11 February 2016
A true wellness warrior, and health and lifestyle coach, Fab Giovanetti divides her time working, working, and well, working. A true inspiration in all that she does, with a passion for health and wellness, founder of The Health Bloggers Community shares with us her inspirations, experience, and of course, her typical day on a plate!
FAB’S DAY ON A PLATE:
BREAKFAST
Usually it’s a green smoothie of sorts – it does depend on the day and what I have in the house. I have a lot of frozen fruit and spinach to add up to my concoctions (as well as PB)
LUNCH
I usually keep my lunch vegan with some homemade flaxseed and almond flour crackers, some raw veggies and falafel. Or maybe a soup if I am coming from a workout.
DINNER
This is where I get my creativity flowing. Most days I’ll have some animal protein, either eggs or grass-fed beef or other sustainable choices. I love the guys at Eversfield Organic, and I only buy meat from these guys. They know exactly what they are doing, and their hectic is exceptional.
SNACKS
I try not to snack much, but recently I have been enjoying either a green juice, or some hard boiled eggs – or falafels with hummus, if I haven’t had any for lunch. I’d rather have bigger meals than snacking throughout the day, my belly seems to be much happier!
YOU ARE EXTREMELY PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESSES, AND LIVING A HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIFE, BUT WHAT WAS IT THAT INITIALLY INSPIRED YOU TO GO DOWN THE PATH OF ALL ROUND WELLNESS?
I have been interested in wellness since I was born, or better, my mum has always been very interested, and that influenced me as she decided to introduce me to Ayurvedic medicine very young, sustainability and vegetarianism as well. I had my highs and lows (Dominos pizza and Ben & Jerry’s had the best of me in my early 20s).
BEING ITALIAN, HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED IN THE UK? IF NOT, WHY DID YOU MOVE OVER HERE?
No I haven’t actually! I moved to the UK after one year as an exchange student, I worked in a restaurant for a few months while I was looking for my lucky break in music journalism. I am one of those creative heads who changes path often, but is never left questioning what to do next! I moved to Bath first, the took the plunge and started my London adventure.
ARE THERE MANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HEALTH SCENE IN LONDON (AND THE REST OF THE UK) AND IN ITALY? IF SO, WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT’S THE CASE?
Plenty! First of all, as the UK is years behind Australia, Italy is centuries behind the UK. Now people are going bonkers for the buzzword ‘vegan’. Back when I was vegan myself, it was hard to eat out when visiting my family. Now even supermarkets have vegan options of different foods. I find it interesting as it tends to be a very trend-focused country: first gluten-free, now vegan. I am looking out for paleo in a few months or so!
WITH SO MUCH UNDENIABLE POSITIVITY, BUT SO MUCH ON YOUR PLATE TO JUGGLE EACH DAY, HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO FIND TIME TO SIMPLY RELAX?
I have friends who keep telling me to chill the duck out – yeah, I used the word duck there! I have a lot of people who support me and take care of me, and help me seeing how, sometimes, in order to escape feelings I get stuck into work project after work project, looking for distractions rather than, well, being with myself. I also meditate, read tarot cards, draw often and read books (like real books, fiction books!) and listen to my vinyl collection. I surely don’t lack in hobbies!
YOUR MAGAZINE, THE HBC (HEALTH BLOGGERS COMMUNITY) MAG IS JUST BRILLIANT – WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SET THIS UP AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO COME TOGETHER?
Thank you so much, that’s very sweet! Well, a lot of work, I have to say. We are working on issue three at the moment, and I fully work on the design, which means I spend the whole morning of the release date having random epiphanies and doing last minute tweaks (Virgo much?). However, I could not be more proud. I wanted to be a writer since I was 10, a journalist since I was 19, so I think things came full circle. Never forget what you have been passionate about when you were a child: that is a great indication of what you are meant to become.
NOW LET’S GET ON TO THE IMPORTANT STUFF.. YOU HAIR IS JUST INCREDIBLE! EVER-CHANGING AND ALWAYS LOOKING WELL, FAB! WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU TO STAY TRUE TO YOUR OWN (BRILLIANT) STYLE?
AH! You haven’t seen it when it was turquoise and literally a bunch of fluff – the joys of bleaching. There is this running joke among my friends, that apparently nobody really knows what colour my natural hair is – I started dying it the I was 13. My hair is a big part of my identity, and for the first time ever I have a proper pixie cut. The low-maintainance of it all is just brilliant (again, Virgo talking).
DO YOU HAVE ANY GUILTY PLEASURES? WHAT ARE THEY, AND WHY?
PIZZA – Duh Italian. I am not the best with wheat, but gimme pizza and you’ll have a happy Fab. A good glass of wine (or a G&T) on the weekend, and a lie-in (which is as rare as a blue moon, but when I get one, oh boy). I do not feel guilty, but I do try to have these things in moderation!
IF SOMEONE WANTED TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS OR CHANGE THEIR LIFE AROUND BUT WITH NO IDEA HOW OR WHERE TO START, WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THEM?
Learn as much as you can: find a mentor, a course, a coach – someone or something you resonate with, and get inspired. See, I tell seasoned entrepreneurs to stir away from courses (shiny object syndrome) but for complete beginners anything from a workshop to a course (just like the HBC Academy for bloggers!) can give more clarity to people who feel stuck.
WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO THING TO DO WHEN YOU NEED A BIT OF TIME AWAY FROM YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE?
I go off somewhere. I have been to Dublin a few times, Brighton, I regularly go to Bath to meet up with one of my best friends who lives there. Being around people I love (and away from my phone) helps me gaining more clarity. I am much better at staying away from my phone than what I used to I’ll be honest, it took time but it happened eventually!
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO EXERCISE?
Yup, but I get bored very easily – creative scattered genius mind, they say. Right now I am working towards a big goal (finishing my first obstacle race), so I am lifting heavy weights and doing different types of HIIT classes every week. I just need to watch out for over-training: whether it was too much yoga (don’t say anything) or running (70k per week – done that) I have an interesting history!
DO YOU HAVE A MOTTO THAT YOU LIVE BY?
In this life, I am fully supported and guided.
AND FINALLY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE NEXT FROM YOU?
We just launched the That Protein and HBC Awards – which is very exciting – and the newest issue of the HBC Mag is coming out soon (you can now subscribe for less than £20 per year and receive each issue in your inbox)
