Indice dei contenuti per February/March 2018 in Nadia

I hope you had a relaxing, rejuvenating break over Christmas and New Year. Isn’t it amazing how just a couple of weeks off can do so much for your body, mind and soul? One thing I reflected on over the holidays is that, while it’s important to plan for the future, it’s just as important to live in the now – so make sure you spend time living (and enjoying) today! It’s certainly one of my goals for 2018 and beyond. Another thing I’d love to keep working on is reducing waste, and this issue is packed with plenty of great, simple ways to do just that. I know I get a little feelgood boost whenever I save my kitchen scraps for the garden, or use a cloth or paper…

1 Kookie Star homework bag, $9.99, from Warehouse Stationery. 2 Children’s monthly book subscription, from $16 per month, from Huxbox. 3 Skipping rope, $75, from George & Willy. 4 Montauk lunch cooler tote by Sunnylife, $39, from Mildred & Co. 5 Urban stainless-steel bottle by 24Bottles, $45, from Smith & Caughey’s. 6 Printed T-shirt, $5, from Postie+. 7 Smooshed wholefood balls in apricot & cacao by Tasti, $2.29, from supermarkets. 8 247 kids’ sneakers, $100, from New Balance. 9 Yumbox Panino bento lunchbox, $45.99, from The Lunchbox Queen. 10 Kookie gel pens, $19.99 for pack of 30, from Warehouse Stationery. 11 Multi-pack popcorn in sea salt by Kettlekorn, $4.99, from supermarkets. 12 Viralex Kids Immune Chews by Good Health, $20.90, from pharmacies and health stores.…

1 Plastic shopping bags 2 Plastic straws 3 Bottled water 4 Plastic toothbrushes 5 Clothes pegs 6 Plastic cotton buds 7 Shower products in plastic containers Through the purchase of Ethique’s solid beauty bars, consumers have helped to prevent the manufacture and disposal of more than 280,000 plastic containers worldwide. 8 Takeaway coffee cups 9 Plastic dish brush 10 Plastic disposable cutlery 11 Plastic food wrap Honeywrap estimates that using one of its wraps instead of plastic for a term’s worth of school lunches will stop the equivalent of 75m of plastic wrap from going into landfill. Instagrammers to follow for low-waste living inspo…

Summer just isn’t summer without a classic Kiwi backyard barbecue. Sizzling steaks and sausies, fresh garden salads, juicy corn cobs and ice-cold drinks are a recipe for success when bringing friends and family together for afternoon antics. Nadia’s barbecue menu, which starts over the page, is packed full of crowd-pleasers – even the little ones will be on board – and, as always, they’re easy to prepare. And don’t miss the party prep tips on page 47 to make sure your entertaining goes off without a hitch. PROPS Nadia wears Seed Heritage. Fermob drinks trolley, loungers, yellow bistro table and chairs, all from Jardin. Barbecue from Everdure by Heston Blumenthal. Palm tree cooler bag, black and white striped tea towel, coral and white striped towel (on line), all from Alex…

Luxurious late-summer parfaits with gingernut crust Ready in 35 minutes plus 4 hours’ freezing time | Serves 8 125g gingernut biscuits 125g white chocolate, broken into pieces 20g butter, melted 1 litre Kāpiti Fig & Manuka Honey, Vanilla Bean or Gingernut Ice Cream (or use a selection) 1 litre Kāpiti Summer Berries or Feijoa & Pear Sorbet (or use both) Edible flowers (eg violas, cornflowers, nasturtiums, pansies), to decorate – optional 1 Please note: for this recipe you’ll need two A4 sheets of acetate, which you’ll find at a stationery shop. Cut each sheet widthwise into four equal strips. Roll each into a tube 7.5cm high x 5.5cm wide; secure with sticky tape. Stand moulds in a foil-lined baking pan or tray that will fit in the freezer. 2 Pulse…

It’s official: Kiwis are obsessed with avocado. We smash it onto toast with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon, we throw it into the blender to add creaminess to our green smoothies and we slice it into salads for texture and a boost of healthy fats. Try these summery, sweet and savoury recipe ideas and add them to your avo repertoire this season. Sesame avocado poke-style bowl with ginger salmon Ready in 15 minutes plus marinating time | Serves 2 | DF | GF 250-300g fresh salmon fillet, skin removed 2 Tbsp mirin* 1 Tbsp sesame oil 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 Tbsp finely chopped pink ginger or 1 tsp freshly grated raw ginger 1 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce* ¼ cup mixed sesame seeds – black, white and…

We’re all aware of how important it is to get five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day but eating your share can be a struggle if you don’t forward plan. Stock up your vege drawer, fruit bowl and freezer with colourful produce that can easily be whizzed into a smoothie, juice or bowl and benefit from a nutrient-packed breakfast that can only serve you well for the day ahead. Raw cashews are high in iron, zinc and healthy monounsaturated fat. Raspberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health. Creamy raspberry smoothie Ready in 5 minutes plus soaking time for cashews | Serves 2 | DF | GF ⅔ cup raw cashews 1 cup coconut water 1 cup frozen raspberries 1½ Tbsp…

Did you know? If all 3 million light vehicles on New Zealand roads went electric, it would only demand 17 percent more electricity from our power grid. With power usage per vehicle equating to just 30 cents a litre for fuel (plus the bonus of reduced carbon emissions) it’s no wonder more and more New Zealanders are choosing to make electric vehicles (EVs) part of their everyday lives. Dunedin engineer Hagen Bruggemann (pictured) is an early adopter of EVs, having spent the last seven years converting petrol cars to electric. Read about Hagen’s work and discover our comprehensive guide to electric vehicles and e-bikes on page 106.…

Pikelets Ready in 20 minutes | Serves 4 1 cup self-raising flour (or 1 cup plain flour plus 1½ tsp baking powder) ¼ tsp salt 1 egg ¼ cup caster sugar Around ¾ cup milk Knob butter 1 Sift flour and salt into a bowl. 2 Whisk the egg and caster sugar together until pale and thick, then whisk in the milk. 3 Pour egg mixture into the bowl of flour and mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. The batter should be the consistency of thick cream. Add 1-2 Tbsp extra milk if it needs it. 4 Heat butter in a large non-stick frying pan on medium heat. Add tablespoonfuls of mixture to pan, allowing room between each. 5 When bubbles start to burst on the surface…

1 Happy Hour Happy Hair headband, $3.99. 2 Happy Hour all-in-one sheet mask, $24.99 for pack of two. 3 Bioelements Radiance Rescue mask, $119, from Forme Spa. 4 Marty Girl Gladstone Gal mud face mask, $25. 5 Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus moisturising cream mask, $55. 6 L’Oreal Paris pure clay mask in Purify & Mattify, $19.99. 7 Lush Just to Clarify jelly face mask, $14.95. 8 Kiehl’s Instant Renewal concentrate mask, $60 (on counter 19 February). 9 The Crème Shop Earth Naturals coconut water sheet mask, $5.99. 10 Frank Body glow mask, $24, from Mecca Maxima. 11 Syrene aqua hydrating masque, $119.99. 12 Tailor Skincare Noir Dust, $19. 13 The Crème Shop vitamin C-infused face mask, $5.99. 14 Trilogy very gentle hydra mask, $44.99. 15 Niod Mastic Must, $80, from…

“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito” – Dame Anita Roddick Planet Earth is facing a crisis when it comes to waste and pollution – it is quite literally a load of rubbish, and we need to take it seriously. While going zero-waste just isn’t practical for most of us, we can all do our bit to reduce the waste we create and dispose of it responsibly. The following workshop takes you through some of the small but vitally important changes you can make to your everyday routine in order to help our world – from composting solutions and recycling the right way, to plastic alternatives and more.…

“A handy rule to ‘recycle right’ is to recycle packaging and containers made from plastic, glass, metal and cardboard from your kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Common mistakes people make include trying to recycle plastic bags. They jam our sorting machines, so please take these to your local supermarket where they have soft-plastic recycling collection bins in store. Coffee cups and polystyrene trays also cause confusion. These can’t be recycled and have to go in the rubbish bin. And yes, you can recycle clothing, but not in your kerbside bin; take clothing to clothing banks, your local recycle boutique or a charity shop.” Note to self Always rinse your containers before you recycle (this includes soft plastics) and leave the lids and caps on when you put them in your recycling…

From fantastic new technologies to ancient remedies getting a modern makeover, there is so much to talk about when it comes to beauty trends for 2018. In this round-up, we’ve zeroed in on some of our favourite finds that embrace natural ingredients and sustainable techniques, and sorted you out with a shopping list to boot. Probiotic skincare You can’t talk about gut health without mentioning probiotics, and if this latest innovation catches on, these good bacteria could become synonymous with skin health, too. According to Sara Quilter, founder of Tailor skincare, probiotics act as the body’s peacekeepers, helping to keep things in a delicate balance or symbiosis. She first discovered the benefits of probiotics in skincare after learning how they could unlock minerals in soil and help plants grow. She’s…

Are changes in your life making you feel stressed? Here, Erin O’Hara, yoga instructor and founder of Golden Yogi, shares her best nurturing rituals to help change your perception of stress in 2018. We often take on too much and then lose our life balance. Short term, the body can cope with added stress as the adrenaline that’s released provides extra energy. However, too much long-term stress is detrimental to our health and wellbeing. Follow these self-care habits to stay more balanced: > MEDITATE DAILY A daily meditation practice is like a shower for the mind, and the more regularly you do it, the more balanced the mind becomes. This can simply be 5-10 minutes of practice in the morning or before bed. Any meditation is good; whether it’s breath…

December through to March is the prime berry season here in New Zealand. Whether you happen upon a pick-your-own berry farm or just stock up at the supermarket, you’ll no doubt be looking for some clever ways to add these tart little morsels to your favourite dishes. Here are some summery ideas. Breakfast berry cookies Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes | Makes 12 | DF 1½ cups rolled oats 1 cup coarse desiccated coconut 1 Tbsp wheat germ or ground linseed ½ tsp salt ¾ cup hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans or almonds, roughly chopped 75g coconut oil (or butter if not eating dairy free) 1 Tbsp honey 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 large ripe bananas, mashed 1/3 cup dark chocolate drops** ½ cup blackberries 1 Preheat oven to 175°C and…

Coming up with new school lunch-box ideas that will actually get eaten is easier said than done. If your go-to sandwiches and snacks are getting a little stale, these fillings and fun alternatives are certainly worth a go. Just change up the fillings to suit your kids’ tastes. Ham & pineapple quesadillas Ready in 10 minutes | Serves 2 2 wraps (we used garlic butter flavour) 2 Tbsp sweet fruit chutney ¼ cup grated cheese 6 slices shaved ham 6 thin half slices fresh pineapple Handful baby spinach leaves 1 Lay the wraps out flat and spread evenly with chutney. Sprinkle a little cheese on one half of each wrap and arrange the ham, pineapple and spinach leaves on top. 2 Fold the wrap over to enclose the filling. Grill…

Be it baking them into scones or muffins, sprinkling them over a salad or smashing them into a smooth, creamy butter, adding olives to your favourite dishes and dips is a delicious way to introduce a touch of Mediterranean summer flavour. And you know what to do with the leftovers… martini, anyone? 1 Olive & parmesan butter Ready in 10 minutes | Makes about 1 cup | GF 100g butter, softened ¼ cup finely chopped green pitted olives 2 Tbsp finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve 1 clove garlic, crushed or finely chopped 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley 1 Combine all ingredients and mix well. Serve at room temperature or wrap in cling film to create a log and chill until firm and ready to slice. 2 Serve over…

Addressing hunger and tackling food waste. That’s Fair Food NZ’s vision. The West Auckland organisation’s ethos encapsulates the objectives of the food-rescue movement, highlighting the paradox that sees people go hungry while perfectly good produce is thrown out every day. Fair Food NZ and other organisations, such as Wellington’s Kaibosh, Christchurch’s City Harvest and KiwiHarvest based in Dunedin and Auckland, are working to redistribute some of that food to people in need. ‘Ugly’ or less-than-perfect produce, food nearing its expiration date and other unsold items are collected and donated to food banks and community groups to distribute. A few innovative businesses and not-for-profits are also using leftovers in creative ways. Dunedin’s Coach House Boutique Bakery has made a name for itself with its zero-waste stance and delicious baked goods. Owner…

Forage + Bloom is an organic herbal tea company born from the passion of its founder, Hannah McMenamin, a naturopath and medical herbalist with a love for plants and people. Since its launch three years ago, Forage + Bloom has quickly gained in popularity, with many of New Zealand’s leading cafes and boutique stores now serving and selling the range. Hannah sits down with us for a chat and a cuppa… Where did the idea of creating medicinal herbal teas come from? My background is in hospitality and it was the alchemy of brewing coffee that sparked my interest in plants and their benefits. After graduating as a herbalist and naturopath, I lived in Rome and was intrigued by how the locals used dried herbs for medicinal prescriptions. I love…

1 Lawson waffle throw, $69.90, from Wallace Cotton. 2 Jamae vessel, $44.95, from Freedom. 3 Cats & Plants by Stephen Eichhorn, US$45, from Zioxla. 4 Fluxus sunglasses, $79.95, from Le Specs. 5 Lovestruck PJ short set, $98, from We’ar. 6 Vetyver bergamot ceramic candle, $139, from Ingrid Starnes. 7 Egg cup, $90 for six, from Le Creuset. 8 Paint testpot in ‘Tacao’, $4.60, from Resene. 9 Paint testpot in ‘Paper Doll’, $4.60, from Resene. 10 Paint testpot in ‘Island Spice’, $4.60, from Resene. 11 Cashew almond butter, $15.50, from Poppy & Olive. 12 Mini Moments teabag, $11.90 for four, from Libertine Blends. 13 Kali cereal bowl by Aura, $50 for two, from Mildred & Co. 14 Kali serving spoon by Aura, $15, from Mildred & Co. 15 Momento Nordic dipped…

1 Intenso on Ice coffee capsules, $11.30 for 10, from Nespresso. 2 Natural vanilla with seeds, $7.49, from Heilala. 3 Feijoa zero sugar sparkling water, $3.50, from Vista. 4 Beekist Chef’s Selection tomatoes, $3.99, from New World and Pak’nSave. 5 Chia Beads in rose ’n’ lime, $20 for gift pack of four, from Roya’s. 6 Organic turmeric powder, $7.80, from Chantal Organics. 7 Old-fashioned blackcurrant & lavender cordial, $10, from Petit Homemade Beverage Co. 8 Naturally brewed lemonade, $4.99, from Soda Brewery. 9 Spicy harissa cold-pressed olive oil, $24, from Lot Eight. 10 Swiss brown mushrooms pack, $5.99, from Meadows. 11 Sparkling prebiotic drink in mango lime turmeric, $5.50, from Kréol. 12 Immunity tonic, $35, from Wild Dispensary. 13 Endurance drink in pomegranate & lemon, $3.49, from 1Above. 14 Beef-free…

#toplessforthesea encourages people to go “topless” by choosing to forgo a lid when they get a takeaway coffee (and don’t have a Keep Cup). #take3forthesea is reminding us to pick up three bits of rubbish each time we’re at the beach. take3.org #strawlessinseattle Seattle has been trying to ban plastic straws through its Strawless in Seattle campaign. A petition has also been started on change.org to ban single-use straws in restaurants and cafes in New Zealand. Also check out #stopsucking…

On average, women start dealing with thinning hair between the ages of 25-35, and account for 40 percent of people who experience hair loss. Reasons for the condition are varied and include heat styling and processing treatments, hormonal changes, medical conditions or health changes, ageing, and dietary issues. In a first for any professional haircare brand, Éprouvage is using plant stem cells to fight the appearance of ageing hair and hair fall. Active plant cells from the Egyptian blue lily plant, cultivated for its anti-ageing and skin-balancing properties, along with French oak extract (a highly concentrated antioxidant) and Redensyl (a hair-growth galvaniser), are the key ingredients in Éprouvage Reviving Scalp Serum, which has been proven to reduce hair fall by up to 17 percent and promote up to 214 percent…

As much as we might try to control the world around us, life happens and things change. The only thing we can truly control is how we respond, says accredited mindfulness consultant and life coach Cheryl Strawbridge from Ovio Mindfulness Solutions (ovio.co.nz). I didn’t realise it at the time, but what I’d done was employ mindfulness techniques to get through my sticky situation. By concentrating on the present, rather than thinking ahead to what else could go wrong and getting anxious about it, I managed to control my thoughts and remain calm. “Mindfulness helps you to respond rather than react to change. It helps you cultivate the space to choose your response, so you can behave in ways you’re proud of (rather than in ways you later regret),” Cheryl explains.…

Planning a bit of an Easter egg-stravaganza at your place? While the age-old hidden egg game is always a good time, there’s certainly room to break out of the mould in both the culinary and craft departments. Try these ideas for some egg-stra child-friendly fun. Fresh pineapple cheese dip with baby carrots Ready in 10 minutes | Makes about 2 cups | GF 1 cup diced fresh pineapple 250g cream cheese, softened 1 cup grated cheese 2 Tbsp sweetcorn relish* 1 Tbsp dukkah 2 bunches coloured baby carrots, trimmed and lightly peeled 1 In a food processor whizz the pineapple with the cream cheese, grated cheese and relish until finely chopped and well mixed. Chill until needed. Sprinkle with dukkah and serve with baby carrots for dipping. Dip tips >…

One of the best things about road-tripping in Aotearoa is the colourful roadside fruit and vege stalls that pop up along our rural roads during the summer. Make a quick pit stop at one of these homemade grocery stands and not only will you be rewarded with super-fresh and reasonably priced produce, you’ll also enjoy warm fuzzies from knowing that by pulling over for a bag of avocados or a box of sun-warmed apricots you’re directly supporting Kiwi farmers and growers (plus there’s something deeply satisfying about depositing exactly the right change into an honesty box). Keep an eye out for roadside bounty on your way around the country this summer and savour that connection with the landscape and the seasons that you just don’t get at the supermarket.…

Add some home-grown freshness to your foodie kit with this stylish mini garden for the deck or porch. After you’ve finished your DIY project, your newly planted herbs will be the gift that keeps on giving. YOU WILL NEED Wooden planter (our tiered one was bought on Trade Me and is 119cm tall x 94.5cm wide x 40cm deep) Small paint roller and tray Paint brush 1 litre tin Resene ‘Cloudy’ (or main colour of your choice) Small paint brush (for pattern details) Resene testpots in Resene ‘Half Joss’, Resene ‘Stonewashed’, Resene ‘Spanish Green’, Resene ‘Limeade’ and Resene ‘Geneva’ (or colours of your choice) Weed mat Scissors Stapler Container potting mix (we used 2 x 40 litre bags) Trowel Herbs 1 With a roller, paint planter (except for inside boxes…

Delicious, versatile and abundant, beetroots and courgettes are a cost-effective way to add nutrients, colour and fresh flavour to your day. Try these recipes for easy summertime fare and get your creative juices flowing with our fun DIY project – you can even eat the leftovers! · Beetroot · Beetroot, rocket & apple salad with walnut cider dressing Ready in 30 minutes | Serves 6-8 as a side salad | GF DRESSING 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 4 Tbsp walnut oil (if you can’t find any, use peanut oil, macadamia oil or avocado oil) 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard* 2 Tbsp finely chopped chives SALAD 4 medium beetroots, baked or boiled, peeled 2 tart apples (eg Braeburn or Granny Smith) Juice ½ lemon 100g rocket leaves, washed 2…

It’s Tuesday morning and the Dove Hospice Shop in Glen Innes, Auckland, is buzzing. Nadia and I are here on a mission: to find a selection of retro picnic accessories for a festive backyard feast. We want to make an occasion of it, so we’re on the hunt for pretty plates, a picnic basket, napkins, glasses and more. Both Nadia and I are keen op-shoppers and are hoping to find a range of essentials we can use time and again. The Hospice Shop is enormous but well laid out, with sections for clothing, homeware, furniture and books. There’s so much to choose from, including a few lovely picnic baskets. We pick one that looks like it’s been hand-lined by a clever upcycler. A number of cute plates and dishes and…

GO BANANAS! Banana-loving Kiwis can now find the little green frog symbol on Dole Ecuadorian bananas in their local supermarket, the same symbol found on Dole pineapples from the Philippines. The Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal means your bananas and pineapples were produced according to strict standards that protect wildlife and improve conditions for workers and their communities. dolenz.co.nz STAY BALANCED Good Health Adrenal Balance contains two unique formulas – one for day time and one for night time – naturally formulated to help your body cope better during times of stress, fatigue and mental exhaustion. Adrenal Balance Day and Night Restore capsules include nutrients that are used to balance stress and nervous tension, ideal for those who are fatigued or feeling wired and tired. Available at leading pharmacies, health stores…