Table of contents for Issue 194 + Course Guide in WellBeing

During my first few months of motherhood I have found myself repeating the phrase “this too shall pass,” over and over. During wakeful nights that sprawl into early mornings, through my aching back and frazzled mind; moments that puncture the otherwise blissful bubble of motherhood and remind me that it’s never all easy. There are moments, inevitably, rightly, that push you to your edge and test your spirit. It’s here, though, in our discomfort, where we are often given the opportunity to really live. Since having my little girl and coming back to work, I have learned to prioritise what really matters, to surrender to what I cannot control and to be patient with myself and those around me. I can accomplish more during my daughter’s hour-long nap than I…

Music for memory Songs that get stuck in your head can be annoying, and we call them earworms, but they can be useful. In a new study, subjects first listened to unfamiliar music and then a week later listened to the same music again, but this time while watching unfamiliar movie clips. In one instance movies were watched without music. Subsequently, subjects were asked to remember as many details as they could from each movie while listening to the original music. Subjects were surveyed as to their memory of the music and whether they had experienced any of it as an earworm during the weeks of the study. It emerged that the more strongly a person experienced a tune as an earworm, the better they remembered details of the movie…

Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean food made from wombok, also called napa cabbage, Chinese cabbage or baechu, and various seasonings including ginger, garlic, red pepper, spring onion and salts. There are many varieties and many recipes in Korea made with various vegetables. The thousand-year-old tradition possibly started so that the people had a supply of “fresh” vegetables not readily available in their cold winters. There is a culture called gimjang in which the kimchi can be stored and consumed over a long time — more than a year. In general, however, it is made in early winter, stored at low temperatures and not consumed until the next year. It is often just eaten with rice but can be an often essential component of a larger meal. Traditionally kimchi was…

How I start my day … I begin each day seated at a table bathed in morning sunshine with a flask of freshly brewed coffee. I take a clean sheet of A4 paper and ask myself four questions. I begin with “What’s good?” I’ll write down just three or four things I appreciate in life, the little and the large, and take a few moments to savour each one. Recent answers have included Neil Gaiman’s American Gods (the book and the TV series, both extraordinary), garlic, my partner Rachel and being alive. The next question is “What went well?” I reflect on the previous day and relive any successes or progress made. On a slow day any small accomplishment is eligible for inclusion. Did the laundry? Tick! Fortified with a…

“The purpose of life is not to be happy.It is to be useful, to be honourable, to becompassionate, to have it make somedifference that you have lived and lived well.”~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Many people believe the purpose of life is to be happy. This is understandable, but the problem with this theory lies in the reality that we simply can’t be happy all the time. Suffering is an unavoidable part of life, regardless of wealth, success or social status. Happiness can be taken from us in a split second through mistake, accident, diagnosis or even something as seemingly insignificant as taking the wrong route home. Actively pursuing happiness is an admirable pursuit, but the elusive nature of this goal can lead to more unhappiness. Research has shown that the…

There is something so deliciously comforting about a slow-cooked meal, watching it bubbling away throughout the day and trying to resist the temptation to open the lid as the aroma of an honest-to-goodness meal fills the kitchen. Whether you’re in the mood for sumptuous slow-cooked pulled pork, a comforting curry or even poached fruit, the opportunities are endless. Slow cooking was big in the ’70s, but it’s enjoying something of a revival due to how easy it makes whipping up healthy and delicious (thanks to the long, slow simmer) meals. Nothing could be better suited to our often chaotic lives than the convenience of slow cooking; prepare the meal in the morning, cook it throughout the day and save valuable time in the evening. Since slow-cooked meals rarely use oils…

Aminata Conteh-Biger grew up surrounded by the mountains and red dust of Freetown in Sierra Leone. She remembers the smell of the dust after the rain, baking bread in the morning and her father’s favourite leather chair in their family home. It was a comfortable life, one full of love and security. Conteh-Biger was raised by her father. She describes him as a generous, humble man and one of the biggest influences on her life: “He wanted to treat every single person equally, but he was firm. And he was gentle and vulnerable. All of that in one person; we were very blessed to have that sort of example.” Her father was foundational in making Conteh-Bger who she is and shaping how she sees the world. “What he really left…

Groomed nails are an obvious part of personal hygiene and key to a polished appearance, but nails are also important indicators of our overall health. While nail quality is partly determined by your genetics and habits, the state of your talons can also reveal underlying health conditions. Keratin claws The nail has both living and non-living components. The overlying nail plate is dead, but the skin beneath the nail is living. Despite this dead outer layer, it’s vital to watch what you put on your nails as they are more porous than skin and absorb harmful agents (as well as beneficial balms). The nail is composed of the nail plate (the visible overlying layer), a matrix, which is the underlying vascular layer that produces the plate, and a bed, which…

Bonus Gifts when you SUBSCRIBE Find peace, tranquillity and mindfulness in these inspiring WellBeing calendars throughout 2022. Insightful messages about acceptance, love, happiness and being at one with the universe will help you navigate your way calmly and thoughtfully through each day of the year. To receive this offer, call 1300 303 414 and quote the code WB194, or visit universalshop.com.au. HURRY! Offer ends 31st October, 2021 SAVE $74 12 ISSUES OF WellBeing magazine RRP $144 PLUS YOUR CHOICE OF two 2022 wall calendars (WellBeing Yoga, WellBeing Astrology or WellBeing Being) RRP $20 each For Only $10 *In the event that your chosen calendar is out of stock, we will replace it with another calendar of your choice from the range available on www.paperpocket.com.au.…

Exercise-induced sweat, nutritious food and some daily maintenance are the ingredients of prime physical fitness. When you look after yourself, you are rewarded with the sense that you are performing to your full potential. Your home’s ability to function effectively is also dependent on conscious upkeep and a handful of good habits. A house that is cared for will run like a well-oiled machine, allowing its inhabitants to feel secure, happy and relaxed. Making any lifestyle change can be a challenge, but if you feel overwhelmed by the clutter and grime in your home, it’s probably time to reassess your routines and tighten your approach to housekeeping. Kirsty Farrugia is a professional organiser and the co-founder of The Art of Decluttering, a home organisation business that works closely with National…

Welcome to the inaugural WellBeing Be-YOU-T Awards, Australia’s only natural beauty awards. We asked you to select your favourite natural beauty products and you voted in your thousands across categories including anti-ageing, skincare, make-up and baby. Perhaps you’re looking for a holy grail product, a new self-care essential or just stepping into the realm of eco-beauty. Whatever your story, this is a great place to start. “Natural beauty” means something different to everyone. We like to think of natural beauty as a conscious, eco-friendly approach that favours naturally sourced ingredients. Our team opts for a holistic, natural mindset when it comes to wellness and skincare, so you can rest assured that the Be-YOU-T winners have got our tick of approval. We want to help you navigate the natural beauty world…

Are you working from home? What’s your set-up like? Do you have piles of books and notes scattered across the kitchen table or are you working uncomfortably from the couch? If there’s one thing the global pandemic rapidly altered, it was how we went to work. We no longer sat in traffic to get to the office; instead our transit was from the bedroom to a makeshift desk in the lounge. What has this done to our posture? Our productivity? Our social interactions? Sure, it’s nice not to be involved in office politics or gossip at the biscuit station, but working remotely isn’t for everyone. If you don’t have a dedicated office space at your home that’s free from distractions, the idealised work-from-home life can be masked with challenges. Here,…

About eWC endota is the largest day spa network in Australia, with more than 100 spas nationwide. endota Wellness College was launched with the aim of growing the network of spas and therapists. It is a registered Training Organisation offering nationally recognised training in beauty therapy, remedial massage and salon management. Why choose us? Beauty and wellness are among the fastest-growing industries in the world. Time-poor stressed-out lifestyles coupled with advancements in mind-body medicine have persuaded us to engage fully in activities that promote wellness. Our courses keep pace with fast-moving trends and advancements in both technique and technology. Our trainers and educators are connected industry leaders who want to work with passionate and empowered people willing to embrace change and experience an alternative and unconventional way to care for…

Who Gets to be Smart? BRI LEE, ALLEN & UNWIN What Virginia Woolf described as the “stream of gold and silver” flowing through Ivy League institutions is alive and well, and Bri Lee tackles this inequality head on. Who Gets to be Smart starts with Lee’s own Woolf-esque experience when she visits a friend and Rhodes Scholar recipient at Oxford University. She quickly discovers that this level of elite requires not only brains but an open wallet, too. Through this thought-provoking book, Lee interrogates one universal thought — if knowledge is power, society will forever remain a hierarchal class system in which money always rules. What begins at Oxford evolves into a deep dive of the Australian education system, global response to COVID-19 and the basis of the Black Lives…

It is hard to go wrong with a dwarf mulberry, especially for kids who will pick the berries for hours with blue mouths and fingers. I’ve just been given one of the best presents I’ve ever received, a lemonade tree. Admittedly, I already have three lemon trees, seven Tahitian limes and a small forest of finger limes. But this lemonade tree was chosen by a small boy who loves making lemonade with grandma, squeezed from the baskets of fruit we have just picked in the orchard. It has also been planted for me just outside the kitchen door. It is a gift with deep meaning and much love. Gifts of plants or flowers are perfect “any time” gifts. You can give them to say “Thank you for inviting me for…

A 51-year-old exhausted woman came to the clinic. She had a history of sleep disorders, but lately her sleep onset insomnia was so profound that some nights she was only getting about two hours’ sleep. As a result, her life was becoming unbearable and she was constantly fatigued. She was in perimenopause as her menstrual cycles had started to change, being more infrequent and less bleeding. Apart from that she had no other menopausal symptoms. However, there is a known connection with menopause and insomnia as the levels of melatonin (the sleep hormone) can drop by up to 50 per cent during this time. Apart from the insomnia, she had had a lot of stress in the past couple of years with an acrimonious divorce, now completed, and she was…

Once you have been doing yoga for more than a couple of years, you will likely feel the calling to do a teacher training. You may be ready to embark on a teaching path, sharing your passion for yoga with others, or perhaps you just want to explore aspects of yoga beyond asana. A Yoga Teacher Training with Byron Yoga Centre offers the opportunity to quench your thirst for knowledge. You will dive into yoga anatomy and philosophy, learn meditation and pranayama techniques plus participate in theoretical and practical sessions that break down key poses, building your understanding of their benefits, correct alignment and variations of the asana for people working with injuries or limitations. Those wanting to build confidence as a teacher can take advantage of the practical teaching…

Trying to remain a one-car family, teaching my children to not be wasteful with things and natural resources. Repurpose — Reuse — Recycle. @emvicp We have a little veggie patch, compost all our food scraps, use reusable cloth nappies for our bubba, use a menstrual cup, reuse jars to store food or propagate plants and opt for reusable shopping bags. We also do our shopping at bulk food stores and farmers’ markets when we can, carpool and walk to work sometimes, and take our own cutlery and straws everywhere we go. @nourishedwithchloe We’re building a community of future shapers for renewal so we get the multiplier effect! Communing with like-minded folk reinforces all the things we can do. Inner work is essential to the outer transformation. @coterie.renewal Composting, recycling, reusing…

African apes in danger A new study has quantified the effect of climate changes, land use and human population changes on African apes (gorillas, chimpanzees and bonobos) by the year 2050. The research used “best” and “worst” case scenarios. Under a best-case scenario, slowly declining carbon emissions will be accompanied by mitigation measures. Under a worst-case scenario it will just be business as usual with emissions remaining unchecked. The analysis revealed that under the best-case version the apes will lose 85 per cent of their current range. In the worst-case eventuality, the apes lose 94 per cent of their range. The researchers conclude that there is urgent need to combat biodiversity loss as well as climate change if the great apes of Africa are to continue into the future. Global…

There’s an old saying that holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Resentment, that bitter feeling of injustice, the feeling that you have been wronged, can be a deeply painful experience. It can feel like a quiet rage smouldering slowly inside of you. It can manifest as tension, gripping your muscles and twisting your insides. And it can lock you into an obsessive feedback loop, as your mind replays the same thoughts and memories over and over, and the resentment, in turn, grows. Put simply, holding on to resentment is exhausting. It drains emotional energy that can be better spent elsewhere. Learning to let go is a freeing gift you can give yourself, and it can benefit not just your mood…

Welcome to WellBeing TV, a new feature in collaboration with some of our favourite brands and wellness wizards. As Australians become increasingly health-conscious, we want to bring you honest tips and insights straight from the experts themselves. Whatever wellness you’re seeking, join us on this holistic health journey as we meet and get inspired by the industry’s best. In this WellBeing TV feature, we speak to Damian Kristof, a naturopath, chiropractor and nutritionist with over 20 years’ experience. Damian shares his favourite biohacking tips using chocolate for a healthier (and happier!) life. For more, visit wellbeingmag.tv or follow us on Instagram @wellbeing_magazine.…

Coffee is truly the drink of our times. As Australians steadily drink less alcohol (Roy Morgan reports that in 2006 73.5 per cent of Australians were regular drinkers, but that figure dropped to 66.3 per cent in 2020) we are embracing coffee in ever-increasing numbers. A few years ago, coffee overtook tea in Australia as the most consumed daily beverage after water. Amble through the doors of virtually any food outlet and you will be promised “barista-made” bounty, even if in some establishments the “barista” is just pushing a button. On the sidelines of sporting fields, at eisteddfods and just about any public event a takeaway coffee cup is an almost essential fashion item. Thankfully, “keep cups” are becoming more and more common as people try to combine their love…

Decades ago, food allergies were relatively rare. Today allergies are among the fastest-growing conditions in Australia, according to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Approximately 20 per cent of Australians have an allergic disease with 10 per cent of infants experiencing immediate food allergies. Food allergies and eczema are more common in children. Insect allergy, drug allergy, asthma and allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) are more prevalent in older people. Allergens are substances that provoke allergies. Potential allergens are everywhere — in the air, animals, food, drink, cleaning agents, personal care products, insect stings, medicines, plants, metals, latex and agricultural products. Studies show that while we can outgrow allergies to cow’s milk, egg, soy or wheat, approximately 75 per cent of children have persistent allergies to nuts,…

My belly is shaped like a torpedo, I must be having a girl. I’m going to sit on the couch for nine months, because exercise could strangle my baby. I can’t look at an ugly animal while pregnant or my baby will be a plain Jane. I don’t like rubbing my belly, it will make my baby spoiled. From the unusual to the weird and wacky, chatter around pregnancy myths is shared the world over. But are they the real deal or just a bit of fun? More babies are born on full moons A full moon is the lunar phase when the entire moon orb can be seen from Earth. Full moons are sometimes associated with crazy or odd behaviour. In some cultures, a full moon is also linked…

The Nordic countries seem to have a few secrets up their sleeves when it comes to living a happy, content life. The Dutch have hygge, the Norwegians have koselig and as for the Swedes? They have lagom. Pronounced “lah-gom”, lagom is a Swedish way of living that translates to “not too little, not too much” or “just right”. But lagom is more than just a Goldilocks attitude or perfectly portioning your food. To live lagom is to live balanced, slow and sustainably. The Swedish proverb “Lagom är bäst”, meaning “The right amount is best”, is underscored by the concept of slow living, where sustainability, mindfulness and purposeful actions pave the way to a content, joyful life. As Niki Brantmark, author of Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy…

Editor’s winner Optima Nutricosmetics Complete Skin Food Elixir Ultimate 1.0 I am constantly on the lookout for beauty products that make a real difference with minimal effort. I simply don’t have time for multi-step routines and daily make-up. This skin food elixir is exactly that. I simply add a couple of tablespoons of the powder to my morning smoothie, and within six weeks I noticed plumper, more hydrated skin and much thicker hair — no complicated, expensive beauty routines needed. As a happy bonus, I almost never suffer from bloating since taking this powdered magic! Product to watch Amperna Pro + Vitamin C Hyaluronic Serum I’m one of those lucky people who is constantly battling with sensitive, breakout-prone skin. Vitamin C often doesn’t agree with my volatile skin, but this…

ANTA is committed to continuous quality improvement and providing the Australian public with the highest possible standards for the conduct and safety of our practitioners. ANTA employs an executive officer, administrative staff and is governed by a board of directors, who are all qualified practitioners in their respective modalities. Membership ANTA offers free student membership to those who are studying at a recognised college, and full practitioner membership for those who have graduated and wish to work in the natural therapies industry. For those who are eligible for provider registration, ANTA is the only association that is recognised by over 50 health funds. ANTA prides itself on not being a two-tiered association and those that are eligible to be registered with health funds will be, provided they meet the requirements…

When I started working as the Relationship Coordinator for the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS), I was tasked with helping students find their feet and get to know their industry. I am a naturopath and have been a member of ATMS for over 15 years. My own experiences moving from student to accredited practitioner are what make me so driven in my role to ensure that others know the benefits of becoming a member of an accredited association. When we are studying, we are so focused on the content that it’s sometimes hard to see past the studies and into the future of being an accredited practitioner. There are several reasons I was attracted to ATMS so many years ago and continue to renew each year, the big one being the…

What was the initial inspiration behind Noosa Forest Retreat and when did it all begin? To develop a community centred around nature and healthy food production rather than roads, cars and supermarkets. We founded Noosa Forest Retreat in 2004, where we offer permaculture education, affordable grassroots accommodation, permaculture internships, work exchange and coownership options. We also offer holistic health advice, treatments, products and wellbeing and detox programs to our guests, as well as a weekly home delivery service for organic produce and products around the Sunshine Coast. In a nutshell, please share with us what permaculture is. Permaculture is an ethical design system for creating truly healthy human habitats modelled off nature, her efficiency of production and producing nutrient-dense food in a way that cares for the earth and all…

Around one third of the body’s lymph nodes are located in the neck, jaw and ear area. Stagnant lymph in this region can cause acne, clogged pores, eczema and itchy, dry skin. Do you experience acne, eczema or clogged pores and feel like you have tried everything to remedy it, without success? Possibly it is time to check in with your lymphatic system, which plays an integral role in eliminating the waste from your body. If your lymphatic system is not functioning optimally, toxin build-up can occur, resulting in blemishes, rashes and itchy skin. Learn to recognise the symptoms of a congested lymphatic system and ways to help support it naturally. The role of the lymphatic system The lymphatic system is a part of your body’s immune system and consists…

Liver disease in pets can present in many ways. It may be acute or chronic. It may be due to oxidative stress, inflammation, infection, immune mediated disease, toxicity and cell death, cancer or fibrosis. Affected pets may appear well, or may have a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to, poor appetite, gut dysfunction, clotting disorders, jaundice, poor skin and coat and ascites. The liver is connected to the whole body. Without a liver, we would lack energy, essential proteins and clotting factors, lack storage for essential vitamins and lack the ability to transform and detoxify many drugs, toxins and hormones. Pets with acute liver disease will usually require intensive treatment. When pets have chronic liver disease, if we can, we find and treat the underlying cause. If testing…

Cancer The Earth and Water harmonies between September 6 to 8 evoke inspiring communication, which enhances business and personal relationships. View this period as a seed-planting time to produce powerful alliances. A plethora of Air sign harmonies in September and October evoke objective logic, empowering your decisions. Full Moon on September 21 fires up adventurous plans, yet September 22 and 23 need some careful handling of difficult people. October 21’s Full Moon adds another vocational boost. Leo Recently renewed by Sun’s return, Leo is primed to get practical and actualise grand ideas. Between September 7’s New Moon and Full Moon on September 21, hard work can be a productive pleasure. Your vital energy is centred by the balance of Equinox, allowing a creative renewal from September 26 to 30. Results…

Spring Fruit Apples (Lady Williams), banana, cherry, cumquat, grapefruit (pink and yellow), lemon, loquat, lychees, mandarins (Ellendale and Murcot), mango, melons (honeydew, rockmelon and watermelon), oranges (blood and Seville), papaya, pawpaw, pineapple (smooth leaf), starfruit, strawberries and tangelo. Vegetables Artichoke, Asian greens (buk choy, choy sum, gai lan, wombok), asparagus, avocados, beans (broad and green), broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, choko, cucumber, leek, lettuce, mushrooms (morel), onions (salad and spring), peas (green, snow and sugar snap), potato, pumpkin, silver beet, spinach, sweet potato, watercress and zucchini flowers. Inspiring activities • Get out in nature. The daylight hours are getting longer, the blanket of winter is lifting and nature is working her magic with new season blooms, harvests, animals and colour — so soak it all up. Head off on a weekend…

Stress and grey hair People have long believed that psychological stress can accelerate greying of the hair, but researchers have debated the issue, largely due to a lack of methods that can correlate times of stress with hair pigmentation at the follicular level. Now a researcher has developed a method to allow capturing of highly detailed images of tiny slices of human hairs to quantify pigment loss in each of those slices. Using this technique, subjects’ hair was analysed and then compared with each subject’s stress diary. Striking associations between stress and hair greying were revealed. The researchers developed a model suggesting that stress-induced changes in mitochondria caused the greying. Interestingly, in some cases, there was also a reversal of greying when stress was lifted. For some, not for all,…

Native to the wetlands in Asia, gotu kola (Centella asiatica), also known as Indian or Asiatic pennywort, arthritis plant etc, is a member of the parsley family. In India it is considered the mother of all herbs and the most spiritual of herbs. It is also considered the most rejuvenative herb in Ayurvedic medicine and is used both as a medicine and a vegetable. The name comes from Sri Lanka, where it thrives in the warm humid climate and is in high demand as a green salad vegetable. Active constituents Medicinally the whole plant, the leaf and the root, is used. As a food, the leaves are commonly eaten as a raw salad or drunk as fresh juice. It is sweet and bitter in flavour, astringent in taste and energetically…

The online world offers an alternate reality where we can showcase the best parts of ourselves — from highly filtered selfies to inspirational travel pics, motivational quotes and seemingly “in-the-moment” shots that offer a carefully curated glimpse into a tiny portion of our life. We’ve become masters of our self-branding, treating ourselves as a sort of commodity that is only worth as much as it looks. But what for? Well, primarily, the fear of being judged by others and an innate need to belong. According to holistic psychologist and director of Little Window Psychology, Thania Siauw, this phenomenon is in no way new. “We are deeply rooted and neurobiologically wired to seek a sense of belonging and social approval,” says Siauw. “From an evolutionary perspective, our clever and ancient brains…

When Zoe landed her dream job the day after she graduated from university, she was over the moon. That is until she discovered her new office with a view would be on the 25th floor. Zoe had a phobia of heights and reluctantly turned the job down. Phobias aren’t as uncommon as you might think. Beyond Blue estimates that around 11 per cent of Australians will experience a phobia at some point in their lives. Phobias are classed in the same family as anxiety disorders including generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Phobias differ from some other types of disorders in that they’re generally about something quite specific. Did you know there is a thing called genuphobia, for example? It’s a fear of knees. There…

For more, visit wellbeingmag.tv and pana-organic.com. Chocolate and biohacking are two of my favourite things to talk about. For those new to the world of biohacking, it is a movement that consists of making incremental changes to your diet or lifestyle to ultimately improve your health and wellbeing. Some changes can be instant, where others serve as building blocks towards a long-term pay-off. For all the chocoholics out there, chocolate has an abundance of biohacking health benefits. But before you reach for the everyday milk chocolate, to get all the amazing health benefits we need to be looking for chocolate that is high in cacao. This is where the superpower of chocolate lies. The darker you go, the more benefits you’ll get. We’ll talk about food intelligence later on —…

How is your immunity? Can you fight colds, viruses and bacteria with ease? Before COVID-19 hit, you probably didn’t think much about the strength of your immune system. In the post-pandemic world, though, many of us are now asking if there is anything we can do to build our immunity and keep ourselves resilient against viruses. Thankfully, it is possible to boost your immunity with the integrated practice of yoga, meditation and breathwork — not to mention the other benefits you will no doubt reap from those practices, too. While the focus here will be what yoga can do to keep your immune system strong, vitamin-rich foods, herbs, steam baths, essential oils and Ayurvedic practices should not be overlooked. Boosting your immunity naturally is best achieved through a holistic approach.…

The long relationship between humans and the fungal kingdom has often been fraught. As nature’s decomposers, fungi are associated with decay in the ecological cycle. In humans’ everyday lives, they are most commonly encountered as harmful black moulds, on furry unidentified pieces of food found at the back of the fridge or in the form of fungal infections on the body. Found in the wild, there are valid concerns about their potential toxicity, and they cannot escape being sometimes associated with tripping hippies. Distinct from the plant family due to fundamental biological differences, fungi are a fairly mysterious realm largely waiting to be discovered; only a small fraction of the estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million species on Earth have ever been described. Mycology is the name for the study of…

Elite athletes and coaches have long known about the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and they have been reaping the rewards, too. The formal coaching term refers to alternating periods of short, intense anaerobic exercise with a less intense recovery period. The idea behind HIIT is simple: by moving the body with intent, you can see big results in less time. HIIT training is well known as the fastest way to build muscle, increase aerobic fitness and improve weight loss capabilities. The key measure for HIIT is extending beyond your comfort zone and feeling your body. The most productive length of a HIIT workout is less than 30 minutes and it should alternate between maximum effort for a period of 15 to 30 seconds and shorter recovery sets of…

THE WELLBEING TEAM Across 7 Event inciting lunacy, perhaps (4,4) 9 Arctic mass (3,3) 10 Capital north of 11 Across (4) 11 French city near the German border (10) 12 Hindu hermitage (6) 14 Volcanic glass (8) 15 Restaurant’s nightly offering, or the tableware with which it accompanies (6,7) 17 Science of classification (8) 19 Withstand (6) 21 Personal message for public view (4,6) 22 Bombay ----, fish (4) 23 Painting on fresh plaster (6) 24 Acknowledgement of fault (3,5) Down 1 Lentils and beans, etc (6) 2 High singing voice (4) 3 Clarified soup (8) 4 Debuts (6) 5 Athlete’s reserve tank (6,4) 6 Up for grabs (4,4) 8 Body’s sensory signalling network (7,6) 13 Chaos theory component (10) 15 Migration of a people (8) 16 Sm¯rrebr¯d slice (3,5)…

Record-breaking rainfall, floods, bushfires, heatwaves and drought have made gardening more challenging than usual. One organisation at the forefront of helping us adapt our gardens to be more resilient to environmental stress is Australian garden charity, the Diggers Foundation. CEO Tim Sansom reveals that Diggers has been busy forecasting what climatic and environmental conditions gardeners of the future will have to deal with, pressure-testing plants and applying age-old horticultural practices. “We go to the past, but look to the future,” he says. “If you’re planting a tree, for instance, you’re going to be looking at the next 50 to 100 years for that tree to live.” Australian government website Climate Change in Australia forecasts sea level rise, higher average temperatures across all seasons and an increase in hot days and…

Combining wellness, mindfulness and a passion for wholefoods, Egg of the Universe is the ultimate guidebook for those of us seeking a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle. The cookbook is an extension of Bryony and Harry Lancaster’s Sydney studio-café and embodies the yogi’s approach to happiness and mindful living. It’s based around seasonal eating and packed with plenty of handy tips, from mindful eating to pantry essentials, fermented goodness, seasonal activities and wellness prompts. Packed cover to cover with delicious recipes — think decadent raw treats, superfood broths, slow-cooked meats and gut-health essentials — the yolk of this book is all about listening to and nourishing every inch of your body and soul through a healthy wholefoods diet. Whether you’re a practising yogi, mindfulness guru or just embarking on your…

As a primary school teacher, Sarah Young knows well the heavy workload and expectations placed on teachers. While she loves teaching, when it started to impact her health, she knew she had to find a better way. “I started to question what I was doing and why I had little time or energy for other things in my life,” Sarah says. “I was diagnosed with lupus and had anxiety and depression. While I was doing well at work, I was saving nothing for myself and I couldn’t continue that way.” About six years ago, Sarah saw an immunologist who gave her life-long medicine with several negative side effects. It pushed her to seek out a naturopath’s help. As she started to feel better, Sarah made other changes in her life.…

The Natural Medicine industry is a tight-knit community that brings together many different people who are all passionate about helping others. “I recently graduated from the College of Complementary Medicine (CCM) in Kinesiology and Mind Body Medicine and am now a fully accredited member of ATMS. Of all the associations, I have found their seminars and ongoing information to be the most informative and practical. If you are new to setting up a practice or looking to improve your existing business, I highly recommend attending both their Transition to Practice and Accelerate Your Practice events.” — Kylie, Connect Kinesiology “As a student member it was great to attend the Transition to Practice course as it provided very relevant information for starting my own business. The presentation by Natalie from ATMS…

As far west as you can get on Australia’s mainland, in a place so thirsty it has to make its own water, a stunning marine wilderness flourishes. World heritage listed and wild, with overlapping marine and coastal sanctuaries that safeguard 10 per cent of the world’s dugongs, more than 6000 loggerhead and green sea turtles and wild Monkey Mia dolphins, Shark Bay’s credentials are phenomenal. But what takes your breath away, long before the wildlife encounters begin, are the gin-clear lagoons and opalescent seas that wash over cockle shell beaches and carve shell middens from arcing crimson dunes. By anyone’s imagining this place is remote. It’s hot and dry and incredibly far away, but that’s precisely why I’ve come, to paddle a sea kayak from Denham to Monkey Mia and…

While beans may be famed for being the musical fruit, there’s a lot more to them than meets the ears. Beyond being the backbone of hummus, Mexican chilli and my favourite dish ever, dal, legumes are nutrient-dense and rich in fibre, B vitamins and protein. But which bean or legume is the healthiest? Chickpeas Pros: Firstly, hummus. That’s all we need to know (only kidding). Chickpeas are full of fibre and have 19g of protein per 100g. They reduce blood-sugar level, the risk of severe diseases and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Plus, the water tinned chickpeas swim in is great for replacing whipped egg whites. Cons: Canned chickpeas can contain a hefty amount of sodium and sugar. Opt for canned chickpeas with no added salt or buy them dry. How to…

We need to abort our consumer culture and commence recycling everything, especially water, food, plastics, timber and metals. It is hard to conceive of a planetary crisis more threatening than the one we are negotiating with COVID-19. According to experts like Julian Cribb, an internationally acclaimed science writer, this is a taste of what we might be facing in the not too distant future if every single one of us does not commit to radically altering our daily patterns of consumptive behaviour and just about everything else we do to destroy the planet. Otherwise, this might be the century which witnesses the unthinkable, the decimation of planet Earth and the extinction of the human race. I’ve always maintained that for anyone wanting to achieve a modicum of grace and equilibrium,…

Every morning I’d lie in my darkened room and feel for the headache. Maybe today it was gone? It wasn’t. I’d force my drained limbs out of bed for basic maintenance: shower, eat, let my family know I hadn’t died. Along with the headaches came brain fog, memory loss, extreme fatigue, shaking hands and a profound sense of grief. Everything hurt. For weeks, I dragged myself to the GP for tests, only to be told that adrenal fatigue wasn’t a diagnosable condition. I could barely support the weight of my own head as I was prescribed “just rest” and told to find a new psychologist. I was at a dead end. I’m not sure where the idea of Eastern medicine came from, but it seemed like something to try. Or,…