Table of contents for Issue 95 Aug/Sept 2024 in Good

I am thrilled to return to the Good Magazine team and present my first issue as Editor at Large. This edition we look at a topic that’s regularly close to my mind: mental health. It’s something I’m passionate about – not just being positive and happy, but being real. As we get to know each other, you’ll find I am very open-minded, a passionate risk-taker and somewhat sassy. I have also done a lot of work to allow myself to truly feel my way through life. Our brains (and gut) are complex organs and, in the modern world, maintaining mental health requires attention on many levels. From the foods we eat, how much we exercise and rest, the information we consume, the amount of pleasure and passion we feel regularly,…

Saving money doesn’t have to be a drag. It’s all about making smarter choices that benefit both your wallet and the planet. Here are some innovative ways to boost your savings while fostering a sustainable lifestyle. 1 Install a rainwater collection system Turn your house into a water-saving ninja! Collect rainwater for watering your garden or washing your car. It reduces your water bill and makes Mother Nature give you a high five for conserving a precious resource. 2 Adopt a minimalist wardrobe Say goodbye to the endless shopping spree and hello to a capsule wardrobe. Invest in versatile, high-quality pieces that you can mix and match. It’s like playing fashion Tetris, but way more sustainable and cost-effective. 3 Repair and upcycle Got a broken gadget or piece of furniture?…

When Pamela Anderson stepped out at Paris Fashion Week last year without a scrap of makeup, she sparked a worldwide debate. Was it a stunt? Her decision was unusual and perhaps risky. The debate raged over why it was an issue – and what even was the issue. Once a Playboy bunny and heavily made-up TV star, Pamela said it was about making a choice on her presentation, unrealistic beauty standards and being rebellious in the face of certain aesthetic expectations, suggesting the focus should be on the clothes she wore at fashion week, not on her. Yet she created the exact opposite. While it hasn’t spearheaded a trend with celebrities eschewing makeup at events, it has started the all-important conversations about beauty expectations and is aligned with an overall…

This centrepiece is a wonderful way of bringing light and decoration to an indoor or outdoor room. I’ve used a string of battery-operated fairy lights because it enables me to move it to other areas of the house and garden, but you can just as easily cover the wreath with plug-in fairy lights for a more permanent fixture. YOU NEED • wreath (from an art or craft store)• scissors, pliers, drill• fairy lights• string or wire (plus optional glue)• hook• dried or faux flowers, optional STEP 1 I used a 70-cm (28-inch) wreath base of woven twigs but you can choose a shape or size to suit the dimensions of your room. STEP 2 Simply wrap the string of fairy lights around the wreath and tuck in the ends. To…

Humans rely on a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms for healthy living environments. It’s well documented that the continuing decline in biodiversity – the variety of life on Earth – is a threat to humanity’s existence, but Andrea Mechelli, a Professor of Early Intervention in Mental Health at London’s Kings College proved via his research that biodiversity can also play a critical role for people’s mental wellbeing. Previous studies demonstrated that contact with nature benefits mental wellbeing, especially for those who live in cities. For example, the risk of developing the two most prevalent mental disorders in the world – depression and anxiety – is 71 per cent lower in urban dwellers who live near green spaces. Most of these studies, however, haven’t considered the extent to which…

Where did you grow up? In Auckland and Wellington. Which schools did you go to, and how did they help shape the Emily Perkins of today? I went to Onslow College and it was a place that had a history of student activism and creative encouragement. We were given quite a lot of independence in terms of studying and finishing assignments, not spoon-fed, and I remember a lot of debate, politics and questioning – and lots of laughing with friends. That was all formative. Have you always wanted to be an author? Yes, despite also wanting to be an actor for a while. Being an author always seemed like a very enjoyable life. And mostly it is. I always loved reading and writing, but my first work and training out…

When a bear reached out to Jill Robinson through the bars of its cage it was a moment she’ll never forget. It was 1993 and she was working for International Fund for Animal Welfare at the time when she received a call from a journalist friend who’d just visited a bear bile farm in Southern China and urged her to go and see one for herself. Jill grabbed a couple of friends and joined a tour group on a farm visit and whilst the bear famer was showing off his products and freshly extracted bile, she and her friends snuck downstairs where they discovered “a living hell” – 32 caged Asiatic moon bears. “We just walked around in absolute shock,” Jill recalls. At one point she felt something touch her…

ACROSS 1. Enough 6. Sparkling jewel 10. As a general rule (2,3,5) 15. Flunk 18. Official trade ban 19. Trees, silver … 20. Pet goldfish home 22. Energetic 23. If by any chance 24. Soup vegetables 25. Uncle Sam (1,1,1) 26. Districts 28. Sacred effigies 30. Spearheaded 31. Police campaign 32. Neuter 33. Scoot 34. Inuit dwelling 35. Fanatical devotion 37. Slothful 39. Relief 40. Frizzy 60s do 42. Xmas 45. Transparent plastic 48. Ache 49. Hotels 50. Endure 53. Naval exercises 54. Colour snapshot 56. Sitting places 59. Colloquialism 61. He or … 62. Lovers’ row 63. Actor, … Gibson 64. … or daughter 65. Mountain summit 66. … & don’ts 68. BBQ spits 69. Satnav device (1,1,1) 70. Nullifying 71. Fallen meteor 72. LA suburb, … Air 73.…

Jazz Thornton is a powerhouse of positivity and inspiration. From overcoming childhood sexual abuse, battling mental illness, and surviving multiple suicide attempts, Jazz has emerged stronger than ever. She’s turned her struggles into a mission of hope, creating waves of change in mental health advocacy through her amazing organisation, Voices of Hope (thevoicesofhope.org). Her powerful message and relatable approach has earned her a bunch of accolades, including the Commonwealth Points of Light Award from Queen Elizabeth II, and she was named 2021 Young New Zealander of The Year. So, how does this incredible woman kickstart her day? We caught up with Jazz to find out. Let’s start the night before. Do you plan for the morning? Yes, I always organise the night before. I’ll write down my top priorities and…

@soyogasurf.life @jess_weale Jess Coombes Jess is a writer and teacher who lives in Taranaki, Aotearoa. She leads yoga and surf training to share her love of growth and connection. You’ll find Jess playing outdoors surfing, snowboarding or hiking. If not, she is practising yoga and meditation or writing a feature piece. Jess is a qualified freelance journalist who studied with the New Zealand Writers College. She brings her own and others’ adventures to life in her articles. Amberleigh Jack Amberleigh Jack is a freelance journalist based in Auckland. She began her career as a music journalist more than 20 years ago, and went on to complete a Master of Communication Studies. She is passionate about telling the stories of real New Zealanders and specialises in entertainment, lifestyle and human interest…

Social media can be an overwhelming place – especially if you are, like me, interested in health and wellbeing. There’s a vast number of people – ranging from experts to friends and acquaintances – with reckons and recommendations on health. It’s nothing new, really; women, in particular, have always been targeted by marketers with new ways to change our bodies and solve our health problems. But in the age of social media, this has ramped up to a level where figuring out even basic things – like how to eat – can be highly confusing. If you’ve been wandering through Instagram, Facebook or TikTok lately and feeling this, here’s a roundup of recent trending health and wellness topics – and whether or not they’re worth your time and energy. Carnivore…

As our neighbourhood fences got higher, our involvement with communities lessened. Nowadays, when we hear a knock on the door, most think it’s an inconvenience rather than a pleasant surprise. As humanity became more focused on self and our immediate family, we forgot we are tribal creatures, regardless of how extroverted or introverted our personality. We need connection, and many crave to feel part of something, to hold a true sense of belonging. As motivational speaker Brené Brown says, “Don’t walk through the world looking for evidence that you don’t belong because you’ll always find it. Cultivating a more profound sense of belonging starts with accepting our ever-evolving self, getting to know the shadow aspects of our personality so they don’t run unconsciously, and understanding our strengths and how we…

Sometime in middle age, we notice our processing speed slowing down. Learning new skills, adapting to change, or recovering from previously manageable demands may take more work. When we see these signs of ageing (or simply warnings of mental overload), we become concerned about staying mentally sharp. Try one of these suggestions to help your cognitive agility rebound. 01 SMARTLY AND NON-JUDGEMENTALLY MANAGE FATIGUE Fatigue causes many reductions in our mental performance. Rather than thinking, “I should be mentally sharp always, no matter what,” treat mental sharpness as a resource that needs to be managed smartly and non-judgementally. Fatigue isn’t a personal failure or weakness; it’s merely a byproduct of the loads we carry. Our attitude to fatigue, and being more matter-of-fact and strategic about managing it, is critical to…

Colour and a splash of gold transforms and accentuates an old cabinet’s understated Art Deco style. This cabinet was painted using the elegant Resene Teal Blue, and darker Resene Licorice for highlighting features. A gold finish from the Resene FX Metallic range adds a glamourous light-reflecting top. Where possible, paint was applied using small microfibre rollers for a smooth finish. The rollers and trays can be covered overnight in a reusable plastic bag film to save washing up. YOU NEED • Wet and dry sandpaper and sanding block• Gloves, protective clothing, dropcloth and cloth• Multipurpose Washi masking tape• 2 x Resene Easy Reach roller kits, microfibre rollers• Assorted small brushes• Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat• Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen tinted to Resene Apache• Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in…

LISTEN THE EMERALD PODCAST Host: Joshua Schrei For those fascinated by the human experience, The Emerald Podcast is a captivating journey into myth, story, and imagination. Host Joshua Schrei, an expert in world cosmologies and mythologies, brings a vibrant and often humorous perspective to a range of topics, including politics, meditation, art, science, and literature. Schrei’s storytelling draws from a rich tapestry of poetry, lore, and myth to challenge conventional narratives and explore the imaginative heart of human experience. The podcast posits that this poetic and animate vision is missing from modern discourse and is crucial for addressing today’s unprecedented challenges. The Emerald advocates for a creative approach to human life and societal progress, questioning deep-seated assumptions and offering a fresh perspective. Episode Highlight: “Oh Justice” Available on: theemeraldpodcast.com, Apple…

Thank you for the inspiration from your latest magazine. My three-year-old helped me make these lanterns and loved it. On the morning of Matariki he shared it with his older brother. Daniel In the age of a changing media landscape and rising publishing costs, it is great to see Good Magazine continuing to produce a quality read that warms the heart and aligns with my values! Kate I have another reason now to purchase your magazine as my 84-year-old mother, who is socially isolated and interacts mainly with my 88-year-old father residing at rest home level care for dementia, relies on my weekly visits and the magazines that I bring over for her to feel more connected. Your magazine provides both a source of inspiration for me but is also…

Iam trapped in the chaos of a heavy metal concert; the deafening noise drowns out my pleas for help. My heart races as I frantically search for an exit. Why does everyone else seem so calm? This is what anxiety feels like – an invisible battle inside a crowded room. Many mental health issues are overlooked because they are invisible to others. It’s important that we acknowledge these struggles, offer support and foster a compassionate environment where people feel safe to share their experiences. Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing, influencing how we think, feel and act. It often feels like a continuous loop where we experience varying degrees of resilience and vulnerability. With life constantly changing around us, this is normal. However, having the tools to…

A mid the relentless hustle, finding peace and rest can seem like a distant dream. Discover how powerful, time-tested remedies can transform your stress and sleep struggles into a balanced and blissful reality. Managing stress and ensuring a good night’s sleep are crucial for maintaining good mental health and overall wellbeing. With over 40 years experience in creating pure and powerful herbal formulas, Harker Herbals offers remedies specifically designed to support the symptoms of stress and excessive worry. You might not think a spice commonly used in food dishes could be so powerful, but the key ingredient in Harker Herbals Stress Relief – saffron – is scientifically researched to hold many great properties to support health. For those seeking a natural and effective option to manage stress and support their…

During the pandemic, many of us realised that our homes are not just places to live but vital spaces that impact our mental health and overall wellbeing. How we live can significantly impact our mood, stress levels and overall health, so creating a home environment that promotes positivity, relaxation and happiness is essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy mind. According to Lisa Day, owner of the intuitive architecture firm Day Architects, we have a cultural fascination with being happy, prioritising it over other emotions as the ‘ultimate goal’. “Understanding the psychology of how our bodies respond and react intuitively to different stimuli of architectural language is the tool by which I create a space to have a certain feeling when you walk in,” she says. “Ensuring that you are…

AUGUST It’s the final month of winter and with spring just around the corner there is lots to do to get the garden ready for the thriving warmer months. PLANT NOW Asparagus, beetroot, bok choi, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, coriander, kale, lettuce, mesclun, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, potatoes, pumpkin and squash, rhubarb, rocket, silverbeet, spinach, spring onions, sweetcorn, tomatoes. JOBS TO DO • Tidy away the garden debris from winter, such as leaves.• Prepare soil for new planting with compost and sheep pellets to replenish nutrients used by previous crops.• Seed potatoes for a Christmas harvest, and blend potato food into the soil prior to planting.• For the upcoming tomato beds, mix potassium with tomato mix to encourage big juicy fruit.• Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails.• As…

MEATBALLS IN A BUN Serves 1 or 2 One of the benefits of living alone is that making meatballs for one is quick and easy. I find it relaxing to massage the ingredients by hand then roll them into balls. Doing it for a family of four or six — now that’s a lot of rolling! Get others involved. ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs (or ¼ cup dried)¼ cup milk150g venison, lamb or beef mince2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, thyme or oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)½ teaspoon sea saltgrind of black pepper½ onion, grated (optional) OIL FOR FRYING —I use grapeseedbuttered bread roll(s) to servea small handful of basil or parsley leaves SAUCE 200g (½ can) crushed tomatoesa splash of olive oilsalt and pepper In a bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in milk…

Just 30 minutes northwest of Auckland, Riverhead Forest offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. I recently explored the Sergeant Road Loop Track near Coatesville, a delightful trail that provides adventure and tranquillity. Whether you’re an avid hiker or looking to reconnect with nature, this walk has something for everyone. Riverhead Forest is a vast expanse of lush greenery and certainly a place for nature lovers. The forest covers 4000 hectares and is a patchwork of native bush, pine plantations and a network of trails that cater to walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The forest’s history is rich, with its roots dating back to the early 20th century when it was first planted as a commercial forest. Today, it shows us how resilient nature…

The Bookseller at the End of the World Ruth Shaw, Allen & Unwin, $38.99 A heartwarming memoir that chronicles Ruth Shaw’s life as a bookseller in the remote village of Manapouri. Filled with humour and heartbreak, Shaw’s narrative intertwines tales of her customers, favourite books, and personal adventures, offering a rich tapestry of resilience and love. A must-read for bibliophiles and adventurers alike. By Any Other Name Jodi Picoult, Allen & Unwin, $37.99 A captivating tale of two women separated by centuries but united in their fight to be heard. Jodi Picoult masterfully weaves a narrative about ambition, courage, and the cost of creativity, exploring the sacrifices made for art. A thought-provoking read for lovers of historical fiction and drama. Flea Market Chic Liz Bauwens, CICO Books, $59.99 Embrace sustainable…

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