Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 170 i WellBeing

Change is a funny thing, isn’t it? Sometimes you run from it, terrified it’ll eat you whole and invert all you find familiar — a fear unfounded on whether all that’s customary is good for you or not. Other times you wave a red flag in front of change so it comes for you swiftly, intensely, uprooting all stability — an instinctual desire for newness so strong it blinds you to what’s helpful long term. Change has no real order. It can hit like a coconut falling from a palm tree, striking before you have a chance to prepare or raise a defence. Other shifts happen slowly, gradually, like the ever-so-slightly lilting tip of the Earth’s axis as it circumnavigates its way around the sun. You can create change through…

Rosemary for kids’ memories In this study, a total of 40 children aged 10–11 took part in a class-based test on different mental tasks. Children were randomly assigned to a room that had either rosemary oil diffused in it for 10 minutes or a room with no scent. The children were tested individually, seated at the table opposite the researcher. After introducing herself to each child, the researcher said, “You are here to play some memory games. Please don’t be nervous but try the best you can to remember what I ask you to.” Analysis revealed that the children in the aroma room received significantly higher scores than the non-scented room. The test to recall words demonstrated the greatest difference in scores, showing that rosemary enhanced working memory. Poor working…

Glucosamine is the most popular supplement taken worldwide. First prepared in 1876 by Georg Ledderhose but not sold commercially until 1939, it was first made by processing chitin from shellfish shells. Today, it’s also produced from the tracheal cartilage of cattle used otherwise for food; reputable manufacturers ensure this is free of growth hormones. For vegetarians, it can also be made from the fungus Aspergillus niger and from fermenting corn. Glucosamine is an amino sugar. Amino sugars are formed in the body from glucose and an amino acid; in the case of N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), the amino acid is glutamine. These amino sugars bind together to form long polysaccharide chains called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which include glucosamine and chondroitin. They then combine with fibrous proteins such as collagen to form the extracellular…

When and why did you start following a sustainable lifestyle? My husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and after undergoing seemingly successful treatment we thought he was cured. Then in 2006, when I was heavily pregnant with our first child, the cancer returned with a vengeance. It was a truly awful experience and one that changed our lives forever. This tragedy became the catalyst for complete change. I decided we needed to know exactly what we were putting into our bodies and what changes we could make as a family to ensure our health and wellbeing for the future. We switched to eating organic food and I began to look further into the chemicals in everything from cleaning products to cosmetics. I was shocked to discover the extent of…

Are you confused by the sheer volume of information you receive about health and wellbeing? One minute coffee is good for you; the next it’s causing cancer. You read that most of us are marginally dehydrated one day and the next you are bombarded by the perils of over-drinking. Energised by an article on the miracle powers of coconut oil, you buy a kilo jar — only to find out it’s contributing to your heart disease. The list goes on. One of the reasons for all the confusion is that, while the internet gives us access to a lot of information, Dr Google is not always the most reliable source. Another reason is that profit and popularity are behind a lot of what we read. However, there are deeper underlying…

The simple act of relating to others — in families, with friends or as a fleeting interaction between strangers — can be fraught with needless division, angst, self-doubt and confusion. This problem is often couched in goodwill, particularly in times of celebration when, we are told, it’s more important to give than to receive. In fact, the very act of giving is synonymous with selflessness and considered quintessentially good. Yet is this assumption necessarily healthy, balanced or correct? Giving presents is fun and traditional, sure, but did you ever stop to ask: what does it mean to give? Take, for example, my reaction to a door-to-door salesperson. I might see their lips move but I don’t hear the words. My mind’s voiceover suspiciously intercedes like a badly dubbed film, asking,…

Want to improve your mood, quality of sleep and energy levels, and enjoy sharper brain function? What if you could do this simply through the ingredients you choose to cook with? Yep, putting food on your plate that’s designed to help you function at your very best is one of the key things you can do to support sustainable, long-term health for you and your family. That’s why I believe it’s beneficial to embrace a lowcarbohydrate lifestyle when it comes to the meals you prepare daily. While I’ve personally experienced the awesome benefits of this approach to eating, the latest nutritional research is also confirming that the food we choose can be instrumental in protecting against the onset and development of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease…

Imagine you are a fly on the wall in the midst of a psychotherapy session. You would expect to see lots of talking, perhaps some head nodding by the therapist, some angst and sadness from the client. What you wouldn’t expect is for the therapist to move their chair right up next to the client and start waving their finger back and forth in front of the client’s eyes. What you would be observing is a therapy technique called EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It was developed by American psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and was initially met with much scepticism. However, EMDR is now considered a frontline evidenced-based therapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) around the world. Twenty-four randomised controlled studies…

Economists frequently aspire to an ideal of “free trade”, with minimal government intervention and an absence of distortions in the marketplace. However, the free market has shortcomings that are easy to airbrush, or overlook, including the fact that its benefits are distributed unequally. The history of modern free trade is bound up with colonialism. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, European powers carved up much of the rest of the world, with economic self-interest being a primary agenda. Commodities were often grown by the native people in plantations, often in grim conditions and supplanting subsistence food crops. Slaves were widely traded and used for labour. Today, conditions have improved but we are still experiencing a hangover from colonial times. In some industries, such as cocoa production, slavery still exists. An…

On the outskirts of Kathmandu, forested ridges rise in sweeping arcs, wrapping protective arms around Nepal’s enduring historical centre. Carved with verdant rice terraces and studded with ancient gilded stupas and thriving monasteries, they elevate mountain dreamers to grand Himalayan viewpoints and promise respite far from the riot and chaos of the city. After too long submerged in Kathmandu’s intoxicating mayhem, I head for the hills, escaping for a weekend of bliss at Shivapuri Heights Cottage just 12km out of the city. Soothed by homecooked food and rejuvenated by good conversation and long walks, I teeter at dusk on the valley’s rim, shadowed by monsoon clouds that cling to the peaks of Shivapuri National Park at my back, gazing spellbound at the city’s luminous nightscape where street and starlight fuse…

Sweet treats equal good times, right? Gatherings of friends and family always seem to be accented by sugar: birthdays, weddings, dinner parties — everyone loves a sweet (except, maybe, your cheese-loving grandad...). Where does that leave you, then, if you have food intolerances or choose to avoid sugar but still want to be part of the fun? Right at home in the pages of The Healthy Convert, an elegant cookbook compiled by home cook and social media wonder, Nicole Maree. Her capable hands have mixed and kneaded and blended together wholesome treats that sweet-tooths will swoon for — all without the aid of gluten, dairy, fructose and eggs. As someone with multiple food sensitivities, Maree creates her recipes from a place of personal experience and deep empathy. In The Healthy…

Cheeki Coffee Mugs Say no to toxic single-use disposables and use a BPA-free, stainless-steel Cheeki insulated mug for coffee and tea. Mugs have pop-up, leak-proof lids and newly released cups have easy flip-up, spill-proof lids. Keeps beverages hot for up to 12 hours! W: cheeki.net.au Sassi Salts Complement the taste, texture, aroma and visual impact of your favourite dishes with Sassi Salts’ collection of Gourmet Sea Salt Pyramid Flakes. These handcrafted salts give you a flavour experience like no other. Available in nine succulent varieties and fusion flavours. W: sassisalts.com.au T: 1300 681 991 Planet Organic Teas Planet Organic is a family-owned Australian business producing more than 60 different blends of tea. Made with the finest certified organic ingredients and minimal packaging, Planet Organic teas are full on flavour and…

Eating according to the seasons makes sense, so I encourage you to listen to the transitioning seasonal cues and shift to eating grounding but lighter foods. My menu over winter has rotated between stews, stir-fries, curries, warming teas — and sometimes a cheeky dessert — because these foods tend to keep us toasty and cosy inside and can be so satiating that they stop us from overeating. Have you been noticing dry or flaky skin? It may be because you haven’t been hydrated enough. While you probably didn’t feel like drinking cold water or iced teas in the chilly weather, hydrating herbal teas such as peppermint and ginger are both warming in winter and cooling in summer. Coffee and black tea, on the other hand, are diuretics, so switching over…

KAREN GOLDRICK is a holistic veterinarian at All Natural Vet Care, Russell Lea, Sydney. T: +61 2 9712 5844 W: naturalvet.com.au A combination of diet and environmental enrichment has been shown to be more effective than either used alone. As they age, our pets may show behavioural changes associated with degenerative processes in their brains. In many ways, these place more stress on the pet/owner bond than all those other agerelated problems. Pathological changes in the brain (amyloid deposits in the tissue and blood vessels of the brain, neuronal degeneration and brain atrophy) lead to behavioural changes that can really affect your pet’s (and your own) quality of life. Cognitive deficits are usually seen in more senior dogs and cats but the age of onset does depend on your dog’s breed…

KAREN BRIDGMAN is a holistic practitioner at Australian Biologics, Sydney, and Pymble Grove Health Centre, Gordon. Garlic has been shown to be as effective as antibiotics in eradicating Blastocystis. The parasite Blastocystis hominis is popping up all over the place. One study conducted in four major Sydney hospitals showed Blastocystis hominis to be the most common parasite (at 57 per cent) found in the gut of patients tested in these hospitals from January 2007 to December 2010. It was the most common parasite in the Sydney CBD, whereas Giardia (at 27 per cent) was more common in rural areas. Blastocystis is an organism, once thought harmless, that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract. Whether it causes disease or not is controversial as many people have this bug in their gut but without apparent…

Imagine you’re 90. You’re sitting in your favourite chair, a steaming mug cupped in your hands, gazing at a photograph of a much-treasured moment. As you relive this moment of magnificence, your eyes, accented by grooves carved by a lifetime of love, are clear and vibrant; your spirit ageless. Once you have that scene in your mind, press pause. What image is your 90-year-old eyes looking at? For this practice, think about something that you’d dearly love to achieve in this lifetime, something that would bring you great joy but hasn’t yet happened. What memory would you like to create that will be so dear, so poignant it will endure for years to come? Perhaps it’s the fulfilment of a deeply desired career dream or the leap to start your…

Did something resonate with you in this issue of WellBeing? Tell us! Write to WellBeing, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670, email wbletters@ universalmagazines. com.au, comment on our Facebook page or tweet us: @WellBeing_Mag. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Uluru inspiration I’ve been an avid reader of WellBeing for some time now and haven’t missed an issue since I stumbled across it in the newsagent’s a few years ago. But it was issue #167 and the story on Uluru that has changed mine and my family’s lives for the better. It has given us the most amazing memories we'll cherish forever. Your fantastic article stirred a deep desire to go to Uluru that I didn’t really even know I had. So, on a whim, we decided…

Wanting self-control How does wanting selfcontrol impact on your ability to achieve it? To test this, researchers conducted a series of four experiments that tested the impact of wanting self-control on performance. They found that those people with a stronger desire for selfcontrol found it more difficult to exert self-control when the task was difficult (that is, it demanded much self-control). The reason for this is that, when faced with a difficult task, the desire translates into a sense that you don’t have enough self-control, which causes low self-efficacy (a reduced belief in your abilities) and, subsequently, disengagement from the task at hand. This was true regardless of whether people were by nature high or low in self-control. Self-control is a good thing but encouraging people to desire more of…

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an edible annual flowering plant thought to have originated in ancient Persia and was then introduced to India and China where it was known as the “Persian vegetable”. The earliest written record was in China around 647 CE and, by the 12th century, spinach was a popular vegetable in the Arab Mediterranean. Its popularity in England and France in the 14th century was due to it appearing in early spring when there were few other vegetables available. It’s the leaves of spinach that are eaten. These days, botanically spinach is in the “goosefoot” family that also includes beets, chard, amaranth and quinoa. The name Florentine is given to dishes containing spinach (often with a creamy sauce); it’s thought to have dated from the 6th century when…

Jessie Haley W: facebook.com/jessiehaleyillustrated, instagram.com/jessie_haley_illustrated, liberteandom.com/mental-fi tness The creative process plays a huge role in my life. I hadn’t painted in 15 years and, when I felt life had come crushing down, I began to paint. Day and night. The process took me on a journey that elevated me to another level energetically. During this time, I opened my own holistic health business in Bathurst, NSW, which aims to support and address anxiety, domestic violence and personal direction. Painting softens me and provides me with a deep focus, allowing me to feel grounded as a practitioner. For me, the two worlds are inextricably linked. This piece, Vulnerable, became clear to me after I had my first daughter. I became a single mother when my daughter was only three months old…

There’s no doubt that setting goals gives your life focus. Achieving goals feels fantastic — but do you believe you are only successful when you achieve your goals and a failure when you don’t? For a long time, I felt great when I achieved my goals and like a failure when I didn’t. As a result, for many years I didn’t like setting goals. I felt it was a waste of time when I didn’t know with certainty that I would achieve them. When I wouldn’t achieve my goals I’d feel like I hadn’t “given it my all”; I’d feel like I hadn’t worked hard enough. I felt as if I had failed. I felt like a failure. I didn’t feel energised and motivated to pick myself up and keep…

Femininity is often defined by a woman’s breasts. Popular imagery portrays the breast in many forms: a voluptuous Renaissance woman in repose, an infant contentedly suckling a mother’s breast or a buxom celebrity sporting breasts with a little surgical tweaking. Throughout the history of womankind, breasts have been a hot topic — they’re celebrated, envied, adored and sometimes mocked. They’ve even inspired creativity. Legend has it that the curved champagne flute was modelled on a famous breast: that of Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. And, love yours or loathe them, there’s no getting around the fact that, if you have a pair, they’re yours for life. Boob basics So what does the ideal breast look like? Fashionistas all over the world will extol the virtues of the perfect pair. According…

Are you sure you want that latte/ long black/macchiato “to go”? Every year, Australians are dinking more coffee and less tea and, in the process, we’re missing a golden opportunity to down a beverage with incredible health punch. Tea is more than a tasty, soothing drink that comes in a variety of flavours: it also has plenty of hidden health benefits to treat health niggles and chronic conditions as well as protect against disease. A brew with big benefits Whatever your cup of choice — English breakfast, green or dandelion tea — your body enjoys an immediate increase in health-giving antioxidants such as plant compounds called flavonoids and polyphenols. When you weigh up all the evidence, tea is the healthiest hot beverage you can drink. So it’s a shame that…

Have you ever read something — perhaps a page of a book, a recipe or even, dare I say, an article in this magazine — and not remembered what you just read? What about recalling what you ate for breakfast yesterday or what you did last weekend? In our overworked, overstimulated and technology-reliant culture, many of us, regardless of age, don’t use our brains as we once did and find it increasingly difficult to retain information, recall short-term memories and concentrate on what’s in front of us. We may claim this is simply due to a “bad memory”, but a lot of the time it’s also because we simply are not present in our day-to-day lives and the finer details can easily slip by. This is not to discount the…

Though we spend at least onethird of our lives working, we often pay little attention to the ambiance of our office space. This is particularly true of SoHos (Small office Home offices). Yet somehow, in your home office, you expect to be productive, energised, creative and articulate. To help you reach those zones, a home office really needs some planning and personality. Whether you telecommute a few days a week, would like to make over your SoHo or are planning to go freelance, it’s important to think about the features that every good home office space needs. Consider design choices that help to: • Looky after your body. That means choosing ergonomically sound furniture. • Stimulate creativity. Spice up your SoHo with visual touches such as polkadotted chair upholstery, a…

Earth tumbles from the small, slim carrot that chef and farmer Rodney Dunn has just pulled from the ground. He rinses it and hands it over. It’s sweet and crisp; the best carrot I’ve had “Why did it taste so good?” I ask. “It’s eating it straight after it was picked,” Dunn says. “When carrots get stored, the green tops utilise the sugar in the root trying to stay alive. Day by day they deteriorate in flavour because the tops are on.” We’re wandering The Agrarian Kitchen farm, half an hour from Hobart. In Sydney, Dunn was apprentice to famous chef Tetsuya Wakuda; later he became food editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine. The family left the mainland for rural Tasmania a decade ago to recreate the system of farming…

Probiotics For Balance Bring your body back into balance A practitioner-prescribed probiotic will provide clinically effective, researched and strain-specific probiotics that will help target your individual health needs. Find a natural healthcare practitioner online. W: metagenics.com.au/findapractitioner Well Washed Did you know probiotics are just as important to use on your skin? Well Washed is taking showering to the next level: it’s chemical-fragrance free and infused with mandarin, rose and cedarwood. It’s time to take your showering up a notch. W: probioticsolutions.com.au Nature Care College Nature Care College is a community of like-minded individuals drawn together with the purpose of pursuing their passion. From workshops to qualifications, it offers a diverse range of courses in nutrition and food coaching with on-campus and online study options. T: +61 2 8423 8333 W:…

Whether you are keen to become a yoga teacher or just want to deepen your own understanding and practice of yoga, this journey should be a life-changing and positive experience. Yet, with countless styles, prices, formats and teachers to consider, how do you know what the right path is? Here’s what you need to consider when choosing the right course for you. Set your intentions Understand why you are choosing to invest in your yoga teacher training. Courses are demanding, costly and timeconsuming, so be sure you are making this decision for the right reasons. Understand who will be teaching you Do your research on the teachers of the school you are looking at attending. How long have they been teaching yoga? How long have they been conducting teacher training?…

ALEXX STUART is an educator passionate in the space she calls “living a lowtox life”. Through her speaking, workshops, e-courses and online community, she helps people make the best new choices for themselves, family and planet. W: lowtoxlife.com You book a flight. You’re excited. This trip has been a long time coming. Travelling can be an extremely wasteful and unhealthy exercise if we don’t do a little planning. This issue, however, I have put together a short list of things that you can do to travel a little greener, being kind to yourself and to the planet. A few years ago, when I travelled from Sydney to New York, through to Paris and back home, I decided that this would be the trip that I’d bring my own coffee cup and…

JAN MCLEOD is a highly respected coach, mentor, speaker and consultant, a specialist in the areas of high performance, wellbeing, nutrition and change strategy in the workplace. W: thecapacity equation.com.au, madforhealth.com.au We are fast approaching the final quarter of the year. How are you feeling? Do you feel energised and engaged with your work life or closer to being in survival mode? Did you start this year committed to investing in workplace wellness and yet somehow you’ve found your intentions off track, not experiencing the quality of workplace wellness you envisioned? To help you get back on track, I’d like to dedicate this month’s column to discussing the importance of doing a workplace wellness check-in. How to check in I encourage you to adopt a simple approach and recommend a four-step…

CHRISTINE BROADBENT offers personal consultations, unlocks exciting aspects of self and considers astrology a healing art. Telephone and Skype options allow distance consultations. Get in touch with her via christine@astrologyspot. com.au, astrologyspot. com.au or Facebook. Capricorn If finances support your goals, early September can be golden. A productive year awaits, coming in stages. Late October is stage one, with Sun and Jupiter in your networking sign. Decisions made in early September can reach a long way; make them well. Your vision of what's possible will mean as much as careful plans; let them work together. Your earthy, practical gifts strengthen mid- October but September needs imagination, faith. Then, life synchronises with your goal. Oct 28 begins the real deal. Aquarius Aug 27–Sep 2 prepares you to complete a project that has…

Searching questions are asked at bedtime. Maybe it’s the secure comfort of pyjamas, snug bedding and fluffy bed partners. Perhaps it’s that the moment of getting into bed is a gap ... a hiatus between the activity of the day and the regeneration of the night, into which uncertainty, kept at bay all day, can creep. Possibly it’s just that there’s time available to ask big questions. Or it could be that having donned garments emblazoned with leaping unicorns, philosophical cats or multicolour clouds (admit it, your pyjamas are at least this spectacular), the mind is freed from its limiting shackles. Whatever the mechanism, one thing is certain: questions are asked at bedtime that are not ventured in the harsh light of day and workplaces. The other night my daughter…

Compassion is when you create healthy boundaries for yourself. This allows true happiness and confidence when making decisions and holding yourself accountable for them. Divina Jamon I have this little thing I do called 11:11. My father passed away when I was 15 and I’ve always thought, “I wonder if he would be proud of me/my life/family?” So, when I see 11:11, I take that 1 minute to have a conversation with him and remember all the loved ones we’ve lost. It keeps me grounded and gives me peace knowing they will never be forgotten. Cherie Maher I recently took my partner and our little dog off to a cottage in the country for a few days. We live such busy city lives and need to make a point of…

The buzz on bees Declines in wild and managed bee populations threaten the pollination of flowers in more than 85 per cent of flowering plants and 75 per cent of agricultural crops worldwide. Monitoring of bee populations could lead to better management but tracking bees is not easy. In a new study, researchers measured the characteristic pitch of the buzzes of different bees in the lab. Then they placed small microphones in the field and collected the acoustic data from bee activity. Using the data, they identified and quantified the bee buzzes in each location and compared that to visual surveys made in the field. Significantly, the buzz surveys were more sensitive and accurate. This means that bee buzzes could allow us to monitor pollination of orchards and vegetable crops…

I’d like to share with you my afternoon’s activities. I went on a nature quest, foraging for wild flowers in the nearby community garden. I found lavender, sage, rosemary and eucalyptus, which I bundled up with twine, wrapping it tightly around the stems in an upward direction, so the flame travels downwards first when it burns ... or so I think. I’m new to making smudge sticks, having made my first one just a few weeks ago while in a circle with six other women. Maybe I’m supposed to dry the herbs first ...? I can’t wait that long and instead light my wild-foraged smudge stick, allowing its gentle golden flame to flicker across the room. Earthy, sweet bush scents fill my space, reminding me to take a deeper breath…

OMG, it’s ONJ on the phone apologising because she’s 15 minutes late. Nice to see Hollywood hasn’t changed this Melbourne girl’s manners. Despite her celeb status, singer and actress Oliva Newton-John remains an approachable superstar who makes time for others, often offering a meet-and-greet opportunity at her concerts. At school, I remember boys calling her Olivia Neutron Bomb as her beauty blew them away. We loved her as the Aussie sweetheart Sandy in Grease, the roller-skating minx in Xanadu and the sweaty seductress in Let’s Get Physical. But Newton-John is so much more than a pretty face and a mesmerising voice. Beneath her beguiling smile and gentle demeanour shines a strong spirit that has conquered cancer once, steered a steady career and supported compassionate causes long before they were cool.…

Money seems more likely to infect our relationships with fights, fears and shame than to spark joy. But money shouldn’t be the greatest cause for breakups and marriage breakdowns. How you choose to approach your co-financial life can be your relationship’s greatest strength. If your relationship is suffering from the emotional debt of not daring to talk honestly about how you feel, think and interact with your money, then consider changing the way you both approach co-managing it. John Armstrong writes in his book How to Worry Less About Money, “The goal of a relationship is that both people flourish together. And, because money is a crucial ingredient in flourishing, it’s a crucial ingredient in marriage.” We should follow our hearts when we are on the quest to find the…

Silk has long been the ultimate in luxury textiles. It can conjure images of the wealthy and powerful of China, Marilyn Monroe claiming to only sleep naked in silk sheets and the high end of the sensuous lingerie market. Now, research from all around the world is showing how versatile and useful this natural fibre can be. Medical trials are using silk proteins to save lives, while silk clothing has been shown to be able to assist with everything from dermatitis to vaginal thrush. The ability of silk to fight the signs of ageing is also becoming better understood, allowing us to use these natural properties to turn back time — at least a little! Silk is an environmentally sustainable and biodegradable natural fibre, too, so it certainly deserves further…

MAMA BODY TEA Mama Body Tea is an organic herbal tea company specialising in herbal blends that provide comfort and support to women and their babies throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding and motherhood. The range consists of 13 blends that have been designed by the in-house naturopath and herbalist and aimed at supporting women from pre-conception to morning sickness, digestive complaints, labour preparation and breastfeeding support. There’s also a wellness range for busy mums and dads. TEA TONIC Tea Tonic was founded in 1998 by herbalist and naturopath Lisa Hilbert with the aim of promoting health and wellbeing. At Tea Tonic, they use Australia certified organic products where possible and produce and manufacture all hand-blended teas in their factory in Melbourne, so you can enjoy the freshest tea possible. Their tea bags…

When 45-year-old Karen visited her doctor about her aching hip, the last thing she expected was to be diagnosed with arthritis. Didn’t that only affect old people? She was surprised to learn that at least half of arthritis sufferers are working age and it can even affect children. Arthritis Arthritis is Australia’s foremost cause of pain and disability, according to Arthritis Australia. In 2011–2012, say statistics from The Australian Health Survey, about 3.3 million people had been diagnosed with the disease — or 14.8 per cent of the population. Prevalence is higher in women than men, at 17.7 per cent and 11.8 per cent respectively. Access Economics predicts that, if current trends continue, there will be 7 million Australians suffering some form of the disease by 2050. While arthritis is…

I have vivid memories of being read to in my childhood. My sister and I would snuggle up on either side of our mum as she read aloud books that are still among my favourites: The Secret Garden, The Magic Faraway Tree, Matilda and more. This happened well after my sister and I could read by ourselves. In fact, the three of us would often take turns and Mum would close her eyes for a quick rest when she wasn’t the one reading. I now realise how hard it is to summon the patience to read a chapter to the kids after working all day. Yet this memory of my mum taking that time out to read stories with us is one of my most cherished childhood recollections. Reading aloud…

Where to stay Mona Pavilions These eight pavilions at MONA are defined by contemporary design and avant-garde art. A heated pool, sauna, winery and a museum tour should cap things off nicely. mona.net.au/ stay/mona-pavilions MACq 01 This premium hotel on Hobart’s waterfront is dedicated to storytelling. The characters and tales that shaped Van Diemen’s Land are shared in a setting of informal luxury. macq01.com.au Satellite Island Satellite Island is your own private island of untamed wilderness in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Fish from the jetty or shuck oysters off a rock shelf. satelliteisland.com.au Stone Flower Barn This mid-1800s barn is now a luxurious, light-filled accommodation. Fully equipped, self-contained and minutes from downtown Hobart. stayz.com.au/accommodation/tas/ southern-tasmania/hobart/168893 Woodbridge Hill Hideaway Made from salvaged Tasmanian timber, these hidden cabins have great views. Heated bathroom…

dvds MY COUSIN RACHEL Directed by ROGER MICHELL Starring RACHEL WEISZ, SAM CLAFLIN CHURCHILL Directed by JONATHON TEPLITZKY Starring BRIAN COX, MIRANDA RICHARDSON THE PROMISE Directed by TERRY GEORGE Starring OSCAR ISAAC, CHARLOTTE LE BON, CHRISTIAN BALE First published in 1951 and set a century earlier, Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel is more than just a slow-burning gothic romance. It’s about the gap between perception and reality; the human tendency to build towers of suspicion on shifting sands of speculation. In the first major screen version in 65 years, Sam Claflin is Philip, an orphan raised by his cousin Ambrose. When he learns his guardian has married their mutual cousin in Italy and promptly expired, Philip is convinced Ambrose was poisoned — yet when the beautiful Rachel turns up in England he’s…

NATULIQUE NATULIQUE is the first true full-line brand in the market offering hair products that are organic, cruelty free, DEA free and sulphate, perfume and paraben free. A company passionate about ethical, natural products and sustainability. W: natulique.com.au Organic Hairspray This everyday style spray from EverEscents is designed to enhance and control soft natural styles in all hair types. The firm yet flexible hold allows easy application and won’t leave a tacky residue in your hair. Also available in a handy purse size. W: everescents.com.au Nature’s Commonscents Goat’s milk is perfect for people with dry or sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Full of essential vitamins and nutrients, it helps reduce skin inflammation, soothes dry and damaged skin, reduces wrinkles and delays signs of skin ageing. W:…

CARLA OATES is a natural beauty expert and the author of Feeding Your Skin. Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets have been prescribed since the 1950s based on bad science that linked saturated fat and raised cholesterol levels with heart disease. Confusing things more, the low-fat, fat-free packaged foods we were told to eat were usually highly processed and high in sugar, salt and refined carbs. But decades of rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure have shown that this advice hasn’t worked. And, a review of all research on saturated fat published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no link between saturated fat and heart disease. Instead, healthy fats have been proven to be essential for optimal mind, body and skin health. Eating good fats…

Sometimes, driving through the suburbs, you may spot the plants below. Many street trees are useful, as are a lot of common weeds and flowers. And, yes, it is easier to buy plant foods in a supermarket. But ours is a generous planet. A little “gathering” can remind us of how generous it can be. Please note: avoid harvests near highways and busy streets, as they may be high in lead from the days of leaded petrol. Some neglected harvests Irish strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) Like most ornamentals, strawberry trees haven’t been selected for their ability to give good fruit. Some are much better than others and worth finding; others aren’t worth the bother. The fruit is sometimes good enough to eat fresh but better stewed with sweetening or made…

DR MICHAEL ELSTEIN is a Sydney-based anti-ageing physician and writer. He is the author of three books, including his latest, The Wellness Guide to Preventing the Diseases of Ageing. He has also designed the app The diet guide to ageing prevention. Saccharomyces boulardii is actually a yeast first identified in 1923 in lychees and mangosteen fruit. There’s a new “it” girl in the probiotic arena (if the germs in our gut can be assigned a gender). Saccharomyces boulardii might be the Lara Croft from Tomb Raider equivalent that we need to seriously kick some bad-ass bacterial butt if we are going to triumph in the war of the microbes. Let’s not kid ourselves — there’s a serious battle going on to rule the universe and, with more hostile germ DNA in…

Snow had been falling constantly since our arrival at Nozawa Onsen, a traditional Japanese ski village four hours drive northwest of Tokyo. I was with two of my teenage sons on the fourth day of the ski section of our Japan holiday. My 51-year-old knees had taken a pounding over the past couple of days’ skiing and I was unsure if I should ski or have a rest day. At the last minute, I booked in with a ski instructor, while my boys completed their lessons. After a few green runs, my instructor asked if I wanted to move to a red run. I’m a cautious skier and red runs are out of my comfort zone — but I agreed to try. The run was steeper than I was used…

FIND BALANCE & HARMONY Pippa Neve is a highly experienced professional, intuitive natural healer and meditation guide. Her approach to healing is heart centred and guided by her true affinity with people’s emotions, young and old. Pippa offers a bespoke treatment with knowledge and expertise, her passion is to bring about the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of her clients. Guided Meditation course and workshops are on offer for both adults and children alike. T: +61 4 2451 8884 W: pippaneve.com STRESS RELIEF MEDITATIONS CD This CD is for busy people. It gently leads you through a series of practices including visualisations and breathing exercises designed to combat stress, providing relief and enabling you to quickly let go of some of its major causes. Included are meditations for stress relief,…

August/September Our #inspo A bumper crop of homegrown herbs equals one happy editor. The WellBeing team with Agapi Stassinopoulos at a recent one-day Thrive Global workshop in Sydney. We’ve fallen in love with mud! Pottery is a newfound hobby for assistant editor Kate. October/November Getting cosy with our winter issue on Instagram. Love this! Such a joy to have the wonderful Lee Holmes at WellBeing HQ sharing her wellness tips with the team! Illustration Tams at Soul Stories: soul-stories.com Photography Sol + Co…