from the supermarket and make the choice between organic or normal – the price difference is astronomical.

ORGANIC PRODUCTS                                 NORMAL PRODUCTS

Organic corn chips 200g	$3.20	CCs corn chips 200g	$3.17
Organic rolled oats 750g	$4.83	Homebrand rolled oats 750g	$1.28
Organic cashew nuts raw 250g	$8.91	Sunbeam cashew nuts raw 250g	$6.99
Organic pasta sauce 375g	$4.29	Five Brother’s pasta sauce 500g	$3.75

This is only a small sample, but as you can see, you pay more for what is essentially, better for you. In some cases, you get much more product (see the pasta sauces) for a lot less cost.

Essentially in order for me to eat free-range, organic, gluten-free and pesticide free, I have estimated that I will basically have to spend about $25 extra to do this every week. That’s $1,300 extra per year to eat products that are much better for me and my family and support our own Aussie farmers in the same hit.

This shit is crazy and doesn’t make sense!

Anyway, if you want to side-track the supermarkets, here’s a link to the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association website – you can find your closest market by clicking the ‘Find a Market’ tab http://www.farmersmarkets.org.au/

Wish me luck on my quest to eat healthier and support our food growers – I might go broke in the process but at least I’ll feel better for it.

Doing it her way

I love myself some Gwenyth Paltrow. My favourite Gwennie movies are definitely Great Expectations and Shakespeare in Love. And whether or not you're a lover, a hater or a GOOP reader, I'd like to just post some love for one of my fave actresses.

I have always admired this classy, gorgeous blonde woman and want to share some snippets from her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar US where she discussed Botox, marriage, family and fashion.

On marriage:

Not a day goes by when we don’t read about yet another celeb couple calling it quits. Gwyneth’s refreshing stance on her nuptials to Chris Martin show why they are still going eight years strong.

‘I think you do fall in and out of love and you just keep going, and every time you go through a really difficult phase, you rediscover something new and it just gets better. We’ve been married for more than eight years now, and we’re still into it.’

She is quoted crediting her father for offering practical marital advice and admires his 30-year marriage he had with her mother, Blythe Danner.


On Botox and diets:

With her gorgeous complexion and killer bod, you’d think that she was privy to a few cosmetic enhancements here and there, but it’s all down to eating things in moderation and her desire to age gracefully.

When she’s not detoxing, Gwenyth says she lets herself splurge now and again – she doesn’t have any strict rules that she adheres to.

‘I eat whatever I want. I like bread and cheese and wine, and that makes my life fun and enjoyable.’

And she definitely won’t be turning to synthetic injectables in her bid to keep her youthful looks.

‘I’ll take my wrinkles. I don’t like the Botox thing,’ she says.

 

On fashion:

Something she wants to pass on to her daughter Apple, is her fashion and style – she has kept some of her most cherished red carpet looks for her little girl.

‘I've been saving my clothes for her since before she was born,’ she says. 

'She likes anything that's pretty, pretty, pretty or has a bow or a ruffle or is pink.'

The March edition of Harper’s Bazaar comes out February 14.

Heed to the call to the post

Frocking up for the races is something I’ve always loved. The girls and I used to get together as a big group, all dolled up and spend the day down at the Turf Club, placing bets on horses with the coolest names or because their jockey was wearing our favourite colours.

I’m lucky enough now to be working for the same Turf Club and from a corporate perspective, there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes than meets the eye. 

I guess when you’re a casual race-goer you don’t have much to think about when attending a race day – your hot tip, what to wear, and the position of the closest TOTE or bar.

From what I have seen in my dealings gives me a whole different view to the runnings of a Turf Club – these clubs are the livelihood for so many people from the CEO, board of directors, owners, breeders and trainers down to the youngest of stable hands.

Not to mention the flow-on benefits a place like a local Turf Club can offer to the local community and its residents.

My parents-in-law have shared ownership in race horses for several years now and it was through them that I my intrigue about the industry grew.

Initially my love of horses and socialising were the two main factors that drew me to a race day event – swapping tips with girlfriends over a glass of bubbly and chatting about fascinators.

Now, I am inspired by the history and tales that I’ve heard and a new respect and understanding of the thoroughbred industry has more than cemented my passion for this fast-paced fusion of politics, sales, events, fashion and tourism that is all encapsulated into the one organisation.

With a major race day approaching in two days time and more than 15,000 people expected to make the trip to the local Turf Club, I will keep in mind that it’s not just about the frills, spills and Gee-Gees – but that race day events are an essential part of the welfare of the thoroughbred industry, from grassroots weekend meetings through to the prestigious Melbourne Cup.

If it not for the good men and women who devote their lives to the horses and the clubs and their members who patronise them, there would be no understanding of this incredible corporation.

Cheers to all things racing!

Nothing is worse than a BRIDEZILLA

As wedding season comes a knocking once again (referring to Spring time for the guys reading this) I am feeling kind of reflective.

We were married nearly a year ago (October 2) and our first year of marriage has really flown by. Soon, some close friends and even some family members will tie the knot and being involved in their preparations has also reminded me of the not-so-fun parts of organising the big day.

At the end of the day, I found I was getting frustrated by really minor things that at the time, seemed major.  

I know mothers and soon-to-be mothers-in-law and some over-bearing friends can get a bit hassling – but they are allowed to be (to a point!) as they are only trying to help because they love you!

What is important to remember is that you have to consider others in your plans (suprising to some of you!) so keep this in mind.  

I know people say ‘it’s OUR day’ and get all caught up in what they want and have this crazy tunnel vision that just focuses on them (lets not kid ourselves – it’s usually the bride referring to herself here and being totally selfish/unreasonable!) and I guess this happens with every wedding because the bride is telling herself it’s all about ME, wait… US!  

A wedding day is special because it brings together people that have been part of yours and your fiancée’s life – so just breathe and let other people offer you some help, even if you insist on not taking it. There is no need to cause fights just before your special day because someone has requested something and you have to change plans slightly!

If things don’t go to plan on the day guaranteed as the bride, you will be the only one who notices it. Everyone else is looking at you and your new husband and I can tell you they are just happy to be part of the celebrations.

If you get feedback afterwards that one of your guests has been rude and complained about food, the father-of-the-bride’s speech and even criticised your dress… well, that’s when you have cause to get angry!

This is spoken from a bride who has been there and (unfortunately) experienced some of these things (including the horrible things mentioned in the above paragraph!).  

So, my advice is this – YES IT’S YOUR WEDDING SO STOP COMPLAINING – organise it and be thankful that you have a wonderful fiancée that wants to marry you and that you have friends and family who want to celebrate with you!

Stop whining about minor things because at the end of the day, it should be the happiest day of your life for you and your new husband.

No one wants to hear your crap anymore because there is nothing worse than a Bridezilla!

DIY disasters makes for good TV

Would you pay $250 each for a few pillows?

Maybe it’s more apparent to me because we are building a house at the moment, but everywhere I turn, there seems to be a new renovating or building show popping up on TV.

At the moment there is The Block, The Renovators and Top Design all featuring on free-to-air channels (not including all the home and design-based shows on Foxtel) which is more than enough to choose from to get your renovating fix if you so desire.

It is also apparent to me that these shows are about 50/50 when it comes to the balance between actual building and renovating and drama and contestant diatribe. I must say I am sick to death of hearing Jenna and Josh from The Block b*tch, moan and scream at each other and, frustratingly, see them do so well with their rooms each week (I’d much rather Polly and Waz do better because they are the cutesy/fun couple that even though produce rooms that are lack lustre, you still want them to win).

Josh and Jenna from The Block - constantly bickering and questioning each other, despite winning the most amount of room reveals.

I’d rather watch a show that is just about the renovating – I’m more interesting in seeing designs, hear them talking about the latest trends in furnishings and learn more about tiling techniques.

Instead it seems that these shows are all about the personal perils of each couple or group that are competing and how they can’t figure out how to cut plaster board, they are whinging because they haven’t had their hair or nails done in a month and they are upset because they don’t have enough money to pay their chippy this week because they blew their budget buying two pillows woth $500 that would be the ‘hero’ of the room…

I get that this is why people want to tune in but for me it’s about the end result – I just want to see the room and hear the professional judges’ opinions.

And that's another thing - these contestants who have very little experience compared to the professional building teams they are working with, think they know everything!

I have had feedback from people saying that they can’t stand many of the contestants on these shows, so I say this – let’s bring back Blitz (another Scott Cam-hosted series) where it’s purely about helping a struggling family or couple get the garden and house of their dreams. People just get in and do the work, it’s all about the end result and they are actually giving something to people that deserve it.

It seems like this TV fad is here to stay (thanks to soaring ratings) but next time around, I’d love it if the producers could make it less about the rubbish going on between the personal relationships and more about what they promise viewers – renovating and building.

Meninga calls for poisoning of league's rats

Below is the opinion piece written by Queensland coach Mal Meninga published in the Sunday Mail after his team secured their sixth successful series win last Wednesday night.

I agree with Mal and find it sad that despite how well the Maroons play, that NSW players (and their coaching staff and fans alike) always fail to recognise the skill of their opposition and show humility in defeat.

The same goes for their fans (sorry!) who don't care for the standout performances of individuals on both sides - it's just about the win for them and blaming the refs for bad calls. It's so pathetic!

Queensland's triumph a victory over the dirty rats of Origin - By Mal Meninga

ON Friday morning, I celebrated my 51st birthday at breakfast with a couple of friends at the cafe atop the Kangaroo Point cliffs in Brisbane.   

As we ate, I took in the panoramic view of Brisbane's central business district beneath a clear winter sky and saw a city that reflected the Queensland State of Origin team.

Looking across the river to the gleaming buildings of the CBD, it was easy to forget that not so long ago this was a city with a broken heart.

Back in January, that same picturesque river did its best to bring Brisbane to its knees, delivering devastating floods that swamped parts of the city and that added to the agony of Queenslanders across the state in a summer of disaster.

But on Friday, I saw a city and a state that have emerged from their darkest hours to once again stand proud and successful.

In each building, standing defiantly over the very river that tried to drown them, I saw the reflection of every player who has played for Queensland - especially the team this year in our toughest Origin campaign.

Like the city of Brisbane, the Queensland team have managed to restore their glory despite the almost irresistible surge of forces beyond their control, through the commitment and pride of their people.

Like the city, the team once again stands triumphant, their success hiding the filth and rats that continue to linger in the sewers and dark corners, and masking the scars left by the menace that tried to cut it down.

What the Maroons achieved on Wednesday night was about more than a sixth straight series win, or a fitting farewell for a champion in our captain Darren Lockyer.

It was a victory against the very rats and filth that tried to poison a monumental team with lies, personal attacks, arrogance and disrespect.

What the Queensland team has been able to achieve in the past six years has been truly remarkable, something never achieved before at State of Origin level.

The only other comparable era of success would be that enjoyed by the great St George team, which won 11 premierships between 1956 and 1966.

But although the tremendous achievements of the great Dragons team are quite rightly celebrated by the game, it frustrates me that the unequalled success of this Maroons team is not similarly embraced.

Like that St George team of years gone by, this Queensland team has transformed mere men into immortals, and footballers into young men their community can be proud of.

But rather than be a cause for celebration, the Queensland team this year found itself the victim of a smear campaign so malicious and orchestrated that it tainted the entire code of rugby league.

And it came from the enemy within the game itself.

They are the faceless men of influence who claim their agenda is to benefit the game. Really, their only agenda is to benefit themselves.

For them, what Queensland has achieved in the past six years is detrimental to the health of the game.
Rather than celebrating the positive, by marvelling at the skill and achievements of a very special rugby league team - as with St George - they focus on "destroying a dynasty".

Let me tell you this for a start: no one in the Queensland camp uses the word dynasty. Dynasties are about personal glory. We are not interested in dynasties, we are concerned with leaving a legacy.
Legacies are about leaving the game in a better position than it was before. That is our goal, our mantra.

Regardless, the powerbrokers in NSW set about trying to destroy the system, the very same system they themselves copied for their own benefit.

No matter that the television ratings were at a record high. No matter that all three games were sold out.

They are the ones who dragged the spotlight off the game on the field and on to the judiciary with the citing of Johnathan Thurston, and who found five weeks' worth of difference in the identical tackles of David Taylor and Akuila Uate.

They are the ones who criticise Queensland's two closed training sessions as a refusal to promote the game, yet give their blessing to the NSW decision not to name its team until an hour before kick-off - the first time in Origin history.

They are the ones who have the hide to label Queensland - a team built on the twin pillars of respect and humility - arrogant in victory and whingers in defeat, but offer nothing when their captain places the loss of the series at the feet of the referees, instead of acknowledging superior opponents.

For them, the self-appointed keepers of the game, rugby league's health depended on NSW winning this year. That is what made me and others targets of personal attacks this year, conceived by puppets and driven by smarter people with their own interests at heart.

When the attacks were directed at individuals, myself among them, my initial reaction was to treat it like water off a duck's back.

But it was only a day or so later that it dawned on me what the powerbrokers were trying to achieve.

Rather than trying to unsettle or stress the individuals, what they were trying to do was rot the systems we have put in place for success from the inside out by planting a seed of doubt in the minds of the players and staff. I was one they chose to attack in a sinister and malicious manoeuvre to remove me from my job. It was a disregard and disrespect of what I have worked so hard and so proudly to achieve in my career as a player, and now as a coach, by attacking my reputation, integrity, credibility and abilities, by branding me a dispensable commodity, an easily replaced cog in a machine they controlled.

My achievements were reduced to mere collateral damage, "for the good of the game", nothing more than a tactic from a desperate team trying to win a game of football.

What they were doing was attacking, and trying to destroy my employment in a job that I love.

During the first few days in camp, I asked Major General Mick Slater, the head of the Queensland Government's Flood Recovery Taskforce, to speak to the players. Mick is an impressive and genuine man, who personally saw the devastation caused around the state earlier this year, and comforted those left heartbroken when their world turned on them.

Mick talked to the players about Queenslanders dealing with hard times and overcoming adversity. He spoke about why winning means less than the effort you put in, and how you carry yourself; about being gracious in defeat and humble in success. The players hung on his every word.

The Queensland team didn't face a flood or a cyclone on Wednesday night, but in the week leading up to the game they faced the sinister elements of a game that should be sheltering them. It was personal. It was malicious, and it was disgraceful.

I know the people who were behind it. I know their personal agendas. Some of them I had considered friends. I know I will never forget what they did.

They are the rats who, rather than celebrating a remarkable football team, tried to drown it with a flood of lies, half-truths and propaganda.

I think if Mick Slater had sat with me at breakfast on Friday, and reflected on the fighting qualities of this state and its football team, he would have joined me in being a very proud man.

Change yourself, not others

I think that I am the kind of person who has a pretty open mind and generally speaking, I am pretty keen to try anything.

But I have an issue with people who look down upon you because you don’t share their beliefs or in their new found reason for living.

For instance, a friend who becomes a born-again Christian after making mistakes in life and then finding the church and the answers to all their problems. I am happy for you, but just because I don’t want to go on a church date with you doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends?!

Or the person who decides to give up alcohol forever and go to AA because they have seen the wrongs of their ways. They then lecture you about living soberly and how much better life is in general if you don’t drink. Hey buddy, I don’t have an alcohol problem – I respect you for getting help, but don’t judge me for not joining AA too!

Have you ever been in a situation like this? It’s really strange and I feel like it puts you in a position where your personal relationships with these people is changed and usually not for the better.  

Instead of people letting others ‘live and let live’ they want to push their new-found mantra on to people and then they react negatively if others don’t share in their enthusiasm. What sucks is that it is usually people that care about them that are the ones that get hurt.

It’s like a catch 22 – you are happy that your friend or loved one has found some clarity in life but you feel bad when you have to tell them that you don’t share that particular passion for whatever it is they are trying to achieve in life. It is your life after all, not theirs – why should you feel bad? I know it’s about preservation of a personal relationship but it’s almost like you have to approach situations like this in the most delicate of ways.

Like explaining to a child for the first time why their pet goldfish is bobbing motionless upside down in its water bowl.

Everyone is different after all and has their own opinions and beliefs. I am happy for friends and family that try new things and find themselves living better than they have their whole life. But please don’t be upset with me if your new commitment to something that means the world to you, doesn’t mean the world to me too.

What is worse when people become extremely arrogant and act like they are above everyone else given their new ‘worldly’ outlook and treat everyone else as though they are close-minded and ignorant.

A friend of mine who recently told a group of us that we were pretty much stupid for having mortgages and getting married after he pissed off overseas to quote “get rich and become a CEO” sheepishly emailed us with his tail between his legs and apologised for his cutting remarks. Just because we don’t all want to be big-shot business executives doesn’t mean we are lesser human beings.

I guess that I just want to say to all my friends and family members that I’ll still love you even if you do become obsessed with some weird cult or believe that we should all be embracing public nudity or even if you think the national anthem should be replaced with Beyonce’s Single Ladies. Just don't expect me to embrace it whole-heartedly.