Living happy, healthy and strong with Rachael Finch.

I wake up feeling awful. I ate badly yesterday. It’s just ’cause my period is coming I tell myself. I’m not angry at myself for the burger and the ice cream and the absolutely delicious almond croissant. I just don’t like how my body is feeling. And I promise to do better today.

I have made a similar promise for 2017.

The New Year is a time for resolutions. Taking stock of where you are and where you want to be. Holding yourself accountable.

In 2017, I want to be healthier. More grateful and less ready to be critical – being critical is something I’ve done a lot of in the last months. I hope to be more mindful. Exercise more often. I want to set some big goals and stick to them.

I know, I know, these are similar resolutions I make at the start of every year. But, for 2017, I’ve found a tool to help me do it.

Rachael Finch is a health coach, television host, model and mother. She’s released a book titled Happy, Healthy, Strong that’ll be my – and might be yours, also – go-to book for 2017. It’s a multi-tasker book, filled with wholefood recipes, ideas for motivation, affirmations, advice for work-life balance and wellness principles.

The ultimate multitasker book. Image: supplied.

Before you roll your eyes, or disregard this as another book by another beautiful celebrity - because she is beautiful - talking about living a wholesome life, there are a few things you should know about Happy, Healthy, Strong.

The book starts with Rachael ordering a cappuccino. No soy or almond milk, no strange 'gut-friendly additives' and no fear of caffeine. Just a regular cappuccino with the chocolate powder on top. (See? I told you it was different.)

Listen: Rachael Finch shares how she finds balance between her work, health and parenting on the I Don't Know How She Does It podcast.

Second, there are no rules. "When it comes to my body, and to my health, strict rules are simply not the answer. And you know what? I'm all the better for it." (Thank goodness).

Third, for Rachael, living well and taking care of her body is all about self-acceptance. Reaching a place where the compliments of others mean nothing. "I educated myself on what it means to be happy beyond salads and smoothies." All of us could do with some more self-love.

Finally, she keeps it simple. It's not about formulas or theories or tracking everything with a small rubber bracelet. No, it's about learning to listen to and respond to your own body. What does it need? When does it feel good? How can you make it feel better? Not look better, feel better. 

"It's about learning to listen to and respond to your own body." Image: supplied.

"There is an inner confidence and drive that comes with good health that can have powerful effects."

One of my favourite elements in this book is the recipes.

Mango ice cream. Chia pudding. Buckwheat pancakes. Raid-the-fridge omelettes and jacket sweet potatoes. Happy, Healthy, Strong includes more than 85 recipes that use wholefoods, are easy to make and, most importantly good for you. There is also a two-week vitality meal plan, which I cannot wait to try.

Between the practicality of the recipes, Happy, Healthy, Strong offers a deeper current of ways to keep the mind healthy. There are sections on mindfulness, dropping toxic relationships, managing perceptions and discovering self-belief. Post continues after gallery:

A stand out section for me is the lessons Finch has learnt from the people around her. In particular, her husband.

"He doesn't over-complicate or over-analyse things, and is usually the first to let go or move on from an emotional issue. If he watches TV he's watching TV - there's usually no internal debate going on about whether they could or should be doing something else."

How many times have you had this internal debate raging? So many times you've forgotten what really happened in the latest season of Offspring, and you thought the New Girl was beautifully presented but you've forgotten who she ended up with.

Happy, Healthy, Strong is about living in the moment. Finding the best version of yourself. It's not going to turn you into a supermodel. It's not going to solve all your problems. You're still going to be you, but with all the tools to be your absolute best self.

I like this. I am happy with myself. None of my New Year’s Resolutions involve changing into someone different. Just someone a little kinder, a little healthier, a little more 'in the moment'... and a little more likely to go to the gym.

If you feel like getting started on treating yourself right NOW, click here to get your hands on the recipe for mouthwatering Dukkha-crusted salmon with balsamic broccolini from Rachael Finch's Happy, Healthy, Strong. Delish!

How will you be a happier, healthier you in 2017?

This post was written thanks to our brand partner Harper Collins.