INTERVIEW: MENA HUNT

Mena is one of those women that I imagine could make you feel a little insecure to be around; the ones you meet and desperately search for something not perfect about them to make yourself feel better (or is that just me?). Photographer, business owner, mother, health-nut, not only is she drop-dead gorgeous but upon reading her interview you will discover that she is grounded and wise for her young years and her thoughts on life are truly inspiring.
I met Mena through the Treasure Yourself Project and thanks to social media I have come to know Mena pretty well as we have shared our lives with one another and discovered that we have very similar interests and desires. Both completing the I Quit Sugar program and finding it (so) rewarding, having boys only a few weeks apart and THEN I discovered that her family had packed up their lives and moved to a coastal town, renovating their shack with the beach at their doorstep and a vegie garden on the back and she is also obsessed with op-shopping. Um, hello! Girl crush.
After stalking her for a while (come on, we all do it) I decided I simply had to share her story and thoughts with you all. Meet Mena.

Family members? Myself, 25, Matt, 27, Julion, 2. We have a little girl due in January.
Describe your family in a sentence. A healthy, happy, loving little family.
Location? Bermagui, NSW. A five hour coastal drive south of Sydney.
Profession? I’m currently running my own photography business here on the NSW south coast. I’ve also just started a vintage crockery hire business called Vows &Cheers. I studied Nutrition and Dietetics straight out of highschool but realized once I’d finished that it wasn’t for me. I then went on to study Nursing, but my son Julion joined us half way through and since, my heart has never really been back in it. I’ll figure out what it is I’m supposed to do once my kids are older. Right now I’m a Mum.
Matt is an electrician and just recently became a licenced carpenter.
Mena, can you please tell us a little bit about your lifestyle. How did you and your partner come to the decision to move to the Coast and live a quieter life?
The life we live now has always been a part of both of our roots in some way. Five years ago I guess we were just young and living the lifestyle most young people live on the Gold Coast- we were consumed by the people around us and the cliché lifestyle of the sun, sand and partying! The combination of all of that with work and study was starting to distance us from ourselves- you can only be what you think other people want you to be for so long, before you come unstuck. Our decision to move down to Matt’s home town of Bermagui was spontaneous. It was almost as though we’d both been subconsciously soul-searching and this was our answer, because we didn’t think the move through a great deal. Matt asked me and I said yes! Within a month our cars were packed with everything we owned and we began the road trip in to the next chapter of our lives together. I’m not going to lie but I struggled once we were settled here. I questioned the decision every day and even cried for our old lives. I really did have the biggest culture shock. Within a few months of being in Bermagui, I fell pregnant. Everything just made sense to me after reading the two lines on the pee stick, it was meant to be! I love everything about our lifestyle down here. We live a very typical modern-hippy, simple life. We live in a little 2 bedroom fibro beach shack (which we’re currently renovating in stages), the beach is at our doorstep, we eat veggies from our garden and almost everything we own and buy is recycled (obviously not sanitary and health necessities) because we’re huge believers of recycling and anti-consumerism. Above all, making the move down here has made me thankful for love, in all its forms. And really, truly- all you need is love; everything else just falls in to place.

You describe your life as a simple one – was it a conscious decision to create this sort of lifestyle for your family? I knew moving down to Bermagui meant that I had to find the beauty in its simplicity. The town has a population of 2000 people, there are no traffic lights or round-a-abouts, no shopping malls just a humble little IGA, the beaches are deserted and the nearest hospital, airport and non-grocery shops are an hour drive away. But the lifestyle we’ve created together for Julion wasn’t conscious; I believe our lifestyle is just a life-form of who we both are and what makes us truly happy. What you see and feel is all there is to us.
How has becoming a parent changed you? Julion put my life in to perspective, even when he was just those two lines. For me the biggest change was making the conscious decision to become who I really am and lose the crap that consumed me. I try every day to give myself in the most honest way I can, it’s not easy but it’s gratifying.
What have you learnt about yourself since becoming a parent? Being a parent is one of the most important roles that I’ll ever have in life, Julion’s life is my responsibility. Becoming a parent has taught me to be selfless, patient, forgiving and honest.
What do you think is the essence of childhood (and parenthood)? Childhood is all about enjoying life in its most simple form. Finding joy in the things that cannot be bought in a shop like the beach, the ocean, trees, grass, flowers, sticks etc etc., because in time their ability to amuse and enchant you will be replaced. The essence of parenthood is giving your children opportunity.

If you could teach your children one thing only, what would it be? I want my children to be honest with themselves and those around them.
How would you like your children to describe you as a parent one day? Nurturing and honest. I hope that they always know and feel how much I love them.
Would you recommend your lifestyle to other families? It’s not for everyone and I don’t think it’s a sustainable lifestyle if you have to make a conscious effort to create it and live it- you’ll just end up wanting the greener other side. If you’re unhappy with your lifestyle, then slowly shed the layers until you are.
Favourite thing to do as a family? Lazy days at the beach in the sand and ocean.
Pregnancy style? My style hasn’t changed much over the years and it stays the same when I’m pregnant, just a little more oversized! I’ve always loved my free-flowing maxi dresses and sandals.

Beauty routine? I cleanse with Manuka honey, tone with 1:1 diluted apple cider vinegar and moisturise with rosehip oil. I use coconut oil on my body.

Mena, we met through the TYP facebook group and realised we had similar interests and outlooks and you had great success with the IQS eating plan (which I was also on) - can you please tell us a little bit about our 8-week I quit sugar journey and perhaps some of your tricks or favourite recipe's?
I wasn't much of added sugar eater before the TYP but I kept having days where I would struggle to get out of bed or find myself reaching for the couch with a throbbing headache and bloated stomach. I couldn't figure what was causing me to feel like total crap because I eat a clean diet 80% of the time. I came across the TYP and thought I'd give the I Quit Sugar program ago because I found Sarah's facts about fructose intriguing. Once I started the 8-week I Quit Sugar program, I quickly realised the cause of my crappy days was fructose- in all its forms! I started at 10 weeks pregnant and I'm not 25 weeks pregnant and still eliminating fructose as much as I can. I battle most of my sugar cravings with something full fat like yoghurt, cheese, nuts or organic potato chips. Smoothies and a cup hot raw cocoa also work for me. The way fructose makes me feel almost immediately after eating it has completely dulled the appeal of things like chocolate, cake and lollies. I have so much more energy now, my skin is thankful for the change and I wake up feeling great in my own body.
My most used recipes and great for summer!
Almond Milk 1 cup almonds, soaked for 8 to 12 hours and drained 5 cups filtered water 3 pitted dates (optional) 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice Pinch of sea salt Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag and chill thoroughly.
Green Smoothie 2 frozen ripe bananas, broken into chunks 1 cup Almond Milk (recipe below) 1 cup packed fresh spinach 2 pitted dates (optional)

Green Juice 1 Cucumber 1 cup spinach 1 green apple 5 stalks celery

Quinoa Tabouleh 1 cup uncooked quinoa 2 1/2 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (about 2 large bunches) 3/4 cup chopped fresh mint (1 small bunch) 2 fresh tomatoes 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (or more to taste) Stir cooked and drained quinoa in to large bowl with other ingredients.
Swede & Sweet Potato Salad 2 large swedes 2 medium sweet potatoes 1 small red onion chopped finely ½ cup chives chopped finely 3 thyme sprigs chopped ½ cup natural pot-set yohgurt 1 TBsp diijon mustard 1 Tbsp wholegrain mustard ½ lemon zest ½ lemon freshly squeezed lemon juice Dash of honey, salt and pepper. Chop and boil swedes and sweet potatoes until softened. Drain and allow to cool. Combine all other ingredients in a large bowl and stir in swedes and sweet potatoes.
Best piece of advice you could give new Mothers? Don’t lose yourself in expectation and judgment. Take motherhood has it comes and mother your child/children the way that feels right to you (and your partner), not anyone else.