Table of contents for Issue 74 May/Jun 2021 in Good

@cornersmith @samanthabluemel @hatch_invest Sam Bluemel After a tumultuous year that brought her home from London amidst the global pandemic, Sam has recently reassessed what living sustainably means to her. Now, she considers herself someone who is on the journey to a more sustainable lifestyle and is passionate about making small changes that add up to a bigger impact. She has recently joined the Good team as commercial manager and brings with her an enthusiasm for fitness and love of a good rosé. Kristen Lunman Introducing Kristen, Good’s new financial wellbeing columnist. Kristen is the co-founder of Hatch, Kiwi Wealth’s digital investing platform. Her goal is to empower women to invest with confidence in order to help close the wealth gap. When she’s not working, you’ll find this Canadian-Kiwi raising two…

Art works for downunder Robyn Malcolm adorned the cover of the first-ever issue of Good magazine back in July 2008, and we are loving her latest project – Robyn’s Undies! They’re nothing like the ‘Hoochie Mama’ lingerie she peddled as Cheryl West on iconic Kiwi television series Outrageous Fortune, though. Malcolm has partnered with New Zealand artist and friend Karl Maughan, to create gorgeous undies printed with Maughan’s paintings of brightly coloured garden-scapes. All profits from the first batch of undies go to The Aunties Charity in South Auckland which helps vulnerable people, primarily women and children, who have experienced domestic violence. Each pair, $59.95, is made in New Zealand from eco-certified bamboo and printed with water-based inks. robynsundies.co.nz For those overwhelming moments Modern life has many of us feeling…

When it comes to investing, women’s biggest mistake has nothing to do with how they invest. In fact, studies have shown that women are often better investors than men. The number one mistake is that we’re not investing enough. The modern woman is independent, earns good money and has access to all kinds of investment opportunities that our mothers never had. Yet, many of us stick to playing it safe in savings accounts with rock-bottom interest rates. When it comes to money matters, we often don’t feel as confident as men and we can worry ourselves into inaction, triggering an anxiety loop of “where do I start? How much should I invest? What should I invest in?’ It can become so overwhelming that we might think, “investing just isn’t for…

What you eat and how you live your life can make a big difference to your health, your skin and your wellbeing – and it can delay the ageing process. The experts and authors of What The Face! give their advice on how to best feed yourself for healthy, glowing skin. Reduce sugar – it’s your (beauty) saboteur When it comes to your overall health and your skin, sugar is very definitely not your friend. It sabotages your health and beauty goals by luring you in with its seductive taste and addictive properties; often we just can’t help ourselves. All carbohydrates turn to sugar in the body, so this conversation is about more than just the white stuff. Excess glycation, oxidative stress and inflammation accelerate ageing. Sugar plays a big…

Building a holiday home with friends, a model of collective property ownership, is an exciting venture we are currently on. We are eight months into the part-time build of a lake house. We haven’t killed each other yet and are still great mates, so all is going well. Jokes aside, from the beginning we’ve had similar ideas around the most important things for the build, with good design and sustainability at the forefront. We want to build a beautiful holiday home that looks and feels great, that is energyefficient and made with as many sustainable building products as possible (in keeping with our budget) to keep our impact light. The Lake House is located in the south Waikato near Mount Ruapehu where winters are icy cold, and the wind blows.…

Restoring antique furniture can be a daunting task – especially when it carries sentimental value. This table once belonged to my great grandparents Mary and John – I imagine the two of them sitting at it, in the late 19th century. Later my grandmother had the table revarnished, but was disappointed that the result was a dark brown coating that hid the woodgrain. As this layer is now flaking, it’s a chance to discover what lies beneath. You will need · Wooden table · Resene Aquaclear Satin · Small electric sander (optional) · Sandpaper of various grades · Wire wool, fine grade · Easy Reach Tray · PAL Speedbrush · Face mask and earmuffs · Dropcloth, soft brush and cloths Step-by-step Step 1 Remove old varnish Electric sanders are fast, but…

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, plunging New Zealand into nationwide lockdown, many of us abruptly found ourselves with a lot more time on our hands. To stay busy, we engaged in a myriad of activities. We baked, we knitted, we streamed, we exercised, and we read. As we turned the pages of our respective novels, we noticed our spirits lift a little. Our minds sharpen. Our tensions ease. Was it all in our heads? The answer is no: Reading really is good for the mind, body and soul. Aside from the obvious – providing entertainment – reading boosts creativity, improves brain function and memory, enhances vocabulary, and can even increase empathy. Arguably the most beneficial outcome is stress relief. In an increasingly fast-paced world, reading forces us to…

One positive spinoff of living in a world where Covid is in existence is that it has reminded us to shop local and support Kiwi products whenever we can. But they’ve got to be really delicious, too. This recipe incudes some amazing Kiwi products worth raving about. I’ve discovered a supplier that delivers avocados straight to your door (Waitaha Avocados). Master picker Gary lovingly cradles them into a courier box. By the way avocados are full of good fats that are helpful for gorgeous, glowing skin – hence the name of this juice. Another NZ-grown product I’m loving is Tahi spirulina. This sustainable food is the darkest spirulina powder I’ve used and tastes so earthy and yum. It brings this green juice, and you, to life (aka a great wholefood…

As editor of Good one of the best things about my job is meeting so many good humans: people who are kind, care about stuff and make a positive difference to the world around them. Beautiful humans in this issue include Jessica Brown, co-founder of climate change collective Co-Benefits (page 11); Pamela McIntosh of All Is Calm and Bec Frankham and Carlie Hogan from Becca Project, whose products help create calm moments (pages 32-35); Claire Chitham and Kylie Bailey who share health wisdom from their book Good For You (from page 22); and Rachel Hunter who is helping people find peace and connection through her new platform Rituals with Rachel Hunter (pages 12-18). We had a great day shooting the cover for this issue with Rachel, photographer Monty Adams and…

Rachel Hunter was resident at Sadhguru’s ashram in India when the Covid-19 pandemic began gathering international force. She’d completed 19 days of silence, and 10 days later India went into lockdown. It was four more months before she was repatriated to her home in Los Angeles, but Hunter was philosophical about it. “I ended up spending the first lockdown in an ashram,” she laughs. “It was amazing. I was very safe there. There was a lot of yoga and meditation. My nervous system is quite relaxed so it was okay. I didn’t buy into any of the drama – ‘OMG, the planes have shut down’ – it was just where I was meant to be, where I was meant to deal with things. I thought, ‘this is where I am,…

Many people struggle to be direct. We fear making a request that’s turned down and feeling embarrassed. Or, we fear hurting others’ feelings or their angry reactions. However, there are lots of advantages to communicating more directly. How can you do that successfully? Use directness to teach others skills Imagine this: Your friend invites you to their baby shower after you’ve experienced a recent miscarriage, without acknowledging that it might be difficult for you. You’re not sure you’re emotionally up to it. You could go despite your feelings, make up an excuse, or tell the truth. If you do either of the former, your friend learns nothing. If you tell the truth, it may help your friend improve their sensitivity. Your friend may have been oblivious, or they may have…

@sammydaviesxx Armpits are very sensitive parts of the body, and they tend to put up with a lot – including regular shaving and waxing. The least we can do to keep our pits happy is use a natural deodorant. A few years ago, essano (known for its #1 best-selling range of natural rosehip skincare) took on the challenge of creating a natural roll-on deodorant that actually works. It took time to develop a range of beautifully smelling deodorants that allowed the body to naturally sweat, while also making sure that the final result was a deodorant that was better for the environment at the same time. As the saying goes, good things take time, and the end result is the new range of three natural deodorants – Lily Flower &…

Apied piper of the millennial houseplant movement, “Plant Mom” Monai Nailah McCullough has nurtured communities – first in New York, and now in Amsterdam – where watering schedules and wellness rituals are given equal weight. Self-proclaimed “Plant Mom” Monai Nailah McCullough first made the transition from green-thumbed hobbyist to professional horticulturist when she still lived in New York City and worked in visual merchandising for fashion brands. As a native New Yorker, she hadn’t grown up surrounded by greenery; nonetheless, she felt an intuitive understanding of how to care for plants – most of the time. “When I first started getting into it, I killed a lot of plants,” she admits with a laugh. With each failed houseplant, however, came newfound knowledge. “It encouraged me to keep going and [to…

We all have that much-loved cardigan or favourite pair of jeans we’ve been reluctant to toss even though they have several holes. Teach yourself a few basic handsewing stitches and you can make simple repairs on clothes that have holes, stains, or other signs of wear and tear. Try a few visible mending techniques and you can turn your mending into something that is unique and even beautiful. Visible mending is inspired by the Japanese art of sashiko, a form of embroidery where fabric is patched and embellished with a series of small, and sometimes geometrically patterned, running stitches and cross stitches. Visible mending embodies the values of slow fashion. It’s about buying less and better. Instead of seeing clothes as disposable items, it’s about turning a garment’s flaws into…

The Forager’s Treasury Johanna Knox, Allen & Unwin NZ, $45 Knox has produced an essential guide to finding and using wild plants in Aotearoa, including helpful rules, as well as which of these herbs and plants are safe to eat and how best to use them. Wild Seas to Greenland Rebecca Hayter, Oceansprint Publishing, $40 Yachting journalist Hayter takes you on a wild ride with New Zealand ocean racing skipper Ross Field by joining him as he sets his sights on sailing the Northwest Passage after refitting a 20-year-old aluminium yacht. Grounded Ruth Allen, Welbeck, $33 This beautiful book explores how we can therapeutically benefit from a deeper connection with nature, finding within it balance, stillness, solitude, resilience, contentment, activity, fearlessness – and your own wild voice. Fifty Years a…

(recipe page 82) (recipe page 82) Less-meat Mince for Burgers In this recipe we keep it very simple: a small amount of mince, brown lentils and seasoning that doesn’t get carried away. You could use more aromatic herbs if you want a more sophisticated burger, or enjoy its simplicity and let the condiments do the talking. Makes 4–5 burger patties 1 onion, roughly chopped3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped1 handful torn parsley leaves1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano1½ teaspoons smoked paprika200g canned or cooked brown lentils300g minced meat of your choice1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce½ cup fresh breadcrumbs vegetable oil, for cooking Place the onion, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, dried herbs and paprika in a food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Add the lentils…

VILLA MARIA villamaria.co.nz A toast to organics More than two decades ago Sir George Fistonich’s nephew Fabian placed a challenge at the Villa Maria founder’s feet: to take its winemaking organic. Sir George agreed, because it was the right thing to do. But it required more than simply letting the vineyard adapt on its own. “We had to really innovate, use new techniques and technology to do it better,” says Karen Titulaer, Villa Maria head of sustainability. “It’s actually been a massive journey for the viticulture team. It’s taken us 20 years of learning,” she says as the 60-year-old winery celebrates launching its first fully organic range, EarthGarden. The range includes a Hawke’s Bay rosé, a merlot cabernet sauvignon, a Marlborough sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir. “The winemakers love…

There’s a soft rustling in the grass. In the red light of the torch, a distinctive bill and round, stocky body becomes visible. Making its way towards a nearby flax bush, the creature disappears into the undergrowth to continue its nocturnal activity in peace. While not every visitor to Tiritiri Matangi will be lucky enough to see a kiwi, the chances are dramatically increased by staying overnight. There are plenty more enchanting encounters to be had during a weekend on this island sanctuary of greenery and birdsong, and they’ll be sure to stay with you long after you leave. Encounter native birdlife For those of us who struggle to ground ourselves in the present moment, bird-watching is an exercise as effective as any yoga or meditation class, requiring you to…

Step back in time and follow pack tracks and old tramlines from the Waikato’s gold mining days in Waiorongomai Valley. The former gold mining area, located in Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, offers up several tracks and walking options that interlink with one another, which means you can tailor the walk you choose to your fitness level and sense of adventure. We chose to conquer Butler’s Incline, an old tramline that can be reached by following the Low Level Loop, a gentler ascent, or the Piako County Tramway. The bush was cleared to make way for gold mines after prospector Hone Werahiko discovered gold in the Waiorongomai Valley in 1881. The subsequent gold mining operation was described as “one long chapter of disaster” by a mines inspector in 1935. One reason…

I would like to thank you for a wonderful read in March/April’s Good (issue 73). My house has settled in for the night. All is quiet and it’s finally me time. I reached for your magazine and read it cover to cover. I cried and laughed, shook my head and wondered how the heck did they know I needed to read this. During the day I wear so many hats – wife, mum, nana, cousin and teacher. That was just today. Tomorrow could be easy, but then it could be tough. There are many demands to work miracles here in the Hokianga, in the middle of nowhere. But I escaped and found peace, forgiveness and understanding within your pages. I have had personal battles to face … and I’ve won.…

Did you know making lifestyle choices about what we eat, the way we move, how we breathe and the quality of our sleep can assist us in the prevention of chronic disease? Studies published by the World Health Organization have proven that if risk factors for chronic disease are eliminated, then at least 80 per cent of heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes can be prevented and more than 40 per cent of cancer can be eliminated. This is because much of today’s chronic disease is a result of the body’s cells experiencing systemic inflammation. When our cells are over-run with inflammation they struggle to effectively carry out a process called apoptosis. Apoptosis is the way our bodies naturally eliminate cells that have been damaged beyond repair. In chronic diseases,…

There’s undoubtedly something soothing about lighting a candle. Whether it’s part of your nightly ritual or an act signifying unwinding, what exactly is it about a candle that benefits the mind, body and soul? A candle’s soft illumination is said to calm the mind, perhaps even helping to achieve a meditative state. A candle’s scent may also spark a positive memory or feeling through association. Bec Frankham and Carlie Hogan from the Becca Project and Pamela McIntosh from All Is Calm will attest to this, as all three found candles were a way to find contentment and uplift their mood while dealing with illness. Friends Frankham and Hogan founded the Becca Project after their respective challenges with auto-immune disease. Hogan experienced sickness and days on end where she couldn’t get…

With all of the changes the past 12 months have dished up, many of us have turned our attention inwards and started to focus more on ourselves and our wellness practice. Naturally, this change in focus means switching out old habits and forming new ones. Most of us would agree we’d rather not nervously bite our fingernails, and how fantastic does it feel when we get organised and prep our weeknight meals ahead of time? But do all habits fall into ‘good’ or ‘bad’ categories? And do we need to ‘get rid of’ all our bad habits? Let’s discuss… Understanding why you have the habits you have Let’s take coffee as an example: Having a coffee from time to time is more than just pep in a cup. It’s a…

Mijke de Kok and Wouter Valkenier, both architects and owners of design agency Studio Valkenier, designed their own 150m2 floating home, which, with 30 other homes, floats in the Johan van Hasselt Canal in Amsterdam. Mijke and Wouter had to wait a long time for the permit for the plan to form a neighbourhood on the water together with a group of like-minded people. Mijke says, “The entire process from initiation to final construction took 10 years. In recent years we lived with our three daughters in a 55m2 upstairs apartment in the centre of Amsterdam. That was tight, but we had the prospect of this new adventure, so it was doable.” Sustainable and innovative The floating home of Studio Valkenier has everything to do with sustainability. The house is…

In our household, taking the compost out has become the job the kids have to do when they’re misbehaving. You hit your sister – ‘right, that’s it! Take out the compost’. Not listening to mum when I’ve asked a hundred times not to roller skate through the house – ‘here’s the bin’. For some reason, my girls find it the most disgusting job (especially when the bucket tips out while they’re running to the bin). Hopefully we haven’t put them off for life, but at least they’re gaining an understanding of reduce, reuse, recycle. The composting process is nature’s way of recycling organic matter and creating a nutrient-rich environment for new things to grow. It is the best (and cheapest) way of supplementing your garden soil; adding nutrients and beneficial…

We all know that sinking feeling when an accidental elbow jab causes red wine to spill down the front of your favourite silk dress. The first instinct is to put water on it and begin desperately dabbing or gently rubbing it in an attempt to get the stain out. Don’t! Even if it’s a white dress just leave it, says Kate Mitchell, co-owner of environmentally friendly Regal Drycleaners. “If you dab things with water it can often leave a watermark ring, which can often be harder to remove than the stain itself,” says Mitchell. “My big tip which I would like everyone to know is to please never touch it. The issue of time delay in getting it to a specialist cleaner is immaterial compared to issues that can be…

Powerful Porridge The hero nutrient of this porridge is omega-3s, the essential fats that help prevent UV-related skin ageing. Serves 2–3 Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 10 minutes For the porridge ½ cup LSC (ground linseed, sunflower seed and chia)¾ cup almond meal½ tsp ground cinnamon1 cup water1 cup cream (or coconut cream or milk)½ cup frozen berries1–2 tbsp collagen peptides (or protein powder)2 tsp cocoa powder For the topping dash of creamdollop of unsweetened Greek yoghurtabout 1 tsp hemp seedssmall sprinkle of sliced almondssmall handful of berries (fresh or defrosted) Place the LSC, almond meal, cinnamon, water and cream in a small pot over a low heat, bring it up to a simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring regularly, until everything is cooked through and the chia…

One lucky person will win 2 nights at Blue Duck Station. This includes one night in a luxury cabin and degustation dinner for 2 at The Chef’s Table. And, one night at the Frontier Lodge at Blue Duck Station with the option of a half day kayak and jet boat return or jet boat history tour on the Whanganui River. Plus, the opportunity to do your bit for the environment by placing some Goodnature traps on the station as part of Blue Duck Station’s conservation programme. Subscribe or renew now to be in to win*! Magazine subscriptions from $26.00. Go to good.net.nz/subs to subscribe. *Offer ends 20 June 2021. T&Cs apply. PRIZE VALUED AT OVER $3,900 THE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE · 2 nights at Blue Duck Station including one…

It’s known as the winterless north for a reason. No matter the season, the Bay of Islands provides respite and relaxation all-year round, with a plethora of unique activities to explore. With warmer temperatures and tranquil scenary, it’s the perfect place for a rejuvenating minibreak. So if you have yet to visit the Bay of Islands, this is the time to become acquainted with what’s both our cultural capital and a paradise of hidden sandy beaches. Your very own winter island escape! Born to Roam Haka Tours’ beautiful Born to Roam, Capture the Cape trip provides a chance for Kiwis to pack themselves up for a long weekend and explore from Paihia (the gateway to the Bay of Islands) right to the very top of the North Island – Cape…