Innehållsförteckning för Issue 165 från WellBeing

When you learn a new skill you like to use it where you can. Think about this and you know it to be true. You’re learning German, so at every opportunity you like to drop a little Deutsch into the conversation. Or perhaps it is the ukulele you are mastering, so your friends are treated to a rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow after dinner. One of my daughters has been able to read for about three years now, but these days she has it nailed; she can read pretty much anything and she does so at every opportunity. Just recently we passed a road sign for a street named Carberry St and, of course, she read it and that started a conversation. I use the word “conversation” liberally here…

HOPS REDUCE BREAST CANCER RISK To deal with some of the symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes, some women turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace the hormones that have been lost, including oestrogen. However, HRT has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. As a result, some women have turned to alternative therapies such as the herbal extract of hops (Humulus lupulus) as they contain substances dubbed “phytooestrogens”, or plant oestrogens (as these substances have a weak but oestrogen-like effect in the body). For the new study, researchers tested hops extract on breast cancer cell lines. They found that one ingredient of hops in particular (6-prenylnaringenin) promoted a pathway used to remove toxins from cells, a pathway shown in other studies to reduce the risk…

Along with vitamins B12 and B6, folic acid is a major regulator of the DNA methylation processes in the body. Food sources include green leafy vegetables (folate’s derived from the Latin for foliage), chickpeas, liver, fortified breads and cereals, and brewer’s yeast. Folate deficiency is considered one of the most common vitamin deficiencies in humans. Studies have also shown that a zinc deficiency can reduce the body’s efficiency in metabolising folate, as well as cause lower plasma folate and decreased folate in the liver. HISTORY Human biology is never as simple as it seems and this is certainly the case with folates and their relationship to disease prevention. Once they were seen as a nutrient required in the prevention of pernicious anaemia (along with vitamin B12), but in the 1960s…

Your eyes are your lenses to the world. They provide instant snapshots that allow you to savour life’s pleasures, such as reading a page-turner and exchanging a loving look or watching the seasons turn and the sun set. Yet often we lose sight of the fact that our eyes need some TLC. Though your eyes will be affected by age, those impacts such as loss of night vision, the need for glasses and the risk of disease can be reduced if you make informed decisions to look out for your eyes the way they look out for you. A LIGHT-DETECTING CAMERA Two small globes each about the size of a ping-pong ball, your eyes work like cameras to provide ongoing footage of what’s going on in your world. By detecting…

Did you know that natural medicine practices and practitioners make up 25,000 small businesses across Australia, contributing $4.2 billion to the economy every year? Originating in countries all over the world, natural medicine refers to healthcare practices or therapies that use natural methods or materials as treatment, such as homoeopathy, remedial massage, nutrition, acupuncture and more. WHO IS ATMS? The Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS) is the leader of the natural medicine industry, promoting and representing professional practitioners of natural medicine. As Australia’s largest national professional association, ATMS represents approximately 11,000 members. These members are encouraged to pursue the highest ideals of professionalism in their practice and education. ATMS is governed by its president Betty Tannous and CEO Charles Wurf, along with a board of directors. In 2014, ATMS celebrated 30…

“I’ll eat my food without the poison, thanks.” ~ John Seed Environmental activist John Seed’s comment describes the commonplace reality that we eat a range of poisonous substances in everyday foods. Every Western country does this. It’s normal for us to use poisonous substances during the growing, harvesting, storing, processing and packaging of food. “It’s generally considered outrageous and disruptive to question this ‘normal’ practice,” says Dr Liza Oates, a naturopath who did her PhD in the benefits of organic food and is now a leading expert on the toxic substances in the conventional food system. While questioning can be uncomfortable, what’s in our food is important for natural detoxification and optimal health. Food creates your physical body and informs your life, after all. It’s time for ust to ask…

CHRISTINE BROADBENT loves her work as a one-to-one astrological counsellor, mentor and teacher. She will be offering heart-keepers seminars plus ongoing personal sessions in Sydney and elsewhere in January 2017: a chance to engage with Venus, Moon and Mars and embody your authentic story. Email her at christine@astrologyspot.com.au. CAPRICORN With Mars in Capricorn at New Moon, November is the month you make your mark. Since a strong water element fertilises November, a softlygently style supports success and enriches friendships. Nov 21–30 and Dec 7–11 may push you back into an old issue; with self-honesty, healing comes. After New Moon Dec 11, energy and optimism dissolve stress, priming you for a rejuvenating shift on Dec 21. A busy January awaits, so make the most of the emotional recharge available in late…

Did something resonate with you in this issue of WellBeing? We’d love to hear your feedback. Write to us at WellBeing, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670, email wbletters@universalmagazines.com.au, comment on our Facebook page or tweet us: @WellBeing_Mag. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. FROM THE EDITOR Do you do an annual spring clean? Perhaps it’s a summer session later in the year: you hold off as long as possible until the family-friends chaos that is Christmas. This may well be a genetic quirk (if so, please forgive me) but I find it hugely cathartic giving the walls a good scrub and the closets a decent go-through, washing away any grime and clearing out the excess “stuff” that the year has brought with it. The process isn’t…

Rubus idaeus is the common European raspberry but worldwide there are more than 200 species. Raspberries belong to the rose family and come in a variety of colours from white and gold to red, purple and black. The gold are apparently the sweetest and the tastiest but the darker colours have greater nutritional benefit. Raspberries are the symbol for kindness and are thought to have been consumed since prehistoric times, although they were not cultivated in England and France until the 1600s. Still, Scotland is considered the raspberry king of the world. There is no clear indication of the fruit’s origins as wild raspberries have been found across the world. ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Raspberries contain the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds anthocyanins, flavonoids, tannins, hydroxybenzoic acids such as ellagic acid, resveratrol, coumaric…

CHLOE DUFFIN W: chloe-duffin@squarespace.com, instagram.com/chloeduffinillustration, etsy.com/au/shop/forestandfolk E: chloeduffin@hotmail.com I am a freelance illustrator living in Adelaide, South Australia. I use a mix of pencil, ink, watercolour, gouache and now and then digital mediums to portray vibrancy and beauty for a variety of different subjects, particularly of the natural world. I also explore the beauty of the female form through drawings of yoga poses and illustrative portraits and I try to promote positivity, wellbeing and mindfulness through my art. Born in England, I’ve lived in Australia since I was 13 and I love it here. I have been drawing and painting ever since I knew what a pencil was and have enjoyed increasing my skills and passions throughout my days. Mostly self-taught, I studied art as my minor at university…

Acne is a common skin condition that consists of mild to severe pimple outbreaks, that usually occur on the face, back, chest and shoulders. We usually associate pimples with our teenage years but adults can get them, too. Acne is not usually caused by dirty pores, poor hygiene or oily hair on the face but most likely by overactive oil glands that produce excess sebum, which clogs the pores of the skin. We have sebaceous glands in each hair follicle or tiny pit of our skin that produce natural oils, which lubricate the skin. We have a large number of these glands on the face, back, chest and shoulders. The excess oil makes the pores of the skin sticky, which allows bacteria to become trapped inside, where they multiply and…

“We’re in the early stages of fully understanding how our genes interact with our diets. The research is quickly evolving, but it’s still new.” Improving your health can be a journey of soaring highs and frustrating lows. We usually set out on this journey motivated, full of hope, with a specific goal such as weight loss or increasing energy levels. We tend to depend on a one-size-fits all strategy, such as the latest diet, exercise routine or supplement, to get into shape. Yet for the most part we ignore the cellular basis of our health that makes us unique: our genetic blueprint and how this interacts with diet and lifestyle. After trying a new diet, supplement or exercise activity for some months, all too often any positive changes plateau and…

EVERESCENTS FRESH MINT This exciting new hair product provides a beautiful deep clean for hair and scalp. Designed for all hair types, the certified organic peppermint and spearmint oils provide a deep cleanse while stimulating skin cells. The certified organic aloe vera moisturises and soothes while the certified organic menthol cools, refreshes and invigorates. T: 1300 856 744 W: everescents.com.au NATULIQUE Natulique Certified Organic is the first true full-line brand in the market offering hair and skin products that are organic, crueltyfree, DEA-free and sulphate-, perfume- and parabens-free. A company passionate about ethical, natural products and sustainability. W: natulique.com.au JANESCE REJUVENATING CITRUS + 5 HERB HAND LOTION A light conditioning hand lotion created from extracts of aloe vera, dandelion root, marshmallow, echinacea and calendula, blended with essential oils of lime,…

It seems that modern-day living is not good for gut health — and therefore skin health. Eating too much processed foods, sugar, gluten and pasteurised dairy, as well as animal products fed on unnatural feed such as grain, contributes to imbalanced gut flora and inflammation. Inflammation is the main way the body protects itself from injury, infection, bacteria and pathogens. It’s a response triggered when damage occurs to our tissues, which allows the body to localise the damaged area and then heal itself. The trouble is, if the body is unable to repair itself quickly and heal the damaged tissues, long-term chronic inflammation can occur, which sends the immune system into overdrive and can stress the digestive system. Put into the context of your gut, if you repeatedly eat foods…

Happy soil is the dirt plants grow best in. But ask 10 plants what soil they like best and they’ll give you 10 different answers. They won’t actually say, “I prefer dry sandy loam” or “I like an acid bog” — not unless someone has been doing all-too-interesting genetic engineering. Plants say it with leaves ... or no leaves. If your plant is growing well, it likes its soil. If it dies, it doesn’t. If the leaves turn yellow, they either need more tucker or the plant has root rot and so can’t eat properly. Or it’s autumn or you have a naturally yellowleafed plant ... In other words, there is no simple answer. Or, rather, there’s one that is very, very simple indeed: most of the plants we buy…

We’ve become a civilisation mired in acidic erosion. I used to think nature in its infinite wisdom could trump our crass excesses. I was mistaken. In more primitive times when we were happily marauding around the savannahs encased in much leaner chassis, our menus consisted solely of wild animals, uncultivated plants and nuts. This primordial Palaeolithic diet underwent a profound transformation with the advent of the industrial revolution and the more recent mass food production and distribution technologies that have seen supermarket aisles bursting with packaged foods full of fat and sugar. Fruit and vegetables are alkaline. The rest of the foods in our supermarket trolley are acid forming. The PRAL (potential renal acid load) food list — easily sourced from the internet — shows that cheese, beef, eggs and…

We’d love to hear your tips for living well. Email us at wbletters@universalmagazines.com.au, comment on our Facebook page or on Instagram @WellBeing_Mag, or tweet us @WellBeing_Mag. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. CONVERSATION POINTS Another reason to love Barcelona: it is looking to turn 60 per cent of its streets into green spaces for pedestrians. @Johanna_H Eat clean, live dirty (microbiome)! @cynthiasmorgan Sundays are for couches and cuddles! @peterson__becky I’ve lost 60 kilos, want to lose another 20, taken 10 months. So proud I’m crying with joy! @LindaAHardy I literally just said “Honey, I’m home” to myself! @xxiggixx Reading is bringing me calm and solace #writing #reading #calm #solace @beckyjoyholland It’s impossible to hold on and let go simultaneously. We CAN let go and still hold on to…

It was the first of many revelations over the next two hours, as we ate our way through such delicacies as a divine sweet spiced baked custard enriched with bone marrow. For many people today, there’s only one kind of offal: the awful kind. It’s the food you wouldn’t touch with a bargepole if you hadn’t eaten for a week and it was the only thing on offer. Wind the clock back, though, even just 50 years, and dishes such as steakand-kidney pie and liver and onions were standard fare. Liver was fed to expecting mums to keep them nourished; brains were crumbed and pan-fried and served up with a salad. Delve further back into human history and, across cultures, you’ll find stories of hunters feasting on fresh liver and…

I t’s almost an Australian rite of passage. For thousands and thousands of us, learning how to cook from one of the many Stephanie Alexander cookbooks is an integral part of coming of age — the most common being, of course, the iconic Cook’s Companion. Now in its third edition, and having sold 500,000 copies since its first release in 1996, I imagine it in kitchens dotted around the country, dog-eared with notes scribbled alongside recipes and covered in flour and splats of sauce. And so, in preparation of speaking with the woman regarded as one of Australia’s great food educators, Stephanie Alexander AO, it seemed fitting that I, too, dig out my very first cookbook, Stephanie’s Feasts and Stories, a present from my mum when I left home. As…

Whether you want to improve the job you have, find a new role or are in the middle of making a career change, simple feng shui enhancements of your workspace can help. Feng shui adjustments can help invite a bright opportunity your way or make an upcoming transition smooth and more favourable. For best results, consider making just one or two adjustments at a time, then waiting a couple of weeks to see how things shift. If you’re happy with the results, try your next enhancement. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION One of the simplest forms of feng shui is the bagua map system. This divides your space — your office or even your desk — into a square, which is then subdivided into nine smaller squares. For instance, if you consider…

Although we don’t know Jude Blereau personally, we get the feeling she’s a wonderful lady: wholesome, kind and happy to share her knowledge of food. She’s someone you’d invite over for tea and secretly hope they wouldn’t leave. Wholefood from the Ground Up is a testament to Blereau’s life as an author, teacher, chef, owner of Earth Market — a wholefood store and cafe based in Perth — and founder of Whole Food Cooking School. In her new cookbook, she shares time-honoured cooking and preparation techniques, forgotten food wisdom and, of course, beautiful recipes the whole family can enjoy. Written for meat lovers and vegetarians alike, the book begins with an indepth explanation of food foundations, ways to build a wholefood pantry and easy tips for planning ahead. Blereau was…

HEALTHY ESSENTIALS ORGANIC VITALITY Healthy Essentials Organic Vitality is a superfood drink powder that’s perfect for when you need that extra burst of vitality and energy. It contains high-quality exotic ingredients from around the world, like maca, purple riceberry and yerba mate. Flavoured with delicious natural berry, it just needs to be added to water, food or your daily smoothie. W: healthyessentials.com.au WELL NATURALLY NO SUGAR ADDED CEREAL BARS Cutting out sugar? Well Naturally No Sugar Added Cereal Bars are packed with healthy ingredients minus the added sugar. Sweetened with stevia, the bars are gluten-free and have a 4.5-star health rating. Available in the healthfood section at Woolworths. W: wellnaturally.com.au MAGIMIX Not only can you cook, whisk, puree and blend with the Magimix Cook Expert, you can also slice, grate,…

This issue, I’m encouraging you to supercharge your week with a scrumptious pork dish that you can make on a slow-cook Sunday and carry through to breakfast, lunch and even dinner the next day. If you’re a busy family, creating a “renewable table” in this way is an easy, resourceful and environmentally friendly way to cook and a wonderful way of saving time. I talk about this in my eBook The Renewable Table, which centres on the concept of “continuum cooking”. Making larger batches means you can buy your meat and vegies in bulk and cut back on spending. When you shop once a week, you’re also saving on travel expenses and doing your bit for the environment as less packaging is used. Once you’ve enjoyed the slow-cooked pork for…

Preventive veterinary healthcare is aimed at preventing illness and maintaining wellness in individual pets, as well as in the “herd” of dogs and cats. Protocols developed in veterinary medicine over the past decades have focused on vaccination programs, parasite control, reproduction control and, more recently, nutritional strategies such as premium pet foods. For many years, as a recently qualified vet, I recommended the same protocol for all cats and dogs. Puppies and kittens were vaccinated at six, 12 and 16 weeks, then every 12 months for life. They had intestinal worm tablets every two weeks until three months old, then every three months. Heartworm prevention started at 12 weeks of age (for cats and dogs) then every month for life, or as an annual vaccine. Flea control (and tick prevention…

Cough, cough, cough. She was so embarrassed when she couldn’t stop the persistent cough. At 65 and still running her own business, this woman had to chair a variety of meetings a week and was repeatedly having to leave the room because she couldn’t stop coughing. Not only had she had this nonproductive cough for more than three years, but it was gradually getting worse — to the point where her doctor had prescribed her prednisone just to help her breathe. It all started with a bout of the “flu” three years ago that never really resolved. She had been to her local doctor many times and had several courses of antibiotics, which made little difference. Since then, she has been prescribed (and is taking) Singulair, Symbicort and Bricanyl to…

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO We’ve been busy here at WellBeing HQ, what with bringing a beautiful new website your way as well as this new issue and two annual specials — WellBeing Yoga Experience and WellBeing Esoteric Almanac, on sale soon — but we’ve still found time to explore. Editor Danielle discovered the forgotten art of cooking with off al with Soulla Chamberlain of Star Anise Organic Wholefoods (pictured far left), while editorial assistant Kate (pictured left) checked out of the big smoke and retreated to nature, spending the weekend paddleboarding and practising yoga on the Noosa river. WHAT’S COMING UP FOR YOU October, Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month nbcf.org.au October 20–23, Sunshine Coast, AU Wanderlust Festival wanderlust.com/ festivals/sunshine-coast October 21–November 6, Adelaide, AU Feast Festival feast.org.au October 22–23,…