Rebecca Weller is a Holistic Health Coach-in-training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Based in Perth, she writes about love, life, laughter, health, food and vegan adventures on her wellness site, VeganSparkles.com.

Tell us three things about yourself

• I’m passionate about health and wellness
• I’m a little bit goofy!
• I adore animals

What’s been the biggest health challenge you’ve overcome and what did you learn from this experience?

Learning how to become a healthy vegan was quite challenging.  When I was vegetarian I thought I was being healthy eating low-fat frozen dinners and processed foods.  Then when I chose a vegan lifestyle 18 months ago, suddenly all of those packaged foods were no longer an option and I was forced to become a food detective.  I was determined to be a healthy, sparkly vegan, so I did an incredible amount of research and experimentation and as I learnt more, I knew that I wanted to help others to do the same.  This led me to enrol at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at the start of this year with plans to become a Health and Lifestyle Coach.  

What’s your top tip for getting your day off to a great start?

Gratitude.  Count your blessings every morning and you’re guaranteed to feel happier all day.  It’s such a small ritual but it’s oh so important to your overall health and happiness. 

Your brekky usually consist of…

I’m crazy about smoothies, so more often than not you’ll find me sipping on my latest creation.  At the moment I’m going through a ‘translate fruit pies into smoothies’ phase, so it’s all Banana Bread or PB&J Smoothies.  Such delicious fun!

Which foods do you eat to nourish your body and give you vitality?

Mainly whole foods – lots of brown rice, quinoa, fruit, vegetables, beans, seeds and legumes.  My day usually starts with a smoothie or fresh vegetable juice, followed by a large salad for lunch with some beans, lentils or quinoa thrown in, and a vegetable stir-fry with brown rice for dinner.  I snack on fresh fruit and raw nuts, and drink lots of water and herbal tea.

Why is fitness an important part of your life?

Mainly because it makes me feel happier.  I love to walk or run in a park or at the beach and I always feel so positive and inspired after spending time moving in nature.

What is your current exercise routine?

I do a lot of walking during the week and run on weekends.  I also squeeze yoga classes in whenever I can, and I dance a lot in the kitchen.  Food tastes better if you dance while you make it.  True story!

Describe what motivated you to choose your current business or career path?

I’ve learned so much during my health journey and I want to help others to become their sparkliest self.  When people are healthier, they are happier, and the world is a better place.  I can’t think of anything more beautiful than to be part of that.

What business or career challenge have you overcome and what one piece of advice would you like to pass on to others?

Self confidence is the key.  Any change in career path or new business idea is bound to be scary – it still is for me as I’m working to form a new business – but if you have faith in yourself and work hard, you can make it happen.  This is your life and it’s too important not to do something you that makes you feel fulfilled and happy.  Follow your heart.

Your favourite book or movie of all time is? And why?

Oh this is such a toughie because I always fall in love with the latest thing I’ve watched or read and proclaim it to be my absolutely favourite of all time!  But like every hopeless romantic, I adore ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Love Actually’.  I also love ‘Earthlings’ because it completely opened my eyes and changed my life path, and for that I’ll always be grateful.

I love reading novels on holidays, and cookbooks and books on philosophy whenever I can.  I’m especially drawn to reading about Buddhism and anything by Deepak Chopra, because I find spiritual growth so fascinating.  Plus I’ll always go back to the Bridget Jones books whenever I’m in need of a giggle.

And lastly, do you have a recipe you’d like to share with us?

Yes of course!  This is my latest creation – easy peasy, super healthy, 10-Minute Fudge:

Goodies:

½ cup organic Desiccated Coconut (pure and unsweetened)

2 tbsp Peanut Butter

2 small Bananas, peeled and chopped

½ cup raw Cacao Powder

4 or 5 Medjool Dates, pitted

1 tsp pure Vanilla Extract

½ tsp Ground Cinnamon

Pinch Sea Salt

Instructions:

• Blend all ingredients on low speed in a food processor until well combined and a kind of ‘dough’ forms.

• Remove mixture from food processor and spread in a flat dish using a spatula. Sprinkle with coconut.

• Cover dish and store in the freezer for at least an hour.

• Remove and eat as you please! NOM!