For the first time in a while, we are all spending much more time at home, our normal routines have fallen to the wayside and our fridge and pantry have become way too accessible!

To help you break old habits that have taken a toll on your health and wellbeing, and jump into Spring feeling your best, Mullen Natural Health Centre, the longstanding Hamilton-based Naturopathic clinic, is stepping in with a 14-day Healthy Habits Challenge!

The challenge is a two-week healthy eating plan designed to remove the foods that make your body work harder and give it a chance to reset. Whether you’re suffering from fatigue, weight, gain, hormonal imbalance, or in fact, any health concern, it is an opportunity to get your health, body, and mind, back on track.

“Over 14 days, you will be eating natural foods that will cleanse your body of toxins, reduce the workload on your vital organs, and restore your body’s ability to heal and repair itself,” Peter Mullen, Director of Mullen Natural Health shared.

Throughout the guide, challengers will find a two-week suggested meal plan, an optional three-day juicing guide, as well as plenty of recipes to help complete the challenge. Whilst the meal plan is there, you’re encouraged to explore the website here for recipes that work for you.

The recipe recommendations in the program cover everything from breakfast to dinner and everything in between! The guide also includes suggestions and alternatives for vegetarians. Looking over the recipes, it can be overwhelming to decide what to stick to! Our suggestion is to pick things you know you'll like, or meals you're interested in trying! 

To kick things off, we'd recommend ordering a bunch of ingredients from a local fruit and veg supplier.

To get a better understanding of the two-week challenge, we caught up with local gal, podcast host of Inside Out with Kris, and long-time Mullen Natural Health client (eight years to be exact), Karissa Byrnes, to hear all about her journey with the Hamilton-based Naturopathy and her experience with the Healthy Habits Challenge.

What made you decide to sign up for the Healthy Habits Challenge?

“I felt fatigued and overwhelmed with motherhood and business life. I am a step-mum of two, and a mum of two, balancing my podcast and everything in between, you get to a point where you feel totally tapped out and just putting one foot in front of the other.

“Relying on caffeine to keep me going through the day and a glass of wine to help me unwind of a night was not sustainable; I needed to reset my adrenals and create some sustainable habits. The Healthy Habits program came at the right time.”

Do you follow the challenge step-by-step? If not, what changes did you make to suit your lifestyle?

“The program has pages of options and ideas for you to choose from, however, the best part about this particular program is that it’s up to you how you integrate healthy choices into your lifestyle.

“I have a family of six, my ten, nine, two, and one-year-old won’t eat chopped up veggie sticks for a snack so I had to be realistic about what works in my household and what doesn’t. Mix and match and find out what works for you!”

The challenge lists a whole bunch of recipes; did you have a favourite?

“Chocolate Coated Coconut Bars! I love a sweet treat around 3pm with a cup of herbal tea. It’s even better knowing it’s made with wholesome nutrient-dense foods, and the kids enjoy it too which I love!”

“Another favourite is the Zoodles with Mince & Pumpkin Sauce recipe because the kids just love it!”

For someone considering taking part in the challenge, what would you say?

“You won’t regret it… make choices today for your future self. Who do you want to be? How do you want to feel? If that’s energetic, fulfilled, and strong then this is an incredible opportunity to level-up your lifestyle with this program.”

Whilst signing up for a lifestyle challenge can sometimes be daunting, the Healthy Habits Challenge by Mullen Natural Health is anything but. It's a fun, inclusive, and rewarding challenge designed to get you feeling your best. To give you an idea of what you could be enjoying day-to-day, the crew here at HUNTERhunter have hand-picked our favourite recipes to get us through the day. 

For breakfast, our recommendation is the Berry Burst Smoothie. Moving into the warmer months, what better way to start the day than with a fresh and tasty smoothie? This simple recipe has only a handful on ingredients and will see you whip up a delicious breakfast in less than five minutes - the best part? It's not only tasty, it looks good too!

Moving into lunch, we thought we would try the Life-Changing Bread recipe, topped with Protein-Packed Avocado, because who doesn't love avocado? This take on the iconic avo on toast is fun to pull together and can be tweaked to suit your flavour needs. 

Into dinner, we wanted to choose a meal that was light and colourful, once we came across the Mexican Street Salad, it was a no-brainer that this one would be making the cut! You can add some protein to fill it out, or enjoy as a leftover salad for lunch the next day. 

The challenge also includes an optional three-day juice cleanse which can be a brilliant way to help your body reset. It allows your digestion system to rest, boosts your energy levels, reduces inflammation, encourages healthy weight loss, and increases hydration.

So, are you ready to be educated and empowered to make conscious healthy decisions? To sign up for the information session webinar, click here, or to purchase the program and get stuck in to establishing those healthy lifestyle foundations and to continue positive health habits, click here.

“Over 14 days, you will be eating natural foods that will cleanse your body of toxins, reduce the workload on your vital organs, and restore your body’s ability to heal and repair itself,” Peter said.

Don't miss out, as The Healthy Habits Challenge is only available to purchase through the website until the end of September! Available for an absolute bargain, just $28, you could be well on your way to feeling like a rejuvenated you!