Innehållsförteckning för Issue 171 från WellBeing

Let’s talk of what’s good in the world. It’s easy to forget what’s going well when there’s so much focus on what’s going wrong. The news cycle seems to turns on crime and environmental disasters and economic crises and autocrats. When you ask someone how they are, the reply is often “not too bad”, as though bad is the default position. Pop your head into any workplace and you’re bound to hear a weighty bassline of discontent rumbling through its staff. Now, I’m no Pollyanna (as my co-workers will attest) and I’m not passing judgment. Humans have evolved with an inbuilt negativity bias, to weigh negative input more heavily — it helps to keep us alive! I’m not advocating putting your head in the sand; it’s important to stay informed…

Do you talk to or about yourself? In this study, subjects viewed neutral and disturbing images and reacted to the images in both the first and third person while their brain activity was monitored by an EEG. Reacting in the third person would involve using phrases like “Why is John upset?”, whereas reacting in the first person would entail using words such as “Why am I upset?” When reacting to the disturbing photos (such as a man holding a gun to their heads) the subjects’ emotional brain activity decreased very quickly (within one second) when they referred to themselves in the third person. By simply reflecting on feelings in the third person you are less emotionally reactive. According to the researchers, the simple act of silently talking to yourself in…

While there are many varieties within the botanical genus of Prunus, the sweet cherry is commonly Prunus avium and the sour cherry is Prunus cerasus. Prunus belongs to the Rosaceae (rose) family. The English word “cherry” is derived from the Latin cerasum, named after the area in Turkey from where they were first exported to Europe. The indigenous sweet and sour cherries have been grown since prehistoric times throughout Europe, western Asia and parts of North Africa. Nutritional value Sweet cherries are a nutritionally dense food rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamates, potassium, fibre, vitamin C, carotenoids and melatonin. Sweet cherry contains about 2.1g of fibre per 100g, a range of bioactive food components such as the antiinflammatory polyphenols, and antioxidants including anthocyanidins. Sour cherries contain a slightly higher content of…

Kate Gibson E: kate@heartlinesart.com W: heartlinesart.com If I had to describe the murals I create in one word, it would be “emotion”. Art is a medium that, for me, allows unfiltered, raw expression. It’s like a profound conversation you could only have with someone you love, who loves you back. I find a great release in creating my murals. Art, like music and dance, is a platform where a person can express themselves authentically. It feels magical to me because I still don’t know where the murals “come from”. I did my first mural as a bit of a joke — an attempt to beautify the MDF board that keeps our dog in the laundry at night. It has since blossomed into one of my favourite pastimes. I don’t plan…

Bestselling author JK Rowling was rejected by no fewer than 10 publishers, while the greatestever basketballer, Michael Jordan, didn’t make his high-school team and Beethoven was dismissed by his violin teacher as having no musical talent. With success in no way assured, why did these people pursue their dreams with gritty determination and resolve? The answer is simple: they had to. They had no choice but to follow their life purpose no matter the heartache or rejection. Rowling had to invent Harry Potter, Beethoven had to express the music pulsing through his veins, Jordan needed to bounce that ball. The endeavour was everything. If you only do something to achieve a particular outcome, you actually deprive yourself of the passionate pursuit. Not all dreams of success come true and many…

When you’re hit by a powerful food craving, do you reach for something that’s salty, sweet or high in fat? Your choice may not be as random as you think. In fact, the tastes you prefer and the foods you crave can provide important intel about your emotional and physical health. Here are some common cravings, what they mean and what you can do about them. Sugar You reach for: doughnuts, cake, ice-cream, lollies, sweet biscuits Possible causes: • Low serotonin • Stress • Low chromium • Adrenal fatigue (also known as HPA axis dysfunction, where HPA stands for the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands) • Skipping meals • Low thyroid hormones • Unhealthy belly bacteria • Too many refined carbs (causing a blood sugar crash) The backstory There are…

“Is that a weed?” my walking companion asks as I bend down and pick a handful of greens growing by the side of the path. “Well, that depends on your definition,” I reply, munching into a dandelion leaf. As we wander along the banks of the Yarra in suburban Melbourne, within a half-hour my basket overflows with wild edible greens: dandelion, purslane, milk thistle, cleavers, plantain, dock, clover and chickweed. Back at home, I throw them all in the blender along with some roasted sunflower seeds, garlic and olive oil. A weedy pesto packed full of nutrients dresses our lunch of steamed vegetable and hard-boiled egg. As I munch, I reflect on the fact that most of these so-called weeds are more nutritious than the vegetable greens growing in my…

Are you here enough to know you’re here? Where are you now reading this? Absorbed in reading or only partially present? Today it’s trendy to talk about enjoying the moment, being present and the power of now. However, it’s easier said than to sustain. Until the habit is instilled in your cells, you’re bound to time travel. How can you put philosophy into practice? You can press pause in the present briefly but quickly revert to rewinding to the past and fast-forwarding to the future. Wishing you could change the past or control the future is where stress starts. The present is your point of power, your place of acceptance, efficiency and energy. It takes perseverance and practice to retrain your brain to be here now. It takes awareness to…

Spring is a long-awaited, exciting time of the year that symbolises the reawakening of life. Nature moves from its winter dormancy into dynamic spring energy, bringing with it hopes for growth, new beginnings and the inspiration to refresh, rejuvenate and clean out what no longer serves you, physically and emotionally. Spring is the time of nature’s rebirth, bringing with it vibrant colours, longer sun-filled days, warmth and an abundance of food. It’s also the season of the regeneration and reawakening of your creative force, motivating you to put into action the visions you have been contemplating over winter, to establish new habits, to reflect on what you want to clear out of your environment and within yourself, and manifest what you desire. And yet, while spring is the season of…

Plants and trees are important to humans on many different levels. Representing 99 per cent of the Earth’s total biomass, they provide food and shelter and are a significant oxygen source. Wild areas full of trees are ideal places to temporarily withdraw from human culture. Beautifying gardens and parks, vegetation also improves the aesthetics of urban environments. A landmark bestselling book published in 1973 investigated the possibility of plants possessing remarkable abilities that few people had seriously considered. Christopher Bird and Peter Tompkins’ The Secret Life of Plants contained a number of mind-bending experiences involving plant cognition, emotions, telepathy and communication at a distance. As the authors anticipated, it was viewed as nonsense by the scientific mainstream. Following one failed high-profile attempt at replication, this judgement stuck. Unfortunately, The Secret…

Study a Bachelor of Health Science in Acupuncture Gain an understanding of traditional Chinese medicine philosophy and principles and learn to apply these practically through techniques such as acupuncture, qi gong, Chinese herbs, Chinese dietary therapy and massage (tui na). Follow your heart and study a natural health degree with Endeavour College of Natural Health. W: endeavour.edu.au Cottons Cottons is a family business established in Australia in 1995 to provide women with a natural choice in feminine hygiene. Cottons’ tampons are made from 100 per cent chemical-free cotton, making them hypo-allergenic and very comfortable. Available in leading supermarkets and pharmacies nationally. W: cottons.com.au POWEROLL massage oil POWEROLL is a blend of essential oils specially formulated to relieve muscle pain. Its roll-on applicator massages aches and pains as it applies the…

Endeavour College of Natural Health has been equipping its graduates with a competitive edge for more than 40 years. Having earned its reputation as the pre-eminent provider of education to the complementary health industry in Australia, today the college is known as the centre of excellence for natural medicine. Endeavour is respected for its internationally recognised academic team, active Office of Research and highcalibre graduates helping people prevent ill-health and enhance their wellbeing. About Endeavour With campuses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, Endeavour College of Natural Health is Australia’s largest degreeconferring tertiary institution in the natural medicine sector. It offers students the broadest choice of study options, including: • Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy): study an array of natural therapies to support healing and maintain health,…

ALEXX STUART is an educator passionate in the space she calls “living a low-tox life”. Through her speaking, workshops, e-courses and online community, she helps people make the best new choices for themselves, their families and the planet. W: lowtoxlife.com It’s all so simple, they said: eat whole foods. Sure, all right, then, but then you’ve got one mob telling you that you can’t eat dairy, that mob over there saying too much fruit is no good, those ones saying if you eat meat you’re killing not just the animals but the planet as well, those peeps saying you shouldn’t eat breakfast, and others saying without breakfast you’re not setting your blood sugar up for a good day. Argh! Right? Well, this month I want to share a few truths I’ve…

JAN MCLEOD is a highly respected coach, mentor, speaker and consultant, and a specialist in the areas of high performance, wellbeing, nutrition and change strategy in the workplace. W: thecapacity equation.com.au, madforhealth.com.au. Workplace wellness has moved well beyond being the new kid on the block in workplace trends. Most businesses now view workplace wellness programs as a core element of their employee management plans. This is exactly where you, I and other workplace wellness advocates would like it to be. With acceptance of workplace wellness as mainstream, it’s vital to stay up to date on trends in workplace wellness. As an advocate, you can use this insight to shape programs and ensure they remain relevant. Here are some key trends. Defining workplace wellness I will begin with confirming what the term…

CHRISTINE BROADBENT loves her work as an astrologer and sees clients in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. She also offers personal consultations, by phone and Skype. For bookings and Christine’s seminars, phone or text +61 402 664 101 or visit astrologyspot.com.au. Pisces Adventurous plans and deep emotions jostle for room in your busy November. Preorganise any work or travel initiatives now: a Mercury goslow cycle could stall things after Dec 3. You’re tuned for a new adventure; Dec 4’s Full Moon will make that clear. Career accolades plus serious thoughts about your vocational future demand long, slow consideration. Ideas will come in time; Dec 16–21 will help with that. Enjoy the Neptune/ Jupiter harmonies of Dec 8 and into 2018; inspiration is part of that package. Aries With Nov 4’s Full Moon…

I am having a knee replacement this year — the best reboot ever! I am a ballet teacher and Pilates instructor, so that will mean I can return to what I love. Julie Norris To stay committed to remaining plastic-free; to totally refuse plastic and to continue inspiring others and encouraging natural organic living. To connect with more likeminded folks and to share many inspiring sustainableliving/ eco-friendly practices with everyone we meet, including many of WellBeing’s amazing and wonderful tips. Scott Michelle Wilson I have been in the hairdressing industry forever! So I have finally decided to listen to my heart and have started my yoga teacher training. I’m so excited for what the future brings. Marni Korneluk In autumn, I quit a stressful managerial job that I’d had for…

From little streams... Small streams make up 70–80 per cent of the total channel length of river networks and they strongly influence downstream portions of these networks. These small streams (headstreams) transmit sediment and nutrients, provide habitat and refuge for diverse organisms, create migration corridors and provide connectivity. However, historically, headwater streams have been given little attention by researchers, so our understanding of headstreams is incomplete. In a new article, a researcher has called for improved mapping and a better understanding of resistance and resilience of headstreams in response to natural and human-induced disturbances. The article calls for improvements in assessing human impacts and creating complete species inventories to understand biodiversity and ecological resilience around headstreams. Our freshwater resources cannot remain vital if we destroy much of the functioning of…

It’s evening at the billabong and all I can hear is the cascading chitter of crickets and clicking of frogs. A glowing night sky is reflected in the still water that lies on either side of the torchlit path, countless stars tucked in and blinking sleepily around a waning moon. I stand like a woman bewitched, slack-jawed and staring. Who would have thought you’d find this so close to Australia’s biggest city? It was with mixed emotions that I’d arrived at Billabong Retreat some hours earlier following a 50-minute train ride to Maraylya, northwest of Sydney, and a 15-minute taxi-trip addendum. You see, I’d been invited to experience a three-day stress management retreat and, while it was a fortunate luxury, it was timed to coincide neatly with the final three…

“Looking back, I don’t feel like a victim at all.” As an opening line for the story of awardwinning restaurateur, filmmaker, boat person, writer and abuse survivor Pauline Nguyen, there couldn’t be any better. Once you start to understand the challenges she has overcome, and the enormous success she has managed to create, you’ll understand why. Nguyen doesn’t do victim. Instead, she takes some of the most confronting parts of the human experience, turns them into opportunities and then takes it on the road to help others do the same. As the co-owner of the most awarded Vietnamese restaurant in the world (which she runs with her brother Luke and husband, chef Mark Jensen), Nguyen has proved that grit and determination can turn any start in life around. As one…

Connection is one of those words you hear everywhere: in the media, on Facebook, from politicians and scientists. I hear “connected” all the time, and not just in the context of being connected through social media or smartphone messaging. “Let’s connect some time” or “I don’t feel connected to anyone” or “I feel deeply connected to this place; I feel at home here.” Experiencing connectedness is essential for realising our potential and life satisfaction, yet it’s importance and the health consequences of disconnection are rarely discussed. Here, I’ll explore the link between connectedness and wellbeing and offer some simple actions to bring it into your life. There’s connecting and then there’s connectedness The word “connect” has a spectrum of meanings related to joining together, the original meaning of the Latin…

Hearing loss is on the rise in Australia, with the current figure of around one in six predicted to increase to one in four by 2050 with our ageing population. But crunch the numbers and it’s not just baby boomers who are suffering from poor hearing. Through lifestyle choices and repeated exposure to loud sounds, Gen X and Gen Y cohorts could very well soon be labelling themselves as the “say that again” generations. Multi generations of Australians are putting their hearing at risk, it seems. According to Professor David Ryugo, head of the Hearing Research Laboratory at Sydney’s Garvan Institute, the impact of loud industrial and recreational noise is something we just aren’t taking seriously enough. And we should be. “Loud noise is a bit like radiation or UV…

There’s something so enticing about fresh green vegies on the plate. In fact, they are exactly the type of nutrientdense ingredient I love because they inject total vibrancy into a dish, both visually and literally. Every culture in the world includes greens in some way because of their medicinal properties. In Japanese culture, bitter greens such as tatsoi are used for their ability to increase bile and build a stronger digestive system. Meanwhile, in Maori culture, puha is a dark-green plant often found growing as a weed and traditionally served cooked with pork. It’s known for bitterness and life-sustaining properties. Often watercress, which is also very nutrient-dense, is used as a substitute in this same dish. The reason the world’s ancestral cultures include greens in so much of their cooking…

While awaiting the birth of my second son, I swam. So, too, did a wiry old man who shuffled into the water every day at around the same time as I was lowering my beach-ball-sized belly into the pool. Hunched over, leaning heavily on his walking stick for support, he winced with every slow and measured step. But, as soon as he was submerged, a transformation ensued. Surrendering to the support and buoyancy provided by the water, his movements became graceful and effortless. He swam like a fish. A seal. A dolphin. For those 20 laps or so, he was young again, free of pain and the physical constraints of an ageing body. I shared his reluctance when the time came to climb the pool steps and return once more…

Chakras have been central to many ancient healing practices for centuries. They are like funnels that radiate energy out from the spinal column and, when balanced, allow us to feel healthy and in flow. If you’re like most people, you will have learnt about chakras through the practice of yoga. Most teachings about the chakra system available today are based on the Indian Tantra yoga tradition and are believed to be around 3000 years old. It’s through yoga that we get the Sanskrit definition of chakra — “wheel” — which describes the spinning motion the chakras use to draw energy into our beings. This tradition also explains that the seven chakra centres in the body act a bit like lungs, breathing in vital energy and distributing it throughout the body.…

Even if a hedonistic holiday is your primary objective for coming to Noosa, visitors can’t help but be seduced by the area’s natural beauty and move with its natural rhythms. The lunchtime lineup for Betty’s Burgers snakes along Hastings Street like its infamous traffic on a sultry summer Sunday when the perfect swell is pumping off Noosa Heads. And who can blame them? Betty’s serves up a mean ’Shroom Burger of crisp fried mushrooms, melted Gouda and Gruyère cheese, lettuce, tomato and special sauce. And don’t even get me started on the rich and creamy custard ice-cream on offer. They’re like that in Noosa. Snatch some surf, eat a steak at the Surf Club. Go to a gym class, gobble a gelato. Grab a pizza, pop out to Pilates. From…

DVDs Neruda Directed by PABLO LARRAÍN Starring GAEL GARCÍA BERNAL, LUIS GNECCO A Quiet Passion Directed by TERENCE DAVIES Starring CYNTHIA NIXON, JENNIFER EHLE At first glance, the lives of poets — especially one as inward-looking as Emily Dickinson — might seem unsuited to the clamouring distractions of cinema. But both of these films, each in its own way a masterpiece, use the words of their subjects to illuminate the poetic imagery on the screen. Chilean director Pablo Larraín follows Jackie, his operatic portrait of JFK’s widow, with a rollicking rumination on his own countryman, the revered poet Pablo Neruda. Though far from a conventional biopic, Neruda recounts a pivotal year in the poet’s life. In 1948, when he led the communist party in Chile’s senate, Neruda (Luis Gnecco) was…

The Inspired Little Book The Inspired Little Book is designed to inspire. It features over 35 beautiful and simple body-care and natural-cleaning recipes, with both conventional and thermal-appliance methods. Receive AU$10 off with the code: WELLBEING10. W: theinspiredlittlepot.com.au Nature’s Commonscents Goat’s milk is perfect for people with dry or sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It helps reduce skin inflammation, soothes dry and damaged skin, reduces wrinkles and delays signs of skin ageing. Goat’s milk also has the closest pH level to that of human skin, helping protect it from invading bacteria, and is loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins such as C, B1, B6, B12 and E. W: naturescommonscents.com.au Brush for Change Meet Brush for Change, the ecofriendly toothbrush that gives back. For each four-pack of…

CARLA OATES is a natural beauty expert and the author of Feeding Your Skin. An antioxidant-rich diet is nature’s internal skincare regime, helping to fight rogue free radicals that wreak havoc on the skin as well as stabilise and repair skin cell damage. Free radicals are the main perpetrators when it comes to promoting premature ageing. They are troublesome, unstable molecules that roam our bodies (with an odd number of electrons) on the hunt for good-looking healthy cells to partner with and offer them some stability. When they pair up with a happy, stable molecule, they compromise the health of that cell, which begins a chain of damage to cells or DNA. When cells are damaged, premature ageing and disease can follow. Free radicals cause oxidation and inflammation in the body.…

JACKIE FRENCH is the author of The Chook Book (Aird Books). Her oldest chook, Gertie, is now 17. Although Gertie’s sisters have all long since fallen off the perch, Gertie still lays extremely large brown eggs most days of the year. Get in touch with Jackie via facebook.com/jackiefrenchauthor, twitter.com/jackie_ french_ and instagram.com/jackie_ french Forty-something years ago, we acquired a block of land and 16 giant walnut trees. No walnuts, of course — the white cockatoos got those. We tried everything from scare guns to tangles of computer tapes (from the ye-olde days when computers contained tapes) to shoo the birds away. Hawk kites, the transistor radio left on for a football match — nothing worked. At one stage, the cockatoos turned into stealth bombers, flying silently below tree height so we…

DR MICHAEL ELSTEIN is a Sydney-based anti-ageing physician and writer. He is the author of three books, including his latest, The Wellness Guide to Preventing the Diseases of Ageing. He has also designed the app The diet guide to ageing prevention. Ageing is nature’s ultimate curve ball. It’s a harsh reality check whereby, as much as we have conquered the world, the final joke is on us as primordial forces relentlessly choke our life force, propelling us into decrepitude and death. This doesn’t mean we’re going to roll over and die without putting up a fight. Preventing ageing is our ultimate challenge, our attempt to defy that most primitive reminder that we aren’t in fact controllers of our destiny and that, when it comes to determining who’s boss, nature has the…

At 42 with a promising career, two beautiful boys and a childhoodsweetheart husband, life was going pretty well. Ever since a parting gift of a giardia parasite from a family holiday in Thailand, I’d grown used to the occasional sight of blood and mucus in my stools and found it more annoying than alarming. A stool test around 12 months ago had returned normal, so my naturopath thought I’d probably picked up another parasite. What else could it have been? Yet when I stared back at myself in the mirror, something seemed different: my eyes more distant and a little less bright, my face slightly gaunt. Just to be on the safe side, I once again presented at my GP, who casually referred me on for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy.…

October/November Our #inspo November/December Illustration Tams at Soul Stories: soul-stories.com Photography Sol + Co…

Some aphorisms are wrong. Take, for instance, “A watched pot never boils.” Actually, a pot of any given liquid will boil when it reaches the boiling point of that liquid regardless of whether it is under ocular surveillance. Then there’s the fallacy of “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”, which entirely depends on how happy you are with a hand full of bird poo. Other aphorisms, however, are spot on. One of those more lucid insights is: “The definition of stupidity is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.” I know I have patterns of thinking and behaving that I continually return to, not because they make me happy but because I’m comfortable with them. When for the 15,000th time I find…

Physical exercise prevents dementia Researchers examined the effects of regular exercise on brain metabolism and memory of 60 participants aged between 65 and 85 in a randomised controlled trial. Subjects were examined for movement-related parameters, cardiopulmonary fitness and cognitive performance. In addition, magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were used to measure brain metabolism and brain structure. Subjects were then divided into two groups: one group did three 30-minute sessions on an exercise bike each week for 12 weeks while the other group did no exercise. Physical activity was found to prevent an increase in choline in the brain. The concentration of choline often rises as a result of the increased loss of nerve cells, which typically occurs in the case of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings suggest…

Perilla (Perilla frutescens) is an aromatic leafy vegetable native to mountainous areas from India to China but mainly cultivated and consumed in Korea, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. It’s a member of the mint family and is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. There are many varieties but the red-leafed and greenleafed varieties are the most common. According to the ancient Chinese classics, perilla was used to treat fish and crab poisoning. In Asia, strongly aromatic substances were often used to treat mood disorders and mental stress and as such perilla was traditionally used for depression, panic attacks and conditions such as asthma. Active ingredients The parts used are the leaves, seeds and an oil made from the seeds. The red-leafed variety (also known as shiso or beefsteak plant) is…

How did Back 2 Earth first begin? Back 2 Earth began with a dream to live a life based on kindness and compassion, to heal our health and to have as little footprint on the environment as possible. My husband Marc and I bought the property in 2013 and spent eight months renovating and establishing it as Back 2 Earth. It has been running as a farm sanctuary, bed and breakfast and health retreat since December 2014 and we’re very proud of what we’ve created. What was your connection to Berry? We chose Berry on the south coast of New South Wales as we loved the area. It’s full of natural beauty and is close to mountains, rivers and beaches. I have a psychology practice based in Sydney and my…

Jupiter is a lucky, helpful planet. Jupiter’s path through the sky provides clues as to how and where you’re ready to grow. On October 10, 2017, Jupiter enters transformative Scorpio for a 12-month cycle that brings fresh energy around growth and expansion and indicates we’re all ready for progress and insights in new areas of life. The cycle of Jupiter takes 12 years, so Jupiter visits each zodiac sign only once in that longer period. The opportunities you encounter while Jupiter tours Scorpio have been 12 years in the making. Scorpio is the deepest, most insightful of all the signs. As a water sign, Scorpio is sensitive, private and loyal. It’s also a fixed sign, which means it can be slow to initiate change. However, once planets in Scorpio set…

There’s much more to your hormones than you’re often led to believe. These chemical messengers in the body are given credit for controlling most bodily functions, including emotions and moods. What often isn’t talked about is the fact that this is a two-way street: your emotions also dictate your hormones, and this is particularly evident when we look at fertility health. Fertility is about more than having babies: the term refers to a wide range of health considerations in your reproductive system, including hormone balance and your body being in optimal health. Fertility issues are rife in Australia: infertility affects one in six couples, 10 per cent of women experience endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 21 per cent of women of childbearing age. Fertility is generally…

It’s in your kitchen where you’ll find some of the best and safest skin-nourishing ingredients that Mother Nature has to offer. Certain fruits, vegetables and other wholefoods are ideal for making your own natural creams, lotions and body scrubs Not only is making your own skin products a great way to save money but you’ll also be saving your health. Most skincare products on the market today unfortunately contain a cocktail of chemicals, even carcinogenic compounds, that can affect your health and the integrity of your skin. Considering that 60 per cent of what you put on your skin ends up in your bloodstream, you should settle for nothing less than using 100 per cent natural ingredients on your skin. You should adopt the motto, “If it’s not good enough…

"It’s definitely off the chart,” she says. “I can’t live without plants around me – in my studio, backyard and living room, they’re always there, intertwined with everything I do. They are a big part of who I am.” Georgina is founder and editor of The Planthunter, an online magazine that celebrates the connections between people and plants. Georgina has designed seven looks to inspire everyone to improve their plant life balance. Combining her passion for plants, and skills as a landscape designer, Georgina has designed seven looks for the new Plant Life Balance app, which inspires people to green their homes. From an indoor jungle to a contemporary native garden, the looks transform small spaces into living works of art. And new research from RMIT shows that plant-filled spaces…

Astrology is often used to help guide choices to do with work and love, but did you know that it can also provide helpful insights into your home life? Separate from your star or sun sign, you have another zodiac sign that wields special influence over your domestic affairs. The qualities of that sign show what you need at home and describe how you can find fulfilment with family. Your sun or star sign most describes you as a person. It can describe traits, talents and tendencies you draw on in all areas of life. It’s one secret of astrology that we all have each of the 12 signs represented somewhere in our charts and lives. Even though you may most define yourself by your sun or star sign, astrologers…

We travel by car and speedboat to the island of Kutubdia in the Bay of Bengal. It’s a bumpy 15-minute ride in the back of a jalopy from the ferry ghat into town, with palms and banana trees waving from the roadside and rickshaw wallahs cycling past. The impression is one of lushness, tranquillity and purpose yet, beyond the façade, saltpans that were once rice paddies stretch towards the sea, revealing the harshness of life in a Bangladeshi village and the impact of rising sea levels on this community. I’ve come to the island with Bangladeshi friends to research the impact of climate change on this community of fishermen and farmers. You see, Bangladesh — a country at sea level with three main rivers but a total of over 700…

It seems that Mike McEnearney can do no wrong. He’s the owner of two hugely popular restaurants in Sydney, has won a tonne of awards and, on top of all that, is a friendly and compassionate guy. His latest cookbook, Real Food by Mike, equips you with the best seasonal produce, sharing more than 100 of his favourite wholefood recipes. Categorised by the seasons, the book offers a wide variety of breakfast ideas, salads, substantial main meals, drinks and sweet treats. At the back of the book is a larder section sharing McEnearney’s top tips to make the most of what’s plentiful each season — and to give you a head start in the kitchen. Unique and approachable, this beautifully photographed book offers notes on the health benefits of certain…

Sunwarrior Classic Plus Sunwarrior Classic Plus is a plant-based certified organic protein powder containing all the essential amino acids your body craves in a perfectly balanced profile. It combines Sunwarrior’s famous wholegrain brown rice with the amino-acid-balancing effects of peas, chia seeds, quinoa and amaranth to make mouth-watering smoothies. W: sunwarrior.com.au Southern Cross Pottery Southern Cross Pottery makes Australianmade water purifiers, which remove virtually all impurities, including giardia, chlorine and fluoride. Available in two sizes and as many as 30 colours; no plumbing or electricity needed. Purchase direct online or through resellers located all over Australia. W: southerncrosspottery.com.au Lifestream Aloe Vera Juice For optimal digestion, Lifestream Aloe Vera Juice soothes the lining of the stomach and intestines to support smooth and natural digestion. It is 99.7 per cent premium-quality clean-tasting…

Do you ever have those nights when you don’t feel like cooking but you don’t want to spend money on takeaway either? If that’s you, I know eggs-actly what you need. Quiches, omelettes, frittatas, shakshuka, stir-fries, poached eggs, boiled eggs, scrambled eggs ... When it comes to eggs, the words cheap, delicious and easy can finally belong in a sentence together. Did you know that Australians consume over 4 billion eggs each year? If you add them all up, this comes in at a grand total of approximately 200 eggs per person! Previously poached in controversy, eggs really are the perfect ingredient for health- and budget-conscious foodies. They’re an ideal real food that is delivered in its original packaging. Eggs are also simple to prepare and can add bulk to…

KAREN GOLDRICK is a holistic veterinarian at All Natural Vet Care, Russell Lea, Sydney. T: +61 2 9712 5844 W: naturalvet.com.au Faecal transplantation, or microbiome restorative therapy, is an emerging treatment used to manage inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis, immune-mediated diseases, diabetes and obesity. The treatment itself is not really new. It was used to treat gastrointestinal disease in Chinese medicine in the 4th century. In veterinary medicine it has been used for many years to treat cattle and sheep. The rumen contents of healthy animals are fed to sick individuals to recolonise their gastrointestinal tracts. The term “microbiome” was first used by Joshua Lederberg in 2001, to “signify the ecological community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic micro-organisms that literally share our body space”. The microbiome includes archaea…

KAREN BRIDGMAN is a holistic practitioner at Australian Biologics, Sydney, and Pymble Grove Health Centre, Gordon. Urinary incontinence, or an overactive bladder, is an ancient problem (it was described — and treatments offered — in the Ebers Papyrus in 1500 BCE) and it is still common today. While it can affect all age groups, it’s an increasing problem as we age. One in three women over the age of 60 has a bladder control problem — and women are twice as likely as men to suffer from this condition. The case A 58-year-old female patient came to the clinic with this problem. She had visited several medical practices prior and tried the vaginal oestrogens and one of the pharmaceuticals. Both of these had unpleasant side-effects and the symptoms had not improved…

How connected do you feel to other people and the world around you? It’s a human need to belong; to have close one-to-one relationships with others and to belong to social groups. As Peter White writes in his article on p42, “Beyond human contact, however, is a more intrinsic need: to feel a connectedness that nourishes and sustains us beyond our basic needs for survival and social integration.” If you lack that connectedness, it may manifest as a sense of loss, loneliness, ostracism or social isolation. Feeling chronically disconnected has implications for mental and overall health, research shows, and is an experience that’s on the rise in a busy, distracted world. If this describes the way you feel, you aren’t alone, and we’d like to offer some support to help…