Innehållsförteckning för Issue 177 från WellBeing

Whether it’s a loving relationship to self, others or something greater than you, connection is something we often write about in WellBeing. On a primal level, we are hardwired for connection, but there is also an energetic force at play. This line of energy leads from your heart centre; a manifestation of pure, unconditional love. This true connection exists without recoil. The bond is malleable and fluid, without doubt, suffering or fear of loss. Freedom is readily accessible, yet the connection is stable and strong. Thoughts, emotions and feelings flow freely in this state. Connection can easily transgress into attachment, however. Attachments, which are housed in the mind, are often linked to outcomes. Perhaps you're attached to an expectation of how you’d like a relationship to look, or you're married…

Of bosses & bad behaviour “Sucking up to the boss”, “kissing up”, “crawling”, “bootlicking”, “toadying”, “ingratiating”… there’s any number of terms that describe the act of trying to please a boss in the workplace. New research shows that while sucking up might boost a career it also has negative workplace effects. The study involved middle managers and defined ingratiation as flattery, conforming with the supervisor’s opinion and doing favours. They found that the more employees engaged in sucking up, the more their self-control resources were depleted by the end of the day. The depleted employees were more likely to express incivility to a co-worker, skip a meeting or surf the internet rather than work. A workplace that encourages ingratiation also encourages these bad behaviours. On a practical note, if you…

Historically, dandelion root and leaves have been used to treat liver and kidney problems across Native American, Chinese and European cultures. In addition to being an amazingly beneficial plant medicine, dandelion can be consumed in many ways: the root either as a casserole vegetable or roasted as a coffee alternative (two-year-old roots are best); the leaves and the flowers in salads and teas; and even the sap to reduce skin infections topically. As it grows so well in the Australian climate, dandelion is considered a weed, but nothing could be further from the truth. Grow some in your backyard and use it for its multiple health benefits. Active ingredients Dandelion has an abundance of bitter principles in all parts of the plant, as well as sterols structurally related to bile.…

Miranda Sofroniou T: +61 490 824 702 E: mgsofroniou@gmail.com W: mirandasofroniou.com I’m an illustrator and designer originally from London and now based in Melbourne. Stories and books play a central role in inspiring my designs. I often listen to audio books and podcasts while painting. I aim to evoke a sense of exploration and wonder through my illustrations, creating a whimsical, narrative world that invites the viewer inside. Nature and travel are also significant influences on my work, and experiencing new cultures and places is very important for my creative practice. As part of my practice I keep day-to-day and travel sketchbooks on hand to capture and document the beauty in the everyday. My approach to design is organic: I start with quick sketches to try out ideas and composition…

While the weather warms and flowers bloom in early spring, many of us will struggle as hay fever takes hold. The itching, watering, sneezing messiness that comes to define the early days of this new season could not be less welcome. In the search for relief, the greatest reprieve is developing a better understanding of the body’s allergic responses and how to naturally remedy them in lieu of becoming dependent on over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Be armed and get ready to naturally combat the unpleasantness of hay fever when it comes knocking this spring. Hay fever 101 Otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is an allergic response to airborne allergens most prevalent in springtime and said to affect approximately 18 per cent of people in Australia and New Zealand. While susceptibility…

When you were growing up, your parents probably said, “Eat your Brussels sprouts — they’re good for you.” Well, your parents were right! Brussels sprouts and their other well-known family members cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower are all part of the cruciferous family. They are extremely beneficial for your health and contain some unique phytochemicals that have superior disease-fighting properties. Cruciferous vegetables belong to the Brassicaceae plant family. They are some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. These super vegies offer a variety of impressive health benefits including lowering cholesterol levels and the risk of cancer and heart disease, boosting liver detoxification and immunity, and even balancing hormone levels. The brassica family includes broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, collard greens, rocket, watercress, rutabaga, turnips and…

We all strive to belong and feel accepted. Secure attachment is a basic human need from an early age and many of us possess an intrinsic tribal mentality inherited from our ancestors. Safety in numbers provided protection from danger, and pooled resources assisted in times of scarcity, while shared knowledge increased the chance of survival. The importance of social interaction with other people for human cognition, development and wellbeing has long been recognised. Social connection promotes happiness, and surrounding yourself with individuals who show you genuine care and understanding can encourage you to live your best life. Social connection has also been linked to longevity. Okinawa in Japan is a well-known and researched region of the world where people commonly live active, healthy lives past the age of 100. One…

Consumed by humans throughout history and maligned by saladhaters as “rabbit food”, leafy greens include some of the easiest-to-grow, most nutrient-dense yet inexpensive health foods on the planet. Consisting of the edible leaves of plants, these inauspicious wonder foods may also include the shoots (as in sprouts and micro-greens) and stalks (as in celery) of plants. Botanical diversity Broadly speaking, leafy greens cover a diverse range of species, including cruciferous vegetables like kale, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and cabbage, as well as lettuces, the leaves of the beet family and herbs such as fennel, fenugreek and coriander. Less known edible leafy greens include wild greens such as chickweed, purslane and dandelion, the tops of vegetables, the leaves of some flowers and root vegetables, water plants such as sea lettuce…

Imagine a treatment that can relieve pain, improve sleep, reduce stress, ease nausea and reduce depression. In fact, it can help with almost any illness you can imagine. It’s free, available everywhere and has no nasty side-effects. It’s not new, nor is it high-tech. That treatment is the placebo effect — the mind-body phenomenon that has been scorned for decades in medicine, but which contemporary science is proving to have powerful potential for healing. The term “placebo effect”, also known as the “placebo response”, is used in medical literature to describe what happens when a “fake” treatment, such as a sugar pill or sham acupuncture, improves a patient’s condition. It was first used in this context in 1955 by US physician Henry Beecher. In a now-famous article, Beecher collected data…

On Borneo’s southern fringe where the murky Sangatta River snakes to the sea, we journey against the flow, riding our tippy wooden canoe upstream and deep into the forest. We bump against the bank at a primitive timber hut and drag our gear to the Kutai National Park rangers’ hut, strapping on hiking boots and hitting the trail minutes later. A recent sighting has park rangers excited and there’s no time to waste. We hustle behind Pak Supiani, who leads us swiftly off trail, sweating along skinny paths that peter out until we are wading waist deep in vegetation. Supiani’s machete swings through the undergrowth, cutting through the humidity and the noisy chatter of long-tailed macaques and hornbills until this seasoned tracker hears something we don’t. When we catch up…

Make a difference in this world Nothing can satisfy you more than being able to make a significant and positive difference in a person’s life. Helping people see a better future for themselves and empowering them to turn this vision into a reality increases their self-worth and produces in them and you a deep-seated satisfaction. W: professionalcoachtraining.com.au International Yoga Teachers Association The primary activity of the International Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) is to ensure the highest level of yoga teacher training and ongoing support for yoga teachers worldwide. IYTA is managed by a dedicated group of volunteers who are passionate about yoga and its professional and ethical teaching. W: iyta.com.au Find your hormonal health solution Naturopaths are healthcare professionals who treat the whole person and address key drivers of hormonal…

Yoga’s popularity has exploded. It seems that almost every studio is offering yoga teacher training. Yoga magazines are filled with one-month fast-track retreats where students leave proudly waving a 200 hours’ certificate and are unleashed to teach the public as “qualified” yoga teachers. In a world where instant gratification has become an expectation, do we really expect to become “instant” teachers? Do we really think it’s possible to have information poured into students’ heads at lightning speed and have them be able to teach yoga safely and effectively to their students? These fast-track courses have their place; they can act as a stepping-stone to open the door to expanding people’s knowledge and awareness of what yoga is, which is more than just the asanas. But do they prepare students to…

ALEXX STUART is a passionate educator 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 family and the planet. W: lowtoxlife.com Going low-tox allows you to aim for healthy striving instead of compartmentalising and labelling “the one way”, the destination where all is perfect. If you’re prone to feeling overwhelmed from confusing mixed information or are guilty or ashamed of not having done enough for your health and your planet, then read on. It’s very common to feel these feelings over the course of life as we try to do our best. But doing so can feel so darn complicated, right? The reason I coined the term “low-tox” back in 2009 was…

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. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that resides in the stomachs of more than 50 per cent of the world’s population. It’s also an enemy combatant associated with a host of ailments, including stomach ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining and even cancer. Speculation is rife that helicobacter’s malevolence extends way beyond our stomachs to involvement in heart disease and brain degeneration. Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies have also been linked to this organism. The problem with helicobacter is that most of us don’t even know it’s there. It goes about…

I have worked in primary education since 2004. My teaching career has seen me become a mother (twice), a wife (twice) and a divorcee (once!). Since I was 15, I have had an inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis (UC). The cause is unknown, but my symptoms are triggered by stress. I adore working with children; their optimistic and enthusiastic attitudes to life fill me with joy. I have an enormous and fundamental impact on these children every day in the classroom. Last year, my stress levels increased. I reached a point where I was giving so much of myself to my career, my children, my family and friends that there was nothing left in the tank for me. I was at crisis point. The doctor gave me antidepressants, my…

Did something resonate with you in this issue of WellBeing? Tell us! Write to WellBeing, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670, email wbletters@umco.com.au, comment on our Facebook page or Instagram account: @WellBeing_Magazine. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Knowledge is power I picked up a copy of your Nurture Me edition a few days before being diagnosed with stage one breast cancer — a bolt out of the blue. I especially connected with “Rewired for Resilience”, as the thing I have found hardest to deal with has been people’s reactions. Although I haven’t told many people about my diagnosis, some reactions have surprised me. Many people still see cancer as a death sentence. I could have easily let their reactions drain me, but I am determined to…

Tropical biodiversity collapse A major collaborative report is the first to report on the state of all four of the world’s most diverse tropical ecosystems: tropical forests, savannas, lakes and rivers, and coral reefs. The authors found that, although the tropics cover just 40 per cent of the planet, they are home to more than three-quarters of all species, including almost all shallow-water corals and more than 90 per cent of the world’s bird species. According to the researchers, there is a loss of biodiversity in tropical regions that also threatens the wellbeing of millions of people across the planet. Between them, humid tropical forests and savannas store 40 per cent of the carbon in the terrestrial biosphere and support rainfall in some of the world’s most important agricultural regions.…

It’s late Friday morning and, instead of spending the rest of the day tying up the loose ends of the week’s work before a relaxing glass of wine, I’m driving to the home of wine, beautiful vine-draped Pokolbin in the NSW Hunter Valley. I won’t be having any wine, though. Cocooned in my car, I finally have the mind space to think about how I can make the most of this blessing I’ve been given: a weekend at Golden Door Elysia. A recent arm/wrist fracture has made me focused on my body of late; at the same time it has limited exercise to almost nothing. Result: muscle wastage, strength depletion and lowered energy levels, plus that lopsided feeling you have when one side is weakened and the other is working…

Honey is a gift from nature; a symbol of the sweet symbiotic connection between bees and flowering plants. Mankind has extolled the virtues of honey for more than 5000 years. In ancient Spain cave paintings were found of people gathering honey, while in ancient China it was a medicinal remedy for many ailments. It tastes great drizzled over desserts, soothes sore throats and sweetens tea. Honey has been used for centuries as a food and medicinal source, aiding in everything from hiccups to hepatitis. The humble honey bee has inspired poets, while tales of honey bees have woven their way into children’s books and the heart of folklore. It is said in ancient Egypt that when the sun god Ra cried, his tears turned into honey bees. Honey is also…

Even with the best of intentions, sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day to fit in a full workout, jog or yoga class. A study by Australian National University found that one in five people aged between 25 and 54 don’t have time to exercise. Lead researcher Dr Lyndall Strazdins, from ANU’s Research School of Population Health, said being time-poor is a real phenomenon and “not just a problem of people’s minds”. The good news is that short workouts are better than nothing. Rather than miss a workout altogether — and feel guilty about it — use what time you do have, even if it’s while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, at the traffic lights or at work. It seems that scientists agree these shorter…

“Touch has a memory.”~ John Keats Who doesn’t love a big warm hug, a long luxurious massage or some intimate time with a partner? But beyond making you feel good, how important is it to experience touch in your everyday life? The answer is that appropriate and loving touch is not only important to your physical, mental and emotional development but is essential to life itself. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and your sense of touch develops in the womb before all the other senses. Touch is the main way infants learn about their environment and bond with other people. This sense of touch never turns off, it never takes a break and it keeps on going long after your other senses have failed in old…

For a yogi, practice is a big part of life. Finding your yoga groove takes time and commitment but, once you do, it becomes a daily staple. Your yoga might happen as soon as you wake up every day, or at an exact time each week at your regular class. Regardless of what form it may take, when “yoga time” rolls around, you’re ready and raring to go. However, sometimes when you practise regularly like this, as with any activity, you can plateau or hit a wall. In these cases, the practice often still has its commitment and dedication but becomes a little same-same. You move in and out of Downward-Facing Dogs without noticing them any more. The asanas you once found challenging or gratifying aren’t so much right now…

Humans are inherently creative beings with a desire to create, innovate and inspire. Yet many people don’t engage with their creative side because fear gets in the way. The truth is it takes courage to create. At the heart of any creative expression is a courageous decision to be seen and heard. To live a creative life, you must be willing to be vulnerable. Living creatively, however, gives you the chance to live a full, interesting, authentic and exciting life. Creative expression is not about being “arty”. Rather, creative expression is the wondrous act of bringing forth something that didn’t exist before. It’s about giving form and a voice to an idea or concept that excites you. With this in mind, creative expression could be a whole range of things,…

Over the decades, many different activities and ideas have been pursued to protect the environment and regenerate the planet, ranging from light-green sustainable consumer strategies, to a deep-green resistance, to industrial civilisation. Of these, permaculture is one of the most effective. A shortened form of “permanent agriculture”, permaculture is a design system to facilitate sustainable habitation of the environment. Often it involves the creation of human-made ecosystems that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. The goal is to cycle resources within a site, thereby minimising production of unwanted waste products and the unnecessary consumption of resources from outside. Devised by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the mid-1970s, permaculture has since spread around the world to many different countries and can be applied in a very diverse range…

Green Escapes TOBY MUSGRAVE, PHAIDON How often do you stroll around your local garden? Once a week? Perhaps once a month? Or do you subscribe to the excuse that your city has zero green space? If it’s the latter, Toby Musgrave, a lecturer and acknowledged authority on garden history, has news for you. His new book describes 280 peaceful sanctuaries in 164 cities around the world, from leafy pocket parks and secluded monastery cloisters to tropical conservatories, edible gardens and gorgeous green spaces. Back home, he highlights the Old Parliament House Rose Gardens in Canberra, The Sydney Garden in Melbourne, the Himeji Garden in Adelaide, Wendy’s Secret Garden in Sydney and more. The perfect pocket or backpack-size, the book offers directions to the gardens, some history and design elements. Pack…

Antidote Essentials SERUM Age Rescue Liquid gold. This intense vitamin booster will help reduce fine lines and reverse UV damage, while providing a smoother and more youthful appearance. Fight the signs of ageing naturally with a high concentration of vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, co-enzyme Q10, carrot seed, grape seed and turmeric oils. W: antidoteessentials.com Eco Lab Style Project hairspray Eco Lab Style Project is an exciting new Australian brand that has created the latest technology in natural haircare that’s suitable for everyone in your family: a never-before-seen clean and safe hairspray powered by certified organic sugarcane biomass. Australian made, cruelty-free and 100 per cent vegan. W: ecolabstyleproject.com.au Natural & Organic Beauty Since 2007, Naturally Safe Cosmetics has been your online destination for natural and organic alternatives in skincare,…

CARLA OATES is the CEO of The Beauty Chef, a natural beauty expert and the author of Feeding Your Skin and The Beauty Chef Cookbook. W: thebeautychef.com Meditation increases the balance of good bacteria in your gut, which not only helps to promote an overall sense of health and wellbeing but can benefit your skin, too. Do you meditate regularly? What was once seen as a spiritual practice reserved solely for yogis has now become widely recognised as something that can help to combat all manner of health concerns. In fact, there’s now research to support meditation’s effectiveness at helping to lower blood pressure, treat anxiety and depression, promote more restful sleep and reduce stress while increasing feelings of relaxation. When you consider that 75–90 per cent of all doctors’ visits…

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/authorjackiefrench, twitter.com/jackie_french_ and instagram.com/jackie_french_. Roses have always been symbols of love, seduction and sensuality. Cleopatra greeted Mark Antony on a carpet of rose petals so thick you couldn’t see the ground and had the sails of her barge soaked in essence of roses. Rich Ancient Romans even swam in pools of rosewater. In another tale of roses and devotion, a beautiful young girl named Rosamund de Clifford was adored by King Henry II, who reigned 1154–1189. Henry had to marry a European princess, but…

KAREN BRIDGMAN is a holistic practitioner at Australian Biologics, Sydney. A 40-year-old woman with an unusual problem came to see me. Basically, she had been very healthy and had been taking active steps to optimise her health. She was on no pharmaceutical medication, ate well, was physically active, riding her bike and walking regularly, and had not had health problems. This had changed a few months earlier when she went out to lunch with a friend to an Asian restaurant and ate a delicious fish curry. Unexpectedly, halfway through the meal, she felt a searing pain in the gum below one of her front teeth. She felt like she had been stabbed with a piece of metal and, in her reaction, she swallowed the mouthful before realising it — or retrieving…

NATURAL – ORGANIC – CRUELTY FREE Naturally Safe Cosmetics offers an extensive range of organic skin care, natural makeup and toxin-free personal care products from top organic brands. From head to toe, there’s no need to compromise on performance, your health or the environment. Not only do our products work, they are naturally safer, cruelty-free and eco-friendly. Use code WELLBEING10 for 10% off till 30/11/18. W: naturallysafe.com.au PROKLEAN LAUNDRY & CLEANING PRODUCTS Proklean offers a real alternative to supermarket brands that contain bulking agents and fillers. Do you have sensitive skin? For over 30 years, Proklean’s Flare Laundry Powder has helped thousands of clients who have suffered from sensitive allergies. Give it a try — you have nothing to lose. Mention this advert and receive a 10 per cent discount…

I think we know each other well enough by now that I can be honest with you. I’m an idiot. I don’t say I’m a complete idiot in all aspects of my life, but in some ways, on occasions, I am, unredeemably, idiotic. Let me give you an example. One of my daughter’s favourite dishes is spaghetti with butter and then loaded with freshly grated parmesan cheese in approximately equal quantity to the pasta. It’s not to my taste but usually it does fall to me to put the dishes into the dishwasher. If you can imagine the residue of hot pasta, butter and parmesan cheese, it has a definite and resolutely glutinous quality to it. Every time she has the meal, I cursorily rinse the bowl, pop it into…

Tea & your genes Epigenetic changes are chemical modifications that turn your genes off or on. Your environment and lifestyle factors such as food choices and things like smoking can lead to epigenetic changes. In a new study, researchers investigated whether tea consumption may lead to epigenetic changes. Previous studies have suggested that both coffee and tea play an important role in modulating disease risk in humans by suppressing tumour progression, decreasing inflammation and influencing oestrogen metabolism. All these mechanisms may be mediated by epigenetic changes. The current results show there are epigenetic changes in women consuming tea but not in men. Interestingly, many of these epigenetic changes were found in genes involved in cancer and oestrogen metabolism. These findings don’t indicate how these epigenetic changes impact health, just that…

Commonly called water hyssop or herb of grace and often confused with gotu kola, Bacopa monnieri is a non-aromatic perennial creeping wetlands herb. It’s a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine where it’s known as brahmi after Brahma, the creator god in the Hindu pantheon. Bacopa is grown in many countries of the world today, mainly as an aquarium plant. In Ayurveda it’s considered a medhya rasayana, a herb that sharpens the mind and intellect, and has 1400 years of recorded studies. It was reportedly used by ancient Vedic scholars when they wanted to memorise sacred hymns and texts. Today, there’s significant research on this plant, mainly in animals but there is also increasing clinical research on its healing and protective activity in human brains. It’s called a “nootropic” herb, meaning…

What was the vision for Retreatment Botanics? Olivia Newtown-John, one of Gaia Retreat & Spa’s founders, along with Gaia’s skin specialists, envisioned a skincare range to bring home the nurturing rituals of the retreat. Over many years of listening to her guests, Olivia recognised women are busier than ever and crave greater self-care in their lives, including simple ways to nurture their natural beauty. Olivia saw there was a need to share her timeless beauty wisdom from Gaia Retreat and so, Retreatment Botanics was born. Blending only pure and natural ingredients, we take a holistic approach to nourishing your natural glow. As a part of our skincare ethos, we believe it’s essential to make mindful moments in your day to “reTreat” yourself, so we’ve crafted simple step-by-step beauty rituals to…

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “When I wake up, I am reborn.” If you sleep poorly, you’re more likely to feel strain and fatigue. Inadequate sleep and its consequences plague 33–45 per cent of adult Australians, according to a 2016 health report by the University of Adelaide and the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health. Importantly, they note, it’s a problem on the increase. Stress, health issues such as sleep apnea and a growing tendency to use screens at night certainly play their part. However, poor bedroom design also has a powerful role. Anthony Ashworth, a holistic interior and building design expert, says it’s well worth putting in the effort to create a bedroom that supports sleep. “Deep rest and good sleep are the foundation for a good life,” he says. Without…

As a parent of a teenager you might find yourself shaking your head in bewilderment. How did those tender years etched with love, laughter and tears, those first tentative baby steps, first days at school and first play dates pass by in a heartbeat? Your once sprightly pre-schooler has grown and is longing to spread their wings, to experience freedom, to make their own choices and their own decisions in a world you know will bring them both joy and heartache. As a parent you want to protect your child from all of life’s hurts and letting them go isn’t easy. Alex Urbina, author of The Inspirational Parent: The Magical Ingredients for Effective Parenting, says conscious parenting is key if you have a teenage child. “Conscious parenting is not about…

“I only have two speeds — stop and go.” Deborra-lee Furness talks a mile a minute. “I’m a juggler. I do it all. A multitasker.” I believed her as she shared sparkling insights while watching her 13-year-old daughter Ava cook gyoza and prepared for an evening engagement. All this while managing her domestic duties, charity work, acting career, portrait classes, cryotherapy sessions, celebrity spouse, French bulldog, labradoodle, two fish and a guinea pig. Furness doesn’t do dull. Married in 1996 to Hugh Jackman, she lives a full life in New York’s fun lane. “I like to be in the middle of the action and party.” Even holidays are extraordinary. When asked what kind of vacations she likes, Furness responded with a throaty laugh, “Really, really good ones!” This Aussie actress…

I’m a qualified natural health practitioner and a traveller. I know the joys and challenges travel can bring. This special report draws on my own experience of maintaining health while travelling — often off the beaten track — to many parts of the world, and combines it with the latest research. Travel brings both rewards and challenges. To travel well it’s far better if you can retain your health and energy and not succumb to local illnesses. Staying healthy while travelling is often a very different scenario from maintaining your health at home. It’s preferable to prevent illness by awareness and following certain procedures than it is to have to deal with acute illnesses while travelling. Before leaving, always get a medical/naturopathic and dental check-up. Dentists are particularly hard to…

In psychology, the “real self” and the “ideal self” are terms used to describe parts of your personality. The real self is who you actually are and incorporates how you think, feel, look and behave day to day, while your ideal self represents who you want to be. Your ideal self is an idealised image coming from the expectations of others, including family, community, culture and your own desires for yourself. While this is all normal and natural, issues can arise when the difference between who you are and who you want to be is too great. As a result, the path to becoming the self you would like to be can be fraught with the conflict between who you are now and who you would like to become. At…

Beyond the window, a cascade of scenery unfolds: epic mountains, meadows and lakes of a scale that defies description. Stocked up with supplies, we’re snug within our Maui campervan. The roomy van, which includes an inbuilt GPS, kitchenette and fridge, beds, dining area, toilet and heating, will be our home on wheels for our adventure through New Zealand’s South Island. Hot springs country Arcing below perilously sheer cliffs, the menthol blue of the Waiau River signals we’ve reached Hanmer Springs. Winding into the villages’ pine-clad prettiness, we’re 90 minutes from Christchurch, about 1700 metres above the Canterbury plains. A popular jaunt for skiing, bungy jumping and mountain biking, it’s best known for its hot springs — boiling up from fractured rock along the Hanmer Fault. As the sun sinks, hundreds…

This is an edited extract from Slow Down and Grow Something by Byron Smith with Tess Robinson, published by Murdoch, RRP AU$39.99. We felt so inspired flicking through Slow Down and Grow Something that we strolled down the road to the local fruit market to pick up ingredients for the Fig & Rosemary Tart recipe on the opposite page. If a cookbook can get us into the kitchen that fast, it’s safe to say that author Byron Smith and his partner Tess Robinson have created a masterpiece. Expert horticulturist and all-round nice guy, Smith has been designing, installing and maintaining edible food gardens on Australia’s east coast for his business, Urban Growers. In the book, Smith shares everything he’s learnt on the job, inviting you into the world of gardening…

Twinings Feel Good range Blended by master herbalists, the Twinings Feel Good range has been designed to help you feel good all day, every day. The Sleep tea is a calming blend of soothing camomile, floral orange blossom and a hint of sweet honey flavour. It’s the perfect blend to ease you into your evening slumber. W: twinings.com.au Manuka honey: natural cold & flu remedy Manuka honey is a famed antibacterial and renowned as one of nature’s unique superfoods promoting good health and immunity. HoneyLife uses only “raw”, unrefined honey, without any heat or chemical process. It is Australian sourced, made and owned. Each batch has been university-laboratory tested for MGO active value. W: honeylife.com.au Bali Vegan Festival Cultivating seeds of compassion, love for all living beings and sustainability, Bali…

LEE HOLMES runs Supercharged Food and recently released her book Supercharge Your Gut. Visit her blog at superchargedfood.com for cooking inspiration, recipes and tips. With summer just around the corner, it’s time to amplify your “simply summer” meal repertoire: say hello to high-speed blenders and reusable straws. Nothing yells summer louder than a smoothie bowl. Yes, smoothies in a bowl — because as we all know, once you go bowl, you never go back. If you’ve never ventured into the world of the smoothie bowl, be prepared to have your life changed. A smoothie bowl is basically a thicker version of your regular smoothie, similar to the thick shakes you may have enjoyed as a child. This time, however, you won’t have the painful task of trying to suck the end…

KAREN GOLDRICK is a holistic veterinarian at All Natural Vet Care, Russell Lea, Sydney. T: 02 9712 5844 W: naturalvet.com.au The recommended diet should be the one that results in the best health for that pet. One they will willingly eat. In February 2018 a study carried out at Melbourne University Veterinary Hospital showed an association between feeding raw chicken and the development of an immune-mediated condition called acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN) in dogs. This causes an ascending paresis/paralysis of the limbs. In the worst cases, swallowing or breathing is affected. Many dogs recover but require prolonged intensive care. A similar condition in people is associated with infection by campylobacter, which is present in undercooked chicken. The study concluded that feeding raw chicken is associated with campylobacter infection in dogs and this…

CHRISTINE BROADBENT is a consulting astrologer and teacher with 30 years of experience who offers workshops and personal readings. E: christine@astrologyspot.com.au; T: +61 402 664 101; facebook.com/ChristineBroadbentAstrologyandHealing. Scorpio After the healing vibes of Nov 2–6 comes your new-start New Moon in Scorpio on Nov 8, with a three-way Water harmony. New dreams and reserves of determination carry you now. Friends reinvigorate your life and touch your heart. Caring connections set the tone through to Nov 21 and painful issues can be released. From Nov 26 you have Fire in your belly and it supports finances. Enthusiasm is the key; collaboration and successful projects are supported. Venus in Scorpio through Dec 3–23 sweetens and deepens your pleasure. Capricorn Sometimes Saturn’s children, aka Capricorn, close their eyes to emotional truths to get on…

Your last experience with journalling quite well could have been when you wrote about your Year 7 crush in your unicorn-clad sparkly pink diary. Or perhaps you journal regularly and have created quite the ritual around putting pen to paper. Journalling is an interesting type of writing. It has a different purpose from, for example, writing to meet a deadline for work or writing to a family member or friend. Instead of tending to something separate from you, like your job or a loved one, you’re taking conscious time out to tend to yourself. Earlier in the year I was encouraged to journal for 28 days during an immersion. It was a transformative experience and, upon awakening to a lot of realisations, I wrote in my journal about the relief…