Renée Interviewed by Georgie + Goodness

This month we are spoilt with inspiration! We have the incredible Renée Leonard-Stainton from ‘Renée Naturally’ on board. I was lucky enough to meet Renée way back when I returned from my nutrition studies in Canada. In order to finalise my nutrition qualifications I was required to do some intern work within a health store or company.
I landed the job at a thriving health and wellness clinic in Auckland city which Renee was managing at the time. She was a glowing, vibrant and inspiring lady who I immediately saw was ‘walking her talk’. Renée is now running a super successful blog and naturopathic consulting business, as well as being a mumma of one (almost two!).

Soak up the goodness within her words below...

Tell us your wellness mission in short:

To inspire people worldwide to live a healthy & eco-conscious life, without losing balance. I started www.reneenaturally.com as a place to share, learn, laugh, inspire and be inspired. It’s about being part of a community of kindred spirits that value health, energy, and growth without losing balance. Within this focus, we explore health, fitness, travel, fashion, beauty and environmental issues, while sharing original healthy recipes along the way. My naturopathic consultations offer a qualified one-on-one guide along the road to wellness, while my blog provides educated, fun and dynamic content for the community to digest and discuss. Renée Naturally aims to deliver health info without the medical jargon, green living minus the hippy fluff and style with substance.

What got you here?

A long journey with my own ill-health and a lot of hard work! Chronically ill from the age of 11 with a debilitating immune disorder, I was bedridden for many of my teenage years while being subject to endless medical tests and specialist visits. My eventual discovery of natural medicine saw me, in time, regain my full health and vitality. This life changing experience fuelled my desire to become a Naturopath and has seen me now help many others on their journey to wellness, naturally.

What gets you up every day?

The thought of seeing my darling son’s chubby little face so excited about a new day…and the idea of a delicious, nourishing breakfast to get me started! I’m lucky to love my job (both as a Mum and in the natural health world!) so getting up in the morning hardly feels a chore.

3 daily non-negotiable habits?

1. Tongue-scraping first thing upon rising
2. Cuddles
3. A nutrient-rich super food smoothie

How do you best keep grounded in times of stress?

My family, deep breathing, monthly acupuncture and cranial osteopathy sessions, yoga, nature hangouts and making my little boy laugh – his infectious giggle melts away stress in an instant.

Best way to step out of an unhealthy mind / body slump?

Going for a walk somewhere beautiful with nothing but your thoughts and possibly a notebook and pen to sort through those thoughts (no phone though…social media is one of the worst ideas when you’re in a bad headspace!). I also find that one look at headline news and I’m instantly snapped into an ‘I’m so grateful for my life and health’ mindset that can be the catalyst for a change in unhealthy behaviors or thoughts.

A snapshot of your morning ritual would look like…

-Tongue-scraping
-Cuddles
-Herbal Tea
-Breakfast ranges from smoothies, porridge, eggs, avocado on gluten-free toast to indulgent French toast with real maple syrup.
-Dry body brushing
-A shower using all-natural body products
(I try to do yoga 3 mornings a week too, but don’t beat myself up if this doesn’t always happen!)

What’s your number 1 tip for healthy globe trotting?

I swear by homeopathic ‘No-Jet-Lag’ pills.

The most inspiring or game-changing book you’ve read?

You can Heal Your Life, by Louise Hay – I’m a big believer in the power of positive thinking.

What’s your favourite….

Superfood? Cacao

Bed time asana/yoga move? Savasana…ahhhh

Time of Day? Sunrise… I don’t enjoy this energizing time on a daily basis (sleep is also a favourite ‘time of day’), but when I do, I love it and it sets me up in the clearest headspace for the rest of the day.

Smoothie or Juice? Smoothie

Happy music? Anything with good memories attached…

Your Ultimate Smoothie Goodness recipe is:

Peach & Oat Smoothie (For 2)

½ a frozen banana
2 ripe peaches
1/3c of freshly squeezed orange juice
1c of almond milk
1/4c of rolled oats
1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Blend and drizzle with maple syrup. Tastes like a peach crumble – yum!