For all you vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians and #meatlessmonday’ers, this one’s for you!

You know when you're invited to a barbecue and everyone's eating their pulled-pork burgers or shredded chicken burgers and you're left with a sad, soggy mushroom burger (been there, done that)? It can sometimes feel a little isolating and tastes a lot like you should've eaten before you came.

Well, not anymore! 

Upton's Naturals has created THE ultimate replacement for your sad mushroom burger. Guess what it’s made of?

Jackfruit!

Yes, you read that right – your newest burger is made of fruit. Confused? Do read on...

Jackfruit, native to Southeast Asia, makes for the perfect meat substitute. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. I guess you could say it’s the jack of all fruits! 

Upton Naturals takes the green young  jackfruit plucked from the tree and does all the dirty (or in this case, very clean) work for us! They prepare, season and package the jackfruit so it’s ready to serve.

Unlike many alternative meat products, Upton Naturals Jackfruit is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, low GI, gluten-free, oil-free and soy-free.  It’s completely natural, vegan, cruelty-free and guilt-free!

Now for the most important part – how does it taste?

Upton’s Naturals Jackfruit comes in six different flavours!

The Original is completely unseasoned so you’re free to make it your own. I like shredding it up and pan-frying it in my favourite seasonings.

If you’re looking for something a little more tangy, the Bar-B-Que Jackfruit may be your perfect fit! I also love the Chilli Lime Carnitas for a bit of a kick. Sriracha Jackfruit makes for a great wings alternative or chilli-swap for your Mexican feast. If you're a lover of all things smoky, Sweet and Smoky may be your new favourite. There’s even a Thai curry flavour; that’s sure to give your meat-loving friends a run for their money!

Upton's Naturals Jackfruit is also extremely versatile – you can try your hands at fresh rice paper rolls, jackfruit stir fries or even a Thai curry burger. Adios sad mushroom burger! 

If you want to read more about Upton's Naturals and their legendary Jackfruit, be sure to check out their website here! It's got lots of tasty recipes. 

Some people can't wake up without their latte fix, others are addicted to their bulletproof coffee and I, well, I swear by my Prana chai.

For any real chai lovers out there, you’ll agree with me when I say a good cup of chai is more than just a good cup of chai. Chai warms you up from the inside out and feels like a million gentle hugs, cuddling your insides. If home had a taste, it would be chai. My ultimate motivator for finishing my morning walk is a daily cup of home-made chai and it helps me reach the finishing line every morning 

I’m not sure if it’s because of my Indian roots or if it’s because I like to add some spice to my life but if you can't already tell... I’m a little bit obsessed with chai.

So, I can say honestly, as a qualified chai enthusiast, there’s nothing worse than ordering a chai at a café and spying a teabag (#anglo-Indian girl problems) or even worse, the instant powder (just a whole bunch of sugar and additives), scooped out of a tub to serve.

Nothing can quite compare to the silky-smooth texture and aromatic delightful taste of a home-made chai.  

Prana Chai is made with that in mind. It's hand-made each day in Melbourne with only the best natural spices, mixes and of course, love by the owners, Vincent Conti and Mario Minichilli. After travelling across the globe, they, like myself and many others, fell in love with chai. Upon returning home, they worked on developing a chai blend inspired by their travels and love affair with India. This is when they met Koray Gencel and I guess you could say, the rest is chai-story!

I try to be humble with everything I do, but there’s one thing I’m certainly not humble about; I make a very good chai, one of the tastiest in the world. I’ve achieved the equal blend of froth with spice and I just couldn't make chai the way I do without my favourite Prana Chai.

So, what is Prana Chai? The word Prana, originating from Ayurvedic medicine, links to the idea of life-giving force or vital force, which is why it's the perfect name for this chai range. Prana Chai is an honest product with nothing artificial; only love, tea and whole spices.

Masala Chai, which is my favourite of Prana’s range, originates from Ayurveda, the traditional healing medicine system of India. It's a beautiful mix of black tea, aromatic Indian spices and milk. 

If you'd like to get your hands on some chai, be sure to go to Prana Chai's beautiful website here or check them out on instagram here.

If you’ve never made chai before, you need to chai it out! It’s so simple to make and will boost your senses!

Just follow these instructions down below:

1. Place two or three heaped teaspoons of Prana Chai into a pot
2. Fill with one cup of your favourite milk (or I do half water half milk)
3. Heat over the stovetop until it’s been brought to the boil.  Turn off and let steep for five minutes.
4. Strain and pour into your favourite tea cup
5. Relax and let that chai take over your whole body!

A common theme around wellness is that we are what we eat.

If this really were the case, I’d be a kale omelette with salmon and avocado... which I’m perfectly okay with!

But this had me thinking; how does this philosophy apply to the skin we are in?

If we feed our skin with a bunch of chemicals, pesticides, synthetic colours and fragrances – what’s our poor skin going to look like in the long run?!

I don’t know about you but I’d rather my skin look fresh and vibrant like a punnet of berries than a chemically-operated science laboratory.

There's no denying that we all feel our best when we consume healthy food, so when it comes to our skin, the same rules apply. 

ACURE Organics is a product range that’s pure and driven to provide you with the best and most organic experience possible. The brand is loved globally and is the #5 natural skin care brand in the US.

Unlike many organic brands, ACURE Organics has an incredibly diverse range of high-quality skin, hair and baby products that are gentle on the body and won’t break the bank.

All of their products are free from gluten, mineral oils, parabens, sulphates, harmful preservatives and artificial colours. However, ACURE Organics is so much more than what they exclude in their products – it’s about what they put in. Their products are made from pure essential oils and plant-based natural ingredients. This means they’re high in antioxidants to protect our skin from damage and ageing *insert collective cheer here*!

ACURE Organics uses powerfully potent nutrients that are good enough to eat. They've created a Certified Organic Curoxidant Blend as the foundation for each product, and it's food based and features acai, pomegranate, blackberry, rosehip and rooibos – I'm getting hungry just thinking about it…

They're also leading the way with plant-stem technology, figuring out how to isolate and amplify a plant’s benefits up to one thousand times their natural bioavailability. This is revolutionary in the tech world!

All of their products are pH balanced to match our skin’s natural acidity, helping to prevent damage. Everything is toxin-free and not tested on animals. One of the other things I love about ACURE Organics is that they're a sustainable brand that uses green packaging, recycled materials and biodegradable ingredients and packaging where possible.

By buying ACURE Organics, you're not only helping save the planet, you're also supporting charity. With every purchase, you're also supporting two wonderful charities – Unite for Her (a non-profit breast cancer support organisation) and Turning Green (a student-led sustainable movement).

Their new on-the-go product line makes beautiful travelling that much easier. The ACURE Organic’s travel pack combines a mini 30g size of their hydrating shampoo and conditioner, brightening facial scrub and day cream. The travel pack's a great idea if you’re scared of committing to big bottles and want to test it out for yourself first! They're so easy to pop into your toiletry bag and travel with.

They’ve also created biodegradable towelettes which are vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free and cruelty-free. These towelettes contain glycolic and zinc to clear the skin of dirt, grime and oil. You can choose your destination when it comes to their smell - either clean your face and body with Fragrance Free or, my favourite, Coconut + Argan Oil (because who doesn’t want to smell like a tropical island?).

ACURE Organics  offers high-quality, and effective organic products for low prices. Could you ask for anything more for the health of your skin?

I'm not sure about you, but I don’t love the idea of a fruit juice cleanse. After day one, I often feel deprived, lethargic, cold from all the juices and a little bit moody!

I'm a big believer in eating with the seasons so sitting by the fire-place and shivering whilst sipping on a pineapple juice for my 'health'. It just doesn't make sense to me! 

That's why I was thrilled when I found out about Mr Perkins' new Wellness Cleanse.

Mr Perkins, the latest health hub in Bondi Beach has a philosophy that I really love and try to live by myself – ‘cooked slow, served fast’. They turn the idea of 'fast food' on it's head with that one! Everything they serve is made in-house daily with locally sourced and fresh ingredients. Think hearty soups in winter and delicious smoothies and beautiful salads in summer. 

They've just released their official cleanse which is completely plant based, rich in fibre and designed to help heal and promote wellness. The cleanse is designed by Mr Perkins’ resident nutritionist, Jessica Rutledge, from the Greenery Clinic. 

Unlike many juice cleanses on the markets, Mr Perkins Wellness Cleanse acknowledges the seasonal changes and knows we don’t want to be drinking juice for dinner all winter long! It includes juices, smoothies, soups and broths to keep us satisfied whilst promoting detoxification. The body requires nourishment and warmth to maintain our wellbeing and this is what Mr Perkins does so well!

The cleanse allows us to step away from foods that are often inflammatory and, emphasises the goodness of vegetables, fruits and seeds.

If you’ve never done a cleanse before, don’t worry – it’s suitable for all levels. It works for people who’ve never touched a detox in their life to the juicing ninjas among us.

You can experience either a one-day, two-day or three-day cleanse depending on you.

Not yet convinced?

I’m giving you a sneak-peek into their delicious menu below!

Start the day off with a green smoothie, filled with avocado, banana, coconut milk, spinach and spirulina. This smoothie is energising and just delicious!

For lunch, you can enjoy a mineral-rich Shiitake broth filled to the brim with vegetables.

Need a pick-me-up? The Strawberry Gazpacho aids detoxification and is bursting with fresh flavours. It’s the perfect afternoon treat.

Now for dinner: their Green Soup with broccoli, leek, coconut milk and cumin is a real winner!

I love the Berry Chai Parfait for dessert. It’s a wholesome way to end the day, helps promote detoxification and is full of antioxidants and healthy fats to keep us going.

For more information, visit their website here or you can check them out on Facebook and Instagram @mrperkinsbondi 

In my life, I like to embrace nature in everything whenever and wherever possible. I enjoy my food clean and from the earth and I like the people I surround myself with to be real and honest. There’s no reason why I would want the beauty products I use be to be any different.

Unfortunately, many products that label themselves as natural are not as ‘natural’, ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘organic’ as they want you to believe.

As there is no governing standard in Australia that brands have to meet to call themselves natural, brands can do two things without breaching Consumer Laws. Firstly, companies can use words such as ‘naturally inspired’ to lead consumers into thinking that their products are natural when that is not the case.

They can also use words, like ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘botanical’ so that the consumer believes they are natural, when in fact they’re not. They can also include ingredients in products that aren’t truly natural – in a ‘fake natural’ product, it’s often you might see a natural oil listed next to a mineral oil.

This lack of governing standard means there’s lots of confusion amongst those seeking out truly natural products, and an even greater need to be vigilant to know what phrases and ingredients to look out for and which ones to avoid.

It’s unclear if this level of regulation is likely to change in the future, however if people continue to voice their concerns about misleading labels then hopefully we can see some change.

Often, companies will mask unnatural products by throwing them next to a natural one in the label so it can get really confusing when searching for truly natural skincare. It’s my mission to encourage and provide you with information about how to read a label and understand what is best to avoid so that you can be on your way to becoming a naturally glowing version of yourself.

Natural, to me, means both the product’s activities and its formulations are plant-derived ingredients. I define fake naturals as products that call themselves natural but aren’t truly natural. Products that contain fake naturals can cause serious skin issues such as allergic reactions, dermatitis, skin sensitivities and blocked pores.

While these may not seem so serious to the average person, what we put into our skin is absorbed into the blood and then the rest of our body! There’s never been a more important time to take care of your skin and be aware of what you’re applying onto it.

Dental care is something that is sometimes overlooked but should't be!  Your mouth is the main gateway between the environment and your body. Taking good care of your pearly whites takes much more than bi-annual dental visits. To avoid bad breath, gum disease and to maintain overall good oral hygiene, you need to be taking care of your teeth daily and the best way to do it is naturally.  

So, how do you go about keeping your teeth looking like a scene out of Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts does a hair flick to reveal a flash of her mega-watt smile; revealing a super white and sparkling grin?

Here are some suggestions for natural dental products that’ll help to get your smile camera-ready and perfect for dazzling friends, family and total strangers…

drTung’s Toothbrush will completely transform the way you think about oral hygiene. While regular toothbrushes clean off some plaque, they often leave a build-up of bacteria in certain areas which can lead to gum disease, cavities and yellow teeth! DrTung’s Ionic toothbrush, brushes away plaque molecules, leaving your teeth clean, your breath fresh and smile sparkling.

drTung’s Floss is a gentle floss that’s clinically proven to remove up to 55% more plaque for a superior clean. It is extremely easy to use, soft on your fingers (so no more finger lines!) and has a delicious natural cardamom flavour, one of my favourite perfumed spices. The floss is made of natural plant and bees wax coating, the container is made with EcoPure and the product isn’t tested on animals, so you can keep both your teeth and the planet super clean!

drTung’s Tongue Cleaner. Why not scrub your mouth clean with this easy yet effective tongue cleaner? It glides on your tongue and removes harmful bacteria, even getting all those hard to reach places! drTung’s Tongue Cleaner is the top choice of dentists and health experts and I certainly can see why. In fact, it’s 5x more effective than tongue cleaning with a normal toothbrush! Tongue cleaning has been talked about in Ayurvedic practices and is said to remove ama (or toxins/bacteria) that accumulate. From an Ayurvedic perspective the removal of ama enables you to enjoy and taste your food even more. Cheers to that!

drTung’s Oil Pulling Solution. In ancient Ayurvedic texts, oil pulling is recommended as part of a daily routine to strengthen teeth and naturally draw toxins out of the body, improving both oral and overall health! I use it daily and love it. It’s a recycled, cruelty-free product made of over twenty-four botanical ingredients, including sesame oil, to detoxify your body, prevent stained teeth and maintain overall balance. Read more about drTungs here.

My Magic Mud Whitening Tooth Powder is a revolutionary product that whitens teeth and improves oral hygiene, leaving teeth clean and polished. This powder is completely natural, made of only activated charcoal and clay, so it’s flavourless and perfect to clean the teeth of all ages. It does get a bit messy to handle so I would recommend using it in the shower. You can find out more about it here.

The daily ritual of cleansing and nourishing my skin is such a special part of my day, and an important part of any self-care ritual.

Having travelled to India as inspiration for my Ayurvedic cookbook Eat Right for Your Shape, I found it so exciting when I stumbled across this beautiful Ayurvedic line of skin-care products. What is even more exciting is that it completely compliments my lifestyle and philosophies. 

The Chopra Center's PryaDerm System products are all natural and formulated with rejuvenating Ayurvedic herbs specifically selected for their successful ageing benefits.

Using the right skincare is imperative as you age because much like our digestive system, our skin absorbs every single bit of product that we smooth on top of it, and it heads directly into our bloodstream.

That's why I much prefer to indulge in skincare derived from a natural source. When we use skin care products with highly unnatural chemicals, our body has to absorb and process them. It makes sense that if we use natural products like these, our bodies find it much easier to assimilate and utilise the Ayurvedic herbs to build beautiful new skin cells and to moisturise, smooth and revitalise the skin. 

In Sanskrit, Prya means beloved while Derm derives from the Greek root for skin. This beloved skin care range contains a cleanser, facial mist, day lotion, night cream and hand salve and they smell absolutely heavenly.

The Rejuvenating Cleansing Mousse is light and airy and contains organic aloe, lavender and alma it glides over the skin and is effortless to wash off leaving your skin feeling fresh and cleansed. 

Use the Facial Mist next to tone and hydrate. It includes soothing organic aloe, fragrant lavender and salvia (not saliva which I read twice thinking SALIVA??? Whose saliva??. 

The Skin Brightening Day Lotion is used in the morning and contains saffron, a wonderful medicinal spice which has been used since ancient times to brighten and purify the skin. I also use it in my recipes one of my favourites being my gorgeous pumpkin and Saffron Soup. 

At night, the Rejuvenating Night Creme is wonderful for restoring your skin as you sleep.  It features Ayurvedic herbs such as Amla, Haritake and Turmeric that promote rejuvenation and regeneration.  

The Hand Salve is the final product in the system and it it wonderful on the skin.  I use this daily and I find it nourishes and protects my hands and after applying they feel richly moisturised but not sticky.  The salve blends into the skin really well.  This is a great product for the hands which often show the first signs of ageing when forgotten about. 

Fortunately, The Chopra Center is giving away a full Pryaderm System and you can enter here. The giveaway will end May 15th 11:59pm PDT.

If you want to get your hands on this beautiful skincare range now, or purchase any other goodies from The Chopra Center, they have kindly offered all members of the Supercharged community, 10% off items in the Chopra Center Store plus free shipping. This offer will expire May 15th 11:59pm PDT. All you need to do is use the coupon code Supercharged10 at the checkout.

Siberian Cedar Nut Oil is a beautiful oil made from Cedar Trees that can be used unheated in and on food as a dressing or also as a beautiful medicinal body oil.

Through the process of oil extraction, the nuts produced by the majestic cedar trees are crushed in-between pieces of wood, ensuring the oil has no contact with metal and keeps it’s formidable properties, this process is also known as crushing, 

A truly traditional technique, oil extraction is still done by hand with all natural tools to enhance the wonderful density and flavour of the oil.

Being a precious natural source of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, this wonderfully luscious oil is unique to the market and a great new addition to your kitchen or daily beauty routine.   

Studies have shown that Siberian Cedar Nut Oil can not only help you maintain a healthy weight when consumed, but can also soothe symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), heartburn and gastritis, promote the growth of healthy bacteria in our gut, as well as leave your skin beautifully glowing.  

This medicinal oil is a good choice of oils for dressings, as it has a wonderful woody and soft flavour yet is rich in minerals.

The oil assists the digestive process and helps to heal ulcerations or damage caused to the digestive tract.  It is also reported to stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria so it's a great food to add to your gut healing tool kit.

You can create a golden supercharged dressing just by combining it with lemon and garlic and pouring it over your favourite salad, it pairs particularly well with a fresh garden salad. 

Or why not add it to your baking for a distinct and aromatic nutty aroma?

Working wonders as an oil for your skin, Siberian Cedar Nut Oil enriches the skin leaving it soft and nourished.  The vitamin E content of Siberian cedar nut oil exceeds that of olive oil by five times and coconut oil by three times.

I believe that whatever you’re willing to put in your body, you should be able to put onto it as well and therefore it’s essential to consider naturally produced products bursting with natural properties such as Siberian Cedar Nut Oil which beautifully compliments this mantra and can sit happily in your pantry as well as your beauty box. 

Click here to enrich your life with this healing oil. 

Being a Yoga instructor and a real believer in practicing yoga to improve health, yoga mats are a beloved tool of mine and one I like to use frequently in my weekly yoga teaching.

Cork Leaf Yoga mats are a new breed of mats and made from all natural resources; cork-backed with natural tree rubber and are 100% biodegradable. Eco, self-cleaning, biodegradable, non-slip, and natural, they are all the things you want a yoga mat to be; soft yet supportive and offering a whole host of wonderful attributes. 

The beautiful eco-friendly mat is made entirely from 100% natural cork, and constructed from natural Cork tree means that Cork Leaf mats naturally disinfect. Cork kills all bacteria growing on it, as well as mold, leaving your yoga mat smelling sweet and fragrant after every session of yoga.

Being a member of Carbon Neutral Plant-A-Tree Initiative shows how dedicated and committed Cork Leaf are to giving back and being as environmentally sustainable as possible.

This is a real bonus for me, as I love using equipment that is naturally sourced and working with manufacturers who are doing their bit with our precious planet preservation in mind.  

Although you may be sceptical about the comfort of a cork mat, as soon as you step on the mat, you can feel the slightly spongy support beneath your toes.

Boasting a robust organic build with heavenly comfort, you can feel that this yoga mat is meant to last and will. 

Step forth with the knowledge that you’re helping mother earth whilst you practice and that CORK LEAF is an initiative to help minimise the negative ecological impact of yoga in Australia.

Cork Leaf mats are a great go-to mat to cover all of your natural bases. 

Click here to find out more about a new way of moving. 

Buying the right protein powder can be extremely confusing, especially when you’re looking for one that’s full of protein, easy on the digestive system and contains no hidden nasties!

One brand, Sunwarrior, has introduced a protein powder called Classic Plus that is not only tasty, but a great way to hit your nutritional jackpot each day.

The Classic Plus organic plant-based protein powder is completely raw, organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, hypoallergenic and Non-GMO. This powder is perfect for anyone needing a protein boost; regardless of the diet they’re following.  It’s nutritious and packed full of vitamins and minerals without lacking on the taste factor which is a big plus when it comes to supercharging your morning smoothie.

Protein powders can be extremely tough on the digestive system and gut however, Sunwarrior have created a formula that is easily absorbed and digested, and even has the bonus of increasing absorption of vitamins and minerals. If you want to rebalance your body’s alkalinity and improve your overall wellbeing with just a scoop of powder, then Sun Warrior is your answer.

 The Sunwarrior Classic Protein uses raw sprouted brown rice to create a hypoallergenic protein powder that contains all the essential and non-essential amino acids. This beautiful protein powder is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and has a silky-smooth texture that’s often difficult to find in vegetable-based protein powders. 

The powder is composed of brown rice protein which is gentle on the digestive system, making it gut-friendly and Lee Supercharged approved! It’s also rich in lysine, an amino acid that’s often missing in action among the many plant-based protein choices in the market.

One of the powders in the Sun Warrior range is Classic Protein which can assist in weight loss, helping to boost energy and balance cholesterol levels. The powder is one of the best vegan protein powders on the market, as it’s naturally rich in vitamins and minerals and is super easy to digest, making it suitable for any lifestyle.   Pop a scoop into your morning smoothie or use in an afternoon raw treat!

The Classic Plus variety builds on the original brown-rice protein and has the additional PLUS of pea protein, chia seeds, quinoa and amaranth. This super combination is plant-based and powerful, so perfect for an extra protein hit.  Pea protein is low in calories and extremely nutrient-dense, making it a remarkable plant-based protein. Pea protein is also great for supporting a healthy heart and regulating blood sugar levels.

Another key ingredient in this mix is quinoa. Everybody loves the protein-rich, high-fibre and calcium-packed superfood seed (yes, seed!) quinoa! It stimulates the immune system and is full of iron, magnesium and other trace minerals.

The next pocket-rocket addition is small in stature but huge in benefits; Chia seeds, are included in this protein blend. Not only are they high in omega fatty acids, protein and minerals, they’re also rich in soluble and insoluble fibre so they can have a prebiotic effect within the body.

The final nutrient included in this power protein powder is amaranth, which is sustainable, delicious and nutritious. Unlike many vegetable-proteins, amaranth is high in bioavailable protein and even contains all the essential amino acids.

Find out more about Sunwarrior Classic plus organic plant-based protein powders here. http://www.sunwarrior.com.au 

Ayurnas – Ayurvedic Cold and Allergy Remedy


Throughout the seasons, cold and flu symptoms and environmental allergies can surface, and really knock you for six.

In wintertime, colds and flu can be at their worst and in springtime, many people can suffer from seasonal allergies.

Some of the first signs of a seasonal allergy are runny nose, red eyes, congestion, sneezing, bronchial irritation and itchy skin. This allergic reaction is generally due to an inflammatory response within the body, so it’s important to have a low irritant lifestyle and consume a diet which is low in inflammatory foods and that means cutting down on sugar-filled and processed foods, pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables, caffeine, unhealthy fats and alcohol.

If allergies have gotten you down and you want to relieve them naturally, The Chopra Centre offers a range of supporting natural oils and treatments to help abate the symptoms of colds and flus and allergies. Ayurnas is a tri-doshic oil treatment that is used at The Chopra Center to help relieve cold and allergy symptoms such as congestion, dryness, and post-nasal drip as well as stress related symptoms such as headaches and muscle tension.

It’s created with a customised-blend using ingredients such as organic safflower oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, infused with the natural aromas of eucalyptus, rose, sandalwood, peppermint, lavender, and basil to help to open nasal passages and clear the head.

To use Ayurnas oil, all you need to do is simply place a few drops of the oil on your baby finger and apply it inside your nostril. Then gently breathe in through your nose and repeat on the other side.

This can be repeated four to six times per day.

Biochavan – Ayurvedic Rejuvenating Antioxidant Herbal Jam


If you’re looking for a healthy way to start the day, why not try a spoonful of nutritive jam spread onto gluten free toast? This is a special kind of jam though, and one which is not loaded with sugar or preservatives and it’s full of rejuvenating and life enhancing qualities. In fact it has long been referred to as The Elixir of Life.

Often referred to as chyawanprash, Biochavan is a valuable herbal dietary supplement which is popular in Ayurvedic nutrition. The Chopra Centre Herbal Jam contains amalaki, a Sanskrit term for the Indian gooseberry or amla. It’s a greenish-yellow fruit which possesses innumerable health benefits and is used by Ayurvedic practitioners as a wonder herb to treat health ailments as it does not present any unwanted or harmful effects.

Amalaki, the primary ingredient of the herbal jam is a rich natural source of vitamin C and contains bioflavonoids, flavones, polyphenols and carotenoids. It’s a powerful antioxidant for the body and boasts the ability to cleanse and detox, improve your digestive functioning, and increase your immunity.

The Chopra Centre Herbal Jam has a sweet and pungent taste and it is blended forty-one rejuvenating herbs, notably Ashwagandha and Shatavari, both traditional Ayurvedic healing herbs.

It’s recommended to take one teaspoon a day, and you can either spread it onto crackers or gluten free toast, eat it directly from the spoon or dissolve it in warm water or milk of choice.

Vedamune® – Ayurvedic Herbal Immuno-Support


According to the philosophies and principles of Ayurveda, your immune system and natural resistance to germs and disease is directly related to the state of your health and wellness. Being free of disease means that your doshas are in balance, your five senses are working properly and your digestive fire or agni is balanced, resulting in the appropriate functioning of cleansing systems in your body. Once this happens, and when the mind, body, and spirit are in harmony then a person is not susceptible disease.  

Vedamune® is a Chopra Centre immune boosting supplement which contains powerful Ayurvedic herbs such as ashwagandha, guduchi and amalaki, each with their own rejuvenating properties. If you, like many people suffer from a busy lifestyle or low functioning immune system, this completely natural herbal supplement can help to promote wellness, strengthen your immune system and support your body’s natural defences. For many people stress can be a damaging force to your immune system and can result in health issues arising.

If you sense your immune system is not functioning as well as it should, as a result of stress, fatigue, or exposure to germs or viruses, it is recommended that you take Vedamune® twice daily for up to 7 days to naturally boost your defences and improve your digestive fire.

Barberyn Reef, a luxury resort set amidst a luscious and picture perfect island landscape has one major goal and that is to improve the health of its guests through authentic and traditional Ayurvedic practices.

Ayurveda, an ancient healing system, originating in India, takes
 a holistic approach to feeling well and living in harmony with yourself and your surroundings. Think of it as a union of the mind, body, senses and soul with three main objectives: to prevent disease, to encourage wellbeing and to promote longevity.

Conscious Cuisine

Through nutrition, yoga and meditation, it focuses on treating the individual as a whole rather than a specific issue or disease, so that you can achieve balance and good health, not only in your physical body, but also in your mind and spirit.

Barberyn is a wonderful facilitator for the Ayurvedic way of life and an antidote to the fast paced world that many of us find ourselves living in. The sprawling resort, nestled quietly on the south east coast of Sri Lanka in Beruwala, is a purpose built “sanctuary for the soul” and a place where you can rejuvenate your mind body and spirit with undivided attention and without personal effort or trying. The only ‘doing’ required by you is to close your eyes and gently surrender to it’s all natural nurturing ways.

 Pom Pom Flowers 

At Barberyn Reef, four of the essential Ayurvedic healing philosophies are applied very simply and traditionally, giving you the opportunity to slow down and enjoy each enriching experience as a simple pleasure.

Simple, Traditional Decor

You’ll relish in the most wonderfully homegrown and delicious nourishing cuisine, tailor made to suit your unique dosha, you’ll engage in individualized cleansing and detoxification processes to purify the body, and enjoy warm oil massages administered by Ayurvedic nurses which not only melt away your tension but more deeply, eliminate energetic blockages in the body.

One of the more physical aspects to Barberyn are the healing yoga and meditation classes to help you to slip into a feeling of serenity and emerge with an insightful and multi-layered physical and emotional personal transformation.

Everything you experience at Barberyn, from the pulverised dahl body scrub to the healing herbal bath is delivered in the most traditional sense, allowing you to access your innate inner wisdom and feel very much in tune with yourself and your surroundings. It is in that moment when true transformation occurs. 

Floating Blossoms 

One of my biggest discoveries was that there is a big difference between feeling refreshed and energized after experiencing a spa resort, compared to the treatment and nurturing that Barberyn is dedicated to offering every single one of its guests.  I hadn’t experienced anything on this level of genuine authenticity and for me Barberyn symbolises a profound and life changing environment and a place where true healing can be experienced on a number of different levels. The focus is not on pampering but more on therapeutic health results.

Ayurvedic Nurses in Uniform

Another impactful unearthing was being immersed in a structured and fully equipped Ayurvedic hospital which gave me a better insight and understanding of the workings of each practice on a variety of people with different conditions. I discovered these first hand and by talking to other guests.

The Herbal Pharmacy at Barberyn

An interesting eye-opening surprise from Barberyn was that I came away more comfortable in the knowledge that fifty percent of true health and healing comes from within and the remainder can be delivered in whatever form works within your own philosophies. Whether it is western medicine or alternative practices, it doesn’t matter. I believe personally that what has had the most impact on my health at a fundamental level is Ayurveda and so the whole experience completely resonated with me.

Natural Medicines

When you arrive at Barberyn, you’re given an in-depth consultation by an Ayurvedic doctor who remains your doctor for the duration of your stay. Your pulse will be checked and blood pressure monitored, your tongue will be inspected and a medical history taken and from there you’re placed onto a specific treatment plan to help you achieve balance and healing. You’re given herbal medications in the form of decoctions, potions, pills and powders concocted from the onsite herbal gardens and a list of treatments and your treatment times.

A typical day consists of a two-hour yoga class at 6am followed by a spectacular nutritious breakfast by the water, with Ayurvedic doctors milling around to help you with your food choices and further information sits beside each dish; a description of its Ayurvedic balancing attributes.

A Personally Aligned Ayurvedic Breakfast

Then it’s off to the treatment centre where you'll indulge in warm oil massages delivered by two skilful and nimble-fingered practitioners guaranteed to send you off into a sleepy, groggy, zombie-like trance.  Afterwards, you're given a variety of treatments designed specifically for you, I had a rice milk and herb heated herbal compress which soothed my tired and knotted muscles.  You'll almost certainly be given an eye treatment which after the initial gooiness from the ghee will leave your eyes sparkling and fresh. 

Warm Oil Massages

You’re then whisked off to lie in an atmospheric herbal garden where you're wrapped in sticky oil and herbal patches which are gently and carefully applied to different areas of your body, with fresh herbal cleansers applied to your face and cucumbers to your eyes.  Once you're covered in oil and herbs, you're then draped with muslin to allow everything to absorb to it's full potential, and it's right here where you find yourself succumbing to thoroughly relaxing and drifting off to sleep with the sounds of the birds in the garden.  Whilst still a little drowsy, a nurse will direct you to an area where you're bathed in a therapeutic herbal bath reminiscent of childhood bathing, the warm water flowing over you from the earthenware cup.  You're then patted-dry and wrapped carefully in a clean treatment cloth.

By now your tummy is grumbling and you're about ready for a delicious lunch in the communal lunch room overlooking the water.

Vata Balancing Lunch

This is followed by a daily acupuncture session based on your condition and then a swim in the generous salt water pool or if you prefer to laze on one of the loungers by the ocean as it laps gently against the shore lulling you into a state of complete relaxation, the choice is entirely yours.

Salt Water Pool

By the way if you’re feeling thirsty between meals there's a cute juice bar where you can order cucumber juices or drink tea and talk to other guests.

Cucumber Juice

At 4pm you have the opportunity to inhale deeply at another yoga class, or find yourself with turmeric stained hands in a cooking class with a couple of the chefs from the kitchen. I chose the cooking class which was fun and we made four or five very simple yet delicious dishes that I will most certainly be recreating at home. I still can't stop thinking about the garlic and fenugreek curry. That dish was mouth watering.

Guys, you had me at Garlic Curry!

Along with the treatments and activities, you might like to get out and about and sign up for one of the complimentary excursions into town or boat trip to the nearby river where you can spot some of the native wildlife.

After seven enriching and relaxing days at Barberyn my soul was doing cartwheels on the beach and I felt energized and restored.

Ideally you should spend at least ten days to really experience its healing benefits. I can’t wait to go back next year.

To find out more about Barberyn Ayurvedic resort visit http://barberynresorts.com