Before I head off for a techno break, I thought I would share some of my favourite books and mags that may inspire you as you head into what I hope is a fabulous year for you and your loved ones. It is hard to limit it, and I will be updating my Favourite Books pages when I get back from beach land, so here are two all time favourite books, and the mags that inspire me throughout the year, for your summer reading list. Enjoy!

#1 Return To Love

I write about this book in Getting Real About Having It All, as it changed my life so radically when I was 22, and helped me get in touch with my spirit. Before that it had been all about me, you know, partying, partying, partying. Nothing too spirit worthy I can assure you. Marianne is one of my most beloved spiritual teachers. In fact, one of my manifestations for 2013 is to have her write the foreword to my next book (yes I have just started working on it, tres exciting!). Don’t get caught up in the language in this book about God if you are not religious – I do not subscribe to any formal religion, however I do consider myself deeply spiritual. Marianne teaches from A Course In Miracles, which you will learn about through her work. I cannot recommend this highly enough – you can buy it here, and also get the audiobook, read by Marianne, at Audible. I hope you love it, let me know if it moves you.

#2 Jonathan Livingston Seagull

It was hard for me to decide whether to put this title or Illusions, both by Richard Bach, as number 2, as they are both amazing, life changing books in my world. But I went with Jonathan as I think it is a perfect dose of inspiration for the new year. My best friend from high school, Scottie, gave this book to me when I was in my teens, and then in my late teens, my girlfriend Renee from dance school used to read it to me while we laid on the beach on wistful lazy afternoons- the kind I think you only have at that time of your life (need more of those, note to self). It is a book about discovery, courage and going beyond everyone’s limitation, including your own. I am going to take it on holidays with me, and might even read it to Luca if he will let me! A truly wonderful book. You can buy it in Australia here, or globally on Amazon.

#3 Monthly Sources of Fun and Inspiration

So if you are like me, you love a good book, but you equally find inspiration in a glossy magazne. I am a bit of a mag junkie I have to say, finding ideas for my books (I can say books now as I am working on number 2!), clippings for my vision boards, things to pin on my Pinterest boards, and inspiration for my health, wellbeing and happiness. So here are a few of the ones that are my staple go to mags. Most of them are American and I have them on subscription which is surprisingly cost effective, and you can also download on your tablet of choice (not good for ripping out all those images though, so I get the paper version).

O Magazine

Health Magazine

Yoga Journal

Whole Living

Wellbeing Magazine

Vogue (Australia and sometimes US)

Harpers Bazaar (Australia)

Depending what’s on the cover, I also pick up Yoga Journal (Aussie issue), Real Simple, Marie Claire, InStyle, and the odd trashy mag which I read on my exercise bike when I really need a distraction – yes usually while watching some version of Real Housewives (NY and Beverly Hills please). There you have it, now you know! Happy reading!

As you move through these first few weeks of the new year, I encourage you if you haven’t already to check out my newly released book Getting Real ABout Having It All: Be Your Best, Love Your Career & Bring Back Your Sparkle. It has so many of the areas covered that you need to create the career and life you love, and live it well. I have been overwhelmed with the positive response and huge media coverage online, tv + radio, and in print. And the glowing feedback from readers has moved me so much. Hay House has also created a super cool app for the book and you can get inspiration on their Facebook page here (and see below for examples). Click on over and read the first chapter for free here. While you are there, check out the new live coaching call series that starts in March.

I would love to help you create your very best year, in whatever way I can, large or small.

Thanks for being here. See you after Byron – I might even have a (fake) tan!

Many blessings

Megan xoxo

Thanks guys, you rock my world!!!

Now, here are my 3 Good Things for October. Enjoy!!

#1 Inspiring Women in Business Event

Last week I spent two days at my favourite event for the entire year – the Sustaining Women in Business conference. IBM is a foundation partner, along with Telstra, KPMG and ANZ, and each year Taren Hocking of Champion Events, together with our committee, leads this phenomenal event. This year was one of the best events yet. Where else can you see Jackie Frank, Editor of Marie Claire; Elizabeth Broderick, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner; Mia Freedman from MamaMia; Jenna Goudreau from Forbes Women in New York; Dan Gregory from The Gruen Transfer; Catherine Fox from the AFR; leading CEO’s like Andrew Stevens from IBM; up and coming leaders like Holly Ransom; leading researchers like Jane Horan, Kathi Vian and Dr Adam Fraser; Kristina Karlsson from Kikki K; Lisa Messenger from The Messenger Group and also hear first hand about domestic violence from Catherine and Vickie Smith as featured on The Australian Story. Phew, it is exhausting just writing all of that (sorry guys, too many people to link them all!). It was such an inspiring, empowering and educational few days, with lasting effects. If you haven’t had an SWB experience, then I can only urge you to get yourself to the event in Melbourne next year. It is one of the best investments you will ever make in your professional career.

#2 Cheeky new business book

OK, so this book from one of my bestie’s has a cheeky title, but the content is serious stuff. If you have ever had a bad boss, felt sick at the very thought of going to work on a Monday morning, or chucked it all after yet another shocking run in, then this is the book for you. Conceived over vodka and sushi in New York one night when Michelle and I were laughing about her pretty bad boss at the time, she said to me, ‘I just want to tell him to go f**k himself’ and we laughed about how that would be a fabulous book that would surely go viral all around the world – because let’s face it – who hasn’t had that thought at least once in their career? And so the book was born. 5 Reasons To Tell Your Boss To Go F**k Themselves! Michelle has just come back from New York (and yes we were there together, more Vodka, more sushi!) where she was all over Fox and the interwebs with her research and fabulous book launch. Check it out at her website, and follow her on Twitter. It’s seriously funny and cool stuff!

#3 Cool new community site

Just a quick one for #3. Check out these this relatively new site for women, which is totally cool. Coping With Jane is an awesome site for women looking to successfully navigate life, love and motherhood. It is worth regular bookmarks in your web land. Oh, and you might see the occassional post from me on it too! Check it out.

Hope all is well in your world. Make sure you come back soon, and remember to get on the list .

Here are some of the things that are rocking out this month in my 3 Good Things. Enjoy!

#1 I Can Do It Event & Hay House Writers Workshop

A few weeks ago I had a pretty surreal experience. On the weekend I was at the Hay House I Can Do It event in Sydney. Louise Hay, Cheryl Richardson and other amazing HH authors were there, sharing their wisdom with about 3,000 people. My book, Getting Real About Having It All was on pre-sale, along side Louise’s and all the other amazing HH authors. Not only was it on the table, people actually bought it! Now, you may not think anything of that, but for a first time author, and with a book that has not been publicised yet, it was an awesome feeling. I even had people who were sitting around me in the audience asking me to sign it. One of the best feelings ever. And then on the Monday, HH had their Writers Workshop. Now, just twelve months earlier I was in the audience at the same workshop, as a hopeful would be writer. And now here I was, a published author with HH and on the stage being announced by Leon Nacsen, Hay House CEO as their newest author. I can’t wait to have the book out in the world, and for it to help women who dream of having the career and life they love, and live it well. It has been an amazing ride so far!

#2 Girl Crush Alert – Gabby Bernstein

Have you heard about Gabrielle Bernstein? Featured in the New York Times Sunday Styles section as “a new role model”, Gabby is a speaker and author, and a spiritual guru for a new generation of spiritual seekers. She is a #1 bestselling author of the books Add More ~ing to Your Life – A hip guide to happiness and Spirit Junkie – A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles. In January 2013 she launches her new book May Cause Miracles (published by Random House.) Gabrielle is also the founder of the social networking site HerFuture.com for women to inspire, empower and connect. She is all around a pretty cool chick. As a long time follower of Marianne Williamson, whose book A Return To Love rocked my world when I was 21, Gabby is following in her footsteps bringing the teachings of A Course In Miracles to the next generation. Check her out here.

It’s the start of Spring in Sydney town, and I am gearing up for a whirlwind few months with a trip to New York, speaking engagements galore, and a fabulous book launch (!), so I thought it was time to do some spring cleaning with a juice cleanse. My regular readers know that I am pretty partial to all things green and clean. My fabulous naturopath Angela Hywood put me on to Lucky You Juice Cleanse. In the past few weeks I have done a five day and a two day cleanse, and I have to tell you, I feel amazing! I have done nearly every juice cleanse in Sydney, and this is hands down my favourite. All certified organic, cold pressed juices in reusable glass jars. You get six 500ml juices/smoothies per day, they are delicious and it is all delivered to your door. It doesn’t get much easier, or much healthier, than that. So if you want to get your juice on, you can check them out here. Your body and soul with thank you for it!

So there you have it, 3 Good Things. What are your 3 Good Things at the moment? I would love to hear about them in the comments below. And if you think this post may inspire some of your friends, please share it and share the love. See you again soon. Stay well.

Enjoy!

# 1 My piece of retreat heaven

For my little week of rest and relaxation I had  a few criteria. It had to be in or near Byron Bay, my spiritual paradise. It had therefore to be on or near the beach. And it had to easy, healthy, and basically all done for me so I didn’t need to think about anything other doing nothing! The place that fit the bill perfectly was Cabarita Ocean Retreat. About 25 minutes north of Byron, in between Byron and the Gold Coast, COR is a new health retreat that is getting rave reviews. I knew about it through my fabulous and very clever girlfriend Samantha Gowing, who is the executive chef there, and one of the most talented chefs I have ever met. She cooks up an amazing array of nutritious, wholesome, gluten, dairy and sugar free food you have ever tasted. I spent my days up at 6.30am for a long walk on one of the best, longest, most amazing beaches I have ever walked on. Then breakie, some stretching/yoga/meditation, a long bike ride to Kingscliff on the never ending bike path, and then lunch before an afternoon of relaxation, spa treatments, reading, or a luxurious nap in my wonderful comfy bedroom. Then it was mocktails, dinner, and an early night, but not before another treat in the deep bath filled with bubbles. I spent 7 glorious nights at Cabarita Ocean Retreat, and it was one of the best health retreat experiences I have ever had. I highly recommend it. Bliss.

#2 Space to Breath

One of the most special things about giving yourself the gift of time out, is giving yourself space to breath. Now this may sound silly, as we all breath all day everyday. Of course. But there is a difference between the unconscious breathing we do to simply survive, and the conscious, mindful breathing we do  when we have time and space to ourselves, away from the sometime craziness and busy-ness that we can exist in. I loved waking up with nothing on my agenda other than a long walk on the beach, then sitting in the sand listening to my breath and the ocean crashing in front of me. I did this a few times each day, the walk and then the meditation. In other times during my stay I would just sit with my breath, sometimes with a cup of tea, other times in the bath, or just doing nothing. No expectations of getting anything done other than being with myself. How can you give yourself some space to breath in your daily life? I know it can be challenging in the run and tumble of normal existence, and it certainly is so much easier when we are away from it all. But we can create space to breath if we choose to. So what do you choose? Find that space for yourself – you deserve it, and you are so worth it.

#3 Nourish yourself

One of the amazing things about going to a health retreat is that everything is laid out for you, especially your food. You don’t have to think about what to buy, what to cook, or that you have to clean up (special bonus!). And most importantly perhaps, you don’t to wage that war with yourself about what you should and shouldn’t eat, and then blast yourself with guilt and shame when you eat something that is on the banned list – are you with me here? Yep, thought so. My health works best when I am cutting the gluten, dairy and sugar from my daily food intake. I can find this challenging, as sometimes I am not prepared, I am too tired, or I just can’t be bothered after a long day to make the right choices. On retreat, especially when your chef is someone amazing like Sam Gowing, it is all just there for you. Coming home from retreat, it has been all about making the right choices, keeping up my motivation to do so, and most importantly, being prepared with wonderful organic fruits and vegies at home, buying organic meats, fish and chicken so I have them on hand, and making nourishing sugar free treats so there is something at hand when I feel like being a little bit naughty, without having the guilt trip afterwards. How are you nourishing yourself? What makes you feel well and thriving? And what can you do to bring more of that into your everyday life? Questions worth pondering, and worth making the time and effort for. Here’s to your good health!

I hope you enjoyed this month’s 3 Good Things. If you did, I would love you to share it, and leave your comments down here. What are you going to do to nourish yourself this month and create some breathing space? I would love to hear from you.

Until next time, Be Well xo

Stay well

Megan xo

#1 Supercharged Food

If you want to eat well and need inspiration for healthy meals then go and get this beautiful book. Lee Holmes from Supercharged Food has created this cook book and so much more. All food is gluten, sugar, dairy free and full of wholesome goodness for the whole family. And her new website totally rocks! Check it out peeps and get your healthy glow on.

#2 Making Change Stick

Many of you will know my fascination with psychology and neuroscience. Of particular interest, is how we create positive change, one of my burning passions in life. At the heart of change, is understanding how to change a habit, and create new ones. Whether it is learning how to eat apples instead of cupcakes (guilty), training your brain to love going for a run, or turning your organisation around after bad results, understanding change is essential knowledge. In this new book The Power Of Habit, journalist Charles Duhigg, shows us in an easy to read and understand format, why we do what we do, and how to change it. Essential reading.

#3 Having It All – Or Not? 

In the current issue of The Atlantic magazine, the (former) first woman director of policy planning at the US State Department, writes an in depth opinion piece entitled Why Women Still Can’t Have It All. Now, you know I am all over this topic, no surprises as the topic of my forthcoming book is called Getting Real About Having It All, so this article got my attention. Anne-Marie Slaughter argues in a great amount of detail her personal challenges of performing a high powered all consuming role in Washington, while her two teenage children and husband remained in another state, meaning she only got to go home on weekends. She talks about the challenges she has seen and poses solutions that she thinks will address the issues. Whilst I don’t always agree with her position, it is a formidable argument and well worth a read. I would love to hear your thoughts, so read the article and then come back and let’s have a discussion.

If you enjoyed this blog post, I would love it if you would share the love – tweet it, share on Facebook, or however else tickles your fancy! Most grateful. Just hit the buttons down below

Now, onto the 3 Good Things that have been rocking my world this month. Check them out and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

#1 Check this out for business blast off (be quick, closes Friday!)

Ok so my latest girl crush is the rockin’, cool, inspiring Marie Forleo. Marie is an entrepenuer and savvy marketer who is the success behind thousands of women who are running fabulously successful online businesses. If you want to learn how to do the same, then check out B School. It is an 8 week online program that will  help you build a crazy successful online business (or offline too I am sure). I have signed up, and can’t wait to get started next week. Be quick, as the registrations close end of the week. Oh, and if you want lots of free goodies just for signing up, then check out Danielle’s site below and sign up through her affiliate program to get all her cool stuff. Awe-some!!

#2 Book to rock your business (and your soul)

Hmmm so I actually have 2 new girl crushes going on this month! Greedy aren’t I?! What can I say about Danielle LaPorte. She is a soulful, badass and inspiring writer and all round cool person. I stumbled across her website and was drawn in by her blogs and her voice. I then came across her new book, The Firestarter Sessions, which I instantly pre-ordered on Amazon. I had to wait to start reading it as I was in the final stages of my first draft for my upcoming book Getting Real About Having It All (small plug, check out the My Book page . But the second I had the book in with the publisher I started reading, and listening too actually as I bought the Audible version also and love to listen on my walks. The book is a soulful but practical guide to creating success. If you are an entrepenuer, or anyone looking to create success in business and life, then check this out. It’s a gift to the world.

#3 Fabulous Wellness Blog

And now for your wellbeing hit! So you all know how passionate I am about all things wellness related. I am always on the hunt for the best blogs, resources and info on how to get and stay well. One of the best, most informative and coolest blogs I have found is Jess Ainscough aka The Wellness Warrior. Jess is a cancer survivor who undertook two years of rigorous Gerson therapy to self heal. Through her journey, she has become a health coach, avid blogger, ebook author and all round wellness guru (and I don’t use that word lightly!). She posts daily with wellness inspiration and is one of my key go to blogs for all things health related. Click the link above and check it out – your best self will thank you for it.

Here are my latest 3 Good Things. I hope you enjoy and find something to inspire you.

Be well

Megan x

#1 Latest Leadership Crush

So first there was Daniel Pink, then Peter Bregman, and now my latest leadership crush is Robin Sharma. You might know him from his books, his most notable is The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. He has sold millions of books all over the world on leadership and success. I have been loving his audio programs over the past week, which I have been listening to on my walks. Whilst there is not a lot of new content (because as a wise sage once said, everything has already been said), I do like his approach, his fresh voice and his content, much of which funnily enough resonates with what I have been writing for Getting Real – that must be why I like him so much!! Check out his website here, and let me know what you think.

#2 Cool New Wellness Blog

You may have seen Sally Joseph in my favourite people pages – she has been my amazing nutritionist for well over a decade, and she is nutritionist to people like Miranda Kerr and Layne Beachly. She totally rocks! And lucky for all of you, she has recently started her new blog and lauched her new website. It is full of amazing resources, recipes and information on how to live your wellest life. I highly recommend it. Make sure you check out her choc banana smoothie – it is truly amazing, delicious and addictive!

#3 My Healing Soup

Ok so it wouldn’t be a blog post without a recipe! This week, feeling like I needed a little nurturing and nourishment, I made my beautiful organic vegetable soup. I am not a master chef by any stretch, but I have to say that this soup is pretty amazing. I make it every few weeks, or whenever I need a bit of extra love and care. It’s super easy, only takes about 20 minutes from start to end, and makes up a big pot that lasts me about 5 days – you can freeze it too if you like, makes a great easy dinner or lunch at the office. Give it a try!

Ingredients – organic where possible

One brown onion

2 cloves garlic

Half a cauliflower

Kettle full of boiling water

2 vegetable stock cubes

One medium sized sweet potatoe

Half a brocolli

One entire head of english spinach – lots of it! (or silverbeet or other leafy green)

My (Pretty Basic) Cooking instructions

Brown the onions and garlic in some olive oil

Add boiling water and stock cubes

Add sweet potato and bring to the boil, and then add the cauliflower

After a few minutes, add the brocolli and a when the brocolli is soft, turn the heat down

Add the spinach or greens, lots and lots of it, and then put the lid on and turn the heat off. The spinach will steam beautifully.

Then, just blend with a hand blender until almost mixed together, but leaving some chunks.

Spoon into bowls, add some grated parmesan and goats cheese, a touch of sea salt and black pepper, and enjoy!

AH-MAZ-ING!!!

Here are my 3 Good Things – would love your comments. Enjoy x

#1 Kathryn Budig Yoga Workshop

Today I spent three hours at a yoga workshop with the amazing and very bendy Kathryn Budig. What this woman can’t do with her body is not worth doing! You may have seen Kathryn in the flesh (and not much else!) in the yoga toes ads in yoga magazines. She is one of the hottest things on the global yoga scene at the moment, and after three hours doing hip openers with her today I can see why. Kathryn was in Sydney and in New Zealand, where she bungy jumped and sky dived in full lotus pose – seriously! Fabulous way to have a break from all that writing, and lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. However, I may not be able to walk tomorrow! You can check out Kathryn’s online yoga podcasts here at yoga glo. Get your yoga on people! Practice safely

# 2 Best Tea Ever!

Ok so I had to post this tonight to share with you my very favourite tea of all time. When I was in Banff, Canada for the first time a few years ago, I fell in love with the town. My visit back there in January this year confirmed my love affair. If you haven’t been there, I highly recommend hanging out there in winter, in the magic of the snow. On my first visit, I stumbled into the Banff Tea Company, and out of the hundreds of teas on offer, I chose the Lavender Mint loose leaf tea – as it was my two favourite teas together. It turned out to be the very best tea I have ever had. You open the bag, and the lavender wafts out and is instantly calming. And the taste is beyond! You can order it on-line and they ship it almost anywhere I think, and it even made through Australian customs! If you like a beautiful herbal tea, then you really should treat yourself and order some of this. And let me know what you think!

#3 Meditation to vamp up your energy

So you all know how much I love meditation. I especially love a great guided meditation. This week, I have been revisiting an old favourite. Deepak Chopra has a wonderful Chakra meditation, which guides you through all seven chakras in a wonderful, relaxing, energising and peace inducing meditation (you can also do the Chakras one by one). The Chakras are the energy centres in the body, and cleansing them through a meditation process is one of the most effective ways to remove energy blocks in the body and get things flowing again.  I share this with you today, as I have been doing three parts of this meditation, the three base chakras, for the past few days and have felt such a huge shift in my energy I have been amazed. Check it out and see what you think – you could be delightfully surprised.

So here are my 3 Good Things for this week. As we celebrated International Womens Day on Thursday, this weeks post is dedicated to amazing things around women. Enjoy!

#1 On-line health summit for women

W.I.S.H. stands for Women’s International Summit for Health. It’s a modern-day online women’s circle of wisdom. Throughout history, women have come together to support and empower one another in times of need. We’ve shared childcare duties, laundry and even lovers in some cultures. Women find solace and strength in sisterhood, and WISH makes it happen on a larger scale than ever before.

How does it work?

Every day for 40 days and 40 nights, there will be a series of recorded interviews available to all those who have registered for the event. They send you a cheerful message, you click a little blue link, and PRESTO! Instant inspiration at light speed. I just got my first email a few hours ago so will be listening tonight. You can pick and choose which talks you want to listen to, and there is even a workbook if you want to get it. Sounds pretty awesome to me. Check it out!

#2  Celebrating Women and Girls

It was International Womens Day on Thursday.  Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.  I celebrated the day connecting with women who are special to me. I also had the pleasure to spend a few hours with over a hundred IBM women sharing my thoughts on some of my favourite topics – mentors, sponsors, career planning, and wellbeing – all in my forthcoming book by the way (just a small plug there in case you missed it!). The highlight of my day was getting a call in the evening from one of my mentees, who just rang to tell me how much I inspire her every day, and how greatly she values our relationship. How amazing that she would take the time to connect with me in such a meaningful way. I was so humbled and grateful. I hope you celebrated IWD in a meaningful way, and with women and girls who are close to you.

# TED talk to warm your heart

Listen to this TED talk in a quiet moment to warm your heart and feed your soul. ”If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she’s gonna call me Point B … ” began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis — from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York’s Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project V.O.I.C.E. — and gives two breathtaking performances of “B” and “Hiroshima”. A performing poet since she was 14 years old, Sarah Kay is the founder of Project V.O.I.C.E., teaching poetry and self-expression at schools across the United States. Make sure you listen all the way to the end. Guaranteed to make you smile.

#1 Delivering Happiness

I had the great pleasure last week of attending a workshop with Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay), CEO of Zappos. Tony was out from the US talking about his book Delivering Happiness – A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose, a NY Times best seller that has sold more than 240,000 copies – which is phenomenal just so you know! Tony’s story is amazing and I recommend you check it out if you are at all interested in how to send your business productivity, performance, and financial results through the roof, through making your people (and yourself!) happy at work. Sounds trite, but through all the science and action around positive psychology in the workplace, we know that it’s true. And through the work I have done with IBM around our culture programs and positive leadership, – an organisation bold enough to lead from the front and be on the cutting edge of science and application – I have seen the results first hand. Check out Delivering Happiness the book, and Delivering Happiness the company (and movement) for more info. A shot of inspiration for sure!

#2  21 Days of Meditation

This week, the latest 21 Day Meditation Challange with the Chopra Centre started. This is a free globally streamed program of guided meditations, which the Chopra Centre in Carlsbad California runs every few months. Basically, every day you log in to the web site and you are guided on a beautiful meditation journey by Deepak, David Ji, or one of the Chopra Centre leaders. It is a beautiful way to start or end your day, and works for those who are either starting up a meditation practice, re-igniting one, or those who have been practicing for years. And it’s free! This is the third time I have participated, and I just love it. I do it in the morning first thing, and it’s a very gentle start to the day which leaves me feeling grounded and peaceful, at least until the craziness starts! Check it out and let me know how you go. You can watch this short video with David Ji to learn more.

#3  Juice of the Week

Those who know me know how much I love my green juice! This week I have embarked (again) on my gluten free sugar free plan, and on day 5 (yeah!) I am starting to feel clean and good. Two nights this week I wasn’t keen to eat, so I hit up the juicer and made this concoction based on what I had at home – and it was so good! Give it a whirl and see how you go.

In your juicer – all organic where possible:

1 orange

1 apple

1/2 cucumber

3 stalks kale

3 stalks silverbeet

huge chunk of ginger

Plop a few ice cubes in and enjoy!