WellBeing

Justus von Liebig was a cruel man. My evidence for this assertion goes back around 8000 years when people in Anatolia (now part of Turkey) manufactured the first mirrors out of ground and polished obsidian (volcanic glass). In Mesopotamia and Egypt a

For this study researchers gathered data from nearly 9000 children in 50 schools around Norfolk (UK). The children self-reported their dietary choices and took part in age-appropriate tests of mental wellbeing including cheerfulness, relaxation and h

Some types of meditation have you focus on a single thing such as your breath, while open monitoring meditation has you pay attention to everything going on in your mind and body. In a new study, researchers recruited 200 people who had never meditat

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

Animals are adapting to climate change and significant physical changes are happening among the planet’s fauna. Several species of Australian parrot have shown an increase in bill size of between 4 and 10 per cent since 1871 and this has been linked

While selenium was known to be an important nutrient in agriculture, the biological role of selenium was only discovered in 1990, and since then there has been accumulating evidence for its importance in human health. Selenium is an essential trace e

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa, also called Chinese gooseberry) is native to central and eastern China. The first description was recorded during the Song dynasty in the 12th century; however, it was gathered from the wild, not cultivated, and used a

As large parts of the country have emerged from months confined to their homes, there is a collective sense of release. Looking ahead to life after the pandemic, perhaps you’re wondering where this shared release will lead. Certain moments in life ha

It’s often thought that big change leads to big results, but this often isn’t the case. Consider the phenomenon of New Year’s resolutions; with great enthusiasm people commit to making big changes in their life, only to slide back into their old ways

Pulling on my running shoes to welcome a new dawn. This always fills me with a sense of respect for what we’ve got in our lives and in this world & excitement for what is to come. I truly believe that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re fro

For women in their 40s, 50s and beyond, life’s midpoint has never looked better. Gone are the days when women who had come through their fertile years were expected to don a kaftan, speak only in hushed whispers about “the change” and quietly “go gen

“Muffins are a great treat to bake and share. I created this recipe for fun and have been enjoying sharing with my family and friends. It’s simple to throw together and has some great ingredients hidden in there like flax and high-protein Greek yoghu

Sourdough. Banana bread. Baked oats. The pandemic saw many of us begin to master a new hobby: baking. In fact, a 2020 Canstar survey of 1024 people revealed that one third of Australians (the equivalent of 6.3 million adults) turned to baking or had

Do you want to be in control of everything as a parent, but find this only leads to more disappointment when you can’t keep up? Do you find yourself getting swept up in reactivity when your child does something wrong? Do you feel flawed when things d

Sometimes we experience a moment or sensation that takes us back in time to reminisce on joyous times gone by. The smell of salty air, a lick of an ice cream cone, a light spray of water from the garden hose, the intro to your old favourite song, the

Back in the “old days”, fermenting foods was mostly used as a way to preserve produce to make it last through the winter after harvest time. Now fermented foods are appreciated for their wide-ranging health properties. From homemade sauerkraut to add

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion. ~ Pema Chödrön. Unconditional friendship. Is there anything better? Those people who are there

What we choose to eat each day not only affects our health and wellbeing, but has a huge impact on the health of our planet. Agriculture produces around a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). The carbon footprint can vary greatly b

In the world of fashion, it’s rare that everyone wins. The thirst for fast fashion often means that while the consumer may think they’ve “grabbed a bargain”, further down the line those cheap garments have cost a lot to both maker and Mother Earth. B

George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him” — a phrase that still rings true to this day. Whether you’re aware of it or not, everyone has an accent. T

Pregnancy is a time of momentous change, and with change comes learning. One of the first things women learn when pregnant is what foods to avoid in order to minimise any risk of bacteria or other toxins, such as mercury, coming in contact with their

1 cup of cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil. Olive oil is a rich source of vitamins including vitamins A, E, D and K and an antioxidant (meaning it fights off disease-causing free radicals that can lead to premature ageing and disease). It’s also mo

From ancient art and tradition to modern wellness offering, incorporating adaptogenic plants into your lifestyle is a timeproven method for cultivating a strong immune system, helping your body cope with stress, supporting healthy hormones, protectin

Prep time: 10 minutes Serves:2 2 cups almond milk2 tbsp cacao powder2 tbsp carob powder2 tsp maca powder1 tsp reishi¼ teaspoon ashwagandha1 tbsp cacao butter or coconut oil, melted1 tbsp coconut nectarPinch Celtic salt Place all the ingredients toget

Our homes have been at once a refuge and a prison. Living under quasi-house arrest on and off for the past two years has seen our whole universe shrunk to just four walls. As the world reopens to us, what does it mean to have endless scope in which t

Make the most of a weekend and spoil yourself with a retreat at Byron Yoga Centre. The centre’s affordable wellness retreats are available all year long. Choose a three, five, seven or eight-day health retreat to rejuvenate and reconnect to your true

The benefits of resistance bands are proven and working out with them will not only promote good form, balance and focus but also prevent injury. Resistance bands are an ideal tool to use in rehabilitation after a sports injury and to enforce limited

The medieval tale of Tristan and Isolde is based on an ancient Celtic legend. In the story Tristan travels to Ireland to ask the princess Isolde to marry his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall. There is some slaying of dragons along the way but Tristan suc

Unfortunately, most of us do not get enough good-quality sleep. Research by the Sleep Health Foundation revealed that 60 per cent of Australians regularly experience sleep symptoms like having trouble falling and staying asleep, or waking too early a

Humans have been communing around a fire since the first flint stones were bashed together to ignite a spark. Archaeologists and anthropologists suggest that tending fires and performing rituals taught Homo sapiens how to plan, cooperate and possibly

Like a stroll through a literal marketplace, we hope this section will offer you inspiration and ideas for living a better life. In this edition, we explore how to look after your health during the summer. Summer is here. The sun has made its ascent

Talk us through the moment you decided to create Amazon Power. It was back in 2001 while on a business trip when I realised the distinct lack of açaí and açaí products in the Australian market. I saw the passion that Australians had for healthy livin

Play and a playful attitude are not just enjoyable; they’re a key ingredient of good mental health. Instinctively, we know children need play to thrive, but in adulthood prioritising play seems at best frivolous and at worst indulgent. We all need pl

Talk us through the moment you decided to create Cheeki. I’m a lover of the outdoors, from hiking to kayaking and everything in between. Living on the northern beaches of Sydney, I started to notice more and more plastic waste popping up on the beach

Talk us through the moment you decided to create Hemptuary. We recently discovered the skin-enhancing and soothing benefits of hemp seed oil while evaluating the hemp plant for a larger pharmaceutical project. We identified a need for a simple, natur

Talk us through the moment you decided to create Seed & Sprout. Seed & Sprout came about organically. My son Archie was starting school and one of the requirements was to pack plastic-free lunches — which is amazing, of course, but I was struggling t

Tell us about Synergy Natural’s Super Greens. Synergy Natural’s Super Greens combines four of the most calorie-sparse and nutrient-dense wholefoods found on this planet. Spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and wheat grass boast an extraordinary array

What comes to mind when you hear the word “common”? Is it a community of Wombles or perhaps a bucolic English village green? Or is it a traditional way of sharing or allocating resources that predates the modern market economy? Despite rarely receivi

Back in 1838 when the British Government boldly built the Victoria Settlement, they had no idea that isolation, malaria, cyclones and sunken supply ships would bury a quarter of its pioneers on this utterly faraway Top End coastline. The settlement’s

THE PERFECT Christmas Gift Idea Find peace, tranquillity and mindfulness in these inspiring WellBeing calendars and diaries throughout 2022. Insightful messages about acceptance, love, happiness and being at one with the universe will help you naviga

This is an edited extract from Natural Harry: Delicious Plant-Based Summer Recipes by Harriet Birrell, photography by Nikole Ramsay, published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $34.99, available in stores nationally. If you’re looking for the ultimate summe

What inspired your health journey to create Supercharged Food? I was inspired to create my website Supercharged Food more than 12 years ago. I was keen to start a lifestyle blog that incorporated recipes, online learning programs and wellness inform

JADE MILES, MURDOCH BOOKS Looking to live a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle in 2022? Futuresteading will show you how. This book will teach you how to live, eat and garden with the seasons and offer reimagined routines and rituals that give back

Please tell us about AcuEnergetics®. AcuEnergetics® is an organisation with a core focus on improving bio-electrical flow in the body and mind. We do this in three main ways — treatments, trainings and meditation. The AcuEnergetics® treatment is a un

What inspired you to start Pana Organic? I have had a great relationship with food since the day I was born. For me, food is for nourishing the soul. Growing up in a household with migrant parents was always full of love and wholesome meals, which e

You’ve probably walked by without noticing it. Or perhaps you glanced but didn’t think twice about it. But there, along the side of Beenleigh’s Community Centre, in the narrow plot of unused green space, is the site that will one day become our beaut

The Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA) is the largest democratic national association of natural therapy, traditional medicine and complementary medicine practitioners. For over 65 years, ANTA has been representing the multi-disciplinar

Discover Ħarlo’s collection of filler-free, multifunctional, organic botanical skincare. Exfoliate, boost circulation, and maintain the pH balance of your skin with less packaging and less need for multiple products. Specially curated for the conscio

• Swim at sunrise. There’s something so cleansing about ocean water, and starting your day with a sunrise dip is the perfect way to nourish your body, mind and soul. Before diving in, take in the ombré hues of the sky and the briny sea air, pausing i