Are you a local shopper? If so, you’ll probably have your favourite go-to store you find yourself returning to. Whether it’s the friendly service, the organic produce or simply knowing you’re lowering your carbon footprint, shopping local has many benefits.
To celebrate this notion, we kicked off our exciting Shop Local series last month by profiling Kombu Wholefoods, a family-run business in Bellingen, NSW. This month, we’re catching up with Myra Thomson, owner of small business Manna Wholefoods, based in South Fremantle.
From being ahead of the curve with stopping the usage of plastic shopping bags to why Boody and Manna make the perfect match, read on to discover what makes this local store so special.
Hey Myra. You've owned Manna for more than 13 years now. What have been your greatest achievements in the business to date?
Manna began in 1988, and I took over in 2006. Running a business for any length of time is a huge challenge, so in some ways, the greatest achievement is that we are still here, doing what we do. We have been quite adaptive and flexible over the years, responding to what our community wants, whilst retaining a clear sense of what we are about.
We have been leading the way, really, in terms of reducing plastic. We stopped using plastic shopping bags about 12 years ago, and have been using more than 90% compostable packaging in the café for at least five years. These are choices that reflect a social commitment above a strict bottom-line approach.
It’s fantastic that you guys have been plastic-bag-free for that long. You must be thrilled to finally see bigger stores and supermarket chains making the decision to do the same!
Yes, it’s been a long time coming. We are long-time supporters of Plastic Free July, and we encourage everyone to take the small and simple steps that will continue to reduce plastic waste in the environment. Plastic bags are just the tip of the iceberg.
Manna has built a strong and loyal following within the community. What do you think are the secrets to its success?
We are fortunate to be located in a beautiful community in South Fremantle, with lots of like-minded people who are committed to health and wellbeing. Staying connected to that community is really important – it represents not only our customers but our staff and neighbours, too.
We are also pretty responsive. If customers ask for something, we do our best to get it in for them. There’s a strong reciprocity that we nurture.
We love that Manna is committed to wholefoods and sustainability. How do these values filter down into everything you do?
Those two things – wholefoods and sustainability – are really about a holistic mindset. So I guess we approach things with that mindset and see where we end up. For example, our naturopaths all approach wellness through food and nutrition, emphasising a holistic approach to health. Health and sustainability naturally go together, and I guess that is what Manna is about.
We also have a very stable and happy team who work at Manna, and I think this has a lot to do with the fact that we treat each other with the sort of respect that is not necessarily all that common in workplaces.
We’re thrilled that you guys stock Boody. What are your bestselling pieces from the range?
Boody is a great range that is consistent with many of the themes we represent at Manna. It’s organic, sustainable and high-quality. It has proved to be very popular with our customers, especially the Full Length Tights. I am putting that down to the great many yoga schools in South Fremantle, but I could be wrong!
What makes Boody the perfect fit for Manna?
It’s a natural product that is good value, made from sustainable materials, and fits well for all manner of people.
Tell us a bit about the delicious, homestyle wholefood Manna produces. Any top picks we should try?
We are lucky to have some incredibly skilled and creative chefs and cooks on our team. Our salads are always fresh and fabulous, and we have a great selection of wholesome and nutritious lunches.
We concentrate on wholefoods, with vegan and gluten-free options. We make a killer vegan grilled cheese sandwich!
We also make a huge variety of cakes in-house, most of which are gluten-free, plant-based and free of refined sugar. My personal favourite at the moment is our salted choc macadamia slice.
Seeing as you guys are based in South Fremantle, are there any top suggestions you’d recommend for people to get up to when in the area?
There are great beaches, amazing cafés and pubs, and it's actually a great precinct to just go for a walk and see what you come across.
Finally, what are the plans for the future of Manna? Anything exciting in the pipeline, or are you just focusing on continuing to do what you guys do best?
To be honest, we get excited by the challenge to keep improving. There’s so many ways that we can improve customer experience, sometimes in small but significant ways. We’re always on the lookout for these little gems.
Stay up-to-date with all things Manna Wholefoods by following them on Instagram and Facebook now!
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Interviews
An interview with Kea Leora Kenney, Founder of Live Your Love
Nestled away in the Byron Bay hinterland lives Boody fan Kea Leora Kenney. Kea is the founder of natural beauty and cleaning products business, Live Your Love, for which she also creates what she describes as ‘goddess’ jewellery alongside her partner using recycled metals. We talked with Kea about what inspired her to start her eco-friendly business, how motherhood has shaped her and why she loves our comfy everyday essentials. You create natural beauty and cleaning products for your business, Live Your Love. Tell us about this. We make natural beauty and cleaning products that are safe and healthy for your skin, and loving towards our mama earth. My partner and I also make ‘goddess’ jewellery out of recycled metals. We love to create and to be creative. What inspired you to initially start Live Your Love? I have a passion for living a chemical-free lifestyle and I taught myself how to make everything at home. Everyone loved my products so I started doing the markets and now I have an online shop and use social media to keep spreading the good vibes. In what ways do you try to live an eco-friendly lifestyle? We use all organic products especially body soap, dish soap, laundry soap, conditioner and shampoo etc. so that we reduce the number of chemicals being washed down the drain and ending in our beautiful creeks and stunning oceans. We shop mostly at the farmers’ market and at the bulk foods shop in town, so our produce doesn’t come wrapped in plastic and our bulk foods we take home in our reusable jars. You're Mumma to Anea. How has motherhood changed you? It has encouraged me to become a better and stronger version of myself. Even more conscious, wanting to give my daughter the most beautiful and healthy conscious upbringing. It has also inspired me to become even more earth-conscious so she can enjoy Mother Nature to her fullest potential. It has softened me, bringing me back to unconditional love daily. I suppose it has given me a greater sense of ‘purpose’ in this world. I definitely feel very complete. What was your pregnancy experience like? My pregnancy was easy, smooth, beautiful and natural. I felt completely empowered, sexy and beautiful, truly in the divine essence of real womanhood. I felt powerful. I birthed my daughter naturally at 21 years old, the most powerful and life-changing experience. I practised lots of hypo-birthing throughout my pregnancy, and I was inspired to have a natural birth considering I was born at home in the water. We know you're an advocate for loving your post-pregnancy body. What is your advice for someone who might not be feeling so confident? Love yourself, always. Own your new Mama bod! You are a warrior-ess woman! You have brought magical life into this world, and your scars and new body is proof of just how powerful you truly are. It actually did take me a little while to adjust and get used to my new body, but I continued loving it even through the uncertainty. Also, I find it so incredible how it just continues to change, through pregnancy, through breastfeeding, through stopping breastfeeding. It's a chance to enjoy yourself and discover your body in all ways. We know you're a big fan of Boody. What do you love most about our soft and sustainable everyday essentials? We LOVE Boody. The comfiest everyday essentials. They feel soft and silky on my skin, they fit all body types so perfectly. They make me feel sexy as a mama! I wear them around the house, in the garden, at the beach, and to dreamland. I am wearing my undies right now! What are your top picks from our ranges? My top picks from Boody are the Shaper Crop Bra, G-String and Brazilian Bikini bottoms. They are so comfortable and cheeky. Love them! Finally, what are your plans for the near future? Anything exciting on the horizon you'd like to share with us? We have just had some pretty huge travels and changes in our life. We spent three months in Canada at the start of the year, playing in the snow and seeing family. We then moved houses after living outside of Mullum for five years. We are now further deep into the rainforest. So I am really looking forward to having some grounding time. Especially with what’s going on right now in the world. I am excited about gardening, swimming in my creek, setting up my new house, spending time with my family. Just getting rooted in this earth and focusing on our health.
Interviews
An interview with Laura Kelly, Yoga Teacher
If there’s ever been a time to get into yoga and meditation, it would be 2020. From the devastating bushfires at the start of the year to the on-going pandemic, it’s so important to stay present. One person who knows a thing or two about mindfulness is Laura Kelly, yoga and meditation teacher. From her spiritual journey to her favourite Boody picks, read on to get to know Laura Kelly in our interview. You're a trained yoga teacher. How did that come to be? Mine is quite a common tale, I think. I was working long hours in a successful but stressful corporate job and really felt like I needed to slow down. My yoga practice had become my biggest support in coping with stress and I initially started looking at yoga retreats but realised I needed more than a week off! I actually ended up leaving my job without a plan but found a teacher training in Bali that really focused on teaching yoga philosophy. I learnt a lot about myself over that month and came home feeling inspired to share some of the practices I’d found had helped me. You also teach meditation. Can you tell us a bit about this? I was first introduced to meditation in yoga classes as a student and then again later during my teacher training where I was introduced to a range of different meditation styles. I’d say I offer guided meditations over specifically teaching the techniques. They are accessible to everyone. My intention is to offer short guided meditations that can be done at any point during the day that are simple and easy to follow. The beauty of meditation for me is that it’s taught me how to slow down. It can help me find calm amongst frantic energy and invites me to slow my movements and consciously feel into my body and breath, to become more connected to ourselves and the world around me. Outside of your wellness practices, you provide creative content services. Talk to us about this. I have over a decade experience working as an Executive Assistant in the corporate world, so after my yoga teacher training, I made the move to fuse the two and specialise in supporting businesses and creatives in the health and wellness space. My clients are yoga and meditation teachers, spiritual healers, writers and artists. They are big thinkers and go-getters and I love assisting them in sharing their magic with the world. I work one-on-one to provide administrative support and create content that engages audiences and promotes products and services. We hear you're a big Boody fan. What is it about everyday basics you love? I’m a self-confessed extroverted introvert. While I love connecting with others and socialising, I always look forward to home alone time to recharge. I love everyday basics that are comfortable and easy to throw on but still make me feel good. Boody does exactly that. I also love your commitment to sustainability, organic fabrics and giving back to non-profits who help protect the environment. Any top picks and why? I have been living in my Long Sleeve Round Neck T-Shirt, Full Length Active Tights and Padded Shaper Crop Bra. The fabrics are all so soft and snuggly; the tights hold me in in all the right places and the bra provides enough support for my yoga practice without feeling restrictive if I’m just sitting on the couch drinking a cup of tea! Eco-friendly living is crucial to us at Boody. In what ways do you try to live a sustainable life? At the start of 2020, I made a promise to myself to only buy second-hand clothes and to really cut down on my clothes shopping in general. I love rummaging through vintage stores and my local op-shops. It’s the best feeling when you find those hidden gems! If I’m buying something new I’m doing my best to stick to brands that strive to maintain sustainable and ethical standards, like Boody! 2020 has been a stressful year for people all over the globe. Pulling on your health and wellness expertise, in what ways can people remain calm during turbulent times? I wish I had the magic answer! I’m not a medical practitioner and would never claim to offer advice for everybody but what I can do is say what has worked for me. I’ve made an effort to move my body every day, getting outside has been a non-negotiable (even if it’s just to grab a quick coffee) and I’ve allowed myself to rest when I need to. I’ve tried to not spend too much time on my devices and stay away from mainstream media. I have found that simply taking a few deep breaths when things start to feel overwhelming helps lower my stress levels and bring me back to the present moment. For me, I’ve really tried to be kind to myself and take each day as it comes as much as possible. I read somewhere recently that although we are all caught in the same storm, we are not in the same boat. Everyone is experiencing this strange time in their own way. So, I am endeavouring to take care for those around me more than ever and provide support where I can. We hear you moved from London to Sydney six years ago. What have been the main changes to your life following the move? So much has changed in the last six years! It’s definitely had its challenges; being away from friends and family has been tough but the friends I’ve made here have turned into family in a lot of ways. I wake up and go to bed a lot earlier than I did when I was living in London, I’ve trained to be a yoga teacher, I now work for myself and I’ve actually just experienced a huge milestone in becoming an Australian citizen this month which is very exciting! If people want to pursue a similar career in yoga and meditation, what advice can you offer them? Yoga teacher training has become as much about my own personal development as it has been about learning the practice, if not more. Meditation is inextricably linked to my yoga practice, in many ways, yoga IS my meditation. I think the most important thing you can do is make a commitment to your practice. Yoga is not just about what happens on the mat. The biggest changes for me have been in the way I live my life; the way I interact with people, especially my friends, family and my partner and the way I understand the inner workings of my mind. If you want to teach, I’d recommend connecting with and offering to help out at your local studio; there’s often opportunities for trained teachers when they are already part of the community. I would recommend to make your own practice the priority and to forever remain a curious student. As it is written in the Bhagavad Gita; “"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." Anything exciting in the pipeline you'd like to mention? I’m working with some really exciting clients at the moment and I’ve launched my new website where new clients can reach me to discuss how we might be able to work together. I’ve also recently collaborated with the Bondi-based infrared sauna studio, Nimbus Co, on a new online offering which will include meditation recordings, a Yin yoga sequence and a reflection journal. They will be launching this soon so keep an eye on their socials and website for more details!
Interviews
An interview with Seyi Rania, Natural Beauty & Wellness
Been meaning to give your beauty products an organic and eco-friendly overhaul? Seyi Rania has got you covered. With a deep knowledge of natural beauty that doesn’t compromise your health and wellness, Seyi knows which products are good not only for your skin – but for the planet, too. But that’s not all Seyi is about. She’s also a talented mental health counsellor, a gorgeous model and a dedicated Boody fan. We can’t get enough of her! We caught up with Seyi to talk everything from natural beauty to her fave Boody styles. Hey Seyi! How did your love for natural beauty, health and wellness come about? My wellness journey began in 2011 when my beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer. I was only 19 at the time. Following her death, I began questioning why and how my mother developed such a horrible disease… so I did my research and came across many articles detailing potential links between environmental toxins and cancer. I also began attending workshops and lectures to learn more about organic health. Since researching, I am shocked to learn the nasties/chemicals that are found in everyday conventional products and the impact it's potentially having on our health. Now that I know what I know, I have completely turned my back from conventional toxic products and use products (when possible) which are safe to use on my skin and safe for the environment. Did you know the body absorbs up to 60% from what's put onto the skin? Very scary! Tell us about your favourite organic beauty products. Goodness me, this is a tough question! However here are my all-time favourite beauty products I use weekly and can’t live without: Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask + their Noni Glow Face Oil Lavera Sensitive Facial Moisturiser BODILAB Green Tea + Chamomile Face Mask Vayda Organics Facial Cleansing Oil What is your morning and evening beauty routines? I like to keep my skincare routine simple. I suffer from acne oily prone skin so I have a routine that targets this skin type. I do not believe in undertaking a 10 step routine to achieve glowing healthy skin! In the morning: I use the Lavera Gel cleanser + Sensitive facial moisturiser If I feel like I need it e.g. haven’t had enough sleep or my face is looking a bit puffy, 1-2 times a week, I apply a few drops of facial oil to my face then use a jade roller/Gua Sha to bring circulation back into my face. I find that I look less tired and more bright-eyed when using this technique! In the evening: Again I cleanse and moisturise, however, my evening routine can vary depending on what my skin needs. Twice a week I like to use an exfoliation mask (like the Kora Organics product I mentioned earlier) followed by a facial oil Once a week or every two weeks I like to use a clay mask followed by a facial oil If I am wearing makeup on the day then I ensure to double cleanser to remove all makeup, dirt and grime then moisturise. Without a proper clean, it will only lead to breakouts. In what ways can everyone live a more healthy lifestyle? I live by a few simple rules: Drink more water Aim for at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day Everything in moderation Practice gratitude and speak kindly to oneself How can we all live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? I think it’s good to question yourself on what you buy/use on a day-to-day basis and be mindful that whatever you buy will eventually end up in a landfill. If what you buy can be more sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable, then this will benefit our planet greatly. To implement more eco-friendly habits, I do the following: Use a KeepCup. I am so strict with myself that if I forget my keep cup then I won’t buy a coffee! Use beeswax wraps instead of glad wrap and reusable ziplock bags as opposed to one use zip lock bags Walk instead of drive if possible Eco-friendly washing liquid In terms of food, buy more fruit/vegetables. Less likely to be wrapped up in plastics and good for you! We hear you're a big Boody fan! What is it about our comfy and sustainable essentials you love? I love the versatility of the essentials in that it is comfortable to wear around the home but also lovely to dress up and wear out during the day. The comfort and durability is also what I love about Boody. When I purchased my first pair of undies and leggings a year or two ago, I was immediately hooked. My essentials/underwear wardrobe is about 60% Boody, however, I am aiming for 90%! I had even reached out to one of the customer representatives to submit a review and I admitted that when I wore the Boody sleepwear for the first time, it was the best night’s sleep I have had. That is comfort guaranteed! Any favourite styles? So many styles I can add here but I really love the Everyday Slip Dress in Black. Perfect for home and to wear out on a warm day. I also really like wearing ¾ sleeve tops with a pair of Boody leggings. My favourite work-from-home attire! And of course, in between meetings and calls with my clients, I like to get out and go for a run. The Boody Active range is really lovely to wear and is durable. Comfort, durability and sustainability are all very important to me. Outside of health and wellness, you are a mental health counsellor. That must be both rewarding and challenging? Absolutely! So I have completed a degree in psychology and a masters in clinical counselling. My experience varies from homeless intake worker, behavioural therapist, NDIS support coordinator and support worker and school counsellor. Right now I am working in the education industry to provide support to students. I love what I do and I love that I can make such a difference. You also do freelance modelling. Is that something you enjoy? I love it so, so much. I have been a model for nine years and it has always been a passion of mine. In the last three years, I was discovered then signed by an agency and now I am represented by JR Management. I have never thought to do it as a full-time occupation but I love that I get a great balance of passions between working in mental health, blogging about all things natural and beauty and doing awesome modelling gigs. Definitely can’t complain! Any plans on the horizon or anything else you'd like to mention? I am always thinking of ways of how I can do more with my beauty blog and spread the importance of natural beauty to all, however, right now I think I am happy where I am. I love that I can make a difference where possible. Though if someone asked me what is my ultimate dream, it would be to have my very own natural organic skincare range! Follow Seyi on Instagram.
