Tabla de contenidos para Issue 52 - Summer 2021 en Peppermint Magazine

let’s plant the future When it comes to the fight against climate change, every tree – and every action – matters. That’s why we’ve partnered with non-profit environmental charity One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every Peppermint subscription sold. Because, although the problems our world faces may seem overwhelming, we know we can work together to create real, lasting change – one tiny seedling at a time. When you take out a subscription, you’ll be helping to plant trees in vulnerable communities around the world, including North America, Indonesia, the Amazon rainforest and Australia. The simple act of planting trees helps to restore biodiversity, support reforestation, protect endangered wildlife, provide sustainable jobs and income and, crucially, store carbon from the atmosphere in a bid to prevent global temperatures…

BRAND NEAU DAY There’s a certain thrill that comes with finding a one-stop shop of conscious goodies for the whole home – something that online marketplace Neau Collective leans into wholeheartedly. Created in the wake of the pandemic to support small New Zealand and Aussie brands (the name is a sort-of portmanteau of the two: “ne” and “au”), the easy-to-shop site is a trove of indie fashion, artisanal food and zero-waste home and living products (including some cute-as crafts and decor). Filter by product type – including gifts and a First Nations and Māori section – to stock up! neaucollective.com THE EDGE OF GLORY Born from the hands of artist and designer Layla Cluer, Softedge Studio is a ceramic-based project bound to make your table setting that much cooler. Poured…

“The first time I pull up my underwear and just… walk away, my body tries to instinctively warn me I’m about to strawberry splotch right through my pants.” I think about my period a lot. At least once a month, usually more. It’s occurred to me in my pondering that periods are a huge, long-term money sink with no return, and you’re not exactly allowed to opt out. Even period prevention options like the pill or IUDs aren’t cheap. Now turn that hypothetical stack of cash back into a lifetime’s supply of used sanitary products and let’s consider the environmental impacts. What are pads and tampons made of? Do they break down safely? Sometimes my dog breaks into my bathroom bin and eats them and I get worried because I…

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the most important climate science update for almost a decade. The report is the work of hundreds of scientists from around the world and is a critical input to international negotiations that will culminate in 2021 at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow. So what are its key messages? (ONE) The scale and pace at which humans are altering the climate system has almost no precedent. There is now more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than at any time in the last 2 million years and this is being caused by human activities. The increased carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are resulting in the Earth warming faster than at any time in at least the last 2000 years, and…

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, apprehensive, irritable, demotivated, tired or exhausted recently, you’re not alone. We’ve spent more than a year grappling with uncertainty, loss and physical isolation. Coupled with deep concern around the climate crisis and shock at the recent human rights reversals in Afghanistan, it’s completely understandable why we’re not feeling ok. But oftentimes we equate being resilient with being ‘immune’ to feelings about the tough stuff. Emotional resilience isn’t about becoming unemotional, minimising difficulty or trying to be happy by shutting off from your emotions. It’s about acknowledging and validating your feelings and allowing them to coexist inside you – while still taking action to create the life you want. From a neuropsychological perspective, resilience can be defined as the ability to read your body’s reaction to…

There’s nothing quite like the scene of jacarandas flowering to signify the start of a steamy summer on the east coast of Australia. Capturing the colour and variety of our tropical city streets, littered with purple, we collaborated with local Brisbane florist Lucy Reid of Foraged and Fleurs to set a scene that spoke to the restorative power of being in nature. “All my bouquets are a combination of foraged items and Australian-grown market flowers,” Lucy says. “By foraging, each bunch is really representative of a particular moment in a season and a particular place. It’s amazing to see the microclimates that exist even within really small distances! I love that keeping an eye on what is blooming seasonally is teaching my kids to understand nature and the seasons too.”…

“I’ve learned as a worm farmer that what’s good for the soil is good for the soul. I can personally vouch for it… this ever-humble critter really gives me the worm and fuzzies for a number of top(soil) reasons. Let me break it down for the newly initiated. First and foremost, compost worms are distinguished decomposers. In the right conditions they can consume, on average, a whopping 50% of their body weight in food scraps per day. Powerhouse eaters make for powerhouse poopers and it’s in the poo department that the unassuming worm really comes into its own. Worm poo, or ‘castings’ for those seeking to keep it a little cleaner, makes for glorious organic compost – building our soils, increasing water retention and nutrient availability, and improving plant health…

When Em Dezentje started Little Tienda from home in 2012, with three kids under three and zero experience in the fashion industry, it’s fair to say she was taking a bit of a gamble. “I was actually about to embark on a PhD, though I opted for starting a business instead as I felt it was more freeing for me to continue to be with my kids – and less pressure too,” she recalls. Inspired by her love of textiles and her childhood travels to farflung destinations, as well as drawing on her many years’ experience in marketing, she decided to import traditionally made, embroidered dresses from Mexico, sharing the beauty, colour and craftsmanship she loved with an Australian audience. “Little Tienda was founded from purchasing artisan-made pieces from all…

Collaborating with brilliant British patternmaker Mandi Bharij from Make With Mandi, we created a pair of shorts that are both glam and practical! Inspired by the dramatic swish of circle skirts, our version of swing shorts walks the line of fun and function with flow aplenty around the legs and hips – and pockets, of course! The curved front yoke paired with an elasticated back waistband is all class at the front, comfy at the back. Go on: get your legs out and make this simple sew so you can sashay into glorious warm-weather adventures. We’re beyond thankful to our sewing partner Spoonflower for helping to make our free patterns possible! The world’s largest marketplace of independent designs from global artists, Spoonflower is leading the way in custom, sustainable textile…

win! woo-hoo! All new subscribers receive a $30 voucher from BIOME! Subscribe in time for autumn (10 February 2022) and you’ll receive a $30 voucher from Biome Eco Stores to spend in store or online. That’s right, EVERY NEW SUBSCRIBER will receive this exciting offer! Yasss (eco) queens! Home to a wonderland of sustainable goodies from more than 400 brands (including lots of small Aussie makers!), the good folk at Biome are giving all print subscribers a $30 voucher to use online or in one of their IRL stores (see T&Cs below). Huzzah! biome.com.au • SAVE ON COVER PRICE • CANCEL WHENEVER YOU LIKE • FREE AUSTRALIAN DELIVERY • PAY-PER-ISSUE OPTION • SENT IN PAPER, NOT PLASTIC • NEVER MISS AN ISSUE • ONE TREE PLANTED ON YOUR BEHALF •…

Makes 6–8 250ml jars 1.75kg unwaxed mixed citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, blood oranges, tangerines, clementines)1.3 litres water30ml (2 tablespoons) freshly squeezed lemon juice1/2 vanilla pod, split lengthways and seeds scraped (optional)1.5kg (7.5 cups) white granulated sugar NOTE: Use up the citrus you have in your fruit bowl to make this, or anything local you can get your hands on – it’s your choice what you use. RECIPE FROM ‘THE MODERN PRESERVER’S KITCHEN: COOKING WITH JAM, CHUTNEY, PICKLES AND FERMENTS’ BY KYLEE NEWTON, PUBLISHED BY QUADRILLE, RRP $45. METHOD Place several small saucers in the freezer at least 1 hour before you start. Always begin by sterilising your jars and lids and use them straight from the oven. Wash and prep your citrus. When using oranges, take half the…

So apparently I’m not a taco. Or an avocado or a jar of Nutella or a pizza. These, it seems, are the top hits when searching for the saying, “You can’t please everyone, you’re not a…” The variation of food preferences ironically proves the very point. My mum is shockingly indifferent to avos, tacos wouldn’t appease the paleo peeps, vegans need pizza adjustments, and Nutella, well, I’m sure we can all agree that only monsters don’t like Nutella. While, according to my husband, I am a snack, I can safely say I am none of these food groups. However, the trait of trying to please everyone, all of the time, is definitely something I can relate to. It’s an impossible goal though, and one I’ve learned to let go of…

Tell us a bit about what you do… We provide beautifully packaged gift boxes for people experiencing homelessness as well as creating education programs for school students and corporate staff. In the last year, we distributed 12,000 boxes through more than 33 different national charity partners. Why did you create The Good Box? Madelyn Jones (co-founder) and I were working together at a media agency in Sydney, and we noticed the extreme isolation experienced by those sleeping rough. We realised that some people wanted to be able to help those experiencing homelessness but didn’t know how because giving money didn’t seem like the right thing to do, as they were unsure where the money would go. Others didn’t want to help at all because they had preconceived ideas and stigmas…

DASH WATER sparkling water Talk about unrealistic beauty standards! Up to 25% of all fruit and vegetables produced in Australia never leave the farm and it’s often a result of their cosmetic crimes! UK-based Dash Water embraces these misfits – their sparkling water is infused with delicious flavours from wonky, bumpy, curvy and squishy fruit. The socially responsible B Corp company recently set up camp in Victoria to create their canned fizz using local spring water. Their drinks may be sugar and sweetener free, but a goal of 2500 tonnes of fruit and veg saved by 2025 sure sounds sweet to us! dash-water.com.au THE SWAG produce bag Keep your fruit and veggies fresh for up to two weeks with The Swag, made of 100% fair trade cotton. Waste less food, spend…

Content warning: This article discusses eating disorders. If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder, call The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673. LEXI CROUCH Clinical nutritionist and eating disorder advocate AFTER AN EATING DISORDER CONSUMED MUCH OF HER CHILDHOOD, CLINICAL NUTRITIONIST AND EATING DISORDER ADVOCATE LEXI CROUCH HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO ENCOURAGING NUTRITION-LED, POSITIVE BODY IMAGE AND PROVIDING THE INSIGHT THAT WAS MISSING IN HER OWN RECOVERY. Growing up, I was always interested in nutrition and health – even as a young child. I would spend a lot of time reading nutrition articles and spending my pocket money on health magazines. It was an interesting time growing up in the 1990s with so many well-known diet programs; we thought they represented ideal health at…

“We have always been intrinsically connected to the land, through kinship systems, the nutrient cycles, fire regimes, geological patterns, language, ceremony and climate.” TRAWLWOOLWAY PAKANA ACTIVIST AND ECOLOGY STUDENT First Nations’ wisdom must be at the core of how we address climate change. Indigenous peoples make up roughly five percent of the world’s global population, yet as a minority we oversee the protection of 80% of Earth’s remaining biodiversity. In North America alone, Indigenous and First Nations communities are working to stave off up to 24% of the continent’s carbon emissions (roughly equivalent to 400 coal-fired power stations worth of atmospheric carbon) simply by resisting fossil fuel projects on the ground and in the courts. These might just sound like statistics to you, but they speak of the power of…

“We celebrate the unique beauty of our bodies in a way that traditional, fixed sizing could never do.” It’s a familiar story for many of us: standing in the harsh light of a changing room, you critique your body from every angle as you struggle in and out of unflattering bikinis and swimsuits trying to find that elusive perfect fit. It’s something Youswim co-founder Elise Wallbank had experienced herself – but when she first held a sample of an innovative woven nylon in her hands, she knew that she had the potential to create a new kind of swimwear and turn the industry on its head. “When Julian and I held this incredibly stretchy and beautiful fabric for the first time, we both had visions of sizeless swimwear that adapted…

Picture this: you’re at a family barbeque and your dodgy uncle – you know the one – comes out and says… “It’s freezing! Wouldn’t mind a bit of that global warming right about now!” You roll your eyes, bite your tongue and wait for the inevitable digs about vegetarians to come when the sausages are passed around. In a social landscape that has only become more fractured over time – as our attention spans and comprehension of the big issues are eroded by platform after platform – science is seemingly less accessible than ever. The last two years have exposed just how much of the population is vulnerable to misinformation. It travels faster and further than the truth. And it’s often a problem of science communication. When it comes to…

Things you’ll need Pillowcase (at least one per top, but if you need more fabric, keep an eye out for a matching set) Sewing machine and thread Tape measure Pen or preferred implement for marking fabric Scissors Pins An iron and safe surface for ironing A mirror, or a trustworthy friend to help with fitting CROSS THE LINE TOP Trace the front bodice of a top of your choosing – make sure it’s a top with woven fabric, not stretch – onto your pillowcase and cut it out (see Figure A). I used the top of Peppermint’s Bardon Dress pattern. For the back of the top, draw a strap shape (see Figure B) where the bottom (Length Y) is equal in length to the side of your bodice and the…

We’ve been bursting at the seams to share with you something we’ve been working on for quite some time now, and it’s finally here… Say hi to Sew&Tell, the first edition of our digital magazine about sewing with style, sustainability and substance! Sew&Tell brings together our most popular sewing stories and DIYs from the pages of Peppermint along with a plethora of new stories and inspo to boost your sewjo. BUY ONLINE NOW FOR ONLY $12! peppermintmag.com…

WEFT AND WARP Sturdy cotton as soft as silk, Liberty of London’s Colombo Chambray is exclusive to Weft and Warp in Australia and New Zealand. weftandwarp.com.au EARTHYARD Perfect for laundry and household cleaning, Rosalina Oil is organically produced by earthYARD from native plants grown in NSW. earthyard.com.au ALLPRESS ESPRESSO A smooth, easy-drinking brew with a blend of organic beans. Allpress’ Browns Mill Organic coffee is grown by farmers who go the extra mile. allpressespresso.com SMITTEN MERINO Made in Tasmania, Smitten’s pure merino camisoles can be worn as a top in summer or layered as underwear in cooler climates. smittenmerino.com NATURE FOOTWEAR Nature Footwear’s popular and versatile Karen Eco returns. The rhubarb-tanned, chemical-free leather is available in Cream and Saffron. naturefootwear.com.au FISKARS An enduring staple in every crafter’s toolbox, the classic…

read EARTHSHOT Colin Butfield and Jonnie Hughes Brought to you by two of the creative brains behind David Attenborough’s incredible 2020 documentary A Life on Our Planet, this book lays out exactly how we can meet the challenge of climate change. Split into three parts and featuring contributions from luminaries such as former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres and Sir David himself, EarthShot is full of practical and inspiring advice about how we can all do our part to forge a better future. NATURAL HARRY Harriet Birrell From its humble beginnings as a beachside smoothie caravan, Natural Harry has evolved into an online eco-store and series of beautifully designed wholefood recipe books. Natural Harry features more than 70 plant-based recipes, all free from gluten, dairy and refined sugar. From hearty…

Tell us a bit about Ocean Impact Org… We exist to help people start, grow and invest in businesses that positively impact the ocean. Our purpose is to transform ocean health through inspiration, innovation and ‘good business’. Myself and co-founder Nick Chiarelli saw a huge opportunity to help drive the global ocean impact innovation and investment sector with a focus on Australia. After spending over 10 years building and leading Take 3 for the Sea, I realised that the environmental movement had done a great job of winning ‘hearts and minds’ but had failed to progress the potential of scalable solutions that can transform the way we treat ‘planet ocean’. Our goals are to accelerate 100 ocean impact startups in five years and put Australia on the map as a…

HIT A CENTURY Celebrated skincare centenarian Weleda has now spent 100 years practising principles of biodynamic production – conserving biodiversity and ethically sourcing raw ingredients for their expansive range of natural skincare products, like the iconic Skin Food moisturiser. Far from slowing down in their old age, these pioneers are pushing on, growing their own materials in eight organically cultivated gardens around the world and running their facilities on renewable power. weleda.com.au BRIGHTER DAYS Known for its candy-bright range of vegan, cruelty-free hair products, Australian brand Brite Organix’s new 100% plant-based, henna-infused hair dyes – Naturally Brite – offer a range of more naturalistic glossy hues. The ready-mixed formula makes dyeing your hair at home much more appealing – colour us happy! briteorganix.com FULL OF MOXIE Providing “progressive” period products…

Some of the work is about making sense of stories or ideas that I would like to understand better. It’s a reflection of the history of our island – and how my family is today. When did you decide you wanted to be an artist? A long time ago, I used to make shell earrings and sell them through a store in Brisbane – Queensland Aboriginal Creations. It wasn’t until I moved home to the island about 10 years ago that I slowly moved back into the space of making again. When I saw how others responded to my work, I took it seriously and went full time as an independent artist. You create pieces of all kinds from sculptures to ceramics to paintings… What’s your favourite medium to work…

LESLEY HUGHES PROFESSOR Having been at the forefront of climate science for two decades, ecologist and former IPCC lead author Lesley Hughes says hope is still our most vital and powerful tool… It’s easy to feel helpless and hopeless about the enormity of the climate change catastrophe. Our feeds are full of bad news – bushfires, droughts, floods and heatwaves, many on an unprecedented scale of ferocity. But the one good thing about climate change is we know what’s causing it – us. And the latest IPCC report, devastating though it was, made it clear that we still have a window of opportunity to turn things around. What we do in the next decade is critical. Net zero by 2050 is too late – it’s what we do by 2030…

If we somehow hit a magical off button that stopped all emissions today, Earth would continue to experience rising temperatures and anthropogenic climate change for decades due to the feedback loops we’ve already triggered and the carbon that’s accumulated in the atmosphere. That’s our best-case scenario. And it’s without considering the deepening emergencies of social and economic stresses we humans are experiencing – only set to worsen with a changing climate. But with crisis comes opportunity. “All of the things we took for granted are beginning to destabilise,” says science-fiction author Monica Byrne. “I don’t see this as a hopeless thing. I think it’s actually a very hopeful thing.” We need new ways of living and being. Ways that are in balance and reciprocity with the Earth. But we also…

Ahhh, summer. The time of year when the sun shines, the beach calls and my wardrobe does a whiplash-inducing 180 from cheery colours to a strictly monochrome look. Why? Because, dear reader, I’m a woman who just has to glance at a warm weather report to feel the onset of sweat beads on my forehead and damp patches under my arms. My ability to sweat when the going gets hot means my summer sartorial choices are entirely based on what’ll best hide the fact I’m risking dehydration just by existing – and for many years, I thought I was the only one. You see, I grew up thinking women don’t sweat. I’d never see women sweating in adverts or TV shows or movies, unless I was watching something where the…

Macpac Wilderness warriors Macpac took an important step in the right direction last year, partnering with Fairtrade to ensure their tees and hoodies are made with Fairtrade-sourced organic cotton. Macpac has also committed to driving transparency in the cotton supply chain, signing the Responsible Sourcing Network’s Uzbek and Turkmen Cotton Pledges to help end slavery. Thunderpants Since 1995, sisters Josie and Sophie Bidwill have been bringing us Thunderpants – the organic, Fairtrade-certified undies and clothing brand known for comfort and a generous dose of cheek and humour. Combining local production processes with Certified Organic Indian cotton and a wedgie-free fit, the New Zealand brand’s range sports fun, unique and exclusively designed prints. Mighty Good Basics Working with three organic and Fairtrade cotton organisations across India, Mighty Good Basics is committed…

LACK OF COLOR/ULTRA WIDE VENTURA STRAW HAT Live your luxe island fantasy with this 100% raffia straw beauty – perfect for lazy day lounging and looking fabulous, dahling. $139 lackofcolor.com LOCAL SUPPLY/AMS IN BLACK Meow! These cat-eye sunnies are made from plantbased resin, keeping the planet as cool as you’ll look. $95 localsupply.com SOLEIL SOLEIL/PAREO IN CALYPSO Sarong it’s right… go from beach to bar in the quintessential vintage tropical print made from 100% organic cotton voile. $80 soleilsoleil.com.au SKIN O2/NATURAL MINERAL SUNSCREEN A thick layer of sunscreen is a must Down Under… hello, hole in the ozone! Make sure it’s at least SPF30+, Aussie-made, vegan and reef safe. $49.95 skino2.com.au THE SUMMER CHASER/BEACH TOWEL No one wants sand all up in their bits – grab a sand-resistant beach towel made…

It seems difficult to imagine that sitting on a couch, parked in front of the TV, stabbing blindly at a wonky hem with a knitting needle could amount to anything resembling activism. Now, craftivism is more accessible than before. In fact, it has many unwitting participants. And although not everybody identifies with the idea of craftivism, perhaps in their own way, everyone who crafts is an activist. Whether they’re making clothes that fit or quilts for warmth, people use craft to shape their world and the ripples of their actions can be seen in their local community and beyond. We saw this in 2020 when Australia was ravaged by bushfires: charities were overwhelmed by the supplies crafted at home for animals and humans in crisis. We saw it again when…

What brought you to the practice of preserving? The idea of food sustainability really. I wanted to make a product that had longevity; a product that didn’t need to be thrown out if it wasn’t eaten the day after making it. I feel that preserves and condiments are the perfect ambassadors for food sustainability – giving food longevity. Preservation is something I’m drawn to, a passion. Before preserving, I was an analogue photographic printer for artist Wolfgang Tillmans – so I see art in food preservation and I’m obsessed with the process. Why is making pickles, jams and preserves an inherently sustainable act? It’s the act of giving something a new lease of life. Preserving has been around for thousands of years. Before refrigeration, it was a necessity for some…

CO-FOUNDER 611 NICHOLSON STREET CARLTON NORTH VIC Tell us a bit about Sibling Cafe… Sibling is a social enterprise cafe nestled in a corner of Carlton North. Our profits fund food relief and our venue is home to a hospitality training program for volunteers facing marginalisation in the community. We’re also hyperaware of the environmental impacts of our business, so we champion localisation of ingredients and reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging – especially important for almost two years of takeaway only! Why a volunteer program? Oftentimes in hospitality and service industries, the people you interact with are meant to be accommodating and then invisible. Our program rehumanises this dynamic. What might otherwise be a fairly mechanical exchange to place a coffee order becomes a human interaction – possibly with someone…