Table of contents for August - September 2019 in Nadia

In this image-saturated world, seeing real depictions of women’s bodies can provide an essential self-confidence boost, especially for those with marginalised body types. This issue, we got inspired talking to members of the bopo – body positivity – movement, who are changing the way society views beauty. We also share tips on how to love and accept your body post-pregnancy, debate the usefulness of the Body Mass Index, and ask if you could be accidentally dieting by following unnecessarily restrictive ways of eating. There’s no quicker way to criticise your body than by putting yourself on a strict diet. Diets make you feel guilty about indulging in something you ‘shouldn’t’ have and, more often than not, any weight you lose will bounce right back. Instead of subtracting foods, try to…

“I see a yearning among patients to be considered more fully as individuals and less like a dot on a graph”– Annaliese Jones Body mass index (BMI) is used as measure of ‘fatness’ by health professionals, insurance companies and anyone with a calculator. The category someone falls into, when their BMI is calculated, is broadly interpreted to correspond with risk factors for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. When I was studying health science at university I was taught to incorporate this measure into my case-taking, when I would glean important information about a person’s health and risk of early mortality. How nifty that with only two numbers (height and weight) we could categorise a person as normal, overweight or obese. Fast forward to a real-life clinical…

Ditching meat and dairy overnight is not for the fainthearted. And had I not had all my meals prepared by an expert plant-based chef at Aro Ha Wellness Retreat (see pictures below) I may not have been so willing to go full cold (meat-free) turkey. But with my energy soaring, my skin glowing and my general feeling of bloat dissipating, I was curious to see if I could stick with the programme once I was back in the real world. Here’s what I’ve noticed: 1 My gut. I mean I really notice it now. We’ve gone from being virtually estranged to having regular contact. Very regular. 2 My sugar cravings have vanished, especially around the dreaded 3pm slump. I’m far more likely to reach for a handful of almonds than…

• Do a social media detox. Go through your feed and if there are any posts that create negative thoughts about you and your body, hit ‘unfollow’. Start following ‘body positive’ accounts instead. See some ideas on page 103. • List all the things your body does for you – challenge yourself to come up with 50! • Speak to yourself like you would your kids. You wouldn’t say, “You’re fat and lazy” to your child, so don’t say it to yourself. • See a women’s health physio after your six-week check-up. • Switch your focus. Think about how having a stronger, healthier body will benefit you – perhaps by being able to play with your kids, go for hikes or grow old with less illness. • Ditch the word ‘should’ and replace it with ‘could’. When…

Thirty years after launching her business, Australian Lorna Jane Clarkson has grown her eponymous activewear brand from a few handmade gym outfits, sold to attendees of her aerobics classes, to an international lifestyle company encompassing over 200 stores in 17 countries, wellness programmes, books and an influential digital presence. Following the opening of the brand’s first two New Zealand stores in Auckland last year, we asked the 54-year-old how she prioritises her health and wellbeing while running a global business. What does an average day look like for you? I wake around 5am, get my workout done, have breakfast, catch up on any international emails which came through overnight and head into the office between 8 and 9am. No two days in the office are ever the same (which I…

L ooking for a delicious and nutritious breakfast option that’s quick and easy to prepare? For long-lasting energy you can’t go past a serve of oats added to a smoothie, cooked into a batch of healthy baking or enjoyed as a hearty bowl of hot porridge. Harraways Quick Serve Oats now come in larger serves of 45g – that’s 20 percent more oats per serve than the average offerings at the supermarket, which means you’ll be fuller for longer (and potentially won’t feel the need for that mid-morning snack). These handy sachets available in a variety of flavours – including the new Roxburgh Apple, Sultana & Cinnamon and Kamahi Honey & Golden Syrup – not only save you time in the morning by giving you the perfect pre-measured amount, they…

The most common mushrooms are white mushrooms (sold in various sizes, each with its own name: buttons, cups and flats) and brown mushrooms (the larger ones are called portabellos, the smaller ones Swiss browns). ‘Gourmet’ types, such as chestnut, enoki, king brown, oyster, shiitake and shimeji, are becoming more popular and can be found at specialty grocers and some Asian food stores. These places also stock dried mushrooms (as do some fruit shops and supermarkets, normally in the international aisle), the common white variety and porcini being the most popular. Dried mushrooms need to be soaked for 30 minutes in hot water before using. Buying tips Look for firm mushrooms without any soft patches. The surface should be dry, but not dried out or wrinkly. Choose mushrooms with a pleasant…

Sometimes all you need in life is dessert – but when you’re on the low-FODMAP diet this is easier said than done. To make sure you (or those you cook for) get their fair share of sweet treats, we’ve selected five fabulous gut-friendly recipes – from tangy lemon meringue pie, to chocolate and raspberry muffins and a yummy banana cake – that are perfect for anyone on a low-FODMAP, gluten-free or nut-free diet or who struggles with IBS. Lemon meringue pie Ready in 1¼ hours plus chilling and cooling | Serves 8-12 | LF | GF | DFO | NF | SF PASTRY 1¾ cups (240g) gluten-free all-purpose flour* (see page 84) ½ tsp guar gum or xanthan gum 125g dairy-free spread or butter, cold 1 large egg, lightly beaten…

Salty and sour sauerkraut is a traditional lactofermented food rich in beneficial bacteria that do wonders for the gut. Made from just two inexpensive ingredients – cabbage and salt – it ferments over a period of time which can range from weeks to months, depending on how sour you like it. As with most fermented veges, sauerkraut is super-easy to make at home. Cabbage & caraway sauerkraut Ready in 30 minutes plus fermenting time | Makes 1 large jar | DF | GF 1 large, firm green cabbage, 2-3 large outer leaves reserved 3 Tbsp flaky sea salt 2 tsp caraway seeds 1 Clean all your equipment thoroughly before beginning. Quarter the cabbage and remove the hard core. 2 Finely slice each quarter and transfer to a large glass bowl.…

“How to get a beach body? Take your body to the beach.” This statement, along with the rallying cry that “every body is a bikini body” has been trending on social media over the last few years, initially in response to a UK advert asking “Are you beach body ready?” Last month, Nike, who introduced a plus-size clothing line in 2017, made the point that every body is a fitness body by installing a size 16 mannequin in their London store. Although the move drew messages of support online, the number of shockingly negative reactions it also attracted shows that society still has a long way to go in its acceptance of larger bodies. But the growing ‘body positivity’ movement, or ‘bopo’ as it is known on social media, is…

It’s the unique mix of cultures which makes French Polynesia so fascinating – and the food so delicious. French is the official language of the country, but Tahitian and French greetings are common, and croissants jostle for space on the breakfast table with coconut bread and papaya. At times the combination of French, Polynesian and also Chinese influences can lead to unexpected outcomes – the casse-croûte chow mein, for example, is a local speciality consisting of a baguette filled with Chinese noodles. We get the chance to try this carbs-on-carbs concoction, along with ‘pai banane’ and ‘pai ananas’ (banana and pineapple pies), at the snack outlet of Golden Lake, the only Chinese restaurant on the island of Mo’orea. We’re on a Tama’a Street Food Tour (tama’a means ‘to eat’) run…

I have just spent a week eating my way around Queensland with a group of international food and travel writers. Some of them travelled 22 hours to get there, and considering my trip was the shortest – only three hours from Auckland – I can’t tell you why I haven’t visited earlier. I fell in love with this bountiful Australian state, with its winding rivers, lush hinterlands and coastal settlements. The food I sampled and the hospitality I experienced impressed me so much I am planning a trip back with my family. My love affair with Queensland began on the Noosa River on the Sunshine Coast, where we enjoyed sundowners, live music and a meal specially prepared for us by 2016 Masterchef Australia runner-up Matt Sinclair. Matt can usually be…

When you walk into a room you want it to feel instantly welcoming. Give yourself the gift of a freshly fragranced home with Glade® Sense & Spray® , the only automatic freshener in the New Zealand market with smart motion sensor technology. The attractive new design with gold accents blends seamlessly into your home decor and lets you add your favourite fragrance from the Glade® Sense & Spray® range. It automatically releases a burst of fragrance with essential oils into the air when you pass by, or you can simply press the boost button for a refreshing burst. It’s an uplifting and effortless way to set a mood and a scent you’ll love coming home to, every day. AVAILABLE IN ALL LEADING SUPERMARKETS SOOTHE THE SENSES Choose your favourite fragrance from…

This dreamy whitewashed driftwood mirror will lift and lighten any bathroom, bedroom or hallway. Add sentimental value by collecting the driftwood from your favourite beach. WHAT YOU NEED Selection of driftwood or wood decor branches in various thicknesses Hand saw Sandpaper and block or small electric hand sander Resene ‘White’ Paint brush Kaisercraft medium round mirror or similar Hot glue gun and glue Low glass jar Natural twine 1 Cut pieces of wood, using a hand saw, into a variety of 10-15cm lengths. 2 Thoroughly sand wood using sandpaper with a sanding block or an electric hand sander. Remove all splinters and rough edges. 3 Cover your work area with newspaper and paint each piece of wood with Resene ‘White’ paint. A couple of testpots will be enough. Apply 1…

1 Have you been on and off diets throughout your life? Intuitive eating recognises that most of the time diets fail, and it encourages you to throw out those quick-fix diet books and start taking care of your body in ways that are long-lasting and compassionate. 2 It’s okay to be hungry. When we eat intuitively, or mindfully, we’re able to start listening to our body’s natural feelings of hunger and fullness. Honouring your hunger is about getting enough to eat, ensuring plenty of variety and eating until you feel satisfied. 3 Throw out the rule book. Eating well can be confusing, and mixed messages abound regarding what’s considered good and bad for our bodies. Intuitive eating encourages us to let go of the restrictions and enjoy food again. All foods…

Claudia, Simon, Jaxon, 5, and Aria, 2, love their family time. Whether they’re out at the beach exploring rock pools, or inside neck high in cardboard boxes, craft glue and empty toilet rolls creating some serious works of art, Claudia and Simon always try to give the kids new experiences and satisfy their curiosity about the world around them. The kids are already environmentally aware – Jaxon has learnt about beach clean-ups at school and is keen to do one, and Aria likes spotting and disposing of “naughty” litter – but even when they’re choosing family activities they like to recycle whenever they can, keeping their planet in mind. Off the grid “We introduced a Saturday games afternoon instead of watching a movie. We started with Snakes and Ladders but…

You might not be aware of the extent to which your eating is dictated by dieting rules. And while many of us may not think we are on a diet, often what we believe constitutes healthy eating may in fact be far more restrictive than was ever intended. This was certainly the case for dietician Lyndi Cohen, who battled with binge-eating and calorie deprivation for years until she stopped trying to control everything she ate and slowly adopted a healthier approach. In her part recipe, part self-help book, The Nude Nutritionist, she explains: “Dieting rules often make you think about food more, which does not help you eat less or more nutritiously.” Her advice is to notice when you start to ask yourself: ‘Am I allowed to eat this?’ “Asking…

1 First and foremost, I commit to the daily practice of Move, Nourish, Believe – not just some days but every day! It makes being fit and healthy really simple because all you need to do is move your body every day, nourish with good food and believe in yourself. Trust me, when you wake up every morning with a commitment to this practice, being fit and healthy becomes so much easier to achieve. 2 I manage my stress. There’s no escaping stress in today’s world, but managing it is essential for good health and overall wellbeing. So I have a regular yoga practice (three times a week), I meditate for 10-15 minutes every morning and I allow a little time between meetings on days when I am super-busy to…

Eating real food from the ground, the sea and the sky – produce that is easily recognisable from nature, and has only been minimally processed (if at all) – is the main thrust of Nadia’s Nude Food philosophy. Here she brings us five perfect examples of her healthy approach, from venison and fish simply seasoned and fried in a pan, to winter greens from the vege patch and succulent poached pears. Venison with blackberry & wine-braised cabbage Ready in 45 minutes plus 3-5 hours’ curing and marinating time | Serves 4 | GF Carlos and I are extremely lucky to get wild venison every now and again and we make sure we use every part we can. The tender back steaks are a treat so we save them for a…

If you’re trying to incorporate more veges into your weeknight meals, then we’ve got you covered. From classic meat-free meals like hearty vege pie or tempeh & red lentil curry to kid-friendly black bean burgers or quinoa & sweet potato fritters, these dinners are tasty, nourishing and can be whipped up in a flash. Winter vegetable pie with homemade tomato sauce Ready in 1 hour 25 minutes | Serves 16 1 large kumara, scrubbed, diced 6 yams, halved 1 large red onion, diced ½ cauliflower, cut into small florets 2 courgettes, diced 1 red capsicum, diced 2 bunches orange and purple baby carrots 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp caraway seeds 2-3 sheets ready-rolled flaky pastry 6 eggs 1½ cups milk or cream ¼ cup grated…

FODMAP is an acronym for ‘fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols’ (aka short-chain carbs). They are found in a wide range of foods and can trigger unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms in some people. The low-FODMAP diet has been scientifically proven to relieve discomfort for 75 percent of IBS sufferers. The guts of the problem The trouble begins when the small intestine fails to absorb these carbohydrates which can lead to an upset tummy. The benefits The low-FODMAP diet works by reducing the overall FODMAPs consumed to a level your body can tolerate. The outcome The diet isn’t for life, rather a teaching tool to help identify trigger foods. It’s advised to follow the eating plan with the help of a FODMAP-trained dietician.…

Don’t be fooled by their small size, seeds are tiny superfoods loaded with a whole host of nutrients and minerals. No longer seen as the poor cousin of the mighty nut, seeds are powerhouses of heart-healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats, vitamins, protein and fibre. Because they are so nutrient-dense, a little goes a long way so you don’t need to eat too many to reap the health benefits. 1 Chia pudding pots Ready in 20 minutes plus overnight setting time | Serves 1 | GF 4 Tbsp chia seeds, plus extra to garnish 1 cup almond, cashew or soy milk 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup Pinch cinnamon ½ cup Greek-style yoghurt Seasonal (or defrosted) fruit, to serve 1 In a bowl, combine chia seeds, milk, syrup and cinnamon and mix…

1 Eating-disorder survivor Megan Jayne Crabbe is a vocal voice in the body positivity movement, with a pretty pastel feed to boot. @bodyposipanda 2 Sarah Nicole Landry’s ’gram offers a dose of mum-bod realness, full of stretch marks, loose skin and happiness. @thebirdspapaya 3 Model and podcast host Zach Miko, pictured left, is helping to redefine what it means to be beautiful in the male modelling world. @zachmiko 4 Stevie Blaine advocates for body acceptance and gay rights on his account, sharing thoughts on embracing his “squishy, scarred, beautiful body”. @bopo.boy 5 Supermodel Ashley Graham has broken barriers as a cover star and is a fierce promoter of the #BeautyBeyondSize message. @ashleygraham 6 Writer, editor and ‘fat acceptance’ advocate Marie Southard Ospina has excellent stuff to say on breaking down…

Plan a picnic – with a twist Art and Matilda challenged each other to try a new ingredient they don’t usually eat. Art picked olives, Matilda picked feijoas. Teach your partner a new skill Turns out Art is a great bait hooker, and Matilda can tie a great nautical knot. Capture the moment We know Art and Matilda are great photographers, but you and your partner could try your hand at sketching or drawing a picturesque scene as well. Slow down A chore-free weekend is the perfect time to catch up on a favourite leisure activity – for Art, that meant cracking into a good book. Share your favourite movie Art and Matilda each picked their number one flick to watch for a cosy Saturday night indoors.…

Honda gets it. It gets that there’s a huge demand on your attention, that it’s hard to prioritise when everything’s a priority, and sometimes you just need a space where everything’s taken care of. So Honda created the CR-V – a car designed to take the initiative and lighten your load. 01 MULTIPLE STORAGE AREAS The CR-V is a true seven-seater with a 2-3-2 layout. The split rear seats allow for multiple load configurations and all the doors open to 90°, making it easy to load groceries, sports gear, small children and the huge amount of paraphernalia that accompanies them. 02 SMART PROXIMITY KEY No need to put down your shopping while you fumble for the key – with Smart Entry you can leave the key fob in your pocket,…

SOULTIME SKINCARE Soultime Skincare products nourish the soul as well as the skin. Using high performing specialist oils, botanical extracts and pure essential oils, our products are cruelty-free, non-toxic and eco-friendly. soultimeskincare.co.nz GRACE + WILD Natural, sustainable, on-trend lightshades that will bring new life to your room. Ph: 027 492 1057 janine@graceandwild.co.nz graceandwild.co.nz CRAFT WITH HEART MillyMac Supplies stocks gorgeous craft supplies, patterns and vintage studio storage cabinets to add to your creative space. Make your own bags, cushions, dolls, French stitcheries and quilts. millymac.com CHEF’S COMPLEMENTS The essentials in every kitchen include a great knife and a cutting board. At Chef’s Complements we have got you covered whether you’re starting out or adding to your existing collection. We carry every knife imaginable for chopping, dicing, carving, filleting and boning as…

BAGS OF APPEAL Multix ReuseMe sandwich bags are an alternative solution to disposable, single-use ziplock bags – just pop them in the dishwasher and they’re ready to go again. Freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe and BPA free. RRP $4.99. Available from leading New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets. multix.com.au FOLLOW THE FROG Dole’s longstanding association with the Rainforest Alliance makes it easier for you to shop sustainably. Dole’s delicious Ecuador bananas, Bobby bananas and pineapples all bear the Rainforest Alliance green frog emblem, a sign of Dole’s commitment to conserving natural resources and promoting the wellbeing of its workers, their families and communities. Available all year at New World, Pak’nSave and selected greengrocers. dolenz.co.nz THE EYES HAVE IT How many hours a day do you spend on digital screens? While a…

The journey towards self-love can seem long and hard, but as body activist Sonya Renee Taylor tells it, we just need to go back to basics. “I don’t believe we come to a place of radical self-love so much as I see it as a constant journey back to our inherent sense of self,” she says. “We arrived on the planet as radical self-love.” Read more about Sonya in our story on body positivity on page 96, and turn the page for our love-your-body workshop, where we debate the usefulness of the BMI, offer advice for treating yourself kindly after giving birth, and chat to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about wellbeing.…

Why is wellbeing so important to you and to the Labour-led Government? I think for too long we have looked at very narrow measures of success for our nations. Yes, economic growth is important but so too is the wellbeing of our environment and people. We’re trying to acknowledge that in the way we govern. For instance, the issue of mental health and wellbeing is a challenge that the World Health Organisation says will be the world’s biggest health problem by 2030. We can’t afford to wait for that to happen. We need to take this seriously in New Zealand now and to start tackling the longterm challenges we are facing. How will mental health support be made more accessible to the public? Our Wellbeing Budget investment means that we…

Tell us about your fitness journey. I started out as a spin instructor and then decided to try my hand at running. I ran a few half marathons, and a full marathon about 10 years ago. Then I thought I’d give triathlon a go and even did a half Ironman before turning my attention to bodybuilding. I really enjoyed learning how to train my body using weights; it was a great outlet for me in terms of releasing stress, but the bodybuilding diet when you’re coming up to a show is very challenging, and I found cutting [reducing calories in order to shed fat while retaining muscle mass] for competitions always took a huge toll on me physically and emotionally. My body doesn’t like to live lean naturally, so I…

The latest beauty fad mimics the trend for fasting but instead of cutting back on calories cuts back on skincare. Also referred to as ‘skin fasting’, a skincare diet is all about stripping back your skincare routine to the basics in order to decrease irritation and nurture your skin barrier. The routine is minimal and goes against the grain of any devoted beauty aficionado: just cleanser, moisturiser and SPF – with no harsh active ingredients allowed. To find out more about this trend, we asked two skin experts – Romy Burgess of holistic beauty spa The Beauty Elixir, and Lucy Kuper of Biologi – to weigh in with their opinions… What are your thoughts on the ‘skincare diet’ trend? Romy: It’s funny, this to me is not a trend at…

I LOVE TO EAT and people are often surprised by just how much I can consume in a day, but it’s always super-healthy and completely guilt free! I usually start with a WAKE-UP SMOOTHIE before my morning workout – a combination of espresso, coconut milk, banana, cinnamon and chocolate protein powder. • BREAKFAST is either over a few emails before heading into the office or at around 10am at my desk. I love the classics: overnight oats with berries or banana, avo on toast with lots of salt and pepper, or a fresh slice of homemade frittata. • I have ONE BLACK COFFEE a day (so I make it a big one!) and I always make sure that I have it before lunch, so it doesn’t affect my sleep later. •…

There are so many ways to use the wide variety of fabulous fungi, available right now. Try them as one of the main ingredients in a coconut chicken curry, as a hearty, smoky ragu on pasta, lightly marinated then served with a sorghum salad, or roasted whole with goat’s cheese and a chilli garlic crumble. Spicy porcini & chicken Thai coconut curry Ready in 35 minutes plus soaking time | Serves 4 | DF | GF 30g dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in 1 cup hot water for 30 minutes to plump up 1 Tbsp sesame oil 1 large onion, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, sliced Inch-long piece fresh ginger, peeled, finely sliced 1 kaffir lime leaf, torn 2 Tbsp Thai red curry paste* (or to taste) 500g boneless chicken thigh,…

Though some may choose to go without breakfast, we urge you to stop, sit down and partake in these morning marvels. Not only are they delicious, they’ll fuel both body and brain so you can head off into the day feeling nourished, satisfied and ready to go. Toasted chocolate muesli Ready in 1 hour | Makes about 2kg | DF 600g quick oats 300g coconut chips (or desiccated coconut) 300g nuts (we used equal amounts of almonds and cashews), roughly chopped 300g sunflower seeds 300g pumpkin seeds 100g sesame seeds 100g linseeds 100g plain puffed rice (or puffed amaranth, millet etc) 2 tsp cinnamon 1¼ cups sugar 1 cup olive oil (coconut oil is also fine) ¾ cup water 1¼ cups cocoa 1 tsp sea salt 3 tsp vanilla bean…

1 You’ve got to feel the fear and do it anyway. Taking a chance on something that scares you will be challenging but the rewards will be enormous. 2 Posture is everything. 3 Anyone can learn to dance. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you! 4 Great dancing poses are all about angles. 5 You have to fake it till you make it. The energy and expressions you bring to your performance are just as important as your footwork. 6 Heels aren’t soooo bad. But I’m still not a fan and won’t be wearing them now that Dancing with the Stars is over. 7 Not only is dancing good for your body, it’s great for your brain as it requires coordination as well as concentration. 8 Learning…