Challenges, Community, Nutrition/Recipes
12 July, 2023
Words by Em Armstrong
Hey Squad Babes,
As you know we recently finished our Cool, Calm and Connected Challenge, which was a 30-day movement and mindfulness challenge to keep get us through the winter months, encourage motivation and feel connected as a community (which we all need when it’s hard AF to get out of bed in -1 degree weather).
This Saltbush Journal write-up is all about the MOVE AND NOURISH element of the challenge! If you didn’t know, the AMAZING (and very clever) Sally McManus from @thehomesteadpantrybox and I did a collab for the challenge and WOW! What amazing feedback we received!
Living in the bush doesn’t mean that we still can’t eat delish meals (we just needed a little extra spice from the help of Sal) to lead us in the right direction!
Sal and I wanted to encourage not only movement for the challenge but also how important it is to nourish your body too (which we can all forget about from time to time)!
You all did such an amazing job with this part of the challenge (AKA all of our Squad babes), and I hope that you are carrying the ethos of the MOVE AND NOURSH into your everyday life (even though the challenge has finished)!
But it was Ellie Hays who was the lucky winner of the challenge, who Sal and I picked (which was very hard to pick)! So get to know one of your Squad babes a little better and hope you LOVE your 6-month pantry box subscription Ellie!
Boxed width section. Add text here or add headings and other elements.
Name, location, where you grew up? Ellie Hays, Culcairn NSW. I was born in Longreach Qld and grew up in Roma QLD. After leaving school I ventured to Kununurra WA and then to the Gulf Country working on various cattle stations for a number of years. This concreting my passion for the agricultural industry so headed down south to study and now haven’t quite made it back home. Now living near Culcairn NSW.
What do you love the most about living in the bush? It is so hard to pick one thing that I love about living in the bush. I love the open spaces and being connected to nature. Also being a part of a rural community is so rewarding. Always happy to help out when you are going through a rough patch and come together to have a good laugh.
What did you love most about the Cool, Calm and Connected Challenge? I loved the variety of different activities with yoga, pilates, walking, reading and meditation. Made me get out of my comfort zone and try different flows. As well as read my book (which I have been trying to complete for over a year)!!! Absolutely loved the recipe suggestions from The Homestead Pantry as I find it hard to think of what I am going to cook.
Yoga or Pilates? I am more of a yoga girl! I have been into yoga for many years now and Em does a great job bringing flows to the rural community. I do love reformer pilates so if I can source a good reformer I will definitely be on board when flows start 🙂
Hardest part of living in the bush? I don’t usually like focusing on the hard parts of living in the bush as there are so many more positives. I would probably have to say (and this is probably more from a farmer’s perspective) is the demanding nature and unpredictability of what your day could entail and for how long your day could be. It definitely teaches you to be adaptable and think on your feet.
Hardest part of the challenge? Initially getting on the mat with an injured hip from a dance floor injury. Once I got the courage it felt great! Honestly, I do get scared when Caz flows are coming up haha.
What do you do for work? My love of variety definitely flows through to what I do for work. Majority of the time I work as a farmer for a seedstock business, Rennylea Angus. Additionally, I work for an ag consulting company, Agrista, managing our benchmarking clients, have a couple of bookkeeping clients and own my online wellness store, The Outback Pantry.
Favorite recipe from the challenge? Oh, this is a hard question!! The healthy brownie was definitely a hoot and the savoury dishes were so easy and delicious. Confession – I had never heard of rose harissa before.
Coffee order in town? I hate to admit it but I am more of an instant coffee type of person (good old bogan dust and long life milk). If I go out for a “coffee” I will order an almond chai.
Favorite activewear brand and why? With the cold weather, I have loved the Cotton On fleece lined tights (game changer). I have been down south for many years now but I don’t think I will ever get used to the cold.
What would you love to see at Saltbush Stretch? Everything has been good so far. I do love a good yoga retreat. Possibly one where we connect with other Saltbush yogis! Little getaway 😌
Fave quote? Grass is always greener where you water it!
I hope you loved getting to know Ellie a little better (so nice when we can see some of the bush babes out there doing their thing)!
And I can’t wait to share some of the goodies that Ellie whips up over the next 6-months!
And in the mean time…keep showing up for you to MOVE AND NOURISH your way through the rest of the year (and for life)!
And BRING ON the next Saltbush challenge!
Big love. Em xx
"*" indicates required fields
Copyright © 2025 Saltbush Stretch
