Table of contents for April - May 2017 in Nadia

Hi there, Welcome to our April/May issue and happy autumn! If I had to choose, autumn would be my favourite season; you really do get the best of both worlds, starting the day with a dewy, crisp morning and ending it with a glorious, glowing sunset. It’s truly nature’s time of plenty, with so much fresh produce available everywhere. The leftovers of summer fruit, tomatoes and corn overlap with the arrival of figs, quince, apples, pears and, most excitingly (in my eyes), feijoas! I’ll admit it, I’m a little obsessed with these green nuggets, so much so that I often get hives from eating so many in one sitting when I first get my hands on a bucketful. It’s so worth it, though! Being Easter time, we naturally had to…

1 Eco Tan organic personal outdoor spray, $19.95, from naturalthings.co.nz. 2 Women’s three-quarter tights, $68, from Thunderpants. 3 Go Ask Alice Lois tote bag, $230, from themarketnz.com. 4 Knitted scarf, $169, from Madly Sweetly. 5 Umbrella, $59.90, from Citta. 6 Animal Outfitters Windsor dog coat, $85, from themarketnz.com. 7 Dog lead, $70, from George & Willy. 8 Merino wool socks, $24.95, from Lamington. 9 Wool runners, $160, from Allbirds. 10 Cluse La Bohème watch, $159.99, and 11 Status Anxiety Maud purse, $69.99, both from Alex & Corban. 12 Fila knit beanie, $29.90, from Citta. 13 Evergreen and freesia hand cream, $14.99, from The Aromatherapy Company. 14 Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker, $49.99, from Warehouse Stationery. 15 Leather bag charm, $125, from Deadly Ponies. 16 Shackelford Italian leather gloves, $195, from Smith…

Stephanie Liebert and David Mackie’s 1920s villa in Mt Albert, Auckland, pays a loving tribute to the sixties. With a vibrant turquoise kitchen dating back to that colourful decade, and immaculate green-patterned carpet that’s been walked on with care for so many years, the home is a true vintage gem – and the couple see it as their duty to keep it that way. Stephanie’s winning entry in our Dulux Colours of New Zealand ® competition described her desire to keep the vintage feel in the lounge by choosing a beachy, sea-inspired colour palette of soft aqua that would complement the strong turquoise tones in the adjacent kitchen. “I love the colour of our kitchen so I wanted to almost reflect that room,” she says. “We went for a paler…

- HEARTS RACING - TO GET THAT HAPPY, ON-TOP-OF-THE-WORLD FEELING, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN YOUR OWN BODY, SAYS NADIA FITNESS EXPERT KAT STANLEY OF REDEFINEDU ENDORPHINS UNLEASHED Unlock the secret ingredient that keeps people smiling long after a workout is finished – the power of endorphins. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals in the body, made in response to certain stimuli such as pain or stress. They hit the same spot in the brain that opioids like morphine do, but unlike opioids, they are incredibly good for you. They help with mood and pain regulation, warding off any aches or niggles, lowering blood pressure and helping us manage stress, anxiety and depression. They are also released during sex, childbirth and exercise. The resulting reduction in perceived pain or stress, along with…

“It was a big yellow knitted jumper that I bought while I was living abroad. I wore it everywhere, even when it was summertime. I loved it and it made me so happy, so I decided to teach myself how to make woolly jumpers too.” – Nicole Leybourne, The Knitter ( theknitter.co ) “I think what got me hooked was the way that you can get completely lost in time when you paint or make things. It’s like another world that you step into while you are creating because all you are thinking about is colour, shape and form. As a child, this translated into a feeling of calm and contentment. I remember not wanting to be anywhere else apart from exactly where I was in that moment.…

Getting together with a group of girlfriends for a gorgeous feast always guarantees a good time, but this May, why not raise some money for a worthy cause in the process? Last year, $1.6 million was raised through Pink Ribbon Breakfasts across New Zealand to help the Breast Cancer Foundation fund life-saving research. Get inspired by Nadia’s delicious breakfast menu of sweet and savoury treats, then gather the sisters together and show your support. Brunch bruschetta Ready in 30 minutes | Serves 8 | DF 1 loaf ciabatta or sourdough bread** Olive oil, for brushing and frying 4 free-range eggs 4 rashers bacon, chopped 2-3 tomatoes, diced ¼ cup sliced basil leaves 1 large ripe avocado, peeled, stone removed 1-2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 clove garlic Extra virgin olive oil,…

“Gianduja, an Italian chocolate and hazelnut paste, makes the perfect filling for this terrine” Chocolate gianduja terrine Preparation + cook time 45 minutes + chilling | Serves 16 250g dark chocolate, chopped or grated 500g milk chocolate 400g Nutella 120g hazelnuts, lightly toasted, skinned and coarsely chopped 12 hazelnuts, to serve (optional) 16 mixed Ferrero Rocher, to serve TOFFEE HAZELNUTS 100g caster sugar 12 whole hazelnuts 1 Place ¾ of the dark chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Stir until almost melted; remove from heat. Add remaining dark chocolate; stir until completely smooth. 2 Pour ⅔ of the melted chocolate into a 1.2-litre silicone loaf pan, tilting pan and using a pastry brush to ensure an even coating. Tap pan on kitchen bench to release air bubbles, then tip…

To be in the draw to win one of five Kai Shun 20cm chef’s knives worth $274.50 each, simply email marketing@bauermedia.co.nz with your name and phone number and tell us why you need this knife in your life! Competition closes 29 May, 2017. KAI SHUN CLASSIC CHEF’S KNIFE 20CM – THE ULTIMATE KNIFE BLADE The exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese blades is admired worldwide. With incredibly sharp edges along with unmatched aesthetics, Kai Shun knives are a cut above other kitchen knives. Originating in Seki, the ancient sword-making capital of Japan, every Kai Shun knife is handmade by highly skilled specialists and involves at least 100 steps to complete. Each Kai Shun knife blade features a special VG-MAX cutting core that is clad each side with 34 ultra-thin layers of high-carbon…

An inventive Christchurch cake-maker is crafting magnificent cakes using fruit and flowers plucked from the city’s red zone. Self-taught baker Anna Worthington, 28, who studied at Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts, started Cakes by Anna in 2012 after a stint overseas. Her rustic, home-style creations are flavoured and topped with ingredients foraged from the residential red zone (the area cleared of houses after the February 2011 earthquake) and from gardens and footpaths around the city. Eighteen months after the earthquake, when Anna returned home to Christchurch, the city was just starting to regenerate. Creative opportunities were rife, and markets and events were popping up on vacant sites. Anna noticed no one was making naturally beautiful cakes of the sort she had seen at a London market – delicious, slightly…

Deep in the South Island, where the rolling countryside stretches as far as the eye can see, lie the oat fields that have been supplying Harraway & Sons with its goodness-filled grains for the past 150 years. It’s the heavy soil, high summer rainfall and long growing season that make Southland and Otago ideal for growing oats – conditions that Henry Harraway put to good use all those years ago, living next to the mill with his wife, Catherine, and their 21 children. Seventy years ago, the company passed into the hands of another family, the Hudsons, who own this iconic Kiwi brand today. Technological advances and modern machinery have replaced the horse power, manual labour and steam engines once used to process the oats, but the passion for growing…

Our chocolate Labrador, Bruno, is 2 and, although very well behaved in general, we have trouble controlling him around children. In an off-leash area, he will spot them a mile off and run at them full speed to say hello, which can be scary for the child, not to mention their parents. We’d love to be able to keep him off-lead when appropriate, but aren’t sure what is the best way to discipline him. – Katrina, via email Dear Katrina It is crucial to train him the correct way as the wrong approach could make things much worse. Ideally you should book a professional animal behaviour consultant for a one-off session to assess Bruno and come up with a personalised plan you can follow until the issue is resolved. This…

As teenagers, my friend Kim and I were home alone at my house one day. We felt like doing some baking so off to the kitchen we went. I’m sure it was honey toffee we were making. We went out of the room for a couple of minutes and came back to a burned sugar concoction and about a thousand bees swarming through the kitchen. We got the shock of our lives and had to quickly get rid of the burned pot, the stinky smell, and the swarm of bees before my mum arrived home. Scariest cooking attempt ever! – Kasey Hunt, via Facebook DO YOU HAVE A KITCHEN DISASTER TO SHARE? EMAIL IT TO US AT NADIA@BAUERMEDIA.CO.NZ…

BEAUTIFUL BOTANICALS The Evolu Smoothing Body Lotion is designed to nourish tired and moisture-hungry skin. It features active botanical ingredients, blended to hydrate, refine surface texture and promote healthy circulation. It’s especially suitable for dry skin and targeting problem areas such as elbows, knees and heels. The lightweight lotion is readily absorbed, leaving your skin feeling smooth, softened and refreshed, with a divine natural scent and no oily after-feel. evolu.com WALK THE WALK Step out in comfort and style with a classic sneaker featuring a metallic twist and a modern white sole. Whether you pair them with skinny jeans during the weekend coffee run or throw on with leggings on the way to the park, Dock will have you covered. zierashoes.com FINE FINGERS Filigree takes pride in creating rings of…

1 Heirloom ruby faux fox throw, $390, from Smith & Caughey’s. 2 Regal velvet cushion in Marsala, $89.99, from Alex & Corban. 3 Bambi slippers, $199, from Ruby. 4 Glass vase, $198, from Domo . 5 Piha Waves scarf, $305, from Bird & Knoll. 6 Artificial fern and copper planter, $99, from Freedom. 7 George & Co small planter, $34.50, from themarketnz.com. 8 Tall drinking glasses, $22.99, from Alex & Corban. 9 Spa of the World Mediterranean sea salt candle, $49.95, from The Body Shop. 10 Halcyon deco object, $49.95, from Freedom. 11 Eldora gold placemat, $24.95, from Freedom. 12 Indigo side plate, $9.95, from Freedom. 13 Dinosaur Design small ball bowl, $80, from Mildred & Co, speckled chocolate eggs, $8.99, from Schoc Chocolates. 14 Hedley round planter, $29.99, from…

1 Linden Leaves In Love Again foaming shower gel, $29.99. 2 Matrix Hello Blondie conditioner, $23 3 R+Co Palm Springs pre-shampoo treatment mask, $49. 4 Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek iron smoother, $23. 5 Weleda Jardin de Vie natural perfume in Agrume, $39.90. 6 L’Oréal Paris La Palette Ombrée in Cool, $35.99. 7 Pure Fiji coconut sugar rub in Mango, $66.50. 8 Tailor Every Other Day scrub & mask polish, $35. 9 Ashley & Co Soothe Tube hand cream in Tui & Kahili, $24.99. 10 L’Occitane Vanilla Bouquet lip balm, $20. 11 Sukin restoring argan oil, $24.50. 12 Oribe Gold Lust dry shampoo, $72. 13 Bless My Skin C-Essentials serum, $129, from Forme Spa. 14 Clinique Pep-Start Hydrorush SPF 20 moisturiser, $58. 15 Linden Leaves Gold body oil, $64.99.…

In the 2017 World Happiness Report, New Zealanders were ranked the eighth happiest people in the world. Participants were asked to imagine a ladder with steps numbering from zero at the bottom to 10 at the top. “The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you,” read the survey. “On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?” While we ranked higher in these happiness stakes than Sweden, the US and our close neighbour across the ditch, the art of measuring happiness is complex, fluid and dynamic, and certainly means something entirely different from one person to the next. Happiness isn’t about smiling all the time…

JOB-CRAFTING Feeling dissatisfied in your workplace? Talk to your employer about job crafting – the process of redesigning your job by changing your tasks and interactions with colleagues through three different methods: 1 Alter the boundaries of your job by taking on more or fewer tasks, expanding or reducing the scope of tasks, or changing how you perform tasks. 2 Change your relationships at work by altering the nature or extent of interactions with other people (eg you might opt for more hands-on, social interactions rather than using email as your primary form of communication). 3 Cognitively change your job by altering how you perceive tasks (eg a hospital cleaner may view their work as a means to help ill people rather than simply cleaning) or thinking about the tasks…

“Clap along if you know what happiness means to you”– From the song Happy by Pharrell Williams Baby steps Is there one particular area of your life you want to cultivate? Set yourself a modest, attainable goal and take baby steps towards it. As you go, reflect on your progress, count your successes (rather than your failures) and take note of how you feel. Remember, living a good life is not a goal that, once attained, makes you happy. It’s a process, one that’s continuously evolving and changing depending on where you’re at in life. FUTURE PROOF Scientific research shows that setting and working towards goals can contribute to happiness in various ways, including: > Being a source of interest, engagement or pleasure. > Giving us a sense of meaning…

No offence to regular pumpkin but butternut pumpkins are where it’s at this season. First of all, they’re easy to handle – they can be peeled with a vegetable peeler and sliced with ease. Second, they caramelise beautifully when roasted. Third, they’re packed full of flavour thanks to that eye-catching, bright orange flesh. Healthwise, this autumn staple is loaded with nutritional benefits. It’s a great source of heart-friendly dietary fibre, has plentiful potassium for bone health, and contains manganese, magnesium and vitamins A, C, E and B6 (which is essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems). Whizz your butternut up into a hearty winter soup, serve it roasted to perfection with your favourite meat, or stuff it with other seasonal vegetables and proteins as we’ve…

If ever there was a time to take the mantra ‘everything in moderation’ with a pinch of salt, it’s at Easter. And what better way to indulge than by baking some treats for your friends and family (not to mention yourself)? Think chocolate fondue bunnies, hot cross bun and butter pudding with lashings of creamy custard, and plenty more mouth-watering munchies. Chocolate fondue with spiced bunny biscuits Ready in 30 minutes plus chilling and cooling time | Serves 6-8 SPICED BUNNY BISCUITS 300g plain flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground ginger 3 tsp mixed spice 125g butter 100g soft brown sugar 3 Tbsp golden syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract CHOCOLATE FONDUE 150g milk chocolate, chopped 150g dark chocolate, chopped ¾ cup cream 2 Tbsp water 1 Tbsp maple…

Delicious, nutritious and a firm Kiwi favourite – peanut butter, what would we do without you? Addictive when slathered across a piping hot piece of Vogel’s and verging on sinful when paired with a good chunk of dark chocolate, there really are so many ways to enjoy this creamy spread. Next time you have a craving for the good stuff, why not give these fresh ideas a try? 1 Pad Thai noodle salad Ready in 25 minutes | Serves 4 | DF | GF 150g rice stick noodles 2 Tbsp sesame oil 1 clove garlic, finely sliced 2.5cm piece ginger, peeled and finely sliced 2 spring onions, cut into bite-sized pieces 250g prawn cutlets 425g can baby sweetcorn, drained 100g snow peas, blanched and sliced 100g green beans, blanched and…

“Every single frame passes through our hands,” says Terry Shaw-Toomey. He runs Earthbound Honey with wife Karlene, from a bush-clad West Auckland property. For a month over summer, Terry pays regular visits to each of his 400 hives, removing honeycomb by hand (forgoing gloves to make sure his work is precise) and scraping it into drums on the back of a truck. Back at the commercial kitchen in the couple’s garage, the honey is only minimally heated and filtered. This way it can be classed as raw; it also means a little of the wax remains behind, providing texture and nutrients. Read more about this certified-organic, family-run business over the page.…

Struggle to choose between milk and dark chocolate? Try navigating the world of craft chocolate – it’s a whole new level of weighing-up and deliberation. There are percentages, countries of origin, cacao strains and processing styles to consider, before you even get into flavours. New Zealand’s craft chocolate movement has been growing slowly but steadily for the past eight years. This labour-of-love confectionery is produced using a ‘bean-to-bar’ approach, with makers roasting and conching (lengthy mixing and agitating) their own beans instead of starting with cocoa paste or liquor as most manufacturers do. Milk and other additives usually don’t appear in the ingredients, meaning the focus remains squarely on the taste of the cacao bean (confusingly, it’s also known as a cocoa bean, and technically is a seed rather than…

1 CLEANING AND SIZING Once harvested and stored in silos, oats are processed through vibrating screens to extract any foreign material. 2 GRADING Oats are sized by width and length prior to hulling. 3 HULLING The outer hull and inner oat groat are separated in a machine using centrifugal acceleration. 4 KILNING The oat groats then pass through a dry heat treatment. 5 CUTTING The oats are cut into smaller ‘fractions’ to enable the rolling process to produce a range of flake thicknesses. 6 COOKING Cut groats are steam-cooked at around 100°C to increase moisture content and elasticity. 7 FLAKING Groats pass between two large rollers to become rolled oats. 8 DRYING The flakes are dried to around 11 percent moisture. 9 PACKING Oats are packed on automatic packing machines…

Nadia’s Instagram tags were full of your Asian-inspired meals this month. Wash those spicy flavours down with a delicious – and cooling – mango lassi Mango honey lassi Ready in 5 minutes | Serves 2-3 | GF Flesh 2 large ripe mangoes 1½ cups natural unsweetened yoghurt (or coconut yoghurt for a dairy-free version) 2-3 Tbsp liquid honey Pinch ground cardamom (optional) Handful ice cubes 1 Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into tall glasses and serve. DID YOU KNOW? A basket of mangoes is considered a gesture of friendship in India, and legend has it that Buddha meditated in the cool shade of a mango tree. Watch Nadia’s video ‘How to make home-smoked chicken with avocado and mango salad’ on Nadia Lim’s Nude Food YouTube channel…

With the New Year a distant memory and all that tempting chocolate on display in the supermarket, motivation levels can start to dip with the arrival of cooler weather. To help you stay on track with your healthy living goals and maintain general good health well into autumn, we’ve asked two fitness and wellbeing experts from the NADIA community to help us get there in a realistic way. Make the first move “My first step would be to get realistic about what is achievable for you,” says Joelene Ranby of Resolution Retreats, New Zealand’s only residential weight-loss, health and wellness retreats just for women. “Setting the bar too high can create unrealistic expectations and set you up for a pattern of failure and guilt. Focus on changing one habit at…

Here’s the thing about adventuring: you can do it in your own backyard on the cheap (or better yet, for free) or you can blow your savings on a trip around the world – and have the time of your life doing either. In this issue, we’ve tried both. From taking an afternoon off to go rum racing on a yacht around the Waitemata Harbour, to snorkelling and sampling local cuisine in the Solomon Islands. Even if our adventures don’t quite fit in with your own grand plan, we hope they spark some exciting ideas.…

1 Peach and passionfruit paleo muesli, $52 for 1.25kg, from Te Atatu Toasted. 2 Organic rolled oats, $5.28, from Harraways. 3 White chocolate fried eggs, $6 each, from Schoc Chocolates. 4 Chia seeds, $8.99 for 350g, from Roar. 5 Banana and chai coconut yoghurt, $9.49 for 400ml, from Raglan Coconut Yoghurt. 6 Lemon and ginger kombucha, $4.50, from Good Buzz Kombucha. 7 Rosehip, lavender and vanilla kombucha, $7.50, from Mama’s Brew Shop. 8 Organic brown rice crackers with chia, $3, from Ceres Organics. 9 Fresh orange chocolate milk, $6.49 for 750ml, from Lewis Road Creamery. 10 Coconut Smiles in Simply Toasted, $2.95, from Ceres Organics. 11 Love Buzz honey mead, $14.99 for four, from Mac’s. 12 Lemon and elderflower manuka honey drink, $19.95 for four, from Manukee. 13 Guava, lime…

You are what you eat WITH NADIA NATUROPATH AND MEDICAL HERBALIST ANNALIESE JONES Helping people enjoy happy, healthy lives is my work’s mission. But it’s hard to be happy when you’re not healthy. With summer behind us, the shorter, darker days of autumn can sometimes get us down. Here are some foods that specifically work to lift mood, enhance happy hormones and calm nerves. Let’s get in the kitchen and let our food be our medicine! GONE FISHING Unless you’re vegetarian, my golden rule is to eat fish twice a week; salmon plus either a white fish or seafood such as mussels. Be a responsible fish eater by checking out bestfishguide.org.nz to learn which are the most sustainable. As well as being a great source of protein, fish is the…

Cheerful charms ADD EXTRA JOY TO YOUR HOME WITH THESE DECOR TIPS FROM ASHLEE BLACKWELL, FASHION AND INTERIOR STYLIST Personalise your space. It’s your home, so include pieces that are personal to you and evoke happiness and nostalgia. These items could include framed photos, coffee-table books that you enjoy looking through or your favourite fresh-cut flowers in a vase. Lighting in different shapes and fixtures, as opposed to one fixed light, encourages positive energy to circulate the space. Try warm, white-coloured light bulbs rather than fluorescent blue-white light for a more calming and relaxed atmosphere. “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and the end of human existence”– Aristotle IT WAS ALL YELLOW “Yellow makes us think of sunshine and has been found to trigger…

Many of us work eight hours a day, five days a week, and between school pick-ups, meal preparation and general life admin, it can feel like there’s barely time for anything else. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to set aside some precious moments to commit to something just for you? That’s right, we’re talking about hobbies. Those immersive, joyful, sometimes frustrating activities that are a great way to boost your happiness. Having a hobby can be a wonderful thing, but don’t just take our word for it. We’ve asked a few of our favourite local hobbyists – who’ve now turned their passions into careers – to share what makes having a side gig feel so darn magical. For the love of it No one can…

The season of comfort food is upon us, and with the beautiful bounty of butternut, eggplant, cauliflower, cabbage and leek filling grocery shelves and vege patches, these hearty dishes will be as nourishing as they are moreish. From vegetarian fare to carnivorous creations, these delicious recipes are sure to hit the spot. Pumpkins with chickpea stuffing & goat’s cheese Ready in 1 hour | Serves 6 | GF 3 small butternut pumpkins, cut in half lengthwise 3 Tbsp olive oil, plus extra to serve Sea salt 2 cloves garlic, finely sliced 1 red onion, diced 1 tsp cumin seeds ½ tsp smoked paprika 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 courgette, diced 1 red capsicum, diced 30g baby spinach or kale leaves 100g goat’s cheese ½ tsp ground sumac Micro…

A ki-what-o? Kiwis, meet the kiwano – an orange, spiky, exotic cross between a banana, a passionfruit and a lime complete with a green, wibbly, seed-packed centre. Also known as a horned melon, jelly melon and blowfish fruit, kiwanos are being successfully grown in Papamoa, Bay of Plenty, but are native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. This wonder fruit contains less sugar than a watermelon, is packed with zinc, calcium and magnesium, is a super source of beta-carotene and helps maintain healthy eyes, skin, mucus membranes and immunity. While only 10 percent of locally grown kiwanos are sold here, this year the Exotic Grower (theexoticgrower.com) is selling this low-sugar treat for delivery throughout the country. FOR A REFRESHING SMOOTHIE Blend a small handful of ice, ¼ cup water,…

Making decadent desserts and Instagram-worthy sweet treats might look like a mission, but with a simple two-ingredient ganache base, you’ll be wowing your crowd in no time. Feast your eyes, and taste buds, on these delights. Chocolate ganache Ready in 10 minutes | GF BASIC GANACHE 400g dark chocolate, roughly chopped 250ml cream 1 Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. 2 Gently heat the cream on the stovetop until near boiling. 3 Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. 4 Allow to stand for 1 minute, then stir together until smooth, dark and glossy. Leave to cool. 5 Once cool, refrigerate until it reaches desired consistency – firm for rolling into truffles, runny for dipping and icing. THE GREAT GANACHE This decadent cream is said to have been invented…

Nothing evokes the colours and cosiness of autumn better than crisp amber leaves and golden brown nuts. Whether bought from your local specialty grocer or foraged from a nearby tree, nuts eaten fresh from their cracked shells just can’t be beat. For this feature, we’ve stocked up on macadamias and walnuts to create some simple and tasty recipes that make the most of the season’s abundance. Walnuts New Zealand-grown walnuts are a sustainable crop that is also delicious and nutritious. Science has proven the health benefits of walnuts and, unless you’re allergic, it’s worthwhile adding them to your diet. Walnuts contain all the vitamins, minerals and fibre of other nuts such as peanuts, almonds, pecans and hazelnuts, but with twice as many antioxidants. Research suggests that just seven walnuts a…

In Bethells there are a lot of bees. Organic bees, to be precise. They’re the hard-working creatures behind Earthbound, a range of honey, honeygars (honey vinegars), candles and skin products produced in West Auckland’s Bethells Valley. The small family business, owned by Terry and Karlene Shaw-Toomey, is underpinned by a love of bees and a commitment to organic principles. A lot of care goes into each jar of their raw, certified-organic honey. Their bees are cared for naturally, with honey harvested from hives in the least disruptive way possible. They are also left with enough honey for winter, a time when they don’t produce any. (Most commercial operators strip honey from the hives, leaving bees to drink sugar water over winter.) This, and the fact that the bees feed on…

1 Look Take a piece of chocolate – ideally over 50% cocoa – and examine it. High-quality chocolate will have an even, glossy sheen. There should be no dullness or white tones that indicate poorly tempered chocolate. 2 Taste First breathe in the aroma, then pop a small piece in your mouth. It should melt easily on your tongue. Chew the chocolate and swish it around a little. Now, with your mouth closed, inhale through your nose to elevate the flavour. Note what you can taste. Is it sweet? Sour or bitter? Or even savoury? 3 Think Chocolate can vary greatly in flavour; it can taste fruity, floral, spicy, roasted, nutty or earthy. Once you get a taste for it, chocolate can pop with flavours such as banana, coconut, cherry…

Newsflash: nice guys and girls do finish first, even in the workplace. Just look at the compassionate person to your left and compare them to the hard-nosed individual on your right. Who would you rather work with or promote? Having compassion as a leader or staff member is no longer seen as a weakness or something to be taken advantage of. In fact, those of us who give rather than take have become more influential, and compassion as a communication tool is driving success for many business leaders in New Zealand. Whether you’re self-employed and need to focus on growing a strong sense of self in your career, or are surrounded by a number of clashing personalities in your workplace, it’s undeniable that compassion and conviction in your values breed…

Hello Nadia I’m just sitting down in my favourite cafe reading the latest mag. Can I just say how much this mag inspires me! I now look for any reason to have a feast, do some styling and invite friends and family round. NADIA is full of great ideas which I steal and replicate with pride. – Levi, via email Hi Nadia My three-year old daughter (pictured) and I love your magazine. Today we made your frozen banana, mango and apricot dairy-free ice cream. Yum! – Cathy Shaw, via Facebook Hi Nadia and team I sit here on a very hot Waitangi Day reading your second mag. It’s fantastic – down to earth, inclusive and full of practical, family-friendly support. Good on you, Nadia. I am a hard-working teacher living…

Hi guys! So, exciting news… in just a few weeks it’s my first birthday! Things are going pretty well here since I last chatted with you. I can crawl everywhere now, and I’m getting faster and faster! I can also pull myself up onto everything and open drawers (I’m very good at taking stuff out of them) – plus I’m getting even better at flinging my food across the table. Yeah, so I’m improving on lots of skills. Oh, I’ve got SIX teeth, too! So I’m pretty much a big boy now, not a baby any more. My favourite things to do are playing on the swing (the higher the better), eating the bark in the playground and painting (but just a little note in case you’re thinking of trying…

AERIAL YOGA A fusion of yoga poses and flying rawyoganz.com BOXSLIM A full-body, high-intensity boxing workout boxslim.co.nz BURLESQUERCISE Booty-shaking routines to banging beats burlesquercisenz.com H+H LIFESTYLE RETREATS Connect and move with like-minded yogis, both here and overseas (hello, Bali!) thehhlifestyle.com POWER HOOPING Weighted hoola hooping that trims and tones powerhoopnz.co.nz RESOLUTION RETREATS Women’s and couples’ wellness and weight-loss retreats resolutionretreats.co.nz SHUT UP AND DANCE Learn to dance like Beyoncé! shutupanddance.co.nz STM FUNCTIONAL FIT The ultimate fusion of exercise and nutrition, with high-intensity Tabata classes stmfunctionalfit.com XTEND BARRE A toning combo of dance, ballet and Pilates xtendbarre.com…