G’day friends!

I hope you are all lovin’ this hot weather…summer is on the way! I’ve been really busy with many new and exciting things in my life which is the reason my posts have been limited of late…sorry!

Just a few things to mention before I share with you a wonderful mantra that I believe will make you all think about the important things in life.

The Mera Peak 2010 Expedition is all booked out now (unless we decide to take 2 groups). I am so excited about taking a fantastic team of first time climbers away to experience the joys of mountaineering in beautiful Nepal. Our first team meeting/dinner is yet to be confirmed but stay tuned Team Mera 2010.

I took part in an awesome Quick Respone Training course last weekend that has provided me with some new effective training methods employed by elite athletes and teams around Australia (but equally suitable for beginners and the non-elite). As a Personal Trainer it is essential to be open to new training principles and apply them to your clients accordingly. Life and work is all about learning, if we don’t we become domant and who wants that? I am really looking forward to using my new skills with my clients…it’s all about fast, effective training results (and fun of course)! Gerard (my client) had a fantastic workout on Sunday with me! Can’t wait to use it on all my clients. Special thanks to Craig Abbott and Murray MacCormack (Ultra-Firm) for running this course…you guys rock!

Oh, and I better mention Tiger-mania! How good is it that Tiger Woods is playing golf in Melbourne this week. He is an extraordinary athlete. I would love to be out following him this week (I am sure I will hear about it anyway) but I have another weekend course (of a different kind) that I’m attending…more on that next week perhaps.

Now for today’s words of wisdom…enjoy!

Take into account that great love & great achievements involve great risk.

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

Follow the three R’s: Respect for yourself; respect for others & responsibility for all your actions.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Spend some time alone every day.

Open your arms to change, but don’t give up your values.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good honourable life, when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

A loving atmosphere in your home is the best foundation for your life.

In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation, don’t bring up the past.

Share your knowledge, it is a way to achieve immortality.

Be gentle with the earth.

Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.

Remember the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Approach love & cooking with fearless abandon.

Nice isn’t it? This is the Dalai Lama’s message for 2009. I believe we can all take something from this, whatever our religious or spiritual beliefs may or may not be.

So, that’s all from Chez today. I hope you had a lovely day, learned a few new things, looked after your body & mind, had some fun, smiled & laughed and grew a little wiser as an individual!

Life is short…make the most of it and appreciate every single day! Love & smiles always Cherie xx

Quote for the day: Never give up No matter what is going on Never give up. Develop the heart. Too much energy in your country is spent Developing the mind instead of the heart. Be compassionate not just to your friends but to everyone Be compassionate. Work for peace in your heart and in the world. Work for peace and I say again Never give up. No matter what is happening, No matter what is going on around you, Never give up. Quoted in the Journal of the Tibet Society of the United Kingdom, 1999/2000

Hello friends,

I hope you are all well and happy. I thought this was a beautiful quote that I found when reading some material on the Dalai Lama this morning. I believe it has a simple message that can be helpful to all of us when we have moments of ‘challenge’ in our lives. I hope you like it.

I am very excited to say that the response from my last post on climbing/guiding Mera Peak next September has been remarkable. The expedition is almost full, with only one or two more places available. However, if more people continue to book we may take two groups to the summit of Mera!

Mera Peak

We will be conducting a team meeting/dinner early December and begin initial planning and team friendships before the year comes to a close. We may even be privileged to meet our leading Nepalese guide, Tika, who will make a special visit from Kathmandu to meet us! More details on this date will come in the following weeks…stay tuned team.

If any other people are interested in future climbs or treks we have available at trekclimbski please feel free to contact me at anytime. I have some very exciting ideas about the future that will offer people experiences and challenges that will motivate, inspire and lead to personal growth and satisfaction.

Many other plans are on the horizon for 2010. I will be back soon with some more general, health & wellness posts so until then friends…Live a meaningful life and be happy for all you have.

Take care & keep smiling friends

Love

Chez xx

Quote for the day: “When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble to difficult to overcome.”
Wilma Rudolph

G’day friends,

I’m back….this is a continuation of last weeks post on climbing Mera Peak with me in 2010 so let me give you some more details.

The company that we will be going with is called trekclimbski. I will be going as a trainee guide and our leaders will be Nick Farr and Tika Bahadur Tamang. Nick is a friend of mine, not to mention a highly accomplished mountaineer. I travelled to Nepal in 2005 with Nick and spent three amazing months at Everest Base camp supporting Nick and his team during their successful summit of Everest.

Nick and myself along with two friends at Everest Base Camp, 2005.

Trek Climb Ski is an Australian based adventure travel company operated by the BEST guides and leaders in the industry. For an adventure holiday with a difference, check out www.trekclimbski.com.au

Expedition date: September 5 - September 28, 2010

Highlights: Climbing Mera Peak at 6476m and mountaineering in the incredible Nepal Himalaya; spectacular views of Everest and other Himalayan mountains; sunset and sunrise over Everest from Mera Peak high camp.

I took this picture from Base Camp in 2005…Wow!

For a comprehensive itinerary check out this link on www.trekclimbski.com.au: Mera Peak climb.

Does this excite you? I can honestly say that I’m actually more excited about taking a group of friends over to experience something truly incredible than climbing as an individual goal. To share a mountaineering journey with first time adventurers will be an honour for me and an experience we will all never forget!

I would love to see you join me to climb Mera Peak this time next year!

This is one of the lodges at Phakding we will stay in during the climb (above) and these are some of the gorgeous faces we will see along the trek. The Nepalese people are just beautiful and our Sherpa team will be first class.

If you have any questions or would like to chat to me about this exciting expedition please give me a call - 0407362598. Numbers will be limited and I’ve already had much interest so don’t leave it too late. I will also be available to train people specifically for the climb in group or individual sessions. We have plenty of time, 12 months to get you physically and mentally prepared for an experience of a lifetime!

Look forward to hearing from all you adventure seekers!

My first mountaineering experience at altitude, 2005.

Take care, dream big!

Love
Cherie xx

Quote for the day: It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves”
Sir Edmund Hillary

Hey adventure bunnies!

I have some very exciting news to share with you all. Next year I will be travelling to Nepal as a trainee guide with an awesome Australian adventure company. We will take a group of beginner climbers to the top of Mera Peak (6476m).

It will be an experience of a lifetime for all involved, so how about setting yourself a goal to climb in Nepal with me next year!

Go on, I dare you to dream and share the mountains with me!

Stay tuned for more details in the coming days or give me a buzz or email if you are really excited by this idea….

Have a wild, adventurous day!

Gotta fly….busy Chez will be back soon!

x x

Quote for the day: “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Brandi Snyder

Happy Friday friends,

How has the first week in October been for you?
My week has been very busy & interesting…new ideas & opportunities, personal growth & learning, decision making and simple appreciation and reflection.

Hopefully you have experienced similar things that lead to a richer, more satisfying and meaningful life.

I’m not one to dwell on negatives but I feel the need to comment on the tragic events that have occurred in Samoa and Sumatra this week. It is very difficult to read about and observe such loss and destruction. So terribly sad and unexplainable, it certainly makes you ask the question “WHY?”
We will never be able to answer that but we must be positive and strong in dealing with this. It’s up to us to turn negatives into positives even when that seems so hard. It would be great if we could instantly fix all of the destruction and saddness but that’s impossible, however I believe as individuals the best thing we can do each and every day is support one another and be the best person we can possibly be. We all have the ability to make a difference in our own special and unique ways. Doing that with love and honesty should be a priority. The communication you share with a person, connection, encouragement, concern, just having a genuine interest in them as indivuals is so important. What about a simple smile or hug…you can never have too much of that!
By simply doing that we’ll be doing good for others and ourselves. That is a gift and more than enough to make a positive and powerful difference.
Are you walking the talk? Are your actions, behaviours, words and thoughts in alignment?

My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the tragedy of the week and all the other saddness that occurs on a daily basis here in Australia and around the world. Unity and love is what’s important when dealing with life’s inevitable challenges.

I thought this would be a suitable quote to share with you all today. Enjoy

“Anyway”

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centred. Love them anyway!

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway!

If you are successful, who will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway!

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway!

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway!

The biggest (person) with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest (people) with the smallest minds. Think big anyway!

People favour underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for some underdogs anyway!

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway!

People really need help, but make attack you if you help them. Help them anyway!

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!
Mother Teresa

Group training this weekend

Yes, this week is the first group hiking session at the 1000 stairs, Dandenong Ranges National Park. We will meet at 1.15pm in the carpark and kick-off at 1.30pm.
The weather looks perfect for an hour or so of bush walking in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful regions. I encourage you all to join me for some fun, fitness and adventure!
I will have my mobile on so if you get lost just give me a buzz.
If you have any questions about Sunday’s walk please call or email between now and then.
Mobile: 0407362598 Email:cherie.horne@bigpond.com

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday, confirmation text would be much appreciated please!

For everyone elso, have a happy weekend doing what you love!

Take care

Love

Chez xx

Quote for the day: “Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”

Hi there friends!

Yesterday morning when I was out for a morning run along the beach I was inspired by the most beautiful rainbow in the sky. How pure and magnificent is the beauty of nature? It touches my soul, enriches me and makes me appreciate the simple gifts of life.

When you are a child, everything seems magical. Remember believing in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? When we get older, we often lose the ability to dream and follow our goals and desires. Could that be due to fear? The fear of failure…rejection or perhaps even success? All those safety barriers we put up and hide behind for self protection. The irony is those barriers often become walls of pain, suffering and loneliness.

This morning when I ran towards the rainbow I felt like an excited child with the world at her fingertips… running towards my pot of gold!

I want you all to feel the same.

Treasure yourself, love the person you are and find the truth to your existence…

Now, on the topic of rainbows and all things health & wellness I thought I would give you a rainbow-inspired list of superfoods to include in your diet.

If you are not eating all of these foods on a regular basis then perhaps making some changes would be a beneficial idea!

	R Red Kidney Beans: A great source of cholesterol lowering (soluable) fibre, high protein, low fat, low GI and packed with essential nutrients including: molybdenum (a trace mineral that contains an enzyme which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites), folate, thiamin B1, phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium and vitamin K.
	A Almonds: Great source of Vitamin E and healthy mono-unsaturated fat. Rich in protein and vital minerals including zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, iron as well as vitamin B2-riboflavin.
	I Iron-rich foods: Iron is a very important nutrient for optimum health. It comes in 2 forms ‘heme’ iron and ‘non-heme’ iron. Heme iron occurs in some animal foods whereas the simpler non-heme form occurs in plant/vegetarian foods. The heme foods have generally more iron overall and better absorbed than non-heme however, if there are many special tricks to to boost your iron absorption if you are relying on plant derived options. The most important one is to combine non-heme foods with wholegrains such as wholemeal bread, brown rice/pasta etc and include foods high in vitamin C (tomato-based sauces, orange juice) with your meal. Great sources of dietary iron are: (Heme) lean meat, liver, fish, chicken, oysters, salmon. (Non-heme) eggs, lentils, red kidney beans, breakfast cereal, spinach, wholemeal bread, tofu, dried apricots, sultanas/raisins, almonds.
	N Natural Youghurt: Natural set youghurt contains a microbe called Lactobacillus which will help restore equilibrium in the gut. The lactic acids in youghurt act on digestion in several ways. They increase the uptake of nutrients-particularly calcium; regulate bowel function; and have bactericidal properties. Youghurt is also an excellent source of calcium and protein.
	B Brown Rice: High quality wholegrain complex carbohydrate which assists in lowering cholesterol. High fibre, good source of B vitamins and essential nutrients such as: manganese, selenium, magnesium and tryptophan.
	O Oats: Food for the soul. Highly nutritious wholegrain complex carbohydrate, high fibre, low GI and packed with energy and essential nutrients including plenty of the B complex vitamins, iron, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Oats also contain cholesterol lowering antioxidants (avenanthramides) and unique fiber, beta-glucan.
	W Walnuts: Heart and brain food as they are high in potassium. Like all nuts, protein-rich and provide other essential minerals such as zinc and iron along with Omega 3 fatty acids

How many of these foods do you eat? If better health and nutrition is a priority for you start including these foods in your diet today!

Group Sunday Walking

I am excited to announce that next Sunday 4th October will be the first group walking session at the 1000 stairs, Upper Ferntree Gully National Park. You are all welcome to join me for an hour of fun, fitness and nature. We will meet in the carpark at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start. I will have my mobile so if you get lost just give me a call.

If you are interested and would like to know more please give me a call on 0407362598 this week or email me at cherie.horne@bigpond.com and I will fill you in with more details.

Hope to see you all there next Sunday…get your walking shoes ready and make a commitment to better health and fitness with me!

And finally I cannot forget the AFL Grand Final tomorrow. Melbourne is buzzing with finals fever. My tip: Geelong by 27 points! Go Cats!

Take care friends, enjoy this weekend!

Love

Cherie x

Quote for the day: “Mind is everything: muscles - pieces of rubber. All that I am, I am because of my mind.”
Paavo Nurmi

Hey fitness fanatics!

Something a little different…inspiring…crazy perhaps?

There is a Melbourne man who happens to be an old school friend (I will leave it at that ) who is soon to imbark on a rather enormous challenge! No, he’s not climbing dangerous mountains he is planning to run marathons…not one but 52 in 12 months!

His name is Tristan Miller (aka T-Bone) and on January 1st 2010 he will run the first of 52 marathons in 52 weeks. All are registered marathons in different countries, beginning in Zurich, Switzerland.

Why don’t you check out his website www.runlikecrazy.com.au.

I wish you all the very best Tristan…you crazy lunatic!!

Weekly news from Chez

On the topic of marathons it’s only 3 weeks away until the Melbourne marathon. Many of my clients and friends are taking part in this great event. The majority of your work is done now runners, so enjoy the taper period and freshen up.

	Footy finals fever is dominating our news…what an exciting weekend ahead. Awesome that channel 10 have decided to televise Saturday night’s Geelong v Collingwood block buster live! My tips: Saints to beat the Dogs by 9 points, Cat’s to beat the Pies by 16 points! Yes, going with the favourites. However, would love the Dogs to surprise everyone and take out the AFL premiership!
	Sunday group training at the 1000 stairs: This will most likely commence for beginners on Sunday 27th September @ 2pm. Stay tuned, I will confirm this on my Personal Training page soon.
	Spring Racing hot’s up this weekend with the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. This is the beginning of some very high quality thoroughbreds hitting the track! My tip: Just follow jockey Craig Williams…he is a gun and a great guy!
	Check out the Netball as the Aussie girls’ take on New Zealand in the Test Series on Sunday @ 2pm, channel 10. Go girls!
	On the girl front, I must mention Kim Clijsters who has made a remarkable comeback from ‘retirement’ to win the US Open. Super mum Kim is a perfect example of womens’ capabilities following childbirth. She is an inspiring role model for all females in the world. The good news is that Kim is looking forward to playing in the Aussie Open in January 2010, it will be great to see her back in Melbourne.

In regards to my Health & Nutrition Shop, more products will be on-line soon…stay tuned.

That’s all from Chez this week Superstars!

Have a awesome weekend, life is short; make the most of it!

Take care

Love

Cherie
x x

PS: I just have to mention the importance of eating a hearty nutritious breakfast to kick-start your day, not mentioning any names…Lynne! Get your act together woman…stop making excuses; just do it (or should I say just eat it!)

Quote for the day: “What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.”
Abraham Maslow

G’day Groovers!

It’s almost the weekend and we have some fantastic weather to enjoy according to the forecast. Let’s make some lifestyle changes by walking our way to better health & fitness this Spring starting this weekend!
Don’t just think about it…do it! Make the commitment and stick to it. I dare you…

Below I have listed 7 beautiful walks in different locations around Victoria. How about making a goal to walk every one on the list by Christmas this year?
I will offer a special prize to everyone who achieves this!

If you want some personal coaching or have a group of friends who want to enjoy some outdoor training then send me an email or give me a buzz and we can organise this immediately. I’m planning to take regular groups to the 1000 stairs (Upper Ferntree Gully) on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons very soon. If this interests you give me a call. It will be loads of fun…and you will get fit too!

I will be heading up to the Dandenongs to check the tracks out this weekend so stay tuned…

	The Bay Trail, St.Kilda, Melbourne Length: 6 km Start: St Kilda Pier Finish: Bay Street, Brighton Grade: Easy Track: Flat/Good
	The Royal Botanical Gardens Trial, Melbourne Length: 3km Start: Any gate entrance Finish: Any gate entrance Grade: Easy Track: Flat (apart from Anderson’s Hill)/Good
	Cape Woolamai Trail, Phillip Island Length: 8km Start: Cape Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club car park Finish: Cape Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club car park Grade: Medium Track: Slight undulations/Good
	Lake Wendouree Trail, Ballarat Length: 6km Start: Kiosk near Botanical Gardens, Ballarat Finish: Kiosk near Botanical Gardens, Ballarat Grade: Easy Track: Flat/Good
	Kokoda Walk - 1000 stairs, Dandenong Ranges National Park Length: 5km Start: Ferntree Gully Rangers Office Finish: One Tree Hill Picnic Ground Grade: Moderate/Hard Track: Steep/undulating terrain
	Mt Abrupt Trail, Grampians National Park Length: 3.5km Start: Halls Gap Road Finish: Mt Abrupt Summit Grade: Moderate/Hard Track: Undulating terrain/Steep
	Mt Sugarloaf Trail, Kinglake National Park Length: 13km Start: Park Visitor Centre Finish: Park Visitor Centre Grade: Moderate Track: Good/undulating terrain

There you have it, seven great walks to enjoy and explore around Victoria. If you have any questions about any of these walks please give me a call.

So motivated walkers….Get your body moving, enjoy the outdoors and walk your way to better health & happiness!

Take care & have fun!!

Love

Cherie x

Quote for the day: Great people are those who can make others feel that they too can become great.
Mark Twain

Hi guys,

Hope you all had a great weekend and all the Dad’s out there were spoilt and appreciated by their kids! I had a candle lit all day in memory of my beautiful father Tony. Love you Dad.

Well, it’s September that means footy fever…what a super weekend of football we had..who will win the AFL grand final this year is the question everyone is asking? Exciting weeks await us that is for sure….

Some more news on my Health & Nutrition Store. In the coming weeks I will be introducing a large range of Melrose and Aussie Bodies products. Both companies have an extensive product list that I will be available at very competitive prices.

Below is some current research news that is you might find interesting. Source: Herald-Sun

Obesity ages brain faster

Overweight people have smaller brains and are more at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study.
Their brains also age faster than those of slim people.
Reasearchers found that brains in the obese had an average of 8% less tissue and had aged prematurely by 16 years, while those in overweight people had 4% less tissue and appeared eight years older. The University of Pittsburgh is the first to find a link between weight and brain function. Researchers compared brain scans of 94 people in their 70’s.
The obese had lost tissue in the frontal and temporal lobes - critical for planning and memory.

Healthy body equals healthy mind!

Whistle it away

Chronic asthmatics may be able to whistle away their most dangerous attacks. Melbourne Southern Health researchers have found that dysfunctional vocal cords trigger asthmatic symptoms in up to half of the most seriously ill asthmatics. Whistling and humming to stretch vocal cords helps sufferers.

Isn’t it great to see conventional medicine take a back seat, the answers are sometimes found by looking outside the square so to speak!

Thin excuse for joy

Thin girls are happier than overweight girls, research has found.Local experts say the Canadian study is further evidence that our children are being bombarded with unrealistic images, making them body conscious way too early.

They say girls as as young as five are being treated for eating disorders, and marketers continue to push adult-style fashion and ideas on younger girls and boys.
The Canadian study of 4254 school children ages 10 and 11 also found girls were happiest when thin, while boys were unhappy when they were too skinny or to fat.
The Victorian government will launch its Real Life Doesn’t Need Retouching campaign, which tackles the unrealistic images affecting how young people see themselves.

What a fantastic campaign, I believe this is a very serious issue that needs urgent attention.

A breath of hope

Scientists in Israel have devised a portable breath tester that detects lung cancer with 86% accuracy. The device could provide an early warning system that flags the disease before tumours become visable in X-rays, the researchers reported in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. The sensor uses gold nanoparticles to detect levels of volatile organic compounds - measured in a few parts per million - that become more elevated in cancer patients. Early detection of lung cancer dramatically increases the odds of survival.

This is fantastic news, l hope we see other similar devices that can detect for early stages of various other cancers. On this subject I would like to send my love to a dear friend of mine, Mary Harper who is already back home after a successful operation to remove a cancerous tumour from her bowel. Love you Mary xx

Additives and illness

Many parents of children with asthma and attention problems still don’t realise food additives could be to blame. Food Intolerance Network experts say preservatives, flavours and colours could all cause problems like rashes and hyperactivity.

As I always say, keep your diet raw and clean and you will be healthy and lean

Quirky for the day:(very applicable for the mountain girl)…

A picture of trust

A student left a camera on a picturesque Welsh mountaintop in an experiement on human trust. The 24 year old male student, left a note near the summit of Mount Tryfan, instructing walkers to take a picture then leave it for the next person.
He was keen to know if the camera would return to his home as per instructions, or if it would be stolen instead.
Thankfully, over 30 walkers took photographs of themselves at the summit. When the film ran out four days later, the camera was personally returned to his home by a national park warden.

Perhaps I should try a similar experiment on my next mountain?

Make sure you smile today and appreciate the life you have!

Take care

Love

Cherie x

Happy Spring everyone!

Quote for today: When making major choices, be guided by what is most precious to you, not by others’ expectations of you.

Winter is gone and a new season has begun, let’s make it a special one. Take a few moments to reassess where you’re at in your life, how are you feeling physically, psychologically and spiritually perhaps? How are those goals you set earlier in the year progressing? Have you achieved them? Is it time to set some new ones or simply get back on track with the past goals? Have you been making time to nuture your special friendships, have you been taking time out for yourself?

Yes, many questions to ask yourself, but all very important ones indeed…this is your life! Go on, make some time to think about these things and most importantly take action of your life!

Health & Nutrition Shop live

I am excited to launch my health & nutrition shop to you all today. It’s a work in progress (as is my whole site) and I will begin with a small range of nutrition products that are wholesome and competitively priced and increase the range to include various other products in coming months…stay tuned!

Most of the products in the shop are made by Megaburn, high quality natural raw food products. I have also introduced a new honey product -Bee Power nature’s super food of the future.

If you have any questions about purchasing any of the products or other nutrition supplements you may wish to purchase (that are not on-line but I may have) please contact me.

I hope today’s addition to my site continues to provide a unique service that I am passionate about providing you all with!

Have a great ‘first day of Spring’ friends.

Keep smiling & loving life!

Take care

Cherie x