Samah Medlej, a 31 year old mother of 3. Samah is a Holistic Health Coach as well as a dōTERRA Wellness Advocate.
We caught up with Samah to delve further into the topic of Holistic Health & Living, as well as following the prophetic traditions.
]]>I studied a bachelor degree in Exercise and Sport Science, Master in Human Nutrition and a certificate in Health Coaching. I have always been an active girl and weary of my health in my teens, so I guess it all started when I studied certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness in 2008. I realised there was more to health and wellness than just exercise alone; nutrition plays a huge role, as well as emotional wellbeing, and the environment we live in and the amount of exposure to toxins in our day to day life which can all have an effect on our wellbeing.
When I experienced essential oils in 2019 I was just mind blown with how easy it made everything seem more simple to achieve. That’s when I was confident enough to incorporate the education of essential oils into my work and then it just flourished and bloomed. The amount of lives it has changed and the amount of friendships I have formed with like minded women has just made me a better version of myself that I am super proud of and so thankful for.
Our body is given to us with the responsibility to care for it and maintain a healthy state as much as possible. Over the years we have been relying more on medicine and not so much on spirituality and natural remedies prescribed by Islam such as spirituality, nutrition and physical activity. There is scientific research that shows religious beliefs and prayer aid in the prevention/treatment/recovery of any ailments be it mental or physical.
The prophet (saw) says the Quran’s versus and chapters by God’s will could bring about healing from disease and distress. Let’s talk nutrition! The prophetic teachings were to eat in moderation, fill one third of your stomach with water first, and then fill one third with food, and leave one third empty for comfort.
The Quran contains many versus to advise us about healthy eating example:
The Quran mentions many foods of healing such as olives, fig.
Now physical activity!
Our prophet (saw) and his companions were naturally fit as the life was more tough in their days as they walked long distances, horse riding, and archery hunting for food to survive, and there was no time for useless entertainment that made them lazy like in the 21ST century today.
Note that the availability of meat in the prophets time was scarce and minimal unlike today the abundance of meat in our diet is not a healthy thing as many assume it is.
Therefore we need to be mindful of our Islamic teachings and always go back to practicing the above ways as a holistic approach to maintaining health and wellness.
Let’s pause. Go back to basics and revisit history. Ultimately, history tells us that the most protective factor for humankind is community. A united community with the common values and goals. Working together with gratitude in our hearts to make the change we all need.
Ask yourself – what change can I make today, in spite of fear or just pure convenience, that is driven by my values that will benefit not just me but my community, my home and future generations?
]]>Some of these facts can be quite confronting and, in many cases, may elicit feelings of fear. Whilst fear can be helpful when faced with imminent threat, we are not going to protect the environment and promote a healthy sustainable habitat for people and animals by having our actions dictated by fear.
We are in trying times and the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how quickly fear turns into greed. Is this the Earth’s way of asking us to slow down? To stop mass-production. To be mindful of our actions. To be kinder to animals and the environment?
Let’s pause. Go back to basics and revisit history. Ultimately, history tells us that the most protective factor for humankind is community. A united community with the common values and goals. Working together with gratitude in our hearts to make the change we all need.
Ask yourself – what change can I make today, in spite of fear or just pure convenience, that is driven by my values that will benefit not just me but my community, my home and future generations?
Today is the day to act in line with your values. However big or small. It will make a difference. Here are 10 things you can do to save our planet and our communities:
Let’s show gratitude for our home, our planet Earth.
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Given the current shortage of masks in Australia, as a result of panic buying in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, AZYÄ Swim’s ‘Project In This Together’ was formed. “Community is one of the pillars of AZYÄ Swim; therefore, community needed to be central to our project. We wanted to facilitate community engagement and embrace our collective power. This is where our real strength lies - in us together” stated Fatima and Marina, Co-founders of AZYÄ Swim.
All of AZYÄ Swim’s face masks will be made from the same premium and sustainable fabric (made using regenerated ECONYL® yarn) that is used to make their swimwear. “We wanted to maintain our commitment to sustainable fashion. Now, more than ever, we need to care for the Earth which is the home of our future generations” added Fatima and Marina.
There have been 760 Face Masks pledged to-date. These sustainable masks will be donated to essential workers within our community. Should you have any recommendations on community groups who are in need of these beautiful masks please email us your suggestions at info@azyaswim.com
Love,
Team AZYÄ
]]>Furthermore, it’s a reminder to continue their work. To advocate for one another and others. To show understanding and empathy. Teach kindness and compassion. To care for Mothers. To support women in education and business. To understand and respect one another’s individuality, beliefs, actions. To celebrate each other’s achievements and successes. To help heal one another in the face of failure and hardship. To be without judgement. To act in the sight of injustice and discrimination. To be conscious of Mother Earth and the impact of our actions on our home and the home of our future generations.
Even in 2020, women continue to be disadvantaged. Quick fact - did you know that only 6 countries give women equal legal work rights as men? Shocked? Us too!! According to the World Economic Forum’s most recent study, it will take 108 years to bridge the gender gap. Yep! Us too!! Let’s get back to work ladies!
Coffee at every step. Good coffee. It seemed you couldn’t get a bad coffee in Melbourne even if you tried.
Trams. Why don’t we have these in Sydney?!
]]>Coffee at every step. Good coffee. It seemed you couldn’t get a bad coffee in Melbourne even if you tried.
Trams. Why don’t we have these in Sydney?! And the cost is covered by the state?! Bravo Victoria! Public transport is always the way to go. If you didn’t already know - by moving more people with fewer vehicles, public transport reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also offers affordable mobility and saves energy.
Now, Fitzroy is totally our vibe. Think Surry Hills - tres artsy with a communal Newtown feel. You’d understand if you’ve spent some time in the inner city and inner western suburbs of Sydney. Otherwise, imagine boutique independent stores and minimalist collective spaces. Quality products ethically made In Melbourne, Australia using sustainable materials. We were in good company. Even though it was close to midday we of course opted for Archie’s ‘dirty eggs’ and smashed avo on sourdough. So good!
St Kilda is a vibrant beach side suburb with an eclectic and laid-back feel. We strolled down the wharf admiring the starfish. Our first time seeing these literal star-shaped creatures outside of the Aquarium. Such beauty in nature.
Let’s talk Melbourne fashion. Melburnians are creative and intentional in their dress. Neutrals with pops of colours. Edgy shoes and statement ‘understated’ sunnies. Love!
Melbourne. You’ll definitely be seeing us again soon. We are at the mercy of your overwhelming magnetism and mood which oozes inspiration.
One more thing. Brunetti’s. You need to go there.
]]>Our recent trip to Saudi Arabia is our first travel blog of many (we hope). Seeing it's winter at the moment in the Middle East, we did expect cool winds; however, what we didn't anticipate was how kind and generous the Saudi people are. They won’t call you a taxi when you ask. They will personally drive you to your destination. If you are seen waiting, you are offered dates and beverages to keep you hydrated in the elements.
Sand everywhere. Long stretches of road with nothing but sand dunes on either side. Something out of a movie. One morning we accidently left our apartment window open and when we returned that evening, our apartment was covered with a thin blanket of these glorious grains. The naturally formed sand ripples in the Arabian Desert were nothing short of spectacular. So inspired by nature's beauty, we added the colour ‘sand’ to our mood board.
The beautiful brown-beige backdrop perfectly set off the bright colours at the cultural festival we attended. The Arabian music was familiar yet foreign. Watching the local children preform and the men play traditional instruments was so uplifting. Everyone was so warm and hospitable – so much that it reminded us of our communities back home. We spotted a rich appreciation for fashion, although the men and women were mostly covered in traditional outer-layers, it seems designer bags and shoes is the standard.
Time just seemed to go much slower in Saudi. People were not rushing to and from places. They stopped to say hello and have a friendly chat or to offer help if we looked lost or to just appreciate the weather. This served as a gentle reminder to be present and mindful, without judgement or bias, but rather acceptance and appreciation for the moment, engaging all of our senses to help soak up the now.
A wonderful experience we will remember and hold close to our hearts. Thank you to the Arabian people for being so welcoming and a special thanks to our host Essam.
]]>The world’s first sustainable full-coverage swimwear is designed and made in Australia. AZYÄ Swim is a sustainable modest swimwear and lifestyle brand that challenges the status quo and occupies a rare space where swimwear meets every day wear.
AZYÄ Swim’s debut collection of sustainable swimwear, La Provenance, is made from ECONYL®, infinitely recyclable material coming from ocean and landfill waste and gives sun-conscious and modestly dressed women a fashionable and eco-friendly swimwear alternative.
“Our overall goal with this collection is to contribute to raising awareness about sustainability within the modest fashion community.” said AZYÄ Swim co-founders Fatima and Marina.
The ongoing negative effects of overproduction in the fashion and textile industry inspired the ethos of AZYÄ Swim, with each piece of the debut collection ethically made in Australia using a luxe Italian swim fabric made with ECONYL®, a sustainable yarn.
The AZYÄ all-day swimwear fuses fashion and function seamlessly, from beach to brunch and pool to public space, effortlessly extending its wearer beyond just water and sand. The soft, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, breathable and eco-friendly material ensures swim tops and bottoms can be worn as traditional clothing and mixed and matched with an established wardrobe for endless ensembles.
La Provenance, combines classics and on trend fashion to form gorgeous swimwear; a custom floral print inspired by French gardens and, Terre, which pays homage to the Australian native earth.
La Provenance celebrates what it means to be fashionable, earth-conscious and luxurious with an emphasis on chic styles and contemporary colours.
For more information contact co-founders Fatima and Marina on info@azyaswim.com for all press-related queries.
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