Table of contents for December/January 2018 in Nadia

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It’s easy to get caught up in planning a Christmas extravaganza centred around an enormous lunch or dinner. But why not make it brunch instead? This more casual meal can still be fun and festive, and will bring the family together for the best part of the day. Did someone say “afternoon nap”? Spiced iced coffee Ready in 10 minutes | Makes 1 | GF Mix 1 shot strong coffee and 1 tsp pure maple syrup, add a pinch mixed spice and a dash vanilla extract, and let cool. Swirl inside of glass with caramel sauce, add ice, quarter- fill with coffee mixture and top up with chilled milk (any kind). Maple-glazed French toast with marinated berry cream Ready in 30 minutes | Serves 4 1 punnet strawberries, hulled and…

f you can clear a bit of space in the I pre-Christmas calendar, a little festive baking is surprisingly therapeutic. The scents of cinnamon and fruit mince prompt thoughts of childhood days and the act of making something with our own hands starts to put the season’s consumerism into perspective. This array of scrumptious treats – from shortbread and marshmallow fudge to mince tarts, spiced jam and dense, chewy panforte – won’t take long to make and will garner oohs and aahs whenever they appear. And a few – carefully wrapped in a paper parcel or pretty box and given to neighbours and friends – is a lovely way to say, “Happy Christmas”. Spiced Christmas shortbread cookie wreath Ready in 35 minutes plus chilling time | Makes about 40 250g…

During the festive season, it’s easy to overindulge. Reset your system with some fresh, easy recipes including a lighter take on pizza, skewers on cauliflower instead of rice, salads to fill you up without weighing you down, and a very special frozen-fruit dessert. Chicken, mango & feta pizza with wholemeal yoghurt base Ready in 45 minutes | Makes 2 WHOLEMEAL YOGHURT PIZZA BASE 1½ cups wholemeal flour, plus extra for kneading 2 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp ground turmeric ¼ tsp fennel seeds ½ tsp salt 1 cup unsweetened natural Greek yoghurt or coconut yoghurt if you prefer TOPPING 3 Tbsp mango or other fruit chutney 2 Tbsp tomato paste 250g cooked chicken breast or thigh (about 1 large breast or 3 thighs), shredded ½ red onion, thinly sliced 1…

In the Wellington suburb of Newtown, between a fish-and-chip shop and an abandoned paint store, stands a tiny, whitewashed building. Open the door and you’ll be hit with the aroma of leather, nubuck and suede. Vintage Singer sewing machines and shiny industrial machinery line the walls, and sharp knives and reels of bright cotton are dotted between them. This is Shoe School, New Zealand’s only dedicated shoe workshop where anyone can learn how to design, make and finish a pair of shoes, boots or sandals from scratch. The school has been attracting customers from all over the country and even Australia since it opened in late 2017, and workshops are often booked out months in advance, although founder Lou Clifton says she isn’t surprised at how popular it’s been. “There’s…

For working mum Laura Byrne, life is all about a balance of trying to do the right thing, without making daily tasks onerous. She and her husband and their six-year-old son are a “typical Kiwi family” she says. Living in Point Chevalier in Auckland, they enjoy exploring the neighbourhood on their bikes, hitting the beach in summer and making the most of the local amenities. Laura has recently begun brewing her own kombucha and has brought beehives onto their property as a way of increasing the bee population in their area. CLEAN LIVING “My rule of thumb for household products, which I also apply to food I buy, is that if I’m unsure of what the ingredients are, I’ll try to stay away. I’ve switched all my cleaning and body…

While basic baches and back-to-nature campgrounds are still firm Kiwi summer favourites, there’s a new wave of unique options for those who want to venture further afield, or head into the great outdoors with a few more creature comforts. From the New Zealand-designed Feldon Shelter rooftop tent, pictured here, to the tiny houses and glamping sites scattered around the country, we round up some of our favourite spots over the page. Most of these locations are off the electrical grid and right off the beaten path, so you can ditch your phone and unwind in style.…

This year’s celebration is a special one for us as it is our first as a family of four, and Bodhi’s now old enough to get excited about Santa! Festivities aside, what really makes this time of year unique is that it’s a chance to take a bit of a breather without the distraction of phone calls, meetings, emails etc. Hopefully you too will find a new calm and extra energy – embrace it, be a little lazy, soak up some warmth from the sun, walk barefoot on the grass or sand, and hang out with your loved ones lots and lots. To encourage you to get some real downtime, we’ve scouted some of the best off-grid spots in the country for you to check out this summer. I feel…

1 Nature’s paint palette Looking to decorate, but worried about the toxic effect paint may have on you or your family? Look no further. The Natural Paint Co offers a range of inspiring colours that are all VOC-free, non-toxic and baby safe. Also, for every square metre of surface area you cover with their paints or wood oils, The Natural Paint Co will sponsor the protection of 1 square metre of rainforest. Feel good about making your home look good. Visit naturalpaint.nz for more information. 2 One-stop green shop Everything sold by Earthlove contains all-natural ingredients, is locally sourced where possible and is personally used and loved by the team. This carefully curated range of everyday products that are good for you, your family and our planet are chosen using…

CREATING CALM As the end of the year nears and our plates (and diaries) feel fuller than ever, stress can start becoming a way of life. One simple tip for taking back control is to establish a calming morning routine. As the saying goes: win the morning, win the day. Checking your phone first thing, multitasking and rushing out the door are all likely to tip you into a ‘fight or flight’ state, activated by the sympathetic strand of your nervous system. The earlier we engage the ‘fight or flight’ response, the more likely the nervous system is to establish this as your default setting, meaning you will feel more anxious and sensitive to stressors throughout the day. Creating a morning routine that promotes ‘rest and digest’ is key to…

Practise this 3C (crown, chest and core) meditation in the park on a sunny day. This is a simple way to recharge during your lunch break, on the weekend or after dropping the kids to school. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, turn your mind inward and check in with yourself. Notice your breath, your body, your energy levels, your thoughts… yes, your body can hear you, so be kind! Imagine the sun’s rays entering the crown of your head, washing over you like a warm shower of light, flowing along your spine, then through the heart and chest, down to your core. The simple act of allowing this life force and vitamin D into your body, along with the intention that it is nourishing you, will help create a…

RESTORE Restore your sleep, body and routines, which may have been put aside in the weeks leading up to Christmas. If you are someone who tends to over-exercise, then perhaps switch up your morning drill to INCLUDE MORE SLEEP, A MASSAGE OR SOME MYOFASCIAL RELEASE (foam rolling). Allowing time for recovery lets the muscle cells replenish and is essential for progress. On the contrary, if you are someone who is struggling to fit in activity, why don’t you SET GOALS for the new year but START A GENTLE ROUTINE on your holiday. If you have any joint niggles or residual stress, you could UNWIND IN A SPA OR SAUNA, or simply FLOAT IN THE OCEAN WAVES. And don’t forget to RESTORE YOUR CELLS BY REHYDRATING – set a target of…

Graphic prints and geometric patterns are a big trend for summer. Take your outdoor entertaining to the next level by painting an array of wooden serving boards in pretty sorbet colours from Resene. Structured lines or a paint-brush riot – anything goes! YOU WILL NEED Ruler, pencil and eraser Small paint brushes Fine sandpaper Round board: Circular piece of wood or MDF – we used a ready-made 400mm x 18mm art board Your choice of Resene colours – we used testpots of Resene ‘Chorus Line’, Resene ‘Whimsical’, Resene ‘Sorbet’ and Resene ‘Just Dance’, 300-350mm strip of leather (same width as thickness of board) 2 small nails Hammer Rectangular board: Rectangular piece of wood or wood offcuts – we used 2 pieces 135mm x 500mm x 19mm pine, glued together with…

Is there anything more festive than sliced strawberries layered through a sponge cake, a mix of fresh berries scattered over a pavlova or a glimpse of baked raspberries as they gently ooze out the sides of a just-cooked meringue torte? Make the most of these summer fruits – the berry best of the season. Strawberry sponge Ready in 1 hour plus 1 hour cooling time | Serves 10-12 4 free range eggs ¾ cup caster sugar 1 cup cornflour 2 Tbsp flour 2 tsp baking powder FILLING 300ml cream ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla paste ¼ cup strawberry jam 250g strawberries, washed, hulled and thinly sliced Icing sugar, for dusting 1 Heat the oven to 170°C (150°C fanbake). Prepare a large stand mixer with a balloon whisk attachment. Grease…

“Got my afternoon sorted!” @mcandkat “Nothing shouts spring like Pea & Asparagus Risotto from@nadiamagazine. Cheesy, fresh deliciousness!” @ate.too.much.dunedin One of our youngest fans, Millen, is a sucker for our tasty magazine. Sue Pat via email KITCHEN DISASTER Egg on my face As a trainee cook doing my internship in a Japanese-owned hotel, I learnt to make omelettes using chopsticks – no problem. But when we had to magically flip the omelette in the pan without using any implements, I just could not do it. One guy told me to “hit harder”, which I did – but the omelette not only turned, it turned a few times and smacked me hard in the face, then landed on the floor. I had to use an ice pack on my nose and was…

Navigating the festive season can be something of a balancing act, and overdoing it pre-Christmas can leave you wanting to sleep through the summer holidays. That’s why we’re taking inspiration from The Happiness Passport, a new book which illustrates ideas for balance, joy and more. One of them, pictured here, is seijaku, the Japanese principle of finding “moments of tranquillity, even amid day-to-day activity”. Read more about the book, and discover other techniques for keeping calm, in our workshop over the page.…

1 10 x diaphragmatic breaths as soon as you wake up Slow, deep stomach breathing sends a signal to your brain that you are safe. Try putting your hands on your tummy and focusing on the rise and fall, really extending the exhale and relaxing your body. 2 Keep off your phone Most of us reach for our smartphone the minute we rise, checking emails, messages and our calendar before our brain has had a chance to wake up. We can also end up wasting time on social media and, before we know it, we’re running late. 3 Do things slowly Set your alarm a little earlier and resist the urge to rush out the door – this sends danger signals to your brain. 4 Five minutes of mindfulness Try…

We’re at the pointy end of the year and while a couple of weeks of relaxation are in sight for many, there’s still the madness of the silly season to get through. Gift shopping, office parties, Christmas Day planning and wrapping everything up at work can leave you feeling drained, stressed and lacking in energy. Yes, this is generally a time when you put others’ needs before your own, but it is also important to take stock of how you’re feeling to ensure you don’t crash and burn before the holidays hit. With 66 percent of New Zealand women aged 25-39* feel the need to improve their energy levels, which could mean many are lacking in one of the body’s most essential energy-giving vitamins – vitamin B. This important building…

Have you been hanging out for the holidays and your chance to unwind after another busy year? Beaches, barbecues, sunshine and lazy days are calling. But what will happen once summer is over and normal life resumes? How long before you feel stressed and exhausted, and forget you ever had a break at all? There is plenty of science to prove that relaxation is vital for good health. It lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity and brain power, and helps us manage our moods – a chronic lack of rest can lead to anxiety disorders, panic attacks and depression. However, taking a break once or twice a year isn’t good enough. Rest needs to become a daily habit. “It’s not seen as a priority,” says life coach Louise Thompson, author of…

A Christmas Day celebration isn’t complete without a suitably decadent dessert. This year, our stunning festive menu (starting on page 52) includes two sweet offerings – mini Turkish delight trifles and this apricot and dark chocolate ricotta zuccotto (an Italian semi-frozen dessert made with cake and cream, page 60). If you want to start the day with a bang, we’ve also got ideas for a fabulous brunch; see page 46.…

> For rare beef it should still feel spongy when squeezed in the centre. For medium rare the squeeze should feel firm with some give, and for well-done the meat should feel quite firm when squeezed. > Remember to always rest cooked meat before slicing. This allows the juices to flow back to the centre of the meat and settle, thus preventing all the juice from escaping when it’s cut. Turkey tips > Allow 2-3 days to thaw a frozen turkey in the fridge. Remove from fridge and allow to come up to room temperature before cooking. > Approximate cooking times at 170°C Size 3 – about 2¼ hours Size 4 – about 2½ hours Size 5 – about 2¾ hours…

From preserving a family legacy to turning a hobby into a solid little business, these creatives have each carved out their own path. What they share is a passion for producing handcrafted gifts and decorations that offer a point of difference at a highly commercial time of year. LOVE BRADBURY Christchurch-based Jules and Stu Bradbury create plywood paper rollers, wooden signs and rimu height charts from recycled and new timber. They have recently introduced plywood Christmas wreaths to their mix. When did you start your business? Jules: We started Love Bradbury late September 2017, about a week before we were due to have our first baby! What inspired you? I have always been interested in homeware and interior design and Stu really enjoys creating wooden things in the shed. We…

A first glance at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort: swaying coconut palms stretch up towards radiant blue skies, bright red and yellow hibiscus burst from flower beds and the ocean ripples out to distant hills on the other side of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island. The sun beats down on guests who recline on loungers beside a central pool, as trays of brightly coloured cocktails sail in and out from the main bure. Serenity reigns. Now, that is. Less than three years ago, Tropical Cyclone Winston made its brutal way across these parts, devastating the area. Much had to be rebuilt and replanted in the aftermath, and the threat of catastrophic weather events and other consequences of climate change looms large over life in this region. That’s why, as well as…