Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 199 i WellBeing

Brisk walking slows ageing Telomeres are the caps at the end of your chromosomes, and they contain repetitive sequences of DNA that do not code for anything but protect the chromosome from damage. Every time a cell divides these telomeres become shorter, until they become so short that the cell can no longer divide, and the cells become “senescent”. The more senescent cells you have, the more likely you are to develop symptoms we associated with ageing. So the length of your telomeres is a marker of your biological (as opposed to chronological) age. In a new study researchers examined data on more than 405,000 adults and found a causal link between telomere length and the speed at which you walk. Analysis showed that a lifetime of brisk walking (as…

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian fermented food: primarily soaked and cooked soybeans inoculated with a mould such as Rhizopus (commonly R. oligosporus) in a salt-free aerobic fermentation. It has a firm, dry, chewy texture with a slightly nutty taste, and is eaten as a sliced compact cake held together by dense cottony mycelium. It can also be fermented from various beans and grains such as wheat, sorghum, rye, barley and oats, all of which contribute to the texture, flavour and aroma of the tempeh. The fermentation process increases tempeh’s nutritional value and reduces any antinutritional components such as phytates, the phytate content being reduced by about one third. Tempeh is a popular vegetarian meat replacement that is high in protein, prebiotics and a wide variety of bioavailable vitamins and minerals…

In a world of seven billion unique people of all different cultures and customs, it is easy to feel as though we don’t have much in common. Alternatively, in a world of seven billion unique people who all experience happiness, heartache and hope we can feel as though we are all connected. It is from this place of commonality, only visible through our own empathy, that we empower kindness. Kindness is being brave enough to step into another’s shoes. It can look like holding the door open for someone, smiling at a stranger or taking the time to check in with a friend. It can also look like going against the crowd, taking the harder option or standing up for your values, leaving yourself open to be criticised or judged.…

• Fortify yourself by creating a strong network of support. Many people believe in supplements or vitamins to boost their natural immune system. Think of friends, family and other supporters such as therapists, counsellors, yoga teachers, trainers as your own hand-selected range of emotional supplements. These human vitamins enrich the system and, taken on a daily basis, build up optimism and courage to ward off the stresses of life. • Seek meaning and purpose, not happiness. The problem with happiness is that it is transitory and dependent on events exterior to your life going well. Leading a meaningful existence imbued with purpose is not contingent on external factors. So find what really matters to you and do it. • Be seen. This seems deceptively simple, even simplistic, but it is…

At its very core, intuitive eating (IE) is the simple philosophy of honouring ourselves by trusting our minds and bodies and eating only when we are hungry. It’s been called the anti-diet because no foods are taboo, there’s no kilojoule counting, no meal plans to religiously adhere to and no portion control. It is a backlash to diet culture and it’s called intuitive eating. Babies and small children instinctively know how to eat intuitively. They’ll eat enough so their hunger is appeased, and no more. As they grow and develop into little humans, they are bombarded by media images, lured by sugary treats in bright wrapping paper and later held prisoner to a diet ethos that feeds into often unrealistic body images, all of which impact on body positivity and…

1 Introspection Pull your awareness in. When all the senses are moving outwards, it’s impossible to listen to our internal world. It is only in stillness and introspection that we start to become aware of our patterns and vrittis, or whirlings, of the mind (as Patanjali calls them). It’s only when we reduce distraction and start to wrangle our senses which are normally moving outwards into the external world, practising pratyhara, another of the eight limbs, that we become aware of our internal landscape. Find time for stillness and contemplation, the first step to obtaining self-knowledge. Otherwise, you will be prisoner to the vrittis controlling how you view the world and your reactions and habits in your experiences. You will feel like you are a victim to the external world.…

There is a rise in interest in simple and effective natural beauty products, which is a positive step forward for the health of both humans and our planet. If you’re unsure where to begin when making the switch to natural cosmetics, why not start by looking in your garden? Many common herbs that are often regarded as weeds have been used for thousands of years in ancient beauty practices to reduce signs of premature ageing and heal many common skin ailments such as sunburn, acne, eczema and dermatitis. Interestingly, research is backing up what our ancestors knew intuitively; plants are powerful. Next time you’re in the garden, keep an eye out for the following six natural beauty treatments, gifted to us by Mother Nature. Calendula Calendula is the perfect balm…

Welcome to another instalment of WellBeingTV. In this issue, you'll hear from Rachel Vigor, a revered Australian Stylist. With over 30 years in the industry, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, her love of detail and intuitive styling has been seen across the globe. With Rachel, you'll learn how to create a warm and welcoming space at home. You'll also hear from certified Food, Lifestyle and Wellness Coach Andi Lew. Andi shares her top tips for packing a lunch box filled with healthy and nutritious foods — for both you and your children. Andi shares that the best way to transition towards a healthy lifestyle is to flood your body with antioxidants and good nutrition. For more, visit wellbeingmag.tv…

Have you ever caught yourself drifting into an unfocused mode when exercising? Diverting to picking up the device or even choosing to be distracted by almost anything? Did you notice at that time your alignment muscles and movements became lazy? By finding your mindfulness in muscle movements you will also find motivation and an appreciation for your body. By taking the time to breathe without being breathless, your body will find space to reignite. These slow and immersing combination movements will entice the mind and find that alluring muscle memory we have all been seeking. With the world moving fast, we all need to seek a new kind of balance with an opposing speed regime, and to find one that has proven to perform and promote a sustainable pattern for…

Gift giving is a universal act of generosity shared all over the world and throughout history. For some people, giving is a joyful experience and one that provides a unique token of appreciation. But for others, gifting can consume a lot of time and energy and even stir anxieties around giving the “perfect present”. As the saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.” Here we take an in-depth look at giving with good intentions. A conversation It helps to put some parameters around the expectations when it comes to gift giving. Don’t be afraid to have the conversation with your family and friends and take into consideration each other’s economic situation, cultural background, personal values and any other factors you think may influence the gift or whether it’s even necessary…

The great artist Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” It’s a beautiful sentiment that speaks to the inspiration and insight art can offer, whether you create a piece yourself or observe an artist’s expression. In 2020, when society was deeply lost in the pandemic, the Art Gallery of NSW teamed up with the Black Dog Institute to create “Culture Dose”, an online art experience centred on wellbeing. Each episode of the webinar series focused on a selection of artworks curated around a theme, with insight given by gallery representatives and mental health research professionals. The goal was to offer viewers a meditative escape and time to observe, engage and contemplate through slow-looking techniques, reflection and sharing experiences with…

The Flower of Life is one of the most ancient of symbols and has held profound meaning for many people and cultures throughout history. It can be found in the temples, art and manuscripts of cultures from all over the world. “The Flower of Life” is its modern name, but what we are talking about is a geometrical figure composed of multiple evenly spaced, overlapping circles that are arranged so that they form a flower-like pattern with the centre of each circle on the circumference of six surrounding circles of the same diameter. Whatever you call it, the Flower of Life is one of the prime examples of what is known as sacred geometry. Sacred geometry Sacred geometry is based on pattern recognition. It observes the fundamental relationship of space,…

Tell our readers how House of Goodness began. When we discovered our youngest daughter had developed multiple life-threatening food allergies, we found that finding ready-made allergy-friendly dumplings made with clean ingredients as a grocery staple was a real challenge. This took us on an educational journey about where our food comes from, from farm to plate. After many hours of research and countless months in the kitchen perfecting recipes, we came up with our wholesome gourmet dumplings that are free from gluten, wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts and sesame. Our products are regularly laboratory tested to ensure they contain no traces of these top food allergens which sets them apart from other products. Each ingredient we use is carefully and thoughtfully sourced, from Australian-grown vegetables from local farmers to sustainably farmed…

The topaz is so easy to find even the bowerbirds fill their nests with it. This explains why I’m sitting starry-eyed in the middle of a dusty creek bed at noon, digging and sifting and waiting to slam my pick into something big and crystalline. Even the blazing north Queensland sun can’t temper my gem fever, which has lured me to O’Brien’s Creek, a six-hour drive west of Cairns. It’s renowned in fossicking circles as one of the best places in Australia to unearth gem-quality topaz (and aquamarine, citrine and smoky quartz too). The idea of striking it lucky here has enormous appeal. Twenty years ago the gems at O’Brien’s Creek were supposedly ankle-deep, and local rockhound Simon Harrison jokes that he used to have to hide behind trees to…

Have you heard of “The Beauty Mineral”? Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural sulphur compound that has traditionally been used therapeutically for joint health but is gaining popularity in the beauty world as an anti-ageing supplement beneficial for strengthening hair and nails and enhancing the quality and texture of skin. So does this mineral live up to its name and should you be adding it into your beauty routine? MSM originates in the ocean, where microscopic plankton release sulphur compounds into the water that are evaporated into the atmosphere and react with ultraviolet sunlight, resulting in the chemical MSM. Through the Earth’s natural water cycle, rain transports MSM to soil and is then absorbed by plants and eaten by animals. MSM can therefore be obtained naturally in small amounts through the…

Over the last 18 months I’ve seen an increasing number of puppies presenting for their first wellness check. This should be an exciting time for new puppy carers, but sadly, too many are already unwell, due to stress, illness and poor socialisation. I’ve had to treat pups for resistant giardia infections. I’ve seen demodex mites, persistent vomiting, diarrhoea and early onset food sensitivity, anxiety and significant behaviour problems, kennel cough resistant to treatment, hip dysplasia and painful luxating patellas. So is it my imagination, or are more puppies poorly bred in an inadequate environment? Unfortunately, it’s probably the latter. Maybe COVID has created an increased demand for puppies, and part of the problem may be the need for instant gratification. This drives commercial breeding practices, where the dogs (and cats)…

An Astrology Reading interfaces the mysteries of birth patterns and planetary cycles. This healing art offers rich insights, improves self-knowledge and is a path to integration. Christine Broadbent has been sharing this approach with clients for over 30 years. She also offers distance readings, webinar classes, workshops and retreats in Australia and New Zealand. Book a reading now, in person or virtually: astroha@bigpond.com. Phone Au: 0402 664 101 or NZ: 0214 10126. Cancer July marks not only the movement of Sun through Cancer, but also a potent meeting of awakener Uranus and the Moon’s karmic North Node. This alignment features at July 14’s Full Moon, adding revelation and some kind of shift that influences your social roles. Mid-July birthdays are particularly sensitive to this. Then energiser Mars joins the crew,…

Beauty & fashion Edible Beauty Edible Beauty’s Botanical Water Gel is a calming beauty gel which combines actives like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide with traditional botanicals (calendula, St John’s wort and aloe) for a revitalising and radiance-boosting skin treatment. The hero active ingredient in this formulation is a prebiotic called Bacillus Ferment, harvested from the underwater caves of Spain. It has been coined an “age-biotic” as it helps to balance the skin microbiome and protect the skin from oxidative stress for visibly smoother and more radiant skin. W: ediblebeautyaustralia.com A’kin The uplifting Purifying Scalp Revival Scrub from A’kin deeply cleanses the scalp and removes excess oils, product build-up and flakes. Enriched with jojoba and Australian avocado oils to support healthy hair growth and enhance natural shine, while soothing aloe vera…

Winter Fruit and vegetables Fruit Apples (Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Jonathan, Lady Williams, Pink Lady, Red Delicious & Sundowner), cumquat, custard apple, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, melons, nashi, oranges, pears (Beurre Bosc, Josephine & Packham), persimmons, pineapple, pomelo, quince, rhubarb and tangelo. Vegetables Asian greens (buk choy, choy sum, gai lan and wombok), avocados, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, olives, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, shallots, silver beet, spinach, swedes, sweet potatoes, turnips and witloof. July July 1–31, Global Dry July dryjuly.com July 1–31, Global Plastic Free July plasticfreejuly.org July 3–10, AU NAIDOC Week naidoc.org.au July 8–17, Darwin, NT Darwin Fringe Festival darwinfringe.org.au July 10 Brisbane, QLD Brisbane Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo 2022 healthwellnessfitnessexpo.com.au/brisbane-healthwellness-expo July…

Relationships: love hurts To examine how relationship problems affect people, researchers used data gained from 184,000 people who were posting anonymously online. Analysis revealed that the most common theme mentioned by people was the emotional pain that the problems caused, as opposed to whatever the problem was itself. The most common theme was “heartache” and it was addressed using words like regret, break-up, cry and heartbroken. Interestingly, and contrary to what the researchers were expecting, men discussed heartbreak significantly more than women. Additionally, the findings showed that men were more likely than women to seek relationship help in online settings. Perhaps men are less able to acknowledge the reality of relationships in person and seek the anonymity of an online community, but according to the researchers the findings certainly suggest…

Angelica archangelica is a member of the Apiacaea/Umbelliferae plant family, which contains many aromatic kitchen plants such as carrots, dill, coriander, celery, parsley and fennel. The large plant can reach up to three metres high when cultivated and grows up to 100cm in the wild, with large leaves, and all parts of the plant are fragrant, the fragrance compared to musk or juniper. It is therefore used as a flavouring in many commercial food items as well as being a medicine, and even appears in perfumes. Even today it is a common component in bitters and liqueurs such as Benedictine, vermouth, chartreuse, absinthe and gin, and can be added to some wines to provide a muscatel grape-like flavour. The Sami from Lapland and Iceland have traditionally used angelica, which they…

Spend 10 minutes with our Paradigm Shifters, the people who are shaping the ideas that will take us into the future. Meet Hello Period co-founder Robyn McLean. How I start my day … Every weekday I go to my local café and have a single-shot oat flat white. Several of my friends usually arrive at the same time, so it’s a really nice way to start the day. What is the Hello Cup? The Hello Cup is a menstrual cup that replaces the need for single-use tampons and pads. I started Hello Period (formerly Hello Cup) with my best friend Mary, who is a nurse. We had both struggled with periods since our teens and felt there needed to be better options for our daughters. We’ve just released a new…

The quest for meaning in life is something that humans have pursued as far back as we have scripture. From philosophers and artists to your own quiet moments or dinner table conversations, the questions continually surface for individuals: “What is the meaning of my life?”, “How do I find my passion?”, “Can I wake up with joy for what I do each day?” and “What is the secret to longevity?” Turning to the wisdom of the Japanese culture, the mysteriously beautiful yet pragmatic concept of ikigai is a time-proven compass, stemming from ancient tradition to modern day application, to cultivate a long life of purpose and happiness — and you can apply it to your earthly experience too. The meaning of ikigai Ikigai ( ) is composed of Japanese characters…

Good nutrition plays a vital role in the health of your eyes. What you eat can have a big impact on your vision and how susceptible you are to developing degenerative eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which are major causes of vision loss among older adults. Including in your daily diet certain wholefoods rich in eye-protective nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids and zinc can prevent visual deterioration and help promote optimal eye health. Here are the foods you should be eating regularly to enhance your eye health and vision. Dark green leafy vegetables Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli and dandelion greens contain some of the highest levels of two important carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are crucial for…

We know that writing about painful experiences can be an effective form of therapy. Journaling is a well-documented method of stress relief. More recently, research has shown that writing about yourself in a positive sense is linked to better emotional and physical health outcomes. The process of writing your story can increase self-awareness and cultivate positive emotions. Stories are powerful. They are a mechanism for recording and communicating cultural messages, forging connections and sharing experiences. Stories allow you to record and articulate your experiences and express them in a structured way. The writing process itself can be a tool for gaining clarity about an emotion or an experience, and can result in deep personal insights. It can help you gain a sense of your inner wisdom by exploring positive ways…

7 hacks to make sure your lunch ticks all the boxes 1 Colour makes a meal. We eat with our eyes. There’s something very satisfying about a beautiful display of colourful food. The lunch you pack needs to be as varied and colour rich as possible. 2 Eat as close to nature as possible. Fresh, whole foods that are alive, are full of life. Try to rise five minutes earlier and prepare your lunch box in the morning instead of the night before. 3 Always pack an apple that’s cut into pieces. Kids love eating fruit that has been sliced. I find it gives them a better chance of eating the whole apple. I love Modi apples as a perfect all-rounder. They are super juicy, extra crunchy and sweet and…

Find the iron-rich foods in the grid. When you’ve finished, the letters left over will spell out a tip for how to absorb more of this essential nutrient. Almonds Amaranth Asparagus Beets Broccoli Cashews Chickpeas Cumin Dandelion greens Edamame Kale Leeks Lentils Lima beans Oats Parsley Pepitas Prunes Quinoa Raisins Seaweed Sesame seeds Spinach Swiss chard Teff Tempeh Thyme Tofu Consume more vitamin C and less dairy with these foods. To find out the answers, visit wellbeing.com.au/brain-booster. Brain teaser What makes this number unique: 8,549,176,320? Riddle I’m as small as an ant, as big as a whale. I’ll approach like a breeze but can come like a gale. By some, I get hit, but all have shown fear. I’ll dance to the music, though I can’t hear. Of names, I…

We know the importance of making a great first impression, but did you know that the initial thing people judge us on is often our shoes? Our footwear can reveal our age, social status, income bracket and even our political ideology. Think about it: Birkenstock-wearers are stereotypically young and easy-going and, as such, are more likely to possess liberal views. On the other “foot”, high-end designer heels are tied to wealth and, generally, assertive personalities and more conservative stances. In 2012, a group of researchers at the University of Kansas conducted a study on this theory to determine if we can evaluate a person by their footwear. In the study, they showed participants photographs of strangers’ shoes and asked them to guess distinct personality traits. The participants were able to…

Tell our readers how Kokonut Pacific began. The company began over 30 years ago when Dr Dan Etherington, an agricultural development economist, visited the Solomon Islands. He was shocked by the contrast between the productivity of coconut palms and the poverty of the people who grew them. He wanted to help these people to help themselves. He then developed the DME (Direct Micro Expelling) technology: a gender-neutral coconut oil hand-press that enables anyone, even people with disabilities, to extract extra-virgin coconut oil (VCO) at the source. It enables local communities to generate a good income by having a village-based small business where they produce VCO without the need to leave their family or village. Back then, VCO was unknown in Australia. We were the first importers of VCO in Australia…

Who else needs a holiday? For now, all we can do is imagine a week in Tuscany, enjoying beautiful fresh food from a local farmhouse and learning to paint. It was this exact idyllic setting in which chef Amber Guinness spent her childhood. In Arniano, a gorgeous 18th-century farmhouse in Tuscany, Guinness learned to cook and paint. It was there, in 2014, that she established The Arniano Painting School, a residential painting course and immersive art and food experience that has become a dream travel destination. In her latest cookbook, A House Party in Tuscany: Recipes, Stories and Art from Arniano, you’ll find 75 original recipes including classic dishes and cocktails, seasonal menu suggestions, tips on hosting and entertaining and a “recipe” for starting an oil painting. Scattered through the…

Renovating a kitchen is time-consuming. There are so many decisions to be made … Should we have brass or silver tap fittings? Subway or herringbone tiles? A thick marble benchtop or polished concrete? Then, finally, with the painting complete and the tiles grouted, it’s time to crack open a bottle of chilled red and celebrate your new kitchen … but wait … you’re not done yet. There are so many more decisions to be made. What appliances and products should you put on your benchtops? They must be smart, stunning and complement your new kitchen, right? Fresh, healthy juice Australian-born MOD Cold Press Juicer has been crowned a favourite time and time again and I can see why. With MOD, juicing isn’t an effort, it’s a pleasure. Its unique juicing…

Do you ever think about how some mammals undergo a hibernation process annually? When winter comes, these mammals rest, restore and slow down. I think they could be onto something. The modern-day demands that we work harder every day, hustle, be continuously connected and aware of everything going on all the time. This year, I’ve decided to focus on living more in alignment with nature, taking rest periods and disconnecting when I need to (I know, shock horror!). I’m not going to say that once we get the first hit of a chill, we should all quit our jobs, relocate to a cave and sleep for months on end (but some days that sounds pretty good). However, modern life’s current fast pace can’t be maintained and goes against nature’s intentions.…

The thing about ageing is that by the time the diseases that incarcerate our aching souls are locked in, liberation demands a herculean salvage strategy. Prevention if we choose this course would be far more sanguine, but sadly few recognise its advantages. Would plasmalogens, which most of us have never heard of, make it any easier to uncoil from the biochemical quagmire that throttles our vital forces as we age? Plasmalogens and you Plasmalogens are essential components of cell membranes, the walls of your cells, but their contribution to your wellbeing is not merely structural. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. As oxidation or the accumulation of free radicals and inflammation puts the immune system in overdrive, these processes are thought to accelerate ageing. So it might be worthwhile…

What a start to the year 2022 has been. With the pandemic still running rampant across the globe and the floods devastating much of the motherland, this year hasn’t really kicked off how I’d imagined — nor how we all deserved it to. I’m not sure about you, but I feel like I’m constantly walking a tightrope. Life starts to resume; places begin opening up, I take my finger off pause. Bravely, I take a few steps forward. I am tantalised by the idea of life returning to “normal” by dining out at restaurants and grooving on a dance floor. It’s bliss, it’s beautiful. It’s fun! But then my whole family catches COVID. I spend a week isolating with my baby, which leaves me feeling wobbly and close to falling…

Bee hopeful Varroa mites are the prime threat to honeybee survival worldwide. Originating in Asia, the mites have spread to all continents except Australia and Antarctica. The mites reproduce in the cells of bee larvae and bring with them viruses that can be damaging to the colony. European honeybees have not evolved resistance to the mites, but some honeybees engage in “Varroa-specific hygiene” (VSH), involving expelling infested larvae. In fact, some bees of all types will engage in this behaviour. For the last 20 years researchers have been selectively breeding bees to choose VSH behaviour. They have found that colonies that engage in this mite-resistant behaviour have a 60 per cent survival rate during winter compared to 26 per cent in colonies that do not. This is a natural and…

I found hair everywhere In my brush, in the shower and on my cardigan. My hair became thinner and I was totally freaking out. I rushed to my local health food store and was advised to try Hair Volume™. I don’t like tablets and was skeptical, but my need for a solution made me try. After all, Hair Volume™ was based on natural extracts and vitamins. Now I’m proud of my hair Hair Volume™ really works. I started taking just one tablet every morning. Week by week I felt improvements. My hair felt stronger and looked more voluminous. I had less and less hair loss. My nails also looked stronger and less grooved. I was impressed – and convinced. I have continued to take a tablet a day for three…

If a mad scientist could come up with a vaccination that gave us emotional immunity, we would be all lining up no matter how long the wait. Alas, there is no such thing … or is there? None of us is immune to emotional pain, but we can build up our immunity system by assembling an arsenal of fortifying emotions such as self-compassion and temperance to ward off those pesky mean-spirited viruses. Ancient philosophers like Epicurus spoke of how to create the good life; modern philosophers talk about creating meaning and purpose; and today psychotherapists talk of cultivating resilience, restoring connection and creating perspective. All these theorists have provided us with a wealth of knowledge for us to create our own individual serum to ward off or manage the viral…

Self-study or svadhyaya is one of the niyamas that Patanjali directs us to do in the eight limbs. The beauty is that it’s available in every moment of every day, especially when we make mistakes. It starts with you When you look at the sum of your life, there’s only one constant across it all: you. Every experience, every relationship, the wins, losses, tragedies and triumphs, mistakes and miracles, they all have one thing in common … you. If you want to make sense of your life, if you genuinely desire more yoga and peace and if you want to grow into the best version of yourself, it has to start with you. Self-study is at the heart of transforming your life. Prescribed by Patanjali in the eight limbs of…

In the rural idyll of west Ireland, in the green hills of County Clare, just a few minutes from the beach at Spanish Point, rests the small town of Miltown Malbay. Here, born to a local fisherman and his wife the town draper, a daughter makes her way through secondary school before heading off to study law in Dublin. Then, half a world and a third of a lifetime away, that daughter has made her home in Sydney, has won a parcel of awards for her poetry and shares a message of hope and empowerment that points a way ahead through the climate challenge, social issues and the epidemic fallout. Half a world away Anne Casey has been resident in Australia now for more years than she lived in Ireland,…

Do you often feel that, to put it bluntly, you suck? Welcome to the club. At the same time, our common struggle with self-worth can mean we’re liable to brush aside the problem. Low self-esteem has become such a commonplace descriptor of feeling bad that maybe we’ve started to tune it out, minimise or even dismiss it, says Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia NSW and a clinical psychologist with over 30 years’ experience. Research shows poor self-worth is closely associated with depression and anxiety. Unfortunately this link has also led to it being accepted as an insidious part of that package, Shaw says. Pop psychology has contributed to us trivialising the problem with quick-fix Band-Aid ideas that don’t adequately address the issue. We should take self-esteem more seriously of…

As an interior stylist my ethos is all about creating spaces that feel good and that people have a genuine connection with. Before creating any space, I always consider what the space is used for and the people using it. It’s imperative that I create spaces that are unique and considered — spaces that are nurturing and holistic in nature and combine the best possible aesthetic with the ultimate form and function. These little tricks will instantly help create serenity and a cohesive style for any room. 1 Balance. When the physical elements are placed in an efficient and pleasing manner, your space will feel effortless and mindful at the same time. For example, larger pieces of furniture create a solid foundation that enables stability and security while smaller pieces…

We can only speculate about exactly when knitting began; however, the first traces of knitting as we know it today appeared in 14th-century Europe, although signs of the craft stretch back to ancient times in more rudimentary forms. In the past knitting was considered more of a practical craft than one of necessity. It was confined to items of use, such as socks and stockings, and was a way for the less privileged to earn money and keep warm in winter. It has not been until more recent times that knitting has been deemed a pleasurable, creative outlet undertaken sometimes just for the experience of it rather than the result. The action of working knitting needles through a ball of wool is now considered to be just as purposeful as…

Foundation 1. Fitcover — Sweat-Ready Mineral Infused Liquid Foundation This sweat-proof foundation is vegan, full-coverage and filled with anti-ageing antioxidants that make it great for your skin. Mascara 2. Lash Therapy Australia—Growth Serum Mascara Infused with Lash Therapy Australia’s Advanced Formula Eyelash Serum, this mascara promotes thickness, darkness, curling and growth of your natural lashes. Nail care 3. Sienna Byron Bay — Rosie This is the perfect dusty rose nude. It’s subtle and sophisticated and will suit most skin tones. It’s proudly made in France, certified vegan and cruelty-free, water-permeable and breathable. Tan 4. Eco Tan — Face Tan Water Build a natural glow with the original organic gradual face self-tanner from Eco Tan. It has been formulated to hydrate skin, clear blemishes and reduce the appearance of redness. Lip…

1 Buy pre-loved. The best purchase you can make for the planet is second-hand to close the loop on fashion waste and create a circular footwear economy. If possible, shop at local vintage stores to reduce your carbon footprint. 2 Do your research. Found your dream pair of kicks? Before you buy them, turn to the Good on You app and search the brand name. The app gives companies a holistic rating based on how their ethical practices impact the planet, people and animals, to help inform your decision. 3 Check the materials. Material composition plays a major part in a shoe’s level of sustainability. Check the runner’s tag for planet-friendly materials, such as recycled plastic, lyocell, organic cotton, hemp, wool felt and natural rubber. If the tag lists synthetic…

Containing six of Australia’s seven longest rivers (the Murray, Darling, Paroo, Warrego, Murrumbidgee and Lachlan), the Murray–Darling Basin links up several lakes and important wetlands, including 16 that are listed under the Ramsar Convention. These include the large Macquarie Marshes, near Coonamble, and the chain of nine Menindee Lakes, in the far west of New South Wales, not far from Broken Hill. Near the mouth of the Murray, it enters the Coorong, a shallow and very long lagoon, before reaching the ocean southeast of Adelaide. Since large-scale irrigated farming began in the Murray–Darling Basin during the 1970s, Australia has grappled with how to balance this water-intensive agriculture with the environmental flows needed to keep the river system in good health, while supplying cities and towns that use Murray–Darling water. Management…

fiction The No-Show BETH O’LEARY, QUERCUS BOOKS I like my beach reads with a bit of substance, and that’s exactly what Beth O’Leary’s latest novel is — loads of fun and utterly romantic, but with a twist I never saw coming. The No-Show opens with three dates, and yes you guessed it, three no-shows. It’s a familiar dating dilemma that unfolds in an often peculiar and sometimes heartbreaking way. True to the author’s talent, it’s brilliantly written; full of character, love and enough mystery to keep you turning pages all night long. CH non-fiction Endo Unfiltered ERIN BARNETT, MURDOCH BOOKS Educational, relatable, funny and raw, Endo Unfiltered is the ultimate guide to endometriosis. Whether you’ve been diagnosed, know someone who has or are simply looking for a book that dives…

What initially sparked your interest in natural health? Growing up as a kid my mum used to see a naturopath, but I never thought becoming a naturopath was something I could do. It hadn’t ever crossed my mind as a career path, and I questioned if I had it in me to complete a health science degree. Initially, I was considering studying graphic design at a different college. I’d visited the college and was reviewing the course guide, but something just didn’t feel right. Having decided that I would think further about studying graphic design, I walked outside and a bus with Endeavour College advertising on its side passed by. It was a defining moment for me, as that’s when I thought, “That’s where I’m meant to go.” I put…

This is confession time. I have been torturing our cabbages. And our cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts and broccoli plants. For the last five years I’ve been giving excuses for the cauliflower’s increasingly thin and twisted leaves: it’s a drought, it’s too hot, there’s a bushfire, it’s too wet. It is time to face the truth. Even though our cabbage-family plants the brassicas, which includes caulis and broccoli, are well fed, their tucker has mostly been compost, made from the weeds or prunings or gone-to-seed veggies in our garden, with local hay to mulch them. Sadly those local plants are deficient in exactly the nutrients our caulis now lack: molybdenum. Molybdenum is a trace element that all plants need. Most cheap plant foods don’t contain trace elements. If you make compost from…

As men age they are increasingly likely to manifest symptoms of prostate problems. One of the first symptoms is the need to urinate more frequently at night (called nocturia), which of course disrupts their sleep and further impacts on their health. A 62-year-old man visited the clinic with just this problem. In the last few months he was having to go to the toilet three or four times a night. It was getting worse and impacting on his sleep, so his energy was deteriorating. He was also starting to notice that his flow of urine was weaker, and he was having difficulty starting to urinate and was dribbling after finishing, causing some degree of incontinence. Overall he was not happy with the changes and felt it was starting to impact…

As I lay in my hospital bed, I knew that something had to change. I should have been at my healthiest — I was working out with a physical therapist and eating healthy meals but I was two weeks into a hospital stay and facing biologic treatment for ulcerative colitis. That was my reality in 2016. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in my late teens, so at that point I had lived with ulcerative colitis for over 20 years. I was experiencing my worst flare ever, and the usual medication (steroids) was not working to relieve the symptoms of my flare. I was rushing to the toilet passing blood, suffering severe cramps and abdominal pain and my entire body ached. I was signed off work and facing infusions every…

Demand for organic products is rapidly growing as Australians make conscious choices to improve their health and wellbeing while considering the long-term sustainability of the planet. Last year, the Australian Organic Market Report uncovered one third of shoppers who had purchased an organic product during the previous year believed they had been misled by organic claims on the product packaging. Without domestic regulation on the use of the word “organic” in Australia, consumers need to be increasingly vigilant to be sure what they are buying is truly organic. In the lead-up to Australian Organic Awareness Month this September, we are sharing four top tips to provide confidence when purchasing organic products, including insights into why organic certification and product labelling are so important and to share resources to stay informed…