Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 202 i WellBeing

Hair Volume™ tablets HAIR VOLUME AND GROWTH For thick and more beautiful hair. Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. Adds nutrients to scalp and hair follicles. Only 1 tablet per day. 9/10 women felt their hair was healthier, thicker and shinier after taking Hair Volume™ tablets. Hair Volume™ Shampoo HERBAL BASED SHAMPOO Hair Volume™ Shampoo contains apple, apple cider vinegar and amino acids which repairs and thickens the hair by giving it volume, density and moisture. Hair Volume™ Conditioner HERBAL BASED CONDITIONER Hair Volume™ Conditioner contains apple, millet and amino acids which weightlessly repairs the hair by giving it volume, shine and softness. Hair Volume™ Shine Serum HERBAL BASED HAIR TREATMENT Hair Volume™ Shine Serum contains apple and millet extract to help restore a healthy look, shine and volume…

The berberis plant is a large shrub growing from one to five metres high. There are various species of berberis, but Berberis vulgaris or barberry is the most widely grown and used. Barberries are traditionally an important food source as well as a powerful medicine. In Central Asia and Iran, the berries are used in a variety of dishes including sauces, jellies, juices, jams and carbonated drinks, as well as a natural food colouring. Barberry has been used to improve multiple human health problems going back millennia and across many cultures, including fever, cough, liver disease, depression, ulceration, bleeding, high cholesterol and diabetes. The parts of the plant used medicinally include the roots, red berries, leaves and bark. Active ingredients Nutritionally the berries are sour, due to the high levels…

The way you think about the world profoundly shapes the way you navigate it. Your attitudes, beliefs and expectations influence each other to determine how you see the world, yourself and others. These elements contribute to what you think, what you feel and how you behave. So much so, according to the science, that they impact every aspect of your physical and mental health and the overall quality of your life. The mind–body connection is the link between your beliefs and your physical health, and while the mechanisms involved have been a mystery we now know and understand a lot more than we once did. With this understanding comes the opportunity to harness the rational magic that exists within us all. Research into the mind–body connection suggests that your beliefs…

The last few years may sometimes have felt lonely, seemingly more isolated than ever before. And although the lockdown era may have ended, the sense of community, consideration and care we showed for others during that time is worth clinging to, holding close like a warm blanket. In our fast-paced “new normal” world, where things are open, cancellations are few and it feels like we’re making up for lost time, take a moment to pause, breathe and offer someone a helping hand or a listening ear. Check in with a loved one to remind them you care, collect groceries for an elderly neighbour, leave a care package on the doorstep of a sick friend. In your time of need, perhaps others will do the same in return. Community, whether near…

Treat your guests to more than just a delicious meal. Why don’t you prepare a delicious feast for your family and friends with wholesome ingredients that will support their gut microbiome and overall health? By including a variety of foods that contain probiotics, prebiotics and specific gut-loving phytochemicals, your guests’ tummies will leave happy having been served up just what their gut microbiome needs to flourish for better health and wellbeing. Garlic Adding a good dose of garlic to dips, sauces and savoury dishes will not only add plenty of flavour but it will also give them a boost in prebiotic goodness. Garlic is rich in fructan, a type of soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic in the gut. Prebiotics are extremely important as they provide food for our…

Serves: 6 1 organic egg½ cup milk of choice1½ tsp vanilla essence⅓ cup smooth 100 per cent almond butter⅓ cup raw honey or pure maple syrup¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats (blended into flour) or oat flour1⅓ cup almond meal1½ tsp baking powder¾ cup grated apple, peeled and loosely packed (approx. 2 small apples) Preheat oven to 180°C and grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper. In a large bowl whisk the egg with milk, vanilla, almond butter and honey or maple syrup. In another bowl combine oat flour, almond meal and baking powder. Mix well. Pour wet ingredients into dry and gently combine. Stir through grated apple. Spoon mixture into the cake tin. Bake for 35 mins or until a skewer comes out cleanly from the…

The voyage from maiden to mother is the biggest journey a woman will embark on. It’s a rite of passage that marks the beginning of a new you. While it is clear to see the monumental changes that occur physically to a woman’s body, did you know that equally great changes are occurring to her hormones, nervous system and brain? These big psychological shifts can result in a dichotomy of emotions: one minute overjoyed and feeling a love like never before to the next where anxiety, lack of confidence and overwhelm creep in. Instead of focusing on setting up a nursery and buying the right pram, we need to be preparing a woman for how she is going to feel as she moves through this season of life, and discuss…

A retro lifestyle based on providing for our own practical needs, homesteading focuses on activities like growing food and producing our own energy and household products. With food, fuel, power bills and more on the rise, it’s a good time to get on board. While associated with the back-to-the-land movement, elements of homesteading can be practised almost anywhere, including in the city. Benefits include reduced costs, connection to nature, traditional knowledge and our own creativity and initiative, plus a greater sense of security. It’s also friendlier on the environment — items made at home accrue fewer food miles and contribute fewer pollutants. In reality, homesteading occurs on a spectrum. It’s impossible to be fully self-sufficient. However, providing for many of our own needs can make a difference and generate joy…

Posture power exercises and poses can transform and ignite your body. Our posture should be our only focus within fitness and body health. An improved posture will ensure improved digestion and greater oxygen absorption. It will evoke higher confidence and will give superior muscle strength, mobility and aligned body function. Grandma was right with all that nagging as having a good posture looks good. It helps you to develop strength, flexibility and balance in your body. These can all lead to less muscle pain and more energy throughout the day. Proper posture also reduces stress on your muscles and ligaments, which can reduce your risk of injury. Improving your posture also helps you to become more aware of your muscles, making it easier to correct your own posture. As you…

We have a sock muncher that lives in our house (leading to a mountain of socks in the laundry that have no match), hiking and sporting equipment piled up at the front door and random stacks of who-knows-what shoved under beds among the dust bunnies. There’s also a cat, a dog, kids and extended family at times, so excessive tidiness isn’t something my household embraces. While some thrive in the calamity and chaos of a messy home, others like things squeaky-clean and neat and tidy. Not sure where you fit in? Here’s a test. If you are a habitually tidy person, next time you pop your clothes in the clothes hamper — don’t. Drop them on the floor and leave them there for a day or so. For some, it…

fiction The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo TAYLOR JENKINS REID, WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS I could not put this novel down! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a masterpiece. Each night I would fight my heavy eyelids because the storyline was more captivating than sleep — and I’m a new mum! It’s hard to believe the novel is fiction, dreamed up entirely in Reid’s mind. Set in the golden Hollywood era, you’ll be mesmerised by the glamour and drawn into the incredibly well-written stories of love and loss, mistakes and redemption. All of the characters feel like real people: complex and nuanced. You either fall in love with them or you loathe them. With mystery, intrigue and an unpredictable plot twist that will leave your jaw…

As a new mum, I need to work hard to create time for myself. Along the way, I’ve learnt that self-care isn’t about being selfish … it’s about self-preservation. But it’s difficult to remember “me” when there’s a little one to cuddle, mouths to feed, washing to do and words to write. Lately, with the help of Organic Merchant and their beautiful products, I’ve found pockets of time for self-care but I’ve had to be creative. I’ve been playing around with the concept of “habit stacking”, which is identifying a regular habit and building a new habit on top of that existing habit. Developed by self-help author SJ Scott and popularised by author and speaker James Clear in 2018, habit stacking can be an effective technique for engaging in new…

Summer is here and with it comes longer days, summer recipes, welcome sunshine, light reading, beach days and hopefully some time for relaxation. When it comes to summer recipes, the only thing that makes me happier than a long lazy fresh breakfast is having breakfast for dinner. Or even lunch. Or any time really. Seriously, no matter how old you are, there’s something thrilling about having breakfast for dinner. That’s why I have a special thing for frittatas; they’re easy and delicious and can be enjoyed any time, anywhere and depending on the weather you can have them chilled or warm. So what is a frittata, you ask? For the unacquainted, a frittata is an egg-based dish. It’s like a quiche but without the crust. And lest we forget how…

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. Once we jettison fat we also liberate our liver cells from all their fatty constraints and, hey presto, they process and eliminate triglycerides just as nature intended. What really causes heart disease? Despite sophisticated medical technology, a medicine cabinet loaded with advanced pharmaceutical weaponry and a huge amount of nous, heart disease remains globally our number-one killer. How is it possible that a disease that we appear to know so much about with our heart-healthy diets and our cholesterol-lowering strategies is still our principal nemesis? It all begins with what…

Growing up, I was often told to “shush”, to “get over it” and “get on with it”. Essentially, as a child, I was told that feeling things was “bad”. That emotions were not to be felt and definitely not expressed. As a human, I need connection, growth and belonging. I need to be seen, heard and valued to feel safe. I need to have a voice to express myself and to say how I feel. And I connect best with others who have the capability to do the same. After many years of healing and forgiveness, I have learned and accepted that my parents were doing their best with the tools they had. When I put myself in their shoes and envisioned how their parents treated them, I imagined what…

January January 20–22, Bulli, AU 36th Illawarra Folk Festival  illawarrafolkfestival.com.au January 21–February 5, Sydney, AU Sydney Lunar Festival  whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/major-events/sydney-lunar-festival January 22 Chinese New Year January 20–February 19, Perth, AU Fringe World Festival fringeworld.com.au February February, AU Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month ovariancancer.net.au February, AU FebFast febfast.org.au February, AU REDFEB heartresearch.com.au February 1–8, New Zealand Luminate Festival luminatefestival.co.nz February 4, Global World Cancer Day  worldcancerday.org February 14, Global Valentine’s Day March March, Global Endometriosis Awareness Month  endometriosisaustralia.org March, AU The Water Challenge  waterchallenge.org.au March, AU Jump to Cure Diabetes jdrf.org.au/get-involved March, Global World’s Greatest Shave worldsgreatestshave.com March 16, AU National Close the Gap Day antar.org.au March 20, Global International Day of Happiness dayofhappiness.net March 21, Global World Down Syndrome Day  worlddownsyndromeday.org March 22, Global World Water Day worldwaterday.org March 24–26, Brisbane, AU…

Did something resonate with you in this issue of WellBeing? Tell us! Write to WellBeing, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670, email wbletters@umco.com.au, comment on our Facebook or Instagram page: @WellBeing _Magazine. We reserve the right to edit all letters. WIN! The winner of our Star Letter will win a copy of iKOU: Energise your Life by founder and CEO Naomi Whitfeld. In the beautifully designed book, you’ll learn the iKOU story, wellness tools to energise your life, meal planning and nourishing food recipes. For more information visit ikou.com.au I’ve been noticing the tensions of life lately and, in particular, the tensions of motherhood. As I navigate this new identity juggling full-time work with full-time mumming (let’s be honest, parenting is round-the-clock care), these tensions are showing up everywhere.…

Activity snacks We already know that prolonged periods of sitting reduce the body’s ability to filter sugar from the blood following a meal. However, if you break up sedentary periods with just two minutes of walking or 15 squats, that can improve blood sugar clearance after meals. In a new study, researchers wanted to see if there might be any effect on protein metabolism. They had subjects sit for long periods across 7.5 hours, interrupting sitting every 30 minutes by two minutes of walking or 15 squats. They found that the activity improved the efficiency of amino acid use for repairing old or damaged proteins and building muscle. The researchers say that this highlights the need for breaking up long sedentary periods with what they call “activity snacks” in order…

EV breakthrough If new car sales are to shift to electric vehicles (EVs) then two major drawbacks need to be overcome: they are slow to charge and they are expensive. As far as charging, depending on the vehicles’ battery some can take all day to charge. Batteries operate most efficiently when they are hot, but not too hot. Keeping batteries at the right temperature has been a challenge for engineers and has relied on bulky external heating and cooling systems which respond slowly. In a breakthrough, researchers have found a way to regulate temperature from inside the battery using an ultrathin nickel foil which allows most batteries to be charged within 10 minutes. This improvement in charge capability will allow for downsizing EV batteries from 150kWh to 50kWh without causing…

Open-mouthed, passionate kisses are central to our popular culture. In countless movies from Casablanca to Pretty Woman to Star Wars, kisses define characters and change the narrative direction. Reality television salivates over a couple’s kiss like the starving beast that it is. The power of the kiss, though, is not a figment of our entertainment imagination and neither is it new. Romantic poet John Keats fully bought into the power of the kiss writing, “Now a soft kiss — Aye, by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss.” Two centuries later, just remember this, a kiss still does promise bliss, and as an average Australian you will spend around 20,000 minutes of your life engaged in kissing. The kiss is powerful: when couples first kiss they are cementing mutual attraction,…

Practising mindfulness primes your brain to have a different level of connectivity to the present moment, in turn instigating a wide spectrum of positive ripple effects. From increased clarity and focus, reduced stress and improved memory to greater empathy and communication skills, becoming more mindful is directly linked to success across multiple facets of life. When it comes to your work, your personal endeavours and your relationships, the quality of your output and experience is correlated to your psychology. That’s where mindfulness comes in to turn the key to unlocking your full potential. Success in its many forms What does it actually mean to be successful? Success as an overarching concept for your life means taking into account everything from your business and professional gains to living a life in…

There is currently much discussion about the significant number of people redefining their priorities in work and life and modifying the balance between the two. The last few decades have been dominated by hustle culture with many people finding themselves working longer and longer hours, hustling for the larger pay cheque or the fancier title. It sometimes takes a significant negative event, such as natural disaster or medical diagnosis, to shake us out of autopilot. Seeing the fragility of life and the suffering of so many has us asking ourselves, “What is most important?” Are we living a life that is meaningful? Are we making the most of the time we have? Are we focused on the things that really matter and spending time with the people who really care?…

Globe Artichoke with Tzatziki Serves: 4 2 globe artichokesJuice 1 lemonCold-pressed olive oilSmall handful fresh thymePinch sea salt2 cloves garlic Tzatziki ⅔ cup organic Greek yoghurt1 tbsp lemon juice & 1 tsp zest1 small cucumber, de-seeded & gratedSmall handful mint leaves, finely chopped Preheat oven to 200°C. Wash artichokes, trim the stem and remove any tough outer leaves from the bottom of the artichoke. Cut the top off and trim the ends of the leaves to remove any sharp ends. Cut the artichoke in half down the middle and scoop out the furry choke from the centre. Drizzle top and bottom of the artichoke in lemon juice and olive oil, thyme and sea salt. Place a garlic clove in the centre of each artichoke and bake for around 45 mins…

Research shows that practising forgiveness has substantial mental and physical health benefits. These include lower risk of heart attack, improved cholesterol and sleep, and reduced anxiety, depression, stress, pain and blood pressure. When we don’t forgive others, we find ourselves in a state of anger and resentment, which triggers the stress response and ultimately results in negative health impacts. Anger triggers the “fight or flight” state, switching on the stress response, causing the heart rate and blood pressure to rise and the body to prioritise systems only related to immediate survival. The mind races so that you can make quick decisions and focus on a perceived threat, all of which is useful from an evolutionary perspective when there is an actual tiger running towards you. But when the tiger is…

Kitchens play to our senses, adding to the texture of our days as a thread woven into our habits, basic functions and evolving to-do lists. The development of the domestic kitchen in Australia has seen it go from a small, uncomfortable utilitarian room hidden at the back of the house to the open heart of a household, a centralised multipurpose zone where family and friends dwell, create and relax. “Given how central the kitchen is in modern home design, it’s only natural that they act like a magnet to bring everyone together,” says Anna McMillan of McMillan Design, an interior design studio in Sydney. “As a congregation point, good kitchen design is key.” Good design, in this instance, relates to a seamless fusion of function and aesthetics, creating an environment…

Beyond Alice Springs, the most popular travel routes loop east and west, skirting the base of the dramatic Macdonnell Ranges and luring travellers south to Uluru. But in this striking Red Centre landscape sits a vast sandstone wilderness that few roads penetrate, and the single sandy track that does follows one of the world’s oldest waterways. Hidden within a chiselled topography of rarely seen ranges and stark, flat-topped monuments lies a verdant canyon oasis and its mysterious thicket of striking red cabbage palms. Far too tropical for this stark, red rock landscape, Palm Valley baffles the brightest scientific minds. But the setting — incongruous and utterly bewitching — is what coaxes travellers out of their comfort zones to throw down swags under the stars in Finke Gorge National Park. Into…

Tell us in 25 words or less: How are you going to create a more meaningful summer? We love hearing how you’re going to spend your summer, the memorable moments you’ll be enjoying and, of course, the delicious food you’ll be consuming. Win big this summer with a share of over $4,800 worth of EatWell prizes. Go in the running to win one of 10 fantastic prizes to make your summer one to remember. Good luck! Sensational Summer Prize Packs include: • Natio Wellness Shimmering Rays Tote Bag Gift Set• Yarra Valley Preserves and Mad Dog Chilli Gourmet Gift Pack• NutriBullet XXL Digital 7L Air Fryer and Smart Touch Blender Combo• Lindt LINDOR Gift Packs• Bonne Maman Conserves Pack• Crumble Dutch Oven• Signature Barware Complete Cocktail Kit How to enter…

What does a usual day in your life look like as a full-time yoga teacher? My morning practice is a priority for me. But it doesn’t always work out this way if I have an early class. It’s my role with Byron Yoga Centre that facilitates the majority of my regular income. Being employed by such a reputable organisation that runs a whole host of yoga teacher trainings and retreats gives me stability and security.  Do you often have a class plan then need to change it at the last minute? All the time. We always tell our yoga teacher trainees at Byron Yoga Centre that you come to class with a Plan A and a Plan B then you end up teaching Plan C! I think there is a…

JACKIE FRENCH is the author of The Chook Book (Aird Books). Her oldest chook, Gertie, is now 17. Although Gertie’s sisters have all long since fallen off the perch, Gertie still lays extremely large brown eggs most days of the year. Get in touch with Jackie via facebook.com/authorjackiefrench, twitter.com/jackie_french_ and instagram.com/jackie_french_. Treat your lettuces well and they will treat you to the most enormous, delicious and incredibly cheap harvest it is possible to have in your backyard. Lettuces can be expensive or free. The free lettuce is the kind you grow yourself — but not from punnets. For some reason every snail in the neighbourhood knows when you have planted out a punnet of lettuce seedlings. You have brought supper for the snails. Instead, plant lettuce seeds. Lettuce germinates in a…

A 40-year-old company executive and mother of two children came to me as she just felt she could no longer cope with her life. Everything had become so overwhelming that she felt unable to do even simple things, except when she forced herself. She enjoyed her job and loved her family, but since she had been working from home and trying to manage the different lives she was totally exhausted. These comments are word pictures of the classic state associated with adrenal fatigue and exhaustion. She also had a myriad of other symptoms that supported this diagnosis. On being questioned, she revealed that she was having difficulty getting to sleep at night, with extreme tiredness during the day and having to have a strong coffee or two to get started…

Emotional immunity I read the article “How to boost your emotional immunity” by Marie Rowland in WellBeing #199 and had many “aha” moments. I’m a foster mum to a now teenager who was part of a violent environment as a baby. I’ve often thought that even though he was removed young there were things about that time and his birth family’s own history that is still very much a part of him. In the last two years, my marriage ended, my business ceased during COVID-19 and my eldest son’s ability to hold in — what I now know to be a lifetime of anxiety — collapsed and he became, at times, non-functional. It was in the midst of all of this that my mum’s words kept echoing back to me,…

Dogs smell your stress Given that dogs have a keen sense of smell and their close domestication history with humans, researchers wanted to see if dogs could smell when humans are stressed. To test this they collected samples of breath and sweat from non-smokers before and after a fast-paced arithmetic test. As well as self-reported stress levels, heart rate and blood pressure were measured. Samples from those who showed stress at the task were shown to trained dogs within three hours of being collected. Dogs of four different breeds were used and asked by trainers to find a subject’s stress sample (taken at the end of the task) while the same person’s relaxed sample (taken before the task) was also in the line-up. Overall, dogs were correct in selecting the…

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is the most extensively grown palm tree in the world. It is an important member of the palm family, originally from Southeast Asia. Coconut trees are major tropical and subtropical trees with multiple uses. They are a unique source of medicines and highly nutritious foods, and are important for the development of industrial products. All parts of the tree are used. Coconut water Coconut water is the sterile semi-clear fluid (the liquid endosperm) inside the young coconut, the ideal age of harvesting being 6–7 months and mature coconuts being harvested at 11–12 months. It has a similar electrolyte balance to human plasma. The maturity of the coconut determines the nutrient levels, with higher sucrose content and lower total phenolics in mature coconut water, and with higher fructose…

Claire O’Rourke is an incredible woman. She has extensive experience campaigning for organisations that deliver positive impact and in social movements making real change. Claire is on a mission to accelerate and inspire Australians to take action — and fast — towards a future of clean, renewable energy. How do you start your day? I’ve always been an early riser, for as long as I can remember. My body doesn’t really understand how to sleep in. I love the early morning when it’s quiet, before sunrise, then those moments when the birds start their morning wake-up calls. We live on Dharawal country, just north of Wollongong in New South Wales, at the foot of some of the most magical rainforest on the planet, in the Illawarra escarpment, wedged in a…

In the months before I gave birth to my daughter, I became aware of many societal stereotypes or “biases” I had previously taken little notice of. If you have ever shopped for baby clothes, you will be aware of the great pink versus blue divide that dictated my child’s identity long before she was born. After my daughter arrived, these biases seemed to spring up everywhere: the messages in the books she read, the characters in her favourite television series, the skin colour of her dolls, the gender divide in her ballet class and on and on. Of course, I could choose books with more inclusive messaging and buy dolls with a variation of skin tones, but I often felt these unexamined stereotypes were so entrenched in society that it…

Serves: 4 1 onion, finely chopped Olive oil2 medium carrots, diced1 stick celery, finely chopped200g mixed mushrooms, finely chopped2½ tbsp balsamic vinegar4 cloves garlic, crushed400g tin diced tomatoes1 cup vegetable stock3 tbsp tomato paste1 tsp ground cumin Pinch chilli flakes1 tsp smoked paprikaGood pinch sea salt & pepper¾ cup cooked lentils or 1 400g tinHandful chopped parsley Spaghetti (gluten-free or wholegrain)Grated parmesan, to serve In a large pan over medium heat sauté onion in olive oil for 3 mins. Add carrots, celery and mushrooms and cook for another 5 mins. Stir through balsamic vinegar, garlic, tomatoes, vegetable stock, tomato paste, spices, salt and pepper and lentils. Reduce to a simmer and cook covered for 20 mins. Add more vegetable stock if the sauce is too thick. Remove lid and cook…

When we think of the climate emergency we are currently facing, we think of global warming, greenhouse gases, bushfires and pollution. In Australia alone, we have experienced disastrous droughts and are now in a period of catastrophic flooding with scientists predicting that severe weather events will happen more frequently as a result of climate change. But water, a finite and precious resource, is often missing from the global conversation. You might be aware of water wastage in the home but what about “invisible water”, the amount of water it takes to make clothing, food and electronic devices? According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes 2500 litres to make a cotton T-shirt; 10,000 litres to make a pair of jeans; 2500 litres to make a meat hamburger; 13 tonnes of…

01 Slip Slip on protective clothing such as dark, long and tightly woven fabrics. Cotton, elastane, hemp, lycra, polyester and silk that is unstretched offer some protection. Seek clothing with a high ultraviolent protection factor (UPF). 02 Slop Slop on a suitable water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30+, half an hour prior to UV exposure for chemical sunscreens, reapplying every two hours. 03 Slap Slap on a shading hat. Forget caps, visors and chapeaus made from thin material or loose weave. Model and skin-cancer survivor Deborah Hutton launched UPF50+ Canopy Bay hats certified by ARPANSA in collaboration with Australian company Rigon Headwear. After realising her usual hats offered negligible protection, Hutton unveiled a line of health-conscious hats with style and substance. A sun-safe hat shades your whole head,…

Aries Aries, so keen to ram ahead, fired up by an idea, sometimes overlooking preliminary research. With lucky Jupiter now in Aries, being fully yourself is easy and fortunate. Yet a careless approach is not how those mountain-climbing rams survive. Ruler Mars begins 2023 retro in Gemini; looking back and checking facts is important. Mid-January’s direct phase means acting on those facts, and March begins with a lucky rush, when both Venus and Jupiter meet in Aries. The week building to March 7 Full Moon bristles with ambitious plans that can actually work well, if follow-up is thorough. Guru planet Mars becomes master of ceremonies through March, April and early May, driving expansive Jupiter and the Aries Sun sign time from March 21’s Equinox. New Moon in Aries plants hardy…

The story you tell yourself about your life shapes your perception of who you are and what you believe you’re capable of achieving. What story are you telling yourself in your life? Do you focus on your strengths or your weaknesses? Are you caught up in a narrative that is less than empowering? There’s no doubt that stories are powerful. In fact, the stories you tell yourself change and shape your brain. Dr John Arden in his book, Rewire Your Brain, explains, “The more you describe your ongoing experiences in a particular way, the stronger the neural circuits that represent those thoughts will become. Your narratives can be positive or negative.” Focusing on limitations It’s easy to get caught up in negative narratives and to focus on your perceived limitations…

You know those old, soft and slightly bruised fruit and veggies at the back of your fridge? Don’t throw them out! Instead, devour Alex Elliott-Howery and Jaimee Edwards’ latest cookbook, The Food Saver’s A–Z. In it you’ll find waste hacks, storage tips, swaps and shortcuts for more than 150 common veggies, fruits and kitchen staples. The timeless resource is packed full of ideas and advice for reducing food waste and instilling confidence in your cooking, and will help you use up anything you’re sick of looking at in the fridge or pantry. Plus you’ll impress family and friends with loads of delicious and healthy recipes from the popular Sydney-based Cornersmith Cooking School. Let The Food Saver’s A–Z be your new best friend in the kitchen. The planet will love you…

EMA TAYLOR is a naturopath, clinical nutritionist and certified fertility awareness educator. For more, visit emataylor.com or @emataylornaturopathy on Instagram. Antioxidants are one of the best mitigators for reducing premature ageing and wrinkles, making coconut oil a great natural anti-ageing balm. If you’re looking for an “all in one” beauty product, peek inside your pantry and you’ll likely find your solution: coconut oil. Coconut oil is derived from the dried fruit of Cocos nucifera and has many uses from cooking to massage oil, from furniture conditioner to being a popular ingredient in many cosmetics including fragrances, skin and hair products, toothpaste and deodorant. Coconut oil is composed of up to 95 per cent saturated fats and has a low molecular weight, which allows it to penetrate deeply through the skin’s barrier…

It’s been 12 years since I last wrote about integrative healthcare for pups (my girl is now nearly 12). Has much changed? What has changed in puppy nutrition? I still recommend a raw meat and bones diet where possible. Real food contains antioxidants and phytonutrients beneficial to health, whereas processing foods may lead to toxins and perpetuate dysbiosis. Cooked, dried food diets tend to be calorie-dense, leading to faster growth rates and increasing the risk for musculoskeletal problems such as hip dysplasia. Recent studies have shown reduced allergies in later life in pups fed raw food. However, it is difficult to know if raw diets are nutritionally balanced for growth. Pups require the right balance of calcium in their diets. Too little, and their bones will fracture easily; too much,…

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 A Full Moon in Cancer on January 7 brings 2023’s first week to a lovely climax for Cancer. Earth and Water harmonies make the first half of January sweet, with a likely moment of illuminating insight at Full Moon. Any confusion regarding people in your life shifts into deep insights after January 19, while January 23–30 helps…

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