Innehållsförteckning för Issue 211 från WellBeing

“She’s as smart as a duck” is not a phrase that would ordinarily be thought of as complimentary. The animal species that we tend to heap intellectual praise upon tend to be apes, dolphins and perhaps corvid bird species such as crows. Ducks are not usually in the smarty pants conversation, but we may have to rethink that assessment. For a start, when ducks sleep, they sleep with one eye open, allowing one half of their brain to rest while the other is alert looking for predators. This is called unihemispheric sleep as it allows only one half of the brain to sleep at a time. We got very excited when we found that dolphins and whales indulge in unihemispheric sleep, it just added to their lustre. Now we know…

It’s a truism of life that you should never say, “never again”, because it will surely come back to bite you. When I said farewell in the last issue I meant it, but when I was asked to remain as Editor-at-large with WellBeing and write this column it was an invitation that I could not pass up. I have valued this relationship for many years now, and so here we are again and I’m going to resume our dialogue quite unsurprisingly, with a dinner party story. Dinner parties are like a watering hole on the Serengeti; there’s nourishment being enjoyed but you never know when a predator will pounce. There were eight of us gathered around the table recently when out of nowhere, a lion roared. We will call him…

Microplastic air pollution affects respiratory health There is growing evidence of the impacts of nano and microplastics on respiratory health. Plastic particle air pollution has become widespread and inhalation is the second-most-common way humans are exposed. People are also exposed through cosmetics and skincare products, fragments from the degradation of plastic water bottles, food containers and clothes. Synthetic textiles are a major source of indoor airborne plastic particles. A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney modelled the inhalation of different kinds of plastic particles and their destinations within the human body. The findings identified hotspots in the respiratory system where these particles can accumulate, including the nasal cavity, larynx and lungs. According to Dr Suvash Saha, inhaling these plastic particles can increase the risk of a range of…

The Moon. Our moon. Your moon. Everyone feels as though they have a personal relationship with the moon. At one time or another, you will have said to yourself or a friend, “Isn’t the moon gorgeous tonight?” We imbue the moon with personal qualities easily and find meaning through it eagerly. Even in an age of scientific theology, we casually believe that the moon has effects on us and life on the planet. The moon is a powerful celestial focus in the human consciousness and taking time to consider the nature of the moon, and our evolving relationship with it, reveals as much about us, and you, as we learn about our lunar neighbour itself. Baby Moon Life on earth would look very different if we did not have the…

How can you tell if your thought patterns have transitioned from “just thinking” to rumination? We uncover the subtle signs and delve into powerful strategies to break free from endless cycles of thoughts so you can cultivate a more balanced, present mindset. Do you get stuck in your mind? Do you struggle to switch off? Do you ruminate on what has been or what might go wrong in the future? While we all worry at times, overthinking is a habit that can hold you back in life and undermine your health and wellbeing. But where is the line between “just thinking” and overthinking? What is overthinking? Clinical psychologist Dr Chris Mosunic defines overthinking as “the continuous, draining process of analysing a situation way past its usefulness.” Nick Trenton, author of…

Discover the intriguing world of graphology, where your penmanship unveils more than just words. Certified graphologist Caro Duncan sheds light on how this ancient method offers a unique map to self-exploration, revealing insights into intellect, emotions and even subconscious drives. Did you know that your handwriting conveys more than just your words? Penmanship can reveal aspects of your personality, offering inky insights into your education, dream career, perfect companion and much more. So, what does your handwriting say about you? According to certified graphologist Caro Duncan, handwriting analysis is one of the oldest methods used to understand a personality. Duncan was drawn to study graphology decades ago when she noticed her students’ writing spoke volumes about their characters. Script can convey personality, intellect, cognitive thinking approach, attachment style, vitality, sexuality…

Rather than the garden menaces we treat them as, weeds can be a great teacher and improver of our gardens. Consulting gardener Kate Wall breaks the stigma and shares her wisdom on weeds. Like most people with some sort of outdoor space, I have spent many a minute battling weeds. But are they really the garden-invading menace we make them out to be, or are they just the wrong plant in the wrong place at the wrong time? Kate Wall, gardening author and consultant, believes even the plants we don’t necessarily want in our gardens are there for a reason. Wall’s book Working With Weeds won her the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) Merit Award in 2021, quickly followed by the Horticultural Media Association Australia (HMAA) Anita Boucher Award 2022…

Why embracing practices such as meditation feels like mission impossible and how you can change that. In today’s hustle culture, where productivity reigns supreme, the idea of meditation can feel like a detour on the fast track to success. With our minds wired for constant activity and achievement, slowing down to meditate may seem counterintuitive. After all, why take a break from hustling when every moment counts toward chasing our dreams and achieving our goals, right? While making something like meditation a habit may seem daunting, understanding the psychological factors at play can help us overcome obstacles and cultivate lasting change. I haven’t always been into meditation. I used to live in a fast-paced world, always on the go. No wonder I got so close to burnout. My first introduction…

Climate change is a pressing issue that is driving a range of measures, including the current massive shift away from fossil fuels towards renewables. Yet progress so far on climate change has been largely unambitious, and there are increasing concerns that the climate may be losing its stability. The North Atlantic’s “conveyor belt” warm ocean current is showing signs of slowing, global average temperatures are experiencing an unprecedented uptick, and the polar vortex zone is becoming more erratic, sometimes bringing colder-than-usual air into higher latitudes. A new sense of urgency is prompting the consideration of some highly contentious proposals. Reflecting the heat For years, some scientists have been discussing intervening in the Earth’s climate system via geoengineering, sometimes described as climate engineering. Much of this involves solar radiation modification (SRM),…

Editor Kate experiences balance, beauty and bliss during her five-day stay at Elements of Byron in Byron Bay. I had been counting down the days until my stay at Elements of Byron in Byron Bay. After a busy month at work, running around after my active toddler and dodging daycare bugs, I was craving some “me” time. The luxury resort’s Rebalance package caught my eye, promising to reset the mind, body and soul, creating a foundation of positivity that fuels optimal living. Elements of Byron is an award-wining beachfront resort based in Byron Bay, NSW. With more than 200 apartments across 50 acres, Elements is the Northern Rivers’ largest eco resort. What makes this resort so special is its unwavering commitment to sustainability and the ecosystem in which it resides. As…

It’s time to crank up the heat and lose the measuring spoons because the secret to cooking is hiding in one simple motto: more is more. In her new cookbook, More Is More, Molly Baz shares her philosophy — one that encourages more risk-taking, better intuition, fewer exact measurements and a “don’t stop ‘til it tastes delicious” mentality. The recipes not only taste delicious, but they suit any day of the week and are aimed at all skill levels. With intoxicatingly delicious recipes, vivid photographs and Molly’s one-of-a-kind playful guidance, More Is More will inspire cooks to embrace a fearless mindset to level up their cooking for life. This is an edited extract. Images and text from More is More by Molly Baz, photography by PEDEN + MUNK. Murdoch Books,…

Editor Kate looks to Wanderlust’s range of products for sleep and stress support to help her sometimes-tense-always-tired body and mind. Working parents rejoice! I’ve found the support we all need to keep on keeping on: Wanderlust’s sleep, fatigue and stress-relief products. For the past three months, I’ve been taking these natural products religiously. Future Kate knew that a big few months were coming up. My darling son, who just turned three, transitioned to a big bed and the delight of that is still settling (read: too excited to sleep). My wonderful job at WellBeing, which I adore, experienced some unexpected changes at the helm. My husband took on an extra project at work and our family cycled through three day-care sickness rotations. So far, it’s been a big 2024. Among…

This is the ideal season for slow-cooked stews, roasted root vegetables and comforting soups made with bone broth. As the brilliant leaves begin to fall and a crisp chill enters the air, winter ushers in a new season of flavours ripe for nourishing our bodies and souls. This time of transition provides the perfect opportunity to adapt our eating to align with nature’s rhythms, fortifying us with the nutrients we need to thrive during the cooler days. At farmer’s markets and grocer’s stalls, you’ll find an array of winter’s antioxidant-rich produce such as hearty pumpkins, ruby-red apples and deep-purple grapes. Load up on these seasonal superstars that are packed with immune-supporting vitamins A and C to help fend off those niggly colds and flus. Celebrate the harvest with fibre-filled wholegrains…

His sleeping arrangements either on or very close to Mother Earth are minimalist eschewing traditional mattresses, as they release hormone-disrupting and flame-retardant chemicals. In the twilight of 2023 in an exposé on Spotlight, Channel 7’s signature documentary program, a probing focus homed in on the pristine physiognomy of Bryan Johnson, a former tech savant and now longevity protagonist, whose every breath is steadfastly devoted to ensuring that dusk never envelops his perfect form in his quest to remain eternally youthful. Johnson, who amassed his fortune when he sold his payment-processing company Braintree Payment Solutions to eBay for $800 million in cash in his 30s, is aged 45. He’s religiously committing a sizeable proportion of his wealth to the seemingly otherworldly notion that he is now frozen in an ageless trajectory…

WellBeing reader Leonie Jarrett reveals how she is fighting back against claustrophobia and reclaiming her life. Claustrophobia is something that I have wrestled with since I was 26 years old. I remember being pregnant with my first child and staying on a yacht for a week’s holiday in New South Wales. I woke up one night completely disorientated and I suffered what I now know to be a panic attack. Over the years, this has bothered me on and off and I learnt to manage it. Sort of manage it anyway. I was largely OK for 20 odd years, and I was lucky enough to travel a lot. My husband and I were self-employed, and we took every opportunity to travel with our kids (we ended up having four). I…

It is tempting to think we know how the world works and nowhere is that certainty more enticing than history. We look back with an arrogant presentism and assume we know how things were in a “primitive” past. We study ancient societies in isolation, segmenting the Egyptians, Greeks, Japanese, Chinese and more into separate silos as if they had no communication and capacity to connect. This assumption has been starkly challenged by recent examination of the famous Chinese Terracotta Warriors. Marco Polo, the Italian explorer, kept detailed records of his travels to China in the 13th century CE. Prior to that, Chinese writers recorded communication between China and Europe via the Silk Road trade route as early as the third century CE. New theories, however, push Greek influence in China…

If you really want to open your mind, then let it rest for a few moments on the beginning of our universe. We refer to it as the Big Bang, that instant when matter came into existence. The mind-bending stuff happens when you ponder what caused the Big Bang to happen. It becomes problematic because if the universe is everything, then what preceded it had to be nothing and, as the saying goes, nothing can come from nothing … or can it? Physicists suggest that the Big Bang might have been caused by our four-dimensional version of spacetime colliding with another universe that floats next to ours in a higher dimensional “bulk” space. In an area of physics known as “brane cosmology”, the “bulk” is proposed to be a higher…

Salt use and gastric cancer risk Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, is the fifth-most-common cancer worldwide and is particularly prevalent in Asian countries. Excessive salt use is known to increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and Asian studies have linked dietary salt intake to gastric cancer risk. However, less is known about this association in Western countries. A recent study published in Gastric Cancer analysed data from more than 470,000 individuals over a median follow-up period of 10.9 years to examine the link between salt use and gastric cancer. Researchers found that participants who always added salt to their food had a 41 per cent higher risk of developing gastric cancer compared to those who never or rarely added salt. This study reinforces the importance of reducing salt…

Cashews are a popular snack as well as an excellent protein source. The cashew tree is a large tropical evergreen tree native to Brazil and Venezuela. In the 1500s, they were distributed around the world by Portuguese explorers, exporting them initially to India, from where they spread to South-East Asia and beyond. They thrive in tropical lowland areas with a defined dry season and the cashew nuts are a kidney-shaped seed inside a fruit called a “cashew apple”. Raw cashews are not actually “raw” as, in this form, they contain a toxic compound called anacardic acid, which is a potent skin irritant and related to the toxic allergenic oil urushiol (found in poison ivy). It can cause an unpleasant skin rash in some people. Therefore, they are cooked as part…

We are all familiar with acceptance, but radical acceptance takes acknowledging reality a step further. It entails wholeheartedly embracing life’s ups and downs, even amid extreme pain and discomfort — a journey not for the faint-hearted, but one that promises a path to inner peace. There is acceptance and then there is something called radical acceptance. So, what’s the difference? The traditional notion of acceptance, stemming from Buddhist philosophy and adopted by the West, involves consciously acknowledging present circumstances and accepting they cannot be changed. Radical acceptance, however, goes a whole lot further. It is the mindful recognition of reality even when that experience includes pain and discomfort. It is total acceptance using the mind, body and heart, and it’s not easy. Acceptance on steroids The term “acceptance” has been…

In a bid to reconnect with herself after becoming a mother, Hayley Talbot charted a course down the Clarence River. Her 400km solo kayak journey sparked a nationwide environmental crusade, advocating for the protection of ecosystems and the wellbeing of communities along the riverbanks and beyond. As Hayley Talbot was making her way down the entirety of Clarence River’s 400km in an unassisted kayak, a man jokingly called out to her from the riverbank: “Hey! Are you that ridiculous girl, doing that ridiculous trip, in that ridiculous boat?” A couple of years earlier, Talbot had become a mother to two young sons. But with the sense of identity loss that can often accompany early motherhood, she felt a pull to reconnect with a more independent and stripped-back version of herself.…

Get a black or blue pen and two foolscap sheets of lined paper. Naturally write a letter or journal entry to fill the pages and sign your name at the end. See how your writing correlates with the following categories. Size of letters Small: Academic, introverted, humble, modest, moderate, shy and focused. Albert Einstein had small writing Large: Confident, attention-seeking, enthusiastic, extroverted, bold and big presence Average: Able to adjust to environment Slant of letters To the right: Extroverted, emotional, expressive and concern for other’s opinion To the left: Introverted, reserved and suppressed Straight: Clear-headed, independent and logical Slope of sentences Downward: Depression and pessimism Upward: Upbeat and optimistic Straight: Centred and balanced Position on line Below line: Heavy and deep thinker Above line: Dreamer with high ideals Spacing Squashed…

It’s advisable to limit processed foods that contain added sugars and focus on obtaining natural sugars from whole, unprocessed foods as part of a well-balanced diet. In a world filled with sugary temptations, the struggle against sugar addiction is more common than we might think. It’s not just about having a sweet tooth, there’s a deeper connection between our brains and the irresistible allure of sugar. This article takes a closer look at the science behind sugar addiction, how our bodies and minds react to sugar and why saying no to sweets isn’t always easy. We delve into the most effective ways to regain control over your sugar addiction to help find a healthier balance in your relationship with sweets. Added sugars vs natural sugars Sugar is a source of…

your hair is more than simply what adorns your head, it’s the crown that frames your face and reflects your inner vitality. From the bouncy curls that exude vivacity to the sleek strands that convey sophistication, from natural hues to boldly creative colours, your mane serves as an expression of your personal identity. While it’s easy to change your hairstyle in a single visit to the hairdresser, achieving healthy locks requires a more dedicated avenue that takes care of your hair from both the inside and out. Holistic haircare It is true that what is happening on the inside of your body often shows up on the outside. Just as your skin can provide a window into other aspects of your health, your hair can also be seen as a…

According to the teachings of yoga, attachment is a major cause of suffering. We come into this world with the misunderstanding or avidya (ignorance) that we are just body, mind and personality (or self). We spend a lifetime reinforcing that self — asmita (ego) — by clinging on to the people, places and things we like (raga) and moving away from those we have an aversion to (dvesha). Ultimately, we spend our life bouncing around between these two states. These kleshas, (afflictions of the mind), Patanjali tells us in the Yoga Sutras, are the root cause of our suffering as they are major obstacles to peace. Or, as the Gita says in sloka 2.44, “Those whose minds are swept away by the pursuit of pleasure and power are incapable of…

Avivid tangle of rainforest rises above the Coral Sea, a patchwork of blue hues washing over coral reefs and barely-there sand cays. Carved on a knife-edge, where the forest and ocean meet, stretches a skinny twist of road with scenes so dazzling that it slows the traffic to a distracted pace. It’s quintessentially tropical — even the “traffic” amounts to a handful of hire cars — and fringed with coconut palms and ice creameries selling mango and wattleseed ices. Travellers on the Great Barrier Reef Drive lurch from one spring-fed rockpool to the next, searching for cassowaries and under-the-stars rainforest magic. Despite its grand name, this impossibly scenic drive covers only a tiny, albeit stellar, section of the farnorth Queensland coastline. At just 140km long, you could drive it in…

For something captivating Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow Gabrielle Zevin, Penguin Books It’s been a while since I’ve read a novel this captivating. Gabrielle Zevin’s enthralling book, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, unfurls a tale of friendship, creativity and the pursuit of immortality in the realm of video game design. Sam Masur and Sadie Green, lifelong friends turned creative collaborators, navigate fame, joy and tragedy as they ascend to stardom with their blockbuster creation. From the bustling streets of Harvard to the sun-kissed shores of Venice Beach, their journey spans three decades, exploring themes of identity, disability and the complexities of love. With masterful storytelling, Zevin crafts a unique and deeply moving narrative that resonates with the universal yearning for connection and redemption. I don’t know a thing about gaming,…

In today’s world, where transparency and authenticity are key, Weleda shines bright. With a legacy steeped in nature and science, Weleda has consistently delivered on its promises, creating products that genuinely work. One standout product is Weleda’s Revitalising Hair Tonic, first launched in 1921. Featuring natural extracts such as stonecrop, horseradish and rosemary oil, it’s a timeless recipe for scalp health and stronger hair. With a recipe that sounds like it’s from days gone by, this classic formula has found new life with Gen Z, becoming a TikTok sensation and a global bestseller! It’s a testament to Weleda’s ability to create products that stand the test of time, proving that natural ingredients can be both effective and popular. Another beloved product in Weleda’s line-up is the brand’s iconic Skin Food.…

Most camellias don’t have a scent, so you will need to hunt for the varieties that do. Winter smells of cold, which is more an absence of scents — no fresh-mown grass, warm soil, ripening tomatoes or roses from next door. Even the mints and lemon verbena die back and, without warmth, other fragrant leaves don’t release their scent. Creating a fragrant winter needs planning, here’s how: Daphne. I’m biased towards daphne. It was my grandma’s favourite bush, it’s waist-height and neat. Give it a well-drained spot on a slope, with dappled sunlight or even full sun if it’s not near a hot wall (where the leaves may brown on a hot afternoon), and it will be happy. The older varieties were prone to root rots, but new ones are…

This is a mechanical (anatomical) problem not a functional condition and, while not a very common problem, it fitted her symptoms perfectly. A 45-year-old well-dressed woman came to our clinic. On questioning, she described a lifelong problem with persistent constipation (as long as she could remember), was totally fed up with having to deal with it and wanted it fixed. Despite a long history of treatments from her GP and dietitians (some of which had helped briefly), she still had severe constipation. She also had a family history of the same problem on her mother’s side. She did have problems sticking with diets long term as she was busy running her own business with high workloads and long hours, and she found that, overall, the diets really didn’t make much difference.…

July World Hepatitis Day July 28, global worldhepatitisday.org International Day of Friendship July 30, global un.org/en/observances/friendship-day August MS Readathon, 1-month challenge August 1–31, AU msreadathon.org.au Wanderlust True North August 2, Sydney, AU wanderlust.com.au Wanderlust True North August 3, Brisbane, AU wanderlust.com.au The Bloody Long Walk (Sydney North) August 4, Sydney, AU bloodylongwalk.com.au Jeans for Genes Day August 4, AU jeansforgenes.org.au Dental Health Week August 7–13, AU ada.org.au National Indigenous Fashion Awards August 7, Darwin, AU nifa.com.au Darwin Festival August 8–25, Darwin, AU darwinfestival.org.au Red Nose Day August 11, AU rednoseday.org.au Healthy Bones Action Week August 21–27, AU dairy.edu.au/healthy-bones Daffodil Day August 31, AU daffodilday.com.au International Overdose Awareness Day August 31, global overdoseday.com September Australian Organic Awareness Month September 1–30 austorganic.com/awareness-month Mudgee Wine + Food Month September 1–30, Mudgee, AU mudgeewine.com.au…

Change is inevitable; it’s the only constant in life that we can truly rely on. Hello. What an unfamiliar feeling it is, sitting in the chair at the head of the table. To be honest, I never wanted to take this seat — it would mean my good friend and mentor Terry would no longer be occupying it. I’ve always been content sitting beside him, sharing ideas, workshopping article topics and discussing life. I miss his guidance and his light, but it makes my heart swell knowing that Terry still has a seat at the WellBeing table. You’ll hear from him in the coming pages and he opens and closes our book with the wonder pages. I am not yet ready to sail this voyage on my own. As you…

Orangutan uses healing plant to treat wound In a new study published in Scientific Reports, biologists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany and Universitas Nasional in Indonesia have documented a wild male Sumatran orangutan treating a wound with a healing plant, a behaviour never before observed in wild animals. The orangutan, named Rukus, sustained a facial wound and later selectively picked leaves from the liana plant. He chewed the leaves and applied the juice to his wound repeatedly. This plant, known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and pain-relieving properties, is traditionally used to treat diseases such as malaria. Rukus then covered the wound with the chewed leaves. After five days, the wound had closed with no sign of infection. This discovery suggests that the recognition of medicinal…

In a world that glorifies the “yes” mentality, many of us find ourselves nodding along to requests we’d rather decline. But what if we reclaimed the power of “no”? Saying no isn’t just about setting boundaries, but prioritising our time, values and wellbeing. Discover the art of saying no and how this two-letter word can be a game-changer in our quest for balance and self-care. Are you a yes person? “Yes, I’m happy to stay behind and wrap up that extra work project.” “Yes, your family can crash at ours for three weeks.” “Yes, of course, I’d love to help.” Then when the dust settles and your plate is filled to overflowing, you cringe, give yourself a mental slap and think, “Why can’t I just say no?!” Saying no is…

When the trillion-dollar industry that evolved to improve our health starts to negatively impact our wellbeing, it might be time to shift the narrative. It’s no secret the wellness industry has experienced a surge in popularity over the last decade, with many people seeking to improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. But beneath the surface of this beneficial movement, there is a darker side. Misinformation, unregulated practices and unhealthy narratives prey on consumer vulnerability. Quick-fix solutions and miracle products are often promoted as the primary means to achieving wellness-related goals. This narrow focus on external solutions overlooks the complex and multifaceted nature of health. So, how do we navigate the wellness market with greater confidence and find genuine ways to support our wellbeing? Defining wellness The Global Wellness Institute (GWI)…

A genuine compliment can strengthen relationships, initiate new ones and benefit the giver. Here’s how to do it like a pro (and what to avoid). In the chaos of life’s ups and downs, a simple gesture can transform the dreariest of days into something extraordinary. Picture this: you stumble through the door after a disastrous day — a missed bus, a technology disaster, a closed cafe and a snapped heel — feeling totally defeated, only to be greeted by an unexpected kind word from your young daughter. Day made. A heartfelt compliment has the power to tilt the world back on its axis, to uplift and boost your self-esteem. More than just words, a compliment is a beacon of positivity that can be a soothing balm or perspective shifter at…

From the WellBeingTV team Welcome to another wonderful instalment of WellBeingTV. In this issue, you’ll hear from Sammy Swayn, an expert meditation teacher known for his short and effective meditations. With a background ranging from being an A-grade electrician to organising massive music festivals, Sammy brings a wealth of life experience to his practice. Amidst his success, Sammy faced personal battles with burnout and his mental health. Turning to mindfulness and meditation, he found profound transformation and now shares his passion for these practices with the world. For more, visit wellbeingmag.tv.…

Face Serums Face Oil Face Masks & Treatments Face Cleansers Face Moisturiser & Mist Makeup Body Care Suncare Supplements & Collagens Hair Care Men’s Care Dental Care Deodorants & Perfumes Go in the running to win the ultimate beauty pack! One lucky voter will win a prize pack containing stand out products featured in the awards. Scan the QR code to vote and enter the Be-YOU-T Awards. For more, visit wellbeing.com.au/beauty-awards-2024.…

Resistance bands are a versatile fitness tool that can be beneficial for individuals looking to improve their hand-eye coordination, focus and overall balance. In boxing, speed, power and stability are crucial for success in the ring. Incorporating resistance bands into training routines can strengthen key muscle groups, increase endurance and enhance overall performance. We will explore how to effectively use resistance bands for training, balance exercises and the impact they can have on overall wellbeing. Resistance bands, also known as exercise or fitness bands, are elastic bands made of latex or other materials that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and resistance levels. They are portable, lightweight and easy to use, making them ideal for athletes who want to add variety to their workouts and target specific muscle groups.…

We all love our baked treats but for people who have coeliac disease or are gluten intolerant, these gluten-full goodies can have detrimental impacts on their health and wellbeing. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, which causes inflammation and pain in the gut when sufferers consume products containing gluten. Gluten is a protein found in certain grains such as rye, wheat and barley. When used in cooking, gluten can provide added structure and improve the elasticity of a batter by trapping the air released by leavening agents like baking powder, baking soda and yeast, which allows them to rise. Without gluten, these recipes can have a grainy and stodgy consistency rather than the light and fluffy structure which is usually desired. Fortunately, gluten-free cooking has come a long way recently…

Would you like to have all your natural therapies recognised under one professional membership and insurance? What about never having to do compulsory continued education ever again? The International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) was founded by CEO Lawrence Ellyard over two decades ago. With over 10,700 members worldwide, the close-knit community of dedicated individuals are bound together by a collective passion for healing. Based in Byron Bay but operating globally, the independent professional body provides membership, insurance and business resources to complementary therapists across more than 35 countries. Over the past two decades, IICT has refined its professional membership and insurance products to suit the needs of the time. Offering coverage and support for practitioners worldwide across a staggering 1100 complementary therapy modalities, IICT’s membership and insurance products provide…

Marine collagen is similar to the collagen found in human skin and can help improve skin elasticity and firmness. In recent years, there has been a growing trend in skincare towards natural, eco-friendly ingredients. Among these, sea-derived ingredients have gained significant attention for their potential benefits for the skin. From seaweed to marine minerals, the ocean offers a rich source of nutrients that can nourish and rejuvenate the skin. One of the key elements of oceanic skincare is seaweed, which is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Seaweed extracts, such as kelp and spirulina, are known for their topical hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. They can help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness and improve overall skin tone and texture. Additionally, seaweed contains compounds that can help protect the skin from environmental…

Maintain excellent environmental flea control by vacuuming every two weeks to remove some of the flea eggs and wash any bedding in hot (60°C) water. Our pets are constantly exposed to potentially toxic chemicals. Cats have been shown to ingest PFATs and phthalates through grooming. Dogs ingest heavy metals and pesticides eating scraps from the floor, and plastic food bowls and toys may leach out BPAs and phthalates. Dogs are exposed to herbicides from our gardens or dog parks. In addition, we routinely expose them to flea, tick and heartworm preventers and worming tablets. Other environmental toxins include fumes such as cigarette smoke, vapes, car exhaust, PFATs in non-stick frypans, synthetic fragrances, perfumed candles and air freshers. Volatile organic compounds are found in paints and varnishes, cleaning products, disinfectants, cosmetics…

Cancer Cancer birthdays fall between two rare Full Moons, sparking excitement and social connections, especially with Venus near the Sun, bringing fun from simple pursuits and home gatherings. From July 6 to 22, a Cancer New Moon brings harmony between Water and Earth signs, along with a dynamic dance between the Sun, Mars and Saturn, complemented by the second Full Moon. This period propels you toward your goals. Expect mutual attraction to pave the way for meaningful connections, seeding partnerships and projects into August and September. In August, prioritise internal depth, embracing moments of inner stillness amid the busyness from late in the month into September, when Mars transits through Cancer. Leo Extra perseverance and inner calm are needed now. The Water and Earth harmonies of late July and early…

Winter Fruit Apples (Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Jonathan, Lady Williams, Pink Lady, Red Delicious and Sundowner), cumquat, custard apple, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, melons, nashi, oranges, pears (Beurre Bosc, Josephine and Packham), persimmons, pineapple, pomelo, quince, rhubarb and tangelo. Vegetables Asian greens (bok choy, choy sum, gai laan and wonga bok), avocados, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, olives, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, shallots, silverbeet, spinach, swedes, sweet potatoes, turnips and witlof.…