Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve grown up with animals. We had dogs, birds, bunnies and I always wanted a turtle, but I couldn’t wrangle that one with mum and dad.

I do remember, however, always having a really special bond with all my dogs. Rex the Labrador, Gordon the Beagle, Silje the Pomeranian and now my best buddy; Archie the Cocker Spaniel.

The difference between my three dogs growing up and Archie is where they all came from and the life they lived prior to joining our family. In Denmark dogs roam on farms mostly and are bred in good conditions. I was shocked to arrive in Australia to discover that you can actually ‘shop’ for a dog in a window. It blows my mind that this isn’t labelled as animal cruelty. Imagine being taken away from your mum and placed in a glass-box for hundreds of people to poke and prod you everyday until someone pays the (overpriced) price-tag for you?

When I wanted to look into getting a dog, my good friend Hazal instantly encouraged me to ‘adopt not shop’. It was such a strange concept for me, because it’s so different to Denmark, but nonetheless I took her advice and started the search for my next best friend. 

A few months later, I got a call from the pound telling me that and 8-month old Cocker Spaniel called Archie had become available because his family didn’t want him any longer. As soon as I saw him, I fell in love with him and knew he was meant to be by my side.

Archie was pretty traumatised from his last family, especially around hand-movements which led the Pound-staff to believe that his previous family had tried to raise him by hitting him. He was an extremely anxious dog and had severe attachment-issues. I worked with a Dog Behaviourist for a few months to settle Archie into a new space and get comfortable with me. It was like he had to learn to walk again, but a different walk. It took a while, but Archie is the most gentle-hearted and good-natured boy. He spreads so much love and is happy all day long. I’m so extremely happy that I went the adoption-route, because those animals will always have a sincere appreciation and love for you from rescuing them from death which is the reality of many left dogs in Australia.

If you are looking to adopt, then I wanted to share with you the amazing work that PETstock is doing across Australia in terms of adoption and saving animals that would otherwise be put down.

PETstock’s own charity foundation, PETstock Assist’s mission is to make a long-term difference and positive change in the lives of pets and humans. They do this through a number of initiatives including programs that assist abused, abandoned and neglected pets through rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming.

PETstock stores partner with local rescue groups to foster and adopt out animals in need. They also run adoptions days throughout the year, of which over 19,000 rescue pets have been re-homed to date

ALL pets deserve a safe and loving home and many pets enter the rescue cycle through no fault of their own. Working with PETstock, we hope to educate people to reconsider any biases or unfair stereotypes you might have about rescue pets and potentially give them a loving forever home.

Here are some benefits of adopting a rescue animal:

• • You are making a sustainable choice by choosing a pet from an existing population of animals needing a home. By choosing to adopt, you are reducing the demand for puppies or kittens bred by backyard breeders. 2020 estimated data indicates over 100,000 pets are killed in pounds annually – saving a life, what could feel better!
  • They comemicrochipped and desexed already.
  • They are generally socialised and have already received some training.
  • You get to find out about their individual personality, temperament, health,  and any special needs they might have up front. 

If you are serious about adding a furry friend to your own life or the life of your family, then the PETstock Adoption Hub contains loads of useful info for those looking to adopt or who have recently adopted.

It also has a section where you can search for adoptable pets ready to find their forever home.

I cannot encourage you highly enough to please consider adopting instead of shopping for a ‘new’ dog. There are so many loving animals out there that never got a chance at life and are simply waiting for you to grant them just that. 

To find your next forever-love please head to PETstock’s Adoption Hub here. 

The post Why you should ADOPT and not SHOP for your next furry friend.​ appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

Yes, there is an initial time when we adopt a new dog into our home – whether they’re puppies or older – that we need to allow them time and space to settle into life and a new routine, however dogs should be able to fit into our lives moving forward and not always the other way around.

I’m a Scandinavian through and through, and it really comes out if you look at how I decorate my home; I keep it simple with a monotone colour scheme, lots of light and spruce things up with a touch of colour. Even Archie is black and white, so he fits well into the colour scheme already (hehe).

The touches of colour I speak about normally comes through art, plants/flowers or Archie’s bedding, toys, leads and more. Because he is black and white, I love that he can wear a bit of colour and still look stylish.

I recently went into my local PETstock store to pick Archie up a bunch of new goodies, not only to spoil him in preparation for the cooler months, but to also co-ordinate my home. He’s utterly obsessed with his new warm beds and matching blankets.

As I work from home and have my office at home, Archie is used to me being home with him most of the day, and with his Cocker Spaniel attachment style, he likes to stay close to me at all times, so I find having a bed/blanket in each of the rooms is really handy, instead of moving everything around all the time.

OFFICE:

I’ve got lots of plants and natural light in my office with creme tiles and white walls, so adding something soft, fluffy and colourful to this room was exactly what it needed. The Grey/Amazon Green fluffy blanket fits perfectly into my office, underneath my monstera. Archie loves to sleep underneath plants and this way, he can snuggle up and keep warm in winter, as my office does tend to get cold.

BEDROOM:

Again, my bedroom is very simple with white bedding and a creme coloured base + lots of plants around. Archie sleeps in my bedroom next to me, so I wanted something he can be extra snug in and curl himself up into a croissant, as that’s his favourite sleeping position. The Buddy & Belle Bolster Bed in Amazon Green is soft and warm with a cool aztec green print which gives the bedroom a bit more oomph without it being too much. If it’s an extra cold night, I’ll add his fluffy blanket to his bed, so he can really snuggle up.

LIVING ROOM: 

My living room space is open and full of light. I like to keep it pretty tidy and simple as it’s the first room you walk into in my apartment. The Snooza Cuddler Dune Bed in the Dune colour is literally perfect for this. And because the place for his bed is in a strange angle, the roundness of the bed just works so well! This type of bed is also amazing for dogs suffering with anxiety as the soft material calms them right down which makes for a restful sleep for them.

KITCHEN:

Keeping in line with the simplicity and a burst of colour, I’m really into green at the moment, so I’m extending that into the kitchen with two new ripple bowls for Archie in a cute pastel-mint that are super easy to wash, and helps with his ears not getting into his food as they’re slightly raised. Additionally, I’ve added a Lexi & Me  feeding mat in the shape of a bone (how cute, huh?) to make sure his food/water doesn’t stain my floorboards.

I also got a big mint & cream ceramic treat jar because it just makes it easier than having to open/close plastic bags all the time. Now, they’re readily available. Which I’m sure Archie is thrilled about!

Last but not least, Archie loves soft-toys. He’s not big on plastic and, in general, hard toys. He finds soft toys very soothing, so an array of squishy ones that all provides different sensory experiences, is his favourite. I might even steal one to cuddle at night, myself.

This blog-post was created in collaboration with PETstock.

The post How To: Decorate a dog friendly & stylish home. appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

For those of you who don’t know much about Marine Collagen, I suggest you start with reading this article  that I wrote, before continuing below to fully understand what it is and how it can help you with your beauty goals.

I will divide the changes & observations around the product that I noticed after taking the Isagenix Marine Collagen Elixir every day for 30 days, into weeks for you to see below, however I want to notice that prior to starting this, some of the stand-out areas I had was; dull skin, dry areas, lips very dry, fine lines around eyes.

Day 1 (before starting Isagenix Collagen)

Week 1:

• Easy to drink & delicious flavour (superfruit)
• Keep in the fridge – it tastes a lot nicer when it’s cold
• I’ve started drizzling it on top of my oatmeal and it’s delicious
• Doesn’t have an aftertaste of fish whatsoever
• Doesn’t upset my gut

• My hair is noticeably softer & less dry

Week 3:

• I have more colour/glow in my face
• My skin feels and looks more vibrant
• I have less dark circles under my eyes

Week 4:

• My hair feels thicker and softer
• My lips are far less dry
• My skin looks and feels more hydrated
• The skin on my body is a lot less dry
• My skin is really glowing

Week 4 (after 30 days on Isagenix Marine Collagen)

The reason why Isagenix Marine Collagen Elixir is different to many collagen products on the market, is Isagenix’s focus on incorporating superfoods into the elixir like Goji Berries, Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Zinc & Acerola Berry – these combined, all provide an additional nutritious elixir. Each bottle also includes 5g of pure Marine Collagen harvested from the waters of Scandinavia and manufactured in MSC approved and monitored carbon neutral facilities. These bottles are then sealed within 0.15 seconds to prevent the product from loosing its efficacy from oxidation caused by gas exchange. This is why the elixir can be made without the need of any preservatives or fillers. The glass bottle is also 100% recyclable so it is environmentally friendly.

If you want to see changes in your skin and you’ve previously only focused on your skin from the outside-in, I would highly recommend you to try a natural beauty product like this one from Isagenix. It’s packed with nutrients that are not only god for your skin but also your overall health. Aloe Vera is incredibly soothing to the GI tract and gut-lining.

CHECK OUT THE ELIXIR HERE

The post 30-DAY REVIEW: ISAGENIX Marine Collagen Elixir appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

I started consuming collagen daily back in 2015 and it’s one of the habits that I will never ever let go of, purely because of the health benefits I see and the positive impact it has on my skin.

But, be careful – there are lots of collagens on the market that claim to be something they’re not. It’s important to assess a brand and product in detail when you’re considering introducing a new ingestible supplement to your regime.

Some of the things to look out for are;

• Sustainability: The efforts of the brand/product to lower their environmental footprint
• Sourcing: Be mindful of where the collagen (fish) comes from, how it was raised, how it was fed, how it was caught. Make sure it’s been MSc approved and that it’s under strict management.
• Ingredients: What are the added extra ingredients in the product to make the marine collagen more bioavailable in your body.
• Potency: How much collagen is in the product per serving?

All of the above should play a key role in your decision-making when deciding on which Marine Collagen is best for you.

What is Marine Collagen, what does it do & why should I take it?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, but our bodies produce less and less of it with each passing year. Since most of us don’t get enough collagen through our diets, it can be beneficial to supplement with Marine Collagen.

Marine Collagen is derived entirely from fish collagen, either fish skin or scales. Marine collagen peptides are comprised of two types of collagen, types I & III. There are over forty different types of collagen throughout the body that vary in their composition and function, but Type 1 collagen is the most abundant collagen in our body. Because Marine Collagen has superior bioavailability it is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently than other types of collagen, making it one of the best and effective types.

I think we are all, as a society and world, beginning to recognise the link and true effect between healthy skin and nutrition. It means, it really does matter in the long run what we choose to feed our bodies and how it’s reflected in our skin, particularly our facial skin as it’s a lot more sensitive and exposed to free radicals, sun, pollution and wear & tear from simply ageing.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with ageing – we all do – but I think we can agree on that we’d all love to age gracefully and feel good about ourselves and the skin that we’re in.

So if you are someone who chooses to incorporate an abundance of leafy greens, fresh fruit & vegetables and lots of water every single day, you’re already on such a good road for your overall health AND your skin health. Now, add a daily dose of Marine Collagen to the mix if you’d like better skin health along with healthier hair & nails, too, and you’re well on your way to setting your beauty routine up for success.

Because beauty really is so much more than what we choose to put ON our skin, it’s about how we feed our microbiome (gut) with the right nutrient so that our cell-turnover (every 30 days) reveals more luminous, glowy and plump skin.

Health & Beauty Benefits of taking Marine Collagen: 

• Skin Elasticity & Hydration
• Healthy Nail Growth
• Firms Skin
• Soft Hair & Hair Growth Increase

Isagenix Collagen Elixir:

I’ve been testing out this beautiful and newly launched Collagen Elixir from Isagenix for the last 30 days, after having long and in-depth conversations about everything from the vision & creation of this product coming to life, to understanding how the marine collagen is sourced, the product is bottled, the low impact it has on the planet and much more.
I was so impressed with the lengths Isagenix has gone to creating this product with so much thought & care and wanted to share the experience with you.

This is why Isagenix Collagen Elixir is different to what’s currently on the market and why I chose to partner with them for the launch:

1. Environmentally Sustainable:

Isagenix’s marine collagen is both ethically and sustainably sourced from the beautifully blue ice waters of the Scandinavian Sea, following strict environmentally friendly practices that help support marine diversity. It is manufactured in a Marine Stewardship Council certified carbon neutral facility. This certification guarantees the product has met a science-based set of standards that care for the ecosystems our wild fish are part of and handled with care throughout the entire supply chain.

Additionally, with 100% recyclable packaging, making the marine Collagen Elixir fully sustainable from sourcing through to disposal.

2. Key Botanical for Synergistic Effect:

Marine collagen is mostly used in cosmetic products because its collagen profile aligns closely with the collagen profile seen in humans, making it a great match to nourish your skin. But Isagenix hasn’t just used marine collagen. The key botanical ingredients included in the ‘daily shot of Collagen’ also serve a special purpose. These ingredients include; Goji Berries, Aloe Vera, Acerola Berry, Chamomile, Vitamin C & Zinc.

3. Quality Sealed & Preserved:

Each bottle is sealed in just 0.15 seconds to prevent the product from losing its efficacy from oxidisation caused by a gas exchange. By sealing in the freshness and preventing any gas exchange, Collagen Elixir maintains its premium quality without the need of any preservatives.

4. Collagen at The Forefront:

Every bottle of Collagen Elixir contains a total of 5g Synchronised Marine Collagen with Double Nutri Technology to assist with nutrient absorption.

… and, don’t worry – it tastes like a fruit-cocktail, nothing like fish and with no fishy aftertaste.

Who’s keen to get started?
(Find the Isagenix Marine Collagen here)

[This is a paid partnership with Isagenix ANZ, however the words, experience and opinions are those of my complete own].

The post Why Marine Collagen is Your Best Friend if You Want Glowy & Healthy Skin appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

I know deep in my heart that a big part that trickled in, has absolutely been my battle with eating disorders coming and going since I was a teenager. When it really started taking over my life again and running the show, I was only about 24 years old..

This was also the time when my body said “NO MORE – I’m reserving what little energy I have left in me to preserve your vital organs and I’m not shedding any blood or allowing your reproductive hormones to work because I need to keep you alive”. And at this low-point in my life, was when I stopped having my periods all together.

I’ll be honest, being so young and not getting your period is pretty ‘handy’.. I also was in no frame of mind to truly consider whether I wanted kids or not – I didn’t have a partner at the time and I felt like I was still a kid myself. So I just went along with it. The not having your period ‘thing’ – I’m a little ashamed to say that, but it’s the truth..

Speaking the words above, I do want to sincerely emphasise the fact that is is not normal to not get your period and it should not be looked at something being ‘handy’ or convenient. We, as women, are so truly blessed with having a monthly cycle with 4 different phases that help us with so many things in life because of a ‘little’ thing called hormones.

Ultimately, hormones control the function of entire organs, affecting such diverse processes as growth and development, reproduction, and sexual characteristics. Hormones also influence the way the body uses and stores energy and control the volume of fluid and the levels of salts and sugar (glucose) in the blood. Very small amounts of hormones can trigger very large responses in the body. Which means, we really need to look after our hormones and make sure they are balanced.

Another thing I’m seeing a lot of is girls and women going on the pill in order to combat acne, period pains or balancing their hormones – can I simply ask you to consider this; you’re filling your body with synthetic hormones and the ‘bleed’ you have once a month is fake.. It’s not real. And this means you’re simply putting a band-aid on your symptoms instead of actually getting to the root-cause of your issue. I started on the pill when I was only 14 years old, but I stopped it when I was 22. I know it’s been a huge cause in some of the issues I face today, and 8 years later I’m still ‘cleaning up’ after these ‘little innocent pills’. I feel incredibly strongly about finding more natural alternatives if you’re after birth-control.

I spent almost 6 years without a period. It would come back once in 2 years and then once again 1,5 years ago.. I’m proud to say that I’ve had 3 regular periods in a row writing this and each of my cycles have been perfect at 30 days. And I cannot tell you how happy I am about this. It means that my body is starting to work again, albeit, my hormones are still very imbalanced. You know why it also came back? Because I started letting go of control of being a certain ‘size’ and gained weight. Yep, my body needed the extra bit to feel safe and for my cycle to come back. It’s not been easy, but damn has it been worth it!

The fact that my hormones are still very imbalanced means that I do suffer with a lot of symptoms, including; ovulation pain, fluid-retention, lower back pain, swelling, bloating, mood swings, period pain and more.. I also find it important to tell you that these symptoms are NOT normal – no matter how much society wants you to believe that ‘PMS’ is part of being a woman, it’s complete BS and it’s simply just your body telling you that something is wrong and you should seriously listen to it.. This means working with a practitioner (holistic & natural, I’d suggest) to figure out why you’re experiencing these symptoms. Again, don’t just pop a birth-control pill and think you’re magically solving the issue.

I know, for me, through blood-works and working with a practitioner, it’s because my body is currently recycling Oestrogen, I have no Progesterone and my gut is still working hard on repairing itself. Gut health and Hormones are directly linked to each other, so be honest with yourself about the state your gut is actually in?

It’s definitely a journey, and not one that will sort itself out tomorrow, but in the mean-time, I’ve had to look into ways in which I can help soothe these painful symptoms whenever they arise, and I’ve listed a few of them below for you:

Water Intake: I know it sounds counterintuitive, but if you, like me, have a lot of swelling and fluid-retention one of the best things you can do as well is up your water intake. Aim to get 2-3 laters a day if you can and watch your salt-intake as well as too much salt & sodium will make your body hold onto more water. Ditch the salt and use spices to make your food more tasty.

Heat-Therapy: Such an old-school trick, but it really works. Especially if you also feel yourself getting constipated from your period or in the lead up to. Use a heat pack on your lower stomach and put your legs up against the wall or on a stool and just chill for 10 minutes. Do this in the morning as you get up and at night before bedtime.

Seed-Cycling: My nutritionist got me on to this and although I already eat all of these seeds, I’m making an effort to do so in accordance with my cycle. Seed cycling is a naturopathic remedy that claims to balance hormones by regulating the hormone oestrogen in the first half of your menstrual cycle and the hormone progesterone in the second half.

You want to eat 1 tablespoon each of freshly ground flax and pumpkin seeds per day for the first 13–14 days of your menstrual cycle, which is known as the follicular phase. During the second half of your cycle (day 15 – period), which is known as the luteal phase, you will have 1 tablespoon each of ground sunflower and sesame seeds per day until the first day of your next period when your cycle starts again (your cycle starts on the first day you bleed).

Natural Pain Remedies: forget about the Panadol (it screws up my gut!), and reach for natural pain relief like Abundant Natural Health’s Topical Magnesium Gel or Spray. This product has a 1000 uses if you get creative. I rub it on my belly when I’m bloated. I use it on my lower stomach when I get period pains. I use it on my lower back when I get lower-back pain from ovulating or when I have my period. I use it on my ankles when I’m holding too much fluid and on my temples when a headache is coming on. The 100% natural magnesium helps to soothe and relax muscles so you can get on with life again, knowing that you’re taking something that is healing your body instead of medicine in which just masks the symptoms.

Use CAROLINE15 for 15% off your purchase with ANH.

Movement: Have you ever heard of the Infradian Rhythm? If not, then I urge you to look it up. The Infradian Rhythm is a cycle that lasts for longer than a 24-hour period and studies are starting to show that, we women, should actually have different routines based on our 4 different cycle phases in a month. This also means that women should strongly consider having different training routines depending on what cycle they’re in. For example, you might be well equipped to do early morning cardio or high intensity workouts during your ovulation cycle but you should incorporate more yin-practices like yoga or slow-paced pilates when in your menstrual cycle and preferably later in the morning or afternoon.

It is completely possible to balance your hormones out with a natural approach and to live without pain.
But we do have to make an effort to get to that place and there’s never been a better time to start than now.

The post GREAT NEWS; An Update On My Hormones & Period. appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

When we booked our flights, we knew that we wanted to spend our 2 weeks in Bali across different places to experience the most of its beauty. We’d both been to Bali a handful of times, and knew we (definitely) didn’t want to stay in Kuta as the days of us partying went years and years ago.

So, we decided on Seminyak to start with. Having never stayed in Seminyak, I had a browse across the web and found The Amala Estate on Luxury Escapes website.

I’d never tried to book with Luxury Escapes, and I think, like some others may think, the prices and places just seem too good to be true. There must be a catch somewhere?

Either way, we ‘put our money’ on The Amala Estate in Seminyak and hoped for a good start to our trip.. Little did we know that this place was going to exceed any expectations or ideas we could’ve hoped for.

From the beginning, we had a lovely driver pick us up from the airport in an amazing (fully air conditioned) car. Transfers are included in the package prize which took another step our of our itinerary that we had to worry about – it was already organised as soon as we booked with The Amala Estate through Luxury Escapes online assistants that are available to help you with anything on email.

We arrived late at night to The Amala, but just in time to get an order in for a late-night dinner in our private villa which we were thrilled about, because we were SO hangry!

We had the luxury of having our own private 2-bedroom villa with our own pool, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen a long with a huge open lounge room as well. This place was just so divine, we couldn’t believe it. In all fairness, the photos actually doesn’t do this place justice – it’s 10 times better in real life!

Further included in the package from Luxury Escapes with The Amala Estate was:

• A La Carte Breakfast served in our villa every morning
• Driver service locally
• Couple Massage
• Airport Transfers (as mentioned above)
• 1 x Dinner + Drinks (at the restaurant or in our villa)
• 20% food and drinks
• Unlimited spring-water
• 24 Hour Service

As mentioned above, we also had the luxury of receiving a couple-massage at The Wellness Centre at The Amala Estate. This is – hands down – one of the best relaxation massages I’ve ever had. The ladies working at the spa are so attentive, kind and thorough whether it’s a massage, facial or spa bath.

The Amala Estate also has yoga on twice a week which is more of a breath-focused yoga/moving meditation which anyone can do. It was a lovely way to start the mornings on which we went.

The area in which The Amala Estate is located, is a little further from Seminyak Beach and about a 20 minute walk to Seminyak Village/Square. It’s a little out of the way, but it makes it so much more tranquil and the estate has everything you need if you don’t ride a scooter or have a car. You can easily take advantage of the driver-service as well, if you do wish to head to the beach or somewhere else.

There are some great little cafes and restaurants located around The Amala Estate which will only take you about 5-10 minutes to walk to if you’re wanting a little taste of something other than The Amala. If you can’t be bothered, then kick back and enjoy the very healthy cuisine that The Amala is serving up.

We were genuinely so sad to be leaving The Amala. The Staff there is so kind and helpful, and the villa was utterly amazing. It’s safe to say that we were a little shellshocked coming from a serviced villa to an independent Air BnB, that’s for sure

I can’t recommend trying out Luxury Escapes for your next holiday enough. It’s an incredible platform in which they partner with some of the world’s best known and loved travel brands to change the way you book and experience a holiday.

Another huge thing from Luxury Escapes is that all of their departures are guaranteed so members can book their travel with confidence, knowing their preferred date will run as planned and won’t be changed.

A few messages me on Instagram asking if Luxury Escapes is actually as good as they make themselves out to be?

The answer is really short and sharp; YEP! They really are. And there’s no catch to it either. They’re simply changing the way that we travel for the better.

Book your next holiday with Luxury Escapes here

The post Review: Luxury Escapes x The Amala Estate Seminyak appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

Basically, we could apply sustainability to everything in this world and today I want you to take a moment to think about one of the biggest issues we’re facing and that is landfill.

A huge contributor to landfill is furniture – did you ever think about that? Furniture waste is a growing problem and like the rest of the issues we’re facing in this world, it’s here to stay unless we choose to do something proactive about it.

We’ve become a throw-away society with so much cheap furniture available that isn’t built to last, and over 85% of furniture we put on the curb isn’t recycled and is instead simply sent to landfill.

Based on a compositional survey of more than 2,500 households in metropolitan areas, on average each household disposes around 24kg of wooden furniture per year. Approximately a third of this are soft furnishings like sofas and armchairs, and two-thirds other wooden furniture.

“If you think of a population of 2 million households in the Greater Sydney Region, this could add up to 48,000 tonnes of used furniture per year disposed at the kerbside,” Kevin Morgan, Managing Director of EC Sustainable says.

To put that into furniture terms – and figuring in average furniture weights – that’s the equivalent of 800,000 three-seater sofas, 1.65 million dining tables, 3.4 million coffee tables or 6.85 million chairs, thrown away every year.

These numbers are for Sydney only and don’t include other furniture delivered directly to tips by households and businesses or illegal dumping. And the problem is getting worse.

Writing this actually sends chills down my spine. When I started doing research for this article, I got deeper and deeper into this wormhole – a very uncomfortable one, might I add.

Nonetheless, these problems won’t go away simply because we turn a blind eye to what is happening, not only in Australia, but all over the world and no one can fix the problem unless we all collectively add to the solution that is, thinking twice about purchasing new furniture, the lifespan we can utilise it for and, if we need to get rid of it, can we upcycle it in the sense of handing it down to someone who’s in need of furniture and can’t afford to buy new ones themselves?

I want to introduce you to a man whom I met a few months ago. A man who’s very different from anyone else in the furniture business I’ve ever come across. Very down to earth and very passionate about building a lifestyle and home that’ll last you for tens of years to come.

Justin –  owner of Crafted Furniture in Rushcutters Bay (Sydney) –  can be a key-player en helping solve the issues of fast furniture as he is replacing the term with SLOW FURNITURE.

What is Crafted Furniture’s philosophy behind Slow Furniture? Well, there’s a lot of sides to this, but below I’ll name a few:

1. Handmade in Sydney: which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and oil pollution drastically and turn-over time is much quicker
2. Sustainable Wood Source: all wood is ethically sourced from environmentally sustainable forests.
3. Local Made Foams: foams made here in Sydney by Dunlop foams
4. Sustainable & Natural Fabrics: Crafted Furniture lean towards fabric of natural fibre content and suggest these where possible – Crafted fully understand where the fabrics come from and their sustainability.
5. Recyclable Schemes: Crafted Furniture takes pride in recycling your old sofa or furniture to people in need. They will gladly take your sofa and get it re-upholstered and cleaned to be passed onto a new home where it’s highly needed.
6. Creating local jobs: by doing all of the above, Crafted Furniture also helps to create jobs for more people onshore and keeps the economy in Australia for Australians.

The heart of Crafted Furniture’s ambition is to curate unrivalled experiences and quality that places accessible lifestyle design in reach for everyday enthusiasts and designers alike. Every piece is created with human touch and celebrates the essence of craftsmanship & sustainability.

Crafted Furniture has a story that has evolved over 15 years of passionate experience in the design industry, working alongside a number of Australia’s leading designers. Justin and the team continues to be fuelled by their inspired purpose to craft lifestyles, serving clients and the community through impeccable design that is personal to them.

Working with customers on a one-to-one basis allows Crafted Furniture to deliver a product that’s exactly what the customer is looking for. And backing this up with a service-led experience means that customers get access to a huge depth of product knowledge.

As Justin says: “We’re not trying to sell the same sofa to thousands of different customers – our retail experience means that you
get personalised service and a piece of furniture that’s exactly right for you”.

See more about the Furniture at Crafted Furniture here.

The post Why Sustainable Living Is More Important Than Ever. appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

So let’s bring it back to basics so we can actually fully understand what the Microbiome is and what it actually does for us.

What is the Gut Microbiome?

The post 101 Gut Microbiome – A Beginners Guide To Understanding Your Gut. appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

Growing up with my older sister, I always felt like I was the child there was always ‘trouble’ with. Not in the sense of acting out or being a rebel, because I was (almost) an A+ student, but I always seemed to feel everything so deeply and spend a lot of time considering and going over things in my head – day in and day out.

Back then (in the 90’s) it was a lot more tabu to talk about mental health issues and, really, it wasn’t a topic that anyone really knew much about from the small town I grew up in or maybe even wanted to talk about.

My parents truly did their best with what they knew how to. But parts of me felt that as much as I ever tried to explain my pain and sorrow, neither of them really truly ever understood how it felt to be me. Little Caroline on the outside, but with a pain twice as big as herself on the inside. I don’t blame them – being emotionally equipped and developed enough to deal with what I went through for years on end, surely isn’t an easy task.

When I got into my teenage-years it felt like I escaped my inner demons, thoughts and feelings for a few years. But they were only substituted with drinking, smoking, partying and searching for love in guys. Not your ideal scenario, but I was also a teenager coming into adulthood – well, in all honesty, I had to grow up when I was 8 pretty quickly to deal with a divorce and many other things that I won’t dive into because it’ll be too lengthy – so I was almost ‘excused’ to behave out a little bit, and I don’t think my parents ever questioned that too much.

Albeit, one time when I’d been partying into the morning and I was visiting my mum (I’d moved to Copenhagen by this point), she looked me in the eyes and said; “are you on drugs?” One thing that I never ever got into that was drugs. Thank God.

But partying and drinking had become a way of numbing my pain and myself to no existence. Whilst studying, trying to build a career, buying an apartment and being an adult – all at the age of 18 years old. I was drowning and I was drowning fast.

You see, what you don’t know from the above is that I was in a very non-serving relationship a few years before this. This along with a multitude of other family things and my mental health issues of depression got me to a point where I din’t want to live any longer.. And so, sadly, one day I decided that I didn’t when I was just 16 years old. And I’ll never forget that day or those following months. Luckily, I’m still here – and thanks for my mum and doctors I got another chance at life.

I’m skipping over the above because it doesn’t deserve more time or words than that. I don’t regret what I did back then, because I can stand outside of my own body now and look back at that poor little girl and still feel the pain she was in. I understand why she did the way she did. Because she didn’t feel like she had any other choice to escape it all. But, now I know that I do.

The above story is definitely part as to why I had my first ‘run-in’ with my true self. The reason why I moved to Australia in the first place. To me, Australia signified freedom and a new start to life. A place where I could potentially finally find and be myself without having to apologise to anyone for being who I was and to actually get a go at doing ‘life’ for the first time ever.

So, with 25 kg’s of luggage I set off towards the other side of the world, and for the first time in my life, it felt like I was heading in the right direction. Australia gave me hope and I for once felt truly alive. 

… I’m sorry I can’t give you the fairytale ending we all grow up to be taught and believe in, because that’s not how my life unfolded..

Australia is my home and I love it dearly. I’ve found my place in this physical world of where I want to grow roots (but never to deep to still stay free), but my almost 9 years here have been far from easy.

However, what moving to Australia catapulted me onto was my spiritual path and slowly wakening up to connecting with my true self.

I was diagnosed with depression when I was only 14 years old. I was put on anti-depressants when I was 16 years old. My entire life I’ve tried to numb myself from the calling that I have inside of me, but I never knew how to deal with. I will never discount the word Depression because feelings turned into emotions can become all-consuming and our ego will run with it til our days end, if we let it..

But, what I think us people who has or who still suffer from ‘depression’ is, are simply put ‘Ultra Fine Tuned Souls’ having a human experience in which the soul has taken residence in a physical shell where it’s still fighting the human ego from ruling instead of it’s natural born state of peace, love and joy.

I know wholeheartedly that I will always be a sensitive, all-consuming soul that feels everything so very deeply. What is up to me is whether I will let that work for me or against me – but the choice is completely up to myself.

When I take steps towards living a clean life full of fresh, organic produce, free-range animal products, natural supplements, little alcohol, self-care, exercise.. – I create a clear path of connection to my true self. It becomes untainted and strong and life becomes a little easier to deal with. It becomes less overwhelming and much more manageable – day by day.

I choose to show up every day, even though there are many days where I don’t feel like it. Trust me, my ego can always find an excuse to not get out of bed, to not train, to not eat healthy, to not be loving, to not be accepting.. And the list goes on.

But my practice, our practice, is to choose to continue to go against those thoughts and emotions, and choose to show up for ourselves every single day, so that we can continue to take steps towards finding true freedom within.

Caroline xx

The post Mental Health Awareness Day – My Personal Story Through Light & Dark. appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.

However, I wasn’t always a find, to be completely honest. I always felt like they were a little stiff and never really stuck properly to my face, but after having tested lots (and I do mean LOTS) of different sheet masks, I’ve finally found myself a few favourite ones that I wanted to share with you.

The best thing about sheet masks? No mess & super easy to travel with. Win/win, right?

Let’s get into a few favourites below:

STARSKIN – VIP Crème de la Crème

The inner layer is coated with a remarkable 18g of super-concentrated, luxurious cream while the outer protective layer functions as a shield. This delivery system allows you to force-feed dry and depleted skin with almost half a jar of cream in just one treatment to ensure ultimate nourishment and absorption, and spectacular results.

GO TO – Transformazing

The blend of natural botanicals such as kakadu plum, finger lime tasmanian pepper leaf work together, and in just 10 minutes leave the skin plumper and brighter. The skin tone is left more even, whilst the addition of niacinamide and hyadisine leave the skin plumper, hydrated and ready for any event with this sheet mask.

WEI – Mung Bean Sprout Stress Relieving Soothing Mask

Mung Bean has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to help nurture the body while calming and cooling the skin. This purifying sheet mask floats in 45ml essence of detoxifying Mung Bean Sprout to help to clear imbalanced or blemished skin. A ten-minute application exfoliates dull skin and removes skin-damaging pollutants and impurities from pores while restoring healthy sebum levels for a calm, flawless complexion. Mung Bean Sprout offers powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while supplying protein-rich moisture to the skin, Chinese Licorice Root helps heal skin ailments and blemishes while Cucumber extract soothes and hydrates.

A’kin – Australian Tea Tree Oil Detoxifying Sheet Mask

This bio-degradable, lightweight and soft sheet mask is infused with Australian Tea Tree Oil which helps to keep skin clear and blemish free. Organic Green Tea, a potent antioxidant, works to protect skin against environmental toxins, helps to control excess oil production, and provides a clarifying boost to your skin. Tea Tree Oil, Lavender and Orange Blossom essential oils combine to provide a truly botanical experience that will leave skin feeling hydrated, relaxed and refreshed.

Neutrogena – Purifying Hydrogel Mask

This unique hydrogel mask is formulated with Moringa pterygosperma, a seed extract as well as a seaweed extract, known to purify skin for a healthy-looking complexion. This is no ordinary sheet mask. It is made of 100% hydrogel material which contours to your skin, sealing in the formula for optimal absorption and is clinically proven to hydrate.

The Body Shop – Seaweed Balance Sheet Mask

Mattify and hydrate oily and combination skin in just 15 minutes with our vegan Seaweed Balance Sheet Mask. Enriched with cucumber extract, mineral-rich seaweed and Community Trade organic aloe vera, this mask locks in 24hr hydration and leaves skin feeling instantly refreshed and mattified.

Ella Baché – Charcoal Foaming Mask

An innovative cellulose sheet mask rich in Activated Charcoal for deep cleansing and detoxifying. Anti-pollution agents help to oxygenate the skin while fruit-derived AHAs and Glycolic Acid refine and soften texture and tone. Aloe Vera calms and soothes while providing the necessary hydration that all skin types require

The post The Best Sheet Masks For Glowing Skin appeared first on Caroline Høgh Groth.