We love interviewing guns here at The Broad Place, and Jacqueline Alwill certainly fits the bill. Her list of hats includes qualified nutritionist, personal trainer, mother and health expert. Her succesful business Brown Paper Bag executes some of the tastiest catering we have experienced and Jacq has a market on the occasional Saturday at Bondi Growers Markets with the most delicious treats you can imagine.
She kindly took the time to answer a few questions we posed…
Where do you currently live?
I am lucky enough to be living by beautiful Bondi Beach.
What currently keeps you busy?
Life! Keeping my little person happy, managing a full time nutrition and whole foods business and ensuring there is time for me in the day.
What was your motivator for launching The Brown Paper Bag?
I have always LOVED food, it started young and the passion hasn’t dimmed. I wanted to teach people to have a similar love for their health and nutrition, which is where The Brown Paper Bag has grown from. Inspiring people with delicious and nutritious food has been the core of the business, which now has many branches from nutrition consulting, workshops, media and event catering.
What would you consider to be the best thing and the most challenging thing about working for yourself?
My mind runs wild with food. If an idea is in my head and I am in the midst of another project I have to truly channel my attention or the excitement overwhelms me. This would be the most challenging aspect of my work
What do you do to stay healthy, and live a balanced lifestyle?
Nourish from within. Ensure that each day I breathe deeply, sleep well, eat to nourish, move to ensure I am in touch with my body, play and laugh a lot with those around me.
How do you approach meditation?
I am on a journey back to finding the right meditation for me… I practice very simple breathing meditation at present.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is very different but generally…Rise with my gorgeous son Jet, have big hugs and morning deliciousness, move my body in whichever way it craves (running, swimming, stretching, yoga, resistance training), attend to my nutrition clients, conduct workshops and let my creativity go crazy creating recipes, writing, developing menus and new concepts for event catering. I love a good play session or swim at the beach after Jet comes home from school with plenty more cuddles and a heavenly dinner before bed. Recipe books are often my bed time read…
What do you do daily that is non negotiable?
Move. Activity has always been an important element of my life. With movement I know my body and its needs thoroughly, my thoughts are clearer and I find some of my greatest ideas come during or shortly after I have been active for the day.
How do you define creativity?
Allowing yourself to be completely open to your environment and draw from that experience. Once you can feel that openness, your creativity is limitless.
What brings you the most joy in your life?
The warmth of a cuddle.
What do you define as happiness?
Happiness for me is peace within. We can’t look and hope for happiness in our life from external sources, we need to understand ourselves first to find true happiness.
What do you consider your greatest achievement to be?
I’m a mum. This is my biggest role in life and to have a divine, healthy and happy young boy is by far one of my greatest (and ongoing) achievements.
What qualities do you seek in people?
Honesty, warmth, loyalty and humour.
What is a saying or motto you live by or that is relevant to you right now?
‘Surrender to your current situation. There is magic in our circumstances. Live through them, learn from them, be better for them.’
