Table of contents for Issue 190 Annual in WellBeing

I was born on Latji Latji Country near the then-flowing waters of the Murray River in Victoria. As a child, when I wasn’t fishing for Murray River cod or dangling off rope swings, I roamed the bush out the back of our house, digging up oddly shaped glass bottles that I’d clean and fill with flowers for my tree house. To me, they were treasures from the land, but now I’m sure they were just empty beer bottles. Layers of rich red soil regularly covered my skin, nails and hair, along with mum’s clean washing and dad’s ute. I was no stranger to dust storms or the suffocating heat of a 45-degree day. My earliest memories are coloured by a deep crimson red. There, my appreciation for the earth and…

Optimism protects memory For this study, researchers had middle-aged and older adults take part in a study between 1995 and 1996, 2004 and 2006 and then 2013 and 2014. On each occasion subjects reported on a range of positive emotions that they had experienced in the last 30 days. On the second and third occasions subjects also completed tests of memory function. These tests involved recalling words immediately after their presentation and then again 15 minutes later. The researchers adjusted their analysis to rule out factors such as age, gender, education, depression and extraversion. The results showed that memory did decline with age, but that people with higher levels of positive emotions had a less steep memory decline. This adds to a growing body of research showing that being enthusiastic…

Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are a type of fruit, actually berries, that grow in clusters of 15 to 300 and can be red, black, dark blue, yellow, green, orange or pink. White grapes are actually green and are derived from the purple grape, whereby the production of anthocyanins are genetically turned off. Table grapes are often thin-skinned and seedless and contain about 15 per cent sugars; wine grapes are valued for the aroma from their thicker skins and seeds and contain 24 per cent sugars, much higher than table grapes. Grapes, grape juice, grape seeds, grapeseed oil and wine are consumed as foods and medicines, and grapevine leaves are also used as an edible food wrapping in many cultures. Dried grapes are called raisins generically, with sultanas originally being a raisin…

Chilean-born, Gold Coast-based illustrator Constanza Goeppinger creates works that are as vibrant as they are stylish, in a tropical colour palette that is influenced by vintage fashion photography and the great outdoors. There is something playful yet elegant about the characters Goeppinger depicts: stylish women donning enviable floral patterns and often oversized hats next to ocean views or in chic bathrooms. They exude a feminine confidence, existing in their own fashionable oasis. Pictured here is Summer Vibes, which Goeppinger says was created on a beautiful, sunny day on the Gold Coast. “It reflects a lot on how I was feeling that day with the use of bright colours and patterns — I love how art has the power to do that,” she says. Are you an emerging or established artist…

Which types of seafood are sustainable? This is a question that is preoccupying a growing number of consumers. Over the years, interest in environmentally conscious fish choices has grown, and the sector is now big business. Restaurants, including some in Australia and New Zealand, are now advertising themselves as avoiding serving endangered marine species in favour of better choices. In terms of big-picture trends, global seafood consumption has quadrupled over the past 50 years. While part of this can be explained by population growth, the average person now eats nearly twice as much seafood as five decades ago. In Australia, the Heart Foundation recommends two to three serves of fish per week, including oily fish such as salmon, sardines and pilchards. In affluent countries with more food choices, fish is…

Take a whole month off the booze. Nearly everyone can manage it and it’s a great litmus test. You’ll very quickly experience the multiple physical, mental and financial benefits, but you’ll also notice where the pressures to have a drink are coming from. Identify your triggers. What are the things that make you pine for a drink? Is it a time of day, a social situation or the way you’ve kept your wine displayed at eye level in the kitchen? These things can undermine your resolve, so recognise the triggers and work around them if you can’t remove them. Reinforce your commitment to change by doing research. Learn more about the effects alcohol has on your body, your mental state and your interactions with others. The Hello Sunday Morning website…

What a year twenty twenty was. Among conversations about homeschooling, panic buying, working from home, Zooming, career-pivoting madness, there was one thing I found myself talking about frequently with students and friends: loneliness. Busy modern life had kept this feeling at bay for most of our adult lives. We had all been so distracted by the bright shiny lights of multitasking busyness that there was, quite simply, never any time to be “lonely”. And it wasn’t just those living alone who felt it. Some people were surrounded all the time by partners, flatmates, children, animals — but they hadn’t realised how desperately lonely they were until stuck at home with their crew 24/7. I know from my own experience, some of my loneliest moments have been in the company of…

David Holmgren and partner Su get most of their food from 120 fruit and nut trees, chooks and goats on their one-hectare property in Hepburn Springs, Central Victoria. Passive solar design, solar power, wood heating, cold-storage cupboards, composting toilets, grey water systems and other measures mean the couple have few household costs and a low impact on the environment. In a COVID-19 locked-down, energy-descent and globally warming world, it’s a lifestyle many of us increasingly aspire to. “It takes a lot of work to keep it all ticking over,” Holmgren (the co-originator of permaculture), admits. “But no more hard work than the sort of things people pay money to do in a gym.” Tours to Holmgren’s property, Melliodora (one of the nation’s best permaculture demonstration sites), are booked out. Holmgren…

Twenty twenty. The year of new beginnings, or so it seemed. By now many of us are hoping that we wake up and 2020 was a mere dream, with no pandemic in sight. Unfortunately, it was real, very real. Life as we have been accustomed to appeared to vanish overnight, replaced by a strange new world. While working from home was once a mere dream of many, 2020 saw this dream become an everyday reality. For some of us this new reality was fraught with the added stress of managing working from home and home schooling, while others were lonely; gone was the everyday office interaction, the solitude of their four walls deafening. Businesses all around the world have closed, some never to reopen. The simplicity of going to the…

Inspired by the pristine coastline and beautifully rampant hinterland of the Northern Rivers, Byron Bay Skincare was born in an attempt to mimic all of the good things this space has to offer. The Byron Bay Skincare story began in 2015 with a clear vision to create a 100 per cent naturally derived skin and hair care range that nourishes while unlocking natural beauty. As pioneers in the natural skincare industry (manufacturing natural skincare for more then three decades), the company has always been at the forefront of new natural ingredients and understanding the value in adopting socially and environmentally responsible practices — for its consumers and the planet. More specifically, it understood the real risk and danger that certain mainstream skincare ingredients present to humans and the environment. Byron…

Food is rarely just the sum of ingredients found on a plate and the Ayubi family’s food is as much about story and heritage as it is about taste. Author Durkhanai Ayubi weaves tales of family, rituals, migration and belonging in his beautifully presented cookbook, Parwana, bursting with the life of a nation that is so much more than a story of war and violence. The book takes the name of the Ayubi family restaurant in Adelaide that opened its doors in 2009 and includes the recipes served there, made by Durkhanai’s mother Farida. Inside, you will find fragrant and flavourful food that has been lovingly passed down through generations. Surprising rice dishes, somewhat familiar curries and delightful sweet recipes combine to create a culinary journey full of heart and…

Riceberry Rice Thai rice has been carefully selected and cultivated over the years, setting it apart from others. Rice cultivation has long been a part of Thai society and is grown with passion for the highest quality, which is one of the reasons for Thailand to be recognised as the “kitchen of the world”. Also becoming popular across the world is Riceberry Rice, a nutritious grain with dark purple colour, long grain, chewy texture, sweet aroma and packed with nutritional properties. W: facebook.com/HugThailand TRI BLEND Select TRI BLEND Select is a delicious vegan nutritional shake. It provides high-quality, naturally sourced, plant-based nutrition and offers a complete protein source. Always read the label; only use as directed. Contact your Herbalife Nutrition independent member for more information. W: herbalife.com. Ozganics BBQ Sauce…

The Australian outback has approximately 5000 different native food species. The Australian Indigenous people have a distinctive and innovative relationship with land and food, collecting nectar from bottlebrush flowers or honey from ants’ abdomens. Sounds a little different to our drive down to the supermarket for ready-made snags for the holiday season, right? Unfortunately, with the loss of traditional land came the loss of this gorgeous and revolutionary style of foraging and cooking many years ago. Luckily, there’s been a culinary uplift in Australian native foods over the last few years. Everyone from the home cook to the two-hatted chef has been embracing macadamia nuts, finger limes and even kangaroo meat. We’re so fortunate to have some of the most distinctive flavours within our flora. It’s time to expand your…

We love to drink coffee almost to the point of addiction. It’s a daily habit that is so locked in that to question its wisdom might be a thankless endeavour. Of the big three including coffee, cigarettes and alcohol, which of these is still portrayed as a virtuous lubricant of family values and personal grace? Coffee has received almost no pushback. Its squeaky-clean image has allowed it to surpass its competitors as the runaway winner of the modern era with the most devoted worshippers. Next to water it’s the most consumed beverage in the industrial world. We drink over two billion cups of coffee every day. Amid the lost jobs and the ravaged economy that has been the legacy of the coronavirus, one ritual that has emerged unscathed is an…

Fruit & vegetables SUMMER Vegetables Asparagus, beans, capsicum, celery, chillies, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, okra, onion, peas, potato, radish, sweet corn, watercress, zucchini. Fruit Apricot, avocado, banana, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, cherries, fig, grapes, limes, lychee, mango, mangosteen, melon, nectarine, orange, papaya, passionfruit, pawpaw, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, rambutan, raspberry, redcurrants, strawberry, tomato. AUTUMN Vegetables Asian greens (buk choy, choy sum, gai lan, wombok), avocado, beans (butter, green and snake), beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, celery, chilli, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, field mushrooms, okra, olives, onions (brown, red and spring), parsnip, peas, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silver beet, spinach, squash, swede, sweet corn, sweet potato, taro, tomato, turnip, zucchini. Fruit Apples (Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Red Delicious), banana, breadfruit, cumquat, custard apple, fig, grapes (Muscat, Purple Cornichon,…

What comforts do you turn to in moments of upheaval? Upheaval was the theme of 2020, but as we head into a new year, we’re wondering: what kept you afloat last year? What comforts and constants did you turn to in a moment of crisis? Photo walks Regular photo walks have kept me grounded this year. When I have my camera I can focus on the present environment, the present moment, the present beauty in front of me. I’m feeling through my senses, caught up in small visual wonders. I move in a state of awe and gratitude. It’s a state of flow that recharges my enthusiasm and resets my emotional systems. @jennifer.wannen Connection with family Cultivating connection with family, friends and our tribe online and in person. Social wellbeing…

Green prescriptions Spending time in nature is believed to be good for your mental health. A new twist on this, however, has come in a new study that used data collected from more than 18,000 people in 18 different countries. The researchers found to their surprise that people with depression were already visiting nature as frequently as people with no mental health issues. People with anxiety were visiting significantly more often. Both groups reported feeling happy and less anxious during time in nature. However, the benefits of nature were lost when the people were “prescribed” time in nature by others. If people lacked the intrinsic motivation to visit nature then forced nature visits could actually increase anxiety. Using so-called “green prescriptions” to treat depression and anxiety is a delicate balance…

Last year, as the country headed into the lockdown bubble, I found out I was pregnant. The news was a welcome reminder that, no matter what, life goes on, but even more than the effect of 2020’s shape-shifting antics, getting pregnant signalled huge shifts in my life. I was to become a new mother, but before I got there, I needed to navigate nine months of pregnancy. And let me tell you, growing a human is no small feat. That first doctor’s appointment is an onslaught of information, consisting largely of a long list of things you must avoid. Namely, alcohol and smoking (obviously), raw fish, pink meat, soft cheeses and on and on. What often isn’t included, however, are the toxic chemicals found in everyday items such as household…

As we age, are we destined to dodge harsh lighting and mirrors like vampires? Or are there ways to accept ageing so that we shine in the spotlight? If you’re skin-smart you can look attractive at all ages, sans filters and foundation. Sample these beauty bites for forever fresh skin. Boundless beauty In the black comedy Death Becomes Her Isabella Rossellini plays a stylish witch touting an immortality elixir. She moans, “This is life’s ultimate cruelty. It offers us a taste of youth and vitality and then it makes us witness our own decay.” In reality Rossellini is ripening not rotting with age. Having signed a Lancôme contract at 65 she’s luminous and loving life on her organic farm, producing pet projects such as hilarious Green Porno. Her secret? “With…

Just a decade or two ago, although researchers were onto it, in public discussion the bacteria that live in your body were hardly spoken about in health terms, other than something that might need to be eliminated. Now, however, we know that your bacteria and other microorganisms are as vital to your health as they are unique to you. Those microorganisms have a name: they are known as your microbiota and their collective genes are known as your microbiome. These two terms are used interchangeably in the public discussion, so for the sake of simplicity, and because a biome sounds more homey than biota, we will refer to your travelling bug community as your microbiome. The bugs of your microbiome number in the trillions and include bacteria, fungi, archaea (single-celled…

Tania de Jong has a beautiful voice, not only in the melodious sense, but also in the message she shares. As a singer she has performed in numerous venues globally and released 12 albums (seven with her group Pot-Pourri and five solo efforts). De Jong has also founded three charities, The Song Room, With One Voice and her latest Mind Medicine Australia. She has developed five businesses including Creative Innovation Global, Dimension 5 and MTA Events and Entertainment. There has been recognition along the way: in 2008 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the arts as a performer and entrepreneur and for establishing programs in schools and communities. Yet it hasn’t been all smooth sailing — there have been storms in her path…

It’s hard to believe that less than two years ago I was so consumed with parenting issues that I could hardly function. One of our children was displaying significant behaviour problems at school and my husband and I were constantly arguing over our differing parenting styles. We existed in survival mode, entrenched in a life that felt increasingly chaotic. The task of creating health and harmony in our family seemed insurmountable, yet I had a deep sense that there was a better way and I was willing to do the work to get there. While I resolved not to bring my kids up “the old way”, full of criticism, control and judgement, I also knew that I didn’t want to raise them to be entitled. I held a vision of…

Natural materials, as close to their raw state as possible, age gracefully and add warmth and texture to a home. The feeling of sinking into a bed layered with sundried linen is akin to a relaxing holiday and the heady scent of sumptuous full-grain leather is hard to replicate. Natural materials are a direct connection to the environment, and their authenticity has a grounding effect. The materials we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing. As the healthier alternative to human-made synthetic fibres, natural materials emit fewer toxins, and they contain naturally occurring antibacterial properties. They can help keep you and your family healthy and comfortable all year round in a home that feels fresh and clean. Choosing natural materials represents an eco-friendly way of…

Since the dawn of humankind there have been struggles and at times cataclysmic events that have tested the hearts and minds of the most optimistic who walk among us. Wars that ripped families apart and divided nations, devastating bushfires and droughts that unleashed Mother Nature’s fury, and pandemics that swept the globe and brought out the very best and the very worst of humanity. Right now, in the wake of a pandemic, we are living in unprecedented times. You might think, “OK, what have I got to be hopeful about?” While we can’t control the big-picture stuff, there is a lot we can do to develop a sense of hopefulness about the future. Hope is an optimistic state of mind; it’s a belief that something good will happen. It’s not…

We wake to find the sea awash with translucent jellyfish, as luminous as stars, cast adrift in the millions on a velvety, indigo tide. They swarm the sea off Fitzroy Island, clumsy and graceless in their great, jellyfish dance, bumping each other softly and spiralling away into the deep. My young daughter looks on, transfixed and beaming, leaning over the rail of our sailboat and staring down into the blue. Eventually it becomes all too irresistible to watch from afar, so we take the plunge, flinching and giggling, and paddling through water thick with the jellies that bounce off our masks and slide down our Lycra-clad legs. This euphoric, early morning swim off the Great Barrier Reef’s Fitzroy Island woos me entirely, but it’s not the first time that I’ve…

Brookfarm Located in beautiful Byron Bay, Brookfarm is Australia’s leading producer of premium-quality macadamia products such as muesli, granola, porridge, baby cereal, muesli bars, nut mixes, puffcorn, macadamia oils and more. Brookfarm’s passion is to produce the highest-quality real food and to positively give back to the community and the planet. W: brookfarm.com.au Byron Bay Tea Company Fortify Needing a little spring in your step? Fortify by Byron Bay Tea is a wellness tonic combining the powerful healing benefits of medicinal mushrooms and tulsi with cacao and a delicate blend of spices. These plant extracts increase the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and can help to balance, restore and protect the body. With a rich, decadent flavour, Fortify is a healthy latte or hot chocolate substitute…

Looking for natural ways to improve your wellness? Interested in a more fulfilling and balanced life? The best way to achieve overall happiness is through everyday decisions. Consistent positive choices can have a dramatic effect on your happiness and wellbeing. At Young Living, they believe that essential oils are a simple and natural way to bring you more happiness and that everyone deserves a life full of abundance and wellness. As you strive to take small, daily steps, essential oils can play an important role in creating a more balanced life. What are essential oils? Essential oils have enhanced lives for thousands of years, offering a variety of benefits from cosmetic and cooking purposes, to spiritual and religious use. Young Living has always been at the forefront of bringing this…

I’m hooked on fresh ginger tea. It’s simple: thinly slice fresh ginger, place in a jug with a sliced lemon — peel and all — then pour over boiling water. Steep, then drink hot or cold. In winter, I drank it hot, am now adding ice for summer. Ginger mint isn’t a ginger, but one of the mint family. Sniff the pot of ginger mint in the garden centre before you buy it, as some cultivars are far gingerier than others, and a few may smell a bit like mothballs instead. You’ll also get a stronger mint and ginger flavour if you grow your plant in full sunlight, or even better, in a pot above hot sunny paving, though make sure you water it often — like most mints, ginger…

A middle-aged woman came to see me who had relocated to Australia with her husband several years ago from Japan. While living in Japan she had followed a traditional diet and lifestyle, but since living in Australia her food choices had changed. Japanese heritage The traditional Japanese diet consists largely of fish and seafood (being the major protein), a range of soy-based proteins, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables both raw and pickled, lots of soups, seaweeds and rice and wheat (often as a tempura batter for fried seafood and vegetables). As Japan is a fishing nation, the Japanese diet contains significantly more fish and seafood than other Asian countries, and the emphasis on food is that it is mainly fresh and seasonal. While in Japan she had also…

Mindfulness for pain In a study conducted in semi-rural Oregon, an area where limited access to healthcare is a common problem, subjects with chronic pain and depression received intensive instruction in mindfulness meditation and mindful hatha yoga over an eight-week period. These mindfulness practices help people have an awareness of self in the present moment and in a non-judgemental fashion. The mindfulness practices led to significant improvements in subjects’ perceptions of pain, depression and disability. After the mindfulness course, scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire (a standard measure of depression) dropped by an average of 3.7 points on a 27-point scale. According to the researchers, chronic pain often accompanies depression, and mindfulness can restore both physical and mental health. They recommend meditation and yoga alone, or as an adjunct treatment,…

Valeriana officinalis (valerian) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia with perfumed flowers in summer that attract many fly species. It has been used as a medicine at least since the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans, where it was described by both Hippocrates and Galen as a remedy for insomnia. It is also discussed in ancient Chinese medical texts. In the late 1500s it was described in herbals as a remedy for croup and convulsions and for those who were bruised from falling. Nicholas Culpepper in the 17th century boiled the root with liquorice, raisins and aniseed to relieve coughs, and found it very beneficial against the plague. The leaves relieved headaches when bruised and applied topically to the head. During World War I, valerian…

What inspired you to create Saba Organics skin body and haircare range? We wanted to empower those who care about their health through organics by connecting people to nature and its many benefits. Our objective was, and continues to be, making certified organic products as affordable and accessible as possible. We’re incredibly devoted to delivering the safest, most gentle and naturally effective skincare on earth. We are passionate about people and planet; our love for organic products is a way of life and we are proud to offer a range of the highest-grade Australian certified organic products. We are committed to offering everyday Aussie consumers the benefits of certified organic plant-based ingredients, Australian botanicals and essential oils with powerful natural benefits. Our formulations leverage Mother Nature’s naturally potent ingredients, providing…

The holiday season can be a time to overindulge and expand the waistline. Whether it’s a homemade pavlova, a turkey stuffed with all the trimmings or duck-fat-glazed potatoes, it’s easy to overeat during the silly season. According to Nutrition Australia, the average Australian gains approximately 0.8 to 1.5 kilograms over the Christmas period. There’s no need to be a dietary grinch this festive season; it’s still the season to be jolly, but this doesn’t mean you have to compromise your health in the process. Here are some tips for healthy holiday entertaining that will leave you satisfied and nourished. Shop smartly The first step to healthy entertaining is being organised and shopping smartly. It’s important to make a list and stick to it. Sounds easy, right? Shopping blind often means…

Utter the word “sober” at a social event and you can almost guarantee head-turning, questioning looks. And who’s to blame your company? Drinking whenever the opportunity presents itself is so normalised that to decline seems somewhat suspect. Waving away the bottle has traditionally signalled you were either recovering from an alcohol problem, or (pregnancy and religion aside) just a virtue-signalling health freak who doesn’t know how to have a good time. “Not drinking? Why? Do you not want to have fun?!” But sobriety is no longer a discussion confined to discreet meetings in dank community buildings. A new generation of sort of, temporary teetotal crusaders has emerged, whose attitude towards the sauce is somewhere between temperance leader Wayne Wheeler and rap-star-turned-rum-ambassador Lil Wayne. To them, sobriety is something to road-test…

Ever since Dolly Parton sang about tumbling out of bed and pouring herself a cup of ambition in the cult movie hit 9 to 5 we have been obsessed with optimising our morning routines. A myth has since emerged that dictates only the early risers among us are destined for success, and while we can’t blame Parton’s country anthem, it’s a story that has come to dominate the conversation around our mornings. The pervasive narrative goes something like this: you must wake unthinkably early, eat a protein-rich breakfast, exercise, meditate, blast your email inbox and complete the day’s “must-dos” all before the sun rises. This, hundreds of CEOs have told us in various “Day in the life of” columns, is the only way to “set yourself up for a productive…

When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, restrictive fad diets rarely result in sustained weight loss. According to a University of California Los Angeles review of 31 weight loss studies, 83 per cent of people who were studied for at least two years had gained back more weight than they had lost. In fact, several of the studies indicated that dieting was a consistent predictor of future weight gain! The authors concluded that “most study participants would have been better off not going on a diet at all.” Since each and every one of us is unique, a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss is seldom an effective long-term solution. A holistic naturopathic approach to shedding kilos and then maintaining a healthy body weight is always tailored to…

Aries The significance of a new social cycle that ignites Aries’ fire will become more obvious in February and find its feet in March. Twenty twenty-one is about new beginnings, a concept which is food for the Aries soul. Since the current social movers Jupiter and Saturn make repeating harmonies to Aries this year, fixed and resolute action comes easily. There is also more teamwork for the sometimes solo Aries. From March 4–April 23 when Mars transits your daily business sign, all manner of expression gets a boost. Writing, talking, blogging are particularly dynamic from March 31–April 18, helped along by Aries New Moon thrust on April 12. Working for a cause close to your heart can be effective if you investigate the problem first, acting decisively during Aries Time.…

Age is a funny thing. As youngsters we’re impatient for those years to fast-forward: to experience that first day at big school, that first job, first kiss, first car or any number of things that will shape who we become. As years pass and we grow older, many of us look longingly back, dwelling on the roads we chose not to take instead of celebrating our achievements. No matter what your life’s journey so far, be grateful for what you have, and for those who have enriched your life along the way. Growing older is a rite of passage; with it is the gaining of wisdom through experience, the joy that comes with grandchildren, winding back work commitments and embracing the newfound freedoms of retirement. As you enter your twilight…

The internet has indisputably changed our lives. However, interacting with the world through LED-lit glass does come with risks, many of which we’re still coming to understand. Considering how much time we spend online, it’s wise to be informed of the issues. Research by Hootsuite and We Are Social released in 2019 found Australians aged 16 to 64 years spend an average of five hours a day logged onto the internet on computers and smartphones. That’s more time than we spend exercising, socialising or playing with our kids. And it doesn’t include time streaming shows on our Smart TVs. Without debating the merits of the internet (it’s here to stay), managing any negatives can help us shape our best possible experience of this amazing global mega-brain of connection and information.…

The Motherhood JAMILA RIZVI, PENGUIN The only non-parenting parenting book you need, The Motherhood is a compilation of honest, hilarious, raw and real accounts of becoming a new mother from some of Australia’s smartest and savviest women — think Zoë Foster Blake, Clementine Ford and Clare O’Neil. The accounts are written in the form of letters to the contributors’ previous selves in those delicate first six weeks and are full of honest-to-goodness advice about asking for help, dealing with the emotional wrecking ball of a newborn and the often-tumultuous journey of breastfeeding. If you’re a soon-to-be mum or know one, The Motherhood would make a wonderful gift, or if you simply want a good old chuckle, do yourself a favour and get your hands on a copy. The Power of…

Eco Tan Cacao Tanning Mousse Cacao Tanning Mousse by Eco Tan is a vegan and organic revolutionary formula designed to deliver a luxurious, golden glow the safe way. Did we mention multi-award-winning? W: ecotan.com.au Herbalife Vitamin Mask Achieve a beautiful complexion with Herbalife Nutrition Vitamin Mask, formulated for normal, dry or dehydrated skin, with moisturising, brightening and firming options. Always read the label; use only as directed. For information contact your Herbalife Nutrition independent member. W: herbalife.com.au or herbalife.com.au/newzealand French Girl Lumière Rose Dorée Shimmer Oil A French Girl favourite, this luxurious, shimmering dry oil for body, face and hair is infused with mineral oxides, pigments and nourishing essential oils to moisturise the skin and add a subtle delectable glow. Vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for all skin types. W: thenativesco.com…

The beauty world can be a confusing one to navigate, especially when there’s a new “miracle” supplement or product coming out every week. Do these products actually work? Are you better off supporting your external beauty by tending to your internal health through the food you eat? No doubt you have heard about collagen in recent years. What’s all the hype about and should you add it to your supplement regime? Collagen is a hard, insoluble and fibrous protein that makes up one-third of the protein in the human body and is found abundantly in tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles. Collagen acts as a supporting structure in the body, providing strength and elasticity. Naturally, as you age, the body produces less collagen, causing changes to your skin’s structural integrity and…

Supporting strategies are a significant part of treatment plans in integrative veterinary practice, to encourage healing to take place. The aim is to provide an environment where it can take place and this environment is multifaceted. A healing environment is one that reduces stress for patients and owners alike, where minimal restraint is used and where a low-chemical approach, where possible, is considered for each patient. Diet change The first question I ask pet owners when conducting a holistic consultation is, “What does your pet eat?” The second thing is “Describe your pet’s stool (poo).” Some owners even bring images on their iPhone. Inappropriate diet can contribute to chronic disease through many different pathways. An unbalanced diet may lead to nutrient deficiencies. One example of this is low vitamin D,…

Cancer Sign of the Moon, you enter 2021 propelled by the awakenings of December 30’s Full Moon in Cancer and can address your hunger for the new. After 2020’s hard oppositions you need a recharge, to reinvest your energy and perhaps capital in something that moves you. Jan 5 could attract good advice, but it is Jan 14 and 21 that bring inspiration via friends or like-minded groups. When Mercury is retro from Jan 31–Feb 21, nothing should be rushed, yet your best research occurs then. Partnership flourishes and new roles excite you from Feb 22–27’s Full Moon, boosting your promotional skills. Virgo Despite the earthy harmonies of Jan, the changeable nature of the times can upset Virgo’s finely calibrated sense of balance. At New Moon on Jan 13, focus…