Georga - in house Naturopath
naturopath
Behind the brand with Georga Holt, HHC’s in-house Naturopath
What led you to Naturopathy (and specifically gut, hormones and skin)? I was first introduced to Naturopathy when my mum took me to see a Naturopath. I was 16 at the time, and going through the normal indulging in lots (& I mean lots) of takeaway and junk food. I was struggling with my skin and I wasn’t listening to any of the advice my mum was giving me. I still remember walking out after my first consult with the Naturopath and being so blown away by how out of touch I was with my body and how uneducated I was with what I was feeding it. From then on, I was inspired to educate others, especially younger people, about their body. Being conscious and aware of our health is something that is lacking in our society and I wanted to be able to contribute to improving that. And then my interest in gut health came a little later when I was in the depth of my degree. I started experiencing gut issues when I was buried under books in my last year of Studying Naturopathy and then was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (IBD). It really made me slow down (again) and become more intune with my body and the signs it was giving me. From then on, after personally experiencing skin, gut & hormonal issues - I felt this really aligned with what I wanted to focus on in my Naturopathy career.
What do you have for breakfast?It changes based on how I’m feeling. But currently I have on rotation:
- Porridge w/ peanut butter, banana & collagen powder snuck in.
- GF toast (the best GF bread from Fatto a Mano) w/ Avocado & mushrooms OR sauteed silverbeet, kale, butter beans & garlic (adapted from this delicious recipe from Jessica prescott).
Breakfast is such a great way to set yourself up for the day, so I try to ensure I have all the right things in there (looking at your carbohydrates, fat, protein & fibre) to fuel my morning.
What is your biggest health non-negotiable? It’s hard to pick one, so i’m going to go with two (sorry!!) – SLEEP + hydration. Sleep is probably my favorite time of the day (weird, I know). It allows our bodies to recharge & reset for the next day. Without a decent amount of sleep, our bodies can’t be expected to work at their full function, so this is why my sleep routine is sacred AND of course, hydration. Ensuring we meet our water intake levels is imperative for our health. Without it, there's no point in doing all the extra things. Health begins with the small things like water, sleep and nutrition.
What is your favourite daily ritual? I could say sleep, but I'll make it a little more interesting. My favourite daily ritual is movement - it’s the first thing I do when I wake up, it’s what helps center myself for the day. Whether it’s a walk, yoga or pilates - it’s something that I never miss (unless I’m sick, rest is important).
What is your biggest indulgence?My biggest indulgence is my self care. I have recently started doing self care days, which include sauna, ice bath, massage, LED & maybe even a facial all in one day. And then home to pasta & chocolate. It’s something small but forces me to slow down for the day & focus on me.
What does sustainability mean to you?Sustainability, in healthcare, means small simple changes that form habits and are able to be sustained in the future. Slow, small adjustments in your everyday life are better long term, for your health and also your mind.
What does luxury mean to you?Luxury equals time. Luxury for me, usually coincides with the day, Sunday. For anyone that knows me, sleep is sacred, but my Sundays are even more sacred. It’s the one day of the week that I allow myself to stay in bed for hours (if I feel like it), it’s the day that I lay on the couch and read a book for hours. It’s the day that I don’t give myself a schedule or base my day on time.