Pilates instructor and health + happiness coach.
Pilates instructor and health + happiness coach.
The new year has almost arrived so it’s time to pump out those new year resolutions again. One Gold Coaster who is passionate about your wellbeing, health and happiness next year (and every year) is Tamsin Meekel. Tamsin is a gut health and happiness coach (we all need some of that), Pilates studio owner (Inner Vision Pilates, Southport) and passionate poop speaker. We caught up with Tamsin recently for a chat to discuss her career to date, the many hats she wears and her best health tips.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
2008 – moved to Aus from South Africa and how could you not want to come live right next to the ocean!
What do you love most about living here?
GC has the perfect City Vibes, while being no more than 30 minutes from the ocean at all locations; and that every morning there are always people up and about walking on the water being active.
Tell us about your career thus far.
I studied Nursing here at Griffith University and started at Allamanda Hospital in 2012, now I run the leading Day Surgery Centre on the GC at Gold Coast Private Hospital. While the Day Surgery was being built I studied my pilates instructor training and started my Pilates business “Inner Vision Pilates” where I’ve also incorporated online training to reach clients globally.
What’s your proudest business moment?
My proudest moment was having my first online training launch in March where I have over 700 clients start and join in. Over the last 9 months I’ve grown my online reach and now have clients for my online pilates from as far as Canada, Holland, South Africa & Dubai, to name a few. 2020 taught me that there are no boundaries in being able to reach and coach people globally.
Tell us about Inner Vision Pilates.
I started IV Pilates after my own personal pilates journey to reach my goal of being able to bend over with straight legs and be able to reach my toes. In my nursing role I see so many patients come through and struggle to mobilise to my ultimate goal is to get everyone feeling as bendy & lengthy as possible!
Tell us about why you’re passionate about health.
I want the taboo topics to be normal to talk about. In life we all do things everyday, yet most of the regular “health” topics are still uncomfortable for most people. My nursing background is Gastroenterology and I always encourage people to talk about their daily bowel habits. This ties into Pilates as we train your pelvic muscles, one of them attaches to you bum (haha!!) so we need to make this topic normal and I’ve created a space where you can reach out with anything uncomfortable.
What are your best health tips?
We always say, “If it’s not normal, get it checked!”. If it doesn’t feel right or if you second guess anything, ask someone. We also say, “allow your body to move the way it was designed to”. If you’re not flexible, don’t assume you can do the spilts after one day. Move daily, eat good foods and be happy.
What’s in the works for you for 2021?
We have our online platform having a big shift coming with a big focus on daily movement. Watch this space!
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Café for breakfast: Bear Boy & Buoy oh Buoy
Coffee spot: Raw Espresso – you can Pilates and then coffee straight after!
Restaurant for dinner: Maruya (in Southport)… it’s dinner with so many things to look at inside
Bar or pub for a drink: 360 near The Grand in Labrador & La Bella Cellar
How does your weekend usually look? Pilates in the AM, coffee/groceries, beach, walk puppies and then go somewhere for dinner – where we always try a Rose or Pinot Noir. Sunday walks depend on how many glasses get drunk the night before… #balance
Happy days Helensvale, your quality coffee and epic ears prayers have been answered in the form of a brand new brunch spot, Bear Boy Espresso.
Having only opened their doors in the last week, the new space on Hope Island Road (just off the motorway) has already become a firm favourite amongst locals and if you’re not a northern dweller, we suggest scheduling in a little trip ASAP.
Bear Boy, named for owners Brodie and Andy Howard’s love of the name Bjorn (meaning bear in Scandinavian), can be found on a corner block and it’s open and spacious with high ceilings and both indoor and outdoor seating.
A peachy terracotta bench inspired by travels through India is the centerpiece of the newbie with greenery dripping from the ceilings and a neon bear face on the back wall bringing it all together. We love.
The menu is filled with the breakfast and lunch staples you know and love but all with a little bit of extra goodness and some boasting a little Asian twist.
Come 2020 (so like, tomorrow), the menu will be changed seasonally so you can probably manage to try something different every time you go.
For now there are tasty treats like Mango Bao made up of a cinnamon spiced, fried bao with fresh mango, compote and coconut ice cream. So good.
There’s also the Big Bear Benny with a crispy potato waffle – made in-house, two poachies, housemade hollandaise, wilted spinach and your choice of bacon, garlic and thyme mushrooms or Tasmanian smoked salmon. Also very tasty.
For lunch, the Skinny Bear Salad Bowl was quite special with a house falafel, quinoa, kale, pickled red cabbage, radish, avocado, sweet potato, ginger puree, edamame beans and drizzled with sesame oil. LOVED this.
There are also lunchtime burgers and a chorizo linguine that sounds like absolute heaven on a fork.
Coffee-wise the crew are using Single O out of Surry Hills for two reasons; the first being, it’s excellent and the second being the brands’ ethical practice when it comes to paying farmers properly and ensuring dollars go back into the farms to continue the quality of bean growth. Great.
Bear Boy’s house roast is called Killer Bee but they’ll also be featuring micro roasters throughout the year and will focus on educating folks on specialty coffee including hosting cupping events.
All in all it’s a beautiful space with both quality food and coffee and will no doubt lead the charge in the northern Gold Coast’s growing foodie scene.
Get up there and show them some love.
LOCATION: Shop 66, 502 Hope Island Rd, Helensvale
HOURS: 6am until 4pm daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
As we Gold Coasters know, there are certain things that make an eatery one you want to go back to time and time again.
First, a cocktail list packed with fresh, mouth-watering sips, an interior you want to model your house off, the tastiest of pizza and as much cheese as you can eat.
It’s a delicate balance of goodness and one that’s been absolutely nailed by Burleigh Heads’ newest venue, La Bella Cellar.
If you’ve wandered down Deodar Drive lately you will have noticed the white-washed bricks, terracotta tiles and lone cactus both intriguing and perfectly at home in our beloved beachside suburb.
Inside though, is where the magic really unfolds.
You’ll step through the entrance and directly into a wine cellar, one side of which is a door that opens into the space.
It’s the most best thing we’ve seen in a venue’s interior for quite some time because honestly, who doesn’t want to be in an enclosed space surrounded by wine?
Step through the wine-laden door and you’ll find a sleek, all white space dotted with cactuses, greenery and ceramics by local gal Kelly Bignell.
There are high, concrete tables and low, tiled ones and it’s all brought together by a piece of art in the back corner. We’ll let you discover that for yourself.
La Bella Cellar is the work of local lads and longtime pals Adam Farrugia and Josh Bailey, whose company Studio Build brought the space together and we’re big fans. As you will be.
To eat, there’s an Italian-inspired menu packed with fresh, delicious pizzas, share plates and the very best part, cheeseboards for which you may choose upwards from three locally sourced cheeses including the likes of Salt Bush Chevre, Bleu d’auvergne and Gorgonzola Dolce.
May as well add them all though obviously.
To drink, a selection of wines from said front entrance cellar including varietals from Italy, Australia, France and Argentina. There are plenty of unique sips, an orange wine option and some Pet Nats of course.
The cocktail list is a must-sample with Head Barman Aaron Howard shaking up some flavours you absolutely haven’t seen before. There’s an Espresso Martini with vanilla Galliano foam and a house favourite, The Vatican with gin, chartreuse, honey rosemary syrup, fresh lemon and smoked rosemary.
The Pope himself would approve of that one. Maybe. Who cares.
There are plenty of Italian flavours on offer within the cocktail menu, think almond, white peach and of course rosemary to name a few.
Is there anything better than all things Italian? We think not.
La Bella Cellar opens on Saturday 12th December, perfect timing for those Christmas drinks we know you haven’t booked yet.
Happy days Gold Coasters, you’re gonna love this one.
LOCATION: 9/3 Deodar Drive, Burleigh Heads
HOURS: 5pm until 12am Thursday to Sunday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Hands up if you’re in a toxic relationship with Uber Eats? You want to bite that hand feeding you, even though, technically, that hand is yours. So maybe this is a self-restraint issue? Don’t worry, this isn’t a therapy session- just a list of healthy takeaways that don’t require any restraint at all! Because, well, they’re healthy, obviously?
Here’s your cheat sheet for the best healthy takeaway eats on the Gold Coast.
As wholesome as it gets, Dalas Kitchen is a gourmet salad bar with two Gold Coast locations, online delivery and catering. They’re known for the most deluxe salads, but also serve sangas (on house-made focaccia), bagels and sodas too! Ran out of time to meal prep? Just order’ Dalas At Your Desk’ via their website!
Our pick: the vegan and dairy-free Bangin’ Cauli’ with panko-crusted roasted cauliflower, Asian slaw, mint, coriander, shallots, crushed peanuts and a creamy maple sriracha dressing!
Where: 2247 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach and 6 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach
Voted Gold Coast’s best healthy vegan eats, Govindas is not just a restaurant, but a mission. They’re a non-profit serving up feel-good, budget-friendly, and ethically made vegetarian fare. Every dish is as soul-nourishing as the next, with curries, salads, sides and more. They also run specials daily!
Our pick: Thursday’s Shepherd’s Pie– a classic!
Where: 20 James St, Burleigh Heads and 72 Griffith St, Coolangatta
This place is a plant-based paradise; every dish is a visual and nutritional masterpiece. If you’re yet to experience the best of vegan cuisine, let Cardamon Pod be your gateway! It’s as decadent and exciting as vegan dishes come- from raw cakes to globally inspired mains.
Our pick: Vegan Madras Chicken Tacos with tamarind popcorn ‘chicken’, bhuja, BBQ corn chat salsa, madras mayo and jalapeño cheese pakoras.
Where: 3/3 Brolga Ave, Brickworks Ferry Road, Southport
Quick, healthy and tasty- Just Fresh Made is your go-to for mouthwatering salads, spuds, wraps and fresh juices. Whether you’re craving something light and refreshing or a little heartier, Just Fresh Made has you covered every day of the week.
Our pick: Classic Fresh Veg Spud loaded with your choice of protein, smashed avo, tomato salsa, kale mix, sour cream and herb butter.
Where: Shop 1/84 Scarborough Street, Southport
They’re the Asian-inspired salad bar shaking up the fast-food game with zingy Asian bowls and rolls full of flavour and crunch. Banana Blossom is an East Coast favourite, serving in locations from the Sunny Coast to Bondi Beach. Their salads, rice bowls, and rice paper rolls are a fast, healthy and flavourful way to get your takeaway fix.
Our pick: Satay Salad with chicken, tofu or beef, plus pineapple, rice noodles, bean sprouts and a mouthwatering Malay-style dressing.
Where: Shop E117 Oracle East 6 Charles Ave, Broadbeach
Come for the poke, stay for the roti wraps and smoothie bowls. This Mermaid Beach gem dishes up generous, customisable bowls with all the toppings your taste buds could desire. They offer plenty of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options to suit all!
Our pick: Nacho Bowl with chilli con carne, smoked sour cream, guac, habanero jam, and crunchy wonton chips.
Where: 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Plant-based yum cha? What about take-home banquet packs?! Hell yeah! This little vegan restaurant in Mermaid Beach serves up mind-blowing Asian yum cha and meals that are so damn good it’s earned them a 92% recommendation on Facebook! This place is a not-to-miss, with insane hot pots, soups and noodles, and even vegan ‘meat’ and ‘seafood’ dishes.
Our pick: Any noodle dish (seriously, you can’t go wrong)- but don’t skip the entrees.
Where: 90 Market St, Mermaid Waters
Three words, well, dishes; donburi, okonomiyaki and sushi. Does healthy takeaway get much better than Japanese soul food? Okazu does it best- fast, fresh and in two locations. They also do poke bowls, burgers, bento combo meals and plenty of options for the kiddies.
Our pick: Teriyaki Beef Okonomiyaki with a side of miso soup.
Where: 1/2223 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach and 90 Markeri St Mermaid Waters
Don’t let the same put you off because this famed franchise is single-handedly making salads great again! They taste so damn good you forget you’re getting your entire daily intake of veg in one bowl! Build your own or pick from a menu of stacked bowls.
Our pick: The O.G. Chicken with poached chicken, kale, beets, crispy shallots, seaweed salad and roasted sesame dressing.
Where: Soul Boardwalk Shop T120B/4 Esplanade Surfers Paradise, Shop/4252 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and 2 James Street Burleigh Heads
Your servo snack stop just got a serious glow-up. Fox’s Pantry is a gourmet grocer/café hybrid (also a servo) serving fresh and fab whole eats, including sandwiches, salads, soups and more. Whether you follow a vegan, gluten free, dairy free or, keto lifestyle or diet….they have something ya!
Our pick: whatever you get, just don’t leave without a smoothie!
Where: 468 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
This Currumbin spot is a treasure trove of health-conscious delights. While catering is their main gig, their in-house and takeaway eats are at the next level. They use only the highest quality ingredients to make only the best-tasting eats that will fill your belly and warm your heart.
Our pick: the Organic Handcrafted Tofu Burger
Where: Shop 2 – 30 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
